br0ken_shad0w
Member
Looks like Massdrop managed to get their entire shipment of the K7xx, so us March shippers will get it next week. Can't wait to see how these compare to the AD2k's and I'm especially excited about that AKG soundstage.
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$500 cans on, this is how you dream right - Official Headphone Thread
- Thread starter HiResDes
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Looks like Massdrop managed to get their entire shipment of the K7xx, so us March shippers will get it next week. Can't wait to see how these compare to the AD2k's and I'm especially excited about that AKG soundstage.
Oh I'm sure there are, but these were only ~$50 and I didn't do much research beforehand hahaha
Get some of these next time, unless you have a big head, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006Y2BI04/?tag=neogaf0e-20
Union Carbine
Member
The soundstage is very nice to my ears. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
For anyone curious about driving them, when I plugged them directly into my Fiio X5, I had the volume dial at 75/120, low gain, to hit the loudness level I like. I'm not a super-loud listener but between the remaining room on the low-gain dial and the entire high-gain spectrum, something like the X5 will drive them just fine. I haven't tried them direct in my iPhone yet but I'll probably try it tomorrow.
Union Carbine
Member
So I popped in a couple of bass-heavy songs on Spotify to throw at the AKGs:
I'm no basshead but the AKGs definitely sounded bassy enough on those tracks for me. I'll have to go back and forth with the NADs over the weekend but I certainly wasn't disappointed by this small sampling.
- Tsbol by Robert Miles;
- I Against I by Massive Attack w/Mos Def;
- The Saint by Orbital; and,
- Enter the Temple by Tsunami Bros.
I'm no basshead but the AKGs definitely sounded bassy enough on those tracks for me. I'll have to go back and forth with the NADs over the weekend but I certainly wasn't disappointed by this small sampling.
opticalmace
Member
This totally blows away my old Klipsch S4, I frickin' love it! Waiting for the FiiO E10K to arrive tomorrow....
Nice! Would you mind sharing some more impressions vs. the S4? I have the S4 now and am sort of thinking of an upgrade.
This totally blows away my old Klipsch S4, I frickin' love it! Waiting for the FiiO E10K to arrive tomorrow....
Oh hell, that'll do. I was thinking about springing for the IE60's, but just bought a less portable pair of Stax electrostatics, so portable listening will have to wait for a bit.
I couldn't get the Kliptsch to fit in my ear even with the large flanges, so gave them to my daughter who loves them.
Dynamite Ringo Matsuri
Member
Looks like the Oppo DAC/Amp is finally out. Looks really sweet and price is excellent. Should be great if you use your cans on the go. Is compatible with iPhone too.
http://oppodigital.com/headphone-amplifier-ha-2/
http://oppodigital.com/headphone-amplifier-ha-2/
Got the Shakes
Member
Damn. May have to pick this up since it's iPhone compatible.
Union Carbine
Member
What's the damage for one of these?
Got the Shakes
Member
Shows $299 for me on the Oppo website.
Union Carbine
Member
Duh. Was looking on my phone and had to zoom in so I totally missed it. Thanks.
Dynamite Ringo Matsuri
Member
Yes I said it was compatible with the iPhone lol
The crazy thing is that this thing actually charges your phone as you use it which is just awesome
I'm also very impressed that it charges in just half an hour. Typically these things take like 3 hours minimum to charge. It's just a extremely well conceived device
The crazy thing is that this thing actually charges your phone as you use it which is just awesome
I'm also very impressed that it charges in just half an hour. Typically these things take like 3 hours minimum to charge. It's just a extremely well conceived device
This totally blows away my old Klipsch S4, I frickin' love it! Waiting for the FiiO E10K to arrive tomorrow....
And a GT60 too? You shop well.
Dynamite Ringo Matsuri
Member
True. Klipsch hasn't put out anything worth a damn since the X10, but that was very much so a product of its time as it really lacks clarity compared to most of the bang for the buck Chinese/Japanese phones these days
Complex Shadow
Cudi Lame
Can some one recommend me some good over/on ear headphones that are wireless?
I was gunning for urbanite xl wireless. But I can't buy them in Canada.
I was gunning for urbanite xl wireless. But I can't buy them in Canada.
Guys, I might be in the market for a new pair of cans. Right now I'm using a pair of AKG K518LE, which I bought about 3/4 years ago. They sound great, but I tought maybe could step it up a little.
I paid them 50, do you think that there would be something in the 100 range that would be a worthwhile upgrade?
The only "requirment" would be that I want a pair of circumaural, because I don't mind the weight, but my ears start hurting if I wear these for a while because of the pressure.
I paid them 50, do you think that there would be something in the 100 range that would be a worthwhile upgrade?
The only "requirment" would be that I want a pair of circumaural, because I don't mind the weight, but my ears start hurting if I wear these for a while because of the pressure.
Got the KC06s today. Only listened to them for a bit but they seem as good or better than my vsonic gr07. My impressions may be exaggerated by the fact that 've been using my crappy apple earbuds for a week but the soundstage and accuracy are great. Fit and isolation seem fine as well.
