pbirkett
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2002
- Posts
- 3,239
- Likes
- 55
Well, I originally wrote this for another hifi forum I frequent, but thanks to you guys I have an AWESOME headphone setup that I am now enjoying immensely. Its took me a good few days to get used to the sound, but now I'm loving it. So I may as well share this review with you guys also. So here I give you my review:-
Beyerdynamic DT931 / Meier Audio Corda HA-1 combination.
Source: Pioneer DV-350 + Cambridge Audio DAC3
Musical Tastes: Trance, techno, other electronica
I’d never really been that much into headphones, most of the pairs I’d had previously proved very unsatisfactory to me. Originally, I had used Sony MDR-V3’s (I think), which were ok, but they were getting a bit clapped out. Not that I ever took headphone listening that seriously anyway. When I got my first system, I ended up with some Sony MDR-CD280’s, and a B-Tech 928 headphone amp. This combination was a bit lifeless and boring to listen to, but I guess it was a true reflection of the speaker rig I had at the time.
Then I got a reasonably good deal on some Sennheiser HD497’s. However, I found these not too comfortable in the long run, with a dodgy intermittent cable connection, and again, were too laid back and lifeless. Not really a huge improvement on the Sony’s.
Still after something more lively, back in March I bought some Grado SR80’s. These were far too uncomfortable, and although they sounded good, I couldn’t bear to listen to them for more than a couple of hours. A great rock and roll headphone, but perhaps not as much so for dance, save for their impressive impacting bass.
Then came the rows about the noise. It was this time when I decided I needed some headphones which were not only comfortable, but sounded great. It was quite obvious at this stage that just headphones alone would not be enough. I would need an amp too. Put off Grado’s because they are too bright, and put off Senny’s because they were too dark / lifeless, I had to look around for a reasonable candidate.
I had searched around, and it appeared that the Beyerdynamic DT831’s were what I was looking for, even better, they were closed cans. Apparently the best closed cans you can get. In hindsight, I’m glad I didn’t go for these; apparently they are very thin in the bass. I had already placed an order for them, but luckily, there was none in stock, and I am an impatient man, so I cancelled the order. I rang around a few shops, and none had the DT831’s, but one offered me £20 off the DT931’s. So, after about an hour of demoing, I plumped for the 931’s, and the subsequent research about the 931 v 831 made me glad of my choice.
The next thing to do was find a suitable amp. First on my list was a Creek OBH-21, but a bit of research suggested the Meier Audio Corda HA-1 was the best amp for these cans at that price, a true synergistic match. Luckily for me, it went down in price, but even so, I delayed my decision for a while. I was uncertain whether an amp would really benefit me, but the more I got used to the headphones, the more I realised there was room for improvement. Eventually, I plumped for the Corda.
Which brings me to this review, I now have one of the best amps to use with the Beyer’s, and so I can review the cans safe in the knowledge that I am at least doing them some justice with a decent amp.
A few words about comfort, before I get started on sound quality. These headphones are relatively heavy at nearly 300 grams, and at first may take some getting used to. However, these have very nice velvet pads, and are really, really comfortable to wear. You can forget your wearing them sometimes, especially with crossfeed on, doing a passable impression of speakers at times.
The first thing that strikes me with these cans is their dynamic sound. Put simply, these cans have dynamics bordering on the ridiculous. The loud crescendo’s to some dance songs kick in with brutal, unrelenting, violent force. These definitely are NOT cans you can fall asleep to; they will wake you up and practically give you a heart attack in the process (as I’ve found out a good few times now). Try Binary Finary’s 1999 (Gouryella Remix), and you’ll see what I mean – truly ear piercing crescendo’s. They would be fantastic cans for movies in my opinion.
The next thing that struck me was their shear, unrelenting pace. These are ridiculously agile headphones, the bass is the fastest bass I’ve ever heard, and it can make dance music sound like its on speed. In a word, this aspect of it is AWESOME!! To some, the bass might seem a little on the lean, thin side, but it more than makes up for it with the kind of pace and timing that would quite possibly even shame a NAIM system. Certainly in this respect, it puts my Rotel / Mission combo to shame (no mean feat, I might add, since that too is a very agile combo); although the Rotel / Mission combo certainly has more slam for sure. Actually, perhaps slam is not one of the Beyer’s strong points, but when you hear how energetic it is, it more than makes up for it.
Bass extension is actually rather good too, although as I found out recently, you’ll need good interconnects to the amp to realise this potential. I tried it with an Ecosse CA-1 interconnect, and a Sonic Link Violet. The former had a warmer sound, less detailed, and it seemed to give these cans a veiled property, but they were less bright. However, the bass extension seemed relatively poor. Step in the Violet, this cable brought detail and excitement to the party, with taut yet deep bass, and finishes off the combo nicely.
