Hi-Fi Choice's Headphone Group Test

[Robonaut]

Did anyone else pick up the November issue of Hi-Fi Choice yet?

In it, they compare six different headphones: the Audio Technica ATH-W5000, the Beyerdynamic DT880, the Denon AH-D5000, the Grado RS2, the Sennheiser HD650, and the Ultrasone Pro750.

The entire article is well worth reading, but, since I'm such a great guy, I'll summarize the main points:

(1) ATH-W5000: Not worth the money--easily beat by less expensive competitors.

(2) DT880: Fantastic

(3) AH-D5000: Mostly fantastic

(4) RS2: Colored, but fun. Uncomfortable.

(5) HD650: Fantastic

(6) Pro750: Terrible. S-Logic does nothing. Oh, and they broke.


Some may question the results since Hi-Fi Choice appear to have used a Creek OBH21 as the headphone amp (I'm not personally familiar with it, but my impression was that the Creek was not well regarded here), still it seems like a pretty devasting indictment of both the W5000 and the Pro750.

 

[1Time]

And that's why there's Head-Fi.

 

[blessingx]

Actually five phones compared in a national mag and I don't disagree with at least three of the outcomes is progress!

Not sure why the 750 was in the group as it seems not the equivilent Ultrasone phone, but also curious about gear used as the ATs are so finicky. Really my only issue is with the DT880 rating.

 

[Beagle]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robonaut /img/forum/go_quote.gif The entire article is well worth reading (2) DT880: Fantastic.

Obviously it's not worth reading..

 

[donunus]

hahaha some good healthy beyer hate

 

[yashicaman]

Thank-you Robonaut. I appreciate your summation of the reviews.

 

[Beagle]

And another thing, Hi-Fi Choice reviewed the DT880 in issue #300 (late 2007). Why are they reviewing them again?

 

[Zorander]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robonaut /img/forum/go_quote.gif Did anyone else pick up the November issue of Hi-Fi Choice yet? In it, they compare six different headphones: the Audio Technica ATH-W5000, the Beyerdynamic DT880, the Denon AH-D5000, the Grado RS2, the Sennheiser HD650, and the Ultrasone Pro750. . . . Some may question the results since Hi-Fi Choice appear to have used a Creek OBH21 as the headphone amp (I'm not personally familiar with it, but my impression was that the Creek was not well regarded here), still it seems like a pretty devasting indictment of both the W5000 and the Pro750.

I have not picked up a copy yet but I have good faith in their reviews in general (unlike another so-called Hi-Fi magazine whose name starts with 'What...'). I probably will pick one up since you already mentioned about this headphone group test. The Creek OBH-21 is a fine head-amp to use: neutral balance with decent driving power. It will not be a limiting factor in the reviewing process.

Out of curiosity, was the group test done under blind listening condition (if it is possible with headphones)?

 

[Audio-Omega]

ATH-W5000 is not worth the money ? Oh well I haven't bought one yet.

 

[Zorander]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audio-Omega /img/forum/go_quote.gif ATH-W5000 is not worth the money ? Oh well I haven't bought one yet.

Consider the facts HFC is UK-based and works on much higher RRP levels than normally seen elsewhere (IIRC their quoted RRP for the HD-650 £299! Don't even mention Grados). It is worth listing down the quoted RRPs for each of the headphones reviewed and we will be better able to see how HFC arrived at their value ratings.

 

[troymadison]

W5000 looks interesting.

 

[Robonaut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zorander /img/forum/go_quote.gif Out of curiosity, was the group test done under blind listening condition (if it is possible with headphones)?

It was not a blind test.

Indeed, they address that very point by saying that it's basically impossible to do a blind test of headphones since folks could tell them apart by feel if nothing else.

 

[leveller1642]

How can they claim to be objective when essentially a headphone choice above a certain standard is based on preferences? They also compare open headphones with closed headphones.

 

[Shahrose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by leveller1642 /img/forum/go_quote.gif How can they claim to be objective when essentially a headphone choice above a certain standard is based on preferences? They also compare open headphones with closed headphones.

my thoughts exactly.

 

[MarkyMark]

I had a quick look at the magazine (I only buy Hi-Fi World regularly), primarily to see how the W5000 fared. It didn't do so well (similar to my own experience) but it got much better reviews from Hi-Fi World and Hi-Fi News (also UK press). Go figure...

The Hi-Fi World review of W5000 used an X-Can v8 btw. Can't remember what the HFN review used.

A headphone amp group-test would be nice!