Gold Planar GL2000 Open Back

NOTE: This review was originally posted on HiFiGuides Forum on 15 April, 2021. https://forum.hifiguides.com/t/goldplanar-gl2000/19864/1962

INTRODUCTION

A generous forum member sent me a pair of GoldPlanar GL2000 headphones for review. The GL2000 is an open-back, around the ear, planar magnetic headphone that lists for 639USD. The model loaned to me was the double-sided magnet version (aka double-magnet version), which Linsoul (the distributor for GoldPlanar) refers to as their flagship planar. It’s exciting because there is A LOT of hype surrounding this headphone. Does it stack up?

TL;DR

On the good side, the GL2000 does some things that many will find initially impressive. On the less good side, many of those good things are illusory. All is not lost, though, as the case that the GL2000 is of high quality and will do a good job protecting any other headphones you may have.

KNOW YOUR REVIEWER

My preferred genres are rock/metal and classical/orchestral music. I’m getting to know jazz more and enjoying quite a bit. I also listen to some EDM and hip-hop. My hearing quirks include a high sensitivity to midrange frequencies from just under 1KHz to around 3Khz, give or take. My ears are thus quick to perceive “shoutiness” in headphones in particular. I describe “shoutiness” as an emphasis on the ‘ou’ sound of ‘shout.’ It’s a forwardness in the neighborhood of 1KHz and/or on the first one or two harmonics above it (when I make the sound ‘ooooowwwww’ into a spectrum analyzer the dominant frequency on the vowel sound is around 930Hz, which also means harmonic spikes occur again at around 1860Hz and 2790Hz). In the extreme, it can have the tonal effect of sounding like a vocalist is speaking or singing through a toilet paper tube or cupping their hands over their mouth. It can also give instruments like piano, but especially brass instruments, an added ‘honk’ to their sound. I also get distracted by sibilance, or sharp ‘s’ and ‘t’ sounds that can make ssssingers sssssound like they’re forssssssing esssss ssssssounds aggresssssssively. Sibilance does not physically hurt my ears nearly as quickly as shout, though. It’s distracting because it’s annoying and unnatural. Finally, in a new clause in this section, I’m discovering that I have a preference for more subtle detail. I like good detail retrieval and hearing what a recording has to offer, but I prefer that presentation to what many would consider relaxed and subtle rather than aggressive of detail-forward. To my ear, more subtle detail-retrieval sounds more realistic and natural than aggressive, detail-forwardness. There is a balance here, though, because detail retrieval can get too relaxed and that can sound unnatural, as well. Readers should keep these hearing quirks and preferences in mind as they read my descriptions of sound.

FEATURES & BUILD

The GL2000 is big and physically comfortable, a touch on the heavy side, but not heavy like some Audeze models or a Lawton’d Fostex. There’s lots of room in the pads for even large ears. The construction is mostly metal. It’s overall a fine-looking headphone. I believe Andrew at The Headphone Show commented about the meeting of the yoke and gimbal being a point where a screw comes loose. My loaner set had the same issue:



Here’s the other side for comparison:



The cable-entry uses 3.5mm connector on each cup. I didn’t use the stock cables; opting instead to go right for my Hart cables for easy switching.

There are 2 sets of pads included, a micro-perforated pair and a leather pair. As far as comfort goes, they are both good. I’ll discuss their sound in the Sound section.

Is the build worth $639? Honestly, it doesn’t feel any chintzier than the HiFiMan Edition XX I had for awhile. That loose screw on the yoke is a little bit troubling, though, especially since there are multiple reports of it out there.

SOUND

Test Gear

I ran the GL2K on 3 setups: 1) Cayin N6ii DAP as source > Schiit Bifrost 2 > Monolith Liquid Platinum (with Amperex PQ Gold Pin tubes); 2) N6ii > Schiit Modius > Schiit Asgard 3; 3) Chord Hugo 2 > Violectric HPA-V281.

Disclaimer

I’m about to strongly – and hopefully respectfully – disagree with many reviewers on this review. I think there is very little going for the GL2K. My goal here is to be informative, not controversial. If you enjoy the GL2K, then by all means continue to enjoy it. Also, I know there has been a lot of talk about modding the GL2K. I did not do any mods because I don’t own this headphone. These impressions come from the stock configuration.

