Battle Of The Flagships (58 Headphones Compared)
Oct 31, 2012 at 6:36 PM Post #31 of 5,854
Quote:
it's definitely one of them.  i love the HD800's neutral tone.  But being that HD800 is #6, there's 5 in front of it:)

Alright alright. Fair enough, I'll take it.
 
So next question I had (this is great I can ask someone like you these things lol). What, in your opinion, is the best portable music source out there? I currently use my Android smartphone as my source, and I think it works great for me. I've got a really good app that has a 10-channel equalizer, so it suits me fine. Only downside is that since it's a cellphone, the RF emissions create noticeable static noise. Especially when the cord running from my phone to my amp is sitting above or below it. It's interesting to hear the phone talking with the tower, but I don't really care for it much.  If I turn the radio off, it fixes the problem, but then I don't have the "phone" part of it haha. So I was just looking for another solution. An obvious option is an iPod, but I have this deep burning hate for all things Apple. Especially iTunes. Lord don't even get me started! Anyways, do iPods work the best? Do I just need to get over my hate for it?
 
I guess my question is, what portable source has the best equalizer? I'm kind of dissatisfied with the EQs on iPods, since they only allow factory presets and not your own manual settings.
 
Oct 31, 2012 at 6:43 PM Post #32 of 5,854
This is really a wealth of accurate information and will be of great value to much of the head-fi community. Many thanks for putting this together. I've read through all of it now and am in agreement with your assessment of most everything that I've personally owned and auditioned. The one exception is that you say the hd650 is not "amp picky." Got to disagree there. Otherwise, this is an outstanding article!! 
 
Oct 31, 2012 at 7:02 PM Post #33 of 5,854
Simply amazing post and great read.  Props for the presentation as well.
 
Just FYI, the Denon AHD7000 is cross-listed under Sennheiser as well as Denon if you wanted to fix that.
 
Oct 31, 2012 at 7:20 PM Post #35 of 5,854
Fantastic contribution!  One slight correction:
 
"The HD600 is one of only three four headphones that I have awarded an A+ value rating in this entire evaluation (the other three are Beyerdynamic's DT 880, Audio-Technica's ATH-AD900, and HifiMan's HE-500)."

 
 
Oct 31, 2012 at 7:22 PM Post #36 of 5,854
Quote:
Simply amazing post and great read.  Props for the presentation as well.
 
Just FYI, the Denon AHD7000 is cross-listed under Sennheiser as well as Denon if you wanted to fix that.

oh wow! that was supposed to be the HD700.  i fixed it! thanks!
 
Oct 31, 2012 at 7:28 PM Post #37 of 5,854
Quote:
This is really a wealth of accurate information and will be of great value to much of the head-fi community. Many thanks for putting this together. I've read through all of it now and am in agreement with your assessment of most everything that I've personally owned and auditioned. The one exception is that you say the hd650 is not "amp picky." Got to disagree there. Otherwise, this is an outstanding article!! 

Thanks! You know its not that I don't think it needs an amp. It's that I've never heard the HD650 sound particular bad no matter which amp
Quote:
Alright alright. Fair enough, I'll take it.
 
So next question I had (this is great I can ask someone like you these things lol). What, in your opinion, is the best portable music source out there? I currently use my Android smartphone as my source, and I think it works great for me. I've got a really good app that has a 10-channel equalizer, so it suits me fine. Only downside is that since it's a cellphone, the RF emissions create noticeable static noise. Especially when the cord running from my phone to my amp is sitting above or below it. It's interesting to hear the phone talking with the tower, but I don't really care for it much.  If I turn the radio off, it fixes the problem, but then I don't have the "phone" part of it haha. So I was just looking for another solution. An obvious option is an iPod, but I have this deep burning hate for all things Apple. Especially iTunes. Lord don't even get me started! Anyways, do iPods work the best? Do I just need to get over my hate for it?
 
I guess my question is, what portable source has the best equalizer? I'm kind of dissatisfied with the EQs on iPods, since they only allow factory presets and not your own manual settings.

There's better sounding portable players out there from cowon for instance, but nothing beats an iPod for me.  I also think a LAME mp3 at V0 or even V2 is satisfactory for most portable application:)
Quote:
wow this is epic. just curious, why no DT990?

Yknow, I used to own the DT990.  I haven't in many years.  It's a good one, but I don't have it to compare at the moment. I like the 880 more though
 
Oct 31, 2012 at 8:00 PM Post #38 of 5,854
Okay, so this review has me interested in several headphones that I haven't yet heard, but mostly the Audio Technica ATH AD900!! Gotta give those a listen..
 
Oct 31, 2012 at 8:11 PM Post #40 of 5,854
I'm aware that this is going to be a fairly off color question, but I'll go for it anyway:

How can you manage to afford all this? Has audiophilia been a guiding principle in your life?
 
Oct 31, 2012 at 8:18 PM Post #41 of 5,854
It's a business bra. As such, a lot can be written off as cost of the job.

Damn Dave, you've outdone yourself. Really looking forward to your continued efforts and thank you from the bottom of my tube drawer.
 
Oct 31, 2012 at 8:20 PM Post #43 of 5,854
Quote:
Holy smoke, thats one impressive set of reviews. You have one hell of a job, or no life, or both :)
Definetly helps the search for a(one!) flagship headphone to pair with my amp.

That's funny! 
 
Actually, for a time I really had no life.  The 6 core months it took to do the comparisons, I gained about 40 lbs.  I nearly lost touch with reality.  My whole life was literally just work / review / sleep.  I've only recently gotten back in the studio working on music.
 
Oct 31, 2012 at 8:20 PM Post #44 of 5,854
Quote:
That's funny! 
 
Actually, for a time I really had no life.  The 6 core months it took to do the comparisons, I gained about 40 lbs.  I nearly lost touch with reality.  My whole life was literally just work / review / sleep.  I've only recently gotten back in the studio working on music.

eek.gif

 
Oct 31, 2012 at 8:24 PM Post #45 of 5,854
Quote:
I'm aware that this is going to be a fairly off color question, but I'll go for it anyway:
How can you manage to afford all this? Has audiophilia been a guiding principle in your life?

A lot of the money that funded this project came from some savings I had from my tenure as a session musician.  It's been a while since I've done any tremendous sessions though.  Hopefully that will come back:) I've probably been less responsible than I should, but with the knowledge that most of these headphones (especially the expensive ones) can be resold for not much of a loss, I've been able to convince myself its ok.
 
 
Quote:
It's a business bra. As such, a lot can be written off as cost of the job.
Damn Dave, you've outdone yourself. Really looking forward to your continued efforts and thank you from the bottom of my tube drawer.

I wish it were that simple! regarding the business.  Since I've been at headphones.com, the only headphones I've acquired were the Qualias, SR Omega, ES5, LCD-3, SR009, HD700, Edition 10 and SRH1840.   Most of those, we don't sell cause they're custom or out of production.  I'm thinking about parting with the Qualias though.  
 
Thanks for the compliments!!
 

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