[DavidMahler]

I am really interested in seeing if we at head-fi can put together an approximation of when flagship headphones were debuted. 
 
It will be interesting for a number of reasons:
 
I wonder if there is trend in what designers were shooting for a specific times.  It would also be interesting to see how amp builders reacted to new flagships and make a timeline of flagship amps as well.
 
I guess first step is to compile a list of all the known serious flagships in the industry.
 
I will begin by naming a bunch here, but feel free to add and then we can start compiling release date information and also revision date information.
 
 
Sony flagships:
MDR R10
Qualia 010
SA5000
CD3000
 
Sennheiser flagships:
HE-90 Orpheus
HE-60
HD-800
HD-650
HD-600
HD-580
 
Beyerdynamic:
DT48e
T1
DT880
DT990
 
 
AKG:
K1000
K501
K701
Sextet
 
 
Stax:
Lambda
Omega 2
Omega 1
4070
 
 
Grado:
HP-2
PS1000
GS1000
RS1
 
 
Audez'e:
LCD-2
 
 
Ultrasone:
Edition 9
Edition 8
Edition 7
Edition 10
 
 
Ultimate Ears:
UE10
UE11
UE18
 
 
Hifiman:
HE-5
HE-5LE
HE-6
 
 
 
Jerry Harvey:
JH13
JH16
 
 
 
Denon:
D7000
D5000
D950
 
 
 
I probably left out many.... but any release date or revision on the ones listed above would be great!

 

[thk3421]

I like it!  Curious if the release dates match up competitively or if some companies typically lag an industry leader with their flagship models.  Perhaps there is even some reverse engineering by the laggers.

 

[9pintube]

You better add the  Sennheiser "HD-800's, what are they 3 yrs. old now? maybe more!! Just a guess!!!

 

[Uncle Erik]

Why is the K-701 on there?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

[jjinh]

Quote:

Stax:
Lambda
Omega 2
Omega 1
4070
 

Which lambdas are you talking about? Lambda (Normal Bias), Lambda Sigs, LNS, others??
 
Add the SR-Sigmas; I believe they were the Stax flagship until the SR-Omegas came along.
 
You can find details regarding release dates of Stax earspeakers here
http://www.stax.co.jp/Export/History.html

 

[judy1992]

What about the Sen 414.. Were they not Sens first flagship headphone? I noticed the DT48 is listed, which from research are the first closed hi fi headphones, while the 414 being the first open headphones.. Just leads me to believe audio is timeless, since many of the headphones listed are old yet cherished by many. I'm still lagging behind.. I really don't want to try a lot of mid fi headphones.. I like color over accuracy, with emphasized bass. I'm seriously considering the D7000 or the T1 with my Ipod.. Will need to save up..I have 2 jobs & school.. But I'm looking for the 'one.' I like Brazilian/Caribbean music with heavy bass percussion, & chanting.. & Pop.. light rock.. Paul Davis, Gordon Lightfoot for IE.. Hard rock & heavy metal is like nails to a chalk board IMO..

 

[judy1992]

Very helpful for a noob David. Thank you.
Quote:

I am really interested in seeing if we at head-fi can put together an approximation of when flagship headphones were debuted. 
 
It will be interesting for a number of reasons:
 
I wonder if there is trend in what designers were shooting for a specific times.  It would also be interesting to see how amp builders reacted to new flagships and make a timeline of flagship amps as well.
 
I guess first step is to compile a list of all the known serious flagships in the industry.
 
I will begin by naming a bunch here, but feel free to add and then we can start compiling release date information and also revision date information.
 
 
Sony flagships:
MDR R10
Qualia 010
SA5000
CD3000
 
Sennheiser flagships:
HE-90 Orpheus
HE-60
HD-800
HD-650
HD-600
HD-580
 
Beyerdynamic:
DT48e
T1
DT880
DT990
 
 
AKG:
K1000
K501
K701
Sextet
 
 
Stax:
Lambda
Omega 2
Omega 1
4070
 
 
Grado:
HP-2
PS1000
GS1000
RS1
 
 
Audez'e:
LCD-2
 
 
Ultrasone:
Edition 9
Edition 8
Edition 7
Edition 10
 
 
Ultimate Ears:
UE10
UE11
UE18
 
 
Hifiman:
HE-5
HE-5LE
HE-6
 
 
 
Jerry Harvey:
JH13
JH16
 
 
 
Denon:
D7000
D5000
D950
 
 
 
I probably left out many.... but any release date or revision on the ones listed above would be great!