The German Maestro GMP 8.35 D Monitor in the studio... serious about audio, INDEED!!
Oct 5, 2012 at 3:32 PM Post #511 of 1,132
Quote:
First, because I often like to use my headphones with higher impedance devices like my old integrated amps or studio/recording gear, then second because It's a little cheaper and the ear pads look more comfortable. I don't think I would use headphones like this for anything portable.

 
I think the gmp 8.35D gets much better when hooked to a more powerful amp. It sounds much better on the fiio e9 than on the fiio e7 for instance. Soundstage increases, overal detail and prat!
I think you can't go wrong with the 8.35, but please do buy the oval earpads with them.
 
Oct 5, 2012 at 4:38 PM Post #512 of 1,132
Quote:
 
Yes, you're right...I just zoom in and saw 3 wires, but in this case how is the second driver is connected ? About the 2 conductors per channel, I'm not sure if this do the trick but it sounds better compare to the original K-702 cable.

I'm not sure about the second driver, there's a brown wire attached to a red wire going to the second driver, and then from the second driver there's a blue wire looping back to the first driver.
 
I have no idea why....
 
So I'm just not even going to touch it.
 

So I just want to cut at the white stripe. One more problem what the heck are these colors? Red is right, yellow is left and brown is sleeve?
 
 
Btw I just finished a recabling on some old technics headphone :)
 
Oct 5, 2012 at 5:23 PM Post #513 of 1,132
kkl10,
 
I noticed a few posts back you've been considering the 8.35D.
 
As you're well aware, I have the SP-1 (a GMP450/QP450 PRO variant) and thought maybe I could share a little bit of my impressions between my SP-1 and MB Quart 805HS (which I believe was the precursor to the 8.300D).
 
To be honest, the SP-1 just sounds way more refined to me.  It is much flatter, and much faster.  On the flip side, the 805 has a lot more bass punch, and while it is emphasized, it doesn't really take away from the low mids at all to my ears.  I actually really enjoy the 805 for bassy music... obviously when I am in a less 'reference' mood.  My issue with the 805 is that there is an upper midrange peak that can really make these guys fatiguing.  The mids themselves just are presented differently between the SP-1 and 805... it is kind of tough to describe.  The Sp-1 just sounds a lot leaner and natural... there's something wonky about the 805's mids.
 
There are definitely times that I prefer the 805 though, as it has a lot more punch and a bit more sparkle without a gaping hole in the midrange.
The 805 also has the build quality of a tank. I bet I could run these over with my car.
 
 
Oct 5, 2012 at 5:25 PM Post #514 of 1,132
Quote:
I'm not sure about the second driver, there's a brown wire attached to a red wire going to the second driver, and then from the second driver there's a blue wire looping back to the first driver.
 
I have no idea why....
 
So I'm just not even going to touch it.
 

So I just want to cut at the white stripe. One more problem what the heck are these colors? Red is right, yellow is left and brown is sleeve?
 
 
Btw I just finished a recabling on some old technics headphone :)

Three wires?  I wish it was easy for me to visualize what you are saying.
 
It's sounding like it might be wired in series... but that would double the resistance in the circuit...
 
You're making me wonder if my 300ohm QP805s are wired in series to make a 600 ohm circuit.  They've always needed a ton of juice
 
Oct 5, 2012 at 6:26 PM Post #515 of 1,132
Quote:
Three wires?  I wish it was easy for me to visualize what you are saying.
 
It's sounding like it might be wired in series... but that would double the resistance in the circuit...
 
You're making me wonder if my 300ohm QP805s are
 
 wired in series to make a 600 ohm circuit.  They've always needed a ton of juice

Just take a look at this picture, you should be able to see it when you zoom in. If not I can crop the original in the right area :)
 
Oct 5, 2012 at 7:55 PM Post #516 of 1,132
Quote:
kkl10,
 
I noticed a few posts back you've been considering the 8.35D.
 
