I agree that the non-swivel housings and the fart probably means that the designers made these trade-offs for very good reasons, most likely sound quality. But the non-swivel housings along with the fixed-width headband means that there might be less flexibility to fit various sized and shaped heads. The design might be "no-compromise" for those who find the SR-007 to fit very well, but it is definitely a compromise for others who have less than optimal fit.
Yes, it takes experience to know what sounds better... to you. You say that you have more experience than I do, and that my inexperience leads me to prefer the inferior Mk2 over the Mk1. That may be true, I don't claim extensive knowledge about headphones. But you also imply that because your experience is greater and better than mine, your judgment is superior when it comes to deciding what sounds better.
I will often defer to others' greater experience and knowledge, but when it comes to listening to music I will never acknowledge that someone's listening experience is superior or inferior to another's. I would also never say that someone's preferences, whether due to lack of experience or other factors, is wrong.
Music is an art, and listening to music is appreciation of art. While the appreciation and enjoyment of music can be enhanced with more experience and knowledge, I don't think that any one person's appreciation of that art is somehow superior to another's, no matter what the gear they use, whether iPod earbuds or SR-007.
Yes, it takes experience to know what sounds better... to you. You say that you have more experience than I do, and that my inexperience leads me to prefer the inferior Mk2 over the Mk1. That may be true, I don't claim extensive knowledge about headphones. But you also imply that because your experience is greater and better than mine, your judgment is superior when it comes to deciding what sounds better.
I will often defer to others' greater experience and knowledge, but when it comes to listening to music I will never acknowledge that someone's listening experience is superior or inferior to another's. I would also never say that someone's preferences, whether due to lack of experience or other factors, is wrong.
Music is an art, and listening to music is appreciation of art. While the appreciation and enjoyment of music can be enhanced with more experience and knowledge, I don't think that any one person's appreciation of that art is somehow superior to another's, no matter what the gear they use, whether iPod earbuds or SR-007.
Any piece of gear should be judged on its merits with as little personal bias as possible. I'm not really that good at the latter part as are most others but I do know that they are there. For the same reason I try not to judge others personal preferences but I'd like to know the reasoning behind them. I do know why owners might prefer the Mk2/A over the mk1 which is the same reason the mk1 gets no respect, they aren't audition friendly. I know that if I hadn't started out with the SR-007 my current collection would have been very different. I would probably have kept the He90 and thought it was better and sold the SR-007.
