Which is the better headphone HD800 or the Qualia 010 - Page 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by DannyB 

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.

I have yet to hear the final version, Danny, as I didn't attend RMAF this year.  Immtbiker has spent some quality time with Fang's demo unit so you may want to ping him directly.  The prototype HE-6 would be like comparing apples to oranges, however, especially with the HE-6 being handicapped by its low-quality stock cable.

"Actually they are headphones!  made in Japan mind you. "

x2

Quote:

Originally Posted by warp08 

I have yet to hear the final version, Danny, as I didn't attend RMAF this year.  Immtbiker has spent some quality time with Fang's demo unit so you may want to ping him directly.  The prototype HE-6 would be like comparing apples to oranges, however, especially with the HE-6 being handicapped by its low-quality stock cable.

The production HE6 is IMO much nicer sounding/looking than the prototype. See: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/497004/he-6-loaner-program/810#post_7015629

You can discuss the relative differences in SQ forever but in the case of the Qualia there is more.

Design and build alone merit it for one of the finest works of art ever made.

As I stated in another thread forget your paintings and Ming vases give me a Qualia in a glass case any day.

Sony have the expertise and money to release another statement phone anytime they wish to do so,and I wish they would.

The only thing I do not like about the Qualia is the fact that I do not have one. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyrion 

I've owned bit the Qualia and the HD800 and when the Qualia fit properly I would take them anytime over the HD800. To me, with the right amp just do everything right. If I were buying headphones today, it would be the HE-6 or the LCD-2. The price for the Qualia is ridiculous, IMO. I understand they are rare but the speaker set up you could have for the price of the Qualia makes them way overpriced.

There are two bottlenecks with the Qualias as I see them:

• horrible stock cable
• unpadded ear pad design

The market price is governed by their rarity.  I also wish Sony would have offered a more sturdy packaging than the paper box they came in.  Then I wouldn't have to resort to do this for transportation:

Warp, as to the bottlenecks, I think the pads are the bigger one.  I've heard the Qualia with, I think either a Moon Audio cable and/or a cardas cable and I felt that my stock pair were as good, as I recall.  The pad issue goes along with the limited sizes that were available.  Had they been adjustable, I may have held on to my pair longer.  In the end, the medium was just a bit too big for me.

DM, I had the SA 5000 a long time ago and my best recollection, is that there is no comparison of them to the Qualia, just too different.  This is based on memory from years ago, so take it with a grain of salt.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyrion 

Warp, as to the bottlenecks, I think the pads are the bigger one.  I've heard the Qualia with, I think either a Moon Audio cable and/or a cardas cable and I felt that my stock pair were as good, as I recall.  The pad issue goes along with the limited sizes that were available.  Had they been adjustable, I may have held on to my pair longer.  In the end, the medium was just a bit too big for me.

 

DM, I had the SA 5000 a long time ago and my best recollection, is that there is no comparison of them to the Qualia, just too different.  This is based on memory from years ago, so take it with a grain of salt.

Mike, I have to confess not to have tried it with either of those, but the TWag cable elevates these headphones to a level of performance unimaginable to those who have not heard them.  I did have the previous owner of the cans back at my place a few weeks after I got the cables made and somewhat burned in.  It was almost comical to watch when he put them on and his eyes widened and jaw dropped to the floor.  He did try one of those cables you mentioned, but didn't purchase it since he did not hear sufficient improvement.  

I have purchased the case pictured above, so that when I can attend future Can Jams, I could bring it with me and allow others to experience as well and prove that I'm not just blowing hot air. 

I have not yet had a chance to compare it against the SA5Ks, sorry.

Let me share my 2 cents.  If money is no object, I would take a properly fit Qualia over the HD-800 anytime.  Beside vocal projection, the Qualia excels over the HD-800 in all categories including bass, treble, details, imaging, soundstaging, speed as well as wearing comfort and craftmanship.  Some may prefer the HD800's tonality as it is more neutral but the Qualia is more transparent so a warmer source should warm up the tone considerably.  The above won't happen unless you have a perfect fit Qualia.  My pair has a small headband and it makes a huge difference.  I once discounted the Qualia b/c I didn't get a good result with medium size headband.  The SA5000 is noticably more inferior than the Qualia in all aspects.  Qualia bass is extremely tight, fast and has better definition and those of the bass heavy's R10.  I would rate the Qualia only very slightly behind the R10.  I still prefer the HE90 over them though.    

Warp,

Nice case man.