Kenwood KH-K1000

[padam]

How would you rate it in terms of 'needing an amp'?

 

[Kees]

Quote:

Originally Posted by padam /img/forum/go_quote.gif How would you rate it in terms of 'needing an amp'?

They perform perfectly ok from my Cowon D2 with the volume turned up to 40 (out of 50).

 

[silverrain]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kees /img/forum/go_quote.gif Kenwood KH-K1000 impressions, compared to the Denon D2000. Intro & conclusion This is not a review. I don’t claim the authority to be able to do that. These are just my personal impressions.

Kees -- great comparison! Most excellent!
I hereby grant you full authority to do more reviews in the future....

 

[padam]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kees /img/forum/go_quote.gif They perform perfectly ok from my Cowon D2 with the volume turned up to 40 (out of 50).

So that means that a high-end portable amp like the Pico hardly makes the sound any better?

 

[Kees]

Quote:

Originally Posted by padam /img/forum/go_quote.gif So that means that a high-end portable amp like the Pico hardly makes the sound any better?

That's up to the Pico, isn't it?

 

[Skylab]

OK so I took the K1000 with me as my only headphones on vacation, from which I just returned. They are excellent headphones. Fully broken in, they are indeed a little on the full/warm side, but I do not consider them to be colored. The bass is a tiny bit slow, and there is a little more mid bass than deep bass, when compared to the JVC DX1000 or the Denon D5000, both of which I still consider to be better sounding headphones than the Kenwoods. The K1000's have very pleasant mids, and a smooth and slightly mellow but generally nice treble. The soundstaging is actually excellent - they image very well. I have been impressed by them.

I think they offer good performance for the money, and would have no problem recommending them to anyone. They are mellower than the Denon D2000, and thus people who find the Denons to be too forward sounding would do well to get the Kenwoods. My 600 ohm Beyer DT770's have just arrived and are going to be broken in over the next few days, and that will make also for an interesting comparison since they are about the same price as the Kenwood (since the K1000 price went up to almost $400).

But in any case, these are comfy, good sounding sealed headphones that are highly enjoyable and will make a nice edition to my stable of good closed cans.

 

[dir_d]

^^^Looking forward to your 600ohm review

 

[kojebee]

Thanks for that skylab.

At $300 I'm probably going to receive a reasonably good pair of headphones, with the Denon AH D5000 and JVC DX1000 being much more expensive (in korea for sure), and offers an alternative to Denon AH D2000.

 

[Wilashort]

Well, for you which hits hard in the bass (not midbass but (well you known that i already refer)), your Denon D5000 or DT990 vs them?. For you which is faster sounding (excluding bass) in the mids and highs and with better separation (instruments/vocals, etc)?
Ah, in what they sound worse (less good) than your D5000 and DX1000 (you can include the DT990 please)?
Which of your headphones has the bigger soundstage/headstage depth (excluding your DX1000) and in which order?
An which have better image, your DT990 or Them. The same about your D5000 vs them, and the same about your DX1000 vs them?
Thank you very much in advance for your kindness for answer my questions.... And sorry if i bother you with all my questions, but i don't want to put a lot of money in so expensive headphones, to be dissapointed in the end (is for that, that i ask for the opinion of an expert and experienced owner)....
P.S: if you want, you can use as reference the music that i put in the DX1000 owners unite thread, please.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab /img/forum/go_quote.gif OK so I took the K1000 with me as my only headphones on vacation, from which I just returned. They are excellent headphones. Fully broken in, they are indeed a little on the full/warm side, but I do not consider them to be colored. The bass is a tiny bit slow, and there is a little more mid bass than deep bass, when compared to the JVC DX1000 or the Denon D5000, both of which I still consider to be better sounding headphones than the Kenwoods. The K1000's have very pleasant mids, and a smooth and slightly mellow but generally nice treble. The soundstaging is actually excellent - they image very well. I have been impressed by them. I think they offer good performance for the money, and would have no problem recommending them to anyone. They are mellower than the Denon D2000, and thus people who find the Denons to be too forward sounding would do well to get the Kenwoods. My 600 ohm Beyer DT770's have just arrived and are going to be broken in over the next few days, and that will make also for an interesting comparison since they are about the same price as the Kenwood (since the K1000 price went up to almost $400). But in any case, these are comfy, good sounding sealed headphones that are highly enjoyable and will make a nice edition to my stable of good closed cans.

 

[Skylab]

Hi Wilashort:

I will do my best to answer your questions, but it will have to be at a later time - I am on vacation right now, and spending most of my time away from the computer

For now:

MOST bass: K1000 > DX1000 > DT990 > D5000 (but all have a healthy amount of bass)

BEST bass: DX1000 > DT990 > D5000 > K1000 (but all are good)

Soundstage: DX1000 > DT990 > K1000 > D5000

Best overall sound: DX1000 > D5000 > DT990 > K1000

The K1000 lacks a little refinement and nuance compared to the others, but it is still very good.

 

[Wilashort]

Ok, thank you very much. "For now" it is enough.
I will be waiting for more impressions and details/comparisons later....

Good Luck.
Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi Wilashort: I will do my best to answer your questions, but it will have to be at a later time - I am on vacation right now, and spending most of my time away from the computer For now: MOST bass: K1000 > DX1000 > DT990 > D5000 (but all have a healthy amount of bass) BEST bass: DX1000 > DT990 > D5000 > K1000 (but all are good) Soundstage: DX1000 > DT990 > K1000 > D5000 Best overall sound: DX1000 > D5000 > DT990 > K1000 The K1000 lacks a little refinement and nuance compared to the others, but it is still very good.

 

[fumashirou]

Sounds good. How will it be comparing to sony MDR-F1?

 

[Kees]

Little update:
With more burn-in the get smoother and more refined in the midrange.

I am now listening to Vivaldi (Four seasons, Hogwood) and I am truly amazed how well these phones do with this repertoire.
Soundstage, imaging and tonal balance are excellent.
This is a seriously convincing performance.

I have also bought a second pair to be recabled by Markl with the Jena cable.
That way I hope to get the last bit of detail and refinement.
To see if the could be easily recabled I opened them up and took a look inside.

I made some pics:

Removing the pads shows the cover of the driver is attached with four screws. Easy.

Removing the driver shows the back is protected by an extra cover. three more screws. Looks neat.

The inside of the cup is filled with foam.

Under the cover:

Looks recabling should be really easy.

It took no more than 15 minutes to dissasemble them, take pictures and put them back together again.

I really like to take things apart.

 

[Kees]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fumashirou /img/forum/go_quote.gif Sounds good. How will it be comparing to sony MDR-F1?

Sorry, can't help you there. Never heard the MDR-F1.

 

[Skylab]

Kees, I agree - the K1000's are continuing to improve. I have been using them today with my Singlepower Extreme, and the K1000 sound really excellent.