I used to hate the boost pads, but after spending more time with items, I'm ok with them for my nightowl. I use hybrid pads for the nighthawk. So the hawk is my mellow syrupy headphone, and the owl is my brighter treble enhanced headphone
That's exactly how I use my Hawks and Owls. I want the contrast between them to be as big as possible. In practice they still sound pretty much the same though
That's exactly how I use my Hawks and Owls. I want the contrast between them to be as big as possible. In practice they still sound pretty much the same though
I don't agree with my statement here. For the last three weeks I exclusively listened to the Hawks and since today I am using my Owls again, because they block noises a bit better (my airco is making a lot of noise). What is apparant is a brighter treble and significant less bloom in the sound compared to the Hawks. My first reaction was: wow tonally they are more like a closed HD650s than a closed NightHawk or maybe a fusion between HD650s and D5000s? Tonally the Owls probably are better than the NightHawks.
I switched between the boost pads and micro suede pads and the Owls clearly sound better with the boost pads. Their bass becomes lean with the micro suede pads, the overall sound gets a bit thinner than I like. The treble is a bit less edgy though, but not to the extend to warrant a pad change. With the boost pads they have a pleasant 'commercial' sound and with different wood cups (which actually look like wood) and a different (Japanese?) brand name they could have become really successful.
I still prefer the Hawks by a good margin though.
I don't agree with my statement here. For the last three weeks I exclusively listened to the Hawks and since today I am using my Owls again, because they block noises a bit better (my airco is making a lot of noise). What is apparant is a brighter treble and significant less bloom in the sound compared to the Hawks. My first reaction was: wow tonally they are more like a closed HD650s than a closed NightHawk or maybe a fusion between HD650s and D5000s? Tonally the Owls probably are better than the NightHawks.
I switched between the boost pads and micro suede pads and the Owls clearly sound better with the boost pads. Their bass becomes lean with the micro suede pads, the overall sound gets a bit thinner than I like. The treble is a bit less edgy though, but not to the extend to warrant a pad change. With the boost pads they have a pleasant 'commercial' sound and with different wood cups (which actually look like wood) and a different (Japanese?) brand name they could have become really successful.
I still prefer the Hawks by a good margin though.
Listened to my Hawks for the first time in a week after time with tfz no 3, Campfire Solaris, etc. Basically in ears with more "detailed" treble. After about 10 minutes I settled in and felt like I had just laid down on my favorite pillow, in my favorite blanket. All the details there, but so warm, and comforting. Man, I love the Hawks. Glad I have 2 pairs.
Been trying to find a balanced cable that doesn't take away from what I hear in the stock or nightbird one cable. Granted, I've been looking at cables under $80. The sound I get out of the thick stock cables I really enjoy. I need a 4.4mm balanced cable though for my tube amp I have coming.
@Mink weird timing. I had that exact cable delivered yesterday! Have had one for my Shure SRH1540, Focal Elear and now the Owl. For £13, what's not to like?!
I'm a cable atheist so can safely say that I've definitely not noticed any change to sound. I know the OEM cable gets a lot of flack, but I never had a problem with it. I wouldn't mind spending up to ~£100 on a cable for a customised look, but I left the original Owl cable at another location when moving between places so was in a jam and wanted something next day. It really is a fine cable and the additional length is always appreciated, or so my wife tells me...
Hahaha!
The original cable was fine, but rather short and it made noises (microphonics) when I made a movement. And I didn't like the idea of cleaning the silver plated plug(s) on a regular basis as it was advised in the booklet. They even included a special cleaning cloth for this. Although to be fair for the month I have used the cable the plug didn't need any cleaning whatsover.
Yeah I know what you mean about the gripes with it. I think I cleaned the cable ends twice in the first couple of months of ownership just for the novelty of it! Probably been way over a year since I last did and it's never presented any problems, though. Glad I forget that cable because this new one is something I should have bought for it ages ago. The Owl's are still my favourite headphones of all time. I'd put off buying them originally as I had the SRH1540 and the Elear, but when they dropped to half price I couldn't resist. A few weeks after having them on my head I decided to sell the Elear! Their tuning is sublime for my preferences, and I'll always take a closed-back over an open-back for practicality. Bloody glad I didn't miss out on owning them.
The same with me. I had my mind set on a pair of Denon D7200s and never considered the NightHawks or Owls. I mean AudioQuest, a cable company for crying out loud.
But as soon as the price dropped and I read more about them I took a shot. (Yep, I'm a cheapskate, or a leech if you will )
I accidentally ordered the NightHawks instead of the Owls, I didn't return them immediately but decided to order the Owls and try both. I kept both.
Closed-back for me too, I like to immerse myself into a private confined space, rather than listening to music and my surrounding simultaneously. Luckily the NightHawks isolate pretty fine as well.
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