EL-8 fuses the best of many worlds for me. Picture if you will, the deepest, well defined bass you have ever heard. Now add to the picture the warmth only a ribbon tweeter can produce. Top all this off with the cleanest high end you can recall. What you just imagined, my friend, is the sound of EL-8.
With its brilliant spatial definition and resolution it didn’t take me too long to realize my preferred choice of headphones has now changed. A choice that had not changed for over a decade, despite having tried many makes and models of headphones. Mixing, Mastering, or enjoying music, EL8’s are now my go to choice.
___
Responses to comments:
@joseph69
My preferred choice remained Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro (250Ohms) for the major chunk of my work. I have owned two pairs of these over the last decade. I did break the second one in with a noise sweep CD I made, for about 200 Hrs.
As it goes without saying, I always listen to and tweak mixes while listening on various pair of headphones. From generic ear buds to AKG K712 to Sony MDR series. But for a major chunk of my career the DT770 has remained my primary choice. I did try DT990Pro and a few other open back headphones, but did not find 'open back' headphones to be of my taste. Then I tried the EL-8.
@coletrain104
One of the first pieces I recorded/ mixed was a cappella that I tracked using binaural and other spatial methods. To me the vocals sounded very natural. What really impressed me is the spatial resolution that EL-8 could reproduce. I highly commend you to listen to binaural or other spatial recordings on EL-8's. (Of corse I can only comment on the open model). Compare same track with other headphones and I know you will instantly recognize 'movement' and spatial resolution qualities of this headphones.
@Bark Snarly
I did have an instance or two of the cable coming out when I tripped on it. More like the Apple MagSafe connector. Except for that, they've been really good. Then again, I am assuming its more of a safety feature ?
@WNBC
The headphones did move me. As I mentioned earlier, what I so love is its spatial resolution.
As for the monitoring systems I have used/ have been using for the past decade (List only includes systems that i have used for at least an year or more):
Aside from the headphones mentioned above
Bowers & Wilkins 802 Diamonds with DB1 in 6.1. (With Classe Amps)
Adam A7Xs with JBL LSR4312SP in 2.1
Genelec 1038CFs with Genelec 7071A in 2.1
And a few other monitor systems including but not limited to Auratones, NS10's, various models from Genelec and Adams.
And yes. I am, involved in audio post production. a sample of my credits/ work is at www.tonyjoy.com
@Wildcatsare1
I hope I haven't spoken too soon ! so far so good.
@aznever
I got immune to headband clamping so long ago.There was a time when I could barely wear any headphones for more than 5 minutes or so.
I did have a small, similar issue with the EL-8's when I first got them. As if there was a pressure against my left eardrum every time I put the headphones on. I just tweaked the headband a little, angled the left side to align better to my head and that seems to have done the trick for me.
Hope this helps.
With its brilliant spatial definition and resolution it didn’t take me too long to realize my preferred choice of headphones has now changed. A choice that had not changed for over a decade, despite having tried many makes and models of headphones. Mixing, Mastering, or enjoying music, EL8’s are now my go to choice.
___
Responses to comments:
@joseph69
My preferred choice remained Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro (250Ohms) for the major chunk of my work. I have owned two pairs of these over the last decade. I did break the second one in with a noise sweep CD I made, for about 200 Hrs.
As it goes without saying, I always listen to and tweak mixes while listening on various pair of headphones. From generic ear buds to AKG K712 to Sony MDR series. But for a major chunk of my career the DT770 has remained my primary choice. I did try DT990Pro and a few other open back headphones, but did not find 'open back' headphones to be of my taste. Then I tried the EL-8.
@coletrain104
One of the first pieces I recorded/ mixed was a cappella that I tracked using binaural and other spatial methods. To me the vocals sounded very natural. What really impressed me is the spatial resolution that EL-8 could reproduce. I highly commend you to listen to binaural or other spatial recordings on EL-8's. (Of corse I can only comment on the open model). Compare same track with other headphones and I know you will instantly recognize 'movement' and spatial resolution qualities of this headphones.
@Bark Snarly
I did have an instance or two of the cable coming out when I tripped on it. More like the Apple MagSafe connector. Except for that, they've been really good. Then again, I am assuming its more of a safety feature ?
@WNBC
The headphones did move me. As I mentioned earlier, what I so love is its spatial resolution.
As for the monitoring systems I have used/ have been using for the past decade (List only includes systems that i have used for at least an year or more):
Aside from the headphones mentioned above
Bowers & Wilkins 802 Diamonds with DB1 in 6.1. (With Classe Amps)
Adam A7Xs with JBL LSR4312SP in 2.1
Genelec 1038CFs with Genelec 7071A in 2.1
And a few other monitor systems including but not limited to Auratones, NS10's, various models from Genelec and Adams.
And yes. I am, involved in audio post production. a sample of my credits/ work is at www.tonyjoy.com
@Wildcatsare1
I hope I haven't spoken too soon ! so far so good.
@aznever
I got immune to headband clamping so long ago.There was a time when I could barely wear any headphones for more than 5 minutes or so.
I did have a small, similar issue with the EL-8's when I first got them. As if there was a pressure against my left eardrum every time I put the headphones on. I just tweaked the headband a little, angled the left side to align better to my head and that seems to have done the trick for me.
Hope this helps.
Like Joseph said, fill us in on what you were using for the past decade and other headphones you've tried.
Mastering level headphones? I'm intrigued. Are you involved with audio post-production?