Koss Pro DJ100 vs Creative Aurvana Live: Budget-fi Throwdown - Page 2

I myself just sold a CAL! (as how most people call it). It was excellent value for money even at $90 for me, whereas earlier birds some years ago got it for $50 in the US before the popularity soared.

 

I can't believe you called CAL! neutral (or cold for that matter). You are the first person (I've read) to have done that. I (as many others) find CAL! to have punchy low end, some even called it slightly muddy or bloated, and hence the dynamat mod for controlling it. To each his own, ay?

 

Nice review by the way.

I gotcha. 

 

I don't think there's anything wrong there. They overestimated the bass from CAL!.

 

I didn't realise how "balanced" CAL! is until I saw the graphs yesterday. Graph for FA-003 and the Graph for CAL!

 

See the difference between the peak and at 500hz is around 5dB for both (a bit less or 003), with the CAL! peaking a bit earlier. FA-003 is the neutral champ....I guess CAL! is not far from that, pretty linear with a small v-shape; just smaller than I thought from this graph (red line for CAL!, blue for D1001).

Edited by kingpage - 11/11/11 at 10:18am

I think I set the record for the longest length of time without using my DJ100. Maybe a whole week For owning them 1 1/2 years now, that's a good sign!

Been too busy with my new DAC and Q701 (which I like a LOT).

 

DJ100 is pretty impressive with a Sansa Fuze, Fiio LOD and E5. I think the E5 might boost the mids very slightly, but I don't know. More so than an E10/E7.

Reminds me a little of the Nuforce Icon Mobile, but the bass doesn't suffer as much.

 

I still need to try the E6 and PA2V2. What's funny is that the E5 gets way louder with the DJ100 than the more expensive Icon Mobile. The Icon has a built in DAC though.

 

Based on what I heard yesterday, I don't think the Fuze + Nuforce Icon Mobile (using Line Out) gives the DJ100 enough power to sound good. Could be wrong or maybe my ears were tired.

 

Kind of weird how different the Sansa Fuze and my Ipod Touch 2G sound. Haven't used my poor Ipod in maybe 3 months now.

 

Still never been able to figure out why the DJ100 varies in sound so much between amps and sources.

 

Think I'll try it with my new HRT Music Streamer II and see how that goes. I just know my Micro Amp doesn't like the DJ100, but maybe it will sound different with the new DAC.

 

 

Interesting review.  Like everyone else excepting the OP:), I found the CAL! to be bass-heavy.  I'd be interested in hearing the DJ100s with M50 pads.

I'd definitely be interested to hear what you think of the DJ100. Honestly though if you felt the KRK KNS-6400 was fatiguing, the DJ100 might give your ears a fit.

The DJ100 does have smoother treble though, but much more bass. The DJ100 has a peak in the upper mids somewhere. I like it though!

 

Strangely it's even more fatiguing when under-amped. Sounds best with a neutral source like the Sansa Fuze. It's a bit bassier with my Ipod Touch. Not sure why.

 

Not exactly heavy. Strongish bass? It's more like a 5 dB bass boost from an amp. +10 dB is heavy; +15dB is monster bass; anything more you're listening only the sub-woofer.

I'm amazed you rate the CAL as isolating enough for a bus.  You must have quiet buses where you're from.  I get something like -5dB isolation with my pair.  I can leave them on  and have a conversation with someone. 

I thought it was impossible to make the DJ100 sound any better than they already are. Pretty much tried everything without spending an arm and a leg. Tried them out today with the HRT Music Streamer II DAC. Pretty dang impressive and makes the DJ100 sound so much better (amazing with Q701). Sitting here with the DJ100 it's hard to believe this kind of sound is coming out of an $80 headphone. Even the soundstage is even more impressive with the DAC.

 

Who would have thought that upgrading to a better DAC would add in so much detail and improve so much of the DJ100. Best $150 I ever spent yet. Only negative is that I think my Micro Amp is way overkill for the DJ100. A tiny bit too much bass. I think the Total Airhead would be a better match. The extra bass wouldn't bother 90% of people, but with bass heavy music it does bleed in the mids a bit. The DJ100 never ever does this on portable amps. Just bigger amps like the E9 and Micro Amp or Asgard.

 

So..if you want a good DAC for the DJ100. The HRT Music Streamer II is nice. Not that anyone is crazy enough to spend $150 on the DJ100. I am!

 

Listened to the DJ100 for 5 hours today during work. Loved every minute of it and all using my Sansa Fuze and the E5!!

 

Strangely I'm now using the M50 pads with the foam removed. Doesn't fatigue me at all this time around. I don't suggest removing the foam because you may hate the sound!

I'm confused on this post...

 

I was considering the FA-003 because I like a lot of detail and am easily fatigued by bass-heavy headphones...(yes I am older)   They are a little expensive, so I see the CAL! is $62 on amazon atm.

 

So, is a CAL! more detailed like a FA-003, or bass-heavy like a DJ styled headphone?

 

Thanks

bump

Had to come in here and express my surprise that someone found the CAL to be bass neutral. O_O

I definitely see them as bass prominent, but in a good way. They remind me a lot of the older M50s with bass emphasis, deep rumble, but not overwhelming. Definitely bassy cans though. O_O

I actually put the CAL on par with the older M50s, the CALs being just a twinge warmer and polite, while the M50 is brighter and edgier on the treble. It would surely not make sense to have both the M50 and CAL, because they literally are matched up evenly, though the CAL has a better soundstage, and M50 has better isolation.
Edited by Mad Lust Envy - 12/7/11 at 1:33pm

Have you considered FA-003's little brother FA-006? If you think FA-003s are a bit pricey, Brainwavz HM5 can be had for $115 shipped (preorder 19 Dec). I'm waiting for a pair of those too. Many of us suspect HM5s are rebranded FA-003s because a reviewer said HM5s are also very neutral.

 

I had CAL! for a year until last month, I found it to be slightly bass and treble emphasized, but I wouldn't say they are heavy at all. CAL! is fun, with nice soundstage, slightly sparkly treble and shy mids.

 

Edited by kingpage - 12/7/11 at 10:56pm