As you're well aware, I have the SP-1 (a GMP450/QP450 PRO variant) and thought maybe I could share a little bit of my impressions between my SP-1 and MB Quart 805HS (which I believe was the precursor to the 8.300D).
 
To be honest, the SP-1 just sounds way more refined to me.  It is much flatter, and much faster.  On the flip side, the 805 has a lot more bass punch, and while it is emphasized, it doesn't really take away from the low mids at all to my ears.  I actually really enjoy the 805 for bassy music... obviously when I am in a less 'reference' mood.  My issue with the 805 is that there is an upper midrange peak that can really make these guys fatiguing.  The mids themselves just are presented differently between the SP-1 and 805... it is kind of tough to describe.  The Sp-1 just sounds a lot leaner and natural... there's something wonky about the 805's mids.
 
There are definitely times that I prefer the 805 though, as it has a lot more punch and a bit more sparkle without a gaping hole in the midrange.
The 805 also has the build quality of a tank. I bet I could run these over with my car.
 

 
Haha, that's right, I'm looking for a reasonably sounding closed headphone (which actually isolates noise) below $200 and this 8.35d (along with one or other two) has been having my serious attention. At this price point, naturally, I don't expect anything to rival the GMP 450 Pro's sonic qualities.
Great to have you back by the way. :wink:
 
My sonic priorities are somewhat the same as always: a reasonable transparency to the sound with no damn ringing, peaky treble nor reverb crap! (if that's possible with closed headphones), as neutral as possible, realistic timbre... well I think you already know, the perfect transparent headphone lie, lol.
 
But seriously, if I have to compromisse something I may opt for a warm (not to warm), smooth and non fatiguing sound, maybe, I could even take a little rolled-off at the upper treble, something relaxing but not so smooth as to cause any detriment on sonic accuracy... to be honest I'm open to any kind of sound signature as long as it's not very far from 'reference'...
 
My experience with the GMPs 400/450 Pro has taught me that I actually prefer a weightier sound than what the 450 Pro delivers.
 
From the recent reviews spurt of the GMP 8.35D I read very interesting descriptions and it seemed to fit my criteria, somewhat...
But now that you mention that the 805 has a peak in the upper midrange and some wonkiness... probably due to the lesser flattness of FR I'm not so sure... hmmm
I don't see this issue mentioned often (if anywhere) regarding the GMP 8.35D, though, it's possible that most reviewers are just not as critical as you know I am so...
Thanks for that information!
 
Another HPs I'm considering are the KRK 8400, soundmagic HP100, DT250, T50RP (but modded), maybe CAL, maybe (in extremis) Fischer Audio RPM 33 1/3.
 
Fellow headfier roma101 pointed me towards the KRK, the GMP, and CAL... thanks!
All of these have been receiving praise and have interesting sonic descriptions...
 
R-Audiohead, I remember you had the KRK 8400 in high consideration, I'm going to read up on your KRK descriptions, I think you found this one to be relatively neutral.
 
Oct 6, 2012 at 3:08 AM Post #517 of 1,132
If you need isolation forget the CAL. Like you, I have always been after realistic timbre. I think, along with the KRKs, GMPs, and modded T50rps (always a good option considering you can tune the headphone to your preferences) you should also read up and consider the SRH840. I've auditioned them and I think they may sound more natural to my ears than even the KRKs. Take it with a grain of salt - I'm planning on nabbing a pair of 840s at some point so in the near future I may be able to give some impressions. It's got a god awful heavy headband though (I plan on getting one modded or modding my own pair to be more comfortable). Very poorly designed but sound great. The KRKs and GMPs are much more comfortable.
 
Oct 6, 2012 at 5:40 AM Post #518 of 1,132
Quote:
 
Haha, that's right, I'm looking for a reasonably sounding closed headphone (which actually isolates noise) below $200 and this 8.35d (along with one or other two) has been having my serious attention. At this price point, naturally, I don't expect anything to rival the GMP 450 Pro's sonic qualities.
Great to have you back by the way. :wink:
 
My sonic priorities are somewhat the same as always: a reasonable transparency to the sound with no damn ringing, peaky treble nor reverb crap! (if that's possible with closed headphones), as neutral as possible, realistic timbre... well I think you already know, the perfect transparent headphone lie, lol.
 
