Cans! (Headphone thread inspired by Dolly Parton)
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Topic: Cans! (Headphone thread inspired by Dolly Parton)
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Subject: Cans! (Headphone thread inspired by Dolly Parton)
Date Posted: June 26 2017 at 03:32
 Cans. Yup we all love them. Some more than others. Dolly's favourite pair is the old Stax Lambda if I remember correctly. So may I have the privilege of welcoming you to the brand new and improved thread concerning this much talked about subject. Please share your past and present experiences. Post a pic or two. What are you currently rocking? Open vs closed. Planar. Electrostats. Are some better suited for electronic or polka whilst others only work with Elvis? My current stash: For long travels and bedside listening: Sony MDR 7506  Many complain about their lack of bass. I don't get that. These have some of the best detail in that department. I don't think I will ever tire of them tbh. For sports or outside use when it's too hot to wear anything but a thong I use another pair of Sonys. MDR-EX650AP:  Recommended to just about anyone looking for some in-ears that don't break the bank. I am on my second pair now. For portable use, also functioning as earmuffs, we have the AKG Y50s in taxi cab yellow:  After listening to these I struggle to understand why people buy Beats at all. They're a third of the price and sound at least three times as good. Yes there is a bass boost there but it is subtle and "musical" and more importantly; it doesn't muddy the rest of the sound spectrum. Last but not least the Hifiman HE-400:  These are my babies. Without a doubt the closest I've ever come to experiencing music live without being 'there'. These will get you 'there' in their own way though. Holy sh*t they're brilliant! So now that I've shown you mine how about a little quid pro quo? ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Replies:
Posted By: ALotOfBottle
Date Posted: June 26 2017 at 04:29
I currently use Sennheiser Momentum cans for most of my listening. Like these: They aren't top shelf headphones, but I really like their sound. Not too much earsplitting highs and a nice amount of glassy mids and buttery bass. Perfect just about for most listening situations I'm in. They are quite good for outside use and, in my opinion, very pretty. The only problem is the size adjusting system, my long hair frequently gets tangled in it and it kind of hurts when I take them off to quick.  I also sometimes borrow my dad's Sennheiser HD 280 headphones when he is not home. These sound godly.  ------------- Categories strain, crack and sometimes break, under their burden - step out of the space provided. |
Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: June 26 2017 at 06:33
A few of my most treasured CANS!!!!!     -------------  https://rateyourmusic.com/~siLLy_puPPy |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: June 26 2017 at 07:04
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If those Sennheiser Momentums sound anything like their succesor Momentum 2 then they're wonderful. I tried them on for a good hour or so and they felt like quality. The sound was pretty sweet and relaxed - the kind you can listen to for hours on end without feeling fatigue. Haven't heard the 280s but I imagine they're in the same ballpark as my mdr 7506s. I am a big fan of your cans Mike. Wonderful selection. ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: June 26 2017 at 07:21
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^THanks :) I actually have a bitchin' pair of Sennheiser HD 600 that i've had for about 10 years. I'm a bit bummed as the connections are starting to fray and they've ended up on a shelf in utter neglect for the moment. This thread is a good reminder to fix them :P ------------- https://rateyourmusic.com/~siLLy_puPPy |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: June 26 2017 at 07:28
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Sure is. Even so if you decided to try out a new make or model you can always be sure that there are plenty of uyers for used hd 600s out there. I imagine they're pretty easy to sell providing they're not full of mayo. Then again why get a new pair if you're happy with what you've got. ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Quinino
Date Posted: June 26 2017 at 07:35
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^ I had same problem with only two years of use and exchanged the cord for the one from HD650 (same connection but more sturdy) |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: June 26 2017 at 07:45
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Funny. Out of all the headphones I've tried over the last few months I have yet to hear a pair of open Sennheisers - which is odd when you consider just how many who own hd600 or 800s. I would like to try them at some point. ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Meltdowner
Date Posted: June 26 2017 at 07:47
| I only own a pair of Sennheiser HD 448 for the past five years and they sound great for its price. I should look into new ones but I'm upgrading my system from the source, so it will take a while. |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: June 26 2017 at 07:53
How is that even possible and why would Ayreon know what you like?  All kidding aside Samuel, I finally tried out some Superlux models and they are absolutely fantastic for the price. Just if you're interested in dipping your toes in something a little different without having to pay more than 3-40€  ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Meltdowner
Date Posted: June 26 2017 at 08:14
That's great but I don't like to own several models of something. I prefer buying the best I can afford.
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Guldbamsen wrote:Posted By: Polymorphia
Date Posted: June 26 2017 at 09:21
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I've generally stuck with Audio-Technicas. My m50s broke and weren't worth fixing (it was just a wire that needed to be resoldered, but the electronics place in town wouldn't fix it, and I would've had to spend $70 or more to get it fixed because I bought them used and didn't have a warranty), so I bought m40x's which were only $100. The m50s had a bit more mid-range, which I liked, but the m40s serve me well still. The detachable cable is everything. If I ever have the same problem I did with the m50s, I can just replace the cable. ------------- https://dreamwindow.bandcamp.com/releases" rel="nofollow - My Music 
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Posted By: AEProgman
Date Posted: June 26 2017 at 14:01
Nice opening of a thread, perhaps these are Dolly's favorite... My current headphones of choice (and budget) are Audio Technica ATH-M40X for home use (very satisfied with them as they are neutral so I can hear the way it was recorded and then adjust the equalizer if want it to sound more this way or that). For on the go, I have an on ear Sennheiser PX100-II, has that classic Sennheiser sound but light weight, they are open back also. I find myself listening to these at home more now. I never really liked the in ear buds even though the M6-Pro by MeElectronics studio monitor buds I have sound quite good, just prefer on or over the ear style cans. Been thinking about an open back set of cans and those Hifiman HE-400s look awesome! Also want to get the classic Senns HD280s just because..... My first experience with good cans was when I was a youngling and got a pair of Koss Pro 4aa headphones, damn were they awesome! Edgar Winter's - They Only Come Out at Night album was full of sounds that I had not heard before, damn Frakenstein was a monster on those cans via a junky 8-track no less... PS-may have to suffer many times through captcha since I am posting a photo. ------------- 
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Posted By: Larkstongue41
Date Posted: July 08 2017 at 23:43
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I've been using the ATH-M40X for a week now and I'm very pleased. I fear these are only a first step to a long trip down the rabbit hole. The sound clarity is amazing. I can definitely pick out some new details in songs I've listened to for years. I tried my old gear again and was wondering how I could listen to so much music with such poor sound. I'm now looking for a good set of open headphones ideally within the same price range. There seems to be a wide array of options but for some reason almost all I've seen have nondetachable cables. The detachable cable is really a must for me. I ruled out the K240s because apparently they require proper amplification so I'm left with two options: Superlux HD668B and Philips SHP9500(S). Both are very cheap so that's nice but I feel like having something of better quality unless I have to pay $500. So how do these models compare (soundstage-wise especially) and what are some other options for open-back headphones with detachable cables under $300? ------------- "Larks' tongues. Wrens' livers. Chaffinch brains. Jaguars' earlobes. Wolf nipple chips. Get 'em while they're hot. They're lovely. Dromedary pretzels, only half a denar." |
Posted By: Davesax1965
Date Posted: July 09 2017 at 04:41
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Difficult question to answer. It depends if you mean "for listening to music" or "for studio use". If you're looking at studio use, you really need a set of headphones with a totally flat response, unless you want surprises later when you play a track back through monitors (etc) and the bass, mid or treble response sounds completely different - as the headphones you were using to mix or master the track were biased towards a louder bass response. I've always tended to use Sennheisers, but that's through me just being stuck in the headphone mud. Some Sonys I've tried have been quite nice. ------------- |
Posted By: Davesax1965
Date Posted: July 09 2017 at 04:42
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PS If Dolly's going to drown them puppies, I'll have the one with the pink nose. ------------- |
Posted By: Mascodagama
Date Posted: July 09 2017 at 05:59
I guess my question is why you wouldn't also want a flat response for just listening to music, and hear the recording as faithfully as possible? At home I use Sennheiser HD600s and HD650s, which I think are fairly flat. Though I just chose them on the totally subjective basis that they sounded good to me. ------------- Soldato of the Pan Head Mafia. We'll make you an offer you can't listen to. http://bandcamp.com/jpillbox" rel="nofollow - Bandcamp Profile |
Posted By: Davesax1965
Date Posted: July 09 2017 at 08:22
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Well, mainly because tastes differ . Also, not all headphones are created equal, so if you're using a pair of phones with less midrange than whoever mixed the album intended you to have..... you don't hear the recording as faithfully as possible. If all headphones and speakers were totally flat response, there wouldn't be a market for equalisers. ------------- |
Posted By: noni
Date Posted: July 09 2017 at 14:53
| I own a bose right now and find it more on bass side, not enough clarity. Whats a good headphone offers good clarity. Both classical, Progressive and modern pop!! |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: July 20 2017 at 12:58
Hi Tony it's been a while. I trust you're in the midst of recording strange sounds which leaves little room for robotinflicted prog forums. Either way cool to see you and those m40s are indeed wonderful for the price. I had the same problem with my Sony mdr7506s - not that the cable broke but it was getting increasingly irritating because I tend to move about when listening to music. I have actually just traded them for a pair of Denon ah-d600. Completely different sound signature but I just love how they sound...and they come with two cables: one short and one long  ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: July 24 2017 at 09:13
Thanks Jim - I quite like the Dolly pic as well. Methinks she'd be a great little mascot to have pop up throughout this thread. I did follow your headphone journey on the the other thread, which partly was why I took the plunge myself. Heh...I was actually thinking about buying those Koss at the time. They were a little over 100$ and come with a lifetime guaranty. ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: July 24 2017 at 09:24
I'd go for the Superluxes and save up your money for what you REALLY want. For the sound alone they should be thrice their price...but they're not. Grado sr80 is also highly recommended. I tried a pair not too long ago and they were brilliant. Definitely a great bang for your buck. (Arrrgh non-detachable cable) Top recommendation for an open headphone for under 300$? The AKG K712 pro. https://www.amazon.com/AKG-Pro-Audio-Reference-Headphones/dp/B00DCXWXEI Wtf?!??? The price must've gone up in the States. Here in Denmark it's definitely within your budget. Either way, this headphone made me think about selling my even more expensive Hifimans. They're that good. Maybe Ebay's got a couple of used ones for about a 120$? They do pop up on the secondhad market and most people who buy these kinds of cans tend to look after them. ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Larkstongue41
Date Posted: July 24 2017 at 17:10
