Shootout: 114 Portable Headphones Reviewed (Xiaomi Mi Headphones added 04/21/2015)
Oct 6, 2010 at 8:14 PM Post #766 of 4,593
dang it, my DHP-II's headband just broke, right above left ear's rotating cup.
 
Oct 6, 2010 at 8:29 PM Post #767 of 4,593
did it have any help? :p
 
Oct 6, 2010 at 8:41 PM Post #768 of 4,593
nope. took my headphones off to answer the phone, put them back on afterward and noticed it broke.
 
Oct 6, 2010 at 9:07 PM Post #769 of 4,593
Damn, looks like they have reliability issues along with quality control issues. Still waiting for mine to be replaced due to a defective driver.
 
Oct 7, 2010 at 9:38 PM Post #770 of 4,593
Got my fingers crossed that mine holds out as my benchmark set. No problems so far and I've got another half-dozen comparisons to do 
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Oct 12, 2010 at 2:04 AM Post #771 of 4,593
Thank you for your reviews! i ordered my next set of cans because of this thread.
 
I would like to see a review of the Koss Pro 4AA or 4AAT, ive read good stuff but i own some similar ones (i think its similar) the QZ99 and they bass is too lacking, but the clarity is awesome, and the noise isolation is the best passive one i've tried. still, i would like to know if the Pro 4AA family is improved.
 
Oct 12, 2010 at 3:44 PM Post #772 of 4,593
Doesn't there exist a 4AAAT already, or even 4AAAAT?
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Oct 12, 2010 at 5:28 PM Post #773 of 4,593
I can vouch for the Ms400 being #2
 
its so close to being the perfect portable set, its scary.  Its lacking a good stage, but I dont plan on ever buying another portable set.  THAT ONE portable set for me is the Ms400.  Using the cotton mod, things improve nicely.  Its comfortable, its incredibly clear, its got good bass made even better by the easy mod or hd485 pads, could very well be among the most sexy sets ever made, well built, not lacking at all in the lows, mids or highs ( which are very detailed and punchy, and very in your face )
 
 
Oct 12, 2010 at 6:57 PM Post #774 of 4,593


Quote:
Thank you for your reviews! i ordered my next set of cans because of this thread.
 
I would like to see a review of the Koss Pro 4AA or 4AAT, ive read good stuff but i own some similar ones (i think its similar) the QZ99 and they bass is too lacking, but the clarity is awesome, and the noise isolation is the best passive one i've tried. still, i would like to know if the Pro 4AA family is improved.


I think both of those are not portable though. The 4AAT definitely needs an amp and it's 250 ohm. I think I read a post once where someone said it felt more like 600 ohm! For portable use, Pro 3AAT would work. That headphone has a LOT of bass and way too much for me. Sound quality was pretty good. I bet the bass gets reduced slightly after burn-in like my Pro DJ 100.
 
I bought the 4AAT and 3AAT and returned both of them. 4AAT wasn't bad, but I couldn't get past how muffled the 4AAT sounded. Perhaps it goes away after 100 hours of burn-in.
 
I've love to see a Koss Pro DJ 100 review. That's more portable, but I think it'd get a poor score without an amp, but who knows. They also need lots of burn-in for some pairs. They're bad for classical and bass heavy music though, but the mids are amazing for vocals. When I use them it reminds me of an IEM for some reason. They also work with the Pearstone velour pads. It's a really neutral phone and I have no idea why Koss calls it a DJ headphone other then for the design.
 
 
 
Oct 12, 2010 at 9:22 PM Post #775 of 4,593
Quote:
Thank you for your reviews! i ordered my next set of cans because of this thread.
 
I would like to see a review of the Koss Pro 4AA or 4AAT, ive read good stuff but i own some similar ones (i think its similar) the QZ99 and they bass is too lacking, but the clarity is awesome, and the noise isolation is the best passive one i've tried. still, i would like to know if the Pro 4AA family is improved.
 
Congrats, hope you got something nice.
 
As for more Koss cans, I think I'll go for the DJ100 if any. The build looks excellent and I'm a real sucker for metal. The 4AA doesn't look particularly portable either. And yeah, there's a 4AAAT. Not sure what the story with all the 4A* models is. Doesn't really seem like Koss is phasing anything out.


