I guess my head is med to large. Tape measure says 23" circumference. No time to track down the big calipers right now.

I do have smallish ears, so there was not enough stops to keep them (the cans) from moving. That is really what keeps headphones from wandering. More pressure just slows them down via friction.

One of my all time favorite comments on this board was bangraman's observation that he would end up staring into an earcup if they turned to quickly while wearing these cans (I appologize for paraphrasing). lmao over that visual.

I did have a good seal (I am very careful about that). I will admit that, since I only had them a month, they could have loosened up more with time. The definitive test will come when Tyll gets his lab rolling at full speed.


gerG

I just got a chance to do a lenghty listen with the 3000's today. First, I am not having an issue with them staying on my head; I dont move around though. I find them extremely comfortable, but the beyer dt 880's are close to being as comfortable.

The issue with sensitivity is a mixed bag to me. The high sensitivity gives them a kick dynamics-wise like a high efficiency horn loudspeaker, this may be what gerG is referring to about sharp sounds. I have never heard guitar strings explode on acoustic guitar like with these 3000's and I like this aspect of the 3000's. The trouble part is that I cant seem to get the right volume level with the dact attenuator; except on my v2 se that has a gain control.The high sensitivity makes volume changes go from not quite loud enough, to to loud.

The 3000's were compared to my dt 880's and the 3000's have a fuller sound in the mid/upper bass but they dont seem to have the 880's extension like gerG said. You hear the bass notes stand out better with the 3000 though. The 3000's are more forward vs the 880's and sound grado like in this respect. I got the 880's to give a more relaxed midrange vs the sr-225's I had and they did. They have more relaxed mids vs the 3000's too; but remember many here term the 880's recessed. I think the 880's have a nice balance on my system thats linear and not recessed; but thats my opinion.

The area where the 880 may win out is the treble. The 880's sound a little more detailed and airy. The 3000's again like greG said, sound a little rolled off in the very top octave. When I compare the 880 and cd3000 the beyer treble sounds the slighest bit more natural. The sony's though, dont seem to pick up as much sibilance or tape hiss in the recording as the beyers. You do have to take into account the sony's have maybe 7-8 hours on them so the treble may sweeten up some. Is this realistic to expect you 3000 owners?

I did find a new appreciation for the beyers today. I like that more relaxed midrange and airy treble on some music. The 3000's may relax more with use but I hope they keep the explosive dynamics in the mids. I am very pleased with both. I will comment more later.

I am not really worried about the fit issue as I've been told repeatedly that I have a large head... Despite I am also 5'4"... And I've own a pair of HD-580 which is also veiled and recessed, I am ready to try something more Grado-like as I had really good result with the SR-225 on the Gilmore. I am extremely concerned with comfort else I would have gotten myself a pair of SR-225 instead of moving up to the CD3000. Right now I am a little worried about the CD3000 but will still get it. Since it's part of the journey. Cheers.

I did a comparison with the CD3000 and the current top of the range AT cans and I have to say that on absolutes the CD3000 is superior to the A1000 and the W1000 as an all-rounder, and wins on a cost/benefit ratio to the W2002.


The only thing I really couldn't live with about the CD3000 is the comfort, but I seem to be in the minority, thanks no doubt to my titanic head size. As you can see the CD3000 headband (not the self adjusting band) is sitting squarely on my head.



In comparison, you can see the A900 (and the A1000 as well) has (just) room to spare, and in any case it's only two wires, not a great big solid band.

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If I understand what you are saying, you are observing that the CD3000 is very transparent, and I agree. Except for me, this was exactly their major strength. CD3K provides a very clear picture of upstream gear. It doesn't put you at a safe distance like the HD600s which are great at hiding flaws in upfront gear, by glazing and hazing them over, IMO. The CD3000 will change more than the HD600 from amp to amp and source to source and cable to cable. I like this about them and their big brother the R10s, I think these are good qualities in any piece of audio gear (at least in my system for my tastes).

