AudioQuest NightHawk Impressions and Discussion Thread

[Quadfather]

I haven't had the chance yet, but will keep in mind.

The same headphones are really good out of the Paw Gold Diana and the Questyle QP1R. I think I'm partial to the Sony with the balanced output though.

 

[Jearly410]

I am hoping someone here can help me out of my confusion...

The bass of the Nighhawk has been described as both tight and clean, as well as bloomy and muddled. I can’t understand how different people can hear it so differently.

I own the NightOwl and to me the bass is the best part; tight, clean, impactful, coherent.

I know the Hawks and Owls are very close in sound sig so how is it that many people hear the Hawks bass as bloomy etc?

 

[lugnut]

The bass of the Nighhawk has been described as both tight and clean, as well as bloomy and muddled. I can’t understand how different people can hear it so differently.

That's just it, people hear different ! I think there is too much of this headphone vs that headphone. We all hear different, so we should try to find what best matches are ears, and not so much of this headphone is better than that headphone. Also when it comes to the Nighthawk , most of the reviews and testing was done in it's early days, when just the hybrid ear pads were available. They tend to make the sound very warm and in some cases the bass can be a little bloated. Put the micro suede pads on or the boost pads on and the whole sound changes the bass tightens up and the highs pop out a little more. I have all 3 different pads and I think they all sound different. You can pad roll just like how some tube roll.

 

[betula]

I am hoping someone here can help me out of my confusion...

The bass of the Nighhawk has been described as both tight and clean, as well as bloomy and muddled. I can’t understand how different people can hear it so differently.

I own the NightOwl and to me the bass is the best part; tight, clean, impactful, coherent.

I know the Hawks and Owls are very close in sound sig so how is it that many people hear the Hawks bass as bloomy etc?

Everything is relative, it all depends what you compare the NightHawk to. Compared to most dynamic open headphones the bass on tha Hawks is tight and clean. Compared to good planar headphones the bass suddenly sounds bloomy and muddled.
The NightOwl's bass is slightly more balanced and even, a little bit extends deeper (due to the closed back design) compared to the NightHawk. The NH emphasises mid-bass a little more.
In this hobby there is always 'higher'. The NH/NO are one of the best mid-range headphones, putting to shame many more expensive headphones. But as I said, everything is relative. Just try to enjoy them and don't think too much.

 

[Hi-Fi EDU]

I am still tempted to buy a new pair of NightHawks just because I love them, but tbh they probably wouldn't get much head time. The 2Cs are just a class above. ... And happy listening!

I tried a pair of OG, non-fazor LCD2s early last year. Those were the only headphones that I said would likely steal head-time from the NHs, because as you describe, there was something about them that made my ears glance more than twice. Since owning the NHs for 2 years, no other headphones incited even the slightest urge in me at the several meets I attended in that time (well...I'm not going to count the Utopias because of their price; but the sound from those...wow...can you say trans-paren-cy?). I believe the aim of the LCD2C was to take after the OG LCD2. So I'm personally not surprised with your progression. If anything, thanks for confirming what I thought I heard, and I look forward to owning an LCD2C one day. That said...unless I NEED the money, there's NOOO WAY I'm getting rid of my NHs. An indelible mark on me, they have truly left. I think you'll pick them up again sooner than you think but I can respect your decision and it's indeed all about the happy listening!

 

[betula]

I tried a pair of OG, non-fazor LCD2s early last year. Those were the only headphones that I said would likely steal head-time from the NHs, because as you describe, there was something about them that made my ears glance more than twice ... NOOO WAY I'm getting rid of my NHs. An indelible mark on me, they have truly left. I think you'll pick them up again sooner than you think but I can respect your decision and it's indeed all about the happy listening!

I think you are right. The LCD2C does sound incredible, however after long listening sessions I do get neck pain due to the weight (otherwise they sit comfortably on the head). I am giving it some more time, but there is a good chance these have to go back. Which is quite a shame. I will try to get a Focal Clear soon, as they really impressed me at an audition. Will see how that turns out, as you won't know everything about a hp from a 1-2 hrs long audition, you need to live with them a couple of weeks. (See the weight issue with my LCDs.) If I don't miss the NH when having the Focal Clear, than I am done with headphone purchases for a while. If there is the slightest issue I am not happy with the Clear, the NHs are coming back. (And possibly a NO.) Tbh I might pick up a NH anyway till they are available new. The more higher-end headphones I try the more I miss the NH. They are not perfect, but no headphones are. They definitely provide the most comfortable long term listening experience both physically and sonically.

 

[Arcamera]

Like others here, I have better headphones than the NH that are still in the same broad sonic camp-- namely the Kennerton Vali's (the Vali is amazing for Rock especially)-- but I still love the NightHawk for its own unique personality, for what it does so right, that I'm always going to keep and still listen to at least two of the three pairs I own (might sell my Carbon though).

 

[betula]

Ok, the emotional attachment proved to be too strong. I have just picked up probably the last wood look NH in the UK new, on a bargain price. So basically I swapped my old pair for a brand new one with a year warranty on them for the price I sold my old NH plus the price of a pair of new pads. I was going to buy new pads anyway.
Whatever headphones I will try and own in the future, these must stay with me.

 

[mbwilson111]

Ok, the emotional attachment proved to be too strong. I have just picked up probably the last wood look NH in the UK new, on a bargain price. So basically I swapped my old pair for a brand new one with a year warranty on them for the price I sold my old NH plus the price of a pair of new pads. I was going to buy new pads anyway.
Whatever headphones I will try and own in the future, these must stay with me.

Some of us predicted this

 

[fccn75]

That's just it, people hear different ! I think there is too much of this headphone vs that headphone. We all hear different, so we should try to find what best matches are ears, and not so much of this headphone is better than that headphone. Also when it comes to the Nighthawk , most of the reviews and testing was done in it's early days, when just the hybrid ear pads were available. They tend to make the sound very warm and in some cases the bass can be a little bloated. Put the micro suede pads on or the boost pads on and the whole sound changes the bass tightens up and the highs pop out a little more. I have all 3 different pads and I think they all sound different. You can pad roll just like how some tube roll.

Where does one get the pads? The last I read was that Audioquest has exited the headphone business. Unless people are using Brainwavz, which online stores have the microsuede available?

 

[betula]

Where does one get the pads? The last I read was that Audioquest has exited the headphone business. Unless people are using Brainwavz, which online stores have the microsuede available?

Google search, mate. Some retailers still have the pads. AQ headphones will become history sooner than we think.

 

[frogmeat69]

Where does one get the pads? The last I read was that Audioquest has exited the headphone business. Unless people are using Brainwavz, which online stores have the microsuede available?

Audio Advisor has both the microsuede and leather pads. http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=AQEPCA&variation=US

 

[Hi-Fi EDU]

Ok, the emotional attachment proved to be too strong....
Whatever headphones I will try and own in the future, these must stay with me.

Haha, there you go. Welcome back brother.

 

[waynes world]

They definitely provide the most comfortable long term listening experience both physically and sonically.

Yup. I just had the experience of throwing on the Nighthawks after listening to some other gear and experiencing physical shivers of relief due to how comfortable they feel and sound. That doesn't happen with any other headphones I own. I think it's safe to say that I'll never part with my NH's either

 

[fccn75]

Google search, mate. Some retailers still have the pads. AQ headphones will become history sooner than we think.

yep, googled few months back and nothing. One time it was suggested to contact authorized dealers to have them shipped to dealer and then purchase.