aamefford
I have a custom title!
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2007
- Posts
- 3,914
- Likes
- 661
*** Edit - I added further notes after modifications to the 780's, see Post #10.
*** Edit - Months later, I finally finished the recable on the 780's! See post # 31 for brief notes.
*** Edit - Final impressions in post #41 - I dig 'em!
I'll continue to update as I progress with this project. End of Edit. ***
This post started out as an answer to a PM I received. It turned long winded enough that I thought I'd post it:
Build Quality - the 780's have the same bullet proof headband that all Ultrasones, except maybe the Edition 7,8,9 etc. have. It looks like a couple of other manufacturers use it as well. I opened the ear cups briefly, as I plan to recable and add damping. The cups look like aluminum, but are painted plastic.
The ESW10's are not built like an almost $600 U.S. retail headphone. I always hold them and question the cost, right up until I start listening. The build quality is good, leather, cherry wood and plastic, with a really tiny, flexible cable that could really stand to be a foot longer. They feel like quality, but very light weight. I won't take them out of the house, except once in a while to work, and in the AT "firm but not quite hard" case.
Comfort - the pleather earpads on the 780's are grim in the extreme, to me. I switched to beyer 250 pads in velvet, and they are great. They turned the 780's into keepers, at least for now. The headband pad is also pretty stiff and uncomfortable. I'm still looking for the solution to that.
The ESW10's are supra-aural, and push on my ears a bit. They are fine for a couple of hours, and get a bit uncomfortable after that for me. 2 hours is a long session for me, so no problem. They are otherwise quite comfortable, and extremely light. The cups are tiny, and make great "lay in bed" cans because the pillow doesn't press against them much. A lot of my listening is right before I fall asleep, so this is a huge plus for me.
Sound Quality - The jury is out on the 780's for me. Chest Thumping Bass from headphones - I don't get how that works, but it does happen on some songs. Brittle highs that have tamed after break in. By the way, I called BS on the 400+ hours break in at first. I think maybe the 400+ hours is not a bad estimate - That's what I've got on these now, and the highs are much less brittle, though still very forward. The whole presentation is in your face forward - a little too much for me right now. I'm hoping the recable and damping will tame them a bit.
The ESW10's - what can I say, I love these headphones! The sound is just shy of perfect for me. I got these, and sold my HD580's. The ESW10's are more easily driven, have much deeper, tighter, more prominent bass, rich mids and detailed highs, and seem to be quite forgiving of recording quality. Songs that have sibilance with the 780's do not (though they may border on sibilance) with the ESW10's. They have a smallish sound-stage, and that is the only thing that makes them shy of perfect for me as far as sound quality. The whole package together is hard to beat. The price is hard to stomach, though.
From what I've read, the ESW9's are a slightly more laid back version of the 10's. The 780's will be WAY more forward, bright and fatiguing, in my opinion. The 780's have a big fan base of folks who might argue at least the fatiguing part, though.
Bottom line, for now, you'll get my ESW10's when you pry them from my cold, dead ears. The 780's are staying for work and travel cans, for now. They are good, and enjoyable, but not (yet) perfect. If I can get them closer to perfect, they stay for the long haul, as I really like the form factor and durability.
*** Edit - Months later, I finally finished the recable on the 780's! See post # 31 for brief notes.
*** Edit - Final impressions in post #41 - I dig 'em!
I'll continue to update as I progress with this project. End of Edit. ***
This post started out as an answer to a PM I received. It turned long winded enough that I thought I'd post it:
Build Quality - the 780's have the same bullet proof headband that all Ultrasones, except maybe the Edition 7,8,9 etc. have. It looks like a couple of other manufacturers use it as well. I opened the ear cups briefly, as I plan to recable and add damping. The cups look like aluminum, but are painted plastic.
The ESW10's are not built like an almost $600 U.S. retail headphone. I always hold them and question the cost, right up until I start listening. The build quality is good, leather, cherry wood and plastic, with a really tiny, flexible cable that could really stand to be a foot longer. They feel like quality, but very light weight. I won't take them out of the house, except once in a while to work, and in the AT "firm but not quite hard" case.
Comfort - the pleather earpads on the 780's are grim in the extreme, to me. I switched to beyer 250 pads in velvet, and they are great. They turned the 780's into keepers, at least for now. The headband pad is also pretty stiff and uncomfortable. I'm still looking for the solution to that.
The ESW10's are supra-aural, and push on my ears a bit. They are fine for a couple of hours, and get a bit uncomfortable after that for me. 2 hours is a long session for me, so no problem. They are otherwise quite comfortable, and extremely light. The cups are tiny, and make great "lay in bed" cans because the pillow doesn't press against them much. A lot of my listening is right before I fall asleep, so this is a huge plus for me.
Sound Quality - The jury is out on the 780's for me. Chest Thumping Bass from headphones - I don't get how that works, but it does happen on some songs. Brittle highs that have tamed after break in. By the way, I called BS on the 400+ hours break in at first. I think maybe the 400+ hours is not a bad estimate - That's what I've got on these now, and the highs are much less brittle, though still very forward. The whole presentation is in your face forward - a little too much for me right now. I'm hoping the recable and damping will tame them a bit.
The ESW10's - what can I say, I love these headphones! The sound is just shy of perfect for me. I got these, and sold my HD580's. The ESW10's are more easily driven, have much deeper, tighter, more prominent bass, rich mids and detailed highs, and seem to be quite forgiving of recording quality. Songs that have sibilance with the 780's do not (though they may border on sibilance) with the ESW10's. They have a smallish sound-stage, and that is the only thing that makes them shy of perfect for me as far as sound quality. The whole package together is hard to beat. The price is hard to stomach, though.
From what I've read, the ESW9's are a slightly more laid back version of the 10's. The 780's will be WAY more forward, bright and fatiguing, in my opinion. The 780's have a big fan base of folks who might argue at least the fatiguing part, though.
Bottom line, for now, you'll get my ESW10's when you pry them from my cold, dead ears. The 780's are staying for work and travel cans, for now. They are good, and enjoyable, but not (yet) perfect. If I can get them closer to perfect, they stay for the long haul, as I really like the form factor and durability.
