Flumpus
Needs more Soylent Greento become Omega Man
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2001
- Posts
- 777
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Well, I've been listening to my new ety's alot lately. Both through my home system and through my new portable system. For a point of reference, here's how both systems stack up:
Home - Denon DCM370->Monster Digital Coax->MSB Link DAC III->Audioquest Coral IC's->Rotel RA-972 Integrated amp
Portable - Panasonic CT780->Straightwire mini link->Total Airhead
So first my impression of these headphones for home listening. First, I was concerned with the people who had commented on their difficulties getting a good seal. Honestly, it wasn't that hard. I had it in less than a minute and it takes no time at all to put 'em in now. So after I got my first good seal (I was excited), I proceded to plug them into my integrated amp. I was amazed the minute I hit play. Everything was so neutral and accurate, and of course I couldn't hear a thing. I was used to a warm sound, colored even, with the HD600's, and always thought that is what made things musical. However, with good recordings, accurate is definitely musical in my opinion. Next thing I did was run them through the TA out of the Denon's headphone jack (at unity gain it's like a line out I believe), and I wasn't impressed. I started getting worried. Was this how the portable was going to sound? It was overly bright, and just sounded kind of bad. So I stopped listening to that and went back to the Rotel
The treble is so open and present without being bright or fatiguing. It just flows out with ease. I can hear every little detail, even some stuff that I hadn't heard before with my HD600's or speakers. Overall, I'd rate the treble on these better than that of the HD600's, but I'm not going to say defnitely because I need a good amp for the 600's (which I'm getting next week, so I'll comment on that later).
The midrange is more of the same, neutral, accurate, extremely balanced with everything else. The first word that pops into my head when I'm listening to these is neutral. Nothing seems to overpower anything else, yet the seperation is very good, and they never seem to get all muddled together during complex passages. So the midrange can be warm if that's the way it is intended (The Original London Cast's recording of Les Miserables - I Dreamed a Dream... I often judge equipment by how it sounds on this track), and can by dry, flat and lifeless if it's not recorded well. Fortunately, most of what I listened to has been the former.
The bass...hmmmm, I'm not sure yet. It's definitely there, and it seems balanced. I don't really think it's lacking, but it's not as strong as what I'm used to. I guess that makes sense because the HD600's are known to have strong bass. It certainly is tight and accurate though. And it will go deep, but it's typical headphone stuff, you hear it, you don't feel it. It is enjoyable though.
Overall, as headphones for listening at home, these are top notch. I really wasn't sure how I'd like these, and I was pleasantly surprised. As far as comfort goes, I've listened to these for hours without any discomfort, so it doesn't really bother me. However, it was weird at first to have my ears plugged, but to have music coming in
After I got used to it I could just concentrate on the music. I can see how these would be bothersome if you can't stand things in your ears. Isolation also helps when you want to block out everything and just relax.
Ok, now my portable system...
Like I said earlier, I was really worried after listening directly out of the Denon. But I didn't need to worry
I got my cd player yesterday (Panasonic CT780). Just a little bit about the cd player. This is panasonic's new top of the line player. It's very thing, has extremely long battery life, and seems like it's built pretty well. My roommate has a 570, and it is built better and seems more durable, but mine has better battery life, sounds better out of the line out in my opinion, but does have a weaker sounding headphone jack. Since I won't be using the headphone jack, it's no problem for me. Something to think about if you're buying one without an amp though.
So anyway, my cd player is connected to a total airhead. I really like this combo
Obviously it doesn't sound as good as my home system, but I never thought I'd get this kind of sound out of a portable system. Everything that was said about my home system's sound with the ety's can be applied here, but to a lesser extent.
They are still very balanced and neutral, but I'm not hearing as many details, and I blame that on the source. I didn't expect to get a source that has the same level of performance as my denon+dac anyway
I want to say that it sounds a little warmer out of my home system, most likely due to my Rotel (it sounds ALOT like the Creek OBH-11 in my opinion). But through the total airhead it's not bright. It's light, airy, balanced, and just sounds really good for a $160 headphone amp running off batteries through a portable
My only gripe would be that it sounds a little restricted. For lack of better terms, a home setup seems to have more "bandwidth", the sound just flows so much better and easier.
