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Rank the Headphones that You Own. - Page 164

post #2446 of 2956
11/8/12 at 6:51pm

These are for my open heaphones:

 

AKG Q701 -

One headphone that gets nearly everything right for me. It's not forgiving at all though and bad/harsh tracks can be a little annoying. Mine is quite warm and full sounding. No goofy sounstage and those lean mids of the K702. I'm using a DIY Canare cable with it now and it now sounds closer to the HD-598, but with more treble and a clearer sound. IMO with the Canare this headphone would be ruined if it had any more bass or was even warmer. I don't really love it's angled pads though. The bumps don't bother me. Sorry, but this headphone is worth investing in a nice dac/amp for. I bought my Headroom Micro Amp just for this and the HD-650. Totally worth it normal_smile%20.gif My ODAC made this even better and even more balanced sounding. No kidding..

 

AKG K601 (tied with HD-580)

This is one headphone i'll keep forever. Sounds like it has fuller  mids than the Q701 at times, yet it seems to have less bass. confused_face_2.gif Sometimes I can't figure out this headphone. It's mids often seem less forward than that of the Q701. I would say this sounds slightly more balanced than the Q701 (at times). It's treble is a bit smoother. The negative of this headphone is that it's worse than my Q701 on harsh/fatiguing tracks. Not sure why. Not as clear or detailed as the Q701. Comparing this to the Q701 is just so annoying. BTW it does have better imaging than the Q701. I think it's due to the pads. This has not been used much since getting the Q701.

 

Sennheiser HD-580 (tie)

I got this for $150 and thought it'd sound the same as the HD-600. Wrong! I find it sounds like a slightly more fun version of the HD-600. Perhaps less bass, a clearer sound and more forward upper mids. Not huge differences, but very slight. The soundstage is rather small for an open headphone. This seems to have more treble than my HD-598 somehow! I tried my HD-600 grills on this and it turns it into a snore fest. I prefer this with stock cable. Looks like I'm not the only one out there who thinks this sounds better than the HD-600!

 

Sennheiser HD-598

This is one smooth sounding headphone. For me it's very musical and perfect for asian pop. Especially the type with female vocals. This is what I'd suggest for those with budget amps under $100 and want a good all rounder. It won't please bassheads though. With the MAP pricing, it's hard to suggest this over the Q701. I don't think it's worth $250. This even manages to sound straight out of my Clip+! With my setup right now my HD-598 actually sounds like it has less treble than my HD-580. Strange.

 

AKG K240 Studio

One of the best budget headphones there is. Mine seemed a lot bassier out of the box, but this went away somehow. Despit being being 55 ohm, it needs an amp.

 

Sennheiser HD-600

Puts me to sleep and no I don't find it neutral, but close. That wasn't why. I can only like this with mods. Something weird about it's bass. I think the upper/mid bass causes some sort of fog over the entire signature. Modding it fixes this and really clears up the sound. My HD-580 doesn't have this issue. Despite being called "fun", I think the HD-580 sounds more balanced.

 

Audio Technica ATH-AD300

Slightly better than the AD700. Fuller mids, more bass and way less treble. Discontinued. I got it at Wal-mart for $35!!

 

Koss A/250

There's something special here, but too bad it's kind of thin and has too much treble. I think a tube amp might be the only way for me to stand it's sound. I'm a semi treble head too.

 

AD700

not enough bass, thin, too much treble. Sounds weird. Sounds clear and is detailed (don't say it).

Terrible fit if you have a small head. Yes, I'd buy a headphone (such as this) just for gaming.

What else has the soundstage, detail and clear sound of the Ad700 for under $100? Nothing!!

The HD-668B comes close in several areas, but that is more V-shaped in signature.

 

AKG K240 Sextett LP

Probably the worst headphone I have right now. Very muffled sounding with a severe lack of treble. The treble only comes back if I remove the inner foam. Then it's too thin! Maybe mine is a lemon.

