L3000 and MDR-R10 - Page 2

For me, the HE90/HEV90 combo is definitely "better" than any of the other top headphone setups I've heard. After that, it's all a matter of what you're lookng for. Some of the differences are not "subtle" in the sense that the Omega II's sound very different than the R10's (completely different sonic signatures, but they're on the same level in terms of the quality of the overall listening experience). I prefer the R10's to the L3000's, Omega II's or PS-1's, but don't consider them to be in a totally different category. Even with the HE90's, they are "better" than the others in my opinion, but I'm sure that has more to do with tastes than anything absolute (i.e., others may disagree).

Kind of harkens back to Monty Python and the Holy Grail, doesn't it?

???: There! Look!
LAUNCELOT: What does it say?
GALAHAD: What language is that?
ARTHUR: Brother Maynard, you're our scholar!
MAYNARD: It's Aramaic!
GALAHAD: Of course! Joseph of Aramathea!
LAUNCELOT: Course!
???: What does it say?
MAYNARD: It reads, 'Here may be found the last words of Joseph of
Aramathea. He who is valiant and pure of spirit may find the
Holy Grail in the Castle of uuggggggh'.
ARTHUR: What?
MAYNARD: '... the Castle of uuggggggh'.
BEDEVERE: What is that?
MAYNARD: He must have died while carving it.
LAUNCELOT: Oh, come on!
MAYNARD: Well, that's what it says.
ARTHUR: Look, if he was dying, he wouldn't bother to carve
'aaggggh'. He'd just say it!
MAYNARD: Well, that's what's carved in the rock!
GALAHAD: Perhaps he was dictating.
ARTHUR: Oh, shut up. Well, does it say anything else?
MAYNARD: No. Just, 'uuggggggh'.
LAUNCELOT: Aauuggghhh.
???: Aaauggh.
BEDEVERE: You don't suppose he meant the Camauuuugh?
???: Where's that?
BEDEVERE: France, I think.
LAUNCELOT: Isn't there a Saint Aauuuves in Cornwall?
ARTHUR: No, that's Saint Ives.
LAUNCELOT: Oh, yes. Saint Iiiives.
SEVERAL: Iiiiives.
BEDEVERE: Oooohoohohooo!
LAUNCELOT: No, no, aauuuuugh, at the back of the throat.
Aauuugh.
BEDEVERE: No, no, no, oooooooh, in surprise and alarm.
LAUNCELOT: Oh, you mean sort of a aaaagh!
BEDEVERE: Yes, but I-- Aaaaagh!
???: Oooh!
???: Oh, no!
[roar]
MAYNARD: It's the legendary Black Beast of aaauuugh!
ARTHUR: Run away!
ALL: Run away! Run away!

I spent 45 minutes with the Orpheus system once and was totally blown away. To me it was as good as any speaker system I’d ever heard. I considered selling all my headphone gear to get the HE90’s but then I’d still need an amp which could easily run a few thousand $$$ more.

I’d go for the R10’s if a new pair could be had for $3250 or so.


It is an interesting hobby. I appreciate the input since it’s from a critical and analytical point of view.

Mitch

did you try the L3000 with another amp, or no amp at all? doesn't sound like a L3000's sound, even a new one.

No it doesn't, does it?

I could agree with some of his comments but not with the degree to which he's experiencing them. I found that thery started off a bit muddy and the harshness didn't go away until I gave 'em a good run-in. They weren't hitting their peak but they weren't horrible out of the box...

As I mentioned, it's the degree to which you're experiencing shortcomings not the shortcomings themselves that raises a question in my mind as to whether things are on the up and up. I agree with the symptoms but I still enjoyed them enough to burn 'em in on my head!

Nope, and it might just be a matter of perception, where you are more impacted by sound of the cans before break in more than I was. I found that they were definitely muddy to begin with but listenable and I found them rather harsh in the mids until I gave a a good run at an elevated volume but I only noticed this when I raised the volume above a low level. I wouldn't get too worried.

I like the R10, I love the L3000. I find the L3000 a drier can respect to the R10, that has (IMO) that hollow/internal reverberation, specially in the med-bass region. I also prefer the L3000's soundstage, I find more natural... about the bass I think no one can think that the R10 is "better" than L3000.

BUT: the L3000, as a totally different kind of headpohnes sound perception, need a bit of patience... the L3000 is (IMO) the most speaker-like sound, if you are still thinking to listening a headphones, you are in the wrongl way...

The L3000 si not so amp-dependent, BUT they need a good match amp too, one of the best is the EarMax AE with Ehg tubes. I do not think the RP6DQ is the best way to give at this cans the max of their performance.

I'm still waiting for another two SS amps, just to see how the L3000 sounds with hi-class SS amp.

I had the R10, the Omega, the Qualia, the HE60, the K1000, the PS1, the RS1, as I think these are the most apreciated cans in the world, all different kind of sound and performances, may be all in the highest quality level... but my relationship with the L3000 in time is something very special, for me, for my tastes and personal preferences.

For all the L3000's owners: if I can, do a more accurate comparison with the other cans you have (R10-Omega...), but take your time (a lot) with the L3000 in your head... they need this. I do not consider in any advantage the rapid comparison head by head of two or more cans... to really have an idea of all what a headphones can give, we must to STAY with them, one by one... for a long time...

About the burning time, yes! The L3000 change A LOT and become very balanced, but this miracle will arrive after 150 or 200 hs.

...just my two cents

Best!
Nicola

You do mean the R10 is the drier can, don't you?

Nope, the L3000 is drier.

Best!
Nicola