(Part 2) Best products from r/ToolBand

I bought a pair of Audio Technica ATH-M50xyears ago and still love them. I think they’re a great starting point for people who want to get into higher end headphones without breaking the bank (~$140) and want something you can just plug into your computer/phone headphone jack and get reasonably good sound.

I think the real sweet spot for price/performance starts at $400-$500. Audio quality is determined by the weakest link in your audio chain e.g. you can have a really nice pair of headphones that don’t end up sounding that great because your laptop or phone has a low quality DAC/headphone amp.

What I bought/recommend after spending dozens of hours doing research on /r/headphones and /r/audiophile is:

Schiit Modi 3 ($99) - This is the Digital Analog Converter or DAC. This converts digital music stored as 1s and 0s into an analog sound wave we can hear.

Schiit Magni 3 ($99) - This is a headphone amp that takes the analog sound wave from the DAC and amplifies it to your desired volume.

Sennheiser HD6xx ($220) - These are a stunningly good deal for headphones. They are a version of Sennheisers legendary HD600/HD650 series of studio monitors made in partnership with MassDrop for $120 less than a regular pair of HD650s on Amazon.

This is a really respectible setup for $420. All the components are very popular entry-level audiophile components and I’m sure there are thousands of people with this exact setup.

It’s important to note that this is not a portable setup at all and has to be plugged into a wall to work. This doesnt do much good if you do most of your listening on the go while traveling/commuting. I think you the Sony WH-1000MX3you said you tried are the best bang for your buck if you want wireless headphones to use with your phone on the go. I do not own these (yet) but plan to buy them next time I have a long flight, and I think they are currently the best noise-cancelling headphones on the market.

There are lots of good options out there, although I’d avoid the trendy brands like Bose and especially Beats.

My Major IIIs sound fantastic. Its got alot of bass, and squealing treble, just needs a bit of (blasphomus) mid EQ adjustments. They are sold as "bluetooth headsets, but I use the bluetooth as a secondary function and use them wired.

When I got them they were $200 a cpl years ago, they go for 114 new now, but Amazon has a couple under 100 that are "like new" - great thing about Amazon and headphone buying is their awesome return policy.

Looks like they got a $60 version without bluetooth too

I am going to be using this article plus my own personal experiences in the 7 years I have been collecting: https://www.techradar.com/news/best-turntables


Turntable: Audio-Technica ATLP120USB Direct Drive Professional USB Turntable Price $229.00 (On Sale at the time of this writing) it comes with a built in Pre-Amp so you are good to go. This is one I have been eyeballing myself.


Amplifier: Yamaha R-S202BL Stereo Receiver Price $149.95 (On sale at the time I am writing this). This is the one I personally use and I love it. It has multiple channels so you can allow for growth. For example I got a stereo cd player at the local thrift store I am trying to upgrade. I just need RCA Cables to hook it up which I do.


Speakers: https://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-T15-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B002RJLHB8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8 Price $49.98 (Sale at the time I am writing this)


Wire from speakers to Amp: AmazonBasics 100ft 16-Gauge Audio Stereo Speaker Wire Cable - 100 Feet Price $13.49


Headphone Adapter (Trust me you'll need this if you want to listen to music via headphones) Adapter Price: $7.99


Subtotal: $450.41‬ plus taxes. I think you have wiggle room on the speakers, but I searched for high rated ones. If you need help setting up your Turntable and Stereo please feel free to reach out and I can help! :D

Yep! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07218L515/ref=twister_B01DBVOZM8?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 . It has a few different images available, so if you get it just make sure you have the correct image clicked.

It's not made of paper; it feels like some kind of waterproof plastic tablecloth material. Made in China, took a couple weeks to arrive, rolled up in a tube but since it's plastic fabric it doesn't really crease or wrinkle. Pleasantly surprised at the quality and how vivid the colors are in person. It's pretty great, especially considering the price.

I got these https://www.amazon.com/1MORE-Earphones-Headphones-Resolution-Smartphones/dp/B01A7G35S0

I would also recommend the Shure se215.

These two are great budget in ear headphones. Terrific sound. The Shure don't last very long though. I had 2 pairs and the wire that wraps around your ear gets torn after about 2 years of heavy use.

So far 1More are soooo good for the price. Great quality and the packaging is awesome.

