[Vain III]

Aww, you didn't have to go all-out and get the 70. We would have still loved you if you had gotten the 50s instead.

I wish I could have went all out on those IM04's instead but for that price I might as well pay a little more for CIEM.

 

[doctorjazz]

$750 on BuyJapan's ebay site as preorder for IM04 is a bit rich...quad BA's, it says

 

[doctorjazz]

On the other hand, the 70's are about $135 through BuyJapan...didn't research what other import sites would charge. The import fee is about $40, takes a reasonable iem and makes it, while not expensive, a bit out of impulse buy range (probably a good thing 

)

 

[waynes world]

  Hi there, this is my first post in this tread, I already tought I´ve been suscribed to too many dangerous TREADs but what the heck. I suscribed to this one and I´ve been enjoying the lecture and your comments. I also have the Monster Gratitude and I think they are more than ok, I use them when I want real quality with no compromiss and I don´t mind if something happens, they were cheap and good.
 I like the idea of the Yamaha HPH-200BL Headphones but for the moment those need to be on a good sale or something like  that (please Black Friday make it happen) otherwise I´m not getting them, I prefer a couple of portable amps and next year I hope I can complete my Desktop rig. 

 
Ok, but for $100, I can tell that those are a steal. And get an DX50 (or better yet X5), and you will have an awesome portable rig.

 

[Vain III]

On the other hand, the 70's are about $135 through BuyJapan...didn't research what other import sites would charge. The import fee is about $40, takes a reasonable iem and makes it, while not expensive, a bit out of impulse buy range (probably a good thing :wink_face: )

US$ 117.16 w/ shipping via EMS to US on CDJapan

 

[Don Lehrer]

   
Ok, but for $100, I can tell that those are a steal. And get an DX50 (or better yet X5), and you will have an awesome portable rig.

Thanks for your comment, I already have the DX50 and I love the sound with the sennheiser hd25. I want to try the Fidelio X! or the V-Moda 100 I know those are quite different, but I think they suit me and my needs (second portable rig and something for home). 

 

[DannyBai]

  Could anybody compare the yamaha hph 200 against the CAL!2? And thanks for replying ds xD

The bass is more prominent on the CAL2's.  The overall sound is thicker.  The HPH200's have a wider stage, the CAL2's sounds deeper.  Vocals sound airier on the HPH's and has better instrument separation.  The HPH's sound crisper due to higher treble extension.  The HPH's have a really nice open sound that almost makes the CAL2's sound closed and congested.  If comparing the CAL2's to another closed headphone, I wouldn't find them closed sounding at all though.  I think the CAL2's are quite fantastic really but the HPH's are better all around between the two.  

 

[Dsnuts]

I am finally able to hear the Yamas using my NFB-5s.. For the love of all things that sound too awesome for words. My god this sounds stupendous.. These cans are clearly showing me they can do so much more than just sound right..I am testing how transparent the sound is. Much like how my S2s scale to a higher end sources. These do the same but with even a greater effect I suspect because of the higher grade of driver for one but more so that they are fully open..There is just no possible way this sound is coming from these little cans I keep on saying .But they do..These cans come out of nowhere and let me realize just how overlooked these cans are.. 
 
Read this guys..
 
A Watershed Achievement in Consumer Audio
By Phantom on December 26, 2012
The Yamaha HPH-200s are a genuine hallmark in the history of consumer audio. For years it was possible to buy a pair of inexpensive Audio Technica or Yamaha headphones and get somewhat close to the premier grade of reproduction offered by certain reference models. But the final step up required truly absurd investments. For sensible audiophiles with better things to do with one or two grand than buy pretentious bragging rights, a choice had to be made. The HPH-200 eliminates the dilemma.

I have spent some time with many of the flagship headphones that are held up as standards--the Sennheiser HD 800, Grado's PS 1000, and a few Stax electrostatics which are virtually in a class by themselves. In my opinion there is no dynamic headphone on the market that can eclipse the sound of the HPH-200 by any substantial degree. In direct comparisons, they are superior in subtle ways as often as they are surpassed. They are open-air, so all instruments are suspended in a breathtaking holographic soundfield. They excel at producing the most minute, intricate details in acoustic instruments, even in the midst of a rich and complex midrange. At the same time, they produce a muscular, tactile bottom end that navigates music without artificial emphasis or distortion. This combination is the hat trick that eludes most of the headphones that have ever been produced. But the best thing about the HPH-200s is that they retain Yamaha's traditional flat response and accuracy. The sound is precise and uncolored, exactly as intended.

It is possible to listen to these for hours without any fatigue whatsoever. The velour pads are stable and luxuriously comfortable, just overlapping the perimeter of the ear. This is a good thing, since the sound will invite many novice audiophiles to spend a lot of time in that thrilling introduction stage, revisiting favorite recordings and discovering what they were missing. So congratulations to Yamaha. For the moment the purchase of a high end headphone at a high end price is nothing to brag about.
 
 

.
 
