JVC DX1000 vs. Denon D7000: a mini-review

Sorry I’ll have to do this at breakneck speed. Hope it’s not useless to those of you who are flirting with these phones but can’t have both.

I’ve been casually listening to the D7000 since I received it from HeadRoom (from their first batch) in late October. (That’s an audiophile’s “casually”, btw.) I’ve listened mostly to movie soundtracks and concerts on DVD. For this mini-review, I sat down with some of my audiophile-grade CD’s and DVD’s and A-B’d the phones for a couple of hours. This was just a “confirmation” session, as I already was confident that I could rely on my memory of these phones’ sonic traits. So, the review is very rushed – no choice – but the observation is not.

My source is the DAC in the Grace m902. The amp is the RudiStor RPX-33.

To begin with, the D7000 is a significant improvement on the sound of the D5000. There’s nothing subtle about it. The soundstaging is much better, deeper and wider. The highs are sweeter. Not a hint of harshness or aggressiveness. That hint is present in the D5000’s sound, which makes amp’ing these phones a matter of some care. (My Rudi NX-03 is a great match for the D5000 in this regard.) And there’s a little more volume in the mid-bass, which gives the D7000 a little more “bass weight” and better PRaT. It’s slightly better, more realistic, more foot-tapping bass, but not noticeably deeper bass. Now, to put it in perspective, as I see it, the D5000 is one of the best headphones money can buy. Its flaws are minimal. It is much better than the Sennheiser HD650 in every respect, to mention a popular, audiophile-grade model that has been regarded as a reference by many. (Yes, I’ve given the HD650 all the time in the world. It is mediocre when compared to the D5000.) Great job, Denon!

Is it better than my old #1, the DX1000? The D7000 is a little more extended in the highs. The DX1000’s slight treble roll-off – an otherwise subtle characteristic, and a generally welcome one with me – does become apparent when we A-B these phones. The DX1000 is never dull-sounding, never obviously sparkle-shy, but the D7000’s highs are a little better, a tad more natural.

The D7000’s bass is generally better too. It’s a tiny bit tighter, drier and maybe a shade deeper – though the advantage will be insignificant for 99% of what one normally listens to, including organ music and low-frequency effects in soundtracks (but excepting electronica, which I don’t listen to). You’ll have to search high and low for the 1% that reveals the advantage. (I’d have used the Stereophile test CD if I had had the time, but, oh my, that thing is boring and life is brief.)

Now, here’s the clincher: As good as the Denon is, it just can’t match the spectacular soundstaging of the DX1000. The potential for those spooky out-of-head experiences is just greater with the DX1000. Yes, I’ve had some of those heck-the-speakers-are-on type jolts with the D7000, but not as often as with the DX1000. There’s something about the way air moves around voices and instruments, something about the way sounds seem to bounce off the walls and decay that’s so convincing in the way the DX1000 throws its soundstage... It’s a wider, slightly reverberant, life-like, immersive soundstage. It’s the knockout punch for me. It’s why I’d keep the DX1000 if you put a gun to my head and forced me to choose one of them. It’s a photo-finish win for the DX1000, but a definite win.

We’re all curious about the Senn HD800, aren’t we? The well-oiled Sennheiser hype machine has been doing a fantastic job – and I say this with respect for their professionalism. Here’s my request to those who get the chance to audition the new flagship: Please, let us know how it does in the deep bass & PRaT & soundstaging departments. (I already expect it to be excellent SQ-wise elsewhere.) Be as specific as you can. Don’t just tell me it’s much better than the HD650. I’ve known much better than that. And rest assured I hope the HD800 (or the Ultrasone Edition 8, preferably both) proves to be the DX1000 and D7000 killer. I have no allegiances or emotional attachments or financial stake in the matter. I just want the loudest bang for my buck.

Thank you both!

Imilhan, if you like the D5000 – that kind of top-to-bottom neutrality – you’ll get more of the same, only better in the highs (best I’ve ever experienced) and a little more punchy-sounding. They sound like mega-buck full-range speakers -- like, say, a top-of-the-line Dynaudio with DALI tweeters! The most striking difference is the soundstaging. The presentation is much less upfront, which I think is a major factor in the out-of-head experience. Denon has really created a different sound for these phones, a smart move IMO. I bet you’ll want to keep both Denon’s!

Rob, yes, the bass... I’m afraid that’ll be the deal-breaker for me as regards the HD800. Once you’ve experienced the deep bass offered by both the DX1000 and the D7000, there’s no turning back. (Those who’ve praised the HD650 in that regard may not know the state of the art.) To my mind, it’s impossible to overrate the importance of deep bass in our enjoyment of music and movie soundtracks. But many headphiles still have no idea what a “clean” 30Hz sounds like and how much of the drama and scale of the material depend on it, isn’t that right? BTW, some time ago, I reported on a bass shoot-out between the D5000 and the DX1000. I subjectively called it a tie. Skylab measured them and found a 1dB advantage for the D5000. That’s the bar for the HD800 as far as I’m concerned. And there’s ample evidence that some well-known audio writers (for Stereophile, TAS, and others) don’t know where the bar is as regards deep bass in headphones. We’ve been badly misled.

Cheers,

Thank you all for the discussion!

Some replies:

Freakmax, I wouldn’t call the Denon’s “much more comfortable” than the DX1000, but a little more, yes.

BTW, I don’t think I’ve seen this in other threads: My D7000 is quite a bit tighter on my head than my D5000. I think Denon has shortened the headband a little. The pressure is perfect now. Like many, I thought the D5000 was a bit loose on my midsized head. (I’ve now flexed its headband a little and eliminated the problem.) Also, the D7000’s earpads are firmer than the D5000’s. There seems to be better padding there. (I know that, in response to somebody who made a similar claim, Markl has claimed that there’s generally no difference in earpad quality. Not true of my units. But I’m not in a position to generalize.) On the downside, despite being more flexible, which may be a big plus for some, the D7000’s cable seems quite a bit inferior, more flimsy than the D5000’s heavier cable. (Clearly, in view of the spectacular SQ, the requisite electrical properties are all there.) And the D5000’s cable, in turn, looks and feels inferior than the DX1000’s heavier, longer cable.

Freakmax, give the DX1000 some 70 hours and let us know how it compares to your GS1000, okay?

Kees, yes, that’s how I see it myself. The D7000 is definitely not an upgrade over the DX1000. It’s a lateral move, just a different flavor, very much a luxury for a DX1000 owner. Now, as far as luxuries go, it’ a mighty, mighty fine one! (Not as fine as your plans?! )