I know what all of you are thinking... "Does he use crossfeed?!?!" Well, the answer is an emphatic NO! I hate crossfeed, at least at this level of amplifier. The max is certainly a whole different ballgame. But out of the total airhead, it definitely cuts off some of the top end, muddles things together, and it's definitely warmer, but not in a good way. I enjoy the ety's just like they are, no processing necessary.
I'm actually listening to my portable right now with the ety's, and I've gotta say, it's a very enjoyable setup. Anyone in the market for a decent portable system should definitely look into getting some ety's. Anyone in the market for a decent set of home headphones for around $250 should also look into the ety's
They'll probably split time with my HD600's at home in the future. I've had Grado SR-125's, Music Series Pro's, RS-1's, Sony E-888's, my current HD600's, and now the ety er4s's. My favorite is still the HD600, but don't count out the er4s. It's an amazing value at only $270, it definitely can compete with things much more expensive.
Hope this was informative for some people who may be looking at buying these!
Home - Denon DCM370->Monster Digital Coax->MSB Link DAC III->Audioquest Coral IC's->Rotel RA-972 Integrated amp
Portable - Panasonic CT780->Straightwire mini link->Total Airhead
So first my impression of these headphones for home listening. First, I was concerned with the people who had commented on their difficulties getting a good seal. Honestly, it wasn't that hard. I had it in less than a minute and it takes no time at all to put 'em in now. So after I got my first good seal (I was excited), I proceded to plug them into my integrated amp. I was amazed the minute I hit play. Everything was so neutral and accurate, and of course I couldn't hear a thing. I was used to a warm sound, colored even, with the HD600's, and always thought that is what made things musical. However, with good recordings, accurate is definitely musical in my opinion. Next thing I did was run them through the TA out of the Denon's headphone jack (at unity gain it's like a line out I believe), and I wasn't impressed. I started getting worried. Was this how the portable was going to sound? It was overly bright, and just sounded kind of bad. So I stopped listening to that and went back to the Rotel
The treble is so open and present without being bright or fatiguing. It just flows out with ease. I can hear every little detail, even some stuff that I hadn't heard before with my HD600's or speakers. Overall, I'd rate the treble on these better than that of the HD600's, but I'm not going to say defnitely because I need a good amp for the 600's (which I'm getting next week, so I'll comment on that later).
The midrange is more of the same, neutral, accurate, extremely balanced with everything else. The first word that pops into my head when I'm listening to these is neutral. Nothing seems to overpower anything else, yet the seperation is very good, and they never seem to get all muddled together during complex passages. So the midrange can be warm if that's the way it is intended (The Original London Cast's recording of Les Miserables - I Dreamed a Dream... I often judge equipment by how it sounds on this track), and can by dry, flat and lifeless if it's not recorded well. Fortunately, most of what I listened to has been the former.
The bass...hmmmm, I'm not sure yet. It's definitely there, and it seems balanced. I don't really think it's lacking, but it's not as strong as what I'm used to. I guess that makes sense because the HD600's are known to have strong bass. It certainly is tight and accurate though. And it will go deep, but it's typical headphone stuff, you hear it, you don't feel it. It is enjoyable though.
Overall, as headphones for listening at home, these are top notch. I really wasn't sure how I'd like these, and I was pleasantly surprised. As far as comfort goes, I've listened to these for hours without any discomfort, so it doesn't really bother me. However, it was weird at first to have my ears plugged, but to have music coming in
Ok, now my portable system...
Like I said earlier, I was really worried after listening directly out of the Denon. But I didn't need to worry
So anyway, my cd player is connected to a total airhead. I really like this combo
They are still very balanced and neutral, but I'm not hearing as many details, and I blame that on the source. I didn't expect to get a source that has the same level of performance as my denon+dac anyway
I know what all of you are thinking... "Does he use crossfeed?!?!" Well, the answer is an emphatic NO! I hate crossfeed, at least at this level of amplifier. The max is certainly a whole different ballgame. But out of the total airhead, it definitely cuts off some of the top end, muddles things together, and it's definitely warmer, but not in a good way. I enjoy the ety's just like they are, no processing necessary.
I'm actually listening to my portable right now with the ety's, and I've gotta say, it's a very enjoyable setup. Anyone in the market for a decent portable system should definitely look into getting some ety's. Anyone in the market for a decent set of home headphones for around $250 should also look into the ety's
Hope this was informative for some people who may be looking at buying these!
