wgb113
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2010
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So in the Head-Fi vernacular fidelity is measured by dollars, not sound quality...uhh...interesting I guess...
So in the Head-Fi vernacular fidelity is measured by dollars, not sound quality...uhh...interesting I guess...
Well, basically yes & no. You can find 'high quality' or 'high-fidelity' sound starting at $200-$300. However, generally the whole $200-$500ish price bracket is considered 'mid-fi.' The term mid-fi is more directed towards the target audience/price bracket rather than trying to say that those headphones only having 'middle fidelity' lol. There is no such thing as middle fidelity, as fidelity simply means accuracy to source. Headphones are either accurate or inaccurate. If the headphones are only accurate 'half the time,' they are actually just inaccurate. The term mid-fi relates to a broad category of non-flagship and non-budget level headphones, but does not actually say anything abt their sound quality. You can have terrible mid-fi headphones or high quality mid-fi headphones.
Now, there has been a shift from flagships moving to the $1k+ price point, leaving a weird price hole between what really intense enthusiasts are willing to pay ($1k+) and what normal people think is reasonable ($10-$400). This creates the new price catorgory from $500-$900 that I personally call "the overpriced mid-fi or underpriced flagship".
The majority of headphones in this new $500-900 price bracket are basically overpriced mid-fi headphones with similiar sonic performance as the good options in the $200-$300 bracket. They are sold to people who don't know any better and think there is a linear relationship between price tag and sound quality. There isn't.
Then, there are a few gems in this weird new price bracket with performance is actually compareable to other current flagship headphones, but with a price tag under $1k.
The reason flagships cost $1k+ nowadays doesn't have anything to do with manufactoring costs. The reason flagships are priced like that is because that is where you get the largest profit margins currently. Market prices are balanced out by demand. There are enough people willing to spend that much money that they can afford to keep the prices for flagships above $1k.
Just fun side info. The current Beats type $300ish premium headphones can be made for <$20/each. The final MSRP of audiophile brand headphones requires additional mark up for dealers to make a profit.
Agree to drop it. Last point is I simply believe in what I hear for myself, and I'm an engineer as well, so it's highly tempting to only believe hard data, but if I did that I'd have missed out on so much...
Cheers
What headphones do you consider as the exceptions or gems?
You make an interesting and compelling point and I have been wondering is the EL-8 truly a step up, from say a Sennheiser Momentum 2.0.
I have the EL-8 closed on the way, because I am thinking it should be better than headphones in the $300-$500 range; because its an Audeze. Also, because I think a closed will give me more flexibility. Styling aside, I don't see a strong reason to get the open EL-8, when the headphones [LCD-2] that made Audeze a name to respect is only $195 more!
I will only be able to compare the EL-8 to my IEM's from JH Audio and though its a very different type of comparison, in the end its gotta sound as good or better than my JHA 16's for me to keep it.
Interesting. What do you think so far?
I am currently using my JH Audio Roxanne (custom) with an AK240. As I am tempted to the EL-8, I am scared that I might not be satisfied by the sound compared to the Roxanne...
Went to shop today to get my pre-order EL-8 close. I had compared open and close
For close, I don't know how to describe its sound. el-8 close sound weird and not natural. Bass is not real. Mid is worst, singer voice sound like synthesizer
While open version sound very good to my ear. I don't like LCD2, it's too lean, too smooth for me. 8 closes have forward mid and sparkling in treble and I like it a lot
So I ask seller to change from close to open one.
P.S. el-8 open sound very good without any burn in. I don't know whether it will be any improvement after 20-100 hours or not. But it doesn't matter, I already happy now.
Did you feel that the AK240 is able to drive the EL-8 open without needing further amplification?
Thanks!
Is
Isn't there a HUGO underneath the AK240?
Headphones are either accurate or inaccurate. If the headphones are only accurate 'half the time,' they are actually just inaccurate. The term mid-fi relates to a broad category of non-flagship and non-budget level headphones, but does not actually say anything abt their sound quality. You can have terrible mid-fi headphones or high quality mid-fi headphones.
Did you feel that the AK240 is able to drive the EL-8 open without needing further amplification?
Thanks!
For me, I think it is enough. I also try EL8 with my Xperia Z Ultra (using Onkyo HiFi app), result is also good. I only listen to jazz and female vocal, no complicate music.
So in the Head-Fi vernacular fidelity is measured by dollars, not sound quality...uhh...interesting I guess...
WhatchyoutalkinaboutWillis?
All headphones are inaccurate. All that changes is the degree of the inaccuracy. If we crudely divide headphones into 3 groups according to the amount of inaccuracy, then we will have lo-fi, mid-fi and hi-fi. It's not about price but performance. So you can not have terrible mid-fi headphones, as a matter of definition!