[HeadphoneAddict]

So what's the word on the new Ultrasone HFI-780????

If you look at sound alone, and not microphonics or cost, the ALO modded headphones were better sounding than the S2 re-cabled 780 (smoother with less lumpy bass).

Originally Posted by Skylab

Thanks to HeadphoneAddict, I was able to spend some time comparing the ALO Audio modded and recabled HFI-780 to the S2 Audio modded and recabled 780.

First and foremost, both of these mods do a great job in addressing the main shortcomings of the stock 780. Both smooth out the treble peaks, and relax the midrange aggressiveness. The ALO modded set are slightly smoother throughout, but just a little. In either case, the main goal is accomplished - both versions sound excellent in this regard.

However, neither mod significantly improves the problem with the soundstage being shallow. Both improve it a little, and again the ALO maybe just slightly more, but for people who are ga-ga over soundstage depth, look elsewhere.

The ALO 780 also had slightly less lump bass response, I felt. this was still pretty subtle versus the S2 audio version, though.

So overall, in terms of JUST sonics, the ALO version is slightly better, IMO.

HOWEVER, there are some other factors. First, the ALO mod is more than 2x the price of the S2 mod. But more than that, the ALO modded cable is really badly microphonic. The S2 Audio cable is somewhat microphonic when it's rubbed or tapped, but the S2 cable isn't microphonic when one just turns one's head - the ALO cable is. With the ALO cable, you have to stay totally still, or you get loud microphonics. I found this troubling.

I also greatly prefer the single entry configuration of the S2 Audio recable, and I prefer the looks. That, and the price, make the S2 version much easier to recommend than the ALO version, IMHO, in spite of the ALO version offering very slightly better sound.