Quote:

malveaux said:

Heya,
 
Added my own review of the HP541 to the site. You can access it via my signature (or just click here in case my sig changes in the future). Great little headphone. But even more silly is the MHP-839, the same headphone.
 
Anyhow, my HP541 is for sale if anyone wants to test it out.
 
Very best,

Click to expand...

Excellent review...Everyone check his link out.

I've read the review.
 
I could say that it was 99% spot on.
 
Very similar to the experience I had with the Kickers, almost to the letter (and mind you, I didn't even treat them to the full break-in/burn-in)

Quote:

tdockweiler said:

Well, I can say what they sound like before burn-in, but I'll hold off on my judgement for awhile until I know for sure they're burned in fully. It just wouldn't be fair.
After day five of burn-in, I will try to be as nice as possible, but some people are not good at dealing with (constructive) criticism of their favorite headphones which is understandable

Me, I actually could care less if anyone hated my DJ100 or K501. There is plenty of criticism of the K501 and even the K702. I've heard it all before.
 
It just feels wrong to post comments right now. Mostly because I know how bad a non burned-in headphone CAN sound like. I wouldn't want anyone posting a review of a DJ100 out of the box (that sounded like garbage, but is good after burn-in) so it's only fair...
 
So far I've only hated one headphone with forward mids. It was the ZX700...hopefully this isn't the second! Even if it doesn't match my favorite signature, I'll be fair about it. Right now it does feel like it has too much mid-bass for me, but maybe not.
 
 

Click to expand...

 
When discussing constructive criticism, it's important to remember the good points as well as the negative ones.  I'll be honest here and tell you that your description of sound from the DJ100's sounds awfully akin to what I have experienced from the Kickers. Also, I think you may-be confusing the intention of 'constructive criticism', and taking its literary arbitration to your own angle; negative critique that is.  To me, constructive criticism should be an objective overview, negative and positive attributes alike.  Notwithstanding that Kickers obviously have some downfalls (construction and sound-wise both) their good points outweigh the bad ones immensely.
 
Please consider that.
 
 

 
 

argh...these still don't sound good. Don't know what the heck is going on. Day 3 of burn-in and zero change that I can tell. Still VERY unclear. Yes, muffled.
 
On day 5 I'll go ahead and do a side by side comparison maybe.
 
It seriously sounds like with this pair there is so much cup resonances bouncing around that it effects sound quality (and clearness of the sound). That's my idea.
 
Trying to be nice here, but I'll keep up with the burn-in or try other pads and a bunch of different sources and amps.
 
BTW signature kind of reminds me of the UR-55, which is a good headphone, but not too comfortable. Sound clarity on the UR-55 is probably a tad better ATM.

Quote:

shotor102 said:

When discussing constructive criticism, it's important to remember the good points as well as the negative ones.  I'll be honest here and tell you that your description of sound from the DJ100's sounds awfully akin to what I have experienced from the Kickers. Also, I think you may-be confusing the intention of 'constructive criticism', and taking its literary arbitration to your own angle; negative critique that is.  To me, constructive criticism should be an objective overview, negative and positive attributes alike.  Notwithstanding that Kickers obviously have some downfalls (construction and sound-wise both) their good points outweigh the bad ones immensely.
 
Please consider that.

Click to expand...

Um, I think he was just trying to be nice.
 
I've had plenty of headphones in my day where the bad completely out weighs the good. Normally, I'd go bursting in on the forum or to anyone I meet and tell them how much I dislike the headphone or at least try and warn potential buyers. But it's a little different when a small select group of individuals is constantly praising them like they are flawless in every way, and they are encouraging everyone to try a pair. So, when one picks up a pair and absolutely despises it, what would he say to the rest of the clan? Constructive criticism of course. The nicest way to be mean on planet earth. Now, I'm not saying he hates them to death, but it's apparent he's not liking them just yet. But who cares if he likes them or not? Since when does that factor into one's own enjoyment of them?
 
Please consider that too.

Quote:

tdockweiler said:

argh...these still don't sound good. Don't know what the heck is going on. Day 3 of burn-in and zero change that I can tell. Still VERY unclear. Yes, muffled.
 
On day 5 I'll go ahead and do a side by side comparison maybe.
 
