Dusty Chalk

Well, first of all, I hope you don't take my previous post as arguing with you about your impressions, only with your expectations -- I understand what you are saying, and yes, I agree, from what I am saying, I would say, stay away from omnis. I am by no means defending the MBLs -- if what is important to you is soundstaging and imaging, and they don't excel at that, then they are definitely not for you. I also still appreciate the impressions -- I know how to read impressions, even negative ones, to see if there is still something I'm interested in. I am the target market for omnis, and even at US$70K, I still wouldn't expect them to excel at imaging (except in maybe the scenario grawk gives, or perhaps in an acoustically soundproofed room [i forget what they're called]), but then, that's not important to me, which is why I asked about midrange and so on. grawk -- I understand what you're saying, but I was speaking in generalities. I'm sure you could come up with a few isolated examples of rooms and/or recordings that they might excel at, but I stand by my disagreement -- most recordings with any sense of soundstage were done with directional mics (e.g. Mapletree, Weavers at Carnegie Hall, etc.). Ears are directional...ish (more like a cardioid mic than anything else, I think), so recording something with an omni mic I would think would be too much information (especially in terms of reflections), but if one had a surround mic, or...have you heard those recordings that Kimber has started doing, yet? I haven't, but I heard they image superbly. I think that might yield a more realistic soundstage.

LOL

Yes, I think you were being unrealistic to expect omnis to excel at that holographic soundstage that I've heard with the best recordings. Again, this is just theory, but here's why: Soundstage is an illusion. The speakers are not only recreating the direct sound of the original recording hall, but also the reflections. The better speakers are at recreating those sounds, the more "you are there" you will get. Omnis are going to add their own (well, the room's) reflections, because they're literally projecting sound around the room in a more energetic manner than regular dynamic speakers, which tend to beam somewhat. At least, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it. I read a review recently of the smaller MBL in which the reviewer claimed excellent imaging, but I tell you what -- I remain skeptical.

Also, the farther you get away from its optimal operating voltage, the less fidelity one gets. At 500V, you may or may not hear the difference -- I suspect I would, as I had problems with the O2's "waking up" (in my few auditions of those phones, under meet conditions, etc. etc.), and hated their sound until they got fully charged.

BTW, Congratulations to Cynric! It is a nice logo.

I wonder if season four will have the Kate Bush performances?

You should watch Scoop next -- it makes for a nice "other" in a Scarlet Johanssen two-fer. That's all that matters.

Congratulations! Sweet ride!

This sounds like it'd be fun...if I could drink. Too bad I don't. Have a good time, y'all, I'll be awaiting worthless impressions (of headphones) and worthwhile impressions (of drinks, bars, each other...).

I just got a call from the "I'm full of shit" shop -- they want you back.

No, it's the same pair as before.

How's'at?

Over-generalizing, but soundstage shouldn't theoretically be any omnidirectional speaker's strong point. That said, I appreciate your comments -- I think I still need to hear them myself, but the drooling has stopped. Especially the part about speed, which to me is very important. Do you remember how their midrange was? I'm a big fan of a good midrange.

Wait...weren't you saying the W5000 earpads were of the larger variety? I wonder if they will fit on the A100Ti...?

Thanks, but I'm trying to save up for a watch, a pair of speakers, and a PS-1. And actually, the speakers are already bought (things are going to be tight for the next two weeks).

Bandwagon-jumping:

I'm not sure I understand your question. Subscribed? I don't listen to a lot, so the few I listen to, I download manually. If you're talking about something else, 'splain it to me. PS This does deserve its own thread -- want me to split it out for you?

So far so good -- I'm not so good at judging these things, I tend to go by their fall-apart rate (see, for example, the Denon AH-D5000). The enclosures feel inert enough.

HP-1, perhaps? I remember you having a Joe Grado setup and a John Grado setup at one point.

Download? Mozilla.

Try going through the link in this thread, rather than searching for it.

Nice pics!

See that thing that says Denon Link? You should connect a Denon player into it and listen to some DVD-A's and SACD's, if you don't already plan on doing so. I was thinking of either getting the Denon pair, or a Pioneer pair. Oh, and: nice!

Have you seen her in anything other than The Devil Wears Prada? Have I? Does she do anything outside of acting? Or is my memory of your post the entire reason I remember her name (which is pretty scary in itself: "hot girls" ==> memory; what I had for lunch yesterday ==> /dev/null)?

Ah, okay, thanks for reassuring my admittedly bizarre imagination. Me: about to go out and get some Quizno's sandwiches.