Ultrasone HFI780 ALO Mod

[Al4x]

if the alo suffers from microphonics i may pass and try another option, as id like to use it as partly portable

[HeadphoneAddict]

Originally Posted by Al4x

if the alo suffers from microphonics i may pass and try another option, as id like to use it as partly portable

See, I think "suffers" is too strong a word. They exhibit some microphonics, but I was never consciously aware of it till Skylab posted about it, then when I looked for it I found it. I was more intent on listening to the music than listening to microphonics, so the microphonics became transparent to my brain. Similar to how vinyl lovers don't hear the pops and clicks when listening to music.

[slwiser]

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict

See, I think "suffers" is too strong a word. They exhibit some microphonics, but I was never consciously aware of it till Skylab posted about it, then when I looked for it I found it. I was more intent on listening to the music than listening to microphonics, so the microphonics became transparent to my brain. Similar to how vinyl lovers don't hear the pops and clicks when listening to music.

My microphonics discovery was after looking for it also and I found it in a position of use that I had not been using and did not intend for it. So the microphonics that I heard is mote for me.

[Morph201]

I for one never intended to use the phones while joggin or doing house\yard work, so it's not an issue with me either. Of course if I tap on the cable (which I did upon receiving it) it is microphonic, in that sense. But, I'm usually chillin at home anyway, so it never becomes an issue for me.

[mrarroyo]

Originally Posted by Morph201

I for one never intended to use the phones while joggin or doing house\yard work, so it's not an issue with me either. Of course if I tap on the cable (which I did upon receiving it) it is microphonic, in that sense. But, I'm usually chillin at home anyway, so it never becomes an issue for me.

I am not aware of a cable leading up to the headphone housing which will not be microphonic if you tap it. Specially so if it is a few inches away from where it enters the housing. Some are louder than others but IMO they all do it to one extend or another.

[KB]

Originally Posted by mrarroyo

I am not aware of a cable leading up to the headphone housing which will not be microphonic if you tap it. Specially so if it is a few inches away from where it enters the housing. Some are louder than others but IMO they all do it to one extend or another.

I totally agree with Mararroyo. Its just like a cup with a sting on it, you know that kids game where you talk into the cup and the sound goes down the other end. Pretty much any think with a wire and a cup is going to transfer some vibration down the line. For me its the sleeving that kind of annoys me, but generally even that is not an issue unless I am moving all about and rubbing the cable on something.

kb

[Skylab]

I don't doubt that, and of course I am a HUGE fan of ALO products, as I own about a half-dozen. I did find the cable in Larry's cans to be annoyingly microphonic, however, where the the majority of headphones I own this is not the case.

On the other hand, the sound quality was, as I said, terrific

[Al4x]

is one of the 2 options less microphonic than the other, and is the stock less so?

its really annoying that the recables are alot more expensive than the headphones as stock, its in temptation area but right on the top edge

[[S]uds]

How do these sound if ran directly through a PC Sound Card(X-Fi ExtremeGamer)? After reading through about 20 pages, I've become extremely interested in these, and if I were to get the stock HFI-780's, I know I'd always regret it, until I sent them in to be re-cabled. So for me, it's either grab the ALO Modded 780's and be happy until I can afford an amp, or grab the un-modded 780's and a decent amp. =\

[HeadphoneAddict]

I think they sound fairly decent without an amplifier. The ALO modded 780 from my Macbook headphone out sound better than the stock ones out of a good amplifier.

[[S]uds]

Thanks, I'm sold. I'll be purchasing a set tomorrow. I might have enough left over for something like the Zero DAC/Amp too, so that should help.

[fkclo]

I have been burning in my JenaLab UW recabled 780 continuously for almost a month (>>500 hours) and today I took it for seriously listening session which last for 2 hours - covering music from Jazz, blues, instrument solo, classical (chamber & orchestral), female and male smooth pops, and some ambient, using my Voyager (which has pass 800 hours mark and now quite stable and settled).

This can be one of the best value headphone I ever had, and I am very pleased with what I heard. Granted, the Voyager is not the most capable amp in my rig so I would expect given more juice and better control the ALO-780 can sound even better.

Unfortunately I do not have my Edition 9 to compare (it was sent back to Ultrasone) but from what I can recall, I actually like the ALO-780 for some songs when I prefer a tad less bassy tunes.

Regarding microphonics - it is there for all 3rd party cables I tried, and the JenaLabs UW recable does not make things worse than I expect. I am using the headphone while working so this is never an issue with me.

The most microphonic headphone I have heard so far is the Zu Mobius MKI. The best in this area (least microphonics) I have heard is Apuresound v3 cable with cotton insulation and super nylon sleeving.

F. Lo

[HeadphoneAddict]

Originally Posted by fkclo

I have been burning in my JenaLab UW recabled 780 continuously for almost a month (>>500 hours) and today I took it for seriously listening session which last for 2 hours - covering music from Jazz, blues, instrument solo, classical (chamber & orchestral), female and male smooth pops, and some ambient, using my Voyager (which has pass 800 hours mark and now quite stable and settled).

This can be one of the best value headphone I ever had, and I am very pleased with what I heard. Granted, the Voyager is not the most capable amp in my rig so I would expect given more juice and better control the ALO-780 can sound even better.

Unfortunately I do not have my Edition 9 to compare (it was sent back to Ultrasone) but from what I can recall, I actually like the ALO-780 for some songs when I prefer a tad less bassy tunes.

Regarding microphonics - it is there for all 3rd party cables I tried, and the JenaLabs UW recable does not make things worse than I expect. I am using the headphone while working so this is never an issue with me.

The most microphonic headphone I have heard so far is the Zu Mobius MKI. The best in this area (least microphonics) I have heard is Apuresound v3 cable with cotton insulation and super nylon sleeving.

F. Lo

Great news, and thanks for the feedback. I agree, and have to say it is one of my more enjoyable headphones, right up there with Edition 9, RS-1, STAX SR-Lambda Signature, and Balanced HD600.

What would you say are the particular strengths that make it it one of the best headphones you have had, and other than Edition 9 what have you had now and previously?

[fkclo]

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict

What would you say are the particular strengths that make it it one of the best headphones you have had, and other than Edition 9 what have you had now and previously?

I like to hear tunes that are well balanced. The ALO-780 does just that - great details, refined highs (this is a surprise) and solid textured bass with a tonally correct full range. It is less "meaty" that an Edition 9, but you feel a fresh, relative light weight (i.e fast and agile), yet organic sound. I listen to it attentively for 2 hours and have no signs of fatigue. Very enjoyable.

But it is the most neutral headphone ? I don't think so. It does add the right colour to the tunes that make it easy to the ears.

F. Lo

[slwiser]

Originally Posted by fkclo

I like to hear tunes that we well balanced. The ALO-780 does just that - great details, refined highs (this is a surprise) and solid textured bass with a tonally correct full range. It is less "meaty" that an Edition 9, but you feel a fresh, relative light weigh (i.e fast and agile), yet organic sound. I listen to it attentively for 2 hours and have no signs of fatigue. Very enjoyable.

But it is the most neutral headphone ? I don't think so. It does add the right colour to the tunes that make it easy to the ears.

F. Lo

I agree with this very much. The ALO-780J is a very enjoyable headphone. It is not as refined as my Edition 9 but very enjoyable never-the-less.