Just got my NT6, and now I'm curious how much that extra treble would help as I don't think it's that bright.  My V3 are more forward than it, especially the bass, which isn't very controlled.  As for X5, it's laid back.  I'm perplexed why you would think the X5 would be forward.  I would say DX90 is forward and warm as it has more bass or aire, and the treble is forward.  With the NT6, the DX90 is more appreciable as it tightens the sound.  I don't mind the DX90 with the NT6, but with the V3 I mind a bit since the V3 is forward in the bass department and DX90 does push the bass a bit compared to the X5.  I feel since X5 is laid back, it sounds clearer with the NT6, whereas the DX90 with it's forward treble, the highend is more pronounced and more noticible.  

silverears said:

  Just got my NT6, and now I'm curious how much that extra treble would help as I don't think it's that bright.  My V3 are more forward than it, especially the bass, which isn't very controlled.  As for X5, it's laid back.  I'm perplexed why you would think the X5 would be forward.  I would say DX90 is forward and warm as it has more bass or aire, and the treble is forward.  With the NT6, the DX90 is more appreciable as it tightens the sound.  I don't mind the DX90 with the NT6, but with the V3 I mind a bit since the V3 is forward in the bass department and DX90 does push the bass a bit compared to the X5.  I feel since X5 is laid back, it sounds clearer with the NT6, whereas the DX90 with it's forward treble, the highend is more pronounced and more noticible.  

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Maybe I should clarify what I mean by forward. I am talking about the X5's intimate sound stage being presented closer to the band as if in the same room - not that the DAP is anything other than neutral across the frequency range. With a more forward sound stage, the X5 gives me the illusion of a full human sized band at lower more comfortable volume levels. The DX90 requires me to turn the volume up to uncomfortable levels to get that same intimacy and feels like I am in the nose bleed section at lower volumes. That's an exaggeration for effect, but I have a much larger usable volume range with the X5.
 
But then again, who knows, maybe with my damaged 50 year old ears, I could just be hearing it all wrong. 
 
I should also point out that though our CIEMs share the same 6 drivers, they are tuned a little differently with the pro having an extra crossover apparently supporting the low end for more slam with yours being a little more neutral. I am not sure how those differences play out with these DAPs.
 
BTW, thank you for being the only other person besides myself to say that the Hiditions are not really that bright. I find my Pro to be extremely neutral and very extended both directions which I suppose can be interpreted as bright by some.

barra said:

   
Maybe I should clarify what I mean by forward. I am talking about the X5's intimate sound stage being presented closer to the band as if in the same room - not that the DAP is anything other than neutral across the frequency range. With a more forward sound stage, the X5 gives me the illusion of a full human sized band at lower more comfortable volume levels. The DX90 requires me to turn the volume up to uncomfortable levels to get that same intimacy and feels like I am in the nose bleed section at lower volumes. That's an exaggeration for effect, but I have a much larger usable volume range with the X5.
 
But then again, who knows, maybe with my damaged 50 year old ears, I could just be hearing it all wrong. 

 
I should also point out that though our CIEMs share the same 6 drivers, they are tuned a little differently with the pro having an extra crossover apparently supporting the low end for more slam with yours being a little more neutral. I am not sure how those differences play out with these DAPs.
 
BTW, thank you for being the only other person besides myself to say that the Hiditions are not really that bright. I find my Pro to be extremely neutral and very extended both directions which I suppose can be interpreted as bright by some.

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I hear intimate.  The NT6 helps the DX90, but I'm less impressed with it.  DX90 sounds like it has two high end layers, the very high sharp treble and mids, and not much in between.  X5 sounds like it provides more variations in the sound.  What I mean by DX90 being forward is that contrasting high pitched treble, and the warmth on the other end, are both more pronounced.  I hear X5 sounding more defined, and hear the details in it's definition whereas DX90 doesn't add as much definition, but it's exciting sounding because of it's U nature.

silverears said:

barra said:

 

Maybe I should clarify what I mean by forward. I am talking about the X5's intimate sound stage being presented closer to the band as if in the same room - not that the DAP is anything other than neutral across the frequency range. With a more forward sound stage, the X5 gives me the illusion of a full human sized band at lower more comfortable volume levels. The DX90 requires me to turn the volume up to uncomfortable levels to get that same intimacy and feels like I am in the nose bleed section at lower volumes. That's an exaggeration for effect, but I have a much larger usable volume range with the X5.

But then again, who knows, maybe with my damaged 50 year old ears, I could just be hearing it all wrong. :wink_face:

I should also point out that though our CIEMs share the same 6 drivers, they are tuned a little differently with the pro having an extra crossover apparently supporting the low end for more slam with yours being a little more neutral. I am not sure how those differences play out with these DAPs.

BTW, thank you for being the only other person besides myself to say that the Hiditions are not really that bright. I find my Pro to be extremely neutral and very extended both directions which I suppose can be interpreted as bright by some.

