[kanan]

I have seen many headfiers talking about HFI-780
and now I am curious about HFI-780.

I use ESW9s as portable hifi cans.
Honestly,how good is HFI-780 compared to ESW9?
Does anybody compere these 2 cans?
What is the difference?
Which is more suitable for Rock and how about the other?

 

[YtseJamer]

I don't have the ESW9 but I can tell you that the 780s are very good for rock.


Quote:

Originally Posted by kanan /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have seen many headfiers talking about HFI-780 and now I am curious about HFI-780. I use ESW9s as portable hifi cans. Honestly,how good is HFI-780 compared to ESW9? Does anybody compere these 2 cans? What is the difference? Which is more suitable for Rock and how about the other?

 

[kanan]

Thanks Pfillion!
How about the treble of HFI-780?
Is it smooth?
Does it have clear transparency?

 

[slwiser]

I would consider these as opposites. The ESW9 is warmer and has some congested bass on some tracks. The 780s are very detailed and some consider this as a drawback, I don't. The 780 matched with a amp that is musical and warm will do it all especially when re-cabled. The 780 would be more "in your face" or aggressive presentation.

But both are very good but different.

 

[YtseJamer]

I'd say that the treble is like the Grado RS-1. For my tastes, it's just perfect. (Not too smooth, not too harsh..)

Keep in mind that I have the modified version of the 780s.. (ALO-780V.)

Cheers

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanan /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks Pfillion! How about the treble of HFI-780? Is it smooth? Does it have clear transparency?

 

[kanan]

Thanks Slwiser!

Well...HFI-780 is more detailed than ESW9?
As you, I don't think that as drawback, so one point for 780.
How about sound stage - which is wider?
Any opinion about seperation of sound?

 

[silverrain]

.

 

[slwiser]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanan /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks Slwiser! Well...HFI-780 is more detailed than ESW9? As you, I don't think that as drawback, so one point for 780. How about sound stage - which is wider? Any opinion about seperation of sound?

Stock soundstage of the 780s is OK but it gets better with a re-cable.
Both have a nice presentation of the sound image. I actually don't remember as much about the ESW9 soundstage to be make a detailed note about them.

 

[mrarroyo]

I have listened to the ATH-ESW9 on two ocassions, first it was boomana's pair and then vorlon1's pair. I believe boomana's has more burn-in that vorlon1's and IMO it shows. I found both to be warm and vorlon1's a bit congested/constricted, perhaps more burn-in will help it open up.

The HFI-780 by contrast is in your face kind of can. I also believe it needs massive amounts of burn-in. The HFI-780 isolate better but are much larger than the ATH-ESW9.

If I had to choose I would go with the HFI-780, it tends to get my foot tapping. Something the AT was not able to do.

 

[kiwirugby]

Which of these two are more suited for classcal music (stock or re-cabled)? I had Alex re-cable my ESW9s and it removed a lot of the congestion (as best I can remember!). They still sound a little veiled on top sometimes even fuzzy especially with vocal (but that could be the particular recording.....listening with Sony EJ2000 --> sysconcept mini-mini --> iBasso D1 --> iBasso P2). There has been minimum burn-in on these cans.

Thoughts and opinions?

 

[StormTracker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiwirugby /img/forum/go_quote.gif Which of these two are more suited for classcal music (stock or re-cabled)? I had Alex re-cable my ESW9s and it removed a lot of the congestion (as best I can remember!). They still sound a little veiled on top sometimes even fuzzy especially with vocal (but that could be the particular recording.....listening with Sony EJ2000 --> sysconcept mini-mini --> iBasso D1 --> iBasso P2). There has been minimum burn-in on these cans. Thoughts and opinions?

Well I currently have a stock HFI-780, and it's good, but not great with classical IMHO. I only have the D2000 to compare, but out of the box, I prefer the D2000 string sound (more smooth, sweet sounding), while the 780 sound is a bit too aggressive. I've only reached near 200 hours burn-in on the 780 however, so still plenty of burn-in still left. (Probably can't afford even the cheap recable for a while unfortunately.)

Skylab has both the ESW9 and a recabled HFI-780, so he can probably help.

 

[kiwirugby]

Quote:

Originally Posted by StormTracker /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well I currently have a stock HFI-780, and it's good, but not great with classical IMHO. I only have the D2000 to compare, but out of the box, I prefer the D2000 string sound (more smooth, sweet sounding), while the 780 sound is a bit too aggressive. I've only reached near 200 hours burn-in on the 780 however, so still plenty of burn-in still left. (Probably can't afford even the cheap recable for a while unfortunately.) Skylab has both the ESW9 and a recabled HFI-780, so he can probably help.

Thanks so much, Storm. This helps. I was just hoping they were really were a good match with classical music.

Yes, it will be interesting to hear Skylab's opinion, but he's pretty busy on here!!! he may have bigger fish to fry!

I am looking forward to a well-isolating can for classical music (no IEMS or buds for me, please) that do not take up half my carry-on luggage when I fly. (Although if there is a really good non-folding isolating headphone, I'd consider it. I don't care how much more of an idiot I look in public since I do a pretty damn good job of that without wearing headphones!!!!) Does the D2000 fit the bill?

Sorry if this highjacks the thread a tad.

 

[woopididi]

if you decide buying the HFI780, you might consider getting an ALO recabe mod. i've read that this mod makes them sound very close to the Ultrasone Edition 9 - a 1,500$ headphone!

just go and read about it in the ALO forum.

 

[kiwirugby]

Quote:

Originally Posted by woopididi /img/forum/go_quote.gif if you decide buying the HFI780, you might consider getting an ALO recabe mod. i've read that this mod makes them sound very close to the Ultrasone Edition 9 - a 1,500$ headphone! just go and read about it in the ALO forum.

Are you saying this would make them right, proper and good for classical music?

 

[woopididi]

i have no idea, but you can get some good answers for that in the ALO forums or through KB which is the man behind ALO.