>Paul D’Amour, the original bassist of Tool, returns to the world of heavy music with Feersum Ennjin’s self-titled debut on November 15, marking his first foray into hard rock since he parted ways with Maynard James Keenan, Adam Jones, and Danny Carey in 1995.



The article isn't entirely correct. Paul put out a self-titled Feersum Ennjin EP back in 2005 that was really good. Definitely worth picking up.


Additionally, the Lusk - Free Mars record he did in 1997 was absolutely fantastic. In my top 10 of all time.

Stoked to hear the new record for sure.

Interesting... looks like Rick Strassman has used Alex's art on other books as well. Only difference I really see is the flower in center and Tool used a 7 sided figure vs. 6 on the book...

For those interested in this kind-of concept, I really recommend the book The Cosmic Serpent: DNA and the Origins of Knowledge as well... I haven't read any of Rick Strassman's work; I'd like to check OP's out... it sounds similar to The Cosmic Serpent which I really enjoyed.

Food of the Gods by Terence McKenna is another good one.

It depends how you want to listen to it. That's a surround sound receiver and unless he sets it for Stereo, he's playing it a way it's not really recorded for. Some people prefer bigger front speakers with their own subs and will play music with just those for more of a "true" sound. I think surround sound and subwoofers are amazing and would 100% recommend it. The best seller on Amazon is actually a great starter speaker for a ridiculously low price ($90).

https://smile.amazon.com/Polk-10-Inch-Powered-Subwoofer-Single/dp/B0002KVQBA/

No, sadly. I tried but it didn’t work out. But here are my favorite Alex Grey prints:

Alex Grey - Ocean of Love Bliss - Poster https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075THN1Q4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_O1iDDb03G7ZGF

Alex Grey - Wonder - Poster https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075TH1HQG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_t2iDDbSZEESNJ

I got these and they seem good, haven't compared to the other fancy ones though. Certainly better sound quality than the foam ones! They prolly are the most attractive, of that matters.

Loop Earplugs - High Fidelity Hearing Protection for Concerts, Music and More - 5 Colors - Includes 12 Eartips and Pouch - Glorious Gold https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079TZQX2V/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_yDUYDbFDJQ30V

I bought the 1000xm3 through r/avexchange used, you could also try Target or Best Buy since they let you return if you’re not happy with it. Have you tried AirPods? I think they sound great and are super practical, especially with an accessory like this: AhaStyle AirPods Ear Hooks Silicone Earbuds Covers (Clear) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DHCZ1TR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_9wPBDb00PHYT7

I love Steven Wilson's King Crimson 5.1 remixes.

Pink Floyd's 30th Anniversary SACD of "Dark Side of the Moon" is the best 5.1 mixed album I've ever heard.

Also, NIN "Downward Spiral" is great.

I love my old Telarc CDs that are out of print now. Most of them were recorded using stereo reel-to-reel tape and then later mastered digitally. I especially love my CD of Leonard Bernstein conducting the New York Philharmonic (Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture / Romeo & Juliet / March Slave (CBS Great Performances) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000025JK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_bEi3CbSEP6NRC)
It isn’t Telarc but it’s such a fantastic performance that it doesn’t matter.

Meh, its much better when it's coupled/mixed with an audience recording and I'll take a proper audience recording over an IEM every damn day and twice on Sunday.

IEMs have their place, but IMHO they just sound like it was recorded in a tin can, this one included. You have virtually 0 drums/low end and the guitars are very muted, vocals are obviously out front because it's for Maynard's feed. Truth is that its not actually that hard to do, you just need the receiver (Shure P7R or similar) and a recorder, you just hit record and sit back in your seat - go get a beer, whatever. Set it and forget it. Tool was also pretty lax about changing the channel from night to night, so sometimes we tapers didn't even need to change it for weeks on a tour. It does help to be as close to the stage as possible, you'll get a lot more dropouts if you're up in the nosebleeds. When I was recording these, I'd do IEM and a normal audience recording at the same time, always from a floor location as close to the stage as I could get.

Seriously though, buy a $30 dollar speaker off Amazon or something. The one in my room makes a WORLD of difference. It's super loud and is the best cheap speaker in my experience.
I'll see if I can find it...
EDIT: Found it! https://www.amazon.com/Upgraded-Version%E3%80%91-SoundBar-EIVOTOR-Computer/dp/B07JB3XVQZ/ref=mp_s_a_1_17?keywords=desktop+soundbar&qid=1567098841&s=gateway&sr=8-17 it's awesome. There's no distortion even on max volume.