How can I fix the recessed mids in the Denon D5000?

I have the D2000, which comes with the same drivers as the D5000, and the mids aren't as recessed as people say. You can definitely EQ the mids up a couple dbs without effecting the sound signature, though. You won't regret the purchase. These Denons are the ****. 

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Originally Posted by SmettMark 

I'm on the search for my next headphone, and the D5000 has caught my eye because it's highly praised by it's hard thumping bass. However, it's said to have recessed mids, which is something I really hate. It just keeps me from being being pulled in the song, it makes the sing feel distant. In my M50, the recessed mids made me turn up the volume which made the treble harsh, the sound just felt hollow and distant. The denons reallhy seem like great headphones, but the mids are the only thing keeping me away from them. Do you think it would be a good idea to EQ the mids, or would it make the denon sound bad? Do you think that using the EQ to make the mids more forward and toning down the treble a bit (Toning down the treble would allow me to listen to music a bit louder so I can get more out of the mids). do you think using EQ would fix my problem?

You won't think it does once you amp it and listen to what happens. It certainly does lay back on the mids compared to other headphones, but it's bright on the top end. It makes for a great experience, if you have to have really nice mids, get the HD600 650s. Course if you are going that route: The HE-400's since they are almost like an open denon with bass that puts the D5k's stock accuracy to shame. I have both and after the first day I noticed that d5k has a lot of sound bouncing around it's cups which can screw with making things sound natural which the HE400s have none of this, and keep most of the denon bass (it just has no place to resonate so it won't rumble around.)

I think the HE-400s mids are also perhaps laid back too (either that or the whole thing is just laid back) but the mids are very nice and make more sense compared to the d5k most of the time.

ALSO: search for Markl Mod. I would do these to mine if I wanted to keep them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmettMark 

I'm on the search for my next headphone, and the D5000 has caught my eye because it's highly praised by it's hard thumping bass. However, it's said to have recessed mids, which is something I really hate. It just keeps me from being being pulled in the song, it makes the sing feel distant. In my M50, the recessed mids made me turn up the volume which made the treble harsh, the sound just felt hollow and distant. The denons reallhy seem like great headphones, but the mids are the only thing keeping me away from them. Do you think it would be a good idea to EQ the mids, or would it make the denon sound bad? Do you think that using the EQ to make the mids more forward and toning down the treble a bit (Toning down the treble would allow me to listen to music a bit louder so I can get more out of the mids). do you think using EQ would fix my problem?

The Denon 5000s don't have recessed mids. The Denon 2000 and 7000 have recessed mids in comparison though to the 5000. If you want you can mod them into open back like I did. It doesn't need to be made permanent an is easily reversible without damaging your headphones. I much preferred them after this moe. Bass was very much under control and reaches deep. Mids are even more forward and open (lush). Treble is also more detailed and airier. The sound stage significantly gets bigger. I'm still regretting selling my pair but I needed the money at thee time :(.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmettMark 

Do you think it would be a good idea to EQ the mids on the HE400? People say that you can make the HE400 really similar to the HE500 by tweaking it with EQ, which is awesome plus you will have its awesome bass.

I like to add no more than 3Db on the 4K band sometimes, usually 1.5Db. Really brings out guitars and general presence. Not a lot of headphones need this, works well with them however. I have never touched the mid EQ on my denons just 8k-16k a little bit.

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Originally Posted by SmettMark 

Do you think they are good for rock, metal, classic rock, etc.? Do you think that a lot of bass is good for those genres?

My D2000 are great for rock and metal. That's primarily what I listen to. So, I'd imagine that the D5000 is similar.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmettMark 

Do you think it would be a good idea to EQ the mids on the HE400? People say that you can make the HE400 really similar to the HE500 by tweaking it with EQ, which is awesome plus you will have its awesome bass.

The HE-400 sounds great as is. It has a bit of a V-shape but still retains the midrange. The HE-500 is a more balanced but not as bass heavy and does not have the sparkle of the HE-400. My ears perfer the HE-400.

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Originally Posted by Origin89 

I have the D2000, which comes with the same drivers as the D5000, and the mids aren't as recessed as people say. You can definitely EQ the mids up a couple dbs without effecting the sound signature, though. You won't regret the purchase. These Denons are the ****. 

The D5ks have much better mids the the D2k in stock form.

So overall, which one would be better?

Denon D2000 (maybe the D5000, but for now the D2000) with tweaked mids and some parts of the Markl mod or the HE400?

Quote:

Originally Posted by daniel521 

So overall, which one would be better?

 

Denon D2000 (maybe the D5000, but for now the D2000) with tweaked mids and some parts of the Markl mod or the HE400?

To my ears, the HE-400 walks all over them. If you have a decent amp (HE-400s love power despite what you might read), the HE-400 is the clear choice. If you are running unamped or with a small amp then the D5ks would make you happy. I do like the Denon line, but they are almost hard to listen to when A/B ing them with the Hifimans. The He-400s do everything better then the D2k/5K, I even prefer the bass on the HE-400s.

But again,  sound is subjective.

Quote:

Originally Posted by daniel521 

So overall, which one would be better?

 

Denon D2000 (maybe the D5000, but for now the D2000) with tweaked mids and some parts of the Markl mod or the HE400?

I auditioned some Markl modded D5k's a little while ago, they were not even close to how good my rev.2 HE400s sounded. Both were driven off a Bryston BHA1 at the audition comparison.

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Originally Posted by jerg 

I auditioned some Markl modded D5k's a little while ago, they were not even close to how good my rev.2 HE400s sounded. Both were driven off a Bryston BHA1 at the audition comparison.

Have you tried the stock model too? I thought a markl might bring my d5k's closer to my 400s but I guess that isn't going to happen!

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Originally Posted by Fearless1 

To my ears, the HE-400 walks all over them. If you have a decent amp (HE-400s love power despite what you might read), the HE-400 is the clear choice. If you are running unamped or with a small amp then the D5ks would make you happy. I do like the Denon line, but they are almost hard to listen to when A/B ing them with the Hifimans. The He-400s do everything better then the D2k/5K, I even prefer the bass on the HE-400s.

 

But again,  sound is subjective.

Glad someone else found this out too, they are hard to a-b with the 400's (hell maybe everything is because of their design.) I have loved my denons for years, but the cups are it's strength and down fall: it gives real impactful bass while not needing tons of volume, but the sound bounces around a lot in there and makes the 400 just sound clean and effortless.

I like having the denon d5000s stock amped and the he400. I find they go together well as a pair of headphones. While I love my he-400s the denons are just so damn comfy and warm sounding. When I want to REALLY listen to a song I use my he400. I would say on average I use my HE400 60% of the time and the denons 40% of the time. Again the Denons are nice for chilling and just getting into the music, but I find the HE-400 better for Critical Listening. 

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Originally Posted by RushNerd 

Have you tried the stock model too? I thought a markl might bring my d5k's closer to my 400s but I guess that isn't going to happen!

 

Glad someone else found this out too, they are hard to a-b with the 400's (hell maybe everything is because of their design.) I have loved my denons for years, but the cups are it's strength and down fall: it gives real impactful bass while not needing tons of volume, but the sound bounces around a lot in there and makes the 400 just sound clean and effortless.

Just wait until you hear the HE-400 with the Lyr (I see you heading in that direction from your posts).