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DT880/2003 v. K240/sextett/MP

Jan 16, 2009 at 2:03 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 33
pataburd

pataburd

Headphoneus Supremus
Joined
Jul 1, 2003
Posts
8,785
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Location
New York State
Equipment:
SONY DVD drive from Hewlett Packard computer
Signal Cable RCA-to-mini cable
[AK]Zip HA-1, MK.II headphone amp
Vibrapod cones
DIY sand-filled vibration absorption platform (for HA-1, MK.II)
DakiOm F203m (joining computer output to Signal Cable)
DakiOm F203 (at 1/4" headphone out of HA-1, MK.II)

Beyerdynamic DT880/2003 (stock)
AKG K241 "sextett," mid-production (stock)

Music:
The 5th Dimension: Ultimate 5th Dimension (re-mastered)
Hayley Westenra: Live in New Zealand
Cat Stevens: Tea for the Tillerman
The Vogues: Greatest Hits
Mose Allison: V-8 Ford Blues
Buck Owens: 1959-1990, Volume 2

Preliminary impressions:
What the K240 may concede with respect to soundstage expansiveness and sheer top and bottom end extension, they more than compensate for with lushness, liquidity, warmth, weight, spectral balance/integrity, bass articulation and midrange intimacy--especially with vocals. These headphones seem to do everything "just right" without calling undue attention to any one overly auspicious plus or minus.

At this point, I much prefer the K240! They provide, without a doubt, one of the best--if not THE best--all-around listening experience(s) I've ever had. : )

Grant it, this is my all-purpose work rig, not my home set-up. After the Fitz-Max Bada PH-12 ULTRA returns, I intend to do some more a/b-ing.

More to follow . . .
 
Jan 16, 2009 at 6:18 PM Post #2 of 33
Looking forward to more impressions.
smily_headphones1.gif


PS. We love pictures. Just watch the X2, X3, X4 pop up.
 
Jan 16, 2009 at 8:05 PM Post #3 of 33
Pataburd, thanks for the impressions, but isn't it the K240 Sextett
confused.gif
 
Jan 16, 2009 at 8:16 PM Post #4 of 33
Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiemen /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Pataburd, thanks for the impressions, but isn't it the K240 Sextett
confused.gif



Ooops! (blush) I just checked the earcups: K240 they are!

Will alter title and text accordingly.

Thanks!

: )
 
Jan 17, 2009 at 12:58 AM Post #5 of 33
You've nailed the description of the Sextett, Patrick. It won't win any prizes for technical ability, but it sure is immensely enjoyable to listen to with nearly any kind of music.
beerchug.gif
 
Jan 17, 2009 at 4:18 AM Post #6 of 33
My first Sextett's are enroute (LP)....anticipation....
 
Jan 17, 2009 at 7:52 AM Post #7 of 33
Yeah, When I had the DAC1 and HR2 I preferred my Sextetts over all my other headphones for musical enjoyment..Still can't believe realitivly cheap, 30 yr old headphones are my go to phones..But with the Sextetts I focus on the music only, with my other headphones I tend to focus on their short comings and weaknesses. Truly a marvel and hidden gem..And scales very well.
 
Jan 17, 2009 at 4:12 PM Post #8 of 33
The K240 display "tube-like" qualities while being driven by a solid state amp--although I'll concede that Jan Meier's designs tend to have a warm undercurrent to begin with.

The last time I owned, and very much enjoyed, the DT880/2003 was with the Darkvoice 336i. These two were an excellent match, IMHO. The DT880/2003, I feel, need tubes to impart a body and solidity to their sound that solid state is less apt to. The DT880/2003, in addition to pairing well with the all-tube likes of the Darkvoice 336i and 337, also did very well with the Bada after the first round of Fitz-Max mods. There's no reason not to expect the PH-12 ULTRA to do even better. : )

Eventually, I'd like to get the K240 modded/re-cabled, too. I think they certainly warrant, more than any other headphones I've tried so far, the title: "keepers." Plus, since they "scale up well," according to KBBI, it looks like I'm in for even more enjoyment from the sextetts!
 
Jan 17, 2009 at 6:41 PM Post #9 of 33
Just tried my K240 (I think they are EP because of the orange membranes) again and while I enjoy listening to them, compared to the GS-1000 they sound like an old radio.

I just listened to Apocalyptica - Path and it sounds a bit cold and lifeless with the K240, while everything comes to life with the GS-1000. You can actually feel the instruments and strings vibrating. There is also much better separation, better bass and warmer sound. OK, it is a bit unfair to compare GS-1k to the K240 but nontheless they are far away from providing THE best allround listening experience imo.

I don't want to sound to negative though, as they definately aren't bad phones.
 
Jan 18, 2009 at 2:34 AM Post #11 of 33
Quote:

Originally Posted by pataburd /img/forum/go_quote.gif
The K240 display "tube-like" qualities while being driven by a solid state amp--although I'll concede that Jan Meier's designs tend to have a warm undercurrent to begin with.

The last time I owned, and very much enjoyed, the DT880/2003 was with the Darkvoice 336i. These two were an excellent match, IMHO. The DT880/2003, I feel, need tubes to impart a body and solidity to their sound that solid state is less apt to. The DT880/2003, in addition to pairing well with the all-tube likes of the Darkvoice 336i and 337, also did very well with the Bada after the first round of Fitz-Max mods. There's no reason not to expect the PH-12 ULTRA to do even better. : )

Eventually, I'd like to get the K240 modded/re-cabled, too. I think they certainly warrant, more than any other headphones I've tried so far, the title: "keepers." Plus, since they "scale up well," according to KBI, it looks like I'm in for even more enjoyment from the sextetts!


Yeah, should be a very noticeable different..They really need a lot of current. The HR2 was a big improvement over the DAC1s amp's, and are struggling with my V1800 receiver, plus I'm using my PS3 as a CD player. I'm still surprised they sound better then my MDR F1s.. I might get my Sextett balanced from APS.. Sounds weird spending 2-3 hundred on a recable job for 35-45 dollar headphones, but the sextetts are clearly an exception to the rule.
 
Jan 18, 2009 at 6:08 PM Post #14 of 33
Quote:

Originally Posted by LostOne.TR /img/forum/go_quote.gif
You scored the sextetts for 35-45? or is that in reference to the original price (duno what it was myself, so I could be totally off)


No, original price.. But I got a NOS pair for 100.00.
 
Jan 18, 2009 at 6:39 PM Post #15 of 33
The weird thing is that my K240 EP are quite light on bass. Shouldn't the EP have an overemphasize on bass?

Edit: I opened them end everything looks fine. The foams are also in good condition.

Maybe they develop more bass if the volume is turned up to drive the passive membranes?
 
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