Headsets with bass amplifier

[JM Aggie08]

yay or nay?

 

[OUCaptain]

Depends on loud you crank it.

 

[Crono]

Not unless you set it really high. Using sound isolating/canceling headphones is probably the best way to spare yourself hearing damage, as you can set the volume lower and be able to comfortably hear the music. I don't think it matters too much if it's low frequency vs higher frequency (don't quote me on it) but obviously you don't want too much bass assaulting your ears for extended periods of time.

 

[NanoStuff]

It tends to be the higher frequencies you have to worry about when it comes to hearing loss. What the hell is a headset bass amplifier anyways? Whatever it's purpose, it probably sounds like shit, just get headphones with a better frequency range.

 

[drinkmorejava]

Generally, 70dB is quoted as safe, but the disclaimer is that all people react differently to different sound levels and frequencies.

 

[gorcorps]

IMO headphone amps are unnecessary if you use proper EQ settings, have decent phones, and have your music encoded well (read: not through itunes).

 

[imported_Imp]

Headphones are bad for hearing as is... adding extra stuff will just screw you more. Just do some googling about hearing loss and headphones, it turned me away from "portable music" years ago. I'll just stick to my $1000 hi-fi system. Headphones are especially bad cause high frequency intensity dissipates over distance with normal speakers, but it only has about an inch or so with them 'phones. So even at the same decibel level, you're worse off with 'phones (or so I heard, better safe than deaf).

 

[NanoStuff]

Originally posted by: Imp
Headphones are bad for hearing as is... adding extra stuff will just screw you more. Just do some googling about hearing loss and headphones, it turned me away from "portable music" years ago. I'll just stick to my $1000 hi-fi system. Headphones are especially bad cause high frequency intensity dissipates over distance with normal speakers, but it only has about an inch or so with them 'phones. So even at the same decibel level, you're worse off with 'phones (or so I heard, better safe than deaf).

Don't get carried away with safety, you will lose hearing as you age anyways. By age 60 your cochlear nucleus becomes a shriveled prune whether you've absorbed a lot of music or not. Make use of it while you have it.

That said, headphones don't cause more damage at the same dB, that just makes no sense. The problem with headphones is you need a higher volume to the ear to give a comparable perceived equivalent to speakers. This is because headphones typically don't provide your ear with the spatial information to judge relative amplitude with distance. Headphones would be no worse with sophisticated and personalized HRTF algorithms.

 

[Eeezee]

Even cheapo headphones will damage your hearing if they're too loud. Bass amplified headphones are fine if you use them reasonably.