Hi-Fi Choice's Headphone Group Test

[Tyler J]

I own the creek obh21 as well as the 880s (2005) and D2000s. I agree with what the reviewer said in regards to the Denons and the 880s. I know the Denons in the article were the D5000s, but they are close. I also prefer the 880s. I have not heard the rest of the phones in the review. My guess is that the article points out the importance of the synergy between the amp and different phones more than anything else.

 

[omegaman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zorander /img/forum/go_quote.gif 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.

RRP in the test were :-

1. ATH-W5000 £700
2. DT880 £230
3. AH-D5000 £500
4.Grado RS2 £550
5. Senn HD650 £330
6. Ultrasone 750 £230

The DT880 got 5 stars in every department.

Sound.
Comfort.
Build.
Value.
Overall.

The 650's were second dropping one star for comfort.

Bottom place went to the Audio-Technica ATH-W5000

Sound. 3
Comfort. 4
Build. 4
Value. 3
Overall. 3

 

[piotr z]

it's just a shame that they didn't test it on ipod

 

[Beagle]

Quote:

Originally Posted by leveller1642 /img/forum/go_quote.gif They also compare open headphones with closed headphones.

And....? Lots of mass reviews do this.

It's the sound that counts at the end of the day, as they say.

I find the UK reviews a bit more useful because they just provide you with a guideline and you have to determine for yourself which ones appear to be worth an audition.

 

[Drag0n]

Quote:

Originally Posted by piotr z /img/forum/go_quote.gif it's just a shame that they didn't test it on ipod

You my good man should be flogged in public

They shoulda tested it on a Zune

 

[MaZa]

Wow. Pro750 got butchered it seems. What they did say about it?

 

[Zuglufttier]

I own and really like my W5000 and DT880 but the reviews are really ok for me. The W5000 isn't a headphone you can use for any kind of music. If the music is right, it will sound great! They're definetely not allrounders.

Not so with DT880 or HD650 e.g., they also do tend to have some music which sounds better with one of the cans but you could live with one of them only and you'd be pretty happy with it.

I for myself could live with one of those only

 

[Wmcmanus]

I should start cranking out reviews like this! I own all of those headphones except the RS-2, and could have substituted the 325i or added in some other headphones into the mix. Of course, using much better sources and amps, and having something meaningful to say would help as well.

But then again, my intended audience wouldn't be a generally uninformed populace who would be happy to learn that one or two pairs are "not worth it" and that one or two other pairs are "bargains" (or whatever simplistic conclusions they hoped to achieve by such comparisons and 1-5 star ratings).

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1Time /img/forum/go_quote.gif And that's why there's Head-Fi.

I think this dude has it right! ^^

We have a much more credible database here. So many threads offering so much insight to each of these products.

Plus, as others have said, these types of articles are always flawed by the selection process (open and closed in the same mix, all sorts of price points, etc). Why would anyone wish to compare this particular mix of headphones? Must be what they had on hand.

 

[Beagle]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wmcmanus /img/forum/go_quote.gif I think this dude has it right! ^^ We have a much more credible database here. So many threads offering so much insight to each of these products.

We used to.

 

[Kraps]

Interesting group to test. Where is K701?

 

[Piotr Ryka]

According to me, in order of quality (by accident compliant with alphabetical) :

1.Audio-Technica ATH W5000 – Most potential of this test pool in pure sound quality, but difficult to drive. Extraordinarily clear sound.
2.Bayerdynamic DT 880 – Very nice and smart sound. Kindly for all amplifiers.
3.Denon AH-D 5000 – Very good space, deep and gentle sound. Easy to drive.
4.Grado RS-2 – Not as good as this from RS-1, but more smooth and darker sound. In consequence simple to drive and to listen.
5.Sennheiser HD 650 – Also rather dark sound with powerful bas and mild high tones. Unfortunately insufficiently transparent. Prominent headphones for cheap amplifiers.
6.Ultrasone Pro 750. Common sound. Frankly, they are not good.

(Excuse me my English.)

 

[b0dhi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wmcmanus /img/forum/go_quote.gif Plus, as others have said, these types of articles are always flawed by the selection process (open and closed in the same mix, all sorts of price points, etc). Why would anyone wish to compare this particular mix of headphones? Must be what they had on hand.

I've never really understood this arbitrary categorisation. Why cant one compare open and closed phones? As far as I can see, the review was about "which headphones are better". If someone wants isolation, that review is not for them. But if someone simply wants a good pair of headphones, there's no reason you can't compare closed vs open, cheap vs expensive, etc.

Actually, I'd go further and say people should compare cheap vs expensive phones. All too often I think people's opinions are biased by the price. This is to be expected, as expectation has a great deal of influence on perception.