Reviews by Brooko

The Sennheiser HD600 is an open dynamic circumaural head-phone which Sennheiser market for audiophiles, and also state as ideal for studio monitoring.
 
 
Pre-amble (about me at time of writing)

I'm a 44 year old music lover.  I don't say audiophile - just love my music.  Over the last couple of years, I have slowly changed from cheaper listening set-ups to my current entry/mid-fi set-up.  I vary my listening from portable (i-devices + amp) to my desk-top's set-up (PC > coax > NFB-12 > HP).  My main headphones at the time of writing are the Sennheiser HD600s, a modded set of Alessandro MS1i, and a set of B2 iems.  I previously owned Beyer DT880, Shure SRH840 and 940 + various other IEMs. I have auditioned quite a few entry and mid-tier cans, but have yet to hear any flagships (at current time of writing this review).  I have very eclectic music tastes listening to a variety from classical and opera to grunge and hard-rock.   I listen to a lot of blues, jazz, folk music, classic rock, and alternative rock.  I am particularly fond of female vocals.  I tend toward cans that are relatively neutral/balanced - with a slight emphasis on the mid-range.  I prefer a little warmth in the overall signature.  I am neither a bass or treble head.  Current amps = NFB12, GoVibe PortaTube, Fiio E11.  Previous desktop set-up was a Fiio E7/E9 combo.
 
Packaging and Accessories
I purchased my HD600s from another Head-fi member.  They come with a very solid and well padded case, and a 3.5-6.3mm adapter.
 
Technical Specifications
From the Sennheiser website :
 
Nominal impedance = 300Ω
Contact pressure = ca. 2,5 N
Weight w/o cable = 260 g
Jack plug = 3,5/6,3 mm stereo
Transducer = principle dynamic, open
Ear coupling = circumaural
Cable length = 3 m
Frequency response (headphones) = 12 - 39000 Hz
Sound pressure level (SPL) =  97 dB at 1 mW
THD, total harmonic distortion = 0,1 %
 
Frequency Response Graph
(From HeadRoom)
 

 
 
Build / Comfort / Isolation
The HD600's build is solid - but not 'bullet proof'.  They are very light-weight (plastic headband - with a carbon fibre inner band) - but they are well put together.  If I had one criticism, it would be that the headband is not as strong as I expected.  When I got mine, I found them a little 'clampy' - so thinking the carbon fibre inner would be strong enough, I tried to stretch them to alleviate the clamp.  Big no-no.  Snap!  One broken headband, and me almost shedding 'manly' tears.  Admittedly, I stretched more than I should have - but it was because I expected the carbon fibre to allow the plastic outer to bend.  Anyway  - you have been warned.  I'll tell you how I fixed them down the page shortly.  The shell is plastic (very light) with some plastic moldings - the outer shell has a marbled look - that I think actually looks quite classy.
 
 
 
 The headband padding is actually very soft and extremely comfortable.  The ear pads are a soft velour which has quite deep cups, and are also very comfortable.  Note - after a while you get used to the tight clamp - and I've found I could wear them for hours.  They would be the second most comfortable headphones I've owned - just behind the DT880s.
 
 
 
These are an open can - so there is no isolation in or out.  They are not as bad as a Grado - but they are open.
 
The huge benefit with these cans is that they are completely modular - you are able to break them down fully, and all parts are replaceable - even the drivers.  So after my "mishap" - I got in touch with Sennheiser, and they had a replacement headband on it's way to me.  It was a very simple operation to dismantle the headphone and swap the parts out.
 

 
The cable is also replaceable, and you can go after market if you wish.  Personally I find the stock cable to be very sturdy (advertised as OFC copper and kevlar reinforced) - and it doesn't seem to be prone to cable noise or tangling.
 
Listening Set-up
My main set-up with the HD600 is PC > Coax > NFB-12 >HD600.  For a transportable rig, I use iPhone4 > PortaTube > HD600. 
 
Sound Quality
These are very simply "keepers".  They are the most natural sounding headphone I have used or auditioned to date.  They are very well balanced across the spectrum - with a slightly elevated mid-bass and lower mids.  Overall I would call the sound slightly warm without being dark.  I used to play guitar, and have spent time in my youth listening to live orchestra and solo violin - and I found the HD600 to be quite realistic.  A quick summary of the main sound quality headings:
 
Detail - While not as detailed as the DT880, I found the detail on these still quit high.  They do tend to be slightly laid back, and can get slightly congested with very fast music.  The clarity is very good.  I find them articulate and refined.
 
Sound-stage - Similar to the DT880 in overall size.  Depth and width ifs quite good, and instrument separation (particularly for classical) is quite good.
 
Highs - These surprised me.  They are nowhere near as etched as the DT880, but I don't find them veiled at all.  For me the highs are quite natural - no trace of sibilance or harshness, with still good detail.  Highs are not the focus, but they are still presented beautifully.
 
Mids - IMO this is where the HD600 really shines.  Acoustic guitar (any stringed instrument really), piano, and female vocals especially are wonderful on the HD600.  I recently bought Alison Krauss and Union Station's album Paper Airplane.  The combination of Alison's vocals and the bluegrass flavour of the music is simply divine.
 
Bass - on the NFB-12, the bass is well defined and punchy - with good impact.  it just doesn't reach low into the sub-bass like the DT880.  But it doesn't need to - because once again the bass is beautifully balanced with the rest of the frequencies.
 
Power Requirements
The HD600 has 300 ohm nominal impedance - but what surprised me is how easy these are to actually drive.  They do sound wonderful out of the NFB-12 and also my PortaTube - which both have plenty left on the pot.  But I can also play these easily on the little Fiio E11, and even out of the headphone out of my iPhone4 (admittedly on about 80% volume).  On the iPhone4 unamped, the bass becomes quite boomy and muddled - so it's obviously not being driven properly - but these don't require huge power.  They do seem to scale well - the difference between E11, my E7/E9 (when I owned it) and now the NFB-12 is noticeable - with extra body and definition from the NFB-12.  I'm looking forward to trying these with a Schitt Valhalla sometime next year.
 
Summary / Conclusion
The HD600 has become my favourite headphone for simply listening to music.  They are well built, comfortable, and sound simply phenomenal.  Their tonal balance and the naturalness of their sound is the best I've personally heard so far.  While I wouldn't recommend them for critical listening (the DT880 is better for the extra detail and extension it brings), for non-critical listening enjoyment - there are few better IMO.

 
The Audio-gd NFB-12 is a desktop combined dac/amp with a compact form factor.  It is advertised as having a warm - but still detailed signature.
 

 
About Me (preamble)
I'm a 44 year old music lover.  I don't say audiophile - just love my music.  Over the last couple of years, I have slowly changed from cheaper listening set-ups to my current entry/mid-fi set-up.  I vary my listening from portable (i-devices + amp) to my desktop's set-up (PC > coax > NFB-12 > HP).  My main headphones at the time of writing are the Sennheiser HD600s (superb IMO) + a modded set of Alessandro MS1i.  I previously owned Beyer DT880, Shure SRH840 and 940 + various IEMs. I have very eclectic tastes listening to a variety of music from classical and opera to grunge and hard-rock.   I listen to a lot of blues, jazz, folk music, classic rock, and alternative rock.  I am particularly fond of female vocals.  I tend toward cans that are relatively neutral/balanced - with a slight emphasis on the mid-range.  I prefer a little warmth in the overall signature.  I am neither a bass or treble head.  Current amps = NFB12, GoVibe PortaTube, Fiio E11.  previous desktop set-up was a Fiio E7/E9 combo.
 
Physical dimensions
The NFB-12 measures 44mm high, 163mm wide and 225m long, and weighs in at approx 2.5kg.
 
My version was latest with the 9 user adjustable digital filters - more on those later.
 
