I was wondering recently: "how good did those headphones that were bundled with early Walkmans really sound?" I know many folks here have the original headphones - what do you think? Does something like the lowly MDR-1 sound good enough for everyday use, or do you opt for something more modern?
As a general statement most all headphones packaged with the walkmans even better ones ( excluding a few like DC2, DD9, WM-D6C) were fair to VERY poor sounding. It was the one place the mfg. cut costs greatly.. putting money into player. The MDR-1's you mentioned are actually for the period darn good headphones. The original phones for the WM-7 with remote in line ( first ever) are also IMO very good. BUT the bass ability of headphones early 80's was woefully lacking!!! I actually enjoy greatly my WM-7 and matching headphones for classical but lighter fair no booming bass.
Most all of my orig. headphones are packed away mostly due to dont want foam to go bad by using.
The old Koss Porta Pro over ear headphone that came out in mid 80's and have been unchanged since are my choice for daily listening and walking around. The bass on these is ASTOUNDING/// period!! the high range is bit lacking but not bad at all. The full range ability especially lower makes them wonderful and not wear you out worn for long periods and VERY comfortable. Still nothing better under 100 USD and you can get them for under $40.
Ear buds I use pair of Creative Labs EP-650 for $50 fantastic for money. Using really expensive finer HP on walkmans usually brings up the tape hiss too much.
I would say mostly for listening get pair aftermarket HP. BTW after 2 years of sometimes 2 hours day use my Koss Porta Pro's wire at plug gave out one channel went dead. Sent them back with 6 bucks and in 8 days I had a brand new pair no questions asked.. life time warranty and THEY MEAN IT!
If you looking into the creative labs there are tons of fake knockoffs on Ebay DONT BUY except from the MFG site.....
Hi JohnEdward, that pretty much confirms what I suspected. I had some MDR-1 headphones that came with my WM-1, but all I can really remember about them is that they haaated to reproduce bass (as you mentioned).
I wish there were more of the vertical in-the-ear types available these days, like the ones that the WM-10 originally came with. I do remember that type in general sounding pretty good. The Fontopia/iPod style earbuds never sounded very good to me, I think because they don't fit in my ears well at all. I currently use some Etymotic ER-6i earbuds with silicone tips, and they sound quite nice with all three of the Walkmen I currently own.
i bought a cassette player about a year ago and a set of realistic headphones came with them. i always try before they find the trash can. i knew right away i got something special. it was a paid of old nova 45's which i knew were one of those special hits. i fixed and replaced the headpnone pads and they are my preference over anything i ever had. headphones by realistic,,,who would hav ever thought. they may be just a hair light on base but it doesn't bother me. i also like the over the head style which is very comfortable for hour after hour. my pro 1 kosses gave out again at the headphone jack. i was so carefull sith them too. i guess 6 mts. is the lifespan as that was about it the first time. should i send them back again,,i don't know if it's worth it in the long run. they do have more bass.
Never use the stock headphone my favorite would be Ultimate ears triple fi 10 pro or Shure SE530 have bulit in crossover and three drivers in each bud and the most conformable to wear, used them 3 hours a day w, only thing is with certain walkmans need a headphone amp, used the ibasso t3d the Etymotic are pretty good to
But whatever you do don't lisen to MP3 format with highend headset, you will hear how bad mp3 compression sounds, makes it sound dull and like it dropout.
quote:
Originally posted by DrMR2000:
Never use the stock headphone my favorite would be Ultimate ears triple fi 10 pro or Shure SE530 have bulit in crossover and three drivers in each bud and the most conformable to wear, used them 3 hours a day w, only thing is with certain walkmans need a headphone amp, used the ibasso t3d the Etymotic are pretty good to
But whatever you do don't lisen to MP3 format with highend headset, you will hear how bad mp3 compression sounds, makes it sound dull and like it dropout.
I couldn't agree more. These earphones are very sensitive and the numbers about their sensitivity and impedance are mostly on the spot in reality. Even they should work well with portable players, the fact is they don't and you will be much better off with cheaper models. Soon after i got my pair I realized that they will remainconnected to the headamp forever.
For good walkman headphones I always recommend the Koss Porta-Pro or Sennheisser PX100. For something bigger and more comfortable I recommend Sennheiser HD485 and Beyerdynamic DT460. All of these will work fantastic on any player with at least 2x5mW in 16 ohm impedance. But even these headphones would benefit from a headamp though it isn't necessary. If you like Grado sound, you can go for the SR60i as well.
it is amazing to me how people can listen to mp3 except where the music doesn't count.i think a good vocalist at 256 vbr would cut it. i use nova 45's 12 hours a day till they fizzle. as for mp3,,,ya, dull is the word but people don't get it for some reason unknown.
