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| Headphones (full-size) Discussion of full-size headphones. |
03-31-2005, 02:50 AM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Arlington, VA
Posts: 208
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Headphone brand <--> Speaker brand comparison
I haven't really seen a thread like this before, so I figured I would start one and see everyone's thoughts on this subject. Of course, it's most definitely a subjective, personal, and opinionated topic, so don't yell at me if you disagree.
I figure that headphones are a great start in the hobby of audio and that most people on here will (if they haven't already), start to dabble with speakers, and perhaps, someone might benefit from comparisons, ie. if they like the sound of ___ headphones and are interested in getting some good speakers, then ___ brand of speakers would be a good start in looking and auditioning - might save them time. Headphones, for me, have largely been a crossover product right into the world of 2 channel speaker Hi-Fi and I LOVE IT!
My thoughts on the brands that I have owned or auditioned (of high-quality headphones/speakers) are:
Sennheiser HD-650
The Sennheiser HD600/650's really, to me, have the sonic qualities of Dynaudio speakers or speakers that use the Dynaudio drivers. The sound is detailed yet laid back, non-fatiguing, smooth, clean and have great bass - these are all usually characteristic qualities of Dyn's. The laid-back and smooth Esotar tweeter used in the models I auditioned sounded just like the highs of Senns. When I was auditioning speakers for my bedroom system, I took a listen to the Audience 52SE and the Contour 1.4S - both of which I liked but the Contour was a little overpriced, IMO.
Sony MDR-CD3000/SA5000
The CD3K definitely reminds me of the B&W Nautilus series - both the headphones and speakers present a wide, sparkling soundstage and have tremendous, if almost too-much upper treble energy which to some may come across as fatiguing, especially after a long listening period. The SA5000's aren't quite as bad in this respect as they seem to be a little more laid back, but they definitely are super-detailed and forward, and as some others have mentioned, cold and analytical. I think that they compare well with my own speaker setup right now, which right now includes the JM Lab Electra 906, but after A/Bing them, it seems that the SA5000's still have a bit more treble energy than my speakers, which are still detailed but a smidge more laid back. Both the JM Labs' and the Sony's do seem to be fairly cold and analytical - not warm or smooth like the Sennheisers sound to me.
Beyerdynamic DT770-80
I had these headphones for 2 days before returning them. I liked them, but thought I could do better and opted to get a refund and put the funds toward the SA5000's which I thought I might like more. These were nice, and to me, seemed pretty value-oriented with a good overall sound - kind of in between the Sony and Sennheiser descriptions above. They had lots of bass like everyone says. They had a good mix of smoothness and detail, were built well but were largely unattractive. All of these characters remind me of Canadian speakers - particularly Paradigm (which I have in my HT currently - going to sell soon). The Paradigm Studio Reference line (I'm more familiar with the v2's) seem to exhibit the same overall characteristics of these phones - good value for the money and mix of detail and smoothness but at the same time are built like tanks and aren't as attractive as more expensive options.
I'd love to hear all your thoughts...
__________________
- Home Rig: Sonos ZP-90 --> Electrocompaniet ECD-1 --> DIY PPA --> Sennheiser HD-650
- Portable Rig: 5.5G 80GB iPod --> DIY Mini3 --> TBD (Looking for suggestions)
- Speaker Rig: Sonos ZP-90 --> Electrocompaniet ECD-1 --> Krell KAV-400xi --> Dynaudio Contour S3.4
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03-31-2005, 12:27 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 212
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Give the equipment enough time (500 hrs.) to burn-in. Testing in store or after 2 days means you don't have enough burn-in.
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03-31-2005, 01:34 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,814
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This could be the start of a really interesting thread. Unforunately, I haven't heard that many different brands of speakers. I go to the local hi-fi shop everyone now and then and listen to their stuff. But my only speakers are KEF Q55's, which I use as the main channels for my home theater set up. I hope those with more speaker experience will post some more comparisons.
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03-31-2005, 01:48 PM
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Member of the Trade:
Rudistor Sound Systems
US/Canada
Proved that despite its huge size, the CD3000 can be shoved down one's throat.
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: West New York, NJ
Posts: 12,200
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by RHMMMM
"....The SA5000's aren't quite as bad in this respect as they seem to be a little more laid back, but they definitely are super-detailed and forward, and as some others have mentioned, cold and analytical...."
