Amping the L3000 - Page 2

Question about the WA5. I am curious, would they be able to sufficiently power the Anthony Gallo Reference 3.1's?

Frequency Response: 34Hz - 50kHz +/- 3dB
Frequency Response (active bass):22Hz - 50kHz +/- 3dB
Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohms
Sensitivity:88 dB/1 Watt/1 metre
Power Handling: 350 Watts

These are the speakers I would like to get in the future. I am figuring that by the wattage output, probably not. But I know it's not all about wattage, but sensitivity and other factors. I also know that real wattage is different than specified wattage, so 500w receivers rarely have 500w real power and often do worse than 100w integrated amplifiers.

Yea, I was just reading an explanation of impedance and sensitivity, and I agree. It's no match....so much for that idea. I don't own the K1000 or plan to anytime soon, so I guess it doesn't make too much sense to even consider the WA5 for me.

So.......they are here. I have yet to open the box and try them out. And before I do, I would like to say that I have no idea of whether or not I will love them. I am taking a great chance as the consensus is that they are dark, smooth, dynamic(bass), etc.

Look at my signature. Most of my cans have been fast, highly detailed, wide soundstage, open. If I had to say which phone I have heard that matched my preferences most, it would be the HE60 followed by the K1000.

I am taking the risk because I have been so highly intrigued by them, and they are the only other 'affordable' discontinued high end can I have not tried(outside of the Stax O2).

I will be back with initial listening impressions. Currently, I will be using the Beresford TC7520 amp/dac until I can determine which amp to order or buy used.

Wow. They sound great.

There are a few things that immediately impress me. First, the dynamic approach is amazing. The bass is abundant, but its clear, tight and detailed. The bass is very lively, though in a very smooth way. This is exactly what was I wanted my Baby Orpheus to have.

The HE60's bass was just as detailed, even faster, and very clear. But it was lacking, and apparent on many songs. This headphone has could have the best bass I have heard to date. It is very reminiscent of the HP3000's(from headphile) bass.

The midrange is also lovely. It is very smooth. That is just the best word for it. However, this is where I do find a fault for my preferences. The vocals are slightly laid back slightly too much. I prefer more upfront vocals, such as the HE60, W5000, AKG K501 etc, almost to a fault. Sometimes, I like for vocals to stand out more than the rest of the spectrum of music. This could be a fault for someone, but for me it is preferred.

The highs are nearly perfect. Smooth and detailed. Nowhere near harsh, and to my ears no where near rolled off. I need more time here, to assess the highs, as imo it is the hardest part of the spectrum to truly nail down.

So as of now, my only complaint is that the vocals seem a tad laid back. I think this eliminates the Woo Audio 2 as an option, as this is exactly how Jack described it to me! lol (he said that it was more laid back and smooth than the Woo 6. Don't think I'd pair a smooth/laid back amp with a smooth/laid back headphone.)

I will also note that there was not a first five minute "wow factor"(outside of the bass being amazing). With the K1000 and HE60, I immediately said wow. With these, after about 3 or 4 completely different songs, I started to say wow, I see what is special about these and it's not just the bass.

I will take pictures this weekend. No time right now.

Dude....I am so damn glad you just said something about the earcups. I didn't remember that the earcups swivel. I turned them in about 5%(if even that). The vocals are back in the front.....and omg....it is perfect. The difference is so subtle, but its what it was missing.

I always turn my speakers in about 5% and they angle the same way towards my ears and it presents a more forward sound.

Thank you....very, very much.

Also, another impression. The soundstage is smaller than what I am used to, but it is wide enough to not worry about it. If I had to compare it's soundstage to another headphone's, I 'd immediately think of the HD650. Not large enough to consider a strength and not small enough to consider a problem. Just thought some would like to hear that.

For me, this could not be my only headphone. I can easily see how it would for someone with different preferences. I ultimately prefer a brighter, faster sound, with a very very spacious soundstage. However, when I had that(K1000, W5000, HE60) I needed the perfect compliment and this is it. I thought I could be fine with just one headphone, but because there is no perfect one out there, I need two perfect compliments. Now all I need is the HE60 or the HD800(if it sounds like a better HE60, keeping my fingers crossed! lol)

I hope that nothing comes up that will make me sell them, or that I start regretting the money that I gave up for them! lol

I'm going to keep providing updates. Good and bad.

First off, these are truly wonderful. I would rank them second only to the HE60, due to the lack of speed in comparison and my preferences for a electrostat type sound.

Second, I can tell that the HE60 has more detail retrieval ability. With the HE60, listening to the same tracks as I am listening with the L3000, not as many faults in the recording show up. For example, with the HE60, I hear some static that is intrinsic to the recording on James Blunt, "Goodbye My Lover". I could also hear it with the W5000. Those are the only two that showed it(HD600 didn't, K501 didn't, and many others). It may be just my CD or how it was ripped or mastered, but still only those two phones reveal it. I could find countless examples of this situation.

But, on the flipside, the L3000 seems like a much more complete package than the HE60 or W5000 or K1000. It has the detail(very close to the same level of the HE60 and W5000, yet not on the exact same level). It has the imaging(same level). It has the Dynamics(better). And.....it adds very high quality bass. But, it remains smooth and refined while doing so.

Now that I have figured out the cup positioning, the only thing the L3000 lacks in comparison to the W5000 and the K1000 are the extremely spacious soundstage.(the HE60's soundstage isn't amazing, it is decent just like the L3000, HD650 and HE60).

BTW, I keep referencing the W5000, K1000, and HE60 because they are my favorites in the hobby(and I have had extensive time with each), although not without fault.