Orthodynamic Roundup - Page 741

bah..I knew I should have just refunded you

Enjoy dude..

Now go out and get a very good condition copy of it on vinyl, a Rega P3-24, a Zu Audio ZL-103 cartridge, build an Aikido PH-1 phono stage, and really listen that that album properly through the HP-2s!

EDIT: OK, so that's my desired vinyl setup at the moment...

Well, there were two versions of the Audeze ortho at CanJam, and they sounded a bit different. One had a hand tensioned diaphragm, and the other was done a bit more precisely on a jig, with a bit greater tension too. I did feel they were lightning fast, maybe just a touch harsh (though not like most dynamics), and I seem to recall a bit of rolloff in the high end. The biggest issue for me though was the bass, which was quite rolled off. I do feel that the driver itself has piles of potential, and it was really the crappy frame used which is causing the sonic issues I noted. The frame is that of a ~$20 headphone, and feels like it. The pads are velour, and what is worse, didnt even seal against the head properly, so that I could get a finger in the gap under the ear. I do bet that even with better velour pads, the bass would come up nicely. I am not sure that the second Audeze needed any damping (it was completely open).

I did do a direct shootout with the Audeze, Head Direct, my HP-1, and sachu's YH-100 and YH-2, as did both Sachu and filburt (who doesnt really post here). The rig was Filburt's modded Assemblage DAC 2.6, which is PMD100-PCM1704 and a significantly improved output stage, and a Headamp Gilmore Lite amplifier. My feelings were that the Head Direct, while it could use a bit of mechanical damping (or possibly just tension), was the best sounding of them all, and also had the most potential. The Audeze really needs a better frame IMO to get up to the same level, as well as to improve the fit, comfort, and apparent build quality issues.

I know Head Direct is planning a much cheaper version 1-2 years down the line, more in the range of $2-300. I dont have any idea what the actual differences would be, but I trust that it would sound pretty similar, and much of the cost reductions would be in improved manufacturing and yields. I dont know what Audeze is planning for the future, though I do believe they are looking at a new, and possibly custom, frame once the first batch is done. Sachu might have more information on this, as he spent more time talking with their guy.

hmmm yogi just picked up a planar2 with elyss cartridge and I am so looking forward to hearing it.

..dB

Sorry for repeat posts - but I am now into day 3 of my new venture into the world of orthodynamics with my Yamaha HP-2, and currently listening to Captain Beyond, The Damnation of Adam Blessing, Asylum Choir II and a little Chris Squire-Fish Out of Water...and like wow - sleep has now become a distant memory

My Fostex T10s are in transit! Should receive them tomorrow or Friday! WooHoo!

So far, my dad has preferred the Kenwood KH-83s to all of my other headphones, though I didn't let him listen to rythmndevil's YH-100s as that would just be cruel. Both the -83s and the -100s are still a hair under damped too, but he probably can't hear the roll off, LOL! Only issue is that changing the dampening on the -83s risks having the T10 driver cut out on me again, so I'll have to be very careful when I add dampening. But it was fun to see him keep going back to the Kenwoods. I think I'm going to try to get the YH-3s as close to the T10s/YH100s as I can, then see how he likes them.

Then I'll lone him my spare MHM amp once it's finished with the YH-3s. He probably won't like the invoice if he says he's keeping them.

Edit: My dad is also borrowing my ER4p and C700s for their upcoming flights and Alaska cruise. He's getting hooked.

I'm still kinda confused as to just why the orthos are so easy to drive; their impedance is crazy low. The Head-Directs, in particular, are as low as speakers, iirc.

Easy to drive? Don't you mean, a PITA to drive? They demand a much bigger load from my AMB M^3 then my Dynamic headphones. I can't speak for the Head-Direct headphones, but between dampening, and low sensitivity, Orthos are among the hardest headphones out there to drive.

That's what I would think, but reports on the Audeze run contrary to this. Retardedly high sensitivity would be my only guess, but what do I know?

Orthos provide benign almost purely resistive, non-reactive (non-inductive) loads. Sensitivity is mostly based on the strength of the magnets and spacing between the magnets and diaphragms (also on the traces and the material and thicknesses of the diaphragms). Resistance is almost purely based on the trace. With simple traces offering very little resistances, there need to be resistors in series with the drivers to be used as voltage dividers.

Edit 1:
Sounds like they could learn a thing or two reading some of this thread.

I guess I'll eagerly await the cheaper Head-Direct ortho and the Audeze with a custom frame, then. Thanks for the info. Also, I'm thinking another micro meet soon would be nice, if you have time for one...

Edit 2:

The Audeze and the Head Direct both have pretty decent sensitivity, definitely better than my old orthos. IIRC, the Audeze had the edge, though that is probably because of the divider in the Head Direct. Fang mentioned that the final version of the HE-5 will have more magnets than the one at CanJam, which will make it a bit more sensitive. I dunno, I am not worried about either on that front. Both are fairly low impedance loads though, so some amps may not like that. The Audeze will be stepping up to ~50ohm in the near future I believe, though the Head Direct, due to their process, will be stuck at a 4ohm diaphragm resistance. Both use neo magnets, which definitely help the sensitivity.

I could certainly go for another mini meet. Just got back from Canada last night, and have a few fun things waiting for me at the post office, including a set of Lambda Sigs. Send me a PM if you want to set something up. I too am eagerly awaiting the cheaper Head Direct, as well as the Audeze if they get the frame sorted out better.

Sweet, Lambda Sigs. Will PM you tonight. Also, since the person I lent my soldering station to still hasn't given it back, I may need to ask to borrow yours... probably along with your assistance.

Might as well wait till you have my Kenwood KH-83s with the T10 drivers too...

My Fostex T10s showed up today too!

So Wualta, Yogi, and perhaps Eric, how did you guys damp your T10s?

Sounds good. I'll need a bit of time to get damping right on the CE-H anyway, and Colin probably has some new goodies he needs to fool around with.

And that's good news! tyre was (is) a big AKG fan and liked his T10, and I think he left it stock, too. You can also ask scompton if he's around.

Which reminds me. I didn't realize tyre owned a T20RPMkII, but there it is in his profile. I wonder what he thought of it... I could probably search.

They're a little under damped and sound more closed than the T20s or T50s stock, but the T10s definitely have the most low end grunt without the very forward mids of the T20s. My T10s in the Kenwood sounded the same way, but a little dampening opened up their sound a bit. Both need additional dampening. I think what I like the best is their brilliantly simple headband and cup design.

Smeggy and dB, if you catch this, I need to take pics and send them to you guys. I think I found a great design to copy with relatively easy to find hardware, but I need to check a couple of things. I know I could fabricate similar hardware, but I'd rather buy it if it's already available.