bhanja_trinanjan
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2006
- Posts
- 530
- Likes
- 14
Hi,
A lot many threads here which compare headphones in terms of their midrange goodness often speak exclusively of relative performance with vocals.
While I definitely agree that vocals are indeed a good indicator of midrange accuracy, the real challenge is the correct rendition of acoustic instruments with sustained tones (like strings, woodwinds etc.)
And I also feel that the very fulcrum of good rendition of classical is spot on accuracy with the timbres of acoustic instruments.
Sadly a number of headphones are going the wrong way these days with too much emphasis on imaging, transients and sound-staging.
While these factors are undoubtedly crucial, the biggest stumbling block is absolute tonal accuracy without being analytical.
So many Head-Fiers still swear by their K501s and K1000s for their honest, yet musical mids.
Sterile, analytical, boring, dry, soulless etc are some of the disturbing attributes which are uttered regarding popular phones like the K701 and HD800. (Although they have their fans as well)
Are we losing the way in terms of the direction in which high end headphones are evolving, with special attention to midrange performance?
Are the K501 and K1000 so highly worthy of their cult status?
A lot many threads here which compare headphones in terms of their midrange goodness often speak exclusively of relative performance with vocals.
While I definitely agree that vocals are indeed a good indicator of midrange accuracy, the real challenge is the correct rendition of acoustic instruments with sustained tones (like strings, woodwinds etc.)
And I also feel that the very fulcrum of good rendition of classical is spot on accuracy with the timbres of acoustic instruments.
Sadly a number of headphones are going the wrong way these days with too much emphasis on imaging, transients and sound-staging.
While these factors are undoubtedly crucial, the biggest stumbling block is absolute tonal accuracy without being analytical.
So many Head-Fiers still swear by their K501s and K1000s for their honest, yet musical mids.
Sterile, analytical, boring, dry, soulless etc are some of the disturbing attributes which are uttered regarding popular phones like the K701 and HD800. (Although they have their fans as well)
Are we losing the way in terms of the direction in which high end headphones are evolving, with special attention to midrange performance?
Are the K501 and K1000 so highly worthy of their cult status?