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I'm still looking around and your insight is much appreciated as always. Since I'm searching for open-back headphones I've stumbled on several AKG models but I have ruled all of them out because I read that they are hard to drive. But now I think that buying a DAC or an amp would really be worth it so I'll look into those K712s. For the past week I've been checking out the Hifiman HE400S and they seem pretty great (around 400 CDN$). I think the HE400i is the higher-end version and I've just seen they are sold at a 50% discount on the Hifiman website (around 350 CDN$). That's really tempting. I'll report back when there is further development. By the way, I've been using the VE Monk earbuds for two weeks now and I must say I am impressed. All this praise all over the internet was not just a marketing technique; they really do annihilate the competition when it comes to 5$ earbuds. The sound quality is better with those than with the 100$+ Monster (  ) earbuds I had in the past. Really amazing. I'd go as far as to say that they rival the M40X strictly in terms of sound quality (I'm pushing it a bit far here). They are built like standard earbuds with a flimsy wire so I don't think they'll last me over a year but what do you expect for 5$. I'm definitely going to order a dozen pairs soon to save on shipping and to never have to buy f**king earbuds again.------------- "Larks' tongues. Wrens' livers. Chaffinch brains. Jaguars' earlobes. Wolf nipple chips. Get 'em while they're hot. They're lovely. Dromedary pretzels, only half a denar." |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: July 25 2017 at 04:29
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My Hifimans are the older version of the one you're looking at. No discernable sound difference but you do get a detachable cable that doesn't end up in these weird screws. Big step up imo. If you can them at that price I'd go ahead and snap them up...like right away! Next level sound right there. Feels like being smacked over the head with pure euphoria and a diamond encrusted jog strap. Beautiful. Cool you picked up on the v monks. I've got a bunch of friends who swore by them up until recently, where I had the audacity to recommend them the Superlux hd381. At a little over a 20$ they're much pricier but those of my friends who tried them almost instantly ordered a pair. But in terms of sheer bang for your buck it is hard to beat the v monks. I dig the sound but after purchasing my Shure se215 I honestly haven't looked back. ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: July 25 2017 at 14:06
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Just thought of another way to get near the sound of the K712 pros without having to dish out 350 bucks. Be warned though. This will involve tinkering. Get the K701s instead. They're about a 120$ methinks. Now a lot of people complain about the lack of bass in these (myself included) and maybe that isn't that strange seeing as the bassport is sealed up by this annoying little plastic sticker. It's not even a part of the headphone design to begin with - meaning some smo actually put it there to 'doctor' the sound. Idiocy if you ask me...aaaaaaanyway it is very easy to open up the headphone cups and remove the sticker and whambamthankyoumam you now got an open headphone that sounds like it should cost at least twice the money (I secretly suspect AKG are well aware of this little conundrum which is why their pricier 700 series come in new and exciting colours....to lead you away from the fact that they only really left out a plastic sticker to upgrade the sound probably more to it than that but I heard the modded 701s and they sound truly wondrous.).Here's a link to the mod (all you need is a screwdriver): https://www.head-fi.org/f/threads/reversible-akg-k701-bass-mod.660408/ ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: September 21 2017 at 05:42
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I now own a pair of used AKG K701 with bassport mod Yup this thread helped me talk myself into buying them. To be fair they were very cheap which is odd seeing as they look and perform like brand new. So yeah now I've got two open headphones. They sound very different from one another which is what I like. Also recently got an iem upgrade. Bought myself a pair of secondhand Audiofly AF1120 and they're just about the most comfortable in ears I've ever worn. The sound is equally impressive. Anyone had the pleasure of listening to the recent Sennheiser flagship the Orpheus? 55.000$ well spent  ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Meltdowner
Date Posted: September 21 2017 at 07:48
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^ That's cool, especially for the price. I always found the elastic band of the headphones quite unconfortable though, which is basically all the AKG brand. I never tried them but from the reviews I read and the description of the sound I think the Sennheiser HD 650 might be the cans I'm looking for.
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Posted By: Quinino
Date Posted: September 21 2017 at 08:04
^ Stay with HD600 - they are superb and much more affordable, what else can we desire  (I've owned them for maybe 4 years now - think may still be on the market... ) |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: September 21 2017 at 08:14
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They pretty much cost the same these days plus minus 30$. At least if you go by thomann. I've actually had a chance to a/b test them not long ago and find them both brilliant in each their own way. Hd650 is a little warmer tuned. I know Simon (Mascodagama) owns both and is damn well pleased with them. Ever considered a pair of planar magnetic Samuel? One thing though, which was something I was fairly surprised by, none of these cans have any soundstage to them - at least not by open headphone standards. ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: September 21 2017 at 08:16
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Oh and I happen to think the ooooooold AKG headband design is one of the most comfortable out there. It's only my Denon's that trumps them in comfort but that's most likely down to the pads. Different heads and shapes eh. ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Meltdowner
Date Posted: September 21 2017 at 08:25
The HD600 are only 11€ cheaper on Thomann and I like my music a little warmer  What's a planar magnetic?
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: September 21 2017 at 08:32
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Heh...well instead of a driver the sound is created between two large magnets on a microthin piece of fabric. My Hifiman he400 is planar magnetic. There is of course all kinds of mumbojumbo written about how much faster and agilely they create sound, but I will just go ahead and say that they 'wowed me' like no other can I'd tried. https://www.innerfidelity.com/content/how-planar-magnetic-headphones-work ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Darious
Date Posted: September 22 2017 at 03:33
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I'm still with my trusty, over-ear, reference AKG-K550 headphones. Pity they don't have any detachable cable, as I would like to experiment a bit, once in a while, with different wires. But, on the other hand, the already supplied cable is indeed very good. I am considering getting open-back headphones too (i.e. AKG K702), for those longer, undisturbed auditions at night, with better ear ventilation. What I found decisive when using headphones though, is the headphone amplifier. It would be perfect to utilise a separate, stand-alone box with some independent power supply (i.e. Rupert Neve design with Russ Andrews power supply), but there also are very nice headphone amplifiers already built into integrated amplifiers. I first used my K550 with Marantz PM6005 integrated, and the outcome was poor, to say the least. Then I connected them AKGs to Cyrus high quality built-in headphone amplifier and suddenly I had totally different set of cans in use. Different in a positive way. I also sometimes use my K550 connected to Red Dragonfly (the USB headphone amplifier from Audioquest), also with excellent results. I read a lot of good feedback on planar Oppos and HiFiMans, but I mainly use floorstanding loudspeakers for listening to music, rather than headphones, and when using headphones - those K550s are still pretty, pretty good, thus I don't feel quite inclined to replace them yet. ------------- Writing about truth is a little bit like getting your dick out in public and hoping no one laughs (Steve Hogarth) |
Posted By: Mascodagama
Date Posted: September 22 2017 at 04:02
You wouldn't be making a mistake with either, but for a difference of 11 Euro I'd probably go for the 650s. Like David said, they seem a little warmer, though the difference won't kick you in the face. ------------- Soldato of the Pan Head Mafia. We'll make you an offer you can't listen to. http://bandcamp.com/jpillbox" rel="nofollow - Bandcamp Profile |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: September 22 2017 at 04:16
I've only listened to the massdrop version of those AKGs - K553 I believe their called - and they were very good and indeed display that traditional AKG sound where especially the mids sound heavenly. I imagine the 550s are pretty close in sound signature. One thing Darious seeing as you yourself brought up the amp question; if you do go ahead and invest in a pair of K701/2 (they're basically the same only the 702 comes in grey and with a detachable cable) you will need a proper amp do drive them. That goes for most of the open backs I've tried, they do tend to need a bit more juice than the closed ones. If you're interested in planars, that don't break the bank, I'd definitely look into Monoprice. Chinese company that has set out to make high end audio gear that both sounds brilliant but also is affordable. These two come highly recommended from yours truly (the M560 is without a doubt one of the best bangs for ya buck you can get headphone-wise imo and an extremely cheap entry into planars): https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=16051 This is the M1060 (the big brother): https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=16050 ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Meltdowner
Date Posted: September 22 2017 at 04:45
It's interesting how a technology that has been around for decades just surfaced more recently. I see one of Hifiman's dealers is like 5 minutes away on foot from my brother's house, I might pay him a visit 
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: September 22 2017 at 04:54
What??!?! That is cheating  No one ever tries on a pair of Hifimans before purchasing, that is unheard of! But yeah be sure to drop by and test out a couple of cans. I guarantee you will be able to hear a big difference between your old Sennheisers and a planar model. ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Mascodagama
Date Posted: September 22 2017 at 05:10
I've never heard a pair of planar magnetic cans and now I want to. You probably know this but the concept originated with high-end loudspeakers that I think were first developed by a US company called Magnepan at the beginning of the seventies. Back when I was more involved in things 'audiophile' there were plenty of hi-fi nuts who were still hanging onto their thirty+ year old Maggies. ------------- Soldato of the Pan Head Mafia. We'll make you an offer you can't listen to. http://bandcamp.com/jpillbox" rel="nofollow - Bandcamp Profile |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: September 22 2017 at 11:03
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I have heard about Magnepan speakers before, but I have honestly never made the connection. Thanks for connecting dots. Seeing as you only got 2 headphones I think it'd be quite safe to maybe buy a pair of used Hifimans over whatever trustworthy media you've got in your neck of the woods  I currently own the Denon AH-D600 (closed but with a HUGE sound that rivals openbacks. Listening to music through these is like an event), the Hifiman HE400 (like being there), the AKG K701 (icy clear elegance that goes oh so well with folk and RPI), the AKG Y50 (great sound on the go plus the fact they're yellow) plus two iems: one for sports and one for everyday use. Yes I have a problem Nahh I just like to have the ability to change my listening experience according to my mood and some cans really do sound better for certain genres of music. I do plan on selling my Y50s though as I don't fancy the on-ear approach. Too clampy and too little noisecancelling for outdoors usage, which is where they belong imo. Listening to music at home should preferably be with a nice comfortable set of over ears (fully engulfed thank you!) or by way of speakers. I don't get on-ears for that purpose which also is why I don't get a brand like Grado. Huge WW2 like design and nondetachable wire - meaning stay home baby - and then they give you on-ears? Sorta like attending a great restaurant but you have to sit on lego. ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Mascodagama
Date Posted: September 22 2017 at 12:52
I've also got some wireless cans for the train (Sony MDR-1000X). But the temptation is definitely there...
