[Madmollusk]

  Someone has done some measurements: 

www.  innerfidelity   .com/content/evidence-headphone-break#LsCMSA0Tk4ewDsje.97

Thanks. I'm familiar with Tyll's little test (there have been others, btw), and this is why I maintain an agnostic attitude. 

 

[Gaikotsu]

OK, well the point being that the phenomenon exists enough to warrant some data.  The only real problem is that it doesn't measure whether or not those changes are good/bad.  That is truly the only subjective part no matter how extensive the data set becomes.

I think a good control would be to settle on what measurement constitutes "good" audio characteristics.  Then you can measure from there and see if it has moved towards that goal.

 

[Madmollusk]

  OK, well the point being that the phenomenon exists enough to warrant some data.  The only real problem is that it doesn't measure whether or not those changes are good/bad.  That is truly the only subjective part no matter how extensive the data set becomes.

I think a good control would be to settle on what measurement constitutes "good" audio characteristics.  Then you can measure from there and see if it has moved towards that goal.

Indeed. I agree, my friend.  There's plenty of anecdotal evidence supporting driver burn-in, and audio engineers have formulated an admirably cogent theory explaining how burn-in presumably works. (I acknowledged this, implicitly at least, in my previous post.) Moreover, there's actually some real evidence to support the driver burn-in claim, but that evidence (unfortunately)  is far from conclusive. Moreover, these so-called driver burn-in studies were conducted... well, sloppily, with very few controls.  But here's my loving fig-leaf: Driver burn-in is a theory. Likewise, Brain burn-in is also a theory. We should, consequently, deal with both theories with the same set of impartial standards. I suspect in the long run, we'll be able to exonerate parts of both theories.
 
One thing is for sure, though: you and I both love the Nighthawk! Cheers. 

 
 
Now back to our normally scheduled program. (I don't want to anger the gods of Head-fi with science talk in the wrong thread.) 

 

[Gaikotsu]

  Indeed. I agree, my friend.  There's plenty of anecdotal evidence supporting driver burn-in, and audio engineers have formulated an admirably cogent theory explaining how burn-in presumably works. (I acknowledged this, implicitly at least, in my previous post.) Moreover, there's actually some real evidence to support the driver burn-in claim, but that evidence (unfortunately)  is far from conclusive. Moreover, these so-called driver burn-in studies were conducted... well, sloppily, with very few controls.  But here's my loving fig-leaf: Driver burn-in is a theory. Likewise, Brain burn-in is also a theory. We should, consequently, deal with both theories with the same set of impartial standards. I suspect in the long run, we'll be able to exonerate parts of both theories.
 
One thing is for sure, though: you and I both love the Nighthawk! Cheers. 

 
 
Now back to our normally scheduled program. (I don't want to anger the gods of Head-fi with science talk in the wrong thread.) 

Agreed.

Although, I finally decided to connect them directly to the computer instead of through the Dragonfly Red and the sound is vastly different.  The DAC clearly cleans up the noise floor as the phones are dead quiet through it.  But as soon as it connects direct to the PC, there is noise.  Also, there is far more bass.  The sound signature is almost completely different. I am beginning to think that the DAC colors the sound far too much.  I also believe the Nighthawks were engineered somewhat to match the DragonFly's sound signature.  The DAC dials down the bass response which opens up the Nighthawks into more treble detail.  On the PC, the bass is heavier and the background details are subdued and the highs are a bit harsher. What this reveals is that the Nighthawks are in fact, more or less, transparent.  They do have their own sound signature, of course, but they do not actively modify the sound.

It's another layer of weirdness because I don't hate the sound out of either the DAC or straight PC.  It is simply different.

 

[SkylarGray]

  It's Christmas eve, and Audioquest is still hoarding, scrooge style, all the boost pads.

  But I'm still holding out for a holiday announcement, maybe a new year's eve reveal! My friends, btw, often call me a "hopeless dreamer," and sometimes just "hopeless." 

Really sorry for being Scrooge!
 
 
About the new boost pads and ultrasuede pads...
 
I really wanted to have them available for purchase directly from our website starting on Dec 1.
And there is no technical reason that we could not have done that.
 
But we have not turned on that switch yet because, honestly, AQ is a traditional hifi company that is struggling with the idea of selling direct because we have so many dealers. When exactly these new pads will be available is beyond my control, unfortunately. So in the interest of doing what's best for the customers that keep us in business...
 
If anyone wants the new pads, send an email to info@audioquest.com, tell them you talked to Skylar and would like to purchase either the new boost pads, the new ultrasuede pads, or both—whatever you need. They can make the sale and ship them to you.
 
I hate to make it so difficult for you, the customers, but there's only so much I can do to change the attitude of an old-skool company.
 
Thanks everyone...Happy New Year!
 
Skylar

 

[Madmollusk]

  Really sorry for being Scrooge!
 
