Differences between Markl D2000 and Markl D5000 - Page 2

Well, I don't know why those specific recordings have the sibilance enhanced and why it improves by EQing at 6KHz. This doesn't mean that the energy of a naturally produced /s/ etc is centered at 6KHz, just that the enhancement those recordings have in that freq. is what annoys you, which is not the same.
Moreover you should know the bandwidth of the equalizer you're using. If it were a notch filter, then you'd know for sure the offending frequency, but considering that most software EQers are BS and that they have some default built-in frequency envelopes, it's quite likely that by lowering 6KHz you're also lowering the more critical 4.5-5.5 band.
To make things clearer, just look at the Etys response chart:



You'll see that they don't have any enhancement in the 6-8KHz area, so the defect is probably in the recording and can get worse for the Etys' 3000 and 5000 Hz peaks.

What make some sounds annoying are the peaks in the response very centered at one single frequency. The more "peaky", the worse. If you have something with an enhancement, but it's spread over a quite large frequency band, then it's way less annoying.
Anyway, FWIW I own the MD5000 and I can assure you that they're not "bright" or sibilant headphones -which in my opinion are the phones that make everything sounding sibiliant- but for sure they'll tell you if a certain recording is too hot in the sibilants area. If you are looking for HPs that obscure bad or hot recordings then look elsewhere. In fact you should consider not going for resolutive and tending to neutral cans, and going for cans that have a 5-8 dB dip in the 2-8KHz area.

Rgrds

Hi, I've just read your edits and we are to agree, the D5000 or MD5000 won't artificially enhance the sibilances for the plateau being at a higher frequency band than the sibilances range, and also it's not peaky.
At 6KHz there should be very little energy from sibilant consonants. Some cymbals have more energy there, but still it's not the center of their bands, just the upper tails.
It all depends on the bandwidth of the equalizer you're using and the slope. If it's 1 octave or 1/2 octave and the slope is just 3dB or 6dB by lowering 6KHz you're lowering 5 and 5.5KHz a lot too.

Rgrds

Well, thinking carefully again about it, it's also very possible that we feel as painful and annoying different frequency bands.

In my case I know well that the most offending peaks to perceive "s and friends" as disturbing are in the 2.5-5KHz range. It's possible that excessive energy there is less disturbing to your ears/brain, but that having an artificial enhancement at 5.5-7 KHz is more disturbing than for me.

Obviously when something is wrong at 6KHz and above it's disgusting to me too, but in a different way.

Rgrds

I have both the D5000 and D2000 in stock version. Both have the same drivers. They are stamped in the back saying "Foster 439360" in both headphones. The plate where they are mounted is also the same (plastic) and not as mention before where the D5000 had a metal plate.

For what I see the only differences are the cups, dampening material in the plastic cups of the D2000 and the cable. The rest is the same.

In a few days I will received a pair of Amboyna Burl cups that I will install in the D2000. It is going to be interesting to listen if the sound change. After that I will probably send them to Alex for a recable and then put in Markl's mods.

musicman please do keep us up to date on your findings

Hmmm... Verrry... Interrresting....

If your observations are accurate...

it is "verrry interrresting"... and... no doubt means... Denon is guilty of perpetrating a fraud on all us "chumps!" We've got the D2000s with the D5000s wood cups!!!

They introduce the D5000s in a better form... and... then "bait and switch" the "late adopters" into buying their "cheap D5000s" at the same price as their "bait."

This... no doubt explains... why so many "hear" different D5000s than the "early adopters."

Mine are going back for a full refund... or... I'm callin' the FTC Div of the US Attorney Generals office... who'll no doubt say... "YOU LOSE... CHUMP!" They "reserve the right to change the specs on their phones at any time!"

How many of you "chumps" have the D5000s with the plastic, rather than metal, frames holding the drivers?!?

Let me verify this with the next D5000 I receive. I may be wrong about the metal in there.

Actually, I have one here and it is plastic. I was working from memory when I wrote that part, I could have sworn the ones I had worked on before were metal, but I believe now they were plastic. This one, purchased recently, is plastic. If someone else with an early production model can see if the outer ring around the driver is metal that would be interesting, but for now, I'm sorry if my potentially faulty memory is responsible for any controversy.

I have edited that bit out of my earlier post.

Weren't Your's and Skylabs...

Weren't your original set and Skylab's the earliest version - being "early adopters?"

So... your's and Skylab's phones must be the original "metal frames."

Can't you guys... just check and confirm?

I've sold the earliest pairs I had.