[Vain III]

I dunno, it just interests me what others' takes on this are. Do most people like different headphones for different genres, or is it different activities and/or environments? Do you decide that this week shall be AD900X week and next week will be X1 week? Conversely, what would make you be unwilling to listen to a particular pair when you otherwise are willing to give time to your entire harem of headphones?

I normally go after headphones that compliment each other rather then try and take over for them. The TDK ST750 & the Philip L1 for example. The ST750's seem to be bright. They're placing a lot more emphasis on the Mids and Highs. The Philip L1's are a darker headphone and they have great bass impact. One thing that tends to be consistent with my choices are sound stage. I like a larger sound stages. The ST750 has one of the best sound stages I've heard for a closed headphone... (probably due to the leaking) and the Philip L1's are semi open. Sometimes I like to cover the ventilation on the L1's to give it a more intimate sound.

When I'm listening to classical I probably won't be grabbing the L1's but instead the ST750's or even a pair of my IEM. When it comes to IEMs I just love how one single detail, no matter how small, can change the sound completely. My Vsonic VSD1's are a dark warm headphone, while my Gratitude's are a brighter warm. The IM70's are right smack in the middle of both of them and highly likely to put them out of commission. It has such nice... well... everything. When it comes to IEMs I tend to like the mid foward, lean bass kind-of sound. The VSD1's work extremely well with songs that are more laid back and need a little more width. The Gratitude's remind me of an old Jukebox and sound best with swing and high energy jazz. The IM70's just blow everything I throw at it out of the water. Though my testing is still limited to peaks here and there while my fiancee isn't looking.

On that note; I tried out the ST750's built in amplifier and I have to say, without a doubt, I am extremely impressed with it. I normally hate battery functions on gimmick phones, but the amplifier isn't anything like the Beat's or Denon (IIRC) amps. It doesn't just boost the bass to an absurd degree. In fact it functions pretty much like a normal amp would. If anything I think the headphones are lacking in bass. They're very mid-centric and offer an absurd level of clarity.

 

[nick n]

you saw this right, ready for your impressions right there ....

http://www.head-fi.org/t/689500/brief-impressions-of-the-tdk-st750-headphones

 

[Grayson73]

I picked up some used IEMs, TDK BA200 for $70 and VSonic GR07 MK2 for $72.  Comparing them and the Gratitudes, I'm finding that they are pretty close in terms of SQ, but so far, I'm finding the GR07 MK2 have the most resolution and detail.  However, they are just a tad bass light for me.
 
Will burn them in and do some more comparing.  It's getting tough to figure out which I like best since they seem to be in the same class.  I'm beginning to wonder whether the gains as I go up in price are going to be minimal.  Not finding a night and day difference between the three so far.

 

[7S Cameron]

I marvel at how people manage to give their multiple sets decent head-time. If I buy something and find I prefer its sound to what I owned before, that previous purchase just lands up collecting dust. Since I got my MS1s, I don't care for the JVC S500s. I tried listening to them again quite recently and just thought, "Blegh". I certainly couldn't be bothered with my Brainwavz R1s after I got the UM3X.

I know there are different sound signatures that can land up suiting different styles of music and different headphones allow you to appreciate the same songs in different ways. I dont know if that's just too much effort for me or what. I'll often sit and make comparisons like, "Man, the mids of this pair suck compared to my other pair. Why am I even listening to this?"

I dunno, it just interests me what others' takes on this are. Do most people like different headphones for different genres, or is it different activities and/or environments? Do you decide that this week shall be AD900X week and next week will be X1 week? Conversely, what would make you be unwilling to listen to a particular pair when you otherwise are willing to give time to your entire harem of headphones?

I'm the same way. Ever since I got my Gratitudes I only use my AD900X for movies and gaming. Now, if you want to appreciate your other headphones you have to listen to them for a bit and get re-aquainted to the sound signature. When you're used to one sound and you throw another pair of headphones on they don't sound as good.

 

[Vain III]

you saw this right, ready for your impressions right there ....h34r:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/689500/brief-impressions-of-the-tdk-st750-headphones

I actually did see that thread. Which is what promoted me to head out to my Ross to look for the box.

 

[jwong]

I wonder if the IM50 or IM70 are a big step up from the Gratitudes. That would be the only real reason for me to order a set.

 

[Vain III]

I wonder if the IM50 or IM70 are a big step up from the Gratitudes. That would be the only real reason for me to order a set.