Sound Signature

There is a fairly neutral presentation but the bass – with both sets of pads – rolls off aggressively below 60 Hz. It almost sounds like a brickwall filter is in place. I could detect no meaningful subbass. Yes, I tried moving them around to get an ear seal (although many planars actually get a bass boost when seal is broken). I tried both sets of pads. There’s just not much happening below something in the 50-60Hz range. Let me provide a little bit of context here. Before listening to the GL2K, I spent several days listening to Sennheiser HD660s and HD6XX and Beyerdynamic DT880 as I was working on the 660s review. Those three cans are in no way bass monsters. The DT880 has some pretty good extension, but its bass quantity can be a bit lean. The first thought I had when I put on the GL2K after listening to those Senns and Beyer was where is the bass? And sadly, I never found it. Were my amps underpowered? Possible, but I strongly doubt it. The Asgard 3, MLP, and V281 may be many things, but underpowered is not one of them.

The overall sound of the GL2K is compressed. That’s where the midrange and treble descriptions come in . Let’s talk about this term ‘compressed’. There are many ways to refer to ‘compressed’ in sound. It can refer to decreasing the dynamic range, ie. decreasing the difference in intensity between quiet and loud. It can refer to data compression, such as taking a lossless digital audio file and removing information to create a smaller file, ie. going from a .wav file to an mp3 or aac file or similar. To my ear, the GL2K exhibits both of these qualities. I realize that a headphone cannot remove data from the electrical signal (although it can fail resolve that information), but there is a timbral quality that comes out of the GL2K, particularly in the treble, that reminds me of the sound of a heavily compressed mp3 file. OK, let’s unpack these comments a bit further in separate subsections.

Midrange Presentation and the Illusion of Detail

The midrange sounds neither emphasized nor recessed from a frequency-response standpoint. The presentation is very odd, though. First of all, there is a lot of shout/honk going on. There is definitely an emphasis around 1KHz that gives a very strong sense of everything sounding like its being played through a toilet paper tube. The dynamics are also compressed. Sounds that should be quiet are emphasized. Things like room reverb or other elements that are softer in the mix are elevated above the relative levels I get from other headphones. This effect was particularly noticeable with Peter Hurford’s organ work on Bach’s Toccata & Fugue in D Minor (the Dracula theme!). That piece was recorded in a cathedral. There’s lots of room reverb. I’ve listened to this track dozens of times with lots of headphones to test for bass extension, dynamic range, spatial performance, the ability to resolve that room reverb, and just generally see if the headphone can let it rip when it has too. The GL2K, more than any other headphone I can remember, came across as “Hey! Check out this room reverb! You like room reverb, right? I have lots of room reverb!” That room reverb is far less forward on pretty much everything else I’ve ever used to listen to this track, from speakers to headphones and IEMs. On track after track, that quality came through. In a sense, the GL2K is a headphone that says the quiet part out loud. This is the first type of compression I’m talking about; reducing the difference in intensity between quiet and loud. An effect this can have on a listener is creating the illusion that they are hearing more. When stuff that is normally quiet is brought forward it can initially come across as added detail retrieval. Listen closer, though, and the GL2K misses things that similarly priced headphones, even cheaper headphones, can resolve. The Jurassic Park theme performed by John Williams and Anne-Sophie Mutter in Vienna with the Wiener Philharmonic Orchestra is another great test track. Can you hear all the seats creaking and pages turning in the orchestra? On the GL2K, yes you can! They’re emphasized, but it’s cool! Now, when the music starts going, can you hear the resinous sound of the bows being dragged across strings? The GL2K asks ‘what’s that?’. I’m not trying to be flip – well, maybe I am a little – but straight up my 600Ω Beyer DT880 resolved the full orchestra in that Jurassic Park track much more clearly and naturally than the GL2K. The GL2K’s mids were muddy, peaky, and compressed. The instrument separation was poor and everything sounded like a blended blob of sound. The detail the GL2K initially presents is an illusion.

