[tamahome77]

Hands down the ATH-W10VTG or the W11JPN.

 

[catscratch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenjaminGraham /img/forum/go_quote.gif 4. As stated above, some post only included model numbers and I'm not knowledgeable enough to recognize the brand name. If you could post that up I would appreciate it.

O2 Mk1 - Stax Omega 2, and not the Omega 2 Mk2. The Mk1 was produced between 1998 and 2007. The new model is similar, but not the same, and does sound a bit different.

SR-001 - Stax SR-001 Mk2. It's a portable electrostatic system that comes with its own amp. The SR-003 is the same headphone but comes with a different cable that is terminated in a 5-pin pro-bias Stax plug.

HE90 - Sennheiser HE90 "Orpheus."

R10 - Sony MDR-R10.

Incidentally, tossing around "price no object" on audio forums is a dangerous thing to say, unless of course you do mean it. You can easily lay out $50,000 on a system, if not more.

 

[RickEC]

In my experience, K701 is not suitable for female vocal. Too thin, no texture to mention. Can't convey the emotions without highlighting the tonality of female vocals. I vote for RS-1 with flats, and HD650 (which can be improved for female vocal by recabling). DX1000 carries the vocal off the edge; very (or too) smooth.

 

[Asr]

47 posts and no one has yet asked what should be a highly relevant question: what kind of female vocals? There are female vocals in nearly every kind of music: operatic classical, jazz, blues, soul, pop, alt/indie, rock/prog rock, metal, industrial, electronica, trip-hop, bluegrass, country, folk, et al.

Given the proliferation of female vocals across multiple genres, by logical deduction there cannot be a single best headphone for "female vocals" in general. Headphones invariably are specifically suited to one or more genres or sonic preferences as opposed to a specific frequency band (in this case, the female vocal range). This is made all the more complicated given the complex nature of sonic perception of the female voice.

Hence, to seek out a specific set of headphones for "female vocals" is futile. Seek out headphones for either music genre or alignment with sonic preferences. This can be done by going to a meet (see the Meets forum) or buying & selling used headphones (see the classifieds area).

As for the question of dampening Grado treble without affecting the rest of the sound, have you tried alternate earpads? That would be the most cost-effective solution and the sonic effects of different earpads can be surprising.

 

[Deep Funk]

Very true, Lauryn Hill and Within Temptation are quite different in vocals.

 

[midoo1990]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcpoor /img/forum/go_quote.gif you've only listened to one akg model, correct? and you only listened to them with a zune or ipod as the source, right?

No I used them using my Sony CD player and Sony DVD and still they sound bad with female vocals.....thin,sibilant,unnaturally airy and bright.And if you looked closer at my sig. I said dap and not source.

 

[sling5s]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickEC /img/forum/go_quote.gif In my experience, K701 is not suitable for female vocal. Too thin, no texture to mention. Can't convey the emotions without highlighting the tonality of female vocals. I vote for RS-1 with flats, and HD650 (which can be improved for female vocal by recabling). DX1000 carries the vocal off the edge; very (or too) smooth.

For female vocals that are more husky, smokey, and rich (sade, k.d lang, adele, diana krall, norah jones) Grado with flats.

But when you want a thinner more airy nature, the grado bowls or jumbo bowls for even more thinner airiness is nice (jewel, sarah mclachlin, sarah brightman...)

 

[bhanja_trinanjan]

K701 hands down for female vocals and piano!

 

[mypasswordis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by midoo1990 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Akg for female vocals=hell no! Very bright,thin and sibilant for female vocals and too unnaturally airy.

Epic fail

 

[oqvist]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhanja_trinanjan /img/forum/go_quote.gif K701 hands down for female vocals and piano!

K701 is not good for piano. Not compared to the Pro 900 anyway.

 

[bhanja_trinanjan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by oqvist /img/forum/go_quote.gif K701 is not good for piano. Not compared to the Pro 900 anyway.

They do piano better than EPOS M12i, QUAD 11L2, Wharfedale Diamond 9.1, DALI Lektor 1/Lektor 6, Morduant Short 902i/Shure E4C IEM/Sennheiser PX100 (LOT of speakers there, but these are some of the other transducers that I have heard)

Very precise with start and stop of piano notes with excellent inner resolution... (sensation of hammer hitting the string)... I like the K701 with classical piano!

 

[Acix]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhanja_trinanjan /img/forum/go_quote.gif They do piano better than EPOS M12i, QUAD 11L2, Wharfedale Diamond 9.1, DALI Lektor 1/Lektor 6, Morduant Short 902i/Shure E4C IEM/Sennheiser PX100 (LOT of speakers there, but these are some of the other transducers that I have heard) Very precise with start and stop of piano notes with excellent inner resolution... (sensation of hammer hitting the string)... I like the K701 with classical piano!

Agree, the701/2 provide great dynamic and a good amount of wight for classical piano. As far vocals go, the K701/2 are my choice.

 

[oqvist]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhanja_trinanjan /img/forum/go_quote.gif They do piano better than EPOS M12i, QUAD 11L2, Wharfedale Diamond 9.1, DALI Lektor 1/Lektor 6, Morduant Short 902i/Shure E4C IEM/Sennheiser PX100 (LOT of speakers there, but these are some of the other transducers that I have heard) Very precise with start and stop of piano notes with excellent inner resolution... (sensation of hammer hitting the string)... I like the K701 with classical piano!

Start/stop is to slow on my system anyway and it´s just to soft in it´s attack as you hit the keys. Lack speed I suppose.

 

[brat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenjaminGraham /img/forum/go_quote.gif I love Grados, but as others already know, they can be a little bright on female vocals. Any suggestions on headphones that are great with female vocals without sacraficing too much elsewhere. Any price range.

I think the brigtness of female vocals is a record issue. Even good cans will reproduce them like that. I haven't heard human voice well recorded and mastered. Any suggestions will be appreciated

 

[pawel115]

I own both K701 and K401 both are great with vocals female or male K401 seems to be more neutral to mee but they are both great in my opinion.