 

Koss Pro4AAAT

Yuck! Don't know what's wrong here, but actually this is nearly as bad as my Sextett LP. Maybe both are lemons. Maybe this needs 200000 hours of burn-in. Sounds very, very dark without much treble. Very muffled.

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post #2447 of 2956
11/8/12 at 10:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by obobskivich View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by takato14 View Post

Ah, ok.

Just trying to find some opinions on the 4AAAT.

Is this the open or closed one? (So many A's - so little time).

If the closed one - I'd say it's a pass. If it's the open one - I have no opinion and have not heard them.

There is no closed 4AAAT.

 

The 4AAA was quite good, I already know that. I don't know about the 4AAAT.

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post #2448 of 2956
11/8/12 at 10:25pm

I've recently sold my Klipsch S4i's, Sony XBA-1's, Soul L99 by Ludacris, and V-Moda Vibratos..due to my purchasing the UE TF 10's and recently I scored the Sennheiser IE 80's via ebay (REAL! Not fakes!), so my list has diminished significantly...but here's the list of my IEM's ranked...



1) Ultimate Ears TF 10

2) Sennheiser IE 80

3) Sennheiser CX 880

4) Sony MH1

 

5) Meelectronics A151

 

6) Ultimate Ears 500

 

7) Monoprice 8320

 

8) Meelectronics CC51

9) Altec Lansing Ultra 606


10) JVC HA-FX40

11) V-Moda Bass Freq Metal

12) Plantronics Backbeats

13) Sennheiser CX300II

 

14) Monoprice 8319, 8321, 9396

15) Skullcandy Ink'd Rasta

 

Over The Ears Cans : Koss Porta Pros

 

Amps : Fiio E5, E6

 

Players : Sony Walkman FX481 Cassette, JVC XLPM5H CD/MP3, Cowon S9, Sony NWZ-S545, Sansa Fuze 4GB 8GB (rock box'd), Sansa Clip Zip (rock box'd)

 

Favorite "on the go" IEM's : Sennheiser CX 880

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post #2449 of 2956
11/8/12 at 10:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by takato14 View Post

There is no closed 4AAAT.

The 4AAA was quite good, I already know that. I don't know about the 4AAAT.

No, there is a closed, modern, PRO4 with Titanium drivers. To the Koss-mobile!

From the Koss-mobile:
It appears that the closed model is "PRO4AAT" and the open model is "PRO4AAAT" - like I said, too many A's to keep it all straight. So it would be the "AAT" that is a pass.
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post #2450 of 2956
11/8/12 at 10:44pm

1. AKG Q701

 

2. ATH-ESW9

 

3. Denon AH-C710

 

4. Sennheiser CX300ii

 

Numher one is great. Number 2 is pretty good. 3 and 4 are both ok but the CX300 is in fourth for it's rubbery bass.
 


Edited by Hooster - 11/9/12 at 2:48am
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post #2451 of 2956
11/8/12 at 10:52pm

unamped - SE-535>GH-ERC-DMS>=MH1C>dt 990 pros(tongue.gif)

amped    - DT 990 PROS>>>>> GH-ERC-DMS > SE-535>=MH1C


Edited by ayaflo - 11/10/12 at 6:10am
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post #2452 of 2956
11/8/12 at 10:56pm

FiiO E11 -> Sennheiser HD598 -> M-Audio Q40.

I absolutely love the soundstage in the Senns, been listening to flac since I've got them. First step into hifi accomplished.

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post #2453 of 2956
11/8/12 at 11:55pm

I've recently sold my Klipsch S4i's, Sony XBA-1's, Soul L99 by Ludacris, and V-Moda Vibratos..due to my purchasing the UE TF 10's and recently I scored the Sennheiser IE 80's via ebay (REAL! Not fakes!), so my list has diminished significantly...but here's the list of my IEM's ranked...