Treble Presentation and the MP3-ification of Sound

Have you ever listened to an mp3 file that’s too compressed? There are YouTube videos all over that have very compressed audio. Have you noticed how the treble gets brittle, harsh, and has a general shishishishy quality to it? That’s the GL2K’s treble all the time, regardless of source quality. It’s not to the extreme of bad YouTube audio, but it’s always present to a degree. Cymbal crashes sound thin and brittle. Even 24/96 FLAC files of well recorded music – Rumours by Fleetwood Mac, the 2019 remaster of the Beatles’ white album, A Deeper Understanding by The War on Drugs (awesome album, great recording, check it out! Oh, it’s actually 24/44.1) – sound like they’ve been run through an mp3 encoder somewhere between the amplifier and the GL2K. Did the pads matter? Not much. Both the microperf pads and the leather pads have this timbral quality in the treble. My loaner unit arrived with the microperf pads installed. I very quickly thought the treble sounded like everything got compressed to a 128kbps mp3 file. Then I swapped to the leather pads and got the same effect, but with sibilance!

My Mama Says If You Don’t Have Anything Nice to Say Don’t Say Anything At All

(Spatial Presentation)

OK, I’ll say something nice. The GL2K sounds big. Really big. It’s able to throw out a soundstage that rivals the egg-shaped HiFiMan line in sheer size and scale. I’m not aware of any other headphones at the price point that can do that…except for those made by HiFiMan. The Edition XX could sound big. The Ananda – I haven’t heard – is in that same family where the staging is enormous and only about $150 more. The GL2K’s imaging is…ok. It gets a bit difficult to pull out the imaging prowess when the resolution, particularly in the mids, is such that instrument and vocal separation is lacking to point where things get muddied. But, there is enough sense of positional effect that when combined with the enormous soundstage, the spatial presentation can be fun for the right music.

COMPARISONS WITH OTHER HEAPHONES

It’s been said that the GL2K at $639 sounds like the best planar headphone. I cannot endorse that claim. I’ve heard some nice planars lately (see: here, here, here, here). The GL2K was not one of them. I mentioned the Beyer DT880 above with the Jurassic Park theme. The GL2K could not compete with the Beyer’s resolution, imaging, or timbre. The DT880 also had much more bass extension. The GL2K had a bit more bass quantity from about 60-120Hz, but musters virtually nothing below that. Even the Sennheiser HD6XX and HD660s bettered the GL2K in bass extension, and they certainly crushed it in midrange resolution and overall timbre. The DT880 costs $200. The 6XX is $220. The 660s is $500 but should probably be $250. The GL2K sounded bigger, but it’s imaging wasn’t as crisp or as accurate as these others. What about my other planars...Audeze LCD-2 prefazor, HiFiMan Edition X V2? I’m not going to say much more here because I think the picture is clear. The GL2K cannot keep up.

REBUTTING REBUTTALS

Burn-in/Break-in

Did I allow the GL2K enough time to burn in or break in? Let’s define these terms, first. I use the term break-in to refer to the change – specifically the loosening – of the physical materials of a speaker or headphone that must move to reproduce sound. A brand-new piece of material or assembly comprised of multiple materials/parts will be initially stiff and with use become more flexible at the points of flexure. This phenomenon is real and science based. If you’ve ever bent a paper clip at the same spot multiple times you’ve felt its resistance to that bending decrease…and yes…eventually that paperclip breaks at the point of maximum flexure. Generally speaking, planar-magnetic drivers don’t need much break-in time. There’s usually not a specific point(s) of flexure like there is in the surround material of a dynamic driver. Even if the GL2K needs an above-average number of hours of physical break-in, I’m at least the 3rd user to listen to this particular set of headphones. It’s had dozens, if not hundreds, of hours on it before it got to me. The longest break-in period I have experienced with a headphone are the 1.5T biodynamic drivers in my TH900. That’s also critical because the GL2K would have to experience a bigger improvement in sound than that notable outlier to approach anything that sounds like it’s worth $639.

What about brain burn-in? To me this is the mental adjustment period that happens as the brain familiarizes itself with the new pattern of sound it’s hearing. If the sound being presented is much different than what the brain is used to, it can take considerable time for it to acclimate. In many ways, this hearing phenomena is analogous to saying things like coffee, beer, or sushi are “acquired tastes”; different sense, same type of thing. Did I give the GL2K enough time to get used to it? It could be argued I did not. However, in both quick switch settings and longer listening settings, I can tell its technical ability falls off the pace for the price point. I’ve also listened to enough different pieces now to know when there’s at least a chance I’m going to eventually like a thing. Usually there is something there that’s worth holding on to and seeing if the rest of presentation sweetens – see my reviews of the Audeze LCD-24 and Abyss Diana Phi as examples where I had to push through some aspects I didn’t find appealing but ultimately began to understand what makes those headphones excellent pieces. The GL2K is not one of those things. And, some people never acquire a taste for sushi either. [I like sushi…it’s just an example]

Unit Variation?

