[Selbi]

  Don't force yourself to like it and everybody's ears are different in the way they prefer the sounds. I went through 2-3 NH before getting used to its "unique" sounds signature, but only after trying a bunch of other headphones and upgrading to a superior amp/dac (Audio-gd NFB-11), that I found out that this "niche" hp is just weird and different enough to own. The NH didn't blow me away and it didn't click right away either unlike the Nightowl which at first listen, sounds like a "burned in" pair of NH with wider soundstage. 

 
My X2 just have way more punch than the NH, and I'm running both from the same DAC/amp. (Subjectively speaking) they have a better sound stage, they extend into both treble and bass more, and they are generally just more "fun". I just cannot explain it. The best description I've found so far is really just that the NH sound like plastic, and that stance didn't go away after three days.
 
The only thing so far that the NH did better at first impression was that they're much more comfortable. Which sucks double, because for that reason alone I wish I would love these.
 
I've been actively trying to solo the NH in hopes my brain would adjust to its sound. But I've always found my way back to the X2, because they simply were a ton more enjoyable. It got me thinking, why am I trying to force myself to love headphones that didn't give me an immediate wow factor?
 

@Selbi

What kind of music do you like? I have the Nighthawk Carbon for a few days now, but only managed two hours of listening, directly from an iPad Mini. But I was positively astonished with for example Tool, Lateralus (the song) and Dire Straits, Money for Nothing.

 
Mostly metal, though I don't really like Tool. They seem to be a go-to band for many head-fi'ers... My roots lie mostly in Power Metal stuff (Helloween, Blind Guardian, DragonForce, etc.)
 
Maybe, in a few years from here, the Carbon will become obsolete by the release of a third AQ headphone and will be reduced to 300€ as well. If I don't get to love my current NH, I might come back to the future. Level5 also said he had multiple iterations.
 

  Whether you like a headphone or not depends on many things (experience, amp/DAC, taste). I also sold my first Nighthawk. Then after trying many other headphones and upgrading my audio gear gave NH another chance, as my treble sensitivity forced me to find a smooth sounding headphone. Love came only with my second Nighthawk. One year after I sold the first one.

 
What exactly do you mean by experience? In my case, the NH are the second pair of serious headphones. (Context: I'm in my early twenties and got a well-paid intern, so I can finally ditch my next-media-store cans. :V)

 

[YtseJamer]

  Mostly metal, though I don't really like Tool. They seem to be a go-to band for many head-fi'ers... My roots lie mostly in Power Metal stuff (Helloween, Blind Guardian, DragonForce, etc.)

 
To be honest with you, I'm still using my Grados for that kind of music 

  (Iron Maiden, Nightwish, Amon Amarth, Epica, Evergrey, etc)

 

[Selbi]

   
To be honest with you, I'm still using my Grados for that kind of music 

  (Iron Maiden, Nightwish, Amon Amarth, Epica, Evergrey, etc)

While I've heard that about Grados before, I don't like the feeling of on-ears. Plus, and this is the cruncher, I'm trying to find the perfect all-arounder headphone for music (of any kind), games, movies, etc. The budget just isn't there yet to have a variety of different headphones to suit different situations.

 

[Jackpot77]

Whether you like a headphone or not depends on many things (experience, amp/DAC, taste). I also sold my first Nighthawk. Then after trying many other headphones and upgrading my audio gear gave NH another chance, as my treble sensitivity forced me to find a smooth sounding headphone. Love came only with my second Nighthawk. One year after I sold the first one.

As the grateful recipient of your first pair, I'm glad they didn't stick the first time round (they are currently my main pair of over ears, and likely to remain that way for a long time). I'm also glad you gave them another chance and managed to see the light!

 

[Amrit-R]

While I've heard that about Grados before, I don't like the feeling of on-ears. Plus, and this is the cruncher, I'm trying to find the perfect all-arounder headphone for music (of any kind), games, movies, etc. The budget just isn't there yet to have a variety of different headphones to suit different situations.

Well, then you might want to try the Sennheiser HD650. I've used those for years, and enjoyed them very much with all kinds of music, including metal. I bought a pair of Sennheiser HD700 not because they suited me better but because I thought that because they were more expensive and a higher they would be better then the HD650 (I think it's called 'clueless' The HD700 are actually better for some types of music, but imo they are less generalist then the HD650. The moment Sennheiser retires the HD650, if they ever will, I'll buy a pair just to be on the safe side.

