forgive me, for i knew not what my ears were doing

I've become one of those people.

Last year, I got a pair of v-moda headphones from my mother, which I can tell you now, is something I would never, never, never buy for myself because start value = two 2T drives or 1 4T + tax when on sale which no. Yes, I think like that. Also--foolishly, I admit--I never really thought I noticed or cared beyond certain really wide parameters of sound.

One year later, having used nothing but my v-modas, my ear has been retrained, and boy has it.

My cord broke and though I'm sending for a new one for them, I grabbed a pair on sale at amazon in the interim that got good ratings and was under the price for 1 1T drive on sale (YES I THINK LIKE THIS OKAY; EVERYTHING IS PRICED COMPARATIVE TO COMPUTER PARTS), got them today, plugged them in, and...it took me two tries to realize in horror I know this song, of course I do, but it sounds wrong wrong wrong. The bass is off (what the hell), the treble is too sharp, and they're too light--I have no idea how to explain the abomination. It's like--faded or something, or unsupported--what's the word for nothing is right anyway?

Currently I'm listening to my entire short playlist in fascinated horror at how wrong everything sounds. Also, they aren't heavy enough, which is really bothering me. I'm used to a reassuring pressure of them on. These aren't reassuring.

I used to make fun of people who went on about their need for super perfect audio quality headphones and the words they used to describe what was lacking in less elite models. I mean, really, what the fuck is this. I feel--horribly--like a commercial of some kind who is praising the wonders of--better tonal quality?--and have been converted to their masses.

Is there like, an intervention for this kind of thing? This is embarrassing. These are doing truly atrocious things to A Time for Lions and Carolina Liar.

Comments

[nafs]

I usually spend about 30 - 50 bucks a pair on headphones these days. a) I'm hearing impaired so the sound that comes at me needs to be high quality before my own ears degrade it b) the way I'm hearing impaired means I can't wear earbuds, I have to wear actual headphones.

I don't know that I'm looking for "super-perfect" but I know what I like. (It starts with "there should be bass, but there are other parts of the spectrum!") Unfortunately I don't know enough to really know which parts of the specs really influence what I'm hearing, which was a pain when the headphones I really loved the sound of got discontinued. Currently I use Panasonic RP-HTX7 which are reasonably popular (had to replace them once already) and can be had for a reasonable price.

Occasionally what can help with headphones that are decent but just not tuned the way you want them is to play with the mixer settings on your mp3 player. With a little fiddling you might be able to get what you need without buying a new set.

[inoru_no_hoshi]

I can't use earbuds either, for the same reason! So after my cheapy-cheap headphones broke (after about a year; I was actually a little impressed since I couldn't even wear them at the proper angle because my hearing aid is a BTE), I got a $20 pair of Sennheisers, which are pretty good in my limited experience.

Someday, when I grow up and have money, I want something from Turtle Beach, just because the sound experience when I tried a pair at PAX 2010 was really awesome. :3