But seriously, if I have to compromisse something I may opt for a warm (not to warm), smooth and non fatiguing sound, maybe, I could even take a little rolled-off at the upper treble, something relaxing but not so smooth as to cause any detriment on sonic accuracy... to be honest I'm open to any kind of sound signature as long as it's not very far from 'reference'...
 
My experience with the GMPs 400/450 Pro has taught me that I actually prefer a weightier sound than what the 450 Pro delivers.
 
From the recent reviews spurt of the GMP 8.35D I read very interesting descriptions and it seemed to fit my criteria, somewhat...
But now that you mention that the 805 has a peak in the upper midrange and some wonkiness... probably due to the lesser flattness of FR I'm not so sure... hmmm
I don't see this issue mentioned often (if anywhere) regarding the GMP 8.35D, though, it's possible that most reviewers are just not as critical as you know I am so...
Thanks for that information!
 
Another HPs I'm considering are the KRK 8400, soundmagic HP100, DT250, T50RP (but modded), maybe CAL, maybe (in extremis) Fischer Audio RPM 33 1/3.
 
Fellow headfier roma101 pointed me towards the KRK, the GMP, and CAL... thanks!
All of these have been receiving praise and have interesting sonic descriptions...
 
R-Audiohead, I remember you had the KRK 8400 in high consideration, I'm going to read up on your KRK descriptions, I think you found this one to be relatively neutral.

 
If you're going for the gmps go for the gmp 8.35D. The gmp 4xx are described as having sub par detail, bad soundstaging, and negative PRaT!
The gmp 8.35D however sounds very balanced, has excellent detail, fantastic soundstage and good PRaT. That is with the oval earpads ofcourse and some thin paper in front of the driver:)
 
Headfonia:
http://www.headfonia.com/trio-german-maestros-gmp-400-435s-450pro/
"I know that some people have said very good things about these relatively obscure headphone brand.
But if I have to recommend a German Maestro, it’s going to be the GMP 8.35D"
 
Oct 6, 2012 at 7:42 AM Post #520 of 1,132
Hmm I'm still debating between
krk 6400
krk8400
srh840 (owned before and loved them but had cable issues during 30 day return period so I sent them back)
gmp 8.35d
gmp 8.300d
 
Like I said I do a lot of listening from old full sized amplifiers with padded down headphone jacks, guitar amps, etc. I know the low impedance version is better out of a computer or mixer but I want these for tracking so they need to be versatile. The K 702s are my favorite headphones in the world, these new closed pair will be just for tracking and not much else.
 
Oct 6, 2012 at 11:38 AM Post #521 of 1,132
Quote:
Hmm I'm still debating between
krk 6400
krk8400
srh840 (owned before and loved them but had cable issues during 30 day return period so I sent them back)
gmp 8.35d
gmp 8.300d
 
Like I said I do a lot of listening from old full sized amplifiers with padded down headphone jacks, guitar amps, etc. I know the low impedance version is better out of a computer or mixer but I want these for tracking so they need to be versatile. The K 702s are my favorite headphones in the world, these new closed pair will be just for tracking and not much else.

When you want versatility go for the gmp 8.35D you can put it in any source and it will sound good. But then again everything on your list would work. I think I've read somewhere that the krks don't isolate very well. But I can be wrong on that
 
Oct 6, 2012 at 12:22 PM Post #522 of 1,132
Quote:
 
If you're going for the gmps go for the gmp 8.35D. The gmp 4xx are described as having sub par detail, bad soundstaging, and negative PRaT!
The gmp 8.35D however sounds very balanced, has excellent detail, fantastic soundstage and good PRaT. That is with the oval earpads ofcourse and some thin paper in front of the driver:)
 
Headfonia:
http://www.headfonia.com/trio-german-maestros-gmp-400-435s-450pro/
"I know that some people have said very good things about these relatively obscure headphone brand.
But if I have to recommend a German Maestro, it’s going to be the GMP 8.35D"