 

[ninetylol]

 
While I've heard that about Grados before, I don't like the feeling of on-ears. Plus, and this is the cruncher, I'm trying to find the perfect all-arounder headphone for music (of any kind), games, movies, etc. The budget just isn't there yet to have a variety of different headphones to suit different situations.

maybe look here: http://www.head-fi.org/t/715478/headphones-for-metal-music-ultimate-solution

 

[knowhatimean]

  Yes in my opinion the NightHawk are already a summit-fi headphones.  (BTW I hate the term summit-fi)
 
I have owned many expensive headphones and to my ears the NightHawk are every bit as good or better than most of them.  (LCD-2/LCD-X/LCD-3/HE-560/HE-500/PM-1/etc)

He,he.he.... I certainly don't spend any milliseconds of time obsessing over which of the pieces of equipment I use 'qualifies' it be included in summit fi discussions .
 
On the other hand I can think of a few summit fi level headphones (Hifiman & Sennheiser) that for myself have been outdistanced by my NH. I think the reason I prefer the NH is due to the fact they scale to a higher level of performance with the rest of my (mostly) 'SF' level listening system than do the other headphones I've mentioned.
 
The NH accept their 'rightful position' of not assuming they are the 'top dogs' in the Playback Chain, as such they scale tremendously well with  my equipment. Some of the other 'higher priced spread' headphones are a bit 'full of themselves' & end up lacking the neutrality needed to work well in Hi End Systems.

 

[betula]

What exactly do you mean by experience? In my case, the NH are the second pair of serious headphones. (Context: I'm in my early twenties and got a well-paid intern, so I can finally ditch my next-media-store cans. :V)

By experience I mean trying as many headphones, amps, DACs, (cables, DAPs, etc) as you can, to discover your own taste. You kinda need to know what's on the plate before you can pick your favorite. Enjoy the journey.

 

[Selbi]

  By experience I mean trying as many headphones, amps, DACs, (cables, DAPs, etc) as you can, to discover your own taste. You kinda need to know what's on the plate before you can pick your favorite. Enjoy the journey.

 
Still at young age, as said before. Who knows where this journey will lead me in 50 years from here?

 

[betula]

   
Still at young age, as said before. Who knows where this journey will lead me in 50 years from here?

I am also not that old. In my early 30s. And my experience is also limited compared to many Head-Fi members, but it is enough to know what I like and dislike in a sound signature and what I am looking for. 3-4k headphones, 8-10k DACs and amps are out of my budget, but I managed to find the right balance between value, sound quality and current budget to have many happy listening hours almost every day. Instead of chasing ideas and desires I really enjoy what I have now. Even if I could afford 10k gear, I am not sure I could justify that money to be spent on personal audio. Follow your inner voice and do not be afraid to buy and sell audio gear until you find something you want to stick with for longer time.

 

[inthere]

Meets and Can Jams are great also, my 1st London Can Jam I walked out with the Nighthawk

 

[Bitsir]

What's both smoother and blacker than Obama?
 
Jitterbug --> Chord Mojo --> Jotunheim (Balanced XLR) --> Nighthawk. ​
 
 

 

[Venture Guy]

  What's both smoother and blacker than Obama?
 
Jitterbug --> Chord Mojo --> Jotunheim (Balanced XLR) --> Nighthawk. ​
 
 

Nice stack! The Jot amp is amazing! Which pads are you using with the NHs?

 

[mks100]

Just placed my order for the Boost & Ultrasuede Pads as well as the new Cable.  Should be here by Friday/Saturday.  Will share my impressions once they arrive.  Repurchased the NightHawk Wood when it dropped to $349.99.  They will be sharing time with my new HE-400i w/ HM5 Angled Sheepskin Pads through my JitterBug/DragonFly Red/Vali 2 rig.  Along with the release of Tidal's MQA update and the DragonFly's pending MQA update, I should be set for some time.  I also purchased a pair of QC35s for Travel.  It's been a very good Holiday Season!

 

[nwavesailor]

  Just placed my order for the Boost & Ultrasuede Pads as well as the new Cable.  Should be here by Friday/Saturday.  Will share my impressions once they arrive.  Repurchased the NightHawk Wood when it dropped to $349.99.  They will be sharing time with my new HE-400i w/ HM5 Angled Sheepskin Pads through my JitterBug/DragonFly Red/Vali 2 rig.  Along with the release of Tidal's MQA update and the DragonFly's pending MQA update, I should be set for some time.  I also purchased a pair of QC35s for Travel.  It's been a very good Holiday Season!

Nice!
 
What tube are you using in the Vali 2 amp?