Difficult question. I own both. Nightowl is more treble forward. I prefer it for instruments based music, jazz in particular. I like the slighlty recessed mids of the hawk. It is the one I pick up the most. I love them both and can enjoy both though.
Hello I used to own a Fiio Q1 back in college, I think something similar and not overly expensive will be good, something below $400-500 for the AMP. I use a DAP called Shanling M3S which has a balanced output but can also work as a DAC for AMPs.
I would pay less than $200-300 for the balanced cables, I use an Effect Audio Ares II+ cable for my IEM.
I don't have a real "sound preference" so I tend to lean towards anything that sounds more neutral since I listen to a lot of different genres. But I don't mind anything that will enhance bass since 50% of my songs are like ambient, electronic or hip-hop.
Hello I used to own a Fiio Q1 back in college, I think something similar and not overly expensive will be good, something below $400-500 for the AMP. I use a DAP called Shanling M3S which has a balanced output but can also work as a DAC for AMPs.
I would pay less than $200-300 for the balanced cables, I use an Effect Audio Ares II+ cable for my IEM.
I don't have a real "sound preference" so I tend to lean towards anything that sounds more neutral since I listen to a lot of different genres. But I don't mind anything that will enhance bass since 50% of my songs are like ambient, electronic or hip-hop.
Maybe check out the iFi xCAN. It does balanced and has significant power. I'm afraid I can't recommend it personally, since I haven't heard the xCAN, but I have and love my Black Label and am a huge fan of the company. It's a good place to start looking, anyway.
Hello I used to own a Fiio Q1 back in college, I think something similar and not overly expensive will be good, something below $400-500 for the AMP. I use a DAP called Shanling M3S which has a balanced output but can also work as a DAC for AMPs.
I would pay less than $200-300 for the balanced cables, I use an Effect Audio Ares II+ cable for my IEM.
I don't have a real "sound preference" so I tend to lean towards anything that sounds more neutral since I listen to a lot of different genres. But I don't mind anything that will enhance bass since 50% of my songs are like ambient, electronic or hip-hop.
Do you want a portable amp only, or are you willing to go with a full size desktop amp ? I drive my Amiron Home and Nightowl with the Audio-GD C-2 (2017 Edition) headphone amp. This is an amazing sounding amp with a very neutral sound signature. It is a full size amp. It has alot of power as well. You can check it out at the link. This amp will drive any headphone you want with ease. The volume on low gain goes from 0 to 100. On high gain, from 0 to 63. I run both headphones on the high gain setting. The Amiron Home is very loud on newer albums at only about 24-26 on the volume. On the Nightowl, it is loud at about 18-20 on the volume. I am sure you would be very impressed with this amp. The Nighowl has a somewhat warm and darker sound signature. Being neutral, this amp adds nothing additional, and also does not take anything away from the capabilities of the headphone. Things sound exactly how they should.
With Audio-GD, you order direct from them. They build the amp when you order and pay for it. Just send them an email, stating that you are wondering about the cost with shipping for the C-2 2017 Edition amp to your current address. Send your name and address in the email, and they will email you back a quote with the total price shipped. Here is the email address for Audio-GD price quotes.
I must have 400-500 use on my Nightowl by now. Indeed, they did mature into their final sound over a longer period of time than expected. At first, it seemed that they settled after 150 hours or so, but that ended up not being the case. They continued burn in all the way until well beyond 300 hours. These are the final EQ sets I have for using with each pair of pads now. This is a noticeable improvement in sound from the stock tuning.
Edit: I will say though, for me, the best sounding is with the ultrasuede pads. It is not possible to get snare drums to sound completely correct with the pleather pads, even with EQ. Drums sound as they should when equalized with the ultrasuede pads. This is just my opinion though, and we all hear differently.
hello
Can you compare me Nighthawk's with Nightowl ? Which one will be better on slightly neutral amp ?
There are big diffenerences beetwen this headphones in sound signature ? o
Both are relaxed ? or It's is a day and night differnce (or still night in both) ?
i don't like any kind of harshness... but i dont like muddy sound too.
@core3m I think there are some detailed opinions on this in the Nightowl thread. My quick answer is that I prefer the Nightowl, but the differences are not big. The Nightowl is slightly brighter, and to my ears slightly more resolving, but remains relaxed, very nicely relaxed, no worries about harshness.
Are the NightOwls / NightHawks being discontinued? Looking for a new set of comfortable closed back but there are massive price drops....
Would like to pair with a fair priced balanced cable 2.5MM TRRS to go with my XDP-300R.
Alternatively looking into Shure SRH1540, even the Meze 99 Classics, but I am afraid these are to small for my ears.
Are the NightOwls / NightHawks being discontinued? Looking for a new set of comfortable closed back but there are massive price drops....
Would like to pair with a fair priced balanced cable 2.5MM TRRS to go with my XDP-300R.
Alternatively looking into Shure SRH1540, even the Meze 99 Classics, but I am afraid these are to small for my ears.
Correct, they're discontinued. So these are clearing stock and that's that. So if you're looking for a nice close back, the NightOwl is a steal at this price.
Are the NightOwls / NightHawks being discontinued? Looking for a new set of comfortable closed back but there are massive price drops....
Would like to pair with a fair priced balanced cable 2.5MM TRRS to go with my XDP-300R.
Alternatively looking into Shure SRH1540, even the Meze 99 Classics, but I am afraid these are to small for my ears.
I have the Owl and 1540. While both are great, the Owl is definitely a notch up. I find their signatures pretty similar, actually, but the AQ presents it so with more weight, authority and an organic timbre that's addicting.
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