Quote:
I can vouch for the Ms400 being #2
 
its so close to being the perfect portable set, its scary.  Its lacking a good stage, but I dont plan on ever buying another portable set.  THAT ONE portable set for me is the Ms400.  Using the cotton mod, things improve nicely.  Its comfortable, its incredibly clear, its got good bass made even better by the easy mod or hd485 pads, could very well be among the most sexy sets ever made, well built, not lacking at all in the lows, mids or highs ( which are very detailed and punchy, and very in your face )
 

Funny but I've actually been going back and forth with the HD25 and MS400 lately and I can't decide which one to sell. Logic dictates that I should sell the MS400 and keep the HD25 for a benchmark set but when I see/touch/hear the Phiatons I just can't do it. What I need is my Ultrasone PRO650 reduced in size by about 40%. Then I could sell both the HD25 and MS400 happily
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.


Quote:
Originally Posted by tdockweiler /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
 
They also work with the Pearstone velour pads. It's a really neutral phone and I have no idea why Koss calls it a DJ headphone other then for the design.
 

Speaking from experience, there is absolutely no prerequisite for calling something a DJ headphone. Case in point - my very own Subjekt X! HD-AK1000WT "Dj headphone" (I pretty much keep them because the model number is so impressive and they're sinfully comfy)

 
Oct 12, 2010 at 9:56 PM Post #776 of 4,593
Funny but I've actually been going back and forth with the HD25 and MS400 lately and I can't decide which one to sell. Logic dictates that I should sell the MS400 and keep the HD25 for a benchmark set but when I see/touch/hear the Phiatons I just can't do it. What I need is my Ultrasone PRO650 reduced in size by about 40%. Then I could sell both the HD25 and MS400 happily
smile_phones.gif
.


Heh. Hopefully, should the TMA-1 live up to expectations, you can sell all three cans.
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Oct 13, 2010 at 5:05 AM Post #778 of 4,593

 
Quote:
Originally Posted by tdockweiler /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
 
They also work with the Pearstone velour pads. It's a really neutral phone and I have no idea why Koss calls it a DJ headphone other then for the design.
 
Originally Posted by ljokerl 

Speaking from experience, there is absolutely no prerequisite for calling something a DJ headphone. Case in point - my very own Subjekt X! HD-AK1000WT "Dj headphone" (I pretty much keep them because the model number is so impressive and they're sinfully comfy)


 
What! Are these not the mdr-xb500 housings? I don't see the bass reflex ports though. Question of the day is.... Who copied who? Do these actually sound decent?
 
Apparently theres a Skullcandy Inspired version..... My god these things are ugly!

 
Oct 13, 2010 at 11:51 AM Post #779 of 4,593
[size=10pt][size=10pt]Hey ljokerl, Olimoronio here. I just wanted to let you know to hold off on those Coby's you were thinking of getting. I just ordered a pair the other day and I can at least let you know if they're junk or not. Also, those full-sized Coby's I was recommending - well if you remember I took back my recommendation for them because they actually seemed to lose bass and become anemic with break-in. Not recommended,[/size][/size]
[size=10pt] [/size]
[size=10pt][size=10pt]And if you are looking for a contender for the Coby's and the Flat's look no further: Nippon America CD-5500. They remind me a lot of the Coby's with a slightly rolled off treble and a bigger soundstage... And they're smaller. And they're right on the dot as far as price - $11.95. While you're there you should pick up a pair of Zune earbuds. I have NEVER heard such a dramatic difference with break-in. At first they sound very mellow, almost too mellow like they were made for background music or something. Then they ripen up into full, robust and extended buds for only[/size][/size]
[size=10pt][size=10pt]$4. No joke.[/size][/size]
[size=10pt] [/size]
[size=10pt][size=10pt]One last thing - I noticed that you said you were going to review a bunch of hi-end DJ phones well why not throw a budget DJ phone into the mix? The Numark HF 125's are interesting. I really don't know why they call them DJ phones 'cause no self respecting DJ would ever use them but they are definitely fun and punchy with very powerful bass... Not boomy but powerful. If I had one major complaint it would be that they are a tad bright but that can be resolved with a simple mod or two. They run about $15 online.[/size][/size]
 
[size=10pt][size=10pt]Later.[/size][/size]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
[size=10pt][size=10pt]  I think those Subjekt's look cool. No accounting for taste I guess.[/size][/size]
 
Oct 13, 2010 at 12:51 PM Post #780 of 4,593
[size=10pt]Oh, one last thing. I've devised "strength" mod for the DHP ii's. Now with this mod you have to have your DHP's double corded but it makes your DHP's 3 to 4X stronger.[/size]
 
[size=10pt]I'll do this mod for you for free (minus the phones themselves and shipping), ljokerl so you don't have to worry about them anymore. And it doesn't screw with the looks of them at all.[/size]
 
[size=10pt]Let me know if you're interested. [/size]
 

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