 Lol, Marleybob, if you care to take a look at my profile for a second, you'll see that I'm entitled to have an opinion about the GMPs 400/450 Pro. :p
 
Now I would take that review with a big grain of salt, as I'm hearing (me and others who've heard the 4x0 series) things very different from what the reviewer sometimes describes.
It's possible that there is some QC issues with the GMP 4x0 series causing audible differences between several units of the same model (I have to pairs of the same driver and they don't sound the same!).
I have to say, though, that the enclosures and the cardamatic system design of these headphones clearly compromisse sound quality... I found this after some mods....
 
That being said, I find it hard to believe that the GMP 8.35D (nor any other sub $200 headphone) could sound more accomplished and transparent than the 4x0s as I hear them, despite it's apparently robust enclosure and despite my own issues with the 4x0s. (I wonder how it would sound if I put 400/450 Pro drivers inside an enclosure á la 8.35D, I think I've read about this before...)
And, for some reason, I don't think I would like the 8.35D with the oval earpads, I'm (or was) mainly interested in the sonic descritions with the stock earpads.
 
Oct 6, 2012 at 12:49 PM Post #523 of 1,132
Quote:
 Lol, Marleybob, if you care to take a look at my profile for a second, you'll see that I'm entitled to have an opinion about the GMPs 400/450 Pro. :p
 
Now I would take that review with a big grain of salt, as I'm hearing (me and others who've heard the 4x0 series) things very different from what the reviewer sometimes describes.
It's possible that there is some QC issues with the GMP 4x0 series causing audible differences between several units of the same model (I have to pairs of the same driver and they don't sound the same!).
I have to say, though, that the enclosures and the cardamatic system design of these headphones clearly compromisse sound quality... I found this after some mods....
 
That being said, I find it hard to believe that the GMP 8.35D (nor any other sub $200 headphone) could sound more accomplished and transparent than the 4x0s as I hear them, despite it's apparently robust enclosure and despite my own issues with the 4x0s. (I wonder how it would sound if I put 400/450 Pro drivers inside an enclosure á la 8.35D, I think I've read about this before...)
And, for some reason, I don't think I would like the 8.35D with the oval earpads, I'm (or was) mainly interested in the sonic descritions with the stock earpads.

 
 
I never said you weren't entitled to have an opinion about them! :p  
I was just comparing them to the gmp 8.35Ds, well comparing someones opinion about them to the gmp 8.35Ds....
 
But I think they do sound much better with the oval earpads, just much more detail and soundstage. It's a shame not to replace them really.
 
I just bought stuff to replace the cable on the gmp 8.35D, mogami cable, neutrik jack connector and a cable sleeve.
 
So all in all, I must have spent atleast 200 euro's for the oval pads, the custom cable parts and the headphone. But it is pretty much perfect now.
 
Oct 6, 2012 at 1:24 PM Post #524 of 1,132
Quote:
 
If you're going for the gmps go for the gmp 8.35D. The gmp 4xx are described as having sub par detail, bad soundstaging, and negative PRaT!
The gmp 8.35D however sounds very balanced, has excellent detail, fantastic soundstage and good PRaT. That is with the oval earpads ofcourse and some thin paper in front of the driver:)
 
Headfonia:
http://www.headfonia.com/trio-german-maestros-gmp-400-435s-450pro/
"I know that some people have said very good things about these relatively obscure headphone brand.
But if I have to recommend a German Maestro, it’s going to be the GMP 8.35D"


I've heard a number of headphone setups and A LOT of external setups.
 
The PRaT is actually really good, the soundstaging isn't much worse than any other headphone, and for a closed headphone I actually think it does okay, and the detail is my favorite part about my SP-1.
 
I disagree, respectfully, on all accounts with that review.
 
Oct 6, 2012 at 1:25 PM Post #525 of 1,132
To add to the above, they take a ton of power to get them going right in my experience, and sound terrible when underpowered
 

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