The KRK KNS-8400(and 6400) Appreciation Thread! - Page 2

I like to chime in my appreciation for the 6400, I don't have 8400 so I can't really comment.  I've got it plugged into a Yamaha AVR and let it absorbed all kinds of stuff from HD radios for well over a week!  When I first cracked open the box and listened to a few tracks of my favorites, I couldn't hear some of the instrumental separations (soundstage) everyone was talking about - and I'm not so sure I can either after well over 7 days of continuous burned-in.  Also the lower frequencies sounded muted and subdued, more so than I thought.  Other than that, clarity in the highs and mids are awesome -- though mids sound somewhat lack of robustness, but clear.

Perhaps my ears are tuned to less stellar cans, akin to K81DJ.  For some odd reason, I enjoy my re-cabled K81DJ more than I enjoy 6400.  Yes, I removed the foam pad immediately after I received it.  I still have it but contemplate on selling it.  I got it for $80US of eBay.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cradle emperor 

Hello a soon-to-be appreciator of 8400 (hopefully). Im really on the fence about making the purchase. The fact that these will be my first pair certainly doesnt make it easier.
I think ive heard more than enough praise on the forums. What im concerned about are its shortcomings. The big issues seem to come down to:
1. Piercing trebles. people seem to have very conflicting impressions about this issue. Ranging from pleasing and "smooth" to downright unacceptably fatiguing. One of the reviews listed in the Topic even says the highs "certainly arent the emphasized part of the spectrum"(r-audiohead) while one of the off site reviews say its a bit too fatiguing for out-of-studio listening. Im very confused, especially with little frame of reference on my part. Bottom line for me is wether or not these would be fatiguing? I like to listen to ambient, classical, electronic, rock. Listed in order of preference.
2.being overly-unforgivingly-detailed. While the thought of being able to hear dogs barking outside the concert hall is amusing, i cant imagine it doing much good for immersion. Im rather easily distracted, and bringing out the sound of performers sniffling and clearing their throats would definitely distract me from enjoying the track. Is this a real issue?
Those are my big concerns. Impressions on bass and soundstage seem to be conflicting as well, but i think i wont be too picky on that, especially since im coming from listening on earbuds mostly.
I would love to hear some thoughts from you guys. Like i said these will be my first full sized cans
Or, if by any chance, you have other cans to recommend in the price range based on my music preference, that is welcome as well!

I don't think the treble is emphasized at all. For me it's only fatiguing when it's due to the actual recording being garbage. If it's a very poorly mastered album, it can be nearly unlistenable. In the past I'd probably blame the headphones, but it's not their fault. I can switch to another headphone like the Q701 and it's just as bad. I don't think the Q701 has fatiguing treble AT ALL, but the KRK KNS-8400 has even smoother treble. It's not treble like the Grado SR-325is or DT-990. It's so annoying how on even some of my Jpop album they must crank up the mids and treble at the studio or something. Even sometimes the vocals are ear piercing. Basically on ANY fairly accurate headphone.

I think the first pair I had way back in 2010 had some issues. It makes no sense why a headphone should have been that fatiguing out of the box. This third pair (in the clear plastic internal shell) had perfect treble out of the box. Again, if it's the recordings fault, the 8400 won't try and make it sound any better or "tame" them. For that I can use my HD-598.

I don't find these to be excessively detailed. Sure, they have the most detail I've ever had in a headphone, but not enough to be a problem. I'd like to find other detail monsters and see how they compare.

As long as you don't have tons of lower quality tracks, they should be fine. I remember when I had my old DT-880 I went through my entire collection and weeded out all the bad tracks. I don't think you'll have to do that with the KNS-8400!

At this price I haven't found much that's comparable or better. My Koss Pro DJ100 holds up very well, but is slightly less clear, but has way more bass and less treble. If anything ever tops that headphone it will soon be the 8400.

Thanks for the replies. I just ordered them. these guys have a pretty generous return policy so i can just return it if i happen to dislike them, but I think ill like them.