[eric65]

Eric, didn't I say to you in Kennerton thread some years ago to adopt me as your elder son?

Thanks very much for your extense comparison... BTW, have you ever tried any Hifiman headphones? I would like to read about your impressions of them... specially comparing to those Venus.

Hi Terriero.

Thanks.

On the French forum, just before making the comparison of all these headphones: Kennerton Thror vs Sennheiser HD-400 Pro (very close to the HD-560S) vs Sennheiser HD-58X Jubilee vs Moondrop PARA vs Moondrop VENUS, I had written this following post:

"Otherwise, getting back to the PARA and VENUS, I'm starting the hostilities this morning: may the "best" win.
At the end of this confrontation, uh sorry, comparison of headphones, in the arena, there will be only one left. Vae victis!
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/moo...-reasonable-price.970569/page-6#post-17858587 "

Source: https://www.homecinema-fr.com/forum/post181284008.html#p181284008

Yes, if there's only one headphone left, the clear winner of yesterday afternoon's headphones comparison, it's the VENUS!

Yes, also for the "Vae victis!" ("woe betide the vanquished"): because there's really only one vanquished in this headphones confrontation, regardless of price (it's even worse if you take price into account), and that's the Kennerton Thror.
For his punishment, he's going to the glass cabinet where the Thekk was once stored.

In fact, my eldest son is going to inherit my PARA headphones, replacing the Thror; he has everything to gain from them; they're excellent all-round headphones, good on all types of music, easy to listen to and also to wear (they're very comfortable and well-suited to big heads).
It's not the best (compared to its big brother the VENUS), but for once the hierarchy is respected.

On a desert island (or a volcanic island in the Atlantic), well, I think I'd live quite happily with the PARA; but at the summit of Olympus, rubbing shoulders with the gods of antiquity, the VENUS is right at home.

And the Hifiman headphones?

As I've already written, a few years ago, I was able to listen to the Hifiman HE-1000 and HE-1000 V2 (on the same amp as mine: a Viva 2A3) and the Hifiman Susvara, on a more powerful amp (the Viva 845), in a showroom in Nîmes (France) under excellent conditions.

It's hard to compare the VENUS from a distance with them, but from what I remember of these two Hifiman headphones, the VENUS is competitive with them.
I think that the VENUS is better than the HE-1000, because it's less bright in the treble, with a more precise and three-dimensional soundstage and better "black background".

As for the Susvara, apart from its price and the difficulty of finding an amp powerful enough to drive it properly, I think that the precision and resolution of these two headphones is similar, as is their tonality (very good for both headphones).
As far as the soundstage is concerned, I'll have to wait and see, or rather listen, to find out which of these two headphones is the better on this audio criterion.

Finally, as I've already written, between the VENUS and the HD-800, I'd go for the VENUS, above all for the beauty of its timbres and its better tonal balance, even if the HD-800 doesn't disappoint for its soundstage and resolution, which remain great (just like those of the VENUS).

Have a nice day.

 

[eric65]

Hi all.

René and I (the first two owners of the Moondrop VENUS planar headphones on HCFR) gave our opinion on the VENUS planar, at this distributor of audio equipment in France (and in Europe):
https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/audi...ne-o100mm-100db-18-ohm-6hz-80khz-p-17088.html

For Terriero, I understand that the quality of the cable supplied with the Hifiman Sundara and Ananda headphones was not great (cable below apparently too rigid).

This is not the case with the cables supplied with the VENUS (black and silver cables, below) and PARA (black cable, only), which are much more flexible.

As for the quality of the cables supplied with the Moondrop VENUS (2 cables, 1.5 m long), the quality of the silver-colored cable supplied with the VENUS (made of Litz wire) is really very good, both for the sound (this is the cable I used to test the VENUS in this headphone comparison (pictured below), but also for its finesse and flexibility, and also visually: it goes very well with the silver color of the VENUS).
It's available as an option on the Moondrop site for the PARA, and not too expensive: 3.5 mm x 2 jack cable on the earphone side and 4.4 mm symmetrical on the amp side.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004985244209.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_groupList.8148356.9.53a43661I6Eaov&pdp_npi=4@dis!USD!US $47.99!US $47.99!!!47.99!47.99!@211b88f017022078948725122e7edd!12000031242821093!sh!FR!0!

For use on amps with asymmetrical 3.5 mm headphone jacks, use this adapter (visible in the enlarged photo below), in addition to the classic 3.5/6.35 mm jack adapter for amps with 6.35 mm headphone jacks.
DD DJ44C MKII 4.4 mm balanced female jack to 3.5 mm unbalanced male jack adapter. https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/jack...ed-jack-35mm-adapter-gold-plated-p-15260.html

 

[Terriero]

I will go first with the Sennies: it seems that the second version of the 560-S -a silent revision- where the only visible changes are the different cable supplied (1,8 m with 3,5 mm end and an adaptor to 6,3 mm) and the headband padding of different material, have a raised lows and some reduction in the treble area, as you can see here (at the end of the page "post 2022 560-S").

My friend Kammerat Rebekka also recently compared the new 560-S version with a brand new 400 Pro and confirmed to me the raised lows of the former. At the same time, some people complained about the raised treble of the original 560-S, so a reduction at that area should be welcome

Also, I'm interested in the 58Xs, after I receive the original 580, an spectacular pair of headphones from the last century I hope I love them, specially the mid section for vocal genre. The 58Xs' destination, for me, is to be a multigenre pair of headphones, when I want to listen to rock or