You just need to grow a few extra heads to justify the collection Hey, it's all relative. Some guys have twenty fishing rods.
Circumaural all the way, baby. Couldn't agree more. ------------- Soldato of the Pan Head Mafia. We'll make you an offer you can't listen to. http://bandcamp.com/jpillbox" rel="nofollow - Bandcamp Profile |
Posted By: AEProgman
Date Posted: September 22 2017 at 13:58
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Have been enjoying the cans talk going on in here! I have always wanted to hear some planar magnetic cans but there aren't many places around here that have them...if any. There is one place maybe, but the staff in there are arrogant SOBs and hate to go in there. -------------
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: September 23 2017 at 12:10
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Hi there Jim! Good to have you in here. I agree wholeheartedly about those irritating staff members in hifi shops. Over the last year or so I've met quite a few. The kind that lools down their noses at anything that isn't powered by special crystals and costs as much as a used car. Oh my word! I had one look at me very condescendingly on account of my yellow AKGs Btw have you ever tried on a pair of open-backs? This may sound like complete gibberish to you but I have found RPI (and folk) especially jives on open backs. The 'space' and 'air' that suddenly fill up within the musical room is just sublime and, at least for my tastes, matches oh so well with RPI. ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Darious
Date Posted: September 24 2017 at 04:10
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This affordable headphone looks interesting, has also been tested on some progressive works: http://theaudiophileman.com/1more-h1707/" rel="nofollow - http://theaudiophileman.com/1more-h1707/ ------------- Writing about truth is a little bit like getting your dick out in public and hoping no one laughs (Steve Hogarth) |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: September 24 2017 at 04:19
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Interesting to see how the company fares with a "proper" headphone. They made their name with the Triple driver iem a good while back and more recently with the Quad (4 drivers). I dig how it looks. ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: September 24 2017 at 04:34
If I ever decide to upgrade I think this will be the one: Ugly as a motherf... but the Stax L700 sounds like it carries its own tube. Went by one of those snobbish hifi places yesterday and had a chance to try out this headphone...and it quite simply blows everything else I've ever listened to completely out of the water. I guess it's true when people say stuff like 'well you haven't REALLy tried on a proper set of cans before you've tried Stax' - which tbh is bullsh*t statement - but I do get where they're coming from. Electrostats are truly wondrous creations. It's even a couple of thousand kroner cheaper than the Sennheiser hd800s (but then again the Stax will need a designated electrostat amp to drive them....so yeah it will be more expensive in the end if you don't happen to own one beforehand  ).------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: AEProgman
Date Posted: September 24 2017 at 06:49
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^Hey David, they are ugly indeed. I have listened to some good studio open back AKGs in a music shop, but have not really listened to RPI on them which would sound great. My portable Sennheiser PX100ii are on ear open backs and sound really great with RPI, but I think my next cans will be good open backs. Seems about time to post an official thread mascot image.  -------------
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: September 26 2017 at 05:26
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Thanks for that Jim and you're quite right, it was most definitely about time Dolly showed up again. Damn she was smoking in her youth...and up through her erm middle-aged years as well (plastic and all). Her personality though has always been the real part of her charm imo. On this particular pic I think someone made her rock a pair of Bang & Olufsen cans. Oh yeah Denmark all the way!!! Mjeaah well maybe not entirely. B&O's recent line of cans seem to be everywhere in Denmark at the moment and I can't help but think, that people are paying thousands upon thousands of kroner...for a beautiful design. Don't get me wrong the sound is alright but at least for my tastes not at all up to snuff considering the pricetag. One can get twice the sound quality for half the dough....but then again you miss out on wearing a headphone that looks like a beautifully crafted espresso machine (that doesn't make coffee). Speaking of AKGs: Both the 701 and 702 are rather cheap these days if you're considering open backs. I cannot recommend these cans enough. I had a 5 hour listening session yesterday and I completely forgot I was wearing them. I love different aspects of the different cans I have but I must say that one of the finer attributes of the 701/2s is the way it literally breathes air into the music. The soundstage is pretty awesome as well. The sound isn't funneled down your earcanal but happens inside this imaginary room the headphone somehow is creating. Yeah I'm babbling again but I did end my marathon with 3 Area albums ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: September 26 2017 at 06:39
Here's mine. They're not expensive. I'm really pleased. They're danish I Think. My first wireless ever and I'm never going back (probably bought/destroyed/lost over 50 wired ones). But I'm clueless so I just googled best buy/best in test a couple of times and ended up with these. Couldn't find a relevant Dolly image so I made one instead |
Posted By: Richey Edwards
Date Posted: September 27 2017 at 15:47
I have these in the same colour and agree with your assessment of them. A great set of headphones which is way way better than the more popular bass heavy brands. I also have the Sennheiser Momentums which I love as well. |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: October 03 2017 at 03:25
Hey ho new faces in Dolly land  Welcomd aboard folks! Never heard a pair of Jabra and had no idea they were a Danish outfit. Maybe that is why I see so many of them in shops here. Anyway I too have been interested in going the wireless route but this was after I started listening to higher end cans and I just found the sound qualty significantly poorer compared to the old wired ones. What I wouldn't give for the freedom that comes with wireless though!! Oh my word. I'd be free to do yoga and these old folk dance moves I've been refining. Oh and I thought I was the only one rocking those Y50s in yellow Good to see the Scottish still have their unrivalled sense of fashion. ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: October 03 2017 at 06:44
You know you have a somewhat serious problem when you're looking at a pair of Sennheiser HD600 when you already own two openbacks to begin with  Though to be fair I do not own a neutral can as of yet. Both the Denon and Hifiman have a u shaped sound signature to them whilst the AKG just goes up in the mids and highs. Heh...I feel myself getting talked into this...by myself no less, which begs the question: how many Davids are in fact in there (here)? I've met quite a few but only recently bumped into monsieur audio-nut. He is an expensive bugger but then again far more interesting and lovable than 5 o clock in the morning-David. ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Quinino
Date Posted: October 03 2017 at 07:16
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^ Be reassured, you have no real problem until you start buying duplicate items when you already have one, just because you love it and are afraid of some future misfortune - I've seen it happening, believe you me (not by myself, fortunately - yet !) |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: October 03 2017 at 11:50
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Yeah it always puzzles me when I see secondhand vendors, audiophiles to the max, selling two or three of the exact same headphones. So they loved them so much they had to buy more of the same...until what? They slept with his wife and key'd his car? At least I use what I own. I regularly shift between cans some times several times a day or maybe stick with just one at home and go for iems when outside. Also I am mostly just buying those HD600 to see if they're worth Samuel's money or if he indeed should go for some planars  It's quite alright to get them if it's part of a favour y'know? ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Richey Edwards
Date Posted: October 03 2017 at 12:28
The Taxi Yellow was over £10 cheaper than the other colours. And you know what they say about Scots and money...
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Posted By: Larkstongue41
Date Posted: October 03 2017 at 19:00
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Captcha got a long post of mine on this thread about a month ago and I didn't bother to write it again. Now frustration has waned away so here is an abridged version. I received the Hifiman HE-400i about two months ago and after performing the 150 hours (!) burn-in recommended by Hifiman in the user guide, these headphones continue to impress me day after day. Two things struck me the most: the bass and soundstage. The bass on these things is very special. It's so tight and precise (I believe the technical term is "fast"), it feels like the bass notes last a shorter amount of time (they don't resonate as much) than on sub-par audio equipment but they are condensed and detailed. Really enjoying that. Now that I have experienced quality open headphones soundstage, I think it's a shame did most of my listening through crappy earbuds in the last few years. It was quite a revelation when I first put the HE-400i on. It's incredibly immersive, there is clear positioning so you really feel in the same space as the music being played. I've read on the web that they have pretty narrow (cone-shaped) soundstage for open heaphones in this price range so don't take my word for the quality of the soundstage. Really a great buy (unless they die on me within the first year). I don't feel the need the go further down the rabbit hole.. for now at least. I'm quite happy with my headphones setup for now with nice cheap earbuds for sports and work (VE Monk), crystal clear low-cost closed headphones for outside use (ATH-M40X) and a great set of open cans for the home. In a few years I'll have to start thinking about speakers $$$. EDIT - Forgot to mention, although the HE-400i works great straight from my phone or laptop I think an amp/dac could potentially have huge effects on the sound. Anyone have any recommendations? Amp or DAC or both? Is it worth it to pay over $200 or not?