About the Unit - Main Points (from the website)
Dual WM8741 inside
Dedicated DAC +   HP/Pre amp
Dedicated DAC  variable and fixed line level 
24Bit / 96KHz USB input and 24Bit / 192KHz Coaxial input support
 
Front plate:
Output switch: HP / Fixed DAC / Variable DAC
Gain switch: Low gain (+0DB) or high gain (+12DB).
Alps volume knob: Controls the volume level of the headphone or variable DAC output.
Source Selector switch: Select source between USB, coaxial and optical.
 
Rear plate:
Power socket: For power input and power ON/OFF switch.
USB socket: For USB input.
Opt socket: For optical input.
Coax socket: For coaxial input.
DAC out sockets: For dedicated DAC output (fixed or variable).
 

 
Technical Info
S/N Ratio - 118db 
Output Level - HP output : 10V RMS,  Var output : 10V RMS, Fixed output: 2.25V RMS
 
Output power (H/P) - 3500mW/25 ohm, 1800mW/50 ohm, 900mW/100 ohm, 300mW/300 ohm, 150mW/600 ohm
 
Output impedance - 2 ohm / both HP & DAC output
 
Input Sensitivity - 0.5 Vp-p(75 Ohms, Coaxial), 19 dBm (Optical), USB1.1/2.0 (Full Speed)
 
Frequency - 20Hz - 20KHz
 
Power Consumption - 10W
 
Accessories
AC power cord, USB cable, optical cable, bag with digital filter jumpers + replacement LED, and a 4 way connector (which I still haven't worked out yet).  Documentation is non-existant, but you can get help from Audio-gd if required.  My correspondence with them was hassle free.
 
Build Quality
The NFB-12 was superbly packaged - plenty of packaging - and the unit arrived in pristine condition. Overall the unit appears nicely finished with a machined finish on the enclosure.  Corners are nicely rounded.  On my unit, everything fits nicely with no excessive gaps in the case work. The alps pot is extremely smooth.  The connectors on the back seem to be quite high quality.  The overall weight of the unit is pleasingly hefty.  Inside the unit is very tidy, and well laid out.  The unit runs warm to the touch - but so far has never progressed beyond merely "warm".  My one compaint would be the lack of decent "feet" on the unit to keep it elevated from the desk.  Easily solved with a matched set of 4 foam feet - but something that could easily have been included.
 
 
 
Listening Set-up
While I originally used the USB - very straight forward set-up, I later switched to coax from my mobo.  I use Debian Linux, with my principle player being Foobar 2000 run via wine, set-up using wasapi + the SoX resampler upsampling to 24/96.  All music is FLAC and is a mixture of redbook and hi-res 24/96.  Main listening is done with the HD600 - gain setting on high gain.
 
Impressions
Out of the box, on the default setting (factory shipped) I found the amp too warm for my liking, and while it was very smooth, lacking top end detail.  Bass wasn't overly well defined.  To be honest I was a little disappointed at first.  I continued listening for about two weeks on the default setting - and while I got used to the overall signature, I still felt it was too warm - and not what I was looking for.  So I unscrewed the top plate, and started playing around with the filter settings.  Being able to adjust the filters (tailor the sound to your own preferences) is fantastic.  After a lot of experimentation, the two settings I found best suited to me were:
4X oversampling , Minimum phase 'soft-knee' filter (MPSKF) - good mix of detail and warmth
8X oversampling , Minimum phase apodising filter (MPAF) - a lot more detail, and tightening of bass as well
One wish is that they had included a selector at the back of the unit to quickly select between different digital filters.  This would have been a "killer" feature - and really made this unit stand out against the competition.
 

 
The power of this unit is quite astounding.  With the HD600s on high gain, the pot is set at about 9 o'clock (ie 25%).  Switching to low gain, I can still not turn it up much past 11 o'clock (not even half way).
 
With no music playing, I tried the pot through to maximum setting - and it is completely black on my unit (no audible hum).
 
 
Comparison to E7/E9
(These are from my notes - E7/E9 long since sold).  The first thing I noticed comparing the Fiios to the Audio-gd was how spacious and more 'alive' the NFB-12 sounded to my ears.  I had previously been very happy with the Fiio combo - and perhaps it was the slightly added warmth of the NFB-12, but the difference was clearly audible and the signature of the NFB-12 very much preferred.  Both had extemely good detail (especially with the NFB-12 on the new MPAF filter).  The NFB-12 just simply had more body and life - while the Fiios in comparison seemed a little thin.
 
Comparison to GoVibe PortaTube (an excellent transportable mini-tube amp)
I was surprised by how similar these amps both sound.  Both have a delightful warmth through the midrange - while retaining a nice level of clarity.  Both have a sense of spaciousness (Mozart's Overture to The Marriage Of Figaro) with the NFB-12 having a slightly warmer and fuller tone - but also conveying a little more overall space in the playback.  Switching to a track with plenty of bass (FATM's 'Drumming Song') - both again very similar, with bass impact being very good on both units - and really is a coin toss.
 
Other Features
I also used the rear outputs to my powered desktop speakers (Creative Gigaworks T20's).  I tried both the fixed and variable output settings and both worked well.  I eventually just used the fixed setting.  Finally - I've also tried the fixed output (NFB-12 as DAC only) to the PortaTube - very clean and clear signal.  My aim is eventually to add a desktop tube-amp (thinking Valhalla) - the impression from the NFB-12 > Porta-Tube was very positive.
 
Summary
For approx USD200 (245 incl shipping to NZ), this has been one of my best purchases to date.  While the warm signature may not appeal to a lot of people, I find the combination of warmth and body (while still retaining sufficient detail - for me anyway) to be very pleasing.  The build and form factor is great.  The DAC seems to be very clean, and quite neutral (via my tests with the P-T), which bodes well for adding a more detailed tube amp at a later date.  For an entry level desktop or bedside dac-amp, if you like a warmish signature, I'd highly recommend this as an entry level set-up.  I can't think of too many dac/amp combos that have this many features for the price.

These were purchased on impulse - more to experience the Grado/Alessandro sound than anything - and quickly became one of my favourite headphones.  Incredible sound, incredible value, and the ability to modify them yourself so that they punch far above their original weight.
 
For this review - I'm using them at my desktop with FLAC recordings using Amarok player (Linux) via and Audio-gd NFB-12 (using the brighter 8 x upsampling minimum phase apodising filter) .
 
Product Description
The Alessandro MS1i is the entry level headphone from Alessandro (Grado) and is sold primarily outside the US (although they can be purchased within the US as well).  The MS1i has been described by some as the equivalent of the Grado SR125i.  It is a supra-aural headphone, which is very easy to modify due to it's very simple (but effective build).  They are very easy to drive - and I can comfortably pair them with my iPod/iPhone with no issues.
 

 
Technical Specs
From Alessandro's website - 

 
Accessories
The famous Grado pizza-box + foam insert, and a 3.5-6.3mm adaptor.
 

 
Design Build Quality and Comfort
The design is very simple but very effective.  2 gimbals attached to a thin headband.  The gimbals are attached to plastic cups.  The whole set-up looks very flimsy, but in reality can take some abuse.  The design is both it's strength and weakness.  Strength because it is very easy to modify and the parts are easy to replace.  A weakness because of the overall comfort - these were built for sound and little attention paid to long term comfort.  The supra-aural pads can become extremely irritating after an hour or so, the headband has no padding, and the cups can swivel and twist the cords.
 
Thankfully a lot of the faults can be addressed with some simple mods.
 

 
Sound Quality
 
Sound-stage - 
Very narrow and close.  I really feel as though I'm either in the front row, or actually on the stage - but this is actually a strength - as they are extremely involving and dynamic - especially for Rock or Blues.
 
Clarity/Detail - 
These are extremely clear - probably more so because of the emphasis on the highs - and appear quite detailed (to me at least).  But this may be due to the fact that I haven't heard a lot of other headphones to compare properly.  They don't have as much micro detail as the SRH940 I had - or my current DT880/HD600 - but there is plenty to keep me happy.
 
