Dan's Data reviews HD 280s

[Stephonovich]

First, not sure if this should go in Member's Lounge or Headphones. Feel free to move as you see fit, mods.

Anyway, the website Dan's Data has just posted a (favorable) review of the HD 280s. He's been doing quite a bit of headphones and amps recently, so perhaps hi-fi will be accepted by the masses eventually

 

[commando]

He doesn't seem to spend much time talking about the sound, does he? He picked up the weak bass ok, but didn't mention the treble, which is a bit harsh.

Also, I found I got a better seal if I extended the arm thingies a bit more.

 

[Stephonovich]

He doesn't claim to be an audiophile, though. Still, he has reviewed quite a few others, and has HD 590s that he loves, so I'd think he'd mention anything... perhaps his source didn't reveal much. I think his usual sources are TV/DVD player/computer.

Personally, I never found the 280s treble to be as biting as everyone said. Sure, with a couple recordings it can get a bit harsh, but not as much as everyone made it out to be. Perhaps my blue tack mod smoothed out the treble, though. I know it helped a whole lot with the bass.

 

[Jasper994]

Also, coming from the 590's the 280's wouldn't seem harsh at all.

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

The 280's treble is nothing compared to that of the V6/7506.

 

[Stephonovich]

I wasn't aware the 590 was harsh. I thought it was a slightly lesser cousin of the 600.

Dan hasn't reviewed the V6 yet. I doubt he will. I haven't seen Sony offering him anything yet. Actually, so far, Headroom has been the biggest supplier. First the DT880s, then the Bithead, then some Senns, then the Etys...

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephonovich I wasn't aware the 590 was harsh. I thought it was a slightly lesser cousin of the 600.

I don't think the HD590 is harsh, it is just very bright, and so unless your source/amp are very smooth sounding, it magnifies the harshness with its' brightness. It is definitely urelated to the HD600, which was a big brother to the HD580.

I hope his review and my prior experience with the DT880 is right on, that it is very neutral/transparent, so it can just show off the goodness of my source

 

[Stephonovich]

Ah, the 580 was the little brother to the 600. Thought I had 'em mixed up somehow.

Well, I won't be getting the 590s, then. I've found the 832AN, at least unbuffered, and in a CMoy, to be a tad harsh sometimes. I love it to death, as it's extremely analytical and dynamic, two things I value, but it can get a bit harsh sometimes, especially when paired with my AV-710.

I have been considering selling my 280s and picking up some DT880s, though. I'm just worried about the bass. I'm not a fan of huge, booming loose bass, but I really enjoy the extremely tight and low sound of my modded 280s. While a smoother set of cans would be nice, I don't know if I could stand losing my baby

I'll probably end up doing the usual Head-Fi fashion; keep your current gear, buy more. Besides, the Beyers aren't true closed cans. Of course, I could always get some Etys or Shures to go along with 'em...

 

[nierika]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iron_Dreamer The 280's treble is nothing compared to that of the V6/7506.

I absolutely agree with that.

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephonovich While a smoother set of cans would be nice, I don't know if I could stand losing my baby I'll probably end up doing the usual Head-Fi fashion, which is to upgrade, but keep your current setup, resulting in an empty wallet.

Well, plus consider that used HD280's are worth what, maybe $50 on the market? DT880's will run you $200-250, so you aren't saving that much. Plus it is always hand to have some closed cans to go with your open cans.

 

[Stephonovich]

I think I could get $60, maybe $75 if I emphasized the fact that they've got over 1000 hours of usage (burn in, you know...

and they've been blue tack modded. That seems to be gaining popularity. But yeah, as you said, closed cans are good. I changed my mind before you posted, actually, see my edit.

You know, I really need to build some sort of headphone rack. I've got the 280s sitting on top of an Marantz amp/receiver, which is on top of a Sony CDP, which is on top of a big plastic box. Not the most elegant solution. My CMoy is on the computer desk; I should probably build a shelf for it, too.