It seriously sounds like with this pair there is so much cup resonances bouncing around that it effects sound quality (and clearness of the sound). That's my idea.
 
Trying to be nice here, but I'll keep up with the burn-in or try other pads and a bunch of different sources and amps.
 
BTW signature kind of reminds me of the UR-55, which is a good headphone, but not too comfortable. Sound clarity on the UR-55 is probably a tad better ATM.

Click to expand...

I don't think these are your cup o tea. I can understand that. I don't think they will change much from how you are hearing them..The koss are changing quite a bit since open. They are warming up on the sounds.  I think your mid sound preference is a bit laid back vs the in your face mids on the kicker which would explain how you think they are muffled.. That being said. I still say you need to check out a Denon HP700.. These will hand all of these phones their lunch in what they all try to do..imo.. I suppose you have to let your ears tune into the kicker sounds to
truly enjoy them. The only thing I ask of you is to get used to that sound and see if they warm up to you. Perhaps as a different sound altogether vs your Dj100s.. Then you might see why many of us like the sounds on them.
 
So in trying out the Dj100s. I now have a better understanding in your take on them kickers. They still need more burn it seems but the sound signature is definitely laid back compared to the kickers... To me the kickers mids are more engaging I suppose it is more a matter of preference than anything.. I will keep burning these in for at least a week. They are starting to open up and sound immensely better than when I first heard them.. It seems Koss does not do any type of factory burn on these Dj100 cans.. 

Quote:

dsnuts said:

I don't think these are your cup o tea. I can understand that.

Click to expand...

It's really as simple as that. Now there shouldn't be pointless arguments from anyone in case he goes all out on them...

 
Quote:

dsnuts said:

So in trying out the Dj100s. I now have a better understanding in your take on them kickers. They still need more burn it seems but the sound signature is definitely laid back compared to the kickers... To me the kickers mids are more engaging I suppose it is more a matter of preference than anything.. I will keep burning these in for at least a week. They are starting to open up and sound immensely better than when I first heard them.. It seems Koss does not do any type of factory burn on these Dj100 cans.. 

Click to expand...

The DJ100 has forward mids and it may take the full 5 days for them to show up. Actually it's forward upper mids I believe. IMO the DJ100 isn't laid back, except maybe when it comes to it's treble. The mids are actually more forward on the HP541, but I don't know for sure yet. The DJ100 definitely has less mid-bass than the Kicker for sure. The DJ100 to me is a more clear and more aggressive HD-598. Ok, they don't sound alike, but have a lot of similarities.
 
 
 

Ok...I have some interesting things I've found out about the Kicker.
 
I kept wondering why on earth my pair sounded so unclear. Does anyone want to be my test dummy?
 
Try this..it's completely reversible. Take some blu-tak ($1.50 at any Wal-Mart in office section) and put a paper thin layer inside the cups and stretch it around and cover most of the cup. Not the sides. Make some indentations so it's not completely flat. Like from a Phillips head screwdriver. Then take another paper thin circle of blu-tak and place it over the back of the driver. Yes, over everything. Even the holes. Be 100% sure to NOT pull the wires out!
 
Tell me what you hear.
 
The bass now isn't so bloated (mid-bass) and it helped clear up the sound. With the M50 pads there now feels as if there is also a little extra treble.
The M50 pads on the HP541 are not bad..but I'm testing them. There may be less bass, but this is better IMO. I'm still testing out any differences and will make other changes maybe.
 
That massive 50mm driver in that tiny shell can't help the sound much or so it seems. I wonder why there are four vents open on the back of the driver? Maybe closing or opening a few may change the sound. Don't know and it's worth experimenting. My KRK has felt (stock) over the back of the driver and the DJ100 has just a thin piece of paper covering the single vent. On my SR-80 one is wide open.
 

Quote:

katun said:

Um, I think he was just trying to be nice.
 
I've had plenty of headphones in my day where the bad completely out weighs the good. Normally, I'd go bursting in on the forum or to anyone I meet and tell them how much I dislike the headphone or at least try and warn potential buyers. But it's a little different when a small select group of individuals is constantly praising them like they are flawless in every way, and they are encouraging everyone to try a pair. So, when one picks up a pair and absolutely despises it, what would he say to the rest of the clan? Constructive criticism of course. The nicest way to be mean on planet earth. Now, I'm not saying he hates them to death, but it's apparent he's not liking them just yet. But who cares if he likes them or not? Since when does that factor into one's own enjoyment of them?
 