I want to say yes, but I know that it wouldn't be entirely accurate as the Gratitude's are a completely different type of sound. The Gratitude's are colored and thick. While the IM70's seem to be a true neutral that might, maybe, be leaning toward warm. The Gratitude's are not mid-centric. Mids are bland but not recessed on the Gratitude's, but the IM70 is the complete opposite. Mid's are the bread and butter of the headphone. The bass is also different on both headphones. The IM70's have a very punchy mid-bass but can also go way down deep. While the Gratitude's are sort of mellow when it comes to bass depth, but they have some of the best mid-bass I've heard in a pair of headphones. The highs on the IM70 are very sparkly. They're slightly forward and I would put them right behind the mid-range. In fact all the frequencies are so close together that it makes it sound like a very full and powerful balanced IEM.

 

[ericp10]

I want to say yes, but I know that it wouldn't be entirely accurate as the Gratitude's are a completely different type of sound. The Gratitude's are colored and thick. While the IM70's seem to be a true neutral that might, maybe, be leaning toward warm. The Gratitude's are not mid-centric. Mids are bland but not recessed on the Gratitude's, but the IM70 is the complete opposite. Mid's are the bread and butter of the headphone. The bass is also different on both headphones. The IM70's have a very punchy mid-bass but can also go way down deep. While the Gratitude's are sort of mellow when it comes to bass depth, but they have some of the best mid-bass I've heard in a pair of headphones. The highs on the IM70 are very sparkly. They're slightly forward and I would put them right behind the mid-range. In fact all the frequencies are so close together that it makes it sound like a very full and powerful balanced IEM.

 We hear the IM70 the same! The highs are just shy of being harsh. What a great full-sounding bang-for-the buck IEM. It makes me want to hear the IM04, but I can't throw out $500 for for a 4-BA universal. Just can't do it.

 

[EuphonicArin]

when I try to give balanced of time to each of my phones, I try to rotate whenever I listen to a new ost or when I want to start a music listening session,
Right now my rotation looks like:
Dt250->Hd439->Hp700->sextett-> WS99->grado->srh440

 

[waynes world]

I dunno, it just interests me what others' takes on this are. Do most people like different headphones for different genres, or is it different activities and/or environments? Do you decide that this week shall be AD900X week and next week will be X1 week? Conversely, what would make you be unwilling to listen to a particular pair when you otherwise are willing to give time to your entire harem of headphones?

 
Sometimes I listen to my $25 sportapro (drivers on parts express headband) and wonder why I have anything else lol.
 
But, having a few headphones helps relieve my auditory adhd. I do enjoy mixing up the sounds now and then. And certain headphones sound better with certain genres. Some are more mid-centric, others more v-shaped, others with more clarity, others with more bass etc. Some are more portable versus more comfortable. Some iems are more comfortable for laying down with, some offer better isolation for the gym etc etc.
 
So I enjoy them all. But, I do envy those who just stick with one pair of iem's or headphones, and it makes me wonder if getting a top of the line killer pair would allow me to get rid of them all.
 
Nah... auditory adhd would still kick in, and the hobby would then just become that much more expensive!

 

[doctorjazz]

Same here, I do rotate headphones I listen to...may lean towards one for a while, but then I start to look for things I haven't heard for a while and play them. It's fun imo. Pretty much random, I know certain headphones may work better with certain genres, but I can't be bothered and pretty much just reach into the bunch. Been thinking about a really good iem or headphone, see if it makes having others unnecessary, but, like Wayne, I'm afraid it will just make me want and buy at a much higher price level.

 

[doctorjazz]

For those looking for free downloads-WNYC (NY radio) is having downloads each day until the 24th, courtesy of the Soundcheck program. They are 1 song, generally by known artists recorded live in the WNYC studio, MP3, not high resolution, but not commercially available, each one only available for download 1 day. Missed some already, today is Bobby McFerrin...just downloaded it, really cool version of "The Battle of Jericho"
 
http://soundcheck.wnyc.org/story/12-days-soundcheck-bobby-mcferrin/

 

[doctorjazz]

Oh, no, another 20 hour stretch and NO POST!!!!! OK, have to commend on the KEF M200...been in fairly heavy rotation past 2 days, these are the real deal!!!! Remind me of the Martin Logan Mikros 90, great, open wide soundstage, terriffic detailing, nice silence/space between instruments, bass that doesn't overwhelm in quantity, but the quality is fabulous. Was listening to some Petra Haden/Bill Frisell/Paul Motion, acoustic bass really round, rich, very well done. (On the down side-tried the mike for phone call, worked poorly. Not usually my main focus for these things, and certainly have other phones with mikes that work better, but just sayin...)

 

[waynes world]

^ Nice Doc! Which tips are you using?

 

[doctorjazz]

Also, time for best of lists, this is the first I've seen so far. NPR 50 Favorite albums 2013
http://www.npr.org/blogs/bestmusic2013/2013/12/10/249243871/npr-musics-50-favorite-albums-of-2013?hq_e=el&hq_m=2379292&hq_l=2&hq_v=038236e6ef