The PANASONIC RP-HTF600-S headphones. More fun than the HD650? - Page 184

The Panasonic RP-HTF600-S headphones I bought sounded dull and bass boomey. Also the detail in stereo background imaging detail is completely lost(the air around reverbs and vocals etc.) Months later after thorough break in period at reasonable volume levels(not screaming loud levels) the Panasonic headphone started to phase in and out on the left side speaker driver, the sound would come and go and the treble was lost after that too. Now it sounds like crap and is hard to listen to.(a high ear fatigue even at mid volume levels.) I don't know if I got a defective headphone but these Panasonic's I am not impressed with at all. They are comfortable enough, but the 50mm speaker drivers are crappy sounding, unbalanced and crappily made as well. Is that even a word ?

On the other hand I bought the JVC HARX700 headphones and they sound a 100 times better than the Panasonic's even before break in, especially in the clarity, stereo imaging, and perfect low to high balanced sound. Both 50mm speaker drivers are perfectly matched in sound quality, unlike the Panasonic. I like the JVC's even better than all my Sony Studio Monitor headphones too.. No sound frequencies are missing on the JVC's, very clear and un-boomey sound, unlike the Panasonic and Sony and many other brands of headphones. The JVC"s sound fantastic, and very neutral, and are better made than most headphones even in the $300 and down category and even more comfortable than most headphones. But the JVC's are big headphones, however the sound quality makes up for their huge size.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dsnuts 

The HA-S500 are excellent on ear headphones with some state of the art tech in drivers being Carbon Nanotubes. I consider them a nice upgrade in sound to these HTF600s. But they are on ear and not full sized cans. But it is easy to make them full sizes by buying extra HM5 pads that fit right over the whole cup with stock pads. Makes them not only full sized cans but enhances the sound on them as well. They do cost more than the HTF600 by double but the sound quality is also much higher end as well. One of the best sounding cans for the cash imo.

Hey Dsnuts, Thanks for your recommendation on the Panasonic HTF600. I was trying to read through the whole thread so that I could see if anthing better came up and the Panasonics held the throne to about page 44 when I cheated and skipped to the last 10 or so pages. I already ordered 4 pairs...2 for me and one for my wife and daughter, and was going to get more for gifts until I started reading about them being fragile and others were saying there was better out there.  Things have changed since 2011, and I respect your opinion, so what would you say are your top headphones right now regardless of price? 

Wow I have a lot of catching up to do!  So are those WS99 your Panasonic go-to replacements? In other words if you only had 1 pair...would  those be it?

...Oh and thanks! 

I already want them!  I'm reading the thread and maybe I'm impatient but would love to know what did you decide are the best pads for the WS99?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dsnuts 

 

Well a couple of my favorites right now.  For full sized is the ATH-WS99. Excellent pair of cans that punch way above their cost in sonics. http://www.head-fi.org/t/650449/the-new-ws99-ws77-pg-57#post_9146355

 

For portable use the ES700.. These cans have a sweet sound to them that is one of a kind. http://www.head-fi.org/t/645649/the-new-ath-es700#post_9044547

 

And lastly if you want an excellent open can look into the AD900X.  All 3 of these cans represent the new AT sound. And all 3 excel over so many that try to be like them. I still have and occasionally use my HTF600s but once you get to a higher end sound it is hard to go back to cheaper phone. Truth be told however.. I will always have a pair of HTF600s in my collection..

 

The HA-S500 are very excellent for being around $60.. Great for gifts. Treat yourself to one of these new AT cans for yourself. Fully balanced and deep full bass= WS99 . Open airy detailed wide presentation that is  well balanced.= AD900X... Simply the best portables I own with sweetness to the mids with smooth dynamics= ES700.

 

I need to go to bed...I ordered the WS99 from www.provantage.com and ALSO the AD900X from amazon.com US shipping from Japan.  Thanks again Dsnuts!  

Edit:  I'm confident in the WS99's...but I need MUCH more research on the best open air HP, so I canceled my order for now.  I'll also reject the shipment of the Panasonics since I have 4 pairs plus 4 sets of pads coming.  I'll probably get 1 set instead.