------------- "Larks' tongues. Wrens' livers. Chaffinch brains. Jaguars' earlobes. Wolf nipple chips. Get 'em while they're hot. They're lovely. Dromedary pretzels, only half a denar." |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: October 04 2017 at 07:52
Hi there Hubert good to have you back  Capcha always seems to strike on long posts...and that is evidently also when folks forget to save. Feckadiddledoo! I can't believe you went and bought the upgraded version of my Hifimans - you sneaky dog I see they're something like a 100 grams lighter and perhaps more importantly: they updated the connectors. My old school screw ons are a pain in the arse. These days I just leave the cable in because it is so much of a hassle connecting those feckers. Your reaction to them very much mirrors my own. A whole new and exciting world opened up within the music I already knew like the back of my hand. Simply calling it a 'wow moment' doesn't quite do it justice. It's like this brain orgasm made out of pure sound - like had it been produced by diamonds on fire. Regarding the amp conundrum: Hifiman launched these, as well as my version, as one of the first planars you could use straight out of your phone or MP3 player...and you can...barely. If you on the other hand invest in an amp (amp/dac combo if you're looking to upgrade the sound on your computer and/or phone) you will most likely experience the same thing I did, which was like this veil somehow was lifted from the music and everything became much more clear and precise. You can get some pretty cheap amps nowadays that sound absolutely brilliant. I can warmly recommend Aune's amp/dacs of which I own one of. An older model but the sound is epic. It also makes the sound on my real speaker system sing when I seldomnly play music off my computer. Just a matter of connecting it with my stereo amp using it only as a dac (it has all these different settings you can switch between: headphone amp / dac, dac only, headphone amp only, usb connection, coaxial and so forth). Anyway you can get a really really nice amp or amp/dac for around 200-300$ Sure you can get stuff that sounds better at a higher price but then we're talking 800-900$ - especially if you go for some of the lesser known brands. Oh yeah check out the no nonsense American firm Schiit. Very affordable and sound quality that punches way above their pricerange - just like Aune actually. Btw did your Hifimans come with velourpads? I swear after I switched to some velours the sound changed as well. Lost a bit of the boom bass but the mids suddenly popped up and sounded more natural. Heh and to think I only switched them because my ears got too hot with the faux leather pads ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: October 04 2017 at 07:55
They prefer pounds over yen? ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Larkstongue41
Date Posted: October 04 2017 at 10:04
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^^ From what I've read, the classic HE-400 is quite different from the HE-400i. More fun, less analytical apparently. The weight and new connectors are indeed massive improvements. I struggled enough with F connectors in the past...
Thanks a lot for the recommendations once again, very valuable input as usual.
They came with the Focus pads. Velour where the pad is in contact with your head and leather for the rest. It's very comfortable and it does not affect the sound signature too much I believe. Here's what it looks like although you likely came across these at some point:  ------------- "Larks' tongues. Wrens' livers. Chaffinch brains. Jaguars' earlobes. Wolf nipple chips. Get 'em while they're hot. They're lovely. Dromedary pretzels, only half a denar." |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: October 04 2017 at 12:08
Anytime  They look very comfy those pads and I imagine one gets the best of both worlds soundwise when they're half leather half velour. I used to think people were mad when they mentioned how the sound changed when swapping pads, but it is rather logical when you think about it: leather will keep in the sound making for a better bass thumb whereas velour lets air out and as a result sounds more natural. I read up on the 400i and whether or not it needs an amp. Seems to mimic the same issue that I have with mine, which is while they both claim 35 ohm the actual db is 93 aka they're extremely thirsty. I bet you have to turn your phone way up to get to a nice listening level. Most review outlets I trust also say they do require an amp - at least if you want their full potential. Btw you didn't mention anything about portability in your original query so I naturally took it as if it's intended solely for home usage...but if you want something to bring with you - say you suddenly feel the urge to rock your hifimans down in the park (don't bother throwing an amp at the ath40x - they're about as efficient as can be), then there are quite a few cheap options from Fiio available. I've got a e07k - tiny little thing - but it drives pretty much anything I throw at it. If you are prepared to stretch the wallet to 306$ then I would go for the OPPO ha 2. This thing sounds absolutely amasing! My friend got one last christmas and I find myself eyeing that thing every time we meet up. Looks about as cool as it sounds..and that is no small feat. https://www.amazon.com/OPPO-HA-2-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00UW0BP48 ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Richey Edwards
Date Posted: October 05 2017 at 13:41
| There's a reason why Scrooge McDuck was Scottish. :P |
Posted By: AEProgman
Date Posted: November 22 2017 at 13:54
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A shocking development occurred, my wife said she wants to surprise me for Christmas with some headphones around the $300 range! Amazing since she does not really like music (except after wine, then the 70s/80s disco starts playing...I know, I know). Looking at the Senns HD650s or maybe HiFiMan HE 400S, but any other suggestions out there in Dolly can land? Thinking mainly about open backs since I have closed backs. -------------
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: November 22 2017 at 14:47
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Oh my Jim I envy you big time. Better hang onto your woman dude All kidding aside you can't really go wrong with either can. Both are high quality ear sauce producers and do well with just about any genre you care to throw at them. Personally I'd go for the Hifimans but then again I am biased. I think you'll find Hubert feels the same way too. Then again I have listened to the Senns on a couple of occasions and while they're a wonderful set of headphones I just don't find the same 'attack' and 'immediacy' as the planar Hifimans. Listening to the 400 is like a great big show put on personally for you every time you spin a record. (If I owned the 650s I may just have said something similar mind you  ) Like I said, you really can't to wrong with either can. Good luck! Hang on...just looked the 400s up and it's not the one I know...but after reading a few reviews they look like a real sweet deal as well. Personally I'd go for the 400I instead: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00MULH672?psc=1&smid=A2RJQ91IHY4NS4 which used to be the expensive one yet now it seems like it's the cheaper option? Oh the joys of a luxury problem! Btw a similar priced planar headphone is the Monoprice Monolith M-1060. These I know and they sound absolutely awesome. The best sounding cans I've heard in the 300-400$ price bracket and they are just under 300 bucks: https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Monolith-M1060-Planar-Headphones/dp/B01N32N5DD A step up in sound quality imo but a slight step down in build (there is however a 5 year warranty with the above deal). Your money your choice. Good luck and please do share what you decide on! I may have to post some mighty fine pics of my new cans. Yep I'm mad! I guess I have become somewhat of a "collector". Edit: what kind of set-up are you running? Maybe I should've asked that first The reason I'm asking is that the HD650 is a 300 ohm headphone which will require either a designated headphone amp or a proper old school integrated amp. The old ones tend to provide more juice to the headphone output.------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: AEProgman
Date Posted: November 22 2017 at 17:45
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Hey David Thanks for the input (yes I guess I will hang on to her since we have been together over 30 years and we have not killed each other yet...just joking for all those PC people out there)! I am darn tempted for some Planar style headphones as well (those M-160s look interesting), will do a little homework and test driving if possible. Various setups I use, CD/component player direct output, Fiio X1 DAP (also have a Creative Labs E1 amp if needed up to 600 ohms), and last resort is iPhone SE (but usually use my portable Senns PX 100-ii at 32 ohms with it). Occasional computer use, but rare. Hope I don't drive myself crazy with paralysis by analysis... :) -------------
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Posted By: AEProgman
Date Posted: November 22 2017 at 17:57
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^Oh by the way. My wife originally wanted to get me Bose Quietcomfort 35 wireless headphones cause she does not like all the wires I have all over the place.... which I am tempted, but for that money I would rather avoid wireless... -------------
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: November 22 2017 at 18:17
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I hope I end up like that some day - me and the missus 30 years and going. Regarding your last sentiment: I hear you. Big time. Unless you have the opportunity to test drive it gets to be this snaky way down the internet wormhole reading various reviews that often seem to contradict each other - all just to get some sort of bearing on a future purchase, because yeah why shouldn't one get the best bang for one's buck - especially when one is dishing out 300 macarones? One piece of advice on my behalf that is; if you end up having to chose without the testdrive, then just sit back and relax and look forward to your new headphone. DO NOT I say do not start questioning your choice and start surfing around for different opinions and whatnot. I've done this one time and boy was it a big mistake. Suddenly I found so-called audiophiles claiming my new can was unlistenable - hell there were even people there agreeing with this nonsense!!! "Aaarhh" I said to myself. "I've made the wrong choice". Spent 2 weeks going back n forth reading every little bit of info I could actually suckering myself into believing I'd made the wrong purchase. The headphone arrives and I instantly love the sound. I want to listen to every record in the house. All I am saying is that there are far too many people out there who spend all their time dissecting headphones with scalpels and microscopes looking for the teeniest tinyest mistake...and of course they're going to find them. The rest of us mere mortals buying a quality headphone at around 300$ are most likely ending up building a plinth in it's honour. Surrender to the purchase. ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: November 22 2017 at 19:05
Yes, but are you THIS mad?  ------------- https://rateyourmusic.com/~siLLy_puPPy |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: November 23 2017 at 03:59
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I had no idea Dolly collected beers But no I'm not that mad yet but rather on the cusp of madness. Maybe 7 headphones is enough after all ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: November 23 2017 at 13:13
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Alrighty then. I pulled myself together and turned on my laptop in order to post a picture of (one of) my new cans and of course our thread mascot: Molly Charlton. Here's a pic I found over the net of my new (used) Ultrasone HFI 2400 (can't seem to get my Iphone to sync properly with my computer):  A wonderful and very strange openback headphone in that the soundstage, the actual arena on which the music appears, is like this warped almost circus tent-like shape. At first it sounds muddy simply because you're looking for instruments and sounds in all the wrong places and everything winds up sounding like a mess.....but then when you drop your guard the sound suddenly falls into place and everything is crystal clear and genuinely feels like surround sound. Such a weird little can (and built like a freaking tank) that works wonders with all modern music styles that require a little umpph in the bass department. Electronic music through these bad boys is heavenly. FSOL has never sounded this good! I'll see how this post flies and perhaps come back and show you some more. Safe to say I heartily recommend the Ultrasone - especially if you're just going to use that. Even switching between headphones after having used it for about 3 months still has me going through the 'disoriented' phase before the music finally gels. Oh and before I forget:  ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Mascodagama
Date Posted: November 23 2017 at 14:02
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Bit pissed off with Sennheiser at the moment as the cable on my HD-600s needs replacing. I've only had the f**ker for sixteen years. ------------- Soldato of the Pan Head Mafia. We'll make you an offer you can't listen to. http://bandcamp.com/jpillbox" rel="nofollow - Bandcamp Profile |
Posted By: Mascodagama
Date Posted: November 23 2017 at 14:19
------------- Soldato of the Pan Head Mafia. We'll make you an offer you can't listen to. http://bandcamp.com/jpillbox" rel="nofollow - Bandcamp Profile |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: November 23 2017 at 15:14
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16 years and the cable needs replacing?!??! That is outrageous You should buy a new headphone just to spite Sennheiser and their blasted build quality Hey don't knock the Grado comfort (like I used to do ) - I bought Trentemøller's old pair of sr325i in gold. Just couldn't help myself, the deal was too sweet to pass up. After changing to some Sennheiser 414 (bright yellow) pads I'd cut a small hole in and put on backwards (tricky little feckers mind you), I actually find them pretty damn comfy....for an on-ear can. The sound though more than makes up for that slight hicup.Totally agree on trying to find somewhere to audition cans...but then again there aren't that many places selling the more exotic brands. Also most online sellers give you a 30 day refund period where you erfectively get to live with your new headphone and quite possibly find out that it feels like vice of sandpaper on the ol cabeza. That is a bummer compared to the easy swap at a local store, but it is still a free try. ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Mascodagama
Date Posted: November 24 2017 at 05:37
Gah! f**king Captcha!  Maybe I'll re-type my reply later David. This web site is a t**t.