Highs
The famous Grado highs!  I was surprised when I first listened to these.  I was expecting something exceedingly bright - but instead I find them warm, exciting and easy to listen to.  This may be more because they are Alessandro rather than "US" Grado - and apparently have the highs dialed down a little.  After going from these to the DT880's or HD600's, I definitely find a drop in the brightness of the highs - but it's not a huge drop (to me).  I find these have just the right amount of extension without becoming painful.
 
Mids
Warm, exciting, dynamic, beautiful.  Call me crazy - but eventually I preferred the mids on the MS1i to the Shure SRH940.  I personally find them quite warm, excellent with both male and female vocals, and absolutely wonderful with guitar and piano.
 
Bass
Unmodified, I still found the bass punchy and nicely balanced.  It's not overly detailed (especially in the sub-bass) but is enjoyable - quite nicely countering the slightly brighter highs. The bass really punctuates rock and blues especially, and IMO reasonably accurately presents how I expect to hear the bass (it's really enjoyable to me anyway).  Modified (venting / cup change) adds another dynamic for me - making better impact & overall presentation.
 
Overall Presentation By Genre

1. Classic Rock - esp acoustic rock - absolute winner.  Guitar is heavenly - these were made for rock.  Clapton really shines - especially his unplugged album.
2. Blues - see above.  Joe Bonamassa (esp live) is dynamic, "alive" and thoroughly enjoyable
3. Female Vocals - really enjoy this with the MS1is - the warmth of the mids is fantastic.  Alanis Morissette is incredible with these (listening to her while I type this).
4. Jazz (modern) - Jazz piano especially is vibrant and dynamic.  Makes Krall very toe-tapping, but to be honest, the DT880 and HD600 are both better (sometimes the presentation can be a little too bright with the MS1i).
5. Prog Rock - the combination of warm mids and punchy bass are an absolute winner here.  Porcupine Tree really shines for me.
6. Classical - nice, but is really to warm and doesn't have the stage required to really present this as well as it should.

 
Isolation
Little to none.  You can pretty much hear everyone around you, and they will hear your music.
 
Modding
This is where the MS1i really shines IMO (as does most of the lower Grado line-up).  The easiest thing to mod is the pads - and they make a huge difference to sound and comfort.  With my limited experience (so far):

1. Senn HD414 pads reversed and quarter-mod - better clarity, good bass and slightly improved comfort
2. L-Cush (bowls) - my favourite - slightly more sound-stage, vastly improved comfort, no detrimental changes to sound (when combined with the other changes I'd made).
3. G-Cush (Jumbos) - these were an experiment.  Big change in sound-stage, bass diminished, highs very bright and sizzly, great comfort.  Really need to try these with wood.

 

 
Next comfort mod is the headband.  I simply bought a Beyer snap on pad.  Fits perfectly and totally solves comfort issues with the headband.
 


Internal mods - venting the drivers (I used 4 holes) definitely adds bass impact.  As more people try wood though, I think less people are actually venting the drivers.  I also used a little foam at the back of the driver - although I'm still not sure if it really did anything.  I also applied felt on the inside of the aluminium cups.  This did help both mids and bass (clarity) for me.
 

 

 
Cups - while most people have gone wood, thanks to Twinster I got a chance to try aluminium cups from an MS2i on my MS1is - and I really like them.  I removed the inner plastic lining, replaced it with felt - and I think the change is nice.  It feels warmer and 'sweeter' without darkening things too much.  With the bowls they sound quite balanced.
 

 

 
Overall / Summary
As far as value and versatility go, it would be very hard to beat the MS1i - especially as an entry point head-phone.  While the comfort leaves a lot to be desired, the ability to modify the sound to your own requirements is both fun and very rewarding (finding the right combination).  But even out of the box, these sound great to me with almost any genre.  One of those headphones you "have to try". Unfortunately it does have me wondering how good the Grado line really gets - and I know that could lead to more "wallet-pain" down the track.  The journey will be worth it though.
 

 
Highly recommend these headphones.
 
UPDATE MARCH 2012
I still have these, and still regularly use them.  They've undergone a few more changes recently - most noticeable being a full woody jacket in Iroko.  Pics below 
 
 
 
Next step (hopefully before end of the month) is a recable in Cardas starquad mini.

I originally purchased the E7 - mainly as a portable dac/amp, but as time progressed, I wanted to use it mainly for my desktop (bypassing the onboard), and needed a more powerful amp as I progressed to upgrade my cans.
 
The obvious choice was to use the E9, and pair it with the E7.
 

 

 
Technical Specs
From Fiio's packaging / website

1. Output power : 1W (16ohm loaded), 80mW (600 ohm loaded)
2. Headphone impedance range : 16 ohm to 600 ohm
3. SNR (line in) : ≥100dB (A weight)
4. Distortion (line in) : <0.003% (100mW)
5. Frequency response : 10Hz ~100KHz
6. Fixed line out 2V rms
7. Adjustable out : 0-2V rms
8. Power supply: DC15V / 1.5A
9. Size : 149mm x 96mm x 56mm
10. Weight : 445g

 
Build Quality
The E9 is built really well, and a lot of attention appears to have been paid to get it looking really nice.  The E9 has a brushed aluminium chassis, a front face plate featuring dual inputs (3.5mm and 6.35mm) +   power on LED and a very smooth volume potentiometer.
 

 
The top of the chassis has a dock for the E7 - and will also be able to be used for future Fiio products such as the E17 dac/amp and also their new DAP.
 
The rear plate has a power in plug (for the included plug), USB input (16bit/44.1 for using with the E7 docked into the E9), a hi/lo gain switch, dual fixed volume line-out RCA plugs, a variable 3.5mm line out, and a 3.5mm line in.
 

 

 
The overall build quality IMO is very good.  No rough edges, everything fits perfectly, and the exterior design looks very classy.
 
Performance / My Thoughts
 
Although so far I haven't had any really hard to drive cans, the E7/E9 combination has been very good.  It imparts a very small amount of warmth - which goes nicely with my Alessandros and Beyers (DT880 250 ohm).  Overall though the E9 is very neutral, and appears to be extremely powerful.  It is able to drive the Beyers very easily with the pot only just getting to between 9-10 o'clock (or about 25% of the available travel)
 
Even at high volumes the E9 has been noiseless on my set-up.  No signs of hissing.  I have only been using the 6.35mm headphone plug & to be honest I just could not imagine using IEMs with this amp - it's not what it was designed for.
 
I have my powered speakers plugged int o the fixed line-out RCAs and it is a really nice set-up.  As soon as a headphone is plugged, the speakers are bypassed.  I have also tried my iPod via LOD to the rear 3.5mm input, and this set-up also works flawlessly.
 

 
Conclusion
 
As a value for money desktop headphone amp - especially as an entry level - the Fiio E9 is very, very hard to beat.  Sleek footprint, solid build, great sounding, and very reasonably priced.  Fiio has a winner on their hands.  This combined with the E17 (to be released) will be a very formidable entry level package.

The DT880 Pro 250 ohm is a semi-open circumaural head-phone which Beyerdynamic market for monitoring.
 

 
Packaging and Accessories
My DT880's (although purchased new) were actually sent as a demo unit - so I did not get the retail box.  They do some with a very nice padded canvas case which offers reasonable protection, and also a 3.5-6.3mm adaptor plug (screw on).
 

 
Technical Specifications
From the Beyerdynamic website :
 

Transmission type		Wired
Headphone design (operating principle)		Semi-open
Impedance		250 ohms
Frequency Response		5 - 35.000 Hz
Nominal SPL		96 dB
Pad Type		Circumaural (around the ear)
Cable & plug		Coiled connecting cable with mini-jack plug (3.5 mm) & ¼“ adapter (6.35 mm)
Net weight without packaging		295 g

 
Build / Comfort / Isolation
 
The build on the DT880 Pro is extremely solid.  These look and feel like they were built to last.  There is a lot of metal in the cups and headband - but everything is excellently padded.
 
