REB
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Jan 15, 2008
- Posts
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A few months ago, there was a short thread (which I can’t seem to locate anymore...) about what headphones would be best for old mono recordings. Headphones that wouldn’t be too unforgiving and make it impossible to listen past the hisses, cracks, volume and speed variations and other noises, but that would at the same time also not smother the original recording in a well-meant layer of warm forgiveness.
Several phones were mentioned, such as the Grado line-up (still haven’t heard those, I’m afraid. Looks-wise they’d be perfect for music from the ‘30s of course) and the HD600. I tried the HD600 in the meantime and although it is a wonderful headphone, it’s not really strong with those old recordings. Neither are any of the AKG’s I’ve tried (all open models except the K601). But I finally found the perfect phone for vintage mono recordings.
Some time ago I acquired a Jecklin Float model one, which is a nice phone, but not very "sophisticated" (anymore?). Its sound however was very ‘vintagy’. Then last week a model two (purchased from Duggeh) arrived. I’ve tested it with all kinds of music and it is significantly better than the model one. But what’s most important for me, it also has that vintage sound the model one has. I am now listening to the soundtrack from Pennies From Heaven which features mono recordings from the ‘20s to the early ‘40s and I am now sure that this is the perfect pair of headphones for this music. It’s detailed, so the cracks and everything are still there (as they should be), but the sound does not have the exaggerated and painfully shrill treble of the AKG models (only with these old recordings, let me hasten to add!) or an extorted bass. Sound presentation is balanced across the sound spectrum and there is more soundstage than I would have thought possible.
I took some time before writing this post to make sure the new toy syndrome’s initial thrill of owning a new pair of headphones would have worn off. It has by now but the great vintage sound is still there. I am now listening to A Fine Romance by Fred Astaire and I’m tapping along…
The only drawback is that I’m wearing this contraption in my office and since I’m on ground floor level, some people visiting the botanical garden outside my window stop and stare at me, as if I’m part of the attractions offered in the garden. Oh well…
Several phones were mentioned, such as the Grado line-up (still haven’t heard those, I’m afraid. Looks-wise they’d be perfect for music from the ‘30s of course) and the HD600. I tried the HD600 in the meantime and although it is a wonderful headphone, it’s not really strong with those old recordings. Neither are any of the AKG’s I’ve tried (all open models except the K601). But I finally found the perfect phone for vintage mono recordings.
Some time ago I acquired a Jecklin Float model one, which is a nice phone, but not very "sophisticated" (anymore?). Its sound however was very ‘vintagy’. Then last week a model two (purchased from Duggeh) arrived. I’ve tested it with all kinds of music and it is significantly better than the model one. But what’s most important for me, it also has that vintage sound the model one has. I am now listening to the soundtrack from Pennies From Heaven which features mono recordings from the ‘20s to the early ‘40s and I am now sure that this is the perfect pair of headphones for this music. It’s detailed, so the cracks and everything are still there (as they should be), but the sound does not have the exaggerated and painfully shrill treble of the AKG models (only with these old recordings, let me hasten to add!) or an extorted bass. Sound presentation is balanced across the sound spectrum and there is more soundstage than I would have thought possible.
I took some time before writing this post to make sure the new toy syndrome’s initial thrill of owning a new pair of headphones would have worn off. It has by now but the great vintage sound is still there. I am now listening to A Fine Romance by Fred Astaire and I’m tapping along…
The only drawback is that I’m wearing this contraption in my office and since I’m on ground floor level, some people visiting the botanical garden outside my window stop and stare at me, as if I’m part of the attractions offered in the garden. Oh well…