I read this and it hit me that this guy may know what he is taking about.This review is completely to the point and in fact got me to pull the trigger on these cans.. Listening to them now. Truly, portable cans aren't supposed to sound like these. I just had a good 2 hour long session using my NFB-5 and there is not a genre these cans don't sound right for. I know for a fact these cans will be a permanent part of my collection.. Are these better than the HA-S500? I only wish the stage of the HA-S500s could touch the open sound of these cans. The HA-S500s were a fun set of cans that did so many things right but these Yamahas are on a completely different playing field. So these cans went up by $10..These are now being sold for around $107.. These sell at most places for $150 on line. At $150 I don't know if there is a can that sound this good.. These completely embarrass the M-80s..These are actually technically and sonically superior to my Sony 1Rs and the only real competition these have that I own is my X1s. Lol.. Sometimes it is the lesser known that ends up being something completely special,  These cannot be overlooked anymore. All your higher end cans will be exposed for being overpriced.These are the very definition of a hidden gem.. We wasn't the first to expose them here at headfi but these clearly deserve people to hear them. To me it just don't get too much better for your money.  It just don't.

 

[7S Cameron]

  -snip-

Wow, you might have pushed me over the edge with this post! Right when you first posted a picture of these Yamahas I was definitely interested. I'm a little worried that I like closed cans better than open ones, but I really only have one open headphone. How bad is the sound leakage? Is it the same as the AD900X?

 

[Dsnuts]

They leak. Which is natural for an open can. But for me it is a non issue.I wouldn't use these in the library or an office, but outdoors walking around or doing yard work. Nothing like having that large stage to make you enjoy yard work. I have my iems ,MA750s if I want isolation..They leak a little less than the AD900X but they do leak sound out. They do a great job blocking sound coming in though with music playing.  I trust Dannys view of them CAL2s. If you want one with less leakage I would snag one of them. You already own the HA-S500. I think them HA-S680s have potential but them CAL2s look way more comfy and I bet they sound great too.. I was very close to getting them CAL2s myself but I read a review from another member that they have a very similar sound to the original CALs which is not a bad thing but with better refinement..They could be using the same exact driver but better tweeked and obviously better larger housing for the drivers.
 
Oh yea I forgot I briefly tried one of my games using the Yamas . Call of Juaresz Gunslinger...A western shooter.. These Yamas sound as good if not better than anything I have ever used for gaming. Perfect sound positioning and gun impact..

 

[waynes world]

Groan! Lol

 

[bhazard]

Man, Asian brands are on fire lately.
 
So the other day the Brainwavz Delta blew me away, then the Kanen iP-808 surprised me, and today I just got something completely unknown that craps on them both (if you love big bass).
 
These sound like the S500, but are in ears. Same big bass and U shape signature, not the slightest bit muddy, and its ~$15. I did not expect these to be this good.
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Kz-new-arrival-a1-subwoofer-heatshrinked-original-diy-ear-headset-hifi-earphones-game/1236983629.html

 

[TwinQY]

Vented, fancy.
Got some fancy DAPs in the background of the ad as well.
Oooh, is that a FR graph...

I think Asian brands have always been on fire - we just weren't constantly conscious of them being Asian. The OEM game is frightening.
No buying from them yet, I'm still waiting on those Moxpads...

 

[bhazard]

  Vented, fancy.
Got some fancy DAPs in the background of the ad as well.
Oooh, is that a FR graph...

I think Asian brands have always been on fire - we just weren't constantly conscious of them being Asian. The OEM game is frightening.
No buying from them yet, I'm still waiting on those Moxpads...

 
That is a FR graph, and a good enough looking U shape to me.
 
I've been in shock the past hour. Really, really digging these for EDM and Metal. They can get bright at times, but the S500 does too.
 
I'm still waiting on my moxpads too. The month wait is rough sometimes. I always try to use epacket whenever I can, as its much quicker.

 

[Roboturner913]

 

These things sound amazing ya'll.. I got them today and I have to say I was expecting a nice sounding can and I got more than that..These have the one thing going on for them that none of these closed cans can say they have. That open stage is very audible. I can tell Yamaha tuned these with the velours in mind. Comfort of these things are just awesome.. They barely have a clamp yet they sit perfectly on the ear. These would be for guys that hate anything on the ear. These are more comfy than most in ears. Lol.. They feel like soft pillows on the head.
 
Imaging is spot on and depending on recording the sound stage can be airy and vast. Exactly what an open can should sound like..Two things that stand out on the sound. These are proper open cans for one but the other is how high end they sound to my ears..These have sparkly extended treble..Sweet defined mids that stand out for vocals and a bass end that is perfect for this sound..These sound kinda like an open back ES700 to my ears with even better imaging..Clarity is outstanding and imaging about as good as your gonna get with smaller 40mm drivers..Bass end is excellent for a smaller open can. A very complete sounding portable that gives out a sound that has nothing to do with the way they look..
 
I tried both the DX50 and the X3 and both daps sound excellent on them but I have to give the edge to the X3 for bringing out a bit of extra depth to this sound. Another surprise. I threw on the WS55 pads I had on the ES700 and they ended up sounding more fuller but lost a bit of imaging and separation because of it so the the velours are what these cans sound best with.. A very nice open portable that will surprise many that get them..Will burn them in a bit more and see where they go..So far these have more than met my expectations of them.
 
Don't let them plane jane looks fool you..Sure they might leak some sound but who cares when you get that open stage happening. Can't wait to try this with some games. I think these will make perfect gaming cans..
 
 

I saw the pic and didn't need to read the review. I NEED those headphones bad.