What are the Super Nitro?
Chittagong
Gold Member
Tomorrow, I will go and listen to some Audezes in NYC, and compare them to my Fostex TH600s. Especially interested to hear whether I am able to appreciate the difference between LCD-2s and LCD-3s, and to find out how noisy open backs are to people around me. Need to prepare my playlist and charge my portable DAC/amp. There was a good post from Phat Michael with auditioning advice earlier, I'll need to dig it up. This thread moves so fast.
New favourite track for testing bass? Skulls by Royksopp:
https://open.spotify.com/album/7lzl1Qfv4NqSmypuKmF07l
Incredible album too.
New favourite track for testing bass? Skulls by Royksopp:
https://open.spotify.com/album/7lzl1Qfv4NqSmypuKmF07l
Incredible album too.
Chittagong
Gold Member
Ooh, I have been waiting for a licenced Lightning port DAC/Amp for a while. So tempting, would eliminate the weakest link of my mobile listening chain. Nice design too. I wonder if anyone has it in stock in NYC.
Euros, not pounds. Those are like twice my budget. :lol
Union Carbine
Member
Some more AKG Massdrop thoughts:
Listening more and, very unscientifically A-Bing with m NADs, there's plenty of bass and at least equal in extension and quality to the NADs.
I plugged the 'phones directly into my iPhone-- the phone was able to drive them plenty loud enough for me but it doesn't get SUPER loud, even at full volume. I could see some people wanting more than the phone can put out.
Listening more and, very unscientifically A-Bing with m NADs, there's plenty of bass and at least equal in extension and quality to the NADs.
I plugged the 'phones directly into my iPhone-- the phone was able to drive them plenty loud enough for me but it doesn't get SUPER loud, even at full volume. I could see some people wanting more than the phone can put out.
Never heard of those, why do you think they'll be an upgrade?
From what I've read, they are supposed to have better mids while keeping a deep bass and clear highs. And nice build quality with a mic that works with WP, iOS and android.
There's no comparison with other IEMs, I bet they're just really V-shaped in comparison, but not anymore transparent.
Could be, but then again I'm not looking for any neutral phones, I prefer something more fun, so to speak.
Dave_6
Member
It's amazing how much better my iPhone 5S powers mine compared the on board audio on my PC.
Not as swish as some gear in here but damn these are sounding good. New pads on the way and should be here next week.
Loving them.
Once you go Stax you can't go bax.
Even with the Sr-5, you will still be able to get that sweet estats sound of transparency and quick attack.
threetri333
Banned
Where's a good place to find discounted AMP like Bottlehead Crack or Schiit Valhalla 1/2?
Have you considered the For Sale sub forum in head-fi?
Chittagong
Gold Member
So, I made my way over to Innovative AV showroom on E 58th Street, NYC. Super nice people, I had a chance to audition Audeze LCD-2s and LCD-3s in my leisure, with my own playlist, comparing them to my Fostex TH-600s.
Here are my takeaways (note - I don't know how to describe headsets in proper terms, so these are my laymans attempts to describe the differences):
Audeze LCD-3 (rev.1) vs. Fostex TH600 - Clearly this was an awesome, lovely headset. Compared to my Fostex, the sound feels fuller, deeper, and somehow 'warmer'. This was a bit of a surprise to me, but then again, one of the main draws of my Fostex headset was the monitor-like, crystal crisp sound. The bass on Fostex is much boomier and physical, almost exaggerated, again much in line with what I initially read and preferred. The sound of the LCD-3s also feels tigther, whereas with Foxtex the closed cup forms an open, free space for the ear.
Audeze LCD-3 (rev.1) vs. LCD-2 (rev.1) - I am genuinely surprised that I was able to make this distinction, the difference was much more clear than I anticipated. The sound of the LCD-3s is deeper and tighter than the LCD-2, it feels more comprehensive, close and deep. The sound in LCD-2 is brighter and more open compared to the warmth and intimacy of LCD-3. I didn't see a huge step up from Fostex TH600 to LCD-2, whereas the step up to LCD-3 was clear.
Both Audezes required about +5 more volume compared to the Fostex TH600s to produce a comparable volume.
Verdict - Going from Fostex TH600 to Audeze LCD-3 means tripling the price from $700 to $2000. Clearly the sound is more refined, fuller and warmer, notably so. However I didn't find the jump anywhere near as dramatic as was the jump form Sennheiser PXC-450 or Bose QCIIs to Fostex, which was a 'holy shit' type of an affair, where there was no way I could return back to the previous tier.
I enjoyed the LCD-3s immensely, and recognise they are just spectacular. I seriously considered grabbing a pair, but given my usage context - home in bed with the Mrs, or in the office / design studio, or in the airplane - I just couldn't justify getting an open back headset that wouldn't work in any of those contexts. And for closed backs, I haven't seen a similar leap as Fostex TH600s to Audeze LCD-3s. So, in a way I was happy to find that my current headset is what I need. But on the other hand, I am secretly disappointed that I couldn't justify buying new kit.
Here is my audition playlist, which I had at 320kbps with me:
Skulls - Royksopp (bass)
Magic (Live at the Enmore Theatre) - Coldplay (live recording)
Entre dos Aguas - Paco de Lucia (instrumental)
The Miracle (of Joey Ramone) - U2 (rock)
Luka - Suzanne Vega (unplugged)
Finlandia, op. 26 - Jean Sibelius (classical)
White Flag - Dido (female voice)
EDIT - Listening again to Skulls by Royksopp with my Fostex TH600s, this bass is the most intensely satisfying feeling. Goddam.
Here are my takeaways (note - I don't know how to describe headsets in proper terms, so these are my laymans attempts to describe the differences):
Audeze LCD-3 (rev.1) vs. Fostex TH600 - Clearly this was an awesome, lovely headset. Compared to my Fostex, the sound feels fuller, deeper, and somehow 'warmer'. This was a bit of a surprise to me, but then again, one of the main draws of my Fostex headset was the monitor-like, crystal crisp sound. The bass on Fostex is much boomier and physical, almost exaggerated, again much in line with what I initially read and preferred. The sound of the LCD-3s also feels tigther, whereas with Foxtex the closed cup forms an open, free space for the ear.
Audeze LCD-3 (rev.1) vs. LCD-2 (rev.1) - I am genuinely surprised that I was able to make this distinction, the difference was much more clear than I anticipated. The sound of the LCD-3s is deeper and tighter than the LCD-2, it feels more comprehensive, close and deep. The sound in LCD-2 is brighter and more open compared to the warmth and intimacy of LCD-3. I didn't see a huge step up from Fostex TH600 to LCD-2, whereas the step up to LCD-3 was clear.
Both Audezes required about +5 more volume compared to the Fostex TH600s to produce a comparable volume.
Verdict - Going from Fostex TH600 to Audeze LCD-3 means tripling the price from $700 to $2000. Clearly the sound is more refined, fuller and warmer, notably so. However I didn't find the jump anywhere near as dramatic as was the jump form Sennheiser PXC-450 or Bose QCIIs to Fostex, which was a 'holy shit' type of an affair, where there was no way I could return back to the previous tier.
I enjoyed the LCD-3s immensely, and recognise they are just spectacular. I seriously considered grabbing a pair, but given my usage context - home in bed with the Mrs, or in the office / design studio, or in the airplane - I just couldn't justify getting an open back headset that wouldn't work in any of those contexts. And for closed backs, I haven't seen a similar leap as Fostex TH600s to Audeze LCD-3s. So, in a way I was happy to find that my current headset is what I need. But on the other hand, I am secretly disappointed that I couldn't justify buying new kit.
Here is my audition playlist, which I had at 320kbps with me:
Skulls - Royksopp (bass)
Magic (Live at the Enmore Theatre) - Coldplay (live recording)
Entre dos Aguas - Paco de Lucia (instrumental)
The Miracle (of Joey Ramone) - U2 (rock)
Luka - Suzanne Vega (unplugged)
Finlandia, op. 26 - Jean Sibelius (classical)
White Flag - Dido (female voice)
EDIT - Listening again to Skulls by Royksopp with my Fostex TH600s, this bass is the most intensely satisfying feeling. Goddam.
Dynamite Ringo Matsuri
Member
Welcome to diminishing returns, which are very, very real and more severe than most realize. A lot of people spend thousands trying to recreate this feeling: "However I didn't find the jump anywhere near as dramatic as was the jump form Sennheiser PXC-450 or Bose QCIIs to Fostex" - and never actually find it again
Once you go Stax you can't go bax.
Even with the Sr-5, you will still be able to get that sweet estats sound of transparency and quick attack.
Yep. Think I'm hooked. They have an effortless about them. Can't quite put it into words but it's exactly what I hoped. Saving up for a brand new pair right now.
Edit: Chittagong, nice write up. Was thinking about the EL-8's before I got sucked into Stax
Unconditional
Member
I finally took the leap and bought a dt990 for gaming. Thread creeping got the best of me. Gotta decide on my dac/amp now. I'm leaning towards the modi2 uber and magni2 uber. Hopefully that'll last me awhile. Gotta save up for them first though. Still hurting from the holidays.
The Fulla might be a good enough starting point. Works with PS4
Unconditional
Member
I'm tempted to grab it since it's so cheap and it can hold me over until I get the stack of schiit. Then I could use the fulla for the laptop and ps4. Stack for desktop and upgraded headphones if I decide to move up at some point.
Got one yesterday and I love it! I sold my dragonfly 1.2 since I found it too bright, and though I didn't get a chance to compare the two, I absolutely prefer the sound of the fulla since it lacks the glare that I experienced with the df. I was a bit worried about the build quality from what I'd read on head-fi, but I think it's totally fine, especially considering the price. And it's so freaking tiny, almost as small as the df.
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