Katun
Headphoneus Supremus
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I've owned the Q701 twice, and absolutely loved it the second time around. Paired it with the HRT and M-Stage and it was fantastic. But, there are two reasons I got rid of it. Headband was awful, and I wished the bottom end had more substance. The K550 fixed both those issues for me, while adding the dual benefit of being closed. I adored the Q701's midrange (DT880 was no match) and the K550 seems to retain everything I remember about the Q701's midrange, while adding the much needed weight to the bottom. Very, very good headphone!
Vocals are very recessed on the D2000. I find any headphone now days can be bass cannons with no midrange, so I tend to look at balance in the sound and a very forward midrange. Sennheisers have always been good to me in that regard.
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Yes, I am.
I'll have to disagree with one of your statement as well. You mention, "a whole different beast". Funny thing is, out of every headphone and amp I've ever owned, none of them improved enough to label them as a "different beast". Partially the reason I stopped buying amps all together, is because I find the price/performance ratio stinks. Yeah, I realize some headphones actually need the extra power, but as far as sound quality improvement...
I think users that cannot afford a decent setup should still consider running the K550 unamped. I found it sounds fantastic regardless.
I'm looking for closed but with slightly forward vocals or at least neutral, and bass with the grado like slam (al least) if not more. It's not quantity I'm after, more the impact. The D2000 is V shaped and most opinions say the vocals are really recessed. Plus when I auditioned them they didn't really impress me.
EDIT* I see you have/had the Q701's. How do they compare?
I've owned the Q701 twice, and absolutely loved it the second time around. Paired it with the HRT and M-Stage and it was fantastic. But, there are two reasons I got rid of it. Headband was awful, and I wished the bottom end had more substance. The K550 fixed both those issues for me, while adding the dual benefit of being closed. I adored the Q701's midrange (DT880 was no match) and the K550 seems to retain everything I remember about the Q701's midrange, while adding the much needed weight to the bottom. Very, very good headphone!
Vocals are very recessed on the D2000. I find any headphone now days can be bass cannons with no midrange, so I tend to look at balance in the sound and a very forward midrange. Sennheisers have always been good to me in that regard.
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Are you referring to the K550? If so, I respectfully/strongly disagree. I'm still weighing the amps, DACs and media players I have on hand (with another DAC on the way) to post a conclusive writeup later in the week, but I've found that this already great headphone becomes a whole different beast when the drivers are properly stimulated. Increased body, GREAT bass and articulate treble... there's a heck of a lot to love with the right complimentary equipment.
Yes, I am.
I'll have to disagree with one of your statement as well. You mention, "a whole different beast". Funny thing is, out of every headphone and amp I've ever owned, none of them improved enough to label them as a "different beast". Partially the reason I stopped buying amps all together, is because I find the price/performance ratio stinks. Yeah, I realize some headphones actually need the extra power, but as far as sound quality improvement...
I think users that cannot afford a decent setup should still consider running the K550 unamped. I found it sounds fantastic regardless.