Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Denons or Grados, no sonic difference between models?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Denons or Grados, no sonic difference between models?

post #1 of 17
11/14/09 at 7:43pm
Thread Starter 
Good afternoon,

My first words in this forum.

I'm from Sweden, so excuse my bad english writing...

Well,
the other weekend I was listening to both the AH-D2000 and the AH-D5000. I suspected the nearly double-priced 5000 to sound better - or at least different - compared to the 2000.

Luckily I didn't notice any relevant sonic advantage in the more expensive model. I however did like the sound, and bought the 2000.

I have noticed the same "sameness" with AKG 601/701 as well as with Grados at quite different prices.
Of course there are big differences between these brands, but within one brand, the different models in one particular model-range seems to be very similar.

The amplifiers were of decent quality at each session.

Am I a semi-deaf person or what?

/Strmbrg,
Reply
post #2 of 17
11/14/09 at 7:51pm
Hej på dig! :P

I believe the D5000 has the same drivers as the D2000, just with a different cup and cable, which may explain the apparent lack of difference, they are meant to be subtle to most people, from what I have read.
Reply
post #3 of 17
11/14/09 at 7:57pm
Think more of the price difference.... think some more on it.... then listen again. You'll then begin to hear the difference.

Seriously though, you're not the only one that I'll be reading finding it difficult to hear differences between the Denon models. This is why I chose the D5000 ... to be safe. Finally, in all fairness, you need to listen to one for an extended period. In this way, you'll become very accustomed to its sound. In that state, try the other one and see if you still feel that they are the same sonically. Quick A/B testing will pick up only obvious differences.
Reply
post #4 of 17
11/14/09 at 8:06pm
Thread Starter 
Svejsan!

Well, probably it's just these two things that differ. (Wood and cable.)
It's amazing, however that the asked price nearly doubles for nearly nothing in return.

Even more intresting was my experience by comparing Grado SR1 with Grado SR80.
I could make quick changes as both cans were connected al the time.
Very open and lively sound, but price-difference appr 8:1
Nope, I was half-deaf this time too...

Maybe MF X-can isn't capable of sorting out these differences?..

/Strmbrg,
Reply
post #5 of 17
11/14/09 at 8:22pm
If you think the K 601 and K 701 sound similar, then I don't know what to think..
Reply
post #6 of 17
11/14/09 at 8:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by aimlink View Post
Think more of the price difference.... think some more on it.... then listen again. You'll then begin to hear the difference.
Haha. This is exactly how my friend thinks my ears work. I'm currently saving for some Grado RS1i cans, which will be an upgrade form my SR225. He totally thinks that the huge price increase will barely be noticeable, and even if it is noticeable, is it £400+ noticeable? I don't know! I can't bloody help it!

I think you made the right choice buddy, I wish I could do the same, but I will always go for the more expensive model if I can afford it, which I usually can't but buy anyway! I applaude you.
Reply
post #7 of 17
11/14/09 at 9:47pm
I don't know about denons, but with grados there are differences as you go up the ladder.

I suspect the denons are the same and the differences between the 2k, 5k, 7k are small because they are all high end headphones AND they are based on the same drivers.

You can't really notice better sound instantly, you just notice bad sound after living a while with the better sound. It's like this: the difference is small, but instantly noticeable once your brain is trained. And after you had the best, you can't stand just good.

ThELIZ, I suggest to get a headphone amp like the woo6 or the low impedance earmax for the current sr225 instead of the rs1i. After that, get a good source. Only after this can you think of getting the rs1i.
Reply
post #8 of 17
11/14/09 at 9:49pm
D2000 vs. D5000 differences are only the cups and cables. However, when I got to test them out, I personally found the D2000 much more sibilant, with a less enveloping midrange and less controlled bass.
Reply
post #9 of 17
11/14/09 at 9:49pm
I've had experience where I prefer the less expensive model. However, if I can't get to compare the two models, I'll tend to gravitate towards the more expensive model ... if I can afford it. Unfortunately, this was the case with the Denons. I didn't want to go D7000 and I didn't wish to go to the bottom 3 either. The mid-pack seemed safe.
Reply
post #10 of 17
11/14/09 at 9:57pm
You think K601 and K701 sound the same?
And Grados? Which Grados?

Perhaps head-fi isn't the right hobby for you. Which is fine. We don't all have to be discriminating about everything. I can't tell the difference between different almonds, prolly.
Reply
post #11 of 17
11/15/09 at 3:52am
OP, I think you are really just identifying the concept of diminishing returns -- which is in most plain view when you go up a specific model line. And if you are very tuned in to that, this hobby can obviously still be for you. As you noted, you can appreciate differences between brands. So you can have fun exploring the lower or mid-range models in different brands.
Reply
post #12 of 17
11/15/09 at 4:40am
Thread Starter 
.
Reply
post #13 of 17
11/15/09 at 9:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by priest View Post
OP, I think you are really just identifying the concept of diminishing returns -- which is in most plain view when you go up a specific model line. And if you are very tuned in to that, this hobby can obviously still be for you. As you noted, you can appreciate differences between brands. So you can have fun exploring the lower or mid-range models in different brands.
Yup. My greatest satisfaction and fascination with this little hobby is through experiencing the headphones of different manufacturers, rather than different headphones from the same manufacturer.
Reply
post #14 of 17
11/26/09 at 3:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ThELiZ View Post
Haha. This is exactly how my friend thinks my ears work. I'm currently saving for some Grado RS1i cans, which will be an upgrade form my SR225. He totally thinks that the huge price increase will barely be noticeable, and even if it is noticeable, is it £400+ noticeable? I don't know! I can't bloody help it!

I think you made the right choice buddy, I wish I could do the same, but I will always go for the more expensive model if I can afford it, which I usually can't but buy anyway! I applaude you.
There's definitely a difference between the sr225i and the rs1i, but especially between the sr325i and the rs1i. The sr325i sounded too bright and tinny to my ears, like the sound was bouncing off a tin can, which it basically is. The wood warms up the sound considerably, yet never at the expense of the Grado detail. They are wonderful cans and I'm glad I decided to pay the extra $ for them, even though I really couldn't afford it either. Well worth it imo and I don't regret it for a second.
Reply
post #15 of 17
11/26/09 at 3:49am
I may just get a pair of RS1i's for not only home, but to also compare with my RS2i's that I'm now using at work. Should make for an interesting comparison. I never did do this with the D5000 vs D7000. However, I may just take the plunge with the Grado's.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Headphones (full-size)
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Denons or Grados, no sonic difference between models?