 
About the new boost pads and ultrasuede pads...
 
I really wanted to have them available for purchase directly from our website starting on Dec 1.
And there is no technical reason that we could not have done that.
 
But we have not turned on that switch yet because, honestly, AQ is a traditional hifi company that is struggling with the idea of selling direct because we have so many dealers. When exactly these new pads will be available is beyond my control, unfortunately. So in the interest of doing what's best for the customers that keep us in business...
 
If anyone wants the new pads, send an email to info@audioquest.com, tell them you talked to Skylar and would like to purchase either the new boost pads, the new ultrasuede pads, or both—whatever you need. They can make the sale and ship them to you.
 
I hate to make it so difficult for you, the customers, but there's only so much I can do to change the attitude of an old-skool company.
 
Thanks everyone...Happy New Year!
 
Skylar

Thanks for the update, Skylar! I sincerely appreciate it.  I plan to purchase a pair or two forthwith. I certainly hope that you know that I was joking when I made that Scrouge comment. Anyway, Happy New Year! And thanks for engineering and crafting such an amazing pair of headphones. 

 

[kartik7405]

This is my first post on this thread.i am also joined the nighthawk club from today.i bought a used pair ;so i guess i do not need any burnin.i have done some modification in stock pair so that it does not sound cloudy at all.Mids are now more pronounced;bass boom reduced.Now more airness in sound and congession also gone.Definitely an huge improvement ;all shortcoming of nighthawk are now gone.
 
Remove the diffusing paper on backside of driver.Also remove the felt material as well.
 
This mod is easy and reversible.If you do not like it you can reverse the process;its that damn easy.
 

 
Regards,

 

[bugeyed]

  This is my first post on this thread.i am also joined the nighthawk club from today.i bought a used pair ;so i guess i do not need any burnin.i have done some modification in stock pair so that it does not sound cloudy at all.Mids are now more pronounced;bass boom reduced.Now more airness in sound and congession also gone.Definitely an huge improvement ;all shortcoming of nighthawk are now gone.
 
Remove the diffusing paper on backside of driver.Also remove the felt material as well.
 
This mod is easy and reversible.If you do not like it you can reverse the process;its that damn easy.
 

 
Regards,

I would love to hear Skylar's thoughts on this mod. He would be able to tell us what the down side may likely be. After all, those parts were put in for a reason. 
kev

 

[Rchandra]

Dang i dont think the warranty will be valid anymore with that mod LOL.

 

[nwavesailor]

Dang i dont think the warranty will be valid anymore with that mod LOL.

Yep, likely so!
 
I am very content with the Boost and ultrasuede pads for tuning the NH to a specific genre or artist I may be listening to.

 

[kartik7405]

  I would love to hear Skylar's thoughts on this mod. He would be able to tell us what the down side may likely be. After all, those parts were put in for a reason. 
kev

i would like to put my thoughts before that.The diffusing paper limit the drivers ability to produce pure  sound somehow.As the paper limits the driver movement.
you can put any acoustic fiber on the back of driver as well for better result.Regarding felt;it suck the mids somehow.Remove them the liquid wood will take care of distortion anyway.
 
 
Instead of removing the whole paper you can punch some 2-3 holes on it;so that driver movement will be better.

 

[Venture Guy]

 
Yep, likely so!
 
I am cvery ontent with the Boost and ultrasuede pads for tuning the NH to a specific genre or artist I may be listening to.

What are impressions of the boost and ultrasuede pads versus the standard pads?

 

[aviduser2]

Is there any deals for nighthawk in europe atm? I've seen the very attractive US price, but with import duties, VAT etc it become to close to EU retail.

 

[nwavesailor]

  What are impressions of the boost and ultrasuede pads versus the standard pads?

Read post # 4788 on page 320.
 
Skylar does a much better job describing the sound of the Boost and Ultrasuede pads. My take is the Boost give a little 'boost' to the detail and the Ultrasuede more so.
 
I have mostly been using the Boost pads, but tonight I have the Ultrasuede pads on and the detail is FANTASTIC!!!
Without telling her I had my wife, who thought the Ultrasuede were perhaps a bit too much of a good thing, do some listening. A little Bob Marley had her toes tapping AND head bobbing............a sure sign that it's sounding great!

 

[audi0nick128]

Is there any deals for nighthawk in europe atm? I've seen the very attractive US price, but with import duties, VAT etc it become to close to EU retail.

There is an offer for 349€ on eBay.
Shipping is an extra 12€.

http://m.ebay.de/itm/AudioQuest-Nighthawk-Kopfhorer-Neu-in-OVP-/291986411816?hash=item43fbbf1128%3Ag%3AIwMAAOSwdIFX2Cg~&_trkparms=pageci%253A272394aa-d021-11e6-b6e6-005056b688e7%257Cparentrq%253A5a169eda1590a357c846e443ffc2def9%257Ciid%253A1