1) Ultimate Ears TF 10

2) Sennheiser IE 80

3) Sennheiser CX 880

4) Sony MH1

5) Meelectronics A151

6) Ultimate Ears 500

7) Monoprice 8320

8) Meelectronics CC51

9) Altec Lansing Ultra 606

10) JVC HA-FX40

11) V-Moda Bass Freq Metal

12) Plantronics Backbeats

 13) Sennheiser CX300II

14) Monoprice 8319, 8321, 9396

15) Skullcandy Ink'd Rasta

Over The Ears Cans : Koss Porta Pros

Amps : Fiio E5, E6

Players : Sony Walkman FX481 Cassette, JVC XLPM5H CD/MP3, Cowon S9, Sony NWZ-S545, Sansa Fuze 4GB 8GB (rock box'd), Sansa Clip Zip (rock box'd)

Favorite "on the go" IEM's : Sennheiser CX 880

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post #2454 of 2956
11/9/12 at 12:03am
I've added some cans, should probably re-list, based on preference not performance:

For Music:
1. Grado RS-1
2. Koss ESP/950
3. Ultrasone PRO2900
4. Sony MDR-F1
5. Audio-Technica ATH-ESW9
6. Bose AE2
7. Koss TBSE

For Gaming:
1. Ultrasone PRO2900
2. Bose AE2
3. Sony MDR-F1
4. Koss ESP/950
5. Koss TBSE
6. Audio-Technica ATH-ESW9
7. Grado RS-1

The music list is a relatively tight grouping, the gaming list 1-4 are tight, 5-7 are rarely used in that capacity.
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post #2455 of 2956
11/9/12 at 12:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by obobskivich View Post

I've added some cans, should probably re-list, based on preference not performance:
For Music:

6. Bose AE2
 

 

Have you heard the AE1? I prefer the AE1 to the AE2. People can punch me if they want, but I prefer the AE2 to even the Creative Aurvana Live. It's not as bad as people tend to say. The problem is that it's fairly overpriced.

 

I used the AE1 for maybe 2 years once and always loved it. I think my CD player was kind of warm though and that may have helped. This was back when nobody used mp3 players!

 

Despite what people say, I don't think the AE1 or AE2 have bloated bass. My AE1 has too much treble if anything..actually it's on loan to my mom. She loves it! I bought mine for $40.

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post #2456 of 2956
11/9/12 at 12:16am

HiFiMan HE-5 (Originals) - not kidding! These are not the hiss-monsters they're made out to be. Maybe I got lucky on manufacturing variation....

Audeze LCD-2 Rev2

Beyerdynamic T5p

Sennheiser HD650

AKG K550

Audio Technica ESW10Jpn

Shure SE530

Beyerdynamic DT1350

AKG K702

Beyerdynamic DT880 250ohm

UE Triple Fi 10 Pro

Etymotic ER6i

Sennheiser HD280

Audio Technica ANC7B

 

I own all of these, only listen to the top 8 now.

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post #2457 of 2956
11/9/12 at 12:20am

Oops, left out my Stax Lambda Sig - SRM6T driving the 404 Sigs. Should be between the T5p and HD650.

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post #2458 of 2956
11/9/12 at 12:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by HPManiac View Post

HiFiMan HE-5 (Originals) - not kidding! These are not the hiss-monsters they're made out to be. Maybe I got lucky on manufacturing variation....

Audeze LCD-2 Rev2

Beyerdynamic T5p

 

Obviously similar taste in sound signature to myself, don't see many others listing the T5p so high :)

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post #2459 of 2956
11/9/12 at 12:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tdockweiler View Post

Have you heard the AE1? I prefer the AE1 to the AE2. People can punch me if they want, but I prefer the AE2 to even the Creative Aurvana Live. It's not as bad as people tend to say. The problem is that it's fairly overpriced.

I used the AE1 for maybe 2 years once and always loved it. I think my CD player was kind of warm though and that may have helped. This was back when nobody used mp3 players!

Despite what people say, I don't think the AE1 or AE2 have bloated bass. My AE1 has too much treble if anything..actually it's on loan to my mom. She loves it! I bought mine for $40.