Please consider that too.

Click to expand...

 
That's just the thing, I don't think anyone is praising them as if they're flawless in everyway. I mean come on - I've made two long posts that specifically and objectively outline the Kickers pluses and minuses.  If somebody comes, tests them and despises them, then the reasoning behind them and relevant comparisons need to make sense. But so far it's been a bit shoddy and inconsistent, if I'm being honest here.  I mean you have more than one person stating that those kickers (which are 3rd of the price) give the m50's a run for their money.. then you have another person who will attest that the kickers even stay close behind when pinned against Monitors with very prominent and clear his and mid range, and overall balance such as the SR440..  Then.. one of the posters actually feels that SRH440's are overall more balanced and have better appeal than the m50... Then what could this say about the Kickers then..
 
It's not just 1 person... it's quite a few if you look carefully... and no one is affiliated with Kicker or Monoprice .. And its from people who have vast experience with headphones and sound..
Constructive criticism is aimed at fairness and objectivity..
After all, I love my SRH440's but I can list, and did before, loads of negative things about them.. but at the end of the day, they're underrated and do perform exceedingly well for their price range, which in my opinion could be $50 more easily.
 
And Kickers, again for $50.00 (online) and $99 retail.. I honestly didn't hear better sounding headphones.
 
 

 
 

Ahem...$20 you should say
 
Well the whole congestion and resonance may also be a coupling issue. Did you try adding material under the earpad to give your ears more room? IMO its a hell of a deifference.
 
Quote:

tdockweiler said:

argh...these still don't sound good. Don't know what the heck is going on. Day 3 of burn-in and zero change that I can tell. Still VERY unclear. Yes, muffled.
 
On day 5 I'll go ahead and do a side by side comparison maybe.
 
It seriously sounds like with this pair there is so much cup resonances bouncing around that it effects sound quality (and clearness of the sound). That's my idea.
 
Trying to be nice here, but I'll keep up with the burn-in or try other pads and a bunch of different sources and amps.
 
BTW signature kind of reminds me of the UR-55, which is a good headphone, but not too comfortable. Sound clarity on the UR-55 is probably a tad better ATM.

Click to expand...

 

I did more experimenting. Tried opening up 4 vent holes, then 2, then only 1 (with blu-tack). Even with one open the sound is still negatively effected. Shutting them ALL off with the blu-tack and using M50 pads offers the best sound. Stock it feels like the sound is bouncing all around inside the cup and messing with the sound of the driver. It's so annoying.
 
The stock pads are junk, so are the SRH-240 pads. So are my DJ100 stock pads. It seems that the M50 pads gave me the best sound and then the V6/M30 pads were next.
 
Here's what's strange...if you use the stock pads the treble is negatively effected. Get better pads and I have the impression of more treble and a better soundstage. This is also the same with the DJ100. With the M50 pads on the DJ100 you also get a more improved sound.
 
Honestly, IMO I don't think these can compare with the M50, even when modded. I may eat my words in a few days. Nobody has to agree. I sure hope they do get better, but so far I haven't heard any changes with burn-in. They'll get 2-3 more days of burn-in just to be safe.
 
Right now with the mods they sound just OK and much improved, but who knows how they'll turn out.
 
FYI the JVC RX300 pads also fit and are angled.

Hey guys do you think I should get the 28$ monoprice headphones or the 122$ ATH-m50's? also which one is more comfortable and has better sound?

Get both and then return the Kicker.
 
Seriously though, you should just try them both out for yourself and then return/sell the loser.
IMO the Kicker doesn't sound like the M50.
Quote:

acenima said:

Hey guys do you think I should get the 28$ monoprice headphones or the 122$ ATH-m50's? also which one is more comfortable and has better sound?

Click to expand...

 

Quote:

tdockweiler said:

Get both and then return the Kicker.


 

Click to expand...

I forgot to mention I dont own any headphones except some cheap 20$ earbuds. Im only looking to buy one or the other.