As for the brightness thing, well from going from the Rotel’s headphone jack to the amp, it still seems just as bright to me, but it’s definitely smoother, less hard, more refined and less analytical. This is a bright headphone, but it allows you to hear everything in dance music, and it rocks too.
As for the midrange, well it’s really, really good in my opinion. Some people have stated they think the midrange is recessed out of the 120 ohm socket. Well, I don’t find that at all really. It sounds very natural, and female vocals sound very, very nice indeed. The bass is given a useful kick up the jacksie, and in my opinion simply sounds unobtrusively powerful, there’s not even the slightest bit of bloat here. Bass heads will be disappointed, but for those of us, who enjoy lean, adrenaline packed bass, will positively love these.
Finally, I’d like to talk about crossfeed. It seems to be a very subtle effect, maybe not even noticeable sometimes but it definitely seems to make a difference on some music, making the soundstage bigger, almost seemingly giving some music a “hall” type effect. At times, you may not even notice, but what you will notice is the lack of fatigue. Put simply, despite the liveliness, these headphones are not tiring in the slightest, as long as you keep the volume reasonable anyway.
Now, the bad points (well there had to be some). Firstly, these are perhaps not the first choice of cans to listen to at loud volumes. Their bright top end can make them a bit tiring when the volume gets high. I had these cans on at 12 o clock, and although they didn’t sound really loud, it was still enough to have my ears ringing for a good while. Turning them up further exposes just a hint of grain in the treble, but this is largely dependant on the quality of the recording too. As previously mentioned, they could perhaps do with just a touch more warmth and if they could do bass slam as well, they would simply be incredible headphones. Comfort is one of these headphone’s strong point, but the cable is not, the coiled cable can be irritating if you need to sit more than a few feet away from the amp. However, in the context of my setup, it hasn’t really been a big problem. The lack of an easily upgradeable cable (replacement must be soldered) also is a minus point for me.
To summarise, this is a superb combo for the money. Although I do not have much experience of other headphone setups, I like to think I know good sound when I hear it, and these definitely are. If you like your bass prominent and booming look elsewhere. If you like your treble laid back, or your music relaxing, look elsewhere. However, if the promise of ear flapping dynamics, amphetamine fuelled bass, crisp, lively, involving and open sound quality appeals, then this is definitely a combo to be taken very seriously indeed.
Pros
Startling dynamics, awesome pace, rhythm and timing, sweet extended treble, lucid midrange, excellent detail, all round involvement, groove factor, not tiring in the least with crossfeed enabled, and very, very comfortable.
Cons
Could do with a touch more bass slam and warmth, crap cable
Beyerdynamic DT931 / Meier Audio Corda HA-1 combination.
Source: Pioneer DV-350 + Cambridge Audio DAC3
Musical Tastes: Trance, techno, other electronica
I’d never really been that much into headphones, most of the pairs I’d had previously proved very unsatisfactory to me. Originally, I had used Sony MDR-V3’s (I think), which were ok, but they were getting a bit clapped out. Not that I ever took headphone listening that seriously anyway. When I got my first system, I ended up with some Sony MDR-CD280’s, and a B-Tech 928 headphone amp. This combination was a bit lifeless and boring to listen to, but I guess it was a true reflection of the speaker rig I had at the time.
Then I got a reasonably good deal on some Sennheiser HD497’s. However, I found these not too comfortable in the long run, with a dodgy intermittent cable connection, and again, were too laid back and lifeless. Not really a huge improvement on the Sony’s.
Still after something more lively, back in March I bought some Grado SR80’s. These were far too uncomfortable, and although they sounded good, I couldn’t bear to listen to them for more than a couple of hours. A great rock and roll headphone, but perhaps not as much so for dance, save for their impressive impacting bass.
Then came the rows about the noise. It was this time when I decided I needed some headphones which were not only comfortable, but sounded great. It was quite obvious at this stage that just headphones alone would not be enough. I would need an amp too. Put off Grado’s because they are too bright, and put off Senny’s because they were too dark / lifeless, I had to look around for a reasonable candidate.
I had searched around, and it appeared that the Beyerdynamic DT831’s were what I was looking for, even better, they were closed cans. Apparently the best closed cans you can get. In hindsight, I’m glad I didn’t go for these; apparently they are very thin in the bass. I had already placed an order for them, but luckily, there was none in stock, and I am an impatient man, so I cancelled the order. I rang around a few shops, and none had the DT831’s, but one offered me £20 off the DT931’s. So, after about an hour of demoing, I plumped for the 931’s, and the subsequent research about the 931 v 831 made me glad of my choice.
The next thing to do was find a suitable amp. First on my list was a Creek OBH-21, but a bit of research suggested the Meier Audio Corda HA-1 was the best amp for these cans at that price, a true synergistic match. Luckily for me, it went down in price, but even so, I delayed my decision for a while. I was uncertain whether an amp would really benefit me, but the more I got used to the headphones, the more I realised there was room for improvement. Eventually, I plumped for the Corda.