Yes I had the original AE years ago (I even put a review up back in like 2008 - it was promptly flamed to RIBBONS; at the time I had the K701 and ESP/10 as primary cans to comapre with - I found the AE1 just as good for gaming, more comfortable, and up to the task with a lot of music, but the K701 and ESP/10 (ESPecially (har har!) more accurate/detailed).

I've actually tried both versions of the AE2, the original silver/black, and the new white one (I currently have the white one) - I didn't love the original, it was very microphonic. The white one fixed that - took me a week to figure out why: gloss paint. It makes the enclosure smoother and when you touch it/bump it it doesn't go "THUD." I doubt they even knew they'd fixed a problem. redface.gif

Sound-wise it's tough for me to compare them - I haven't heard an original TriPort in YEARS, while I have AE2 sitting on my desk right now. I like'em, especially for gaming. Regarding the pricing - tough to say, of all of the $0-$200 headphones I've tried in the last year or so, they're one of the only ones I've kept and really liked (TBSE being another), so on one hand I think "yes it's fair" but I'm also reminded of the day of the original TriPort - when an HD 580 was maybe $225-$250, and HD 600s were going for around $300. Or even today, with the $50 TBSE sitting next to them on the same shelf. And in that regard, sure, they're a bit rich. But they provide fantastic isolation and insane amounts of comfort relative to that (they're up there with the MDR-F1 for comfort, yet provide more isolation than the M50), so that's a neat trick at least. Compared to all of the modern "celebrifones" they're leagues ahead, both in comfort and in sound.

I will say, sound aside, the AE2 has a few upgrades over the AE that I like - like the removable cable, single-entry cable, and flat-folding cups. Shame the cable uses a 2.5mm TRS on the headphone side though - kinda kills options for third party stuff (like something shorter than what it comes with).
Edited by obobskivich - 11/9/12 at 12:32am
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post #2460 of 2956
11/9/12 at 6:18am
Quote:
Originally Posted by obobskivich View Post


Yes I had the original AE years ago (I even put a review up back in like 2008 - it was promptly flamed to RIBBONS; at the time I had the K701 and ESP/10 as primary cans to comapre with - I found the AE1 just as good for gaming, more comfortable, and up to the task with a lot of music, but the K701 and ESP/10 (ESPecially (har har!) more accurate/detailed).
I've actually tried both versions of the AE2, the original silver/black, and the new white one (I currently have the white one) - I didn't love the original, it was very microphonic. The white one fixed that - took me a week to figure out why: gloss paint. It makes the enclosure smoother and when you touch it/bump it it doesn't go "THUD." I doubt they even knew they'd fixed a problem. redface.gif
Sound-wise it's tough for me to compare them - I haven't heard an original TriPort in YEARS, while I have AE2 sitting on my desk right now. I like'em, especially for gaming. Regarding the pricing - tough to say, of all of the $0-$200 headphones I've tried in the last year or so, they're one of the only ones I've kept and really liked (TBSE being another), so on one hand I think "yes it's fair" but I'm also reminded of the day of the original TriPort - when an HD 580 was maybe $225-$250, and HD 600s were going for around $300. Or even today, with the $50 TBSE sitting next to them on the same shelf. And in that regard, sure, they're a bit rich. But they provide fantastic isolation and insane amounts of comfort relative to that (they're up there with the MDR-F1 for comfort, yet provide more isolation than the M50), so that's a neat trick at least. Compared to all of the modern "celebrifones" they're leagues ahead, both in comfort and in sound.
I will say, sound aside, the AE2 has a few upgrades over the AE that I like - like the removable cable, single-entry cable, and flat-folding cups. Shame the cable uses a 2.5mm TRS on the headphone side though - kinda kills options for third party stuff (like something shorter than what it comes with).

 

Hey obobskivich, do you recommend the AE2s over the QC15s? I ask because you were a big influence in my decision to purchase the QC15s. What separates the 2 as far as sound quality goes? Why do you like the AE2s for gaming and how are they different from the QC15s in that regard? Thanks!
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