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Just as a side note, do you really feel the SA5000 more laid back than the CD3000? IMO it is all the opposite, it is a lot more in your face, and with narrower sounstage ...
__________________
I do love the Edition 9, and probably you know what that means, so you have been warned...!!!
Disclaimer: Please assume every single of my statements, to mean: “in my system”, “to my ears”, "in my experience", “in my opinion”, etc...(otherwise stated).
Neutrality, accuracy? OK, just ask yourself first: Do you certainly know how the recording is supposed to sound? Sorry, but for me euphony is all about!!! Please do yourself a favor, stop listening your gear, and enjoy the music instead!!!
Home setup: Sony DVP-NC555ES => BJC IC's => RPX-33 MKII/RPX-31 => UE9
"On the go" setup: Panasonic SL-CT570 => XJ-03 => Sleek SA6/Klipsch Images X5/X10
Proved that despite its huge size, the CD3K can be shoved down one's throat...wait...but now I'm shoving the Ultrasone Edition 9???
EQUIPO HEAD-FI HISPANO: DILE ADIOS A TUS AHORROS!!!
My feedbacks in: Head-Fi , eBay and Amazon
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03-31-2005, 01:48 PM
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Banned
aka HeavySoul
aka inconnu
aka Albert
aka layman
aka joe_average
aka altglos
aka Mr boobi
aka mikesand
aka blindbuy
aka The Well
aka yummy-fi
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,843
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The HD650 and the HD595 both strongly remind me of the sound of the Acoustic Energy AE1 mkII bookshelf 'monitor' (the 650 more so, though), which I had but sadly not for long... 
Never mind (not anymore). 
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03-31-2005, 03:15 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Chicago
Posts: 259
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I lent a friend my 595's and he said they sounded like a headphone version of his Energy Connesieur speakers (though I forget which model he has). Other than that, I really don't have much experience with high end speakers.
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03-31-2005, 03:16 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Arlington, VA
Posts: 208
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Quote:
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Just as a side note, do you really feel the SA5000 more laid back than the CD3000? IMO it is all the opposite, it is a lot more in your face, and with narrower sounstage ...
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Haha, yes, I obviously contridict myself in that sentence you quoted. It was late...I meant by "laid back" that they are not quite as bright in the upper treble registers - I didn't word it right. But yeah, I can see what you mean by listening to them more that they are 'in your face' - I think they are def. more in your face in the midrange than the CD3K's. I'm still getting used to their sound...I need to let them burn-in more.
BUT, lets keep this thread on track - there are other SA5000 threads that I'll post this kind of info in.
__________________
- Home Rig: Sonos ZP-90 --> Electrocompaniet ECD-1 --> DIY PPA --> Sennheiser HD-650
- Portable Rig: 5.5G 80GB iPod --> DIY Mini3 --> TBD (Looking for suggestions)
- Speaker Rig: Sonos ZP-90 --> Electrocompaniet ECD-1 --> Krell KAV-400xi --> Dynaudio Contour S3.4
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03-31-2005, 03:42 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: NYC
Posts: 4,196
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by RHMMMM
They had a good mix of smoothness and detail, were built well but were largely unattractive...
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IMHO, nautilus is fuglier than paradigm:
vs.
i'd rather have a pair of "invisible boxes" than a couple of R2D2s.
__________________
No, Thursday's out. How about never - is never good for you?
Oppo DV-980H/AirTunes → PS Audio DLIII DAC:Cullen L3 mod → PS Audio Trio C-100 → Rega R5
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03-31-2005, 04:15 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Arlington, VA
Posts: 208
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Quote:
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IMHO, nautilus is fuglier than paradigm:
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WELL, you pasted a pic of the S8, the $5-6000 flagship of the Signature series. The ones I'm talking about are the normal last-version of the Paradigm Studios which look like:
IMHO, I think they're unattractive compared to more expensive alternatives...BUT sound quality is excellent for their price...
But anyways, VicAjax, what speakers do you think your ER-4P's sound like?
__________________
- Home Rig: Sonos ZP-90 --> Electrocompaniet ECD-1 --> DIY PPA --> Sennheiser HD-650
- Portable Rig: 5.5G 80GB iPod --> DIY Mini3 --> TBD (Looking for suggestions)
- Speaker Rig: Sonos ZP-90 --> Electrocompaniet ECD-1 --> Krell KAV-400xi --> Dynaudio Contour S3.4
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