Beyerdynamic Xelento!

[soundblast75]

  Think it can out do the akg k3003 ?

It has been discussed already, it does big time, i don't have it anymore (3003), but whilst it was a very nice iem it has been outperformed by any iem i've bought since (in the price category, Truth,Vega,Oriolus,Rhapsodio etc).
I had both MK1 and MK 2 of A&K version of Xelento and whilst a little boring it has the highest quality in all respects appart from cable which sucked, but i don't care much about that, have much better cables to use.
Just ordered X from Thomann, hoping it improves on T8is, if not , its going back..

 

[HiFiGuy528]

  Think it can out do the akg k3003 ?

 
I have both in hand. Xelento has warmer sound, fuller bass and easier to drive. AKG K3003 is a very difficult load for most amps. K3003 is a great IEM, but today there are many others that's superior. 

 

[Shure or bust]

But is it truly worth double the price of the k3003 in today's market ? I just was interested in the Xelento, but I didn't bother to listen to it at canjam due to disliking every Beyerdynamic headphone I have tried compared to the competition. What would you compare the Xelento to in the iem word ? Noble, Campfire audio, J&H, 64 audio, ect ? I have my eyes on the Hifiman Re-2000 and Fostex Te-100 once they release. 

 

[Shure or bust]

   
I have both in hand. Xelento has warmer sound, fuller bass and easier to drive. AKG K3003 is a very difficult load for most amps. K3003 is a great IEM, but today there are many others that's superior. 

I found it the opposite for load on amplifiers compared to say the isine 20 or Rha iems they are easy to drive.

 

[Gilles De Rais]

But is it truly worth double the price of the k3003 in today's market ? I just was interested in the Xelento, but I didn't bother to listen to it at canjam due to disliking every Beyerdynamic headphone I have tried compared to the competition. What would you compare the Xelento to in the iem word ? Noble, Campfire audio, J&H, 64 audio, ect ? I have my eyes on the Hifiman Re-2000 and Fostex Te-100 once they release. 

Here in Oz there is very little price difference between the two (by which i mean the AK T8ie mk ii rather the Xelento)- when both are on sale ( regularly) both are about the AUD1K mark. I've commented on the AK site about the diff between the two to my ears - more about timbral emphases than technicalities.

Compared to others? Depends on your tastes - both James444 and I found the much heralded Campfire Vega to be way too bassy - irrespective of music. The Nobles? Well the Savant/Sage are bass light but good for vocals. - as are the Final Audio FI BA SS - the Katana is full bodied but (to my ears) not quite as cohesive as the K10. Different strokes for different folks...

Would probably help if you outline your source and your musical tastes. Don't forget to engage fanboi filter when looking at responses.

Regards,

Giles

 

[Trager]

  But is it truly worth double the price of the k3003 in today's market ? I just was interested in the Xelento, but I didn't bother to listen to it at canjam due to disliking every Beyerdynamic headphone I have tried compared to the competition. What would you compare the Xelento to in the iem word ? Noble, Campfire audio, J&H, 64 audio, ect ? I have my eyes on the Hifiman Re-2000 and Fostex Te-100 once they release. 

I've never really liked Beyer that much in the past. I was as surprised as anyone that I loved the Xelento so much that I'm selling my W60 for them. They just sounded remarkably lively, detailed, and still fun... even out of my iPhone. Can't wait to drive them with an amp and see how they shine.

 

[Shure or bust]

My sources: Onkyo Grandbeat as phone/DAP. Chord Mojo and Fostex HP-V1.

 
Music wise I listen to mainly Jpop, Cpop, classical and chamber music. I am not a bass head. I care more about vocals.

 

[potatoe94]

My baby arrived !

 

[Kristy Song]

[/IMG]

My baby arrived !

Congrats

 

[kms108]

 
My baby arrived !

What is the cost for the Xelento remote.

 

[kel77]

Got mine today too.

 

[Jephre]

  My sources: Onkyo Grandbeat as phone/DAP. Chord Mojo and Fostex HP-V1.

 
Music wise I listen to mainly Jpop, Cpop, classical and chamber music. I am not a bass head. I care more about vocals.

I'm interested in the Xelento as well. Unfortunately, I'm not able to demo the Campfire Vega here in NYC, but I'm curious about its sound signature. 
 
Like you, I'm not a bass head, although I do enjoy EDM music. I like a bit of sub-bass rumble, good mid-bass punch, but nothing that overwhelms the rest of the music. I also really like a large soundstage and good instrument separation.
 
I have the AKG K3003s, and when someone on this thread mentioned that the Xelentos are not as clinical and are more coherent, that really caught my attention. It sounds like the sweet spot of sound signature that I'm interested in...I just want to demo these, but none of the shops I've checked in NYC have one for demo.

 

[Gilles De Rais]

My sources: Onkyo Grandbeat as phone/DAP. Chord Mojo and Fostex HP-V1.

[COLOR=FF4400]
[/COLOR]

Music wise I listen to mainly Jpop, Cpop, classical and chamber music. I am not a bass head. I care more about vocals.

It's probably heresy on this topic, but Igoven your taste in music and the valves on the foster, 'd give the Final Audios a go. If you're looking at the Xelento then the Heaven 7 or Heaven 8 or the Fi ba ss should be on your audition list. An audition is really needed with these as their timbral focus isn't for everyone.

Regards,

Giles

 

[tienbasse]

FI-BA-SS is always a good model to demo forn people after vocals.

And it is now heavily discounted, being an old model.

 

[Jephre]

   
I have both in hand. Xelento has warmer sound, fuller bass and easier to drive. AKG K3003 is a very difficult load for most amps. K3003 is a great IEM, but today there are many others that's superior. 

I'm curious about the statement of how the AKG K3003 is a "very difficult load for most amps". Could you explain?