[boomana]

I've been reading thread after thread of Denon AH-D5000 love, and though I'm happy for everyone who has found what they're looking for in these headphones, I don't get it. Really. I read the words, but my experience tells me something different. So here's a real question: Is all this love the result of FOTM/new toyism or are my tastes that much different? I'm genuinely baffled.

My unimpressed impressions: They're nice headphones, sure. I've listened to them single-ended and balanced, with dang decent amps and sources. No complaints. Nice tone. Nice balance. Okay detail. Okay imaging. Mediocre soundstage. Yet, imo, there's nothing worth raving about at all, let alone spending that kind of money on. Of headphones I know well, or at have heard enough to form a strong opinion (also in the same ballpark price-wise), I'd take the K340 (modded), K701, HD6X0, DT770 (modded), DT880, AD2000, W2002, Proline 2500, and RS1, all single-ended, but properly sourced and amped, over the Denons any day, and I don't even like some of those. Obviously, there are a few headphones that I think blow them away, but it wouldn't be fair to make some comparisons.

So what's the deal? I'm trying to figure out if there's a trend going here that no one is willing to counter at this point or if my opinions are pretty much mine alone. Either's fine, but I didn't want to trash anyone's appreciation thread (learned that lesson in the Ultrasone thread), or knock anyone's experience. I'm simply curious if I'm the only one who finds them just a tad better than okay. I also don't want to start a bash Denons thread, but I think an opposing opinion should be heard as well.....oh...and btw, I am willing to give them another try...who knows...maybe my ears are broken.

 

[NoPants]

I heard the D2000s and I too thought they weren't anything to write home about...maybe tis' the build quality? They certainly felt as good if not better than they sounded haha

 

[swt61]

Hmmm, this is the first opinion of the Denons I've heard that wasn't a raving endorsement. Now I really want to hear these at the Dallas meet.

 

[johnsonad]

Opinions are different and it's too bad that you don't feel as others do as it seems you have wasted some money

I for one would take my D2000 over my heavily modded K340 7 days per week though my wife would say the opposite. My opinion may change in time but these are my go-to cans for the moment. Call it FOTM but they make me happy and many others happy too.

 

[boomana]

Quote:

Originally Posted by swt61 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hmmm, this is the first opinion of the Denons I've heard that wasn't a raving endorsement. Now I realy want to hear these at the Dallas meet.

That's why I started this thread. Every time I'd read a new post, I'd think I must be crazy, or everyone else is just carried away, or no one's speaking up yet, or those that may haven't yet heard them...or something....or...maybe I'm crazy. Again, I think they're nice, but that's the best of it, imo.

 

[warrior05]

Aah... you just crazy, mon!

Of course what the hell do I know - haven't even heard any of the new Denons though I may be changing that this weekend.

Definitely let me know what you think, swt61! Um... on second thought - if you like 'em... don't tell me!!!

 

[tbonner1]

The D2000 headphone has been reviewed here favorably by many good reviewers who I trust.

We are talking about headphones at the top of the line level. However, at this level, the differences are small and many would argue, a matter of preference.

 

[holland]

Quote:

Originally Posted by boomana /img/forum/go_quote.gif or...maybe I'm crazy

Everyone in this forum is crazy. To drool over headphones? What sane person would do that?

Always, YMMV. I welcome the different viewpoint. It's good to hear. My wallet is inching back into my pockets.

 

[Nebby]

The combination of the comfort, sound, and looks is what sold me. The overall package is very well done and warrants the price, IMHO

 

[humanflyz]

@boomana:

I like them precisely because they have no glaring faults. Sure, they are not the last word in any one area specifically, but they commit no major sins. They are forgiving of poorly recorded music and bad sources, so they are very accessible to everyone. They are pretty comfortable and have decent build quality. To me, they are probably the best closed headphones you can buy that are not out of production or priced in the 4 figures territory.

I think you are just spoiled by all that high-end stuff you have. I am the same way, which is why I bought a pair of L3000s a month after I got the Denons.

 

[boomana]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nebby /img/forum/go_quote.gif The combination of the comfort, sound, and looks is what sold me. The overall package is very well done and warrants the price, IMHO

Comfort: A+++
Looks: A
Sound: B-

I was only talking about sound. I've never heard the D2000, only the 5000. Maybe they're worth what everyone is saying.

 

[mrarroyo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by boomana /img/forum/go_quote.gif Comfort: A+++ Looks: A Sound: B- I was only talking about sound. I've never heard the D2000, only the 5000. Maybe they're worth what everyone is saying.

Here is a tricky question, how do your D5000 compare w/ your RP21?

BTW, I would love to listen to them and compare them with my PROline 2500 and K701.

 

[MrSlacker]

Honestly, I also thought it was FOTM. However, I talked to a few members who I trust and who have heard them. After that, I decided to buy them and see for myself. I really like these headphones. They are very well rounded and sound good with all types of music. I wouldn't say that they are the best ever, but I love them.

 

[Gurra1980]

To me it is because they do things other cans can't, for example they have Deeep and massive bass that don't overpowers the midrange. Otherwise it is PRaT all the way, no other can I have ever heard can make me just get lost in the music like these, but I have to ad that they ARE very source/amp dependent, when I changed tubes in my x-can it was the D2000 that scaled the most. And as someone else said, they don't do anything wrong, maybe they ain't the best in some areas, but they are never bad.

 

[J-Pak]

boomana your description makes me think of my HD580. For that reason I sort of like them (it helps that they were cheap) they don't do anything terribly wrong nor anything really right

But I agree with humanflyz, once you get used to truly resolving headphones it's hard to see what people get excited about with stuff you can't really get into.