That's good to know, thanks. I should have asked to hear it the other day when i was at a Hifiman booth -I was too busy asking to hear their flagship models lol. In my collection I find that the Avantone Planar is a good alternative to the HD600, but there's still this timbre difference.
I did bring my HD600 the other day but didn't have the balls to pull it out when auditioning the Susvara and the LCD-5 -I should have just to see their faces lol. But being used to hear the HD600 on a daily basis, it was pretty easy to notice which headphone got the right tuning.Hah! I’ve done the same a couple of times before…though granted this was before the Sundara had a pad update which significantly changed the sound. I did get to hear the Susvara and HE1000 at the time..but with no real reference point. I’ve later learned that I get far more out of any audition if I remember to bring along a headphone of my own. Can be a very sobering experience actually and often irritate the seller immensely.
The Avantone is laidback in both the uppermids and treble like 98% of all other planars on the market, although not nearly as severe as the old Audezes. I think that is what generally keeps planars from achieving the right timbre…except for the Sundara and LCD-5 of course
There will always be a big difference between the 600 and a properly made planar magnetic. The 600 comes with a small mid-high bass bump and planars don’t really do that unless you close off the cups a la DCA’s Aeon Flow “Open”. The small bass bump on the 600, coupled together with the distortion down low, makes for a very characteristic sound profile that planars can’t replicate (and properly shouldn’t). Then again..the totally flat bass of planars also gives us detail and extension beyond anything found in dynamic driver headphones.
Each design has it’s own merits and flaws. I love both. Today I’m in a 600 mood though
I’ve owned the HD600 since 2003 and I’ve never heard any low distortion or any other distortion whatsoever from them.Hah! I’ve done the same a couple of times before…though granted this was before the Sundara had a pad update which significantly changed the sound. I did get to hear the Susvara and HE1000 at the time..but with no real reference point. I’ve later learned that I get far more out of any audition if I remember to bring along a headphone of my own. Can be a very sobering experience actually and often irritate the seller immensely.
The Avantone is laidback in both the uppermids and treble like 98% of all other planars on the market, although not nearly as severe as the old Audezes. I think that is what generally keeps planars from achieving the right timbre…except for the Sundara and LCD-5 of course
There will always be a big difference between the 600 and a properly made planar magnetic. The 600 comes with a small mid-high bass bump and planars don’t really do that unless you close off the cups a la DCA’s Aeon Flow “Open”. The small bass bump on the 600, coupled together with the distortion down low, makes for a very characteristic sound profile that planars can’t replicate (and properly shouldn’t). Then again..the totally flat bass of planars also gives us detail and extension beyond anything found in dynamic driver headphones.
Each design has it’s own merits and flaws. I love both. Today I’m in a 600 mood though
Personally, I thought the Sundara was boring. Good for $350, or, perhaps, if you want to run it off a lesser amp, but a distinct downgrade from a properly amplified HD600. Ananda was an even bigger disappointment - no bass traction at all. YMMV.
Has lots more on an OTL amp. Also EQ helps, but the sub 30 Hz stuff not so much. The music is in the mids.
Sundara is that, a cleaner 4XX, but no match for the 500, or an EQ'd 560. I've been waging a lonely battle on the Ananda front. Probably one of the best deals at the price, still beset with serious issues - the bass impact, lacks body, a bit zingy at 6-7 kHz, and amazingly able to reproduce a fundamental, but so threadbare with harmonics.
I really have never opened up about the ZMF line here since they are sort enjoying the golden glow phase. I do find the bass overblown and suffering from the typical closed back crap in the mids and highs. Glad to see someone else basically agrees - including about the beauty of the wood and the emotional response many have for it.The original Orpheus
..and I’m not even kidding.
Personally I don’t feel that any ZMF option offers an upgrade - quite the opposite. What you gain with the better bass over ZMFs you lose tenfold in the mids and treble. Add to that there are no openback ZMFs on the market. They all sound about as open as Denon’s old D2000/D5000/D7000…and to me that is a distinct step down from any Sennheiser that I own.
Admittedly, I find these wooden headphones to be among the most beautiful on the market, and there is something very heartwarming about a handmade headphone…but I am not buying a set to look at.
If you want something that could be considered an upgrade that retains the openness and tuning, then spring for a Sundara, Elex/Clear or an R70x. The original Orpheus is next to impossible to find anywhere..and people are wise enough never to let it go.
I must assume you are talking about the HD-600 on SS gear. The HD-600 is part of that small group of audio components that doesn't add much or anything but errs on the side of missing some things.Hah! I’ve done the same a couple of times before…though granted this was before the Sundara had a pad update which significantly changed the sound. I did get to hear the Susvara and HE1000 at the time..but with no real reference point. I’ve later learned that I get far more out of any audition if I remember to bring along a headphone of my own. Can be a very sobering experience actually and often irritate the seller immensely.
The Avantone is laidback in both the uppermids and treble like 98% of all other planars on the market, although not nearly as severe as the old Audezes. I think that is what generally keeps planars from achieving the right timbre…except for the Sundara and LCD-5 of course
There will always be a big difference between the 600 and a properly made planar magnetic. The 600 comes with a small mid-high bass bump and planars don’t really do that unless you close off the cups a la DCA’s Aeon Flow “Open”. The small bass bump on the 600, coupled together with the distortion down low, makes for a very characteristic sound profile that planars can’t replicate (and properly shouldn’t). Then again..the totally flat bass of planars also gives us detail and extension beyond anything found in dynamic driver headphones.
Each design has it’s own merits and flaws. I love both. Today I’m in a 600 mood though
So does EQ. I use an SS amp and there is no grain in the treble. I can’t point out any argument “tech wise” because I don’t understand audio measurements/ charts. I’ve owned the HD600 since 2003 and I can’t recall hearing any grain in the treble or otherwise, neither in spots or otherwise.
Well I never have & I listen to well produced music also.
I've used the HD-600's with a Topping D50s DAC and the Drop THX 789 amp. Plenty of power, lots of detail.
