GS-1 is wire to gain style of amp design right? I'm assuming then it will sound very much like an O2. Well if that is the case, the people comparing with the V200 probably haven't done much comparing. I admit, differences are subtle (as they are even among higher priced gear despite what others say). But as someone who's compared these two meticulously, I'm confident in not only saying there are differences, but actually specifying what those differences exactly are (to my ears). I also find that the only way to really compare is consistent A/B testing not just on entire tracks, but actual short segments of them. For example, I tend to A/B different 10 second segments of tracks multiple times. This way all sounds are better remembered for direct comparison.
I'll give just two examples. Jamie Woon - Lady Luck, there's a segment with the main chorus where there is a faint male backing vocal somewhere in the distance on the left. It is quite thick and husky, very distant and almost missable. On the V200 this shows up with greater emphasis and weight than with the O2. Like wise, on a track Stateless Matilda - Bonus Track, the little pinches of the guitar in the far distance are ever so slightly more noticeable with the O2. Simply put, better resolution and detail is most probably near impossible if there is no audible noise. If however you mix and match frequencies for musicality or colour then you have to take infractions to other parts of the sound. The V200 loses a marginal amount of high end detail in place of sub bass extension and upper mid push. That upper mid push can however give the illusion of more detail as certain sounds still jump out more. It's an amazingly musical and natural sound, whereas the O2's is more neutral but flat and maybe not always as fun.
The best thing about the V200 is it's balance. It adds the slightest hint of colour with absolute minimal affliction and impairment to the rest of the sound sig, and in this sense it's an ingenious design.
For me, both the T1 and more so the HD800, have vocals that are a touch too peaky or high pitched, the LCD-2's a bit too thick and weighty. Imo the T1's hit the best balance with male vocals, and the LCD-2's with female vocals, but paired with the V200 you get just enough weight added on to the T1's vocals, to find that golden balance. Not with all tracks and recordings mind, but most.
Also lol at the T1 not being able to resolve better details. As someone who's spent a decent amount of time with the main three top tier (non stratospheric tier) headphones, and owning two of them, I have to completely disagree. I do agree that at times the HD800 can resolve more details, but a (largely artificially) large soundstage will do that. Talking about negative afflictions, imo the HD800's is that vocals don't sound as realistic or sweet as the T1's, or have the weight or thickness of the LCD-2's. There's always a trade off somewhere or another. Either that or specific genre benefits, the HD800's being classical and orchestral.
Also Anaxilus, have you directly A/B'd the O2 with the Eddie Current BA and Leckerton UHA6S?
Edited by Naim.F.C - 2/7/12 at 6:13pm
In most cases I'd agree, but you are painting a universal truth here.