Unit variation happens because there is always some nonzero tolerance level built into material quality, manufacturing processes, and many other factors. That means that there is going to be a range of performance that happens on any given product line for any type of product. “Unit variation” is a phrase being thrown around a lot to explain the wide differences in opinions of the GL2K. First, I’ll argue that unit variation is only a hypothesis at this point. To know if unit variation is the cause would require that multiple reviewers listen to multiple sets of GL2K and report on any differences they hear set-to-set. To my knowledge, that has yet to happen. But, if we accept the hypothetical as true, does unit variation alone explain the apparent gulf in opinions on the GL2K that exists between even long-established reviewers? [btw, I do not yet count myself among long-established reviewers, still very much learning the ropes here] I argue that it is very unlikely unit variation alone accounts for the magnitude of these differences. The difference between “more competitive with Sundara” and “the best-sounding planar” is larger than unit variation can account for. A difference that size is more likely explained by a change in materials used or manufacturing processes. However, if we accept that even such a large performance difference – if that performance difference is indeed real – is the result of unit variation, then IMO it is incumbent upon reviewers like myself to say: don’t buy this product, the risk of a lemon model is too high. Wait for GoldPlanar to work through the issue before pulling the trigger. I would also add that responsible manufacturers and retailers should pull such a product from the salesfloor until they can provide a more uniform experience for all who buy it.

We All Hear Differently

Yes! And also, no. We all have slightly different shaped outer ears, ear canals of different size and shape, etc. (Unit variation?) These variations can lead to increased or decreased sensitivities in certain frequency ranges. I’m quite certain I am more sensitive at 1KHz than most people. That’s why I put the Know Your Reviewer section in my reviews. OTOH, we are all also of the same species. Our auditory systems work in pretty much the same way person-to-person. For a variety of experiential reasons, our brains may latch onto different aspects of sound defining what’s “right” or “wrong”, but physiologically our ears are likely picking up things in more similar than more different ways. I think it is probably more accurate to say “we all appreciate things differently.” This is where I’ll make the turn and remind readers that if you like the GL2K (and are still reading, which thanks!), that’s ok. It may be presenting things in a way that resonates with you. That’s great. Enjoy it. My suspicion is that the group that truly appreciates the GL2K is going to be relatively small. The difference between what I hear from the GL2K and what I hear in real life with things like human voices, pianos, etc. seems quite large. Since my goal is to inform readers about the strengths and weaknesses of audio products, I feel that needs to be said about the GL2K.

Keeping the Door Open

I’ll say this…the unit variation thing has me curious. What if some reviewers really did get golden sets? I’d like to hear that. If you have a set you think is a golden set and you’re willing to share, let me know.

Howeva…that would just put more evidence on my claim that GoldPlanar really should take the GL2000 off shelves until they can give everyone that same high-quality experience for their hard-earned money.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I’m not going to belabor the point any further. IMO the GL2K is not worth $639. In fact, to my ear it’s outperformed in every area but soundstage size by $200 headphones, and soundstage size is more about preference than actual technical ability. I recommend skipping this headphone until at least GoldPlanar gets a handle on why reports on this headphone are so different.

Thanks for reading all. Enjoy the music!

