Oh my.   I am listening to the HD700 + AudioQuest Dragonfly + rMBP for the first time.   I won't listen to To Glory until I feel like these are burned in... but right now I've got Safe From Harm (2012 Mix/Master) by Massive Attack on.   So far, best headphones I've ever heard.  ...

Katun,   Have you listened to "How To Control The Dream" by Immediate Music?   Curious what you think. There is obvious compression, especially in that crazy pulsing synth bass.

Quote: I will definitely report back! I've heard the HD700 settles down quite a bit after a while (or maybe your ears adjust) so I'll provide an initial comparison between that and the HD650s and the Beats Pro then later on after they settle (or my ears adjust) I'll come back with a final...

Quote: Well, I have to be honest with you. This surprises me quite a bit. I would think guys like Bergersen would master with reference/audiophile quality gear. I dunno.. I've heard that Infected Mushroom, for example, masters using HD800s. So I would expect their music to sound great on...

Re: loudness wars -- oh yes I am familiar. My brother and I have done a fair share of mastering our own work, and let me tell you it is hard not to use compression, etc, in order to make the music sound more "full". At the end of the day we have to make a conscious effort not to overdo it.

Very interesting.   It's entirely possible that Chronicles could become my favorite album on high quality gear if my ears discern the same issues as yours.   BTW, I think I've read your reviews on Amazon, IIRC.  Well done.

Quote: Fair enough, we'll just have to see how it goes on Tuesday night.   My TSFH mp3s are 256kbit, and I know that they use Eastwest sound libraries for a lot of their work, which is considered to be some of the best you can get.    Out of curiosity, in what sense would you say...

Quote: \/ \/ \/ See below. Quote: Two Steps From Hell is quite the entrance into the genre. There are many others who, in my opinion, aren't quite to the same level as Two Steps From Hell in terms of overall discography, but have individual tracks which I feel are solid.   I'd...

Quote: None of that is titanium. 

YKYAAW you research titanium machining companies and use a CAD program to design a headphone stand that could support a hundred tons and is composed of pure titanium.

Quote: I imagined this would be the case -- if they can't reproduce the sounds in the music in a way that is faithful to the music then who would like them? I will still try to find some locally first before spending another $700 (I think the HE-500 would be the direction I went).  ...

Quote:   I have seen the charts and will have to decide for myself if the treble is too much after a nice break-in period.   That said, if it is too much, I am not opposed to using an equalizer to bring them into line a little... based on the charts it should be fairly straightforward.

Quote:   Great stuff, thanks for sharing. I looked into the headphone stand -- very nice. I think i'm going to have some fun and make my own though.

Quote: Oh my. I hope it sounds as sexy as it looks. (the whole setup)

Quote:   Will do! I intend to use the Dragonfly with my rMBP for the office. At home I'll probably get some better Schiit.

I recently ordered HD700s and a Dragonfly. Will report back with impressions, hopefully around Wednesday of next week.

Quote:   Thanks -- once I get a chance to try the orthos I might sell the HD700s. Gonna have to see if any shops in Anchorage, AK actually have any orthos (doubt it). Or may just pick up some HE-400/500 down the road.

Quote:   Thank you. BTW, here is why I landed at HD700, even despite some negative reviews:   - While I could have afforded the HD800, driving them well is (supposedly) significantly harder. I wanted to be able to get a semi-portable setup that I can bring to work and back. - I've...

Not to ignore some of the great posts here, but I read up some more on the Dragonfly and HD700, and some Head-Fi folks have said it works pretty darn well actually.   At the least, I decided the HD700 probably would sound more like what I'm looking for (compared to the orthos and the HD800)...

Quote:  ?   I said I'd be willing to spend the money IF the sound was that much better. (first post)

Quote: That is the part that scares me about getting my first pair of orthos...   The unknown factor.   Hrmm.   Edit: based on what you said, it almost sounds like (from my research) the HE-500 would be better for you?

Quote:   You say that like you no longer have HE-400s? Any particular reason that might be pertinent here? I mean... why did you get rid of them?

Quote:   Oh I think so far the answers have been spot-on and very helpful. Would like to chase down that HD700+PHA-1 now though, just in case.   This whole audiophile business just takes a lot of time to research eh? :)

Quote:   That PHA-1 is interesting indeed. Seems very nice, and quite portable.   Tried to see if anyone had a review of it with the HD700s and came up with nothing.

Quote: Ok so sounds like the HD700 as "portable" in any sense of the word is... somewhat out of the question.   I have researched the Schiit stuff, magni/modi, and they are pretty small and could be moved from home to office, but on a daily basis? Prolly not optimal.    Leaning more...