surfgeorge
Member of the Trade: 3D Printed Accessory Designer
I recently bought both the Nighthawk (original) and Nightowl.
I’ve now had for a few days.
The Hawk was a demo unit, so I assume it’s fully burned in.
The NO has about 50h burn in time so far and changed a lot during that time.
New out of the box the NO was much more "into your face" than the (burned in) NH, and the soundstage was much more compressed.
It is far smoother and more liquid than in the beginning, very close to the Hawks now. Also the soundstage has opened up a lot and is much closer to the one of the Hawks now.
I find that it really depends on the music which ones I prefer. The Hawk has this super relaxed feeling, and at times feels a little more natural.
The Owl still feels a bit more foreward, more “in your face” but it is also faster, more rythmic, and more balanced. Bass it drier and punchier and has more power in the lower registers.
Mids and highs are clearer, it feels like all the frequencies have more energy. The treble can even be a little sharp at times.
Regarding speed and rythm, when I listened to “I love being here” from Diana Krall “Live in Paris”and the owl made me tap my feet, while the hawks made me lean back and relax.
I find that I clearly prefer the owls for Pop and Rock, kind of studio or “engineered music” that doesn't have a natural soundstage, and is more about speed, rythm and energy. The NHs relaxed presentation is no advantage in that case, and the slightly wider soundstage doesn't really come out with that kind of music.
For orchester music the hawks create a slightly wider and more floaty soundstage, present the music more relaxed. Somehow it sounds more natural, while the owls sound more “technically correct”but slightly less emotional.
The burn in effect has however greatly reduced that difference and the owls are much smoother now, and since AQ recommends 150 hours I am curious if and how much they will still change.
I also played with the pads, but the differences are very subtle, no real conclusions for me yet.
I will keep the NO for sure, since they are the best HP I have had so far (and the first in that price class).
I am not sure about the NH, if I will sell them, keep them or give them to someone in my family.
Cheers!
PS: I tested them with Chord Mojo, using the Cayin N3 as source.
I’ve now had for a few days.
The Hawk was a demo unit, so I assume it’s fully burned in.
The NO has about 50h burn in time so far and changed a lot during that time.
New out of the box the NO was much more "into your face" than the (burned in) NH, and the soundstage was much more compressed.
It is far smoother and more liquid than in the beginning, very close to the Hawks now. Also the soundstage has opened up a lot and is much closer to the one of the Hawks now.
I find that it really depends on the music which ones I prefer. The Hawk has this super relaxed feeling, and at times feels a little more natural.
The Owl still feels a bit more foreward, more “in your face” but it is also faster, more rythmic, and more balanced. Bass it drier and punchier and has more power in the lower registers.
Mids and highs are clearer, it feels like all the frequencies have more energy. The treble can even be a little sharp at times.
Regarding speed and rythm, when I listened to “I love being here” from Diana Krall “Live in Paris”and the owl made me tap my feet, while the hawks made me lean back and relax.
I find that I clearly prefer the owls for Pop and Rock, kind of studio or “engineered music” that doesn't have a natural soundstage, and is more about speed, rythm and energy. The NHs relaxed presentation is no advantage in that case, and the slightly wider soundstage doesn't really come out with that kind of music.
For orchester music the hawks create a slightly wider and more floaty soundstage, present the music more relaxed. Somehow it sounds more natural, while the owls sound more “technically correct”but slightly less emotional.
The burn in effect has however greatly reduced that difference and the owls are much smoother now, and since AQ recommends 150 hours I am curious if and how much they will still change.
I also played with the pads, but the differences are very subtle, no real conclusions for me yet.
I will keep the NO for sure, since they are the best HP I have had so far (and the first in that price class).
I am not sure about the NH, if I will sell them, keep them or give them to someone in my family.
Cheers!
PS: I tested them with Chord Mojo, using the Cayin N3 as source.