[jmills8]

Warning: This is comparing apples to oranges, but... D9200 has been my favourite headphone for the past 7 months or so. Great sound, light and comfortable.
So, today I wanted to compare it to my old Hifiman HE-6, which I seem to use very seldom as it needs a strong amp and it is heavy and not very comfortable to wear.
I first listened to Willie Nelson's classic Red Headed Stranger from 1975 on re-issue vinyl from 2019 on D9200, using Schiit Lyr as the headphone amp. Then tried the same setup on HE-6. I must admit that Willie Nelson's vocals sound MUCH BETTER on Hifiman HE-6. I have Leben R28C tube phono and pre-amp stage and Lyr also has tube sound, so the vocal sound on a planar is just amazing. Not to say that D9200 is bad. It is a great closed HP, but still no match.

Pit the 9200 away , listen to other headphones , then try the 9200 and then that will sound better. The brain becomes too used to a sound.

 

[Dr Riddim]

Pit the 9200 away , listen to other headphones , then try the 9200 and then that will sound better. The brain becomes too used to a sound.

Yes, I know what you mean. So, I continued the comparison with other types of music.
I see you have Cowon Plenue L, I think. My favourite. I was playing a new master recording with it and listening on D9200. I felt that D9200 needs a bit more power or currant, which surprised me. My other Denon is D7100, which I feel is underrated and it works well with DPAs.

 

[Malevolent]

I have a whole bunch of closed-back headphones, but the D9200 stands head and shoulders above the lot of them, IMO. It's a pretty obvious choice in the closed category.

It's also a genre master - besides my absolute favorite, EDM, I have also played a variety of different music types, ranging from 80s pop to J-Pop, and some classical in between, and the Denon handled them all with aplomb.

 

[Dr Riddim]

I have a whole bunch of closed-back headphones, but the D9200 stands head and shoulders above the lot of them, IMO. It's a pretty obvious choice in the closed category.

It's also a genre master - besides my absolute favorite, EDM, I have also played a variety of different music types, ranging from 80s pop to J-Pop, and some classical in between, and the Denon handled them all with aplomb.

Totally agree. Since I got D9200 in late 2019, it has pretty much replaced my Massdrop Foster TH-X00 Ebony and Audio Technica ATH-A900X LTD in regular home and office use. For travel I use mostly JVC IEM's, lately FW1500. For acoustic music and vocals I occasionally try a planar and today I felt that HE-6 can outshine even the best closed headphones with some recordings.

 

[jmills8]

Yes, I know what you mean. So, I continued the comparison with other types of music.
I see you have Cowon Plenue L, I think. My favourite. I was playing a new master recording with it and listening on D9200. I felt that D9200 needs a bit more power or currant, which surprised me. My other Denon is D7100, which I feel is underrated and it works well with DPAs.

I add a Romi Class A 5 watt amp to it.

 

[Herbie151]

In days gone-by, Denon headphones were actually made in Japan by Fostex (Foster) as we all know.

Question 1: Is the new AHD 9200 also made by Fostex too, or do Denon run their own prod. line?

Question 2: I have old Denon D7000 - which I LOVE to the hilt, but maybe fancy a change or an upgrade. How do the 9200's compare please?

Your advice, as always....greatly received!

Cheers.
Adam.

 

[djdunn]

In days gone-by, Denon headphones were actually made in Japan by Fostex (Foster) as we all know.

Question 1: Is the new AHD 9200 also made by Fostex too, or do Denon run their own prod. line?

Question 2: I have old Denon D7000 - which I LOVE to the hilt, but maybe fancy a change or an upgrade. How do the 9200's compare please?

Your advice, as always....greatly received!

Cheers.
Adam.

The 9200's are made at the Shirakawa Audio Works. I believe sound united owns that factory

 

[Wishmaker]

It is quite funny how quickly you get used to the sound. I actually kept the headphones in the box for almost a week and yesterday decided to spoil myself.

I had a 4 hour session with various types of music and sources. I actually found more crappy recordings than good ones because of this exercise.

 

[Malevolent]

In days gone-by, Denon headphones were actually made in Japan by Fostex (Foster) as we all know.

Question 1: Is the new AHD 9200 also made by Fostex too, or do Denon run their own prod. line?

Question 2: I have old Denon D7000 - which I LOVE to the hilt, but maybe fancy a change or an upgrade. How do the 9200's compare please?

Your advice, as always....greatly received!

Cheers.
Adam.

1) The D9200 is manufactured in-house; Denon no longer uses Foster-made drivers.

2) From memory, the D7000 has a slightly-heavier mid-bass presence; the D9200 however, has a greater balance in its sound signature, with a treble presentation that is more prominent and engaging. I haven't heard the D7000 in a few years, but I found the D9200 more captivating than the older flagship. It could be a combination of 'new-toy syndrome' and a waning memory. Nevertheless, the new top-end model from Denon has what it takes to reclaim its spot at the top of the TOTL closed-back headphone sphere, IMO.

 

[djdunn]

It is quite funny how quickly you get used to the sound. I actually kept the headphones in the box for almost a week and yesterday decided to spoil myself.

I had a 4 hour session with various types of music and sources. I actually found more crappy recordings than good ones because of this exercise.

OMG

That's the story of my HiFi experience

 

[Dr Riddim]

I add a Romi Class A 5 watt amp to it.

I am mostly using Schiit Lyr at home and Asgard in the office. Both v. 1. Both work well.

 

[vourt]

After a while of testing other headphone such as HifiMan HE1000, HE1000v.2, Focal Utopia, and more, i came back to the Denon D9200. I admit its not the best when comparing one next to other, but in general, listening over time, to various music genres, i found them much more enjoyable for me.
Now that i'm with the D9200 again, are there any new recommendation on modding that should give some changes / improvements? such as cables, foams, any tip is welcomed

 

[jmills8]

Ooo boy , you went back to the 9200 just to start looking how to get away from it.

 

[vourt]

Ooo boy , you went back to the 9200 just to start looking how to get away from it.

I went back to D9200 and wanted to hear if someone achieved better results with modding / cable upgrading. If there is none, its great.

 

[Roland P]

After a while of testing other headphone such as HifiMan HE1000, HE1000v.2, Focal Utopia, and more, i came back to the Denon D9200. I admit its not the best when comparing one next to other, but in general, listening over time, to various music genres, i found them much more enjoyable for me.

I just ordered the D9200, I don't want to hear this