tbritton
500+ Head-Fier
Quote:
I think a large part of this "curtained" sound impression comes accurately, as the sound difference between a driver directed straight into the ear canal (like most headphones would do), and the offset driver aiming at the earlobes instead of at the eardrums that the Ultrasones' employ. So, it definitely is a different sound than one might be used to.
Curiously, the Sony "Altus" MDR-D777LP headphones made for portables employs a "circle" that covers over the center of the diaphragm of the driver, so the sound comes from "slits" surrounding this circle, aimed towards the front and rear of the earlobes, so no sound emits from the drivers to be directed straight down the ear canal, similar to the Ultrasones system. I found its sound to be just as difficult to get used to as people have with the Ultrasones, and still have issues once in a while, but the Sonys (or I) seem to be "breaking in"! My initial impression was similar to many people's initial impression of the Ultrasone lines. With time, I have been enjoying that headphone's sound (the Altus) as an alternative to the E4c's when listening to my iPod Nano. Maybe Sony is experimenting with the Ultrasone "S-Logic" concepts? Just an observation - belongs in a different thread most likely!
Terry
| Originally Posted by Elephas /img/forum/go_quote.gif I heard a demo pair of HFI-2200ULE at a local audio shop some time ago, as well as a few other models (iCans, HFI-15, DJ1, HFI-650). I wasn't impressed by any of them, though I did buy the Ultrasone Demo CD, which comes free with an Ultrasone headphone. I agree with the "muddy" description. Compared to other headphones such as the HD650, K701 and DT880-'03, the HFI-2200ULE was not as clear. It was as if a curtain or piece of cloth was between the drivers and ears. It seemed muddy as in not having well-defined attack and decay of notes. Each individual note was blurry and not distinctive. I didn't listen very long, due to what I considered as unsatisfactory sound. I was surprised by the apparent muddiness of the sound and wondered why it was so. Apparently, people using Ultrasone headphones don't agree with me and like them very much. Maybe this is an effect of the S-Logic and a listener needs more time to get used to it. |
I think a large part of this "curtained" sound impression comes accurately, as the sound difference between a driver directed straight into the ear canal (like most headphones would do), and the offset driver aiming at the earlobes instead of at the eardrums that the Ultrasones' employ. So, it definitely is a different sound than one might be used to.
Curiously, the Sony "Altus" MDR-D777LP headphones made for portables employs a "circle" that covers over the center of the diaphragm of the driver, so the sound comes from "slits" surrounding this circle, aimed towards the front and rear of the earlobes, so no sound emits from the drivers to be directed straight down the ear canal, similar to the Ultrasones system. I found its sound to be just as difficult to get used to as people have with the Ultrasones, and still have issues once in a while, but the Sonys (or I) seem to be "breaking in"! My initial impression was similar to many people's initial impression of the Ultrasone lines. With time, I have been enjoying that headphone's sound (the Altus) as an alternative to the E4c's when listening to my iPod Nano. Maybe Sony is experimenting with the Ultrasone "S-Logic" concepts? Just an observation - belongs in a different thread most likely!
Terry