The DT880 Pro do have quite a bit of clamp force - the Pro version were specifically designed for studio work, and as such do have a tighter clam than the Premium version.  This also is supposed to provide a more "powerful" sound (whatever that means) - but I suspect it may have more to do with bass presence and tighter soundstage.
 
Despite the clamp force, the DT880 are immensely comfortable and I could wear them for hours.  The velour pads are very soft, and completely enclose your ears.  The head band is well padded, and is also replaceable.  It is definitely one of the most comfortable headphones I have ever worn.
 
Although the DT880 is semi-open, and clamps well, it does leak sound, and allow ambient noise in (like all open headphones).  It is nowhere near as open as other headphones I've had though (Alessandro, AD700).  I would not use it for outside, or in an environment demanding quiet - but for normal use around the home so far it has been excellent.
 

 

 
Sound Quality
 
I was looking for a well balanced headphone when I demoed the DT880, and that really is it's strong-point.  IMO the DT880 is really a jack-of-all-trades, and can handle most genres really well.
 
Detail - The DT880 has decent clarity, but does not approach the detail level of cans like the SRH940.  Everything is very clear to me though.  It has a very slight U shaped frequency with a slightly more prominent mid-bass and treble.
 
Soundstage - IMO the stgae is not overly large for an open can - and is probably deeper than it is wide. I did find them reasonable for positional gaming, and they do not feel overly cramped - but they definitely are not airy or expansive either.
 
Highs - I found the highs on the DT880 to be almost perfect.  There is enough sparkle to keep things lively, without becoming sibilant.  Extension seems good - and the nice thing is that the highs are not overdone.
 
Mids - The mids are good, but do sit ever so slightly in the background - especially in the first 50 hours or so of listening.  They also have a tendency to be a little dry rather than warm and engaging.  My one regret with the DT880 is that the mids are not a little more to the front of the spectrum, and I would love to see them a little warmer.  However, if you add a tube amp to the mix, this has the ability to add the missing warmth.  I've never been a proponent of burning -in headphones.  But I have been quietly amazed over the last few days as the mids have opened up a little for me.  Could be placebo - but these are becoming more enjoyable as time goes on.
 
Bass - The bass is punchy, and reasonably well defined.  It extends well - but doesn't seem to quite get right down to the sub-bass.  There is a slight emphasis on the mid-bass which contributes to the U frequency, but overall the bass is well presented as long as it is driven properly.
 

DT880 Pro with my PortaTube - a magic combination.
 
Power Requirements - my DT880 Pro are 250ohm, and although they can be driven straight from my iPhone4 / iPod Touch 4 - they need volume at 90% to be listenable, and they are not really being driven to their potential.  These cans really do need amping.  They respond well to my E11, but really start to shine with the E9 (about 10 o'clock on the pot) and absolutely shine on the PortaTube.
 
Summary / Conclusion
The DT880 Pro are the first Beyers I've tried, and I have to say that I am impressed.  They are supremely comfortable, and for me present a level of comfort that all manufacturers should strive for.
 
They are extremely well balanced, and lend well to all the genres I listen to - especially female vocals, modern jazz, and both progressive and classic rock.  They also do classical surprisingly well.  They do have a tendency to be a little dry and unexciting at first - IMO due to the lack of colouration - but with tubes, or a warm amp, they do come alive and are really very pleasant.  Well worth the price I paid for them - they simply do most things very well.

The SRH940 is Shure's top monitoring headphone, and the chance to step up from the SRH840 was one I wasn't going to miss.
 

 
Packaging And Accessories
When I first got these, the first thing that hit me was the excellence of the packaging, and the completeness of the accessory package.
 
You get a nice carry case containing the SRH 940's, spare pads, 2 replaceable cables (straight and coiled) and a 3.5-6.3 mm adaptor.
 

 
 
 
Build / Comfort / Isolation
The next thing I noticed was the "apparent" excellence of the build.  these look sturdy, and did look built to last.  They have a moderate clamp force, and feel quite stable when wearing them.  They also isolate very well.  The pads feel very comfortable & I would easily forget I'm wearing these if it wasn't for the bumps on the headband.  I know a lot of people have had issues with the SRH840 in the past (heavy and flat headband).  Personally I found the SRH840 extremely comfortable - but the SRH940's headband is one I can't quite used to.  For me they are definitely not as comfortable.  I tried just wrapping the headband cover of my DT880 Pro around the SRH940 - and immediate relief (it's just a pity it doesn't fit properly).  I hope Shure eventually get the headband correct - because these are truly comfortable headphones.  But  they are nowhere near as comfortable as the Beyers IMO.

EDIT - there have been quite a few complaints about the SRH940 cracking at the hinges.  Mine were fine, but I didn't have them long.  This seems to be a recurring issue - and I have updated my review accordingly.
 

 

 
Sound Quality
 
Well I guess this is what it boils down to.  For me personally, I like a well balanced headphone - although I do like a warm mid focus.  I listen to a broad spectrum of music from classical and jazz to rock and blues.  I do like a detailed can - but I also like a balanced bass presence as well.  I listen to a lot of female vocals and acoustic rock.
 
Detail - the mid/high focus on the SRH 940 help giving a very detailed and revealing sound.  They are amazingly clear & although it's a cliche, I was hearing some things I'd missed before.  Malveaux in his appraisal said you could almost hear the smoke in the room - and with these it really feels like that. 
 
Soundstage - very good for a closed can.  Definitely a sense of space, perhaps heightened by the mid/high focus - but still intimate (although not crowded).  I would put the stage on par with my DT880 - good, but not spaciously great.  I did try gaming with these & the directional cues are actually quite good also.
 
Highs - The SRH 940 highs extend really well, but amazingly so far I have not found them even the slightest bit sibilant.  They need a good quality of recording - I listened to a couple of 'questionable' quality youtube clips - and they were simply unforgiving.  But on well recorded tracks these shine.  Cymbals are clean, and everything sparkles without being overblown.  Enjoyable.
 
Mids - these are the focal point, and they are IMO just breath-taking.  Shure really nailed it.  The mids are warm, smooth, and just an absolute joy to listen to.  For my main genres - especially acoustics, jazz and female vocals - the SRH940 just shines.  If I was marking them out of 10 for mids - no question - straight 10.  They have a way of concentrating the main focus on where it should be - whether that be vocals, guitar, piano.
 
Bass - very well extended, nicely layered.  It just lacks mid-bass impact, and therefore balance for me.   The problem I have with them is that while the bass is excellent in quality, it just sits a little too much in the background for me.  When the bass is supposed to be there - it is - but it's not balanced.  Porcupine Tree's "Trains" is a classic example.  The mids and highs are rendered faultlessly - but the clapping and the drums are supposed to have more impact.  They unfortunately sound 'thin'.  For my tastes, this has been the biggest fault.  I play the same track with my modded Alessandros & it just sounds the way it should sound (IMO).
 

 

 
Summary / Conclusion
The current pricing of the SRH940 makes it good value (street price around the $220 mark) for what you get.  They are technically a great headphone - and if you buy them principally for jazz, acoustic, classical, or female vocals - you won't be disappointed.  Unfortunately for me - the presentation is a little too slanted toward the upper end.  A little more in balance and these would have been perfect for me.  I guess I'll wait for the 1040's 
 
Incredibly good headphones - just not for me.
 
EDIT - there have been quite a few complaints about the SRH940 cracking at the hinges.  Mine were fine, but I didn't have them long.  This seems to be a recurring issue - and I have updated my review accordingly.
 
As such - I've adjusted my overall review downward - mainly due to the build quality.

 
Porta Tube (GoVibe) - Something Really Special.
 

 
I've never experienced a tube amp before - so all I can do (for now) is compare this to my E11 (portable) and E9 (desktop) setup.
 

 

 
 
For all three amps I am using the same source (iPod Touch G4 via LOD).  I'm comparing using a set of DT880 Pros (250 ohm), and I'll also briefly comment on my Alessandro MS1i & Brainwavz B2.
 