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I hear intimate.  The NT6 helps the DX90, but I'm less impressed with it.  DX90 sounds like it has two high end layers, the very high sharp treble and mids, and not much in between.  X5 sounds like it provides more variations in the sound.  What I mean by DX90 being forward is that contrasting high pitched treble, and the warmth on the other end, are both more pronounced.  I hear X5 sounding more defined, and hear the details in it's definition whereas DX90 doesn't add as much definition, but it's exciting sounding because of it's U nature.

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I agree with that.

X5 stage is more realistic. Try comparing live recordings with DX90.  DX90 sounds like it just fills it with aire, but X5 does sound like real stage

I find the Hugo with the most realistic soundstage, but it isn't a dap. It does give me a good baseline to work from though. I find the soundstage of the DX90 to be extremely good. It is well layered and the imaging lets me mentally spot where a singer is, drums or whatever it might be, if recorded in a reasonable manner. So as to the DX90 not presenting a soundstage that is believable, and I have heard and continue to hear a lot of live music, I do not agree. I find that it is often very believable and that includes the dynamics and balanced frequency range.

jamato, I know you started the Dx90 thread, and you have been talking up of DX90, and it's hard to be impartial for you because of those reasons.  I'm trying to give the most honest impressions.  I read your comments, it's very partial, you have nothing negative to say about the DX90 and we all see it.

^Jamato is simply giving his opinion, just like you, but you seem to think your opinion is more valid or impartial, which is un called for. There are plenty of people that prefer dx90 to x5 and vice versa, its only preferances and opinions.

silverears said:

  X5 stage is more realistic. Try comparing live recordings with DX90.  DX90 sounds like it just fills it with aire, but X5 does sound like real stage

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Personally, I am impressed that you guys can get soundstaging/imaging information out of headphones, with sounds coming from around/behind the head.

vkalia said:

   
Personally, I am impressed that you guys can get soundstaging/imaging information out of headphones, with sounds coming from around/behind the head.

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Stereo recording with waves hitting the mic that are reflected from walls, there are delays to the waves that hit the mic. Your ears get a sense of space from delays of the sound waves what we call phase. You ears perceive all this and gets a sense of space based on the recording.  Some recording do better at providing this perception as they are recorded well and the sound will be reproduced closer.  So more realistic than others.  Some DAPs more realstic than other in representing this.   

silverears said:

  jamato, I know you started the Dx90 thread, and you have been talking up of DX90, and it's hard to be impartial for you because of those reasons.  I'm trying to give the most honest impressions.  I read your comments, it's very partial, you have nothing negative to say about the DX90 and we all see it.

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I have these daps. I am giving my opinion as I hear it. Please do not devaluate my opinion because it does not go along with yours or make suppositions regarding what I hear and how I might interpret other than what I hear. . 

jamato8 said:

  I have these daps. I am giving my opinion as I hear it. Please do not devaluate my opinion because it does not go along with yours or make suppositions regarding what I hear and how I might interpret other than what I hear. . 

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Ok, we have different ears and setups.    I came off kinda rash, apologies.

barra said:

BTW, thank you for being the only other person besides myself to say that the Hiditions are not really that bright. I find my Pro to be extremely neutral and very extended both directions which I suppose can be interpreted as bright by some.

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Although they were not fitted to my ears (but someone elses) I had a chance to listen NT-6 Pro and for me they were very, very bright. I like neutral, more on the analytical side, sound; if I had to choose between dark/warm sound and bright sound I would choose bright one; I love clarity and transparency. But, I just couldn't stand the aggresive flow of information coming from the highs on NT-6. Of course, we all have different ears and we hear differently.

Barra, I can imagine that X5 pairs very well with NT-6Pro. As I said previously, for me X5 is a tad dark and thus if paired with NT-6Pro it may give more or less neutral, dynamic sound.

shakur1996 said:

Barra, I can imagine that X5 pairs very well with NT-6Pro. As I said previously, for me X5 is a tad dark and thus if paired with NT-6Pro it may give more or less neutral, dynamic sound.

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This makes sense.
 
I thought even my NT-6, which I regard as neutral, output X5 pretty well.  It does reveals what details the X5 is outputting.

silverears said:

  I hear intimate.  The NT6 helps the DX90, but I'm less impressed with it.  DX90 sounds like it has two high end layers, the very high sharp treble and mids, and not much in between.  X5 sounds like it provides more variations in the sound.  What I mean by DX90 being forward is that contrasting high pitched treble, and the warmth on the other end, are both more pronounced.  I hear X5 sounding more defined, and hear the details in it's definition whereas DX90 doesn't add as much definition, but it's exciting sounding because of it's U nature.

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I don't hear the DX90 anything like that. I find it's character much more balanced than the X5. I suspect the X5 just interfaces well with your NT6 and there's nothing wrong with that.