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Which is the better headphone HD800 or the Qualia 010
Oct 24, 2010 at 5:50 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 26
DavidMahler

DavidMahler

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I've been wanting to compare these two for a while, but I've never heard a Qualia.  I'm told by people who have that though they don't sound the same, there are some definite similarities.  I'm wondering which is the "better" headphone.  Any comments?
 
Oct 24, 2010 at 6:12 AM Post #2 of 26
The first time I heard the Qualia, at Canjam, I thought it sounded horrible and would have easily picked the HD800 over it.  Later on a local bought a Qualia and showed me how to properly fit the headphone; it sounded completely different.  Very good headphone, easily one of the best dynamics I've ever heard.  The HD800 is good but based on my auditions with the two I'd take the Qualia without hesitation if only SQ is important.
 
Oct 24, 2010 at 6:20 AM Post #3 of 26


Quote:
n3rdling said:
The first time I heard the Qualia, at Canjam, I thought it sounded horrible and would have easily picked the HD800 over it.  Later on a local bought a Qualia and showed me how to properly fit the headphone; it sounded completely different.  Very good headphone, easily one of the best dynamics I've ever heard.  The HD800 is good but based on my auditions with the two I'd take the Qualia without hesitation if only SQ is important.
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how does the Qualia resemble the bass light R10?:)
 
Oct 24, 2010 at 6:53 AM Post #4 of 26
I don't think they are in the same category, the qualias are very neutral, awesomely detailed, and their soundstage is much more spacious than the r10s. 
They have very great basses, very transparent, dynamic.
I think that they are a good complement of the r10, one for classical and vocals, and one for .... all the rest:wink:
in my opinion they are better than the hd800 at every point, they have better basses, and have even more details.
the difference is kinda subtle, but it's there. 
the only thing I don't like about these headphones is the fit but, as mentioned above, when fitted they are stellar.
 
Oct 24, 2010 at 10:31 AM Post #6 of 26


Quote:
albinoni said:
Are Qualia Japanese ?
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Actually they are headphones! 
wink.gif
 made in Japan mind you. 
biggrin.gif

 
I have heard all three (Qualia, R10, and HD800) but not at the same time. Going by memory which as a member of the over 50 crowd it should be doubted I prefer the Qualia and by a good margin.
 
Oct 24, 2010 at 10:38 AM Post #7 of 26

 
Quote:
mrarroyo said:
Actually they are headphones! 
wink.gif
 made in Japan mind you. 
biggrin.gif

 
I have heard all three (Qualia, R10, and HD800) but not at the same time. Going by memory which as a member of the over 50 crowd it should be doubted I prefer the Qualia and by a good margin.
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Ok but they are a Japanese company like that of Denon and Audio Technica ?
 
Never heard of them.
 
Also whats their Ohms and Freq range ?
 
Oct 24, 2010 at 5:14 PM Post #10 of 26


Quote:
davidmahler said:
how does the Qualia resemble the bass light R10?:)
Click to expand...



They don't really sound alike at all.  When I said it was "easily one of the best dynamics I've heard", I was ranking it under the R10 and LCD2 (if you want to call that dynamic).  They are similar in that they both have very large soundstages and great highs.  The Qualia's highs are too prominent though IMO.  The Qualia also has a slight coldness to the sound, whereas the R10 is about lushness and euphony.  I much prefer the mids on the R10.  It is an odd comparison to make; the Qualia is more in the same family as the HD800/K701 and I haven't really found anything that sounds like the R10.
 
Oct 25, 2010 at 2:58 AM Post #11 of 26
Quote:
davidmahler said:
I've been wanting to compare these two for a while, but I've never heard a Qualia.  I'm told by people who have that though they don't sound the same, there are some definite similarities.  I'm wondering which is the "better" headphone.  Any comments?
Click to expand...


Can you actually afford a Qualia, or are you only asking the question of which is better? Better is subjective. I own both and like the Qualia more but lots of people would probably pick the HD800 instead.
 
Quote:
n3rdling said:
The Qualia's highs are too prominent though IMO.
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And then there are others who think that the treble on the Qualia is absolutely perfect and no other headphones can compare or ever will.
wink.gif

 
Oct 25, 2010 at 3:00 AM Post #12 of 26


Quote:
asr said:
Can you actually afford a Qualia, or are you only asking the question of which is better?
 

And then there are others who think that the treble on the Qualia is absolutely perfect and no other headphones can compare or ever will.
wink.gif
Click to expand...


 
Haha, that's kinda personal, but being that I own headphones which are more expensive than the Qualia, I suppose that means that even if I didn't have the funds for Qualia, I could trade for them.  I was merely curious, so right now I'm just asking more than looking.
 
Oct 25, 2010 at 10:49 AM Post #13 of 26
The HD800s are in-production, exceptional reference headphones, when properly cabled and amped.  The SONY MDR-Q010 Qualias are highly collectible, out-of-production, uniquely designed and reference headphones that are capable of astonishing sonic representation in imaging and detail when properly cabled and amped, especially reproducing in vocals and acoustic instruments.
 
On the other hand, they can both sound equally underwhelming if above conditions are not met.
 
As to which one is "better," I would give the approximate subjective valuation of 3x of the Qualias.  That is how much they cost me vs. the HD800s and based on their overall value and performance I consider it a very worthwhile investment.
 
Oct 25, 2010 at 12:57 PM Post #14 of 26
Maybe I'm comparing apples to oranges but how is the Head-Direct HE-6 compared to the Qualias? I'm not looking for one being better than the other but rather how they were similar and/or different from each other.
 
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