KRK KNS-8400 Review (Impressive $150 headphone) - Page 3

Wow, those really are two completely different headphones.  I haven't heard the D1100, but I have heard their predecessor, the D1001.  I suspect that the D1100 will provide a warmer, bassier sound, whereas the KNS-8400 will give a much cleaner, airier, more treble-oriented sound.  Soundstage, imaging, and detail retrieval are probably better on the KRKs, as they're intended for use as studio monitoring headphones.

Basically it comes down to whether or not you need a good amount of bass to make you happy.  If you do, I'd stay away from the KRKs.  If not, the KRKs might be a better option for you.

Are you located in the U.S.?  If so, you could always order both from HeadRoom and return whichever one you decide you don't want.

Ya, cold Canadian all the way... not much options for us.  Am searching through the used forums to see if there is a good deal.  I basically have a budget of $150 max and want a good set of cans to rock out with.  I like my bass but I like fidelity too.  To put it in perspective, I have Cerwin Vega as my home hi-fi (or loud-fi).  :)  So what are the Cerwin Vegas in the headphone world???

Hi All , Thanks for the reviews.

Ive got a question regarding those of you who own this set and who have burned them in.

I understand that it has been said that "bass-head's" probably wouldn't enjoy these cans that much.

Id like to find out what type of music was tested when coming to this conclusion, are you sure that the music you listened too didn't lack that frequency content in the first place?

I'm a music producer that prefers a slight lower mid punch with extended bass, I make a wide range of styles mainly rock, hip-hop, dub-tek and  drum n bass. Generally the music I make has low subs and punchy drums with easy to listen to high frequency content.

Ill probably start a thread of my own as I'm searching for a certain type of sound and cant test a wide range of headphones locally.

Thanks in advance.

Peace

I've listened to the KRKs will all kinds of music -- rock, classic rock, jazz, classical, world, soundtrack, electronic, etc.  And I've A-B compared them with some of my other headphones as well (HD800, DT880, and LA7000).  Judging by my other headphones, the music I'm listening to definitely has some low-frequency content to it.  For example, "Also Sprach Zarathustra" on the organ certainly goes VERY low.

The KRKs present bass in what I'd call a very flat, neutral manner.  They do have pretty good low-frequency extension, but I can't detect any kind of midbass hump that is characteristic of a lot of headphones (i.e. all of my other headphones listed above).  As a result, they probably don't have that lower mid punch that you described.

The best way I can describe it is that the bass is there to be heard, and it extends down pretty low, but it's a little bit recessed in the overall presentation.  You'll get comparatively more mids and treble out of the KRKs than you'll get bass.

Hi.

Just found this thread, because I'm looking for a pair of closed cans for my collection, than can give me something that the current ones I own don't. Both my HD600 and DT990 are very detailed, but I'm missing some bass on them. It's not that I consider myself as a bass-head, but I really do miss some more punch in the low-end (at least, sometimes)...

I was about to buy the Audio Technica ATH-M50, but then I saw these 8400 on Headroom, and got me thinking that they could also be a good option. I have no way to test any of these options before I buy...

What I'm looking for is a closed headphone with some SQ (not very far from what I'm used to in the HD600 & DT990), but that can play the low-end with more punch, but also, that won't be very hard on the high's. I'm a bit treble sensitive, and I find my Beyer's to be too much for my taste on some kinds of music...

So, here's where my doubts stand. If these 8400 are treble "happy" and they lack strengh the low end, maybe they're not what I'm looking for. In these frequencies (high and low), how do they comprare to the M-50's? Maybe the Koss Pro DJ 100 would also be a good option for me...

Thanks for your review, and for your help... :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by putente 

Hi.

Just found this thread, because I'm looking for a pair of closed cans for my collection, than can give me something that the current ones I own don't. Both my HD600 and DT990 are very detailed, but I'm missing some bass on them. It's not that I consider myself as a bass-head, but I really do miss some more punch in the low-end (at least, sometimes)...

I was about to buy the Audio Technica ATH-M50, but then I saw these 8400 on Headroom, and got me thinking that they could also be a good option. I have no way to test any of these options before I buy...

What I'm looking for is a closed headphone with some SQ (not very far from what I'm used to in the HD600 & DT990), but that can play the low-end with more punch, but also, that won't be very hard on the high's. I'm a bit treble sensitive, and I find my Beyer's to be too much for my taste on some kinds of music...

So, here's where my doubts stand. If these 8400 are treble "happy" and they lack strengh the low end, maybe they're not what I'm looking for. In these frequencies (high and low), how do they comprare to the M-50's? Maybe the Koss Pro DJ 100 would also be a good option for me...

