Does it get much better than the HD800? - Page 15

I've read that graph (along with pretty much everything there is on innerfidelity, Headroom and Golden Ears) dozens and dozens of times (if not more).

 

Did you read my comments about Tyll's interpretation of the HD800's graphs and them being amongst the very best that he's measured? We spent quite a bit of time on the phone doing this work and the one thing I do strongly remember was Tyll's very high regard for the technical abilities of the HD800s. 

 

FYI...some further suggested reading on headphone measurements:

http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/headphone-measurements-explained-square-wave-response

http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/expert-tests-innerfidelitys-headphone-measurement-repeatability-and-reproducibility

(have a look at the author of the second article...so yes, I am a little familiar with audio measurements of the hd800s though no where as close as Tyll).

 

And please note that those are raw measurements and not adjusted to represent what we actually hear like on the graphs on innerfideltiy.com or Headrom.

Edited by MacedonianHero - 12/9/12 at 9:28pm

This doesn't make the HD800 have any less low end distortion, cleaner square waves, flat bass or clean up its impedance.

 

Except that is his square wave reference, for a start. If you don't drive really loud, it still performs admirably with low bass. And as for its impedance, while it does have an unusual swing for a single driver design, it still has a relatively high output impedance. Compared to an "ideal" load, sticking 30ohms worth of resistor wouldn't even change the FR at ~100hz by .5db.

Edited by briskly - 12/9/12 at 10:16pm

Do you know what any of these actually mean and how to interpret them? Given the turn of the thread I don't want to come off as attacking you personally, I'm genuinely curious about the specifics of your concerns. What are your personal standards with regard to low end distortion, cleaner square waves, flat bass and impedance; and how/why do these correlate to reality?

It was my understanding that best headphone ever (by many accounts) was the Sennheiser Orpheus system, and that was 20 years ago. Have we already achieved the best and are just trying to do it again but cheaper? Can a dynamic headphone ever be as good as an electrostatic?

If you want, feel free to IM me and we can chat over msn or google talk. I can address your questions if you are truly curious.

Given today's technology I'd say orthos and electrostatic generally (of course not always) have a technical advantage over conventional dynamic headphones. There are always exceptions (eg poorly implemented orthos vs well implemented dynamic).

Looks like you've misinterpreted things here wrong a few times tonight. Headphone measurements and previous comments about The Trailer Park Boys. When you get a chance, please read those articles.
Edited by MacedonianHero - 12/10/12 at 1:04am

What I don't get is....who has the money to spend 1000-5000 dollars for a pair of headphones?

Edited by DashBerlin - 12/10/12 at 1:10am

People who 1) want those headphones and 2) have the dosh for it? If you enjoy a hobby immensely, it makes sense that you invest into it.

U can ask the same question bout cars..who has money to buy a classic porsche, watches..who can afford a pannerai, bags..chanel, shoes..louis something..and the list can go on..lolz
I am not rich..and have a day to day job..but i still have a nice rig..some people even put a certain amount apart per month to buy a headphone..its just what u are willing to spend..ofcourse its a bit harder for a college student to buy a higher end phone..but u dont need to buy a multi thousand phone to enjoy ur music to the fullest ( check the he300-he400-he500 series)..
Edited by hifimanrookie - 12/10/12 at 1:33am

Be nice guys.   The Head Fi bug hasn't bit him yet. 

I am being nice.. am giving fatherly advice..well sort of
Edited by hifimanrookie - 12/10/12 at 1:36am

 

Well.. just wait and see 

I was kind of joking about it kind of not,I have checked out all the different headphones and there are some that look and sound fantastic, but at the same time I just don't understand what makes a particular headphone so great that it cost's 5000 dollars or even 1000. If you do music or gaming for a living I can see it, but just for the everyday person who likes listening to music or playing games or whatever, I don't get it. I guess people will spend their money how they see fit no matter how ridiculous it is.

 

The reason I'm taking this stance is because there are people out there who are going hungry, there are problems all across the world that are extremely dire, and yet you have things that cost a couple of grand that I don't think should. Maybe someone can enlightened me here as to what makes these headphones so great that they cost that much and that the average person needs to buy a pair of headphones like that.
 

Edited by DashBerlin - 12/10/12 at 1:42am

I partly agree with u..yes u always have those who get a stax sr009 just because they have the money for it..only because its a stax..but i think most of the people here on headfi are people who love to listen to music..and in the best way they can afford..ofcourse a phone of 5000 is not definately 5 times better then a 1000 phone..but there is no denying that the stax is one heck of a phone..if i could miss the money i would buy one but i cant..
So i have to disagree u saying people spending money on something they love to do and willing to spend more then in ur eyes is normal..its like tennis rackets..u have cheap ones and u have carbon thingies version costing a fortune..with the perfect weight and balance..if u can be a better player..why not if u wanna invest in it? Like me...the cars i owned..all were better when i sold them then when i bought them..i invested in them to get faster into corners, be more stabile on high speeds and brake better and go faster...if ur serious about ur hobby u do spend money in it..always! I cant imagine if u like playing those new pc games that u dont have a gaming proof laptop..as otherwise u can only play those in slooooow motion..i know at least two students who own a alienware laptop..and the price they told me made me fall backwards..as its a product they only use two years and then its consired old (cpu/gpu/mem/ssd)..so now back to ur remark saying its rediculus to spend so much amount of money on a headphone..well..u buy a higher end headphone for a long time..so its a long time investment..so compared to all other hobby thingies u can buy its actually not bad value for money..lolz..
And another thing..ur not forced to buy anything..if ur happy with a he300(249usd) then keep it..but u cant judge things on just what u have to pay for it.but yeah..the more expensive something gets the less value u get for money.thats the way of life regretfully..
Edited by hifimanrookie - 12/10/12 at 2:09am