Ultrasone HFI780 ALO Mod

[pfillion]

This morning I decided to do a quick comparaison between the ALO-780s and the Grado 325i, my 325i are currently on sale and I just wanted to be sure that I wouldn't need them in the future..

For this comparaison I took the album In Absentia from Porcupine Tree, probably one of the most dynamic album in my collection.

Equipment:
CD Player : Marantz CD5001
Amp : Little Dot MKIII
Tubes : Tung-Sol 403B

Normally with this setup, the Grado 325i are really good and the trebles are not harsh at all

Ok after listening the complete album on both headphones I am now 100% sure that I won't need the 325i in the future, don't get me wrong they are really good on this setup but the ALO-780s are slightly above on every aspects. They have a better bass, a little bit more details (yes I'm suprised..), more soundstage and the treble of the 780s are IMO as good as the 325i.

With the right equipments, the ALO-780s are soooo good (I can also say the same statement about the 325i )

Update : My 325i are now gone..

Cheers

[Morph201]

Missed delivery of the phones, now I have to wait until monday! Losing valuable weekend burn in time!!

[HeadphoneAddict]

Originally Posted by pfillion

This morning I decided to do a quick comparaison between the ALO-780s and the Grado 325i, my 325i are currently on sale and I just wanted to be sure that I wouldn't need them in the future..

For this comparaison I took the album In Absentia from Porcupine Tree, probably one of the most dynamic album in my collection.

Equipment:
CD Player : Marantz CD5001
Amp : Little Dot MKIII
Tubes : Tung-Sol 403B

Normally with this setup, the Grado 325i are really good and the trebles are not harsh at all

Ok after listening the complete album on both headphones I am now 100% sure that I won't need the 325i in the future, don't get me wrong they are really good on this setup but the ALO-780s are slightly above on every aspects. They have a better bass, a little bit more details (yes I'm suprised..), more soundstage and the treble of the 780s are IMO as good as the 325i.

With the right equipments, the ALO-780s are soooo good (I can also say the same statement about the 325i )

Cheers

This is what I'm sayin'

[Jalo]

I received my alo-780 on Wednesday of this week. Right out of the box I immediately started the burn in process. But as you all know, it is hard not to "peek" to see what it sounded like right out of the box. I did not like it a bit. I was rather disappointed throughout the first day. Almost feel like wanted to sell it right away. It sounded very bright, grainny, harsh, not a bit enjoyable at all. I compared it to my GS 1000 w/ black dragon recable (about 120 hrs). The GS 1000 are so refine, resolute, lively, musical and enjoyable. Even when the GS 1000 was right out of the box, it sounded better than the alo-780. Since Wednesday, I have put about 55 hrs. on the alo-780, now my faith in the alo-780 has redeemed quite a bit. The floor is a lot more quiet. The separation of sound is a lot more refine and clear. Bass is more tight and define, sound stage is still not as good as the GS1000, but it may never match up to the GS1k in this area. But at least I am seeing what everyone is talking about regarding the journey with the 780. I feel sorry for the owner of the stock 780 because they may have to go a long way before this thing settle down and it is hard on the owner. I am burning it in 20 hours a day. The changes from the first day to the second day to the third day is no laughing matter. I do not understand why a phone need to go through so much change before it settles down. My HD 600, GS 1000 did not have to go through such dramatic changes. But at least it is all going the right direction. I still have thoughts of sell the alo-780 and buying the UE9. I will have the chance to listen to the UE9 in a week or two and I'll decide if I will get the UE9 after that.

[Morph201]

Jalo: What does the rest of your gear consist of??

[Jalo]

Headphone: HD600 (Cardas), GS 1000 (Black Dragon), UE 10 Pros, er4s, Alo-780, UE Triple-fi 10 pro.
AMP: Headroom Utlra Amp/DAC, Headroom cosmic reference, Predator.
Source: Apple lossless, Ipod 5g, alo super cotton,

Wanting to getting: UE9, LISA III or IQube,

[pfillion]

Weird? Even out of the box, my ALO-780s sounded really good compared to the RS-1 or the 325i..

They synergized really well with my Corda Headsix and my Little Dot MKIII.

Originally Posted by Jalo

I received my alo-780 on Wednesday of this week. Right out of the box I immediately started the burn in process. But as you all know, it is hard not to "peek" to see what it sounded like right out of the box. I did not like it a bit. I was rather disappointed throughout the first day. Almost feel like wanted to sell it right away. It sounded very bright, grainny, harsh, not a bit enjoyable at all. I compared it to my GS 1000 w/ black dragon recable (about 120 hrs). The GS 1000 are so refine, resolute, lively, musical and enjoyable. Even when the GS 1000 was right out of the box, it sounded better than the alo-780. Since Wednesday, I have put about 55 hrs. on the alo-780, now my faith in the alo-780 has redeemed quite a bit. The floor is a lot more quiet. The separation of sound is a lot more refine and clear. Bass is more tight and define, sound stage is still not as good as the GS1000, but it may never match up to the GS1k in this area. But at least I am seeing what everyone is talking about regarding the journey with the 780. I feel sorry for the owner of the stock 780 because they may have to go a long way before this thing settle down and it is hard on the owner. I am burning it in 20 hours a day. The changes from the first day to the second day to the third day is no laughing matter. I do not understand why a phone need to go through so much change before it settles down. My HD 600, GS 1000 did not have to go through such dramatic changes. But at least it is all going the right direction. I still have thoughts of sell the alo-780 and buying the UE9. I will have the chance to listen to the UE9 in a week or two and I'll decide if I will get the UE9 after that.

[HeadphoneAddict]

Originally Posted by pfillion

Weird? Even out of the box, my ALO-780s sounded really good compared to the RS-1 or the 325i..

They synergized really well with my Corda Headsix and my Little Dot MKIII.

Some people are more sensitive to "bright, grainy and harsh" than others, and some may describe the same thing as "crisp and detailed and revealing".

One thing I think we can agree on is that the grainy and harsh part of the description should not be applicable once the ALO 780 have 200+ hours on them, and with 450+ hours these are not overly bright all to me. Detailed and revealing yes, but in a good way.

It seems from jamato8 experience, just adding the insulation to the inside of the cups that Ken does will make a big difference in the smoothness, even with stock cable.

[KB]

I only plan to make a few of these, unless I get arm bent by people. I am burning in a pair right now. The work to mod them was much harder than the 780 mod, and I used more material for the internal work. They are quite different than the 780s. Still getting some impressions, but right off the bat they are more mello, smoother and a bit easier on the ear than the 780s. Very nice though. I know there is a pretty substantial burn in so I am going to hold on the report.

Ken

[Rickio]

what model is that?