uselessme
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2017
- Posts
- 6
- Likes
- 10
(Apologies if my English seems awkward; I am still learning the language.)
Hello, I am new to Head-Fi (although I have been browsing these forums for a while now.) and created an account because no-one had a specific comparison of (my current setup) the Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro (250 ohm) with the Fiio A3 (E11K) amp - versus returning them both for about £150 (~$185) and then buying a pair of AKG K712s, currently around £185 (~$230). Please bear in mind that I am by no means an audio expert.
For reference, I only listen to music on CDs with my hi-fi stereo system (a JVC CA-S60RBK) or on Youtube on my laptop, which I am aware that there is a 192kbps quality bottleneck. I sometimes listen to 320kbps MP3s on my laptop as well. I don't own a smartphone. The ratio of laptop : hi-fi listening time is around 1 : 3 (mostly listen using hi-fi). I never listen while travelling and only at home - so it doesn't matter whether sound leaks or not (hence choice of open-backed AKG). I listen to music at least 2-3 hours per day.
I notice that the DT990s are V-shaped as reviews say, and I have no complaints about its sound signature - apart from female vocals and percussion tending to sound a little sibilant (close, but not to the point of fatiguing). So I read on, and some users of the Fiio A3 (formerly E11K) commented on its (very) slightly warmer sound signature - which in theory should solve the sibilance problem on the DT990s. The Fiio A3 arrived today and I eagerly tested the difference, both on my hi-fi and on my laptop. To my disappoint, yes - there was a noticeable difference - but not what I had expected it to be (in spite of buying a budget amp like the A3, I am by no means a rich man.). Of course the difference was larger on the laptop, but I don't 'seriously' listen to music on my laptop - I wouldn't care too much whether the amp was present or not.
The genre of music I listen to is predominantly J-rock and Vocaloid artists (being Japanese), but I also listen to classical, soft rock, acoustic/country, and pretty much anything besides metal, dubstep, trap, R&B, drum 'n bass, etc. I favour music with creative melody and thoughtful composition/lyrics - the latter which I hold in higher regard. You can say from that, that I am not a massive fan of bass. Most artists I listen to are female.
So few days ago, I stumbled across reviews on the AKG K701/702 and AKG K712, and apparently it has a neutral/flat sound signature as well as good ability to bring out imperfections in the music (not suited for low-quality) - which wouldn't be an issue considering my collection comprises of CDs. I prefer a neutral and 'uncolored' signature and these headphones seem perfect for me, especially the AKG K712s - as they, as reviewers say, are essentially an upgrade from the K702s, improving on its artificially wide soundstage, etc..Not to mention they look very nice. I feel that they would bring the recessed mids on the DT990 forward and let the vocals shine, as well as being more suited to the genres I listen to.
I look at my DT990 + A3 combo and muse, "Wouldn't it be better to return them both to Amazon and then buy the AKGs with the money?". And so I type this asking for your advice. I apologise and thank those who read to the end of my long anecdote. So what do you think? Should I return them (I am inclined to do so) and get the AKGs? Is there anyone who owns both pairs - and how do they compare? I have around ten days to return both.
P.S. I tend to shy away from Sennheiser HD 600/650s due to it overstretching my tight budget. Please don't recommend them to me.
Hello, I am new to Head-Fi (although I have been browsing these forums for a while now.) and created an account because no-one had a specific comparison of (my current setup) the Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro (250 ohm) with the Fiio A3 (E11K) amp - versus returning them both for about £150 (~$185) and then buying a pair of AKG K712s, currently around £185 (~$230). Please bear in mind that I am by no means an audio expert.
For reference, I only listen to music on CDs with my hi-fi stereo system (a JVC CA-S60RBK) or on Youtube on my laptop, which I am aware that there is a 192kbps quality bottleneck. I sometimes listen to 320kbps MP3s on my laptop as well. I don't own a smartphone. The ratio of laptop : hi-fi listening time is around 1 : 3 (mostly listen using hi-fi). I never listen while travelling and only at home - so it doesn't matter whether sound leaks or not (hence choice of open-backed AKG). I listen to music at least 2-3 hours per day.
I notice that the DT990s are V-shaped as reviews say, and I have no complaints about its sound signature - apart from female vocals and percussion tending to sound a little sibilant (close, but not to the point of fatiguing). So I read on, and some users of the Fiio A3 (formerly E11K) commented on its (very) slightly warmer sound signature - which in theory should solve the sibilance problem on the DT990s. The Fiio A3 arrived today and I eagerly tested the difference, both on my hi-fi and on my laptop. To my disappoint, yes - there was a noticeable difference - but not what I had expected it to be (in spite of buying a budget amp like the A3, I am by no means a rich man.). Of course the difference was larger on the laptop, but I don't 'seriously' listen to music on my laptop - I wouldn't care too much whether the amp was present or not.
The genre of music I listen to is predominantly J-rock and Vocaloid artists (being Japanese), but I also listen to classical, soft rock, acoustic/country, and pretty much anything besides metal, dubstep, trap, R&B, drum 'n bass, etc. I favour music with creative melody and thoughtful composition/lyrics - the latter which I hold in higher regard. You can say from that, that I am not a massive fan of bass. Most artists I listen to are female.
So few days ago, I stumbled across reviews on the AKG K701/702 and AKG K712, and apparently it has a neutral/flat sound signature as well as good ability to bring out imperfections in the music (not suited for low-quality) - which wouldn't be an issue considering my collection comprises of CDs. I prefer a neutral and 'uncolored' signature and these headphones seem perfect for me, especially the AKG K712s - as they, as reviewers say, are essentially an upgrade from the K702s, improving on its artificially wide soundstage, etc..Not to mention they look very nice. I feel that they would bring the recessed mids on the DT990 forward and let the vocals shine, as well as being more suited to the genres I listen to.
I look at my DT990 + A3 combo and muse, "Wouldn't it be better to return them both to Amazon and then buy the AKGs with the money?". And so I type this asking for your advice. I apologise and thank those who read to the end of my long anecdote. So what do you think? Should I return them (I am inclined to do so) and get the AKGs? Is there anyone who owns both pairs - and how do they compare? I have around ten days to return both.
P.S. I tend to shy away from Sennheiser HD 600/650s due to it overstretching my tight budget. Please don't recommend them to me.