Deathmatch: Innerfidelity vs. Headfonia - Page 3  

Quote:

Originally Posted by streetdragon 

have fun

edit addon: 

One of the aspect that I really like is the lack of grain in the sound, which is a total opposite of the HD800′s. Having no grain in the sound results in a very clear view in the music. 
-Mike @ Headfonia

 With every smack of the snare and blare of a trumpet my eyes wince in pain. Fast transient edges are transformed into indiscriminate micro-bursts of tizz. 
-Tyll @ Innerfidelity

That was hilarious.

Just different approaches IMO. Mike seems to look for the best attributes of a given headphone (like Jude does), while Tyl is merciless with his exposition of flaws. Both approaches are valid, and in the end the headphone consumer will hopefully makes his or her decision based on a gestalt of reviews, combined with an awareness of personal preference.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkbeat 

Innerfidelity and it's not even close.

 

Sorry Grado fans, Tyll's preference for warm sounding headphones with minimal ringing actually happens to fit with a sizable majority in this hobby. Beyond that, his articles are always well-written, witty and backed-up by raw data that, like it or not, gives his reviews a solid basis other than subjective opinion. 

 

Also Innerfidelity is my number one go-to for headphone buying and Tyll's reviews haven't let me down so far. I could never place the same trust in Headfonia, or indeed, a random poster on Head-fi.

Yeah, Tyll is not a fan of Grado and openly states that. He has, however, been recommending their entry level cans for decades until recently. I can see his point, though. For a long time, I've read a lot about the strengths and weaknesses of Grado, and perhaps Grado has been slow to respond to feedback compared to the competition. But I believe Grado is starting to listen. For example, I have the SR325is. According to charts and many testimonials, earlier versions over emphasize the high frequencies. But the  latest revision (with sparkly-silver color) doesn't exhibit any of this as far as I know. I've had two copies (from same store) and both sounded quite full without the sizzle. The style and fit is traditional so I think Grados attract customers who appreciate the retro flavor and serviceability. One thing they should consider is modernize the materials used for fit and comfort. this cable..  looks and feels like something from a car parts store - a radiator hose? Does it have to be like this? Anyway,  I happen to like how the stock pads feel - could use softer/cloth cover though.

I wonder if he'll have a chance to try the new Grados?

Quote:

Originally Posted by grokit 

Just different approaches IMO. Mike seems to look for the best attributes of a given headphone (like Jude does), while Tyl is merciless with his exposition of flaws. Both approaches are valid, and in the end the headphone consumer will hopefully makes his or her decision based on a gestalt of reviews, combined with an awareness of personal preference.

Essentially you're saying Mike is the HD650 of reviewers and Tyll is the HD800.

Quote:

Originally Posted by talisman42 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkbeat 

Innerfidelity and it's not even close.

 

Sorry Grado fans, Tyll's preference for warm sounding headphones with minimal ringing actually happens to fit with a sizable majority in this hobby. Beyond that, his articles are always well-written, witty and backed-up by raw data that, like it or not, gives his reviews a solid basis other than subjective opinion. 

 

Also Innerfidelity is my number one go-to for headphone buying and Tyll's reviews haven't let me down so far. I could never place the same trust in Headfonia, or indeed, a random poster on Head-fi.

 

Yeah, Tyll is not a fan of Grado and openly states that. He has, however, been recommending their entry level cans for decades until recently. I can see his point, though. For a long time, I've read a lot about the strengths and weaknesses of Grado, and perhaps Grado has been slow to respond to feedback compared to the competition. But I believe Grado is starting to listen. For example, I have the SR325is. According to charts and many testimonials, earlier versions over emphasize the high frequencies. But the  latest revision (with sparkly-silver color) doesn't exhibit any of this as far as I know. I've had two copies (from same store) and both sounded quite full without the sizzle. The style and fit is traditional so I think Grados attract customers who appreciate the retro flavor and serviceability. One thing they should consider is modernize the materials used for fit and comfort. this cable..  looks and feels like something from a car parts store - a radiator hose? Does it have to be like this? Anyway,  I happen to like how the stock pads feel - could use softer/cloth cover though.

