REVIEW: HiFiman HM-601 - Page 14

I've not yet used the 601 as a source to an amp, but should spend some time this weekend with it in that configuration. However, for acoustic music, I tend to like the HM601 without amp even with DT880 600Ω.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shigzeo 

I've not yet used the 601 as a source to an amp, but should spend some time this weekend with it in that configuration. However, for acoustic music, I tend to like the HM601 without amp even with DT880 600Ω.

The HM601 presents acoustic type music superbly.  The clarity of the HiFiMan, instrument separation and soundstage are ideal, but it is the mid focus that delivers that special vocal presentation which shines with acoustic music, with the guitar strings and finger licks resonating as they should, and the crisp attack of the cymbal rhythm and hit of the drums nicely balanced- it feels like they are performing in my room.  I know it has been said before, but if this DAP measures badly then we are definitely measuring the wrong thing.  For me the HM601 doesn't perform like a DAP at all, it sounds like a solid home system, it has a very "musical" and involving signature. Coloured sound it may be, but what a great colour.

EDIT:  I am not implying that it has the power to drive non-efficient headphones, just that the sound signature is similar to a desk top rig.

I tried using my DT990/600 cans with the 601, and as expected, it failed miserably. Just after the 3 on the volume dial, extremely heavy distortion kicked in. At least I know it's limit now.

Sorry mate, I forgot to reply and thank you earlier. 

That's just what I wanted to hear and I'll be jumping aboard in a week or so.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by shigzeo 

The SM3 and EM3Pro share some similarities, the EM3Pro having just a bit better treble echo. They are very nice with the 601, but then again, pretty laid back. I like them, but not as much as I like sharper sounding earphones like the ER4S and the CK10. Overall, only really warm and detail-less earphones don't mate well with the 601 and the SM3/EM3Pro are not those phones.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Kev 

I'm currently using my SM3's with the X1060 and S:flo2 and wanted to know if anyone has tried the SM3's with the 601, is it a good fit?

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by mangamonster 

 

I tried using my DT990/600 cans with the 601, and as expected, it failed miserably. Just after the 3 on the volume dial, extremely heavy distortion kicked in. At least I know it's limit now.

I love my 602 but don't find it a stand alone solution for headphones.  I think the Sflo2 might be a bit more powerful even.  I prefer amping both, YMMV.

I got the AKG K-701 a few days ago for my HiFiMan 602, and it not only drives them to good and loud levels, but simply sounds gorgeous!

(The K-701 are 62 Ohms and 105 dB in sensitivity.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarsHP 

I got the AKG K-701 a few days ago for my HiFiMan 602, and it not only drives them to good and loud levels, but simply sounds gorgeous!

 

(The K-701 are 62 Ohms and 105 dB in sensitivity.)

Have you tried the 602 LO w/ a good amp?  I'd love to hear your impressions vs. the good and loud HO.

I get NO distortion at all anywhere on the dial with the 601 or any of my sources. Even the shuffle 1G can drive the 600Ω Beyers easily. I have no idea why the 601 would fail your DT990.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by mangamonster 

 

I tried using my DT990/600 cans with the 601, and as expected, it failed miserably. Just after the 3 on the volume dial, extremely heavy distortion kicked in. At least I know it's limit now.

Regarding the Line Out: is it like ipods where the Dap volume control is disabled (so only the portable amp controls the volume)?  I'm very interested in picking up a HM601 as a less portable alternative to my Touch......

Quote:

Originally Posted by gopack87 

Regarding the Line Out: is it like ipods where the Dap volume control is disabled (so only the portable amp controls the volume)? 

Correct

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anaxilus 

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarsHP 

I got the AKG K-701 a few days ago for my HiFiMan 602, and it not only drives them to good and loud levels, but simply sounds gorgeous!

 

(The K-701 are 62 Ohms and 105 dB in sensitivity.)

Have you tried the 602 LO w/ a good amp?  I'd love to hear your impressions vs. the good and loud HO.

I don't have a headphone amp. One of the reasons I bought the HM-602 was that I wanted a all-in-one unit.

I might some time get a desktop amp for the headphones, but not one for portable use as long as the player has enough power and SQ.

A better (portable) amp will off course provide better sound, but from what I've read in the forums it's not going to be a big difference.

However I have listened a little on my stereo set through the line-out, and it is surprisingly good! (I did not do a direct comparison to my CD-player, but I am going to soon.)

Are the differences in SQ noticeable between this and the clip+? Anyone not able to notice any difference with other sources you might have?

i just noticed that this thing has no gapless.completely unacceptable for a high end dap like this one.gapless is important to me because i listen mainly to trance and ambient on the move.

that combined with terrible battery life and the unhelpfull email i got from Mrs T broke the deal for me.

regardless of this,will the price drop after winter or what?i dont need the re-zero wheather it is good or not so will the price drop by $100 int the future?

The gaps are quite large and very annoying to me, but I've come to grips with this: for some reason, no company beside Apple seem to care about true gapless. It is hard listenig to live DJ shows, MTV lives, end to end recordings... overall, I am disappointed with the lack of gapless. 

As for the Clip and 601 - yes, the sound is noticeable. Even if you could emulate the low pass filter in the clip, you'd lose it with the low end and upper bass and lower mid pedal to the metal sound. The overall presentation is softer and comfortable. While the clip is good, it isn't really aiming for the same sort of sound or the same listener, so I think the question, in a way, is silly. I own Clip, Fuze, Sony A828, A845, Gumstick (okay, borrowing endlessly), iPod touch 2G/4G, shuffle 1/5, had the S:Flo2 and... nothing else at the moment.

For the music that the 601 rocks at, there isn't competition especially with the CK10 and ER4s.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by midoo1990 

i just noticed that this thing has no gapless.completely unacceptable for a high end dap like this one.gapless is important to me because i listen mainly to trance and ambient on the move.

that combined with terrible battery life and the unhelpfull email i got from Mrs T broke the deal for me.

 

regardless of this,will the price drop after winter or what?i dont need the re-zero wheather it is good or not so will the price drop by $100 int the future?