This isn't a review at all. The HF1's aren't even fully broken in yet, but they are sounding very nice... I took some notes comparing how metallica - unforgiven comapred between the 2 cans on my setup....
The HF1's only have about 20 hours on them now, but they are seeming to change already, the low end is opening up a bit, and they are sounding really nice. I already decided to compare them to my recabled MS2i with the song unforgiven...
Rather interesting, but i do seem to "enjoy" the song more with HF1, but the MS2i is far more percise and representative of the recording i feel, and is also seemingly more affected by my ipods dac. Both sound great, yet these are just my notes quickly:
System details:
Ipod Photo-> Pocket Dock-> Signal Cable analog mini> grace 901
MS2i recabled with blacksilver from headphile.
Bowls used on both for the sake of comparisons. Though i do prefer flatpads and i'll explain a bit more later sometime. They are kind of irrelevant for the comparison so i'll compare bowl pads on only.
Metallica - Unforgiven
MS2i;
Sense of distance is immediatly present, imaging is excellent.
Notes seem more full and carry more detail
High end extension is excellent more detail
Cymbals sound very impressive, guitars crunch and rhythm, lead guitar are more "independant"
Decay is faster (cymbal clash and don't blur)
Bass less emphasized, Sense of seperation between instruments.
More sound information exposes flaws of the ipod
Syntheizer is more obvious, seems seperated from other instruments
Attention to details seems to distract me, inferior ipod dac seems to be exposed for what is, exposes grainy sounding high end (since it's not rolled off like HF1)
Vocals sound better, due to more space the voice seems to pop out rather then blend in
When song is busy? Lead guitar stands out, attention is drawn closer.
Shows off recording as it seems to be intended, doesn't seem to change the presentation.
Focus shifts to different instruments, almost in an intended way.
HF1;
Treble seems more energentic and feels good to the ear.
Less high end extension
Musicality is better, euprhoic warmth with midrange
Midbass more noticable, yet detail is less, more visceral compared to ms2i
Decay is slower, dynamics seem slower in general (decay is mushy)
Instruments aren't seperated as much
Less high end and low end details, seems to hide the flaws of ipod dac
Presentation is great, Sound seems less critical of flaws of ipod dac
Imaging inferior, Midrange has a creamy texture?
Instruments seem to bleed onto each other ("muddier")?
Cymbals aren't as great as MS2i in this song, but bass sounds more pleasant
Listening experience seems to be more exciting
Seems to focus less on details, and more on fun presentation.
James voice just doesn't seem independant, nor do any of the instruments, they seem kind of mushed together. This isn't particularlly a bad thing.
Non distorted guitar seems very warm and textured. This doesn't seem 'real' though.
Anyhow, just some notes jotted, as they break in maybe i can post some more comments here... I figured if they sound this good already, why not say something ?
Yet, i'm sure they will only improve, so it's early to form conclusions. This can give you expectations though, out of the box i suppose (or 20 hours later ; ) ).
The HF1's only have about 20 hours on them now, but they are seeming to change already, the low end is opening up a bit, and they are sounding really nice. I already decided to compare them to my recabled MS2i with the song unforgiven...
Rather interesting, but i do seem to "enjoy" the song more with HF1, but the MS2i is far more percise and representative of the recording i feel, and is also seemingly more affected by my ipods dac. Both sound great, yet these are just my notes quickly:
System details:
Ipod Photo-> Pocket Dock-> Signal Cable analog mini> grace 901
MS2i recabled with blacksilver from headphile.
Bowls used on both for the sake of comparisons. Though i do prefer flatpads and i'll explain a bit more later sometime. They are kind of irrelevant for the comparison so i'll compare bowl pads on only.
Metallica - Unforgiven
MS2i;
Sense of distance is immediatly present, imaging is excellent.
Notes seem more full and carry more detail
High end extension is excellent more detail
Cymbals sound very impressive, guitars crunch and rhythm, lead guitar are more "independant"
Decay is faster (cymbal clash and don't blur)
Bass less emphasized, Sense of seperation between instruments.
More sound information exposes flaws of the ipod
Syntheizer is more obvious, seems seperated from other instruments
Attention to details seems to distract me, inferior ipod dac seems to be exposed for what is, exposes grainy sounding high end (since it's not rolled off like HF1)
Vocals sound better, due to more space the voice seems to pop out rather then blend in
When song is busy? Lead guitar stands out, attention is drawn closer.
Shows off recording as it seems to be intended, doesn't seem to change the presentation.
Focus shifts to different instruments, almost in an intended way.
HF1;
Treble seems more energentic and feels good to the ear.
Less high end extension
Musicality is better, euprhoic warmth with midrange
Midbass more noticable, yet detail is less, more visceral compared to ms2i
Decay is slower, dynamics seem slower in general (decay is mushy)
Instruments aren't seperated as much
Less high end and low end details, seems to hide the flaws of ipod dac
Presentation is great, Sound seems less critical of flaws of ipod dac
Imaging inferior, Midrange has a creamy texture?
Instruments seem to bleed onto each other ("muddier")?
Cymbals aren't as great as MS2i in this song, but bass sounds more pleasant
Listening experience seems to be more exciting
Seems to focus less on details, and more on fun presentation.
James voice just doesn't seem independant, nor do any of the instruments, they seem kind of mushed together. This isn't particularlly a bad thing.
Non distorted guitar seems very warm and textured. This doesn't seem 'real' though.
Anyhow, just some notes jotted, as they break in maybe i can post some more comments here... I figured if they sound this good already, why not say something ?
Yet, i'm sure they will only improve, so it's early to form conclusions. This can give you expectations though, out of the box i suppose (or 20 hours later ; ) ).