All depends on what your goals are for the system. Diffrent strokes for different folks!

Mark

Just my 2 cents. I used the CD-3000 with four good to very good amps before using them in the system they are in now. I also used them with A modified CD25, Rega Jupiter2K, and Philips 963SA. They were very good with all the combinations of the above gear. But until I got my 2cnd pr. and put them with the CDP and amp I have now I never realized how really great they are. IMO they have gotten so much better with the amp and source upgrade I have now it just blows me away how special they are.

bangraman, you are the coolest smurf i have ever seen

Habib: I think you will love the CD-3000. I currently use them much more often than my Senn HD-600/Cardas. The detail is absolutely crystal clear - almost delicate. I had the chance to use them at Hirsch's meet recently with the Gimore V2 and the Emmeline HR-2. Both sounded very nice, but in direct A/B comparison I felt the Emmeline to be more dynamic, musical and fun. The Gilmore sounded flat, dull, and uninspired to me when coupled with the CD-3000. While the Gilmore is a very nice amp, unfortunately it didn't fare well vs. the Emmeline with the CD-3000. I'm sure you'll be happy with the CD-3000, but I think there are better amps to use with it. (however, I can't talk, because I currently have just a META/opa637 - but I really enjoy this)

fireblade: I'm not sure why you are having such a problem with your amp. I use my META/opa 637 out of an M-Audio Sonica and it's wonderful. I've even tried the 843kn and AD602 op amps and the 637s have a smooth sound and I feel match the best with the CD-3000. What kind of interconnects are you using?

-Just my 2 cents.
Tim

thsu: well that's kind of the problem. I got the Gilmore and thought it would be better. Turns out it's not what I think it would be. I am trying to rectify a mistake. I do no think I can get rid of the Gilmore right now as there is one on sale for a while. I couldn't return it. So I am trying to make the best of it. Now I am wondering if I am compounding my mistake by selling the gears I like for unknown stuff... I am definitely not doubting the CD3000 but rather the other equipments... And SIE seems to like the CD3000 + Gilmore, whose opinion I really respect. He seems to think it's a good comb. Otherwise I dont recall anyone else recommending another headphone with Gilmore...

sacd lover uses the gilmore amps with several phones including the CD-3000.

Habib, maybe I missed it, what source are you using?

sacd lover's review is the reason I bought the Gilmore. I am not doubting his review in any sense but right now the gilmore is not working out for me. Therefore, I need a pair of CD3000 to prove him wrong, then blame everything on him

markl: NAD C541i, probably will not be upgrading for a while...

I concur with thsu02 . I have recently sold my gilmore v2, because although it really faired well with my er4s, i wasn't entirely impressed with it and my gilmore v2, I compared the sound to my dac1's amp, which is a decent amp, nothing special... Emmeline HR2 is on the way, and i can't hardly wait : ]

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Earl,

Yes, it's reasonable. They need a long (100+ hours) burn-in before they settle down.

I preferred the sound of the HD600 without a cable upgrade to the sound of the CD3000. I actually think it's a downgrade when switching from the HD600 to the CD3000, the highs are brittle and the bass is plasticky, the sound is colored. When listening to acoustic music (string quartet, my personal specialty, I play in two of them) the HD600 was tonally accurate (given gold label recordings this means the HD600 is more on the mark realistically) and didn't have as discernable a coloration (if you think your audio setup is good, then invite a professional string trio or quartet to play in your living room, it's worth the $300 or so you'll spend on it).

Back on topic, the associated equipment may push the CD3000s over the edge (the gilmore V2 is said to be a great amp but I have not heard it). Just be wary; I personally did not like the CD3000, but that's a matter of my extreme pickiness regarding classical.

I personally would keep the HD600s and the gilmore and instead wait and upgrade your source, although I found the CD3000s to have unrealistic treble, it really picked up on distortion and hiss as Markl stated. CD3000s will definitely reveal source flaws and I would suggest buying a $1000 range player.

Cheers,
Geek