The Neutral / Balanced Thread
Sep 29, 2011 at 8:58 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 355

nikp

Headphoneus Supremus
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The Neutral / Balanced Thread

 
Introduction: Hey awesome people, this thread is inspired by "The Basshead Thread". There are numerous people in Head-Fi that's interested in an accurate sound reproduction so I decided to make a thread about it. "No more, no less - that's how we like it." As a musician and an amateur composer, I always strive for IEMs that gives a neutral presentation. 
 
 
 
-Universals-
 
Etymotic ER-4S (Single BA)
 
Etymotic HF5/3 (Single BA)
 
Audio Technica ATH-CK10 (Dual BA)
 
HifiMan RE272 (9mm Dynamic Driver)
 
Hifiman RE252 (9mm Dynamic Driver)
 
UM3X (Triple BA, Three way crossover)
 
Vsonic GR07 (11mm Dynamic Driver)
 
Shure SE425 (Dual BA)
 
Shure SE535 (Triple BA)
 
Sony EX510 (Dynamic)
 
-Customs-
 
Ultimate Ears Reference Monitors
 
 
Our Favourite Neutral IEM 2011:
 ​
[size=medium]Etymotic ER-4S[/size]​
 ​
 ​
Audeze LCD-2
 
Beyerdynamic DT880
 
Beyerdynamic DT1350
 
Beyerdynamic DT48A
 
Beyerdynamic DT48S
 
Hifiman HE-4
 
Shure SRH840
 
Shure SRH940
 
Sennheiser HD600
 
Sennheiser HD800
 
Sennheiser HD25
 
AKG 240DF
 
AKG K500
 
AKG K501
 
AKG K601
 
AKG K701
 
AKG K702
 
AKG Q701
 
Fischer Audio FA-003
 
GMP450 PRO
 
STAX SR-009
 
STAX SR-007
 
STAX Lambda Series
 
CharterOak SP-1
 
Sony MDR CD900ST
 
Sony MDR 7509
 
Ultrasones
 
Pioneer Monitor 10
 
Audio Technica W11R
 
Grado HP1000
 
KRK-KNS8400
 
Koss ESP950
 
 
 
Favourite Neutral Headphone 2011
 ​
Sennheiser HD600
 ​
 ​
 ​
 
Feel free to discuss anything related to neutral audio gears or music such as classical. 
etysmile.gif

 
 
Links to other threads made for bassheads, midrangeheads and trebleheads:
The Basshead Club
The Treblehead Club
The Midrangehead Club
The Fun V Shaped Club
The Soundstage Club
 
 
Acknowledgements
These awesome Head-Fiers have assisted me in building the thread and I would like to thank each and every one for their contributions in this thread.
 
Headphones & IEM list builders
Nikp (me)
Ishcabible
Gatepc
TheWuss
kiteki
SoulSyde
R-Audiohead
psgarcha92
Brooko
rawrster
dyl1dyl
John In Cali
TexasBuck
NamelessPFG
JRG1990
12345142
RexAeterna
JamesMcProgger
OneSec
spekkio
wind016
Parall3l
 
Club members (From oldest to newest)
Nikp (me) 
Parall3l
Ishcabible
whitefang
pigmode
Head Injury
RexAeterna
Gatepc
Uncle Erik
TheWuss
kiteki
rhythmdevils
SoulSyde
R-Audiohead
John In Cali
proedros
psgarcha92
Brooko
rawrster
dyl1dyl
spekkio
firev1
TexasBuck
NamelessPFG
Ham Sandwich
JRG1990
12345142
mdonova33
JamesMcProgger
sennheiserhd485
purrin
OneSec
AstralStorm
Tetsuma
Blue Boat
spekkio
bcasey25raptor 
wind016
vikman21
PhoenixClaw
 
 
Sep 29, 2011 at 9:00 AM Post #2 of 355


Quote:
Hey awesome people, this thread is inspired by "The Basshead Thread". There are numerous people in Head-Fi that's interested in an actual sound reproduction so I decided to make a thread about it. No more, no less - that's how we like it. As a musician and an amateur composer, I always strive for IEMs that gives a neutral presentation. 
 
Feel free to discuss anything related to analytical iems / music such as classical. 
etysmile.gif

 
Nice thread 
beerchug.gif
 Now all we need is the treble counter part 
very_evil_smiley.gif

 
 
 
Oct 1, 2011 at 3:49 PM Post #11 of 355
Is it just me or are there very few reasonably priced (Easily found under $300 used or new) analytical/slightly bright full sized headphones? I can only think of the Shure SRH940, Beyerdynamic DT880/DT48, AKG K240DF/KX0X, Sony SA5000, Pioneer Monitor 10, and maybe a couple more I'm missing.
 
Signing in with the DT48 and I'm demoing the DF. I'm not sure how people can compare the two.
 
Oct 1, 2011 at 4:23 PM Post #12 of 355
I am definitely a fan of analytical sound =), and I am not a musician or producer.
Benchmark DAC1/Pico Slim/Ultimate Ears Reference monitor/Etymotic ER4B/ER4S/HF3
May get the iQube soon too.
Yes I love the coldness, the dryness, brightness, sterility.. whatever people call that
No bass boost, no equalizer, no tubes.
 
Oct 1, 2011 at 5:18 PM Post #13 of 355
I used to be a midrange elitest, but when a moderate HF hearing loss led me to look into SS amps, the experience turned me into a detail freak. I still like a balanced sound, but not at the expense of a sweet, airy, and analytical top end. It does well to unbind a solo violin from the orchestra.  
 
Oct 1, 2011 at 5:39 PM Post #15 of 355
i guess i'm ''analytical'' but since everyone's meaning is different, i'm going to say i just like something that does it's job. i like my sound to change with every given track is presented. i like sound-shifting chameleon sounding headphones/gear. others find it boring but i find it just doing it's job and i'm enjoying the music.
 

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