 

Thanks for your review, and for your help... :)

I can't really comment on how the KNS8400 compares to the M50 or DJ 100, but I can say that they are probably not a good choice for you, based on what you describe.  The 8400 is definitely treble tilted and relatively light in the bass -- I'm pretty sure that the bass on them is lighter than the HD600, and it's definitely lighter than the DT990.

Another option you could consider is the Denon AH-D2000.  The treble on those is a little bit emphasized, but I would say less than the 8400.  Also, they have strong bass with good impact, and sound quality is quite good.  Comfort is outstanding as well.

Some Ultrasone headphones, such as the HFi-780, might also be another option, depending on what kind of music you listen to.  They also have a bit of a treble emphasis, but very good midbass punch.
 

And yeah, that HeadRoom graph doesn't look at all like what I hear.  Looks like it could be accurate from 500 Hz on up, but below that it's not even close to what I hear.

Hi, Sophonax. Thanks for your help...

I forgot to mention two important things in my previous post. The first thing is the price range I can pay for the new cans, which is around 150-200$ (maybe even a bit more, if needed). The other thing is the kind of music I listen to, which is a large variety of genres, but the majority of it is rock/metal and electronic.

I think what I'm after is some closed cans with good balanced mids, relaxed highs, and strong but detailed lows (without a bass storm muddyness). My question is if such a thing exists!

I don't doubt the Denon AH-D2000 would be a good answer for what I'm searching, but they're way out my price range. Still, I'll keep them in mind...

Hello! I also registered just to be able to post on this very topic!

I bought these headphones yesterday, and have done a little, almost none burn-in. But I do have to say, im dazzled by the clarity and detail, unlike anything i've heard before (not too much experience on the headphone area though) but compared to my KRK RP8 Monitors, i have to say that they ATLEAST meet up to the standards.

At first i was also startled by the frequency-graph that HeadRoom provided (before buying them) but since i love my KRK monitors I went for the "if I don't like them i can return them". But as said earlier, I'm really impressed by the soundquality aswell as the comfort. Though I don't really agree with you guys concerning the "light-bass problem", i produce and listen to some quite bassheavy distorted music and i must say, it's a pleasure the hear the whole spectrum of the bass without it overwhelming you. It's there and makes a statement but does not make up the whole sound image. As concerning the distortion and peaky leads I kan discern every tweak that has been made to the sound, to me it's a true pleasure listening to these phones! I would recommend them to anyone basically. Ofcourse it's a matter of taste and basic hearing but, good headphones are good headphones eh?

Thank's for an awesome thread with some good tips, will do some more burning and wait for further improvements, I mean, i can't wait for these awesome headphones to get even better?

Cheers!

Quote:

Originally Posted by putente 

Hi, Sophonax. Thanks for your help...

 

I forgot to mention two important things in my previous post. The first thing is the price range I can pay for the new cans, which is around 150-200$ (maybe even a bit more, if needed). The other thing is the kind of music I listen to, which is a large variety of genres, but the majority of it is rock/metal and electronic.

I think what I'm after is some closed cans with good balanced mids, relaxed highs, and strong but detailed lows (without a bass storm muddyness). My question is if such a thing exists!

 

I don't doubt the Denon AH-D2000 would be a good answer for what I'm searching, but they're way out my price range. Still, I'll keep them in mind...

In that case, maybe the M50 could be a good choice (haven't heard them personally, but what I've read about them suggests they might meet your criteria).  Also, you might consider looking into the Shure SRH-840 as well -- well-balanced, great Shure mids, smooth highs, and a good amount of bass (though not as much as either the D2000 or HFi-780 I suggested earlier).

Well, thank you both for your help... 

Sophonax, those Ultrasone cost me almost the same as the D2000 (online store). About the SRH-840, I've read too many times they're a bit unconfortable to use, although they sound very good. The problem is that I can't really try any of these cans before I buy them. I don't have any store were I can demo them anywhere near me (or even far)...

tdockweiler, I can get the Koss DJ 100 from eBay UK, where I bought most of my cans. Regarding the price, they''ll cost almost the same as the ATH-M50. How do you compare them both directly, in terms of low end and treble performance?

I always use my cans out of my FiiO E9 amp, so I don't think amping is a problem!

Right now I'm listening to my HD600, and I really love the way they sound. I'm just missing the punch (and pressure) from the low end frequencies... 

Also, I found some semi-new D2000 for sale, and I might try my luck on getting them. Depends on the final price...