 
Physical Dimensions
The Porta Tube measures approx 115mm x 73mm x 28mm.  Add another 13mm for the volume pot.  It weighs approx 315g.  Comparatively my E11 is a fairly diminutive 92 x 54 x13mm and 65g.
 
The Porta Tube has a 3.5 mm input socket, and dual 3.5mm and 6.3mm headphone out sockets.  It also has a power on/off switch, and an adjustable volume pot.  It operates off an internal rechargable battery which is good for around 10 hours portable use.  It is recharged via the included wall-wart.  You can power the Porta Tube off the mains, and listen at the same time - so it would be good for desktop use.  It also comes with 4 small rubber footings prefitted - again good for use in a desktop setting.  The top is vented, and you can just catch a glimpse of the tube when in operation.  The Porta Tube does generate a bit of heat when operating - but nothing excessive.  It's warm to the touch - but definitely not hot.
 

 

 
It came with a plug, an adaptor, cord for connection to a suitable DAP, and a nice velour case.
 

 

 
Technical Specs
I hope to add to this section - if I can actually find any information.  Unfortunately nothing was included with the box (it was a demo unit), and I cannot find a website.  I have asked Jaben for more information, and will edit this review if I discover anything.
 
First impressions
Aesthetically the unit is really quite sleek, and looks extremely well built.  The pot is a little loose (it's adjustable by a small grub screw - so I will get that fixed), but apart from the little bit of slack, it has an extremely nice smooth motion.  Whilst I couldn't see myself using the GVPT in a really portable situation (ie on the move), I could see myself taking it with me to work, or to a cafe, or anywhere else I just wanted to chill out.  It looks fantastic on a desktop - sleek and unobtrusive.
 
Once I charged it, I connected my headphones, and had my first listen.  First impression, and hasn't changed after the 10 hours or so I've been using it - very clear, very balanced - warm and eneveloping - and very smooth.  This has been my first listen to a tube based amp, and I really like it.  With the 250 ohm DT880's, I'm only at about 1/4 on the volume pot - so this little amp looks to have a serious amount of driving power.  I asked my wife (she has the better ears) to listen with no music playing, then raised the volume to 100%.  She confirms what I hear - or more precisely didn't hear.  Even at maximum volume, the amp is completely 'black' - no hiss, no noise.
 
To give you an idea of how good this unit is (to my inexperienced ears), from first listen - instead of critically trying different genre's and testing strengths and weaknesses, I ended up 'lost' in Eric Clapton's "Unplugged" ablbum, and from there to Nils Lofgren's "Acoustic Live".  Over two hours elapsed, and I was just sitting there with a silly grin on my face - totally enjoying the music.  Almost three days later I'm finally sitting down to put together some impressions - then I can get back to simply listening again.
 
(Photo - you can just see the tube through the grill)

 
 
Sound Quality & Comparisons
Having never heard a tube amp before, I didn't know what to expect.  I'm not very good at describing in audiophile terms - so I'll simply tell you what I'm hearing.

1. First, it appears really detailed - I am hearing everything, and it is really clear.
2. I'm also finding that instruments are well separated - I am able to listen to everything, and that's what makes it so engaging I think.
3. Mid-range (especially vocals and acoustic instruments) are really smooth and an absolute pleasure to listen to.
4. Bass has a nice kick and is quite punchy. No sign of boominess or hollowness.
5. Highs are not overly prominent - maybe rolled off a little, but this still has sparkle for me - so it's a really nice overall tone.
6. Staging is intimate (close) rather than expansive
7. If I had to sum up in a few words I'd say smooth, warm, rich but sweet - definitely not dark.

 
OK - onto comparisons:
 
Classical - Julia Fischer and the Russian Philharmonic (Tchaikovsky's Concerto for violin in D, Op. 35: I. Allegro moderato)
GVPT - warm and enveloping - the timbre of the violin sounds really perfect
E11 - overall warmth is still very good - just lacking the clarity and sweetness I was getting from the GVPT.  For the first time to me the E11 sounds a little 'dark' in comparison.
E9 - closer to the GVPT overall - but again doesn't sound quite as sweet.  Clarity is good though.  Still very enjoyable.
 
Jazz - Diana Krall (Love Me Like A Man)
With all three amps, this track was actually quite closely matched.  The main difference was a little more sparkle with the GVPT, and also a shade more clarity.  But all 3 (because of their warmth) make Jazz shine.  No clear standout winner here - all very enjoyable.
 
Blues - Joe Bonamassa (Another Kinda Love - live)
Bass line is good with all three amps.  All 3 are very similar once again - with the E11 and E9 being slightly drier in the vocals.  The main difference with the GVPT is a sense of smoothness and richness.
 
Classic Rock - Eric Clapton (Layla)
This one was easier to spot - all three sound great, but the GVPT has the edge with clarity, and just sounds more engaging.  It somehow just pulls me in.
 
Overall
All 3 amps are really close.  There is no doubt that the E9 and GVPT have the edge with pure power.  Overall difference is mainly clarity (minor difference in favour of the GVPT) but also sweetness, and richness of tone.  Especially with acoustics - I find myself lost a little more with the GVPT.  It's hard to describe - perhaps best to say that the GVPT just provides a little more 'body' and 'timbre'.  It's also quite lifelike.
 

 
Other Headphones.
Sadly I recently sold off my SRH840's, SE425's and AD700's - to make way for the DT880's and SRH940's.  Unfortunatelly the 940's are in transit - so all I have left is the Brainwavz B2 IEM's and my Alessandro MS1is'
 
The B2's are extremely easy to drive - and to be honest, the GVPT really supplies too much power.  I had to have the volume down so low that I was in danger of channel imbalance on the pot.  When I got it right, it makes the B2's really sweet.  Takes a little edge off the highs - which is nice, while still retaining a great mid-range.  If the GVBT had a gain switch - it would be easier.
 
MS1is - I have a couple of mods done with these already - quarter modded Senn pads & vented 4 joles to add a little more bass impact.  They're still pretty bright compared to my Beyers.  The GVPT really goes well with the MS1i's though.  The brightness is still there, but it's somehow more palatable, and very engaging.  I'm looking forward to hearing these again with the GVPT - after I eventually woody them.  In the meantime a really good match - especially for rock and blues.
 
Summing Up
Based on the sound and form factor - I really enjoy this little amp.  The GVPT does everything right for my ears - very musical, sweet and engaging.  It has a really good synergy with both the Alessandros and also the Beyers.
 
NOTE - I haven't shown the price is in this review.  I was able to secure a special package deal with some headphones.

Sadly I'm saying goodbye to my SRH840's (as I move further up the SQ ladder) - but the experience has been memorable, and for an entry point to 'quality audio', I can give this model a very big endorsement.

UPDATE 25/4/13 - repurchased - didn't realise how good these were until I had to spend time away from them!

Product Description

The Shure SRH 840 is a closed circumaural full sized headphone, that has a detachable single-sided cable, and is the former flagship of Shure's headphone range (since superceded by the SRH940).



Shure describes the 840 as:
"Designed for professional audio engineers and musicians, the SRH840 Professional Monitoring Headphones from Shure are optimized for studio recording and critical listening."

Technical Specifications

- Transducer type : Dynamic neodymium magnet
- Driver size : 40 mm
- Sensitivity (1kHz) : 102 dB/mW
- Impedance (1kHz) : 44 Ω
- Max. input power (1kHz) : 1000 mW
- Frequency range : 5 Hz - 25 kHz
- Net weight (without cable) : 0.7 lb (317.5 g)
- Length of cable : 3 meters (9.84 ft)
- Type of cable : Detachable coiled oxygen-free copper
- Plug : Gold-plated 1/8" (3.5 mm) stereo mini jack

Accessories
The SRH840 comes with a very good accessory packaging including:
- Replacement pleather ear-pads
- Threaded 1/4 inch adaptor
- Soft pleather carrying bag


Design, Build Quality and Comfort
The Shure SRH840 is built almost entirely of plastic - but despite that, these are incredible well built, and IMO you would have to do something out of the ordinary to break them.  The cups fold inward so that the headphones become completely collapsible - great for traveling - and the cable is detachable and replaceable.