POLAR REVIEWS MUST INDICATE SOME BAD COPIES OUT THERE BUT MINE WERE SPOT ON​

I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND HOW SOME LOVE THESE AND SOME HATE.... ​

MUST BE BAD COPIES IS MY GUESS... ​

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Gold Planar GL2000 Planar Magnetic Open-Back Headphones​

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SIDE NOTE: So you know, I have 3 systems at my home- my speakers are Vandersteen 3a Signatures, Magnepan 3.6r and my desk top system which uses SEAS drivers in custom D'Appolito configuration.
I edit videos and film on location for professionals- I mix sound for a living occasionally after I film them in person- sometimes I am handed tracks that are terrible masters but am asked to make videos from them without re-mastering the sound. My IMDB page is https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8127846/
I am not a flake or hard of hearing at all-I get sound tested by my doctor each year or two. I grew up with sound engineers in the studio who were mixing albums at The Mix Palace and Platinum Sound Recording and The Power Station, Electric Lady Studios Studios in NY to name a few. When I like something I will review it such as the Kennerton headphones I reviewed on head-fi before. If I take the time to review something it has to be meaningful- it must have moved me and compelled me to do so- I do not get paid for any reviews. I do this because I care to set the record straight on what I hear and how I felt about a particular piece of equipment.


From the moment I plugged them in I was hooked- very unique for me- I usually have to burn things in to love ‘em a bit more... not these... it was love at first listen... and yes the wonderful hype surrounding these are 100% warranted...

So to jump right into this- wow. Impressed as soon as I unpacked and opened case... Two huge (yes huge bags) humidifiers included to keep moisture out. The wire is a 4.4mm balanced silver wire with dual 3.5mm connectors to the cups. Two ear pads included- one is memory foam (comes installed) and the ear "D" shaped pads is not memory foam- just regular foam but has a suede like material touching the skin. I preferred the larger memory foam ear pad without the D shape for both sound and comfort. The D shaped pad also has small perforated pin holes which diminishes some sound for me. Now for the sound- yes. Sound stage huge. Bass - soooo yummy and accurate with my Apache RSA amp with Sparkos quad SS2590 Pro single class A modules. Tremble is sweet, smooth and articulate. The mids are amazing as well with both male and female vocals. I will be keeping these and of course really love them for all they are- and everything they aren't- they aren't expensive but feel like they should be or maybe just maybe these put other more expensive designs to shame in many ways - maybe everything else is way over priced. This is a deal and a half even at full asking price of $639. Well done is all I keep saying with my inside voice every time I hook them up and sit to listen. I feel very happy - almost like I stole them. Truly a huge value setting a new performance bar. The proverbial cherry on top here is the practical high quality carry case which is unheard of in this price range. It looks like a “Pelican” type case with custom foam cut outs. Each driver is shipped with foam inserts to protect the planar drivers during shipping.

The Goldplanar GL2000 double magnet planar headphone are excellent and even way beyond the asking price... I can sit here all day and waste pixels and your time printing more words... I suggest stop reading all reviews on this headphone... trying to figure out why these have me and many other owners hooked -just get your hands on a pair and listen and hear for yourself. I feel complete when it comes to buying Planars after these- they really do check so many boxes for me. They meet my needs and my price perfectly. I should mention- I have owned the amazing heirloom quality Kennerton Thekks and Wodans but found myself coming back to my GH50JM Edition- I always seem to grab these closed back HPs since I love the solitude of closed backs and they (GH50 JM Edition) offer me a huge soundstage nearly as wide as open backs. I loved the more expensive Kennertons- their build quality and sound BUT I wound up hardly using them- why? My closed back GH50 always won me over- when it comes to open backs these (GL2000) changed my mind completely.

SUITABLE FOR: INDUSTRIAL, ROCK, EDM, BLUES, JAZZ AND CLASSICAL

PORTABLE USE: NOT LIKELY OR RECOMMENDED FOR PORTABLE USE B/C OF SOUND LEAKAGE

AMP/DAC DEPENDENT: YES- YOU WILL HEAR WHAT YOU PLUG IN- NO HIDING HERE WITH THIS RESOLVING HP

Conclusion: This open back planar (ONLY THE DOUBLE MAGNET VERSION) will make you re-evaluate this hobby- why spend more and why listen to anything else??? unless you need a closed back and then I suggest listening to my own tuned HP from Kennerton called the Gjallahorn GH50JM Edition. My take on these is simple: awesome buy for asking price and even double or triple- save the D pads with pref holes and use full ear cups pads that come pre-installed instead for best sound- headband can feel a bit thin on middle part of skull while wearing for many hours - so maybe suggest Dekoni Nuggets- some reviewers love these some not so much- my thought there is some GL2000 left factory with some issues - no other way to explain the polar reviews. These are top tier and my copy is amazing. https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/gold-planar-gl2000-open-back.24993/-JM