------------- Soldato of the Pan Head Mafia. We'll make you an offer you can't listen to. http://bandcamp.com/jpillbox" rel="nofollow - Bandcamp Profile |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: November 24 2017 at 07:02
No sweat Simon I know exactly how you feel  ...always happens to me on long posts and then I start throwing sh*t around the room (rest in peace coffee mug). ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: November 24 2017 at 09:08
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I had been curious about Shure's former flagship the sr940 ever since I read someone comparing them to the Sennheiser hd800...which costs 4 times as much. I was looking for a closed headphone with a somewhat neutral sound signature - something of a jack-of-all-trades. Well I now own a pair of these:  The sort of headphone that let's you hear the tiniest mouse farts and sax players scratching their beards. Great soundstage for a closed can too. Feels like you're in a (somewhat small though) room where music is being produced by beams of light...or maybe that is just TD's Force Majeure speaking (I'm on Cloudburst Flight now). Anyway I think I got what I bargained for even if I don't consider it an hd800 replacement, but tbh that is comparing apples and oranges - open back vs closed. It is however a wonderful studio headphone that sounds honest to the recording and furthermore adds a boot full of zing and dapper to drums and vocals. Oh man those drums! I may just go through a drummer's delight phase in the upcoming days listening to Brand X, Transit Express, NIL, Area, SBB, Vespero and just about anything I can find that features Tony Williams. Oh yeah jazz through these headphones is just sonic bliss. I was listening to the horns on Trio And Group Dancers off Charles Mingus The Black Saint & The Sinner Lady and my jaw dropped to the floor. No other can of mine has relegated the admittedly wild and at times cacophonous ride that picks up momentum all through the track quite like the Shures. Bonkersly good. I think this is a perfect headphone for music production...and that is without sacrificing enjoyment and pure unadulterated zing. Downsides? Plasticky bugger and it looks dorky on my head.
------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Meltdowner
Date Posted: November 24 2017 at 09:34
| ^ I see plenty of negative reviews concerning the build quality but they seem quite similar to my Sennheiser and they have a few years already (they won't last 16 years though :P). I use them in the studio but they are not reliable, so I'll have to consider buying ones for production as well. |
Posted By: Quinino
Date Posted: November 24 2017 at 09:57
 Sam, these beauties are waiting for you ... https://www.gear4music.pt/pt/PA-DJ-e-Iluminacao/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50x-Auscultadores-de-Monitorizacao-Preto/X9G?origin=product-ads&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrKX35NXX1wIV5RbTCh2iIwyfEAQYASABEgLqo_D_BwE" rel="nofollow - https://www.gear4music.pt/pt/PA-DJ-e-Iluminacao/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50x-Auscultadores-de-Monitorizacao-Preto/X9G?origin=product-ads&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrKX35NXX1wIV5RbTCh2iIwyfEAQYASABEgLqo_D_BwE |
Posted By: Meltdowner
Date Posted: November 24 2017 at 10:45
| ^ I'm waiting for the sales pitch :P |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: November 24 2017 at 11:46
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Personally I'd go for the 40s over the 50s. I think they sound better. What are you looking for Samuel - studio or pleasure-listening maybe both? Open vs closed. I wouldn't recommend the 940s to folks who are a little careless with their equipment. They do seem a little flimsy. If you are looking for flat studio cans in the same pricebracket as the M50Xs, then Fostex is a good bet. Fostex t50rp mk 3  TR90  ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: AEProgman
Date Posted: November 24 2017 at 15:53
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Wow, looks like I stirred up the Cans in Dolly land (maybe I should rephrase...) since I last posted before the holiday here in the US. Before I forget, the Dolly Llama is priceless :) LOL!!! Avoiding emoticons as I always get captcha'd on those. Lot to respond to here. I have the ATH-M40Xs and am very satisfied with them, the 50s were a little more bass heavy when I test drove the two and wanted something more neutral. David, not familiar with Fostex or the Ultrazone cans, the Ultrazone's sound like they have a different signature indeed. Shows how conditioned our listening habits or expectations are when first trying something. I have heard quite a bit of positive things about Shure headphones sound (oooh Love Force Majeure!), but when I test drove one at a music shop a while back, one side of the headphones did not work (supposedly new in the store) and thats when I wound up getting the ATH-M40X cans. Now to my latest decision to make on the wife's offer. Thanks David and Simon for the advice, much appreciated... Regarding the internet wormhole of reviews, dissecting, and second guessing, I fall into that category way too often as I am an engineer by trade (not in the audio world for sure) and I look for the faults in everything and try to take internet stuff with a grain of salt. However, I drive my wife crazy in researching every damn thing so she has laid down the gauntlet, if I don't make a decision by next weekend she is pulling the offer! LOL, shows how she knows me too well...she bought a new car earlier this year in a week and a half after a test drive while I was still knee deep in analysis...she is happy as a clam with it. Must be nice to be oblivious... Anyway, there are only about 3 stores that I know of in the area to possibly test drive high-end cans, so I will check them out this week. One of them, based on their website has the Hifiman HE-400s so at least I hope to hear those, not sure if any of them have the Senns 650s. After quite a bit of research in the net wormhole and spec analysis, I am leaning towards the Senns 650s as it just keeps coming up that they are almost a reference point or standard for all other comparisons, (not as in good or bad, but in sound signature) plus they also seem to have a good build quality reputation and comfortable. Although, the planar design of the Hifiman and signature (sound stage) appear to be very tempting also. Alas, I have some test driving to do this week! Long post for me, hope to avoid captcha as it bit me hard posting the King Crimson 2018 tour info, took damn near 15 minutes to get one to finally take...no other captchas seem to be this dreadful. -------------
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: November 25 2017 at 09:34
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'Stirred up the cans in Dolly Land' Sounds like a bizarre country western and porn flick from the 70s. Good luck on the test drive btw. Such a wholesome decision. In fact I wish I'd made that 2 hour drive to that one store back when I purchased my first high end can. I was damn pleased with what I bought but I have read a lot of people online who obviously weren't. Cat in the bag is only as transparent as the reviews one reads...which to be fair doesn't hold a candle to ears - preferably your own. Just to reassure you Jim regarding at least the hd650 (and the hd600 for that matter which I slightly prefer); I don't think I've met anyone who doesn't like its sound. It's such a lovable can. I think the Hifimans share that same attribute (they're also built like tanks). Every single person who's tried mine has loved them. My dad went completely bananas and started doing this sailor jig thingy with arms waving wildly about. He loves his Dire Straits bless his boots. Edit: Recommended open back cans you're likely to bump into at any store within the same price bracket as the hd650/600 and with a similar flat response include: Shure srh1440  Beyerdynamic dt880  Audio Technica ath-r70x  ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: AEProgman
Date Posted: November 29 2017 at 19:01
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Well, the test drives are over and I have settled on the HifiMan HE400S! Actually bought them and now the wife has hidden them until Christmas... Actually was dreading the High end audio store from past experience, but got a younger guy who let me use my own rig/setup to test with in a room to myself and turned out to be "almost" a pleasure. In the price range I wanted, this store had the HE400i, HE400S, and the Grado 325e, and took them all in the room with me and compared as I liked. Grados sounded good, but a little punchy, not as airy, and were not as comfortable. So it came down to the Hifimans. The two 400 cans sounded fantastic and very similar (not sure I could tell the difference once I used an amp), the 400s seemed a bit lighter, little more comfortable, and easier to drive (not a big factor, but was a plus). Planar Mags are a delight! I did not want to ruin my decision by trying high priced Audeze planar mag cans they had there. Since I could not find any Sennheiser 650s (or 600s) to test drive, I decided to take the sure thing that I actually heard and was pleased with and went with the Hifiman HE400S. Senns will have to wait... I did find a Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro at a different store (best cans they had in open backs) and test drove them and was very impressed with those (at about half the price). Only way to test drive was via their pre-setup system with all the headphones playing the same samples they had, still sounded good and thought seriously about those. Now to find where the wife hid the cans.... -------------
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: November 30 2017 at 07:46
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Wait...what??? Now you have to wait close to a month to actually use them? Man that is just torture! Either way congrats on your new can Jim. I take it we'll have to wait a while before we can get a more succinct impression of them from you, but at least you've got something to look forward to. Heh I think you made a wise decision NOT to try out the Audezes. That is unless you're planning on making a sweet deal on a secondhand pair. Good thing about secondhand Audeze is that a) they're often taken very good care of b) they're built like tanks. Be that as it may I am still perfectly satisfied with my Hifimans and I feel like I could use that same amount of money on something that sounds even better ie Stax. Never heard the dt990 but it seems to be a somewhat divisive can. Many complain about it's sharp treble but then again many peple don't like spices (what's up with that??). I almost bought a secondhand pair once but decided not to mostly because I was looking for a more neutral sound signature like the dt880 or like the one I actually ended up buying the dt1350. Small, light, portable, metal constructed beauty that blows away any other portable on-ear can I've tried (with the exception of the Audeze Sine but that's cheating since it's planar;). No pic though since I'm on my phone (the preferred way of frequenting this site lately if one wants to dodge katjas.). ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: AEProgman
Date Posted: November 30 2017 at 13:40