Which brings me to this review, I now have one of the best amps to use with the Beyer’s, and so I can review the cans safe in the knowledge that I am at least doing them some justice with a decent amp.
A few words about comfort, before I get started on sound quality. These headphones are relatively heavy at nearly 300 grams, and at first may take some getting used to. However, these have very nice velvet pads, and are really, really comfortable to wear. You can forget your wearing them sometimes, especially with crossfeed on, doing a passable impression of speakers at times.
The first thing that strikes me with these cans is their dynamic sound. Put simply, these cans have dynamics bordering on the ridiculous. The loud crescendo’s to some dance songs kick in with brutal, unrelenting, violent force. These definitely are NOT cans you can fall asleep to; they will wake you up and practically give you a heart attack in the process (as I’ve found out a good few times now). Try Binary Finary’s 1999 (Gouryella Remix), and you’ll see what I mean – truly ear piercing crescendo’s. They would be fantastic cans for movies in my opinion.
The next thing that struck me was their shear, unrelenting pace. These are ridiculously agile headphones, the bass is the fastest bass I’ve ever heard, and it can make dance music sound like its on speed. In a word, this aspect of it is AWESOME!! To some, the bass might seem a little on the lean, thin side, but it more than makes up for it with the kind of pace and timing that would quite possibly even shame a NAIM system. Certainly in this respect, it puts my Rotel / Mission combo to shame (no mean feat, I might add, since that too is a very agile combo); although the Rotel / Mission combo certainly has more slam for sure. Actually, perhaps slam is not one of the Beyer’s strong points, but when you hear how energetic it is, it more than makes up for it.
Bass extension is actually rather good too, although as I found out recently, you’ll need good interconnects to the amp to realise this potential. I tried it with an Ecosse CA-1 interconnect, and a Sonic Link Violet. The former had a warmer sound, less detailed, and it seemed to give these cans a veiled property, but they were less bright. However, the bass extension seemed relatively poor. Step in the Violet, this cable brought detail and excitement to the party, with taut yet deep bass, and finishes off the combo nicely.
As for the brightness thing, well from going from the Rotel’s headphone jack to the amp, it still seems just as bright to me, but it’s definitely smoother, less hard, more refined and less analytical. This is a bright headphone, but it allows you to hear everything in dance music, and it rocks too.
As for the midrange, well it’s really, really good in my opinion. Some people have stated they think the midrange is recessed out of the 120 ohm socket. Well, I don’t find that at all really. It sounds very natural, and female vocals sound very, very nice indeed. The bass is given a useful kick up the jacksie, and in my opinion simply sounds unobtrusively powerful, there’s not even the slightest bit of bloat here. Bass heads will be disappointed, but for those of us, who enjoy lean, adrenaline packed bass, will positively love these.
Finally, I’d like to talk about crossfeed. It seems to be a very subtle effect, maybe not even noticeable sometimes but it definitely seems to make a difference on some music, making the soundstage bigger, almost seemingly giving some music a “hall” type effect. At times, you may not even notice, but what you will notice is the lack of fatigue. Put simply, despite the liveliness, these headphones are not tiring in the slightest, as long as you keep the volume reasonable anyway.
Now, the bad points (well there had to be some). Firstly, these are perhaps not the first choice of cans to listen to at loud volumes. Their bright top end can make them a bit tiring when the volume gets high. I had these cans on at 12 o clock, and although they didn’t sound really loud, it was still enough to have my ears ringing for a good while. Turning them up further exposes just a hint of grain in the treble, but this is largely dependant on the quality of the recording too. As previously mentioned, they could perhaps do with just a touch more warmth and if they could do bass slam as well, they would simply be incredible headphones. Comfort is one of these headphone’s strong point, but the cable is not, the coiled cable can be irritating if you need to sit more than a few feet away from the amp. However, in the context of my setup, it hasn’t really been a big problem. The lack of an easily upgradeable cable (replacement must be soldered) also is a minus point for me.
To summarise, this is a superb combo for the money. Although I do not have much experience of other headphone setups, I like to think I know good sound when I hear it, and these definitely are. If you like your bass prominent and booming look elsewhere. If you like your treble laid back, or your music relaxing, look elsewhere. However, if the promise of ear flapping dynamics, amphetamine fuelled bass, crisp, lively, involving and open sound quality appeals, then this is definitely a combo to be taken very seriously indeed.
Pros
Startling dynamics, awesome pace, rhythm and timing, sweet extended treble, lucid midrange, excellent detail, all round involvement, groove factor, not tiring in the least with crossfeed enabled, and very, very comfortable.
Cons
Could do with a touch more bass slam and warmth, crap cable