They do have a couple of design flaws - which I haven't found a problem - but which IMO detract from the package overall.  The first is the wires from the cups to the headband - which are external, and quite thin.  Whilst I've had no issues with these wires, I have also been very careful with them.  They're an appendage that could have been easily made internal - and been one less thing to worry about.  The other issue is the overall weight of the headphones.  These are on the heavy side - especially after you add the weight of the coiled cord.  Apparently a portion of the headband is a solid piece of rubber which is quite heavy - and could have been substituted for something a little lighter.

On the comfort side - despite the weight - I've found the SRH840 to be exceedingly comfortable, and I've worn them for hours at a time.  They clamp and isolate very well.  The pleather pads are very soft (they're different than the SRH440 pads - a lot superior).  Warning though - views on comfort of the SRH 840 are very mixed.  Some have found their headband uncomfortable - pressing in one spot on the head.  Something to be aware of - although I have had no issues.

Sound Quality

A lot has been said about the Shure SRH840 - and for pure enjoyment, I have found the overall SQ as warm, reasonably detailed, and very, very smooth.

The SRH840's strengths are in the mids - and these cans absolutely excel with female vocals and also acoustic.  The high end has a little sparkle without being sibilant - but the mids are what really continues to shine through for me.  I've also found them wonderful for jazz, and especially for progressive rock.  Porcupine Tree is simply breathtaking.

The bass on the SRH840 is punchy and very present.  These will not suit bass-heads, but I find the bass enjoyable without being over the top.  The 840's do not extend overly deep IMO, and they do have  a mid-bass hump, which can make them a little boomy from time to time (only on certain tracks) - but overall the bass is reasonably well defined.

The 840's do not have a large soundstage - typical of most closed cans - but clarity and separation of instruments is handled pretty well.

The 840's do not require an amp. Some have suggested that they do benefit from one with slightly increased definition and clarity. I'll let each individual decide on that for themselves.



Conclusion

Although Shure marketed these as monitor / studio headphones - I'm not sure they got the target market right.  What I would say is that for musical enjoyment across a wide range of genres at this price point ($129) they would be extremely hard to beat.  These cans IMO are ideal for pure enjoyment of music - either straight out of your DAP, or amplified for a little extra lift.  If I had to sum them up in a couple of words I would "smooth" and "balanced".  I use the word balance more in an all purpose sense rather than a frequency range sense - these cans are great with most genres you throw at them.

I will miss them.

I originally purchased the B2 after hearing good reports about the DBA2 - and hearing that these were a clone.  The early reviews talked about an IEM that had a very neutral well balanced sound, and did everything well.  I come from Shure SE series IEMs (425's) and was looking for something with just a little more 'sparkle' - so these seemed ideal candidates.  Especially being a dual balanced armature priced below USD 150.00.
 
For this review - I'm running unamped from an iPhone 4.  Normally I would use my iPod4 and E11 combo though.
 
Specification
 

1. Transducers/Drivers: Dual balanced armature
2. Rated Impedance: 40ohms
3. Frequency range: 20 ~ 20000Hz
4. Sensitivity: 110dB at 1mW
5. Maximum input power: 60mW
6. Plug: 3.5 mm 90-degree gold plated
7. Cable: High grade copper cabling (1.3 meters)
8. Net Weight: 15g

 
Packaging And Accessories
The B2 comes in a very attractive red carton consisting of  main box and matching sleeve.  The IEMs are presented beautifully and the packaging is not only attractive but robust.
 

 

 
The accessory pack is wonderful, and some companies with more expensive IEMs should take note, this is a great accessory package.  You get:
 

1. 1 x Pair Comply foam tips
2. 3 x Pairs silicone tips (S/M/L)
3. 1 x Airplane adapter
4. 1 x 1/4" adapter
5. 1 x Carrying case
6. 1 x Instruction manual and warranty card

 

 

 
Build / Comfort / Fit
The B2 has a solid plastic body with a slightly angled nozzle. The good news is that the nozzle fits the Shure olives perfectly (my current preferred tips).  The cables are nicely twisted and are very lightweight, but seem quite sturdy.  The plugs and connectors, while quite lightweight, again seem strong with strain relief included.  The IEMs are designed to fit with the body of the IEM flush with the ear, the nozzle angled into the ear, and the cable over the ear.  The cable does have a sliding tightener at the Y join and this does work effectively.
 
Compared to my Shures, the build is not quite as solid - but then again, the new Shure SE series are built like tanks.  The B2 nevertheless are extremely robust, and look built to last.
 
I tried both the comply tips and also the silicones - but neither suited me.  I then tried the Shure triple flanges - which worked well, but were uncomfortable to me.  In the end I settled with the large Shure olives - which provide me with the best mix of isolation and comfort.
 
The B2's are very comfortable to wear - and I have only 1 very tiny note of an oversight with the design.  L/R is not marked on the IEM's (although it is very easy to see which is which).
 
Overall - high marks - really well made.
 

 

 
Isolation and Microphonics
These isolate at least as well as my Shures (with the olives fitted) - ie extremely well.  I have not noticed any microphonics with the cable.  IMO the Shure's cable is slightly more robust - but the B2's is more comfortable to wear.  IMO what would make the B2 perfect (cable) would be a light outer sleeve, and make the cable replaceable.
 
Sound Quality
In a short sentence - these are really very very good.
 

 
The initial impression is one of 'balance', no particular emphasis on lows, mids or highs (all well represented), and also of clarity.
 
Instruments are well separated and defined.  I don't really hear much (if any) soundstage - I've always found IEM's are unable to give me the sense of space that open cans are able to.
 
Highs are well defined, very clear, and give me the sparkle I was missing with my Shures.  Mids are really nice with a hint of warmth, and lend really well to female vocals.
 
The bass is the 'dark horse' here.  It's really tight and well defined, but not prominent.  If anything I felt for a start that these were bass light - but then just when you think you know the signature, they come to a track that allows them to extend lower, and all of a sudden the bass is noticeable and it is punchy.
 
If I was to categorise the B2 - I would say they are slightly more tuned toward the highs and mids, but not excessively so.  The bass is there, it extends really well, and it appears when needed.  These are definitely the most balanced IEMs I have heard to date - and do well with almost any genre you throw at them.  They are particularly good with classical, jazz, blues, indie and progressive rock.
 
They also have no problem handling fast music passages.
 

 
Conclusion
Although I originally bought these on impulse (price was too good to turn down & I wanted a back-up for my Shures), I now find myself reaching for them more and more.  If anything, I may well sell my 425's.
 
These are an incredible value - and if you are looking for a balanced IEM that does everything pretty well without getting to top tier pricing, look no further.  The B2 is REALLY 'that good'.

My first full size set of cans .
 
We still have them - although they are for the kids now as I've moved up the chain just a little.
 

 
Overview
The Sennheiser EH-250's are a closed supra-aural headphone, which are very lightweight and portable.
 
Tech Specs
 

[td] Jack plug[/td] [td] 3,5/6,3 mm stereo[/td] [td] Nominal impedance[/td] [td] 32 Ohm[/td] [td] Weight w/o cable[/td] [td] ca. 130 g[/td] [td] Transducer principle[/td] [td] dynamic, closed[/td] [td] Ear coupling[/td] [td] supraaural[/td] [td] Cable length[/td] [td] 3 m[/td] [td] Frequency response (headphones)[/td] [td] 14.....19000 Hz[/td] [td] THD, total harmonic distortion[/td] [td] <0,2 %[/td] [td] Sound pressure level (SPL)[/td] [td] 112 dB(SPL)[/td]

 
Above was from Sennheiser's website
 
Build/Comfort
The build is very good.  They are lightweight, and the only real sign of wear from 4 years of constant use is some paint chipping off the headband.  The cables are replaceable - we've had to replace once due to a broken wire.  They are very comfortable to wear  - initially.  The headband is extremely well shaped and soft.  The pads are also extremely soft, and if you don't mind supra-aural cans - they should be great for you.  I found that after about 2 hours - they began to get quite painful.  If the pads were slightly larger (and circumaural) for me they would be fantastic.  They are not foldable, but the cups swivel slightly allowing good positioning for comfort.
 
