philodox

It's too bad that Steve's balanced beta22 wasn't ready. I'm pretty convinced that it would have made a rather large difference. I think they sounded pretty good on Jim's beta22 when we hooked it up to the zapfilter output opus [more gain], but that still only has a gain of 5, where Steves will be balanced with a gain of 11 I think. I'm going to be doing some serious tweaking on my pair, but if I can't get them to where I like them they are likely going back. We all know that I need a pair of MS-Pro's or RS-1's.

LOL, damn wussy low level listeners.

I'm happy with the ones I've got... need to check to see the versions. *checking* Heroes - Virgin, Digitally remastered at Abbey Road Studios Hunky Dory - EMI, Digitally remastered at Abbey Road Studios In other news... I really need to get more Bowie. I have his best of on my MP3 player, but it is really not cutting it. I've been dropping tons of hints though, so if I don't get a bunch of CD's for christmas or my B-Day I will be very surprised.

It didn't help that the drinks were INSANELY cheap at the bar. I don't know if this is common in the states, but the mixed drinks we were getting were probably 1/2 to 3/4 booze and only ran us $2.50 a pop. Even when we 'stepped it up' with some crown royal on ice it was only $3. I swear, if I moved to a small town in NY state I'd be a drunk inside a day.

LOL, I'm famous [infamous?] for getting hammered at meets. I didn't quite get there this time, but then again, I wasn't hosting.

Well, we did all the testing balanced using my amp, so we couldn't really compare them. Renato really likes his new cables though... maybe I'll have to get you to whip me up a balanced pair at some point. BTW. It's funny that you said 'dang'... later at the bar I ranted for a while at the rise in use I've seen of this word. 'Damn' isn't good enough any more? I'd had a bit to drink too, seemed funny... but who really knows.

Yeah, I heard two of them. After soloz2 left we hooked them both up to my modded Eastsound source. I'll try to put up more detailed impressions later [we should have a mini-meet thread on head-fi at some point with pics], but the long and short of it was that the output stages made a bigger difference than the DAC's we compared. We compared: Eastsound CD-E5 w/ Zapfilter output stage [uses an older Crystal DAC] Dual Differential balanced Opus w/Zapfilter output stage [uses the Wolfson DAC, same one that is in the Pico] Dual Differential balanced Opus w/Ballsie output stage [ditto] We used the Eastsound as a transport for the two DACs, and had a very nice homemade digital coax cable [it has been the victor in many shootouts] and my Signal Cable Silver Resolution Balanced IC's. Amp was the Massive Attack, and we used K340's, RS-1's and MS-Pro's for the comparison. My source sounded identical to the balanced Opus with the Zapfilter output stage for all intents and purposes. The Ballsie seemed to have a smaller soundstage and a bit less punch in the bass. Maybe less PRAT, though I'm not sure I really understand the use of that term. So it looks like I'm going to have to look higher for a source upgrade than the Opus. It is a great DAC, but not above the level of what I already have.

Ok, give me your RS-1s plz, kthnx.

I should hope so! Are the A950LTD all that different from the standard A900s? Cuz they sound baaad.

I can sell you a PINT for a decent price if you are interested.

Was ist ween?

Yeah, I have none of these things except for the flat table. I got them already, they were definitely worth the cost.

Wait, there's an A950? The K 271 Studio is a great headphone, but you pretty much need an amp.

Headphones do have advantages over loudspeakers dummy. Nobody said they were better.

I found this pretty funny. Yeah, those damn cumbersome external power supplies. You can just plug the K340 into anything and it sounds great. Sure.

I'll add the scans of the pictures and diagrams once I get them as well. There is also a pretty funny page entitled "Why headphones at all?" that I will try to transcribe once my fingers stop hurting. It details how "Headphones are a must in any well-equipped HiFi system" along with the main advantages that headphones have over loudspeakers.

