[facelvega]

It seems you just missed the TakeT group buy, though that would have been a bit over budget. That leaves one grand option in my book: Stax 4040, $1118 from pricejapan. You could probably test some stax in Seattle at Experience Audio, though the in-store prices are bound to be far higher than from the online importers.

 

[kugino]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelvinz /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm sure they are quite awesome but I'm not really looking for a "project" headphone. I want whatever I buy next to be flat out better than my K701's Noticed you are looking for a W5000 and not a K1000

true, but it's b/c i already have a k1000

and what did i get rid of to get the k1000? you guessed it - the k701.

the problem with your request is that everyone has different ideas about how great the k701s are. some think that it's a steal at their price...and spending a thousand bucks wouldn't get you much more performance. others think the k701 are overrated and you could spend $300 to top it. moreover, others will have different ideas as to what they think sounds really good.

personally, i liked the k701. but the k1000 is that much better...

have you thought about an rs-1? i really like them...and paired with a good amp they really are quite better than the k701, IMO.

 

[Torula Yeast]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mindless /img/forum/go_quote.gif GS1000 is definately musical and the soundstage is vast.

X2. Plus more than enough detail at low volumes to satisfy one's analytical side, methinks. Note that loud listening is likely to become quickly fatiguing, but for me that's plus, as I can get all the detail and bass I could desire w/o being tempted to drive the volume to unsafe levels.

facelvega: Quote:

That leaves one grand option in my book: Stax 4040, $1118 from pricejapan. You could probably test some stax in Seattle at Experience Audio, though the in-store prices are bound to be far higher than from the online importers.

Perhaps true, but the service at Experience Audio cannot be beat. The proprietor would probably turn somersaults to make a customer happy. If I told you how far backwards that guy bent to let me pick up a pair of 325i's when he wasn't even in town due to a family emergency, you might not believe me. kelvinz, I didn't notice you live in Seattle, but you might consider making an appointment there and talking to the owner about what you're looking for.

 

[vcoheda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelvinz /img/forum/go_quote.gif I think in a nutshell I'm looking for a headphone that is more musical while retaining the sound stage and analytical qualities of the K701.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelvinz /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm looking for something that is all across the board better than the AKG K701.

does something like this even exist - even for $2000.

 

[MaloS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vcoheda /img/forum/go_quote.gif does something like this even exist - even for $2000.

I sustain my recommendation. Soundstage size is probably going to be a bit smaller, but all other qualities are superior.

Another can to look at is W5000.

 

[MaloS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schalldämpfer /img/forum/go_quote.gif Balanced HD-650. Even single-ended, my HD-650 blows everything away in musicality with a clear margin.

Blanket statement. D5000 is more musical than HD650 to my ears, as is RS-1, W5000, HE90, unreleased Westone 3, AKG K340, and I can keep on going with a fairly large list.

Oh, did I mention speakers =]

 

[speakerhead]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaloS /img/forum/go_quote.gif I sustain my recommendation. Soundstage size is probably going to be a bit smaller, but all other qualities are superior. Another can to look at is W5000.

what are W5000's?

 

[Mindless]

Quote:

Originally Posted by speakerhead /img/forum/go_quote.gif what are W5000's?

Audio Technica, a Japanese headphone manufacturer.

 

[speakerhead]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mindless /img/forum/go_quote.gif Audio Technica, a Japanese headphone manufacturer.

I have never heard of this company!


What kind of sound signature do Audio-Technica headphones have specifically the W5000's recommended in this thread?

How do they compare to other mainstream manufacturers high end headphones (HD650, K701, GS1000, Ultrasone Ed9)?

 

[kelvinz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by facelvega /img/forum/go_quote.gif It seems you just missed the TakeT group buy, though that would have been a bit over budget. That leaves one grand option in my book: Stax 4040, $1118 from pricejapan. You could probably test some stax in Seattle at Experience Audio, though the in-store prices are bound to be far higher than from the online importers.

that is a really interesting suggestion I've never looked at Stax on account of their looks but I'll contact experince audio and take a listen to them. Does that price include the amp btw?

 

[LonerGenius]

I have seen recently a pair of W2002's for sale here and $1000 for those would be well spent. W5000's can be found for sale here for less than $700 and I love mine.

 

[outmatch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by speakerhead /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have never heard of this company! What kind of sound signature do Audio-Technica headphones have specifically the W5000's recommended in this thread? How do they compare to other mainstream manufacturers high end headphones (HD650, K701, GS1000, Ultrasone Ed9)?

Audio Technica is well-recieved by a lot of head-fier. Its flagship, the L3000, is rated among the best headphones such as R10, HE90, etc.

There's a nice review on ATH-AD2000 by ASR. I have never heard W5000 personally, but many say they share the same sound signature as of those in the Audio-Technica line.

 

[kelvinz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LonerGenius /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have seen recently a pair of W2002's for sale here and $1000 for those would be well spent. W5000's can be found for sale here for less than $700 and I love mine.

Posts that I've been scouring on Headfi suggest that the W5000 is a better headphone than the W2002 !

 

[MaloS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by outmatch /img/forum/go_quote.gif There's a nice review on ATH-AD2000 by ASR. I have never heard W5000 personally, but many say they share the same sound signature as of those in the Audio-Technica line.

Not really, w5000 only correlates with the other woodies, not the A or AD series.

Highly recommended can, and the rest of the budget can be used on an amp to use with it (nice powerful transportable will do, Lisa III comes to mind).

 

[Varcharz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelvinz /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm looking for something that is all across the board better than the AKG K701. What would you suggest for ~$1000 Open, closed it doesn't matter.

Not a lot in that price range that are better than K701s. Not sure what K1000s go for either.