Isolation / Clamp
These have a really good clamp on them - possibly contributing to my ear pain from the cushions over time.  They isolate exceptionally well - and would be great for portable use.
 
Sound
When these were my only can, I thought they sounded absolutely awesome.  As I was exposed to more cans, I slowly realised that while these provide good sound, they do not provide great sound.
 
The mids are warm, and the highs are actually quite nice - although not extending very far.  The freq spectrum I would definitely say is V-shaped (emphasis on bass and treble).  They are clear without being overly detailed.  The biggest issue with them is the bass.  it's definitely there, but it is not defined.  It's punchy but overall a little boomy and sloppy.  It doesn't overpower as much as the low Beats (also has better definition) - it's just not what I now expect from my cans.
 
They are a 'fun' sound rather than an accurate one.
 
The kids however think it is great - and we will probably buy something similar (HD203) so they each have their own set of cans.
 

 
Conclusion
The equiv $65 US I paid was NZD converted, and headphones are expensive in my part of the world.  I think the equivalent model (maybe slightly better drivers now) for these is the HD203 - they look the same anyway.  The EH-250 would be ideal for entrants to mid-fi looking for a portable can with a warm, bassy (thumpy) signature.  They're also ideal for kids  - being a  cheap option.
 
If you're looking for bass definition - look elsewhere.  If it's just bass quantity and portability on a tight budget - these could be exactly what you need.

The ATH-AD700 is an open circumaural can with a wing design for added comfort.
 
Technical specs:
 

1. Type: Open air dynamic
2. Driver: 53mm Neodymium magnet. Copper clad aluminum wire bobbin type voice coil
3. Sound Pressure Level: 98db/mW
4. Frequency Response: 5~30000Hz
5. Maximum input: 500 mW
6. Impedance: 32 Ohms
7. Weight: 280g/.62lbs
8. Connector: Standard/Mini (gold plated), Stereo (2-way)
9. Gold-plated stereo 1/8" (3.5 mm) connector with 1/4" (6.3 mm) adapter
10. Cord Length 9.8 feet (3.0 meters)

 
Comfort and Build
The AD700 is very light, and quite large.  The headband design with the wings is self adjusting - you put it on and it fits around you.  Without doubt, they are one of the most comfortable cans I've worn so far.  You can easily forget you're wearing them.  The only niggle I have is that they can sometimes be 'creaky' - but given that they're not portable (too large), you won't be moving your head a lot anyway - so it is just a minor nitpick.  Overall - solid build, supremely comfortable.
 

 
Sound
The sound of these is quite 'airy' and light.  Definitely tilted toward the upper mids and highs.  They are a joy to listen to with female vocals especially, and IMO are pretty good with classical and jazz.  The only issue with mids/highs  (at times) is a tendency to be grainy, and occasionally sibilant.  Using these with a warm amp though definitely solves these issues.  My current setup E7/E9 adds just enough warmth to be very pleasing.
 
The bass is definitely there with these cans, and it's quite defined as well - it just doesn't reach very low, and definitely takes a back seat to the mids and highs.  A lot of people comment that the AD700 has no bass at all which IMO is completely wrong.  It has bass - especially if you're not directly comparing it to another can - it's just not prominent.  It also responds quite well to EQ and bass boost.  I have an E11 with a very good targeted bass boost switch - and it definitely helps.
 
The other major strength with these cans is the sound-stage.  It's pretty large, and this adds to the enjoyment (depending on the music).  For classical - it's very good.  There is a definite feeling of space.
 

 
Other Strengths
This review would not give these cans there full measure of justice without mentioning gaming.  These cans are a good entry point for gaming - especially fps.  Because of the wide sound stage, and having the bass in the back of the spectrum, the are good for positional accuracy if combined with dolby hp or creative's cmss.  For gaming, they are better than anything else I own (at this time).
 
Value & Conclusion
For the comfort, sound-stage, and reasonable sound quality - they are good value for entry level.  If you are a gamer and looking for an entry point - these are a good place to start.  However - if you also need a good bass presence - then look elsewhere.
 
 

I purchased these after a lot of research.  The kids speakers (on a second PC) went belly-up, so I gave them my Logitech 2.1 set - and ordered the T20-S2 mainly for the smaller footprint (no sub), and also for the increased clarity.
 
BTW - the price above was NZD converted to USD at the time of purchase.  Audio in NZ is normally relatively expensive compared the the rest of the world.
 
Specifications
From the manufacturer - the technical
 
Speaker power: 14 Watts RMS per channel (2 channels)
Frequency response: 50Hz ~ 20kHz
Dimensions (WxLXH) 8.8cm x 14.3cm x 23.0cm
 
And the marketing blurb
High-end, two-piece speaker system engineered for the best music listening experience.
High-quality woofer drivers with woven glass-fibre cones provide warm mid-tones. Advanced tweeters with cloth domes deliver crystal-clear highs.
Creative BasXPort™ technology for strong bass.
Front-mounted controls for power, bass and treble.
Two inputs for use with different devices without swapping cables.
 
Packaging and Contents

 
The T20's came nicely packed, with the following contents:
Two speakers
Stereo-to-stereo audio cable (2m) - to connect the speakers
Dual RCA-to-stereo adapter (TV adapter)
Power supply adapter
Quick Start leaflet & Warranty & Technical Support leaflet
 
Build Quality
The quality and finish on these (especially for their price) is nice.  They are both unobtrusive, and also quite sleek.  On my minimalist desktop, they look "classy".  They are reasonably solid and weighty.  The housing is black plastic, but the finishing is very good.  The front cover on the right hand side has a 3.5mm for a headphone out, and also a 3.5mm aux-in socket.  There are also 3 controls - on/off volume, bass and treble.  When the speakers are turned on, there is a soft blue glow (neon back-light) around the volume knob.
 
Both speakers have gauze dust covers fitted - but these can be removed to expose the mid range cones and smaller tweeters.  This actually looks quite nice if you like this style (see below) but I prefer to keep the dust covers on.
 
My one complaint would be that the cord with the powerpack/transformer could be a little short for some.  The cord overall is long enough - just the section from speakers to powerpack was a little short.  For those with a tall desk - it may not comfortably reach the floor.
 

 
Sound Quality
To be honest, when I first heard these (especially coming from a 2.1 system) I was not that impressed - thinking I'd purchased a lemon.  There was very little bass - although the clarity (mid range and highs) was very good.  After reading all the marketing spiel about the bass port technology I was expecting more.
 
After a couple of weeks though - once I got used to the sound, I've found myself enjoying it - and they are pretty good for budget powered speakers.  The highs are very clear, and non-fatiguing.  The mids are smooth.  The bass is quite clean, and is balanced - it just doesn't extend very far.
 
**I'd like to add here - that my it was probably my expectation that was out of line.  Coming from a 2.1 system with a sub - these initially just sounded a little flat.**
 
All in all though for a desk-top system where you're going to be sitting a couple of feet away from them, these do the job well.  The bass and treble controls could be nice for some people fine tuning (easier to use than dedicated multiband EQ - although nowhere near the same finesse/control levels).  I don't use it personally - so far I've found the tonality suits me fine with everything in the neutral position.
 
The T20's also have plenty of volume headroom on my system - I can't go to any more than about 1/2 on the volume knob without it getting too loud.
 
