AudioQuest NightHawk Impressions and Discussion Thread

[bracko]

Here in Sweden the Nighthawk costs twice the price of HD650 (or HD600).

 

[SomeGuyDude]

   
Here in Sweden the Nighthawk costs twice the price of HD650 (or HD600).

 
in the US it's not that far off. the HD600 is usually around $300 and the hawk is $600. HD650 runs in the $350-400 range when amazon's not being ridiculous. and even then I feel like the Hawk is a hell of a bargain. 

 

[Mani ATH 87]

   
in the US it's not that far off. the HD600 is usually around $300 and the hawk is $600. HD650 runs in the $350-400 range when amazon's not being ridiculous. and even then I feel like the Hawk is a hell of a bargain. 

 
The HD650's are worth the price even at full MSRP, imo. Always nice to get them at a deal though, I got mine off of Amazon at about $270 USD about a year ago. Best $270 I've ever spend in the audiophile headphone game.

 

[wondroushippo]

   
in the US it's not that far off. the HD600 is usually around $300 and the hawk is $600. HD650 runs in the $350-400 range when amazon's not being ridiculous. and even then I feel like the Hawk is a hell of a bargain. 

I got mine barely used for $370 on eBay, that was a killer deal. I love my Nighthawk, though some brickwalled metal struggles with the mid-bass, but either through break-in or mental adjustment, it's not so bad. Deftones' Gore was unlistenable for a bit, though it is a terribly-produced album.
 
Also, apologies for this if this is answered, but the search function isn't working for me: does anyone use this cable for their Nighthawk? I'd love a shorter cable but am unsure if this fits: http://www.amazon.com/Replacement-Audio-upgrade-Sennheiser-Headphones/dp/B00KBBR8T4

 

[adpo]

It's got the right connectors, so it should work. HD700, new Hifiman and PM1/2 cables should all work with the Nighthawks. That said, I've got a cable with eidolic connectors on the headphone side and the barrel is too fat to fit the cable all the way in, although it'll still go in enough for it to work with the Nighthawks.

 

[all999]

I got mine barely used for $370 on eBay, that was a killer deal. I love my Nighthawk, though some brickwalled metal struggles with the mid-bass, but either through break-in or mental adjustment, it's not so bad. Deftones' Gore was unlistenable for a bit, though it is a terribly-produced album.

Also, apologies for this if this is answered, but the search function isn't working for me: does anyone use this cable for their Nighthawk? I'd love a shorter cable but am unsure if this fits: http://www.amazon.com/Replacement-Audio-upgrade-Sennheiser-Headphones/dp/B00KBBR8T4

It's gonna work, but I'm pretty sure You're going to experience audible downgrade. AQ did excellent job with his stock cable.

 

[adpo]

If you just want a shorter cable, you could always try braiding the stock cable

 

[inthere]

Omg I'm losing my mind listening to the new Dragonfly Red hooked up to my iPhone...........sounds better than the original Dragonfly and damn, I'd even pick it over my Mojo-straight out the box with no burn in, this thing is fantastic!

 

[inthere]

Ok, tried the Dragonfly Red with LCD-4, Ether C, HD650, and Audeze Sine and I'm keeping my Mojo because it's way more powerful. Actual sound quality though I like the Dragonfly, especially on easier to drive headphones like the Nighthawk, Sine, EL-8, and Oppo PM-1.

 

[leaky74]

I love the Nighthawks with the DF Red!    

 

[SearchOfSub]

Ok, tried the Dragonfly Red with LCD-4, Ether C, HD650, and Audeze Sine and I'm keeping my Mojo because it's way more powerful. Actual sound quality though I like the Dragonfly, especially on easier to drive headphones like the Nighthawk, Sine, EL-8, and Oppo PM-1.

can you give more in detail differences you hear between the two on the Nighthawks? Thanks,

 

[wondroushippo]

It's gonna work, but I'm pretty sure You're going to experience audible downgrade. AQ did excellent job with his stock cable.

Hmm. I also bought a cable from that seller before for my Q701 and it changed the sound, and that always kinda bugged me.
 

  If you just want a shorter cable, you could always try braiding the stock cable

Yeah, I'll have to do that...

 

[leaky74]

Anyone run their Nighthawks through a Schiit Magni 2? I'm assuming it would be a good match but would be interested to the thoughts of anyone that has.

 

[SearchOfSub]

If you don't like a brighter sound stick with the Mojo.

For some reason I thought the AQ Red was going to give me a little bit more of a darker and even smoother sound but It's the opposite. Thanks for the heads up. Passing on the Red

 

[adpo]

Anyone run their Nighthawks through a Schiit Magni 2? I'm assuming it would be a good match but would be interested to the thoughts of anyone that has.

I got the Magni 2 Uber, it's a solid sounding amp with the Nighthawks. Plenty of power on tap, pretty much neutral sound sig on low gain with a little bit of extra brightness/forwardness added when switched to high gain. If you wanted a solid baseline for what a good amplifier should sound like, I'd handily recommend it.