What should I buy next? SR-009? - Page 7

Jesus christ. You really had a point to make, huh? :D

I've always said I feel the 009 images better than the HD800. It feels more precise and properly spaced to me. The HD800 loses some things in the huge stage it throws around, and that was one of the first things I noticed when listening to the 009.

Quote:

Originally Posted by arnaud 

I also question the judgement of imaging. Even with my lowly 727 amp, the 009 instruments placement in depth and width is like no other headphone I heard. The HD800 had a massively wide and deep soundstage, but even the Omega 2 bettered it in actual precision of the placement and layering.

So, when we start to say this is 90% of that, I start to wonder if this is not awefully skewed by listener's taste and especially one's critical judgement. Suffice to say, we probably should clarify what we mean by better soundstage. if its sheer width down to getting fuzzy in placement, I'd say hd800. if we talk a about layering and placement (with recordings that enable such judgment), I have hard time believing the hd800 does better based on my past experience.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MorbidToaster 

Jesus christ. You really had a point to make, huh? :D

 

I've always said I feel the 009 images better than the HD800. It feels more precise and properly spaced to me. The HD800 loses some things in the huge stage it throws around, and that was one of the first things I noticed when listening to the 009.

 

+1. After spending sometime with the 009 and after months of using the HD800, the SR009 is superior in nearly everything and that includes imaging and positioning. HD800 has a slight advantage with separation but the 009s do feel more natural and many instruments come out and surprise you like no other can does.

Another personal impression of the 009: when listening to music or even mastering a song, there is usually a central motiff, be it vocals or a solo with a guitar that can easily distract you because they are the dominant theme. With the 009s you can easily direct your focus to other instruments and keep your concentration on them. For me, absolutely no other can can do this and for critical listening nothing can beat the 009 even the HD800.

I think you really put it in perspective there. If you're going to cripple an orchestra you may as well do it with the HD800. :D It does work very well with that stuff but most of my listening is stuff that is hurt by the massive headphone stage they present. 

I recently heard some orchestral stuff on the Shahinian Obelisks as was blown away. It really just...it was hilarious comparing it to any headphones. There were no words. They were probably the most impressive speakers I've ever heard with orchestral stuff. The fact I could go anywhere in the room and head the same sound was fantastic as well. 

...and if they didn't cost 2k more than my Harbeths (OUCH) they'd be my second speaker. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackskelly 

 

On my first post today I said that I thought the imaging was better not by much, and that probably does have to do with my personal taste. I listen to a lot of orchestral classical music, probably more than anything else, so I do think that's why I like the soundstage of the HD 800 so much, it suits that type of music very well. You really need a speaker system truly to do that type of music justice. But for the modern music is listen to with the HD 800, I do sometimes feel like the soundstage of the HD 800 is too large, artificially large, and the Stax SR-009 I recall had just as good or better imaging for modern music.

I do really think the Harbeths are here (not yet) to stay. They've made me happier than any headphone has and I haven't even heard them in my own house yet. 

Can't promise they'll do classical particularly well, but as usual, audio nerds are welcome to stop by anytime.

I've heard from many a Harbeth owner that they may have 2nd and 3rd speakers to play with, but the Harbeths have never left. Hoping I can say the same thing down the line.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackskelly 

 

Yeah, I've decided I need both a Stax set-up and a speaker set-up. My audiophile neighbor's system has really spoiled me. I won't be able to have anything like that for many years, barring I win the lottery. I'm very fortunate to live across the street from him. He's also mainly into classical. This is his system, I've told you about this system Morbid:

 

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I'd really like to hear your Harbeth's when I get a chance to come to Austin sometime again, assuming you still have them. :D

Looks god awful. Especially the gaudy red horns. Is there even one thing done to make the room good for sound?

That system is in audiogon.