Jump to content

New phones please


Ben Gramain

Recommended Posts

WTH do I go for now?

Bit bored of O2.

And the 701 does give me a headache after all.

Don't really fancy another CEO's Mother's Cat's 15th Birthday Anniversary limited edition A-T's either.

Kinda actually hating the 'rituals' that come with higher-end phones in general, be it care in handling, audio / placing juju, comfort issues, etc.

Thinking about going back to the HD650.

Anything else on the horizon I can get interested about?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

K1000 >:D

Seriously though the 650's are nice all-around headphones. Not the most aggressive, engaging phones around but they are pretty well rounded. I can't really think of any new headphones that are horizon, though there was talk of some new Sony phones in the $500 range coming out in the first half of '07.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You need to recable your headphones and mod your sources, along with addressing the issues of power conditioning and vibration control. Then, and only then will your headphones sound good.

Ok, seriously now. I'd say get K340's, but that opens up a huge can of worms in terms of headphone variability and amp requirements. K1000, same but not quite as bad. Senns ain't my thing but they may work for you, and they go well with the Headroom amp you already have. On a less serious note, I'd advise drinking your favourite alcoholic beverage until everything sounds right.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

At the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest, Sennheiser confirmed the existence of the HD-700. About all they would say is that it's a new headphone, and not another member of the HD-580, 600, 650 series. It may be another year or more before they bring it to market, though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would not be at all shocked if one of the headphone manufacturers launched a new headphone at the National Meet this year. I think most of them in attendance last year were a bit taken aback by the amount of $$ that even the low-end users like myself have tied up in a headphone rig.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For what it's worth, I'll give a second nod to the HD650s. If you look you can probably find a new pair including delivery for around $300. I?ve heard most of the headphones discussed here and on Head-Fi and the HD650s are one of my favorites when properly amplified.

The K-1000s took a bit getting use to and are usually around a grand, but I feel like I am hanging tiny speakers on either side of my head instead of wearing headphones and the K340s sound really nice, but both require amply power to be driven properly.

Another headphone I?ve heard recently which has sparked my interest is the beyerdynamic DT 990 because it sounded great in my rig, but I don?t know if it would replace my HD650s.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'd say it's mostly down to the ritual involved with the O2, the babying the W5K requires (and it's character which I'm not as willing to futz with as the W2002) and the headaches the K701 gives me. Headaches due to the phone design, not the sound which I find very decent.

The HD650 is pretty close to the O2. Tonality is not that different and it's generally all-music-friendly. I can probably get over the clamp if I carefully straighten out the metal strips and I know it doesn't give me a headache. I'm willing to take a slight hit in SQ for far greater throwaroundability and practicality at this point. Any others worth looking at?

Ampwise I'm happy enough to have standardised on the Max, although the real-world difference / improvement between them and the Fireface headphone out (and yes I have taken a hearing test) is a debatable matter. My inner audionerd is happy with it and in practical terms it doesn't compromise everyday usability unlike many other headphone amps I've had. I don't plan to change.

Oh yeah, and I don't need that holier-than-thou music lecture oo!o

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh yeah, and I don't need that holier-than-thou music lecture oo!o
Yes, you did.

I mean, let me rephrase...

Don't think of it as a holier-than-thou-music-lecture, think of it as my take on things -- I been there, myself, man, I was getting bored with my listening system, I thought it was too austere...then I said, "fuck it, I feel like listening to some headbanging music", and I was in bliss again. I was just trying to help out -- perhaps point out something you hadn't realized. Don't get all hoighty-toity on me.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.