 

I wonder if he'll have a chance to try the new Grados?

I think he has tried them and, frankly, my dear, I don't think he gives a damn.  He seems to have a very long history of not liking Grados dating back to the Headroom daze.  

I don't mind the cable so much as I do the 360 twistyness of the spinning earcups.  Seems like all copper is the ticket, just like they are.  Really the only criticism I have is the sub-bass which they pretty much don't have.  That's why I'd like to know more about the HE-400 versus the Grado house sound.  I'd buy a pair with the return option but I tire of sending stuff back.

Enjoyed your post.

I'll take Innerfidelity over Headfonia. I'm more familiar with the people at Innerfidelity than Headfonia and find Mike from Headfonia to be all over the place with his reviews. Some of them I agree with but the majority I do not but he does have much more reviews. Both sites are good for us and the more of them the better. Of course one would assume that when using websites such as this to gather research there would be more than just one review.

the reviews are based on watever setup they have on hand too...its not really the "can" per se.

So i take that into consideration, grados sound energetically sweet with a tube...else rather harsh, brutal, tomyears.

i try to keep an open mind....but tyll is funnnnnnnny...that ed10 vid had me stitched for a few mins.

And he almost convinced me i could solder a tubeamp on my own.....hmmmmm.

Quote:

Originally Posted by roma101 

While I appreciate Tyll's input quite a lot, I believe both sites are on par with each other. Mikes reviews have been very helpful in that he compares several cans together and uses very clear analogies that are fitting IMO (eg: DT1350 review was pretty spot-on IMO).

Tyll is a great reviewer however he went from saying the DTs were the best supraaural he ever heard until he heard the Amperiors and then those became the best. *shrug* I know at the time he was probably very impressed with the sound of the Amperiors but maybe there should have been a more in-depth comparison on the two headphones and why he took the crown away from the DTs and gave them to the Amps. Again, I love his reviews but I did find that a little odd.

That is a little odd. Evidently Mike's not the only one who's "all over the place".

No one is exempt from personal bias but in Mike's/Headfonia's case it's just too much IMO.

I VOTE CNET!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katun 

I VOTE CNET!

TROLL!    LOL

From what I've read - Tyll seems to prefer headphones with smooth Treble or Treble that is slightly rolled-off to prevent fatigue. He also prefers laid-back cans like the Sennheiser HD 650, Philips Fidelio L1, Citiscape Downtown. I was really confused how he could prefer the Skullcandy Hesh 2.0 over the Audio-Technica WS55 since I thought the WS55 sounded better. Having read more of his material, I realized that Tyll had different preferences from myself.

Innerfidelity is a great resource once you realize the authors' preferences.

I don't know about Headphonia. A lot of the reviews are murky and don't seem very helpful. They'll too general.

I'm not sure about rolled off treble, he actually states a couple times here and there that he doesn't mind a slight treble peak to add a bit of sparkle when it's within reason.  He dislikes overblown treble or ringy headphones, though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lubczyk 

From what I've read - Tyll seems to prefer headphones with smooth Treble or Treble that is slightly rolled-off to prevent fatigue. He also prefers laid-back cans like the Sennheiser HD 650, Philips Fidelio L1, Citiscape Downtown. I was really confused how he could prefer the Skullcandy Hesh 2.0 over the Audio-Technica WS55 since I thought the WS55 sounded better. Having read more of his material, I realized that Tyll had different preferences from myself.

 

Innerfidelity is a great resource once you realize the authors' preferences.

 

I don't know about Headphonia. A lot of the reviews are murky and don't seem very helpful. They'll too general.

HD650 is not laid back at all; it rolls off pretty fast but its upper mids are quite forward.