Conclusion
I am happy with my purchase of these (although initially I did not enjoy them as much).  They have a great tonality, are aesthetically pleasing for my desktop - and almost tick all the boxes.  Considering that for my critical listening I'm using my cans anyway - the T20's do their job and are pleasant to listen to.  However, I'd be remiss in saying that If I had my chance again, I'd probably pay a little more and go with the T40.
 

 
In short
- good for casual listening, movies and game playing on a desk-top system.
- definitely not portable
- balanced sound, but if you like more bass look for either a 2.1 system, or consider the T40's.

Shure SE425 - Highly Impressed - Great Build, Great Sound
 
I received these as a replacement for my SE420 - which unfortunately had to be replaced due to the cable splitting at the relief (luckily inside warranty).  Kudos to the fantastic team at Now Sound in NZ for their prompt work replacing them.
 

 
Build
The biggest change from the older model has been the addition of a detachable cable - and the design for this is wonderful.  It now includes a memory wire (some love it, some hate it - I find it handy).  The housing is now hard plastic (the old one had a rubber cover which would keep splitting).  The hard cover makes it a lot easier to insert and remove.  The housing also seems smaller than the 420 - and once inserted fits flush to your ear.
 

 
Fit / Comfort
The new housing makes it very easy to fit - and get a great seal every time (for me).  I did have to change from medium to large olives.  The insertion is a lot shallower than the 420s - but the change in olive size ensures I get a perfect fit.  The housing fits flush to my ear, and I have no issues with discomfort.  These are comfortable enough to sleep in.  I've also been running with them - and have had no issues with them falling out.  The new memory wire makes looping over the ears very easy.  The memory wire on the 425 is not as stiff as on my 315s - and is very comfortable.
 
To remove the iem's, all I do is swivel the cable out of the way, then grip the body and gently twist.  It is very easy.
 

 
Isolation/Microphonics
The microphonics on the 425 are very much reduced compared to the old 420's.  I'm finding virtually no microphonics from the new cable.  The fit I have is amazing for isolation as well.  These isolate for me a lot more than the 420's did (and as I said above, the insertion is shallower).
 

 
SQ
Well I guess this is the main sub topic.  Couple of disclaimers - I really like the Shure sound - I started on SE102's, went to SE420's - then got a set of 315's while my 420's were being replaced.  I haven't heard much in the way of high end iem's - so can't really give a comparison / benchmark.  So the following is solely based on my thoughts of the SE425 in isolation.
Bass - while the 425 is not an overly bassy iem, the bass is present, it extends well (better than the 315 or 420), and is tight and controlled.  The best thing about the bass is that it doesn't bleed into the mids.
Mids - the Shure strength.  Silky sooth and absolutely fantastic for vocals.  Also great with acoustic guitar.  Nils Lofgren's Acoustic Live album is simply blissfully enjoyable.  The mids are very present  - probably even accentuated, but they don't seem overly forward IMO.  They are just really well balanced.
Highs - probably the only thing that I wish there was slightly more emphasis on (it can be achieved with a touch of EQ though  ).  The highs do roll off quicker than I'd like - and IMO this is the 425's only real weakness.  They just need a little sparkle to make them great.
Clarity - another strength.  Instruments are well separated, and the music is very well detailed and clean.  I love listening to acoustics and picking up every nuance - fingers moving on a fret board etc
 

 
Summary
The 425's are a really good iem - well designed and built (these will last for years), superbly comfortable and really smooth and detailed.  The mids are the strongest point - but the entire sound to me is balanced and relaxed.  The one weakness (for me) is a slight lack of upper treble - but easily fixable with EQ.

This is my first AMP/DAC, so unfortunately I don't have anything to compare it with. I'm also using a mid-range set of Shure IEM's (SE420) and a lower range set of Sennheiser eh250 cans. For a source, I have a Cowon iAudio7, an iPod Touch 4G, and the PC just has a Realtek onboard sound chip.

It didn't make a huge difference as an amp - but the dac is quite clean and better than my netbook's integrated audio. To be honest, there isn't a great deal of difference with my main PC's integrated onboard though.

The design of the E7 is very simple. It matches up with my iPod Touch 4G really well for size (I also bought the L3 LOD). The controls are very simply and easy to use. The tactile buttons for volume are well placed and easy to locate and use. I really like the dual 3.5mm h/p outs.

The included extras are good as well. I did buy the LOD separate - but included in the pack is a 3.5-3.5mm LO/LI cable, a free L2 3.5mm cable, a plush 'velour' carry case, a well fitting silicone cover, a fitted screen protector and a spare, and a band for keeping your DAP and AMP together.

On to the SQ. After charging the E7, I plugged it into my iPod using the LOD, and then (in turn) my SE420 and after the eh250. All my files are ALAC (lossless). The first thing I noticed was a slight increase in clarity - everything just seemed to be a little crisper. I'm not sure I this is just the E7 or the LOD, placebo (not properly volume matched) or a combination of everything. But I am enjoying the new sound for now.

EDIT - after a lot more experience with other amps (and other cans) - I now suspect any improvement from the iPod was likely to be expectation bias (placebo).

Anyway - where the E7 shows an improvement is as a DAC - if you have issues with onboard sound. I use Linux at home, I plugged the E7 into a USB port, and it was immediately recognised and usable. I then started to play a few of my favourite songs (again all lossless - FLAC). Improvements were negligible with the main PC - but the sound was cleaner on the netbook (no interference/noise).

The E7 does have a bass boost option - and while it seemed to work well on the first level (quite subtly) - the level 2 and 3 bass boosts became a little boomy, I ended up not using it as the bass punch already present was enough for me.

Now I'm just waiting to pick up my next cans (Shure SRH 840's) in a few weeks time. I'm interested to see what the E7 does with these!

For a beginner's first DAC - I'd recommend the E7 as a value for money option - IF you are having issues (noise) with current onboard sound. The amp section is really a bonus. Anoter bonus is being able to pair the E7 with the E9 for a desktop solution.

EDIT >> After being able to compare to other amps
As an update to my initial review - while I still agree with everything I initially wrote, I'd like to comment that compared to subsequent amps I've owned (E11, PortaTube and Audio-gd NFB-12) the E7 - even in combo with the E9 - sounds a little cold and thin. I know I do prefer a slightly warm signature (definitely a mid-range fan), so this may have a bearing. After comparing the E7+E9 to the Audio-gd, I definitely prefer the NFB-12. It has more body. Subsequently I've altered my rating slightly - but still consider it good entry level for what the E7 does offer at the price.

Please note - it's value is very dependent on your onboard sound - improvement if your onboard is inherently noisy - not much if onboard sound is clean.

Was given this through a reward scheme - and after using a Cowon iAudio7 as my main portable source - I was really interested to see how it performed.  I'm using Shure SE420 IEM's.
 
After converting my FLAC collection to ALAC - I loaded it up via iTunes, and then ran it through it's paces.  First impressions - really easy to use (intuitive), fun to play with, but definitely did not sound as good as my Cowon.  It just wasn't as lively or warm.  Disclaimer though - I do use a touch of EQ and also BBE on the Cowon.  Had a look at the built in Touch EQ presets - but the options were terrible.
 
After playing with it for a couple of days - I'd almost decided to sell it and buy a J3 instead.  I'm really glad I waited!
 
After reading a thread on head-fi, I found out about a wonderful add-on app called "Equalizer" (thank you Achmedisdead - owe you big-big).  Installed it - adjusted a few settings - and what a difference!  My music sounds fantastic (to me) - and I now have complete manual EQ control.  It now sounds as good as the Cowon to me + I have a much nicer interface (than the iAudio7) + the bonus of access to apps, wi-fi etc.
 
I also used the bluetooth to pair the Touch to my car stereo.  It sounds really, really good - and this with no EQ at all.  So my next trial will be to get a LOD, and pair this with an E7.  I have high hopes for even more improvement.
 
I've never really been an Apple fan - but can honestly say that with the Equalizer application, the Touch turns into a really great player.  I would recommend it to others - but definitely get the Equalizer app - it makes all the difference.