Unfortunately, I will not be able to make it to this meet because I caught a cold. My apologies, I was really looking forward to it.   Mark

I am absolutely interested in attending. I have a system that consists of a Vaio laptop with a Roland Quad-capture interface. I also have a Pioneer AVR with a Can Opener. I'll bring AKG K701, Pioneer SE-A1000, Creative CAL!, and Sony MDR-1R headphones. It's entirely possible that I'll add an...

I just want to share where I am at when it comes to listening to the SE-A1000. Because I am using the Can Opener, I can treat my headphones like a pair of speakers—and that includes programming a crossover and adding a sub. It even allows for "faking" the speaker distance settings, in order to...

Quote: I get better performance from the Can Opener when I pair it with my Crown XTi-1000. With the AVR, the difference is not pronounced. Although that last picture with the Pioneer is also current, right now I'm using the Can Opener in conjunction with the Roland Quad-Capture and the...

Here it is... 

Quote: Yes, right here

Quote: Then your "books" are still based on assumptions, despite your claim that you "measure, listen, then decide." Just sayin'

Quote: Beats are not longer made by Monster and if you listen to the Monster Inspire headphones (in passive mode) you'd realize you are mistaken to dismiss the company so readily. I know I did, but after listening to the Inspire the company has my grudging respect. Beats are what they are...

Quote: You blew away Klipsh at 1/10 the price—that's awesome and I agree DIY offers tremendous value; I've built my own speakers as well, and I know from experience that well-designed DIY speakers kick ass, compared to many commercial offerings. That's why I said neutrality was not the goal...

Quote: Speak for yourself, don't assume you know everything, especially what experience someone else might have that would lead them to a different conclusion than your own. By the way, did you know that a speaker, or a headphone, can sound like crap and measure flat? Can you prove your...

Quote: Fortunately, I have a buddy in Rhode Island who has the entire Grado line (he's a completist) and he DJs with PS1000s. I have a trip planned to visit in three weeks, and I'm bringing my trusty "Can Opener" so I can hear the Grado's through a Krell FPB 600   I'll see what I can do...

Quote: I'd argue that the main point is they can hold a candle to the HD650. Not the same thing, fine. Dramatically different? No. The Pioneers are great at $150. At the clearance price, apparenlty they are so good they are upsetting to some.  The Pioneers also spank headphones that cost...

Quote: Let's just get back to enjoying music. Opinions, we're all sick of 'em by now, I'm sure. Synergy is overrated IMO, but the value of good gear is not.

Quote: Perhaps you just hear differently, or rather just have different priorities in terms of what you think "sounds good," after all you seem to be all-in with Denon while I cut my AH-D600 experiment short when the stupid plugs on the cables made it impossible to relax on a sofa wearing...

Quote: Individual tastes alone will vary and cause some people to love them Pioneers, other will feel quite meh (especially bass lovers). I'm simply finding that as time goes by and I give them an opportunity, they are performing at a level that is very special, and that discussing the...

Quote: Why? Because one pair of cans in this comparison is grossly overpriced? You'll never match the Pioneers at $50, and Sennheiser wishes they had a product that sounds as good at the full MSRP of the SE-A1000. I would hope the HD650 would demonstrate some performance advantage, with the...

Quote: Man there really must be an issue with your pair. There is no issue with response down to 30Hz. Here's the featured review I wrote on AVS—you are right, I post on AVS a lot—I'm a "Newsbreaker" and yes I did start out in the DIY section. I just published the HToM with Popalock's...

Quote: I've got DIY subs and I've built a few speakers as well and I can go flat (or hot) to about 14Hz, because I built LLT tuned to 16Hz. Anyhow, at first the decreased bass and extension seemed like an issue, but in time I came to truly appreciate these Pioneers. You wind up appreciating...

Quote: Have you tested it with bass tones? Mine produce solid bass from 30Hz on up. The better the amp I use, the better the results but they still kick butt on my Galaxy S4. I would dare say that better source and amplification actually benefits the SE-A1000 more than many headphones...

Quote: Hah, this post is like Deja Vu. The Pioneers outresolve the CAL!s by a significant margin, the soundstage is more open, transparent and detailed. I do wear CAL!s when I walk my dog, and the bass output always puts a smile on my face... but, the overall presentation is significantly...

Quote: I also have the CAL! and the Pioneers out-resolve them by some ridiculous margin that I personally cannot describe it in words. 

Quote: I'd have to agree. I bought three pairs and started listening to them at different times. Now I have one pair with over 100 hours and one pair with under two hours—they sound essentially identical. When I put on the "fresh" pair, I keep expecting diminished bass or something—but as...

Quote: It's smoother than most Grados. Bass is not lacking. Maybe there are some duds out there.

That sums up their appeal, right there. Very Grado-like IMO, but wearable for hours instead of minutes.

At this price, the guilt should be minimal.