First, thanks to Phil/IpodPJ for doing all the work to book the hotel and get everything organized
Disclaimer: I focused on gear rather than people, but I’m sure others will post more pics. For some reason these are showing up darker here than in my image processing software (lightroom).
First pics, then impressions:
For some reason my homebrewed audiotest disc was not working so I used a number of discs burned from FLAC that I also brought. I primarily used Radiohead’s OK Computer, Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue, and the Ultrasone test CD (mostly tracks 1, 5, and 9). I also had Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s rendition of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture
In no particular order:
The main event: AMB Labs Beta 22 vs. Audio-GD Phoenix
I don’t think there was any clear winner here. We hooked my Beta 22 and Phil/iPodPJ’s Phoenix into the same source, interconnects, and power cables. I first listened to these two separated by maybe 15-30 minutes and couldn’t detect any significant differences. I then listened again later in the day with Phil swapping the cables quickly. I think the differences were still small. With the risk of being tainted by the dreaded and overblown placebo and my hearing of others’ opinions, I though the Beta was a bit more dynamic and punchy and also had more impactful and powerful bass. I’m not positive whether this was due to the Beta being better or whether the Phoenix was actually neutral and the Beta was colored.
HD800: I initially wasn’t blown away by these at CanJam probably because they’re so neutral. My opinion was very different today, though, and I’m not sure whether it was due to burn in, amping, selection of tracks, source, or what. The first thing I noticed was the soundstage, which was enormous, probably larger than any other phones’. These phones are tremendously comfortable and well-built although I do find the use of plastic slightly annoying in a $1400 can. I think the best term to describe these is neutral, because these are honestly the most neutral cans I’ve ever heard; I think they’d be excellent for studio monitoring. I disagree with those who think the bass is anemic. It’s neutral, not exaggerated and not anemic. I didn’t have any electronic music with me due to my test disc not working, so it may not be ideal with subgenres of electronic music heavy in bass (ie electro, house, dnb, dubstep…), but for the material I did have with me the bass was deep and impactful and sufficient in quantity. I will have to listen with a wider variety of music before making a final judgment. The bass is certainly not exaggerated, so I wouldn’t really call these “fun,” but they’re technically very good. The mids are excellent and similarly neutral, I don’t think anyone has criticized them so I won’t go into more depth. Treble was not even remotely veiled. I have read the claims that the treble is hot, and that may be true, although I did not find there to be too much treble, and I would not want there to be any less. I liked these enough that I may buy a pair after I see AKG’s new flagship and wait for FOTM to die down (although I think these are far better than just “FOTM”).
Denon D7000 and JVC DX1000:
I compared these two phones since they’re both closed, bass-heavy woodies.
The DX1000 is more solid and well-built. It has an interesting coloration in the midrange that I don’t necessarily consider a negative. The bass is pronounced and has both high quantity and quality. They have a very interesting soundstage which extends sideways and is probably as good or better than any other closed phone I’ve heard.
The D7000 is probably a more neutral phone. It also has pronounced bass, but its frequency response is probably more tilted toward treble in addition to bass rather than midrange. Like the DX1000 it is a very “fun” phone although obviously not as detailed as the HD800, K701, or even my AD2000’s. I will probably either buy a pair of D7000’s or buy some D2000’s and have them woodied.
Ed8: I didn’t listen to these for too long. I didn’t like the way they fit, and I wasn’t impressed by them, although I should have given them a longer audition.
W5000: Very different headphones which I can’t say I love, although I can see why someone would. I first listened to them with the classical tracks from the Ultrasone disc and thought they were excellent. However I then put them on after listening to Radiohead with my AD2000’s and thought the W5000’s sounded a bit hollow/unnatural/cold in comparison. Only 5-10% of the music I listen to is classical, so I would not buy these.
Grado RS-1: While I will admit these did sound great with distorted guitars, I think these are strongly colored, overly bright and forward, and not to my liking. I am pretty sure I don’t like the Grado house sound as a whole.
O2 Mk1: Like the Ed8 I wish I listened to these a bit longer. I wasn’t excited about them but can’t say anything final until I listen to them more extensively.
