KH-K1000: first impressions (updated with additional impressions)

They just arrived.

So far, I am very surprised at the quality of the sound. To my ears, they seem to outperform my D5000.

The main difference is that the bass of KH-K1000 does not overwhelming as D5000, yet brings more details.

Overall the phones are very well balanced, no emphasizing points other than bass area.

Again, these cans are very similar to HD650, even more than D5000.

Now, time to listen these more.....


Added : For comfort, I'd say D5000s are very slightly better, but KH-K1000 has VERY LITTLE clamping force, which is really big plus for me.

More impressions:

In terms of resolution and details, these cans, maybe in exception of W5000, are the best closed cans among I've heard so far. Compared with these, I just feel some huge veil from Denon D5000.

Also, unlike all of closed headphones I've ever heard (as cheap as Koss UR-40 to as expensive as W5000,) these are the very first closed phones do not sound congested, which I really abhor. The sound of KH-K1000 is airy.

Which means unlike D5000, I can wear these for more than hours.

Now, this is comparison for HD650 and KH-K1000.

It is not dark nor bright; the high is better on KH-K1000 ; unlike HD650, K1000 does not hide sibilance, but does not emphasize either like DT880 and other ultra-bright cans. For this regard, it is similar to K701.

For detail, I could hear more from KH-K1000 than HD650; I'd say it is second next to K701.

The soundstage, I'd say they are about same; both cans present a decent soundstage, but K1000 is more forwarding, and this makes K1000 more suitable for various genre.

Both HD650 and K1000 have a good presentation on mids, while HD650s are slightly better. The difference is, however, small.

Both cans have enough bass to be enjoyed. KH-K1000 actually has slightly tighter bass control. I feel it is halfway between HD580(600) and HD650.... probably this is due to the fact that KH-K1000 is brighter than HD6xx.

Overall, other than substantial bass, KH-K1000 are quite natural; it really does not have any emphasis other than bass area, and even so, the bass is somewhat more controled than HD650. It does not colored mids-high like W5000 has (which I do not like.)

Currently, it seems this will dethrone HD650 as my primary cans. My only complain is that the pads are made of leather, which I really hate. But again, this headphone is very comfortable with little clamping force, compensating this issue. KH-K1000 does almost all of what HD650 does, and it does some of what HD650 does not, while there is very few HD650 does while KH-K1000 doesn't. So..... for the price I've paid, total of about 400$, I think it is good deal.

Again, D5000 is inferior to KH-K1000; it has bloated bass, somewhat harsh high, smaller soundstage and sounds congested.... well really no contest here.


Now, my other cans are quite different from KH-K1000, and I guess it is up to the personal taste.

I don't have such problems. Does it annoy you?