NuForce HP-800 ??? - Page 6

But it sounds like the issue I eventually had with the K167.....a chunk removed around 200-400hz, which makes the bass and upper mids stand out by themselves, separated. It's one of the most unmusical things that can be voiced in a design.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beagle 

But it sounds like the issue I eventually had with the K167.....a chunk removed around 200-400hz, which makes the bass and upper mids stand out by themselves, separated. It's one of the most unmusical things that can be voiced in a design.

I didn't hear a dip in that range...I'll pay extra attention to it this weekend again and confirm.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacedonianHero 

I think you will like them. When are you expecting them in?

I ordered directly from NuForce since they don't have a restocking fee in case I don't like them.  Unfortunately, they don't arrive until Wednesday and I ordered them this past Tuesday! 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beagle 

But it sounds like the issue I eventually had with the K167.....a chunk removed around 200-400hz, which makes the bass and upper mids stand out by themselves, separated. It's one of the most unmusical things that can be voiced in a design.

The K267 may be improved in this area.  If you can, I would be curious for your take on the M-100 compared to the HP-800 and Yamaha PRO 500.  I think the M-100 might surprise you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacedonianHero 

I didn't hear a dip in that range...I'll pay extra attention to it this weekend again and confirm.

To my ears, it drops sharply down at 400Hz then slowly comes back up.

I notice the HP-800 has a relatively low sensitivity number compared to other headphones.  Is this good or bad?  I must confess I don't fully understand the sonic implications of the sensitivity number.  It is possible I am also confusing sensitivity with SPL.  With SPL, 115 seems to be near the top end and I don't know the SPL of the HP-800.  Is SPL an indicator of how much the drivers can be powered before distorting?
 

The sensitivity stat is usually how loud it gets with 1mW of power (in some cases it is given per volt applied).

A doubling of power gives 3dB increase of volume. A doubling of voltage swing equates to four times the power, which is a 6dB increase.

So for a sensitivity of 91 db/mW and an impedance of 32 ohms, the HP-800 needs about 0.18V to reach 91dB.

At the rated power of 20mW, which is at 0.8V, it will be 104 dB.

It will reach it's maximum rated output (30mW) at about 0.98V and produce 105 dB, so hardly any difference there.

So the short version is: it gets loud, but not crazy loud before distorting. Hmm I should probably add this to my review.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craigster75 

The K267 may be improved in this area.  If you can, I would be curious for your take on the M-100 compared to the HP-800 and Yamaha PRO 500.  I think the M-100 might surprise you.

I was eager to hear the M100 until it got the label "basshead" can. I have no way of auditioning them as no local retailers carry them.

This lower midrange "dip" that was mentioned in the HP800 would bother me. That's where the soul, flow and melody of music resides. The Yamaha PRO500 slightly enhances this area.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Armaegis 

The sensitivity stat is usually how loud it gets with 1mW of power (in some cases it is given per volt applied).

 

A doubling of power gives 3dB increase of volume. A doubling of voltage swing equates to four times the power, which is a 6dB increase.

 

So for a sensitivity of 91 db/mW and an impedance of 32 ohms, the HP-800 needs about 0.18V to reach 91dB.

At the rated power of 20mW, which is at 0.8V, it will be 104 dB.

It will reach it's maximum rated output (30mW) at about 0.98V and produce 105 dB, so hardly any difference there.

 

So the short version is: it gets loud, but not crazy loud before distorting. Hmm I should probably add this to my review.

I received this from NuForce customer service today which I find encouraging regarding listening at reasonably high volume:

Here is the SPL for the HP-800: 105.77 RMS Max SPL

Yep, their CS guy probably just crunched the numbers same as I did. The tricky part is what is your average listening volume and what is the dynamic range of the piece you're listening to. If you listen at 90dB but the song has transients that peak 20dB above the average, then you'll get distortion. 

The HP800 arrived yesterday. Initial impressions....

BASS

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beagle 

The HP800 arrived yesterday. Initial impressions....

 

BASS

Audiophile bass or basshead bass?

I'm really interested but it's pretty damn fugly. I can maybe look past it if the sound quality is good enough.

My general rule of thumb is, if I hear the bass right off the bat, there's too much of it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beagle 

The HP800 arrived yesterday. Initial impressions....

 

BASS

Best one-word review I could hear from you.  Mine arrive tomorrow.  Sounds like they will be just north of neutral by my standards

I'm just keeping my fingers crossed they don't distort at the high end of my listening.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craigster75 

Best one-word review I could hear from you.  Mine arrive tomorrow.  Sounds like they will be just north of neutral by my standards

 

I'm just keeping my fingers crossed they don't distort at the high end of my listening.

Just put on my HP-800.  Thank you to MacedonianHero and Armaegis for the heads up and reviews on these.  I am having a blast!  I am listening at LOUD levels with bass boost on a FiiO E11 and not picking up distortion, just the bliss of a deep sonic ear massage.  These are the perfect basshead complement to my M-100s.  It's not just the bass I am enjoying.  The mids have good detail and the highs extend nicely with no harshness.  I am also pleasantly surprised by the comfort- one of the most comfortable headphones I have ever worn.  These are keepers.