Those are a lot more than 2K, though, aren't they? I was actually trying to think of what the best closed currently-available headphones were, and I couldn't think of anything really top tier, like those or the Leatherheads. If I recall correctly, there was something else that sounded really boomy without adequate control (read: amplification), but can't for the life of me remember what. I'm sure there were lots of things. Oh, wait, I remember: the DT-770.

I am not averse to a little EQ in those cases, though. It's easier to subtract bass than it is to add it, when it comes to headphones.

Does Audio-Technica have anything out right now? Blue-Tin has the Raffinato for just under a thou, and the next one down is the 950 (which I vaguely recall prefering to the Raffinato).

I did see JohnWMclean's post in the meet reactions thread over on head-fi, that's what triggered me to go look for comments here -- I didn't find any.

Yep they are, but his criteria was closed and overpriced.

Yeah, but also that he didn't have, was the implication.

I very briefly heard the Audio-Technica W3000ANV and thought they were not too bad. Maybe worth a look.

My JVC HA-DX100 were commented on a sounding very good for a closed can, and has a popular following over the other site.

I would recommend against getting the DX-100.

I think it is the JVC HA-DX1000. I like them better than the Denon D7000 though. Try this funky mods for better sound!

http://www.head-fi.org/t/391515/jvc-hp-dx1000-mod

"I think it is the JVC HA-DX1000."

Yep, That's the model.

May try the mod.

If it's anything like the Anax mod for the HD800, it will be a winner.

OMG they're 1.5Tesla!!!

I'm thinking we all get a pair and go visit KG in his new MRI lab! Who's in?

Get the LFF Paradox

When I listened to these Fostex headphones at RMAF last year I thought the mids were a bit sucked out in relation to the bass and treble. I don't feel that they were balanced and realistic enough to be worth $2K, although they felt more detailed than a stock Denon D7000 for example. But I'm not sure I would buy them, even if they were much cheaper.

[edit - have the sound of these changed in the past year since I heard them?]

Edited August 21, 201213 yr by HeadphoneAddict

Considering the author of the mod uses Ed9 as main listening devices, I'd think twice before going too far with the scissors. The DX-1000 aren't definitive headphones, by no means, but are a lot of fun and can be driven by about anything. At $900, considering current madness about prices and quality, they're OK if one enjoys a bit of bass immersion from time to time. The only really important downside IMHO is the honky-boxy coloration which appears on some recordings in the voices. Some people, once find it out, might get really annoyed.

Get the LFF Paradox

Does it hold its own with some of the good open cans ?

I liked the Fostex quite a bit except for one little snag: piercing / harsh sounding trumpet on Miles Davis "Someday my prince shall come". It's not in the recording if I am to trust the many different kinds of headphones / rigs I tried with this sample recording. Might have been my ears conditions on that day but no other gear sounded like that (including a sanity check with my stax rig when I got back home on that day).

Does Audio-Technica have anything out right now? Blue-Tin has the Raffinato for just under a thou, and the next one down is the 950 (which I vaguely recall prefering to the Raffinato).

There's the ATH-W3000ANV Limited Edition (2000 units produced). I bought one a few months ago and so far I'm still really liking it, in fact I like it more as time goes on.

[edit - have the sound of these changed in the past year since I heard them?]

I think so.

And I have measured them: Fostex TH-900

Not really stellar for a 2Kilobucks headphone

Does it hold its own with some of the good open cans ?

Yep easily. I don't like closed hps but its possibly the best nonelectrostat I've heard. Very neutral and it doesn't really sound closed.

Yep easily. I don't like closed hps but its possibly the best nonelectrostat I've heard. Very neutral and it doesn't really sound closed.

Better than your R10s?

At a recent meet I had the opportunity to listen to these out of a Weiss 202 DAC, they sounded superb for closed phones.

Edit, btw the above impression was straight after I had been listening to the T2 with the 007 and 009’s .

Straight out of DAC202's headphone jack?? I own a DAC202, but I wouldn't run a $2K 'phone out of that headphone jack, much less a 25 Ohm 'phone like TH-900

Practical vs theory I guess, I was dubious with the set-up, I can’t deny my ears though.

You never measured the Leatherheads, did you, Tyll?

Better than your R10s?

I said 'possibly' because I had the R10s in mind. It depends. The R10 is pretty much top of the hill for classical (especially well recorded, large orchestral material) but is kinda colored so I could see somebody not liking it at all. The Paradox is probably a lot better at rock/pop.

You never measured the Leatherheads, did you, Tyll?

No.

That's a headphone that intrigues me no end.

Not really stellar for a 2Kilobucks headphone

Antonio, in my opinion the graph isn't bad at all. There is a bit too much midbass, but otherwise the midrange to treble balance seems about right, in my opinion.

I have read somewhere that they can be obtained for as low as 1400$, which is still very expensive, but they could well deserve it (especially considering prices of high end orthos, dynamics and stats lately).