I’ll be smiling all day today and tomorrow and the day after tomorrow and…
I just opened the box containing a brand new set of Ultrasone HFI 680’s. I ordered them on Monday from Qables.com and the next morning (that’s impressive even if you’re in the same country) they were waiting for me at the office. Pity I had taken the day off! After much deliberation on whether I should get the Pro 750’s, the HFI 780’s or the HFI 680’s I decided to go for what came across in reviews and the specs as the most accurate (that is: not bass heavy). I’m glad I did and boy, do they deliver! Burn in is about ten minutes underway now (
), but straight from the box they sound impressive. The soundstage is wide (I could mistake them for open cans) and they sound very accurate. In some recordings, the highs are a tiny bit shrillish, but I’m hoping this will gradually disappear. Bass is very much present, but not overwhelming. Mids are very good: vocals and guitar shine. I am really glad I didn’t get the 780’s whose bass should be even more present. And, most importantly for me, they don’t butcher old mono recordings with lots of noise and scratches, although they are certainly not forgiving. You get to hear just about everything on the recording. I tried some of my favourite recordings’ difficult passages and they sailed through them. Smooth sounds smooth and gritty sounds gritty. Comfort is good, the pads fit right around my ears and I don't mind the admittedly tight clamp. The only thing that slightly worries me is build quality. I have been using the AKG K 181DJ for portable and although I fell out of love with its sound, its built is as sturdy as it comes. The Ultrasones look a bit more brittle. We'll see though. I can’t wait to hear what changes during burn in, but for now I’m a happy bunny!
So happy with the Ultrasone HFI 680!