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^ Yes, we are just a couple of kids at heart, I knew she would not let me use them until Christmas (we both do the same thing to each other, anticipation!). I know also that I will have some MAD Magazines in the stocking, always do...(go figure, they have been my guide book since the 60s). Insert smiley face here to avoid the "katjas"... hmmm Kat Jazz, a new genre? I did however, pull the 400s out of the box and give them a test run for sanity check in case they were bad or missing something, plus a sneak peak listen. Compared them briefly to my ATH-M40X cans. At first hear, the 400s seem nearly as neutral in tone, but oh my the sound stage difference! Can't wait! Started getting the evil eye after a half hour, so had to box them back up and hand them over to the warden. Good idea about used Audezes, keep that in mind for the future. -------------
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: December 07 2017 at 05:47
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Well I do know cat jazz y'know the feline variety of the much heralded ch ch che genre. 2 tunes instantly spring to mind: the one in Aristocats (of course) and Frank Zappa's Little Umbrellas. Something about the groove in Umbrellas that very eloquently mimics the gate of a cat. I always think of cats when I hear it. Mad Magazines and Hifiman cans. Sounds like a home-run to me. Maybe add a slightly odd exotic pet like a lemur fx and then there is no contest whatsoever: best christmas ever! I want a tapir myself but I am sadly not allowed pets in my apartment. Btw has anyone heard the newest breed of hd600 ie the hd660? Costly buggers and judging by reviews it seems verging n the insane to spend over a 100€ extra on what effectively is a ever so slightly improved take on the hd650. Then again I haven't heard it, but it sure looks like the hd650. Maybe Simon will pick these up. He sure needs a new pair after the recent cable travesty and who better to give us the down low on these cans than one who actually owns all three? ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: AEProgman
Date Posted: December 07 2017 at 17:41
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^Tapir! LOL, what a hoot that would be to have that thing walk around, sit and watch TV, listen to prog....perhaps Pink Floyd's Animals would be his/her favorite. I instantly thought of Crimson's "Cat Food" song for kat jazz, besides the obvious title and lyrics, the piano runs on that song make me think of a cat scampering across the piano keys. Will have to re-listen to Umbrellas... Saw the HD660s come up a lot in research, curious what is really the difference between 600s, 650s, and now 660s. On some Can thoughts, I have researching/reading a lot about "breaking" new Cans in. The Hifiman manual indicates 150 hours of listening/use. Seems to be debate on both side of the isle for breaking versus does not need breaking in. From my own experience, I thought my ATH-M40X sounded muddy at first until later they sounded much better. My portable Senns PX-100ii sounded great from the get go. My own thoughts on this are any thing man made and has movable/vibrating parts (regardless how minute) require a settling in period. However, I think my ears or hearing require an adjustment period to get used to the new/different sound also, so maybe it is a combination of both? Anyway, food for fodder... -------------
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: December 19 2017 at 09:44
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I often imagine having these weird exotic pets actually. How about an anaconda in your backyard? Talk about excitement when you have to clean out the pond! Also works wonders as a security feature. Heh I can just imagine the warning sign: 'Beware of Phil our 25 ft boa constrictor' Yeah erm 'burn-in'...I am in the same camp as you although I am far from being an engineer or even a household fixer-upper...but I do understand how mechanical parts move and how friction and other such fickle little things could have a small impact on a completely new headphone. I do however not think it is something that changes much say after a couple of hours' worth of use. What I do firmly believe in is mental burn-in ie adjusting one's ears to a specific sound signature - how the music is presented to you. Those Ultrasone I was on about earlier int he thread is the best example of this actually. I just listened to them yesterday starting out with some contemporary electronic music and sure enough they're still my absolute favourite cans for electronic. Fast forward 45 minutes and Genesis Trick comes along - mind you this is an album I know like the back of my hand and have always considered beautifully recorded - moreso than any other Genesis album up to that point....but it sounded horrific playing through my Ultrasones. I couldn't pick out anything from this grainy and utterly confusing sound presentation....until I suddenly could and everything fell into place. Sorta like coming off a wild acid trip and all of sudden things make sense! YAY!!! Again with the Ultrasones it is wholly down to it's incredibly bizarre soundstage/presentation. The instruments are definitely NOT where they're supposed to be ...until they are. So weird.I imagine this headphone has lost quite a few comparisons to other cans. Hell when you're a/b'ing headphones I don't imagine anyone having the time to wait 10 minutes for the penny to drop every time it's the Ultrasones turn. Btw I just read a review that called the HE-400i the planar version of HD600. Makes me think I really don't need an hd600. Nahh what I really need is a pair of new ears to rest headphones on....as well as a pair of Monoprice M1060 of course Oh and I found a pic that perfectly represents how my Grado's look after I put on the Sennheiser pads:  Best cans for rock I own! Guitars just sound right on these. It's a little funny how much the actual look of a headphone often corresponds with the kind of music it excels at. Old school = old school music. Contemporary = contemporary music.
------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: progbethyname
Date Posted: December 19 2017 at 10:47
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^ very cool David. An excellent account of experiences. Sounds like you are really getting the hang of it all. :) Also. Burn-in is very real, especially with high end gear in general. With Headphones it is primarily the drivers and transducers that need a voltage workout in order to adjust to the designed impedance level as selected by the manufacturer. In my experience, When I've bought a new headphone fresh from the factory the upper mids and highs are quite unrefined and grainy at first. Then after a few burn in hrs you get that ureaka moment. ;) However headphone burn in period is not as dramatic as with other parts in your audio chain. Amps and power supplys are the biggest difference once PCB's have got a little heat on them. :) Anyway man. I've been talking to Sam(Meltdowner) and he is having some eye openers as well with some new equipment...namely those HE 400i's you got him hooked into. :) Most of all, I just love hearing about other people's joy and new experiences they get with their music when getting into higher fidelity gear. It puts a huge smile on my face cause I know first hand how people like you and Sam feel right now. Pretty amazing how different albums that you thought you knew like the back of your hand, can sound completely different and change your whole perception. Genesis? Ya mon!! A Trick of the tail was brilliantly recorded provided you have an original 1985 cd pressing. I've been talking with Sam about sources, Dave whereby I cannot stress enough, how important it is to grab original cd pressings and boycott a lot of today's remasters of classic albums. It can make or break your experience with the higher fidelity equipment you possess. I can explain more about it if you wish later on, but that would be my biggest advice that I would give to any budding audio enthusiast. Above all, my friend. Pretty awesome. And I think a couple of years down the line a great headphone upgrade would be the Audeze LCD X or LCD XC or the Mr. Speakers Flow. That would be a nice step up from the 400i and given your sound sig tastes. Bye for now. ------------- Gimmie my headphones now!!! 🎧🤣 |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: December 20 2017 at 14:03
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I very rarely buy remasters unless it is an album I know to have sound issues from the get-go. Then I might be interested in getting the updated version. Hhmmm I'm not sure Nick. I mean, I know Audeze makes incredible cans but I still can't escape the feeling that I can get so much more sound for the dough. For 1500-2000$ I could get a Stax l700 set-up and I'd be set for life. Those b*****ds sound like they make sound from diamonds and uranium. One day I will have to use them whilst listening to my own music. Still Roxette and Simply Red over the l700 was a marvelous experience. Have you ever tried on some electrostats? Heh maybe just save up for for the Orpheus and call it a day Nahh that is just ridiculous. Oh and Nick what are you rocking these days? The hd800 obviously but are we talking the s version? Do you tubeytube them to tame the reportedly high highs or do you solidstate the suckers and just fill them with playdoh instead?  Sorry dude I was just surprised to see how many folks who actually do this. Seems a little crazy that one would have to tinker with a flagship in order to get it working right. Anyways I was thinking of getting a tubeytube myself. I've heard tall tales about what it'll do to my k701 - truth be told I wouldn't mind plugging my grados into it either. I've seen used little dot mkllls for sale and almost pulled the trigger. Also seen the WA6 a couple of times, but it costs 3-4 times as much. I figure since most of my favourite albums were cut using tube amps, then why not try out a little of the action myself. The dim glow of the tube is also very beautiful to look at, so this will also add to the feng shui of my room. Almost forgot dear Dolly. Here she is with the appropriate sized ears to spearhead the next headphone revolution: sonic saucepans  ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: progbethyname
Date Posted: December 22 2017 at 10:17
