[image] Hello everyone! I’ve been here in Drop/Massdrop for a few years, also on Head-Fi since 2008, and I’ve seen a few common questions and gaps in knowledge over the years. So, to try answering them so that I (or you) can simply link a video when a common question comes up, I “rebooted” my YouTube channel with new videos to serve as a guide for new and intermediate personal audio enthusiasts! Thanks for accepting my amateur production with a “shrug” and a subscribe, I’ll try to upload 1-2 videos a week and add them here as well. Go ahead and leave audio questions you think others would also want answered! YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4bc2SQk0h2TrE0K07t2WI5by66ArtDAb

I cannot tell you the number of times I have heard a conversation about amplifier power go like this: “I hear that B&W speakers need at least 400W,” or, “I heard that Paradigm speakers are very power-hungry.” The fact is, there IS a way to figure out how much power your speakers will need and how to pair an amplifier with the speakers you already own or are looking to purchase. To determine the amplifier power, you will need the following items: Speaker sensitivity specification (typically dB SPL /1W /1m) Number of speakers you are using Distance from speaker(s) How loud do you want your music to sound, for general reference 70-80dB for speech only 80-95dB for light music 95-110dB for heavy music Rules to Remember Every time you double power or double the number of speakers, you increase the sound pressure level (SPL) by 3dB. Every time you double the distance from the speaker, you decrease SPL by 6dB. A speaker specification of 95 dB SPL/1W/1m means that at 1W of power, the...

Hi Everybody. I’m Bill-P. You may know me from Head-Fi or SuperBestAudioFriends (formerly Changstar). I have done a lot of headphone modding in the community and have recently been doing some headphone modding for Massdrop. This led to some questions from Massdrop employees about headphone modding and why I do it. They thought you might like to know how I got into modding headphones and some of my ideas on how to mod. At the end, I’ll also share what I was able to do with the new HiFiMAN HE-350 in making them sound the way that I want them to. [image] Why do I modify headphones? Basically, I really want to make headphones sound better for everyone and I think that manufacturers should hear how good their headphones can sound if they take more time to tune them. When you buy a high-end model, you expect that the manufacturer has already done all of the engineering for you- from tonality to frequency response to resolution. You assume you’re going to get great design and...

[image] We at Massdrop have a special relationship with Sennheiser. They’re a company who believes in delivering the highest quality products to the Audiophile Community, and we’re always listening to the needs and ideas of our members so in this it's a perfect match. Since our first collaboration with Axel Grell and the Sennheiser team, we’ve been able to come up with more ways to bring more products to the community. Starting with the HD 6XX, a Massdrop Made take on the company’s flagship headphones. The PC37X, a headset produced for competitive gaming. And now, the 58X Jubilee. Headphones tuned by Axel, and designed with feedback from the community. Currently, Sennheiser has a team specifically dedicated to our collaborations, and this proves their commitment to always listening and to continue bringing the very best of what they can do to those who are most passionate about it. [video] [image] Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 58X Jubilee Headphones [image] SEE DROP: www...

[image] It's All Greek to Me As with any expensive electronic product, doing research and reading reviews on headphones is a good way to reduce the risk of buyer's remorse. Physical characteristics such as the build quality, comfort, and accessories are easily described and understood, but when it comes to describing how something sounds - that's a whole other ball game. Understanding the frequency range of sound and how it affects the music is a great running start towards understanding your own preferences and what sound signature of headphone is best for you. [image] When deciding what headphones are best, we have to start with frequency response. The Spectrum of Sound The deep rumbling of a bass guitar. The lively tweeting of a piccolo. Both of these sounds begin as vibrations, carried through the air from the instrument to your ears. As the speed of vibrations is directly correlated to pitch, the low notes on the bass guitar vibrate the air slowly as compared to the higher...