Road Ode
New Member
I have been reading about the Carpenters for more than 40 years, and have visited every website I could find about them, but I have never posted anything anywhere about them. I chose to post here because it's the only site I have found that feels professional and doesn't have all the sniping and "Richard vs. Karen vs. Parents" garbage that is so meaningless and out of place (at least in my opinion). So, thanks to everyone who runs the site and all the members who post such positive and informative things.
This might sound crazy, but I listen to music most at my desk, so putting in some huge sound system is out of the question. I want to purchase new high-end headphones (last time I purchased was in the 80's) to listen to amazing vocalists. Carpenters have been my favorite since the first time I heard my parents play their Close To You album during a huge Labor Day/Back to School party held every year on our cul-de-sac, when I was, I think, 7 or 8 (I was born in June 1963). I remember hearing "Maybe It's You" and I stopped playing and went into the house to listen. My parents loved great voices and had a huge collection, but I had never heard someone sing like that. The voice on that album made me think and feel things I didn't understand how to explain at that age, and I don't think I have ever read a review that fully addresses all of the amazing things Carpenters did, and all of the qualities of her voice. If I ever figure it out, I might post someday. Until then, I am just hoping for some advice.
One aside, if you haven't listened to the SACD (The Singles 1969-1973) in surround sound, then get it and listen, even if you have to go to a sound system store - there is no greater Carpenters audio experience. Any chance they are going to do another compilation album of different songs as a supplement to this one? Or maybe do their best selling individual albums in SACD? Sorry about that, moving on.
I also love listening to Nat Cole, Dionne Warwick, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Mathis, Andy Williams,
Sarah Vaughn, older Tony Bennett, Nancy Wilson, Dinah Washington, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Helen Forrest, Eartha Kitt, etc. Basically, I am hooked on great vocalists with amazing arrangements. I also listen to Opera (especially Maria Callas and Renee Fleming) and Classical
I have really sensitive ears, and any type of loud bass gives me a horrible headache, but since most headphones seem primed for bass (rock, hip hop, etc.) it's hard to really find a great set of headphones. So I would like to see if there are any audiophiles on here who have suggestions.
I know that a great pair of headphones will run me from what appears to be $500 to $1400, and I have saved up to purchase both the headphones and amp. Here is some info that might help:
1. I use a newer iMac with maxed-out RAM and storage
2. I listen almost exclusively to CD high-quality files (ALAC or FLAC, etc.), unless it's impossible, and have a growing collection of SACD quality files (I am slowly replacing regular CD's with these as they are available
3. I prefer over-ear headphones (closed or open style - whichever has the better sound)
4. I currently use the Bose 5.1 system made for computer hookup
5. I seem to be looking mostly at Sennheiser headphones from the reviews, like the Sennheiser HD800's, but I don't want to miss out on any other brand that might be better
6. I will listen to the contenders before buying
I have been researching this for months, and there is so much data that it's almost overwhelming. Here are the questions/problems I am having:
1. As mentioned earlier, most headphones seem primed to listen to rock, hip hop, and any other loud bass music
2. I think I am looking for something with amazing mid-range, to hear the voices, but I am not sure if that's right
3. I have been told that I might want to look for something that is flat across the spectrum and use an amp to adjust to what I want to hear, but I can't find anything in the headphone literature that mentions this quality or how to compare it
Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
This might sound crazy, but I listen to music most at my desk, so putting in some huge sound system is out of the question. I want to purchase new high-end headphones (last time I purchased was in the 80's) to listen to amazing vocalists. Carpenters have been my favorite since the first time I heard my parents play their Close To You album during a huge Labor Day/Back to School party held every year on our cul-de-sac, when I was, I think, 7 or 8 (I was born in June 1963). I remember hearing "Maybe It's You" and I stopped playing and went into the house to listen. My parents loved great voices and had a huge collection, but I had never heard someone sing like that. The voice on that album made me think and feel things I didn't understand how to explain at that age, and I don't think I have ever read a review that fully addresses all of the amazing things Carpenters did, and all of the qualities of her voice. If I ever figure it out, I might post someday. Until then, I am just hoping for some advice.
One aside, if you haven't listened to the SACD (The Singles 1969-1973) in surround sound, then get it and listen, even if you have to go to a sound system store - there is no greater Carpenters audio experience. Any chance they are going to do another compilation album of different songs as a supplement to this one? Or maybe do their best selling individual albums in SACD? Sorry about that, moving on.
I also love listening to Nat Cole, Dionne Warwick, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Mathis, Andy Williams,
Sarah Vaughn, older Tony Bennett, Nancy Wilson, Dinah Washington, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Helen Forrest, Eartha Kitt, etc. Basically, I am hooked on great vocalists with amazing arrangements. I also listen to Opera (especially Maria Callas and Renee Fleming) and Classical
I have really sensitive ears, and any type of loud bass gives me a horrible headache, but since most headphones seem primed for bass (rock, hip hop, etc.) it's hard to really find a great set of headphones. So I would like to see if there are any audiophiles on here who have suggestions.
I know that a great pair of headphones will run me from what appears to be $500 to $1400, and I have saved up to purchase both the headphones and amp. Here is some info that might help:
1. I use a newer iMac with maxed-out RAM and storage
2. I listen almost exclusively to CD high-quality files (ALAC or FLAC, etc.), unless it's impossible, and have a growing collection of SACD quality files (I am slowly replacing regular CD's with these as they are available
3. I prefer over-ear headphones (closed or open style - whichever has the better sound)
4. I currently use the Bose 5.1 system made for computer hookup
5. I seem to be looking mostly at Sennheiser headphones from the reviews, like the Sennheiser HD800's, but I don't want to miss out on any other brand that might be better
6. I will listen to the contenders before buying
I have been researching this for months, and there is so much data that it's almost overwhelming. Here are the questions/problems I am having:
1. As mentioned earlier, most headphones seem primed to listen to rock, hip hop, and any other loud bass music
2. I think I am looking for something with amazing mid-range, to hear the voices, but I am not sure if that's right
3. I have been told that I might want to look for something that is flat across the spectrum and use an amp to adjust to what I want to hear, but I can't find anything in the headphone literature that mentions this quality or how to compare it
Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
