Quote:
And addressing one more point: When considering a device's sound quality, you must NEVER EVER EVER KEEP ITS COST IN MIND WHEN AUDITIONING. Just because something is one thousand dollars doesn't make it better than a two-hundred-dollar alternative. Basing your definition of high-end on cost is simply stupid. Just because IN GENERAL as you climb the price ladder you will be reaching a higher level of fidelity does not automatically mean you'll get that fidelity by blindly purchasing that product. |
Well, of course!
I assume you are replying to me, Geek. I think if you read my post, you'll see you are rebutting an argument I am not making. BTW: my definition of "high-end", does not include CD3000, DT880, or Grado RS-1 either, so I'm not just picking on your beloved HD600.
I think we have no real idea yet of what can be achieved with headphones, where we have a much better idea of what can be achieved with speakers, amps, etc., simply due to number of choices/brands/price points available.
There seems to be an underlying assumption that the $350 price point represented by the HD600 is the absolute apex of what can be achieved in a headphone, that spending more will never get you "better" only "different". No point developing new cans, we've reached the mountain top! However, the (admittedly limited) evidence we have disputes that assertion, if one compares the Orpheus, the R10 and the Omega 2 to the HD600-level cans. Most people discern a difference.
As I said, assuming we have a number of $800-$2000 cans to choose from *of appropriate quality* (that is commensurate with price/materials/performance) as I said originally, one would have every reason to believe we can do better than the HD600/CD3000/RS1 group. Obviously, if Bose comes out with a $1200 set of cans, there's a good chance that it could suck, so no, spending more won't *always* get you better, I think everyone can recognize that.
I still think that we should have $100 cans by now that can mop the floor with the R10s.
Mark