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Hi Dave. Great post and Merry Chrsitmas my friend. ;) AUDEZE really do make great headphones and they do have a unique sound signature in their flagship headphones (LCD 3 and LCD 4). Now a Stax I700 tailored up correctly with a proper sound chain that has no short cuts, faced off against an LCD 3 with the same and proper treatment...is one really better than the other? My answer and experience is no. Tier 2 and tier 1 headphones when you compare them and get to that level, you don't get results where one headphone is universally better than the other...just different. You see it is all a matter of taste. I'm sure even you and I have a very different sound preference. My point is when dealing with flagship headphones that are available in today's market you just don't get 'better' you get only 'different' but that difference depending on your taste in sound presentation will make that headphone that much better over others for you. :) Main trick? You gotta find what totally agrees with you sound sig wise. It isn't easy but once you do, you then gotta refine it like crazy. For instance. Yes. I still rock the HD 800, but I use the classic model because they have more neutrality than the spatial laden tech HD 800(S) mainly because the bass response and analytics are more stuffy to tame the treble response at around 6-8k in the S model. I also would never stuff felt or do one of those anaxallis or super DuPont mods to limit the treble and decrease the width in soundstage of the HD 800(C)'s presentation. You see, I am a critical listener and for critical listening experiences I love neutrality and huge dynamics. Thats mainly why I am obsessed with CD recordings that carry a massive DNR output because that is what my headphone eats for breakfast with a big sh*t-eating grin on its face. Lol. Anyway, I have found that a dead accurate, neutral response with super tight bass recreates the live soundstage the best and also is incredible for critical listening...feeling the tone and vibrato of various instruments while getting all those quarky and fun nuances at the same time is best given or dispensed out with a super neutral headphone, and that is why I love the HD 800'C's and to my tastes and understandings there is know other headphone regardless of price that beats the HD 800C's for 1) recreation of a live soundtage (width+Dynamics) 2) PRAT (pace, rhythm, attack, timing) for your music's output presentation and 3) tonal accuracy of instruments. Very analytical. Lastly and most importantly the HD 800's don't have high highs or are overly bright. The problem is the HD 800's are the the biggest a****les on planet head-Fi when it comes to sources both equipment and music wise. So many people really don't know what kind of headphone or what their getting into when they buy or use a headphone like the 800'C's. Truthfully, when i bought mine nearly 6 years ago I didn't fully know what kind of pedigree of sources this critical headphone needed; however, over time with research and understanding on their tech I was able to figure it out but it is an expensive thing to do. I mean the HD 800's are at an awesome price point right now sitting around 1299 U.S brand new. I'd say that is an unbelievable bargin, but consequently the 800's need elite and expensive teammates. There is no getting around that unfortunately. The 800's in my opinion are the most picky and critical headphone i have ever come across, but once you start to do everything right for them you can achieve audio nirvana for sure regardless of sound taste cause you can just appreciate just how bloody accurate and life like they can sound...like a STAX 009 electrostat. People think they can pair a 500$ DAC and say 1000$ amp with the 800 C's you gotta another comin.' Unfortunately there is nothing at those price points that will truly make a headphone like the 800'c's sing. They are awful that way and that is why so many people complain saying things like 'the treble is really peaky' ' they are overly bright, strident' and my favourite ' they lack bass.' These statements are incredibly untrue. Like I said, if you do everything right for them the 800 C's can sound as warm and lush as some of the best headphones around that portray the warmth sound sig so well. Lastly, I love tube amps but I prefer solid state power supplies for my 800's. Tubes degrade over time and fast, however tube amps offer a mid range sound that is uniquely dark and lush in tonality. I will say just one thing, if you get the chance to audition a flagship headphone with a great tube amp like a TETON, John Gilmour or WOO audio ES listen to Black Sabbath. My god man. The bass fuzz is so rad. A very cool experience and as I said...I love those tube amps but I use tubes with my sony MDR Z7's because there sound sig calls for it more then that of the 800 C's. You see my friend, I don't like anything that squashes or darkens the 800'c's soundstage. I like full analytics with them to bring out their full potential because that is what they are mainly designed for...to be critical :) But that is my critical listening end. My fun, more relaxed soundstage presentation goes to my sony MDR Z7's. I use these for travel, not the streets and I absolutely love these headphones. So lately, I recently bought the Cypher Labs Algorithm Trio! It is a portable Vacuum tube amplifier! This thing is so cool and sounds awesome with my AK JR music player. A great set up for on the go travel...plane...hotels...etc. the streets I use the unique BLUE MO-FI's. These headphones have a built in analog amplifier in them that is actually made by FIIO. very cool but may be a more heavy headphone for ones taste. So that is what I mainly rock. I use 3 different headphones so I can listen to music everywhere and any time. I live the good life. Lol. How many are you up to now? 5? Lol. Anyhow, moving on to your next question. Yes. I have tried and had the pleasure of listening electrostats. So far I've tried the STAX 007,009 and had the pleasure to spend 15min with the Sennheiser Orpheus 2. The Orpheus 2 was the best experience for me and given its price point it damn well should be. $67,000 CAN. Good lord. Now the 15mins I had available I had to act quick cause to audition the Orpheus is like a quick meet and greet or like a bloody book signing from a famous author, and the music that they had I could hear or at least be extremely familiar with was just Tears For Fears and OZZY Osbourne. Believe me. The 15min goes quick so I wanted to listen to something or an album I new like the back of my hand. I chose songs from the big chair from Tears and I fired on shout. :) What I can say because i know that song so well, the Orpheus brings to life the vocal presentation in music. I've never heard more of a life like vocal presentation from a headphone set up. Good lord. It was awesome, but the soundstage width was bigger from the stax 009 paired with the liquid lightening amp made by Cavallii Audio and portraying dynamics in the recordings goes to my HD 800 C's paired with a CYRUS CD i/PSXR-2 and BURSON SOLOIST. See man. There is no headphone universally better than the other in the flagship territory. Just difference, but I think over a longer period of time I'd enjoy the Orpheus the most. It really is the ultimate headphone listening experience I've ever had...shame it could only be for 15MIN. anyway Dave. Great to talk to you. Sorry for the winded post but there is just so much to say in the world of audio and you asked some pretty key questions. In the meantime I am always happy to talk or answer any questions related to headphone matters. Audio is my #1 passion...that and kite surfing. Haha just kidding. ------------- Gimmie my headphones now!!! 🎧🤣 |
Posted By: AEProgman
Date Posted: December 22 2017 at 10:37
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^^ Wow Dave, Dolly sure does set the standard for big ... ears. lol Great posts by both you and Nick on further Can insight/observations. $67,000 cans!!!!! The Cypher Labs tube amp sounds very interesting to me, since the majority of my listening is in the portable world. Just saw something on Head-fi regarding a Massdrop X Sennheiser HD58x Jubilee headphone for $150, but only so many of them were made. Head-fi url is https://www.head-fi.org/threads/massdrop-x-sennheiser-hd-58x-jubilee-review-measurements.867972/ Anybody heard of or tested those? -------------
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: December 22 2017 at 12:26
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Hi Nick that was quite a read, thanks for your detailed input. I know exactly what you're talking about when you enter that mythical world of flagships (I've tried T1, hd800, k812, th900 and a few others). I have only tried the LCD 2 of the Audeze big boys and was very impressed...yet they were completely outclassed by the Stax. No question whatsoever and here I am not sure it was down to sound sig preference as I am rather weird in that department mostly because I don't exactly prefer any sound sig over another as I listen to so many different kinds of music a day - no here it felt like comparing a Volvo to a Bugatti. Then again maybe it is me who is completely bonkers, I'm not entirely sure anymore. Haven't listened to either the Orpheus or the 009, but I did get to spend nearly an hour with the Bond Stax 007 and much to my surprise I found myself prefering the l700 by a vast margin. They were just THAT much better. I agree with much of Zeo's review in that aspect, especially when he mentioned how they 'sounded like they had their own tube built in' or something to that effect. Now I don't know much about tubes but I did notice the...erm different/magical/unoptanium-like sound they produced and couldn't for the life of me describe what they were doing to the music...other than use idiotic descriptions like 'uranium-fuelled' and 'creates sound from mermaids' tears'. Though it may be a while before I even start thinking about taming that horse. I'm having a blast with the ponies at the moment! Speaking of which, this thread has seen it's fair share of thoroughbreds lately. Maybe we should step down the equestrian ladder and get back to those ponies eh? It is certainly not every progger's dream to use all of their cash on stables and truffle flavoured hay. Nah... I say it'd be fun to turn the spotlight on some ways to upgrade one's sonic life without having to sacrifice a unicorn's ballsack. Do you enjoy music? Yes? Ahh me too. I love it when it gets into my ears. It belongs there as far as I'm concerned. More music should hang out in my canals if it was up to me. Anyway I have found the perfect suppliers of said music if one is looking for a different sort of portable can - one that will let you be aware of your surroundings because it is open backed and furthermore sounds like da shizzle. Basically gets out of the music's way. Yep the Ultrasone HFI-15g is up there with the best sub 100$ deals. THE most comfortable on-ear headphone ever to exist. Weighs about the same as a slice of sausage. Oh and it also features that loopy s-logic thang I was on about earlier in the thread, meaning a cheapo chance to try out one of the most brilliantly strange soundstages without having to pay for a fullsized over ear Ultrasone.  I love them so much I plan on buying them. I recently went to a "musicians' music shop". Mainly a down to earth kind of store with everything from guitars and pianos to mics and headphones plus the odd musician jamming silently away with headphones on. Definitely the most relaxed and enjoyable "audio shop" I've ever had the pleasure of visiting (not the last time either!). I must've used 6 hours in that place lol! They had soooo many of those 100-200-$ cans that I wanted to try...and so I did - and I kept coming back to the Ultrasones. Clarity, smoothness, spectacular soundstage/presentation (when you 'get it' that is) and a bit of a nudge in the lower regions (just a bit, like the hd25). Oh and they're the opposite of thirsty. Ant farts will drive them. Merey christmas to you as well my friend - that goes for all in here. Give my vest to the jolly old red fella (hah! that was a typo! I'm keeping it!!). Haven't heard them Jim. I imagine they follow in the footsteps of past xx-collabs from Massdrop before. AKG and Hifiman have made similar business with Massdrop and it merely seems like you get replicas of already existing headphones, but cheaper. Still I have yet to try any of these myself. ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: AEProgman
Date Posted: December 27 2017 at 09:09
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Well the wait was worth it, the Hifimans sound great, hearing clearer details than I can on my ATH-M40X cans. Still in the recommended "continuous" 150 hour burn in period via my streaming bedside radio so I have not given them serious listening to some of my favorites yet. But at the end of the day (and moments between) I settle down for some thought provoking reading and listening...  A belated Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to the can-mates...
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: December 27 2017 at 11:55
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Merry Christmas to you and yours Jim. That looks like a sweet combo right there. Mad magazine and some Hifimans. That's all you really need at any given Christmas. I've been using my Grados a lot lately trying to convince my ears to conform to this blasted on-ear debacle. I thought they were pretty damn comfy before, but then I tried wearing them over an hour... hmmm. Oh well it's getting better but I can't escape the feeling that with Grados you're not only breaking in the little bits and pieces in the driver as well as breaking in that brain acclimating to the sound presentation - no no no with Grados you're also breaking in your skull It's a little irritating when I know how much comfier an on-ear can be. The above Ultrasone fx is like wearing nothing at all - nothing at all (cue Flanders shakin' his booty). My Beyerdynamic dt1350 is also far more comfortable:  ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: January 04 2018 at 06:45
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Score!!! So yeah I've been dying to try out one of those headphones with so called "holographic" qualities like fx the Akg K1000....but dishing out over a 1000 euros on a pair is perhaps a tad much methinks. Nope I accidentally fell over a pair of these up for sale:  The old Sony flagship mdr-f1. They're long out of production but every once in a while you see them up for sale. Usually at around the 300 euro mark....which actually is what you would have paid for it when it was released. That's pretty good especially considering you most likely are getting an old beaten pair. Anyway I bought mine for the hefty sum of 40 euros Quite a spectacular can for the price. I have never experienced such a wiiiiiiide soundstage outside of speakers. This thing literally makes you feel as if you're surrounded by music...in a very enticing manner that is. I find the bass adequate, which seems to be what many a folks bigger about....can't hear it myself, but then again this can was never intended for the Beats crowd. No no no this is more like the headphone equivalent to an elegantly wafting balloon-ride. Old school electronic like Tangerine Dream and Klaus Schulze on these puppies is just heavenly...and I do get that huge holographic experience Sony claims it does - whatever one cares to call it. Strangest thing about them? They're 12 ohm. I had my Pioneer dap set on high gain when I first tried these out (also bought specifically as an easy to drive open headphone I could use with my daps). Oh my word they sounded horrible! Yusef Lateef's beautiful raspy clay flute on 'The Plum Tree' was practically non-existent and only sort of suggested in these grey blocks of muffled hum. I then took it down to normal gain...found just a wee bit more definition and then decided to go for the full monty and clicked the 'low gain' setting. Sure I had to turn up the volume a great deal but it was as if I'd gotten my hands on a whole new headphone. Everything was crisp and clear and that monumental soundstage suddenly popped out of the blue. I'm so thrilled with my purchase. One little hiccup...I need new pads, and together with shipping costs they will end up pricier than the can itself  ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: AEProgman
Date Posted: January 07 2018 at 11:16
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^Holy air holes Batman! I have never seen those before, I can imagine the soundstage is awesome once dialed in. For some reason I have avoided all Sony's headphones because of their market over saturation in everything thinking that they would cut corners for mass marketing and never given any of them a chance, perhaps I need to rethink that philosophy. Oh, Dave your comment on the post above this one about Grado's comfort level, that was the first thing in my test drives that began me turning away from considering them (at least the ones I tested). Been enjoying my Hifiman HE-400s cans, however I do not like the stock cable that came with them, very stiff and short. I got a 9 foot replacement cable via Damazon called Neomusica which are more flexable. They are still rope type up to the left/right split, then they are rubber. Listening to Grateful Dead - American Beauty high res, 94khz/24bit on them as I type, very nice! Now replacement cables seem to also have much discussion in the obsessive audiophile world, how certain kinds can improve the sound quality which I can see if you are really running an entire extremely high end setup from source/player to output. The difference in wire type, conductivity or impedance, and connections could make a big difference. However from my modest setup, I have not been able to tell the difference between the stock cable that came with the HE-400s or my $23 dollar Neomusica cable. -------------
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: March 07 2018 at 10:03
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Hello Jim I'm so sorry to have left you hanging like this for so long, but I haven't really been all that much online lately. In the process of turning a corner physically and get my old self back again ie breathe, sleep, walk, stand, sit normally again. There's been plenty of time for music though...and the odd can magic here and there. Hah! Who am I kidding? I went bananas - these days I think it mostly is to distract myself from physical pain - more than it is a decided headphone "grail" seek, if you know what I mean. I'm really glad you're enjoying your Hifimans - and yes I probably should have mentioned their horrendous knack for picking vacuum cleaner cables over headphone ones. My apologies. I have a friend who swears by high end cables, so I've had plenty of opportunity to test out all silver cables with bells and whistles and other stuff I can hardly pronounce let alone remember...mostly because I couldn't hear any difference...whatsoever. I was a/being between the same headphones (srh940 - his and mine) on the same amp, and while he remained adamant in his convictions - he never once let me do a blind test on him to see if he could spot the pigeon. Then again he has spent a LOT of dough on those snaky things and frankly I don't blame him. Who wants to burst bubbles anyway? ME!!! Yeah...erm about going bananas? I found out that the jack stick to my F1 had been changed to a big one...but done poorly resulting in a loose connection. Now I'd already waited a month for my new pads to arrive - time I spent away from my new cans no less. Then all of a sudden I'd have to wait for someone to fix em (I've never soldered anything in my life) aaaand I lost it and sold them...together with my Grados (damn you John Grado and your disregard of comfort) Ultrasones, K701s, DT1350s as well as a pair of Sennheiser hd6xx I'd bought secondhand, but decided to sell them almost immediately, not because they sounded bad or anything - they were pretty damn great, no no no it was because I simultaneously fell over a pair of used dt880...and woe and behold if I didn't prefer the Beyers... and the DT880 was about 35 dollars to the Senns hefty price of a 180. Then I stumbled over Onkyo's attempt at an open audiophile can ie the A800 at an almost ridiculous price. Secondhand sure but almost new. What the hell I thought and bought myself a can that looks like a bumblebee and sounds even better. It actually sounds like a clearer hd6xx with subbass like you wouldn't believe. What is strange about em though is that they still sound neutral. There's no dip in the midrange. I haven't got the faintest clue on how they managed to pull this kind of low end off without compromising the midrange. Vocals, guitars, pianos hell most of what's happening in music does so through the midrange, and on every other can I've tried with this quality of bas. I also, sadly, experience stuff like vocals being pulled ever so slightly back in the mix. What Onkyo has achieved feels like sorcery. Oh and they're 32 ohm and about as efficient as a mouse gang from Cinderella. Your iPhone will power these to great results...which is odd considering just how much they look like monsters that crave lightning and uranium to play at acceptable listening levels. I mean just take a look at these bumblebees..sorry cans:  They're quite heavy but don't feel it, which I suspect is down to both the headband being extremely wide extrapolating weight, as well as the cups being slightly arched inwards. This means they also happen to be the most comfortable cans I've ever tried with my glasses on. With my new cans on I'm still able to manoeuvre my glasses. They're not clamped. Oh yeah...I also bought the HFI-15g. So I'm not completely Ultrasone free...and never will be. This bad boy is staying for good. I've come across so many of those 'best bang for ya buck' threads and these never ever get mentioned. In fact they just don't get mentioned. Personally they would be my pick for absolute best bang for one's buck. You have to find your sweetspot though because like with all Ultrasones, that s-logic thing really really really depends on where your ears are compared to the driver holes. Sound needs the curves of your ears to generate accurate soundstage...but generally it just tends to mean that you need to push the headphone ever so slightly forward on your skull. Bananas. I eat em every day. Take it away Dolly!  ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: noni
Date Posted: April 09 2018 at 16:39
Ordered HifiMan 400i's, plus the FiiO E12A amp... Hope this arrives soon
... Already bought the extra length cables. Gold plated!! |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: May 14 2018 at 07:06
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^Welcome to the Hifiman club Noni I trust you're enjoying the ride so far? I certainly seem to remember a couple of posts from other threads that would suggest that I am like that too at the moment - mostly because I've been sticking with the bananas theme and msut have gone absolutely crazy, because I sold my he400. Hah!! Only to buy the he500 To be perfectly honest with you, at first I thought I'd made a very big mistake. No way this was an upgrade....and then I popped a new album on and everything was louder. 'Damn!' I said to myself 'I've been listening at waaaaay too low volumes'. I turned up my amp, ca double as loud compared to he400, and the world opened up. These things are dangerous though! They make you want to listen to every record in your collection and turn up the volume every few minutes. Bananas? Maybe just a bit, because I also sold my beloved bumblebee. Why? Because I just recently sold my second pair of dt880 and bought the Sennheiser hd700. Sweet mama this baby is wonderful!!! Perfectly complements the new hifiman in that it sounds completely different yet manages to attain a similar level of...erm class? I'm not sure but in terms of detail and resolution they're in the same ballpark. Soundstage though goes to the hifiman. BUT, and this is why I sold tye bumblebee, I can drive the he700 from my daps, which coincidentally were the home of the bumblebee. What else? I sold my srh940 because the headbumps really irritated me. Sound was still magnificent though. Got a Beyer dt770 pro (250 ohm version(part of a trade actually that also included a Philips Uptown Citiscape which I sold pretty quickly)) and a KRK KNS 8400. Ahh yeah I just got a hold of some beautiful cherries! Audio Technicas no less: ath-ew9. Easily the finest sounding clip-ons I've ever had the pleasure of listening to. Cherry wood and all AND they magically disappear once you've put them on. They're gone....but sweet sweet music is still playing in your ears. Comfortable is an understatement. Oh yeah Here the other night I tried listing all the cans I've owned since I started down the rabbithole. The ones with an asterix are currently in my possession: K701 K271 Y50 DT880 premium 250 DT880 pro 250 DT1350 DT770 pro* HD6XX HD700* HE400 HE350* HE500* D600 SE215 SRH940 MDR-F1 MDR7506 HFI2400 HFI-15g* PRO900 Uptown Citiscape SR325i KNS8400* AF1120* ATH-EW9* Sony in-ear* Oh yeah, I 'went full retard' Forgot about the he350 too!! Why did I "downgrade"? Well I was curious about a non-planar Hifiman and they were literally selling for dirtcheap...most likely because they ran into some serious negative hype...because they're bright...and they are, but they also sound great. 19 ohm, easily driven by a phone, and a huge soundtage. Part of me is also driven towards underdogs (be that in music, movies, art, food, whathaveyou), which also is why I went with the he700. Black sheep and all status I still feel it is a step up from the 600 series. I would love to see or hear Simon's reaction to it actually, him being a longtime owner of both the 6- and 650. Edit: Reading back this post, I realise I should've made two instead: one for noni and one for the cans thread. Now it looks as if I just casually congratulated him on his new headphone for then to play the trump card and list a gazillion Nah that's actually not funny. Sorry about that. That was certainly not the intention on my behalf  ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: May 14 2018 at 07:16
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Also, and this is the bit that really really surprised me, after running the numbers, I figure I'm about 500€ in the red. That's actually pretty good when you have two cans in your collection that each sell for over 700€ plus some iems that cost about the same...and then all the rest which isn't exactly cheap gear. Gotta love the secondhand market ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: progbethyname
Date Posted: July 07 2018 at 12:42
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Current headphone rig. Sennheiser HD 800 C's + Chord Qutest DAC + Burson Soloist Amp+ CYRUS CD i with dedicated power supply (PSXR-2) + Furman power line conditioner+ ALO audio reference 16 headphone cable. I've never been happier. My god!!!!! ------------- Gimmie my headphones now!!! 🎧🤣 |