Day 2 of discovery
Okay, I just finsished another five hours with the NighOwls. Super impressed! The set up was as follows: Sony NWZ A17, with all effects turned off. All music was new and from iTunes. Power was provided by iFi micro iCAN SE running at 12DB (middle gain setting) and max 3D sound. Xbass was on max for Miles and m inimal for everything else.
First was up was the new album featuring Miles Davis and John Coltrane called the Final Tour: The Bootleg Series, Vol.6. Wow, this is a lot of great music, to the tune of three and a half hours.The trumpet, sax, bass, drums and piano all sounded great. It sounded as crisp and clear as any new album, probably better than a lot of new albums actually. Just amazing.
Next was a new discovery for me, Nubya Garcia from with From When We Are. A sax player from the UK. She is great and she gives her band lots of room. I love this EP and will be buying more from this lady.
Stone Temple Pilots was next. Bit of a shock to the ear and I had to drop bass boost to minimal. Wow, this new album is good. And the new singer will be a great Scott Weiland replacement. The guitars, the drums and the vocals played really great, and the 'phones were a rockin'.
The Beaches will be getting a lot of radioplay this summer. They had me tapping my feet right through. Female vocals sounded more than fine.
I keep stumbling across Bishop Briggs. I don't get the devil horn hair do, but I really like her voice. I just realized I am up to five of her songs now. Her growl sounded great on these 'phones.
Lastly, the new single from Shinedown. I think Grado's are great for rock but these phones were just ripping with this new song (I can't wait for the whole album!).
I could not find a weakness anywhere. I know that I am stil in the "shiny new toy" phase, but these headphones sound great doing anything. The only bad thing I can think of is that they are really flimsy. I would never take these out anywhere, not even to a meet. They have a super clean sound and are therefore a perfect match, as in the polar opposite, of my Grado's. I can see these being a a great 1A and 1B for years depending on your mood. Both were the same price and relatively cheap.
Another thing I should add is yes, they are closed back, but do not expect much isolation at all. But if you are looking for a closed back headpohone that is a great value (at current sale prices), you really should try these out. I can't speak to EDM, Metal, etc. but for rock and jazz...Wow!
Shane D