As what Franchot has wrote roughly sums it up, there's not much left to say about it. But since I promised I'll do my version nonetheless. My equipments are AV400(chinese DVD/CD player that plays almost anything) ->optical cable ->DIR1000C transmitter.
SE-DIR1000C vs DCL3000R
[Comfort and construction]
1000C's full sized curcumaural, jersey pad is very comfortable, but because of receiver units pretty top heavy and slides off position if you look down. 3000R has velour like soft pad and fits snugly onto your head and it stays nicely, little heavy on top as well but basically the same comfort as other AT phones.
Construction is good on 3000R, everything fits perfectly and doesn't squeak, although it may not endure heavy duty usage. 1000C looks more study, but whole design(including material choice) is not as good as 3000R, as 1000C tends to make small tinny clinking noise if you move you head. (It looks like coming from several places like inside the right cup, hinges and headbad when twisted a little. Use of metal parts and slightly loose fit at hinge is causing this, I guess. I can live with this but some may not like it.)
[Sound]
Diana Krall Live in Paris - I Love Being Here With You (dts)
With DH2 setting, 1000C exibits spacious presentation. It's really like you are sitting in the seat and players are on the stage several meters away from you. Highs and lows are pretty good on them.
Changing to 3000R, first you'll notice fuller mid. Diana Krall's voice was good on 1000C but now it really sounds like her voice is alive and sexy. Then the tune goes on to instrument solo part, it was a pleasant surprise too. With 3000R you will hear fingering and picking work of guitar and bass, subtle piano expressions. 3000R is very good at transition sound of acoustic instrument. For example, 1000C expresses snaredrum rimshot "rim" sound well, but 3000R adds resonance of drum head and body to it. And wood bass on 1000C is pretty much picking and following boom but 3000R lets you hear how strings vibrates. In short, 3000R's fuller mids present "body" of sound pretty good. I was very satisfied with DCL3000R for acoustic music.
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Live at Slane (dts)
Either with or without dolby headphone, 3000R sounded distant and hollow. Instruments used(including Chad's drum) have very strong attack and almost no decay until the end of sustain, so I guess that pretty much take away advantage from 3000R. 1000C has stronger highs and lows, definitely better for rock, period.
American Beauty (dts)
As I have the same DVD as Franchot used for review, I thought it would be interesting comparison.
What I like with 1000C is it's wide and airy perspective. It really makes me feel like listening to the speakers, or being at theater. The switching to 3000R, voices became fuller and forwarded. Sound effects becomes less, background music is less louder but more musical. Switching back to 1000C, then it felt like looking at panoramic but plain picture from 2 or 3 meter distance. 1000C is wide and spacious but not as deep in distance. While 1000C is pretty open, you will definitely feel more personal with 3000R.
Matrix Revolutions (Dolby Digital 5.1)
I was pretty sure this is going to be something different. Because the movie is filled with sound effects, it means this is full of artificial sound opposed to real life drama like American Beauty. Music is also very electrical, with strong beats.
Watching the scenes where Captain Mihune fights to his last breath in his APU, the sound of machine guns are very different on 1000C and 3000R. High pitch mechanical clicking and explosive low boom is what you hear with 1000C, but 3000R gives you mechanical clicks followed by mid-low bang, then boom adds to it. While 3000R sounds more realistic but 1000C's booming low overwhelms the scene, I liked 1000C better. In fact, synthesized sound effects are better with 1000C.
[SR225 vs 1000C vs 3000R]
Tomb Raider Cradle of Life (dts)
Now it's time for regular wired phone. 3000R costs $300 but considering it has recever/amp built in, I thought something around $200 should be a match.
I plugged SR225 into DIR1000C transmitter, and started to watch DVD.
First sequence of Cradle of Life sounded so good with SR225. All the rumbling low sound are superb, yet sound of water/waves are so clear. And voices are decently forwarded, easier to listen to.
Switching to 1000C I was disappointed that it sounded somewhat "thin". Again it sounded panoramic but not much depth.
3000R has its own fullness, but not like SR225. 3000R is sometimes hollowish, too distant. But very good representation of actor's words.
[Conclusion]
300R is better on Drama-like movies, Jazz and Classical music. On the other hand 1000C does good on Pop/Rock music and action or SFX movies. SR225 beats both phone any day of the week, but the difference is not as big to deny wireless phones advantage.
Does 3000R worth $300? It sould be, since none other wireless phone offers this comfort and sound. Of cource the price will go down in time and next generation will be cheaper, but if you are looking for good wireless phone now, you should consider this one.
Hope this review makes sense to someone. Good night forks.