K 340 Absolutely top class stereo headphones employing the two-way design concept. Each earpiece contains two different kinds of transducer system. One dynamic and one electrostatic system combine together to form an integral transducer system. The result is convincing: full, clear bass down to the lowest end of the audible range is reproduced by the dynamic system; transparent, neutral and brilliant treble by the electrostatic transducer. In the K 340 a crossover network is not required. Both systems are connected directly and acoustically tuned to avoid undesirable phase shifts or uneven frequency response in the cross-over region. Therefore, there is no loss of transparency, and virtually no distortion. The K 340 is used without an auxiliary power unit, just like any dynamic headphone, since the miniature transformers required for signal voltage step-up are built into the earpieces. The passive diaphragms provide a well balanced bass range as well as a natural, open, and spatial sound image. The model K 340 with gimbal-pivoted earpieces, and a cushioned headband which automatically adjusts to any head size, provides exceptional wearing comfort despite its size. [There is a similar description for K 240, K 241, K 141, K 140 S, K 80, K 41, and K 40. I'm assuming the K 240 are the Sextet model as they make mention of six passive diaphragms.] Technical Data: Transducer Type ----------------------------- electrostatic/dynamic Frequency range ----------------------------- 16-25 000 Hz Nominal impedance --------------------------- 400 Ohm Nominal sound pressure level [at 1000 Hz] ----- 94 dB Maximum power ------------------------------ 200 mW acc. DIN 45 500 Harmonic distortion --------------------------- ≤ 0,2% acc. DIN 45 500 Contact pressure ----------------------------- 3 N [ca. 300 g] Weight [without cable] ----------------------- 380 g Connection cable ----------------------------- single sided, helix cable, 3 m extended length [The same information is also listed for the other headphones I mentioned above.] Two-way system - the new K 340 design concept The new AKG two-way design concept has been realized for the first time in the K 340 headphones. This system combines the advantages of both dynamic and electrostatic design principles. Dynamic sound transducers utilize the motion resulting from signal current flowing through a voice coil suspended in a magnetic field. This vibrating voice coil is rigidly attached to the diaphragm which, in turn excites sound waves in the air. The large diaphragm excursions occurring at low frequencies and high volumes are easily handled by dynamic systems. Electrostatic transducers consist primarily of a rigid, electrically conductive diaphragm mounted [about the diameter of a human hair] apart from each other. When a signal voltage is applied to these two ?electrodes? electrostatic forces are generated resulting in a movement of the diaphragm. In this case the applied audio signal voltage must be considerably higher than with dynamic transducers. Therefore, electrostatic headphones invariably require an external power supply unit incorporating step up transformers. Also, for satisfactory operation, headphones of this type must be supplied with a constant electrostatic charge. This can be provided by an external power supply, or, as in the case of the K 340, by a self-polarizing diaphragm with an inherent permanent electrostatic charge. In the high frequency region the extremely thin and light weight diaphragm can move freely and follow the signal impulses without delay. The AKG two-way design concept employs a dynamic transducer for the reproduction of bass and midrange frequencies. This results in a balanced bass reproduction down to the lowest audible frequencies, as well as in minimum harmonic distortion. The region above 4000 Hz is covered by an electrostatic transducer. Sound reproduction is transparent and free from coloration: the full range of harmonics produced by musical instruments are also retained, ensuring maximum fidelity. Since the electrostatic transducer system transmits only frequencies above 4000 Hz, the crossover network usually required is unnecessary. The K 340 still requires transformers however, to obtain the signal voltages necessary in electrostatic systems. However they can be made extremely small, since they do not need to handle low frequencies which would call for large iron cores. Therefore these miniature transformers can be built into the headphone earpieces without offering any disadvantage. By using a self-polarizing diaphragm, the AKG electrostatic system can dispense with a power supply for generating the polarization voltage. With the K 340, cumbersome external power supply units as used with purely electrostatic systems are a thing of the past.

Well, they came in. Not as minty as I'd like, but still very cool. I don't have a scanner at home, but can use the one at work on Tuesday. For now, I might try to transcribe some of the info written about the K340 and AKG's general design philosophies. Pretty neat, worth the entry fee I think.

LOL, enjoy the Thiels Eddy.

I've been tempted to get one of those hearo systems that come up on eBay all the time in the $400-$500 range. I think Jude has one and likes it well enough.

Nothing else wants to pick up that stank...

Pads make a huge difference on most circumaural headphones that I have experience with. After all the talk the Grado boys give the different pads, I would have expected a bigger change...

"You are truly as stupid as your are irritating, Trose." Holy shit, did Reks just make a grammatical and/or spelling error?

Ah, that makes sense. I guess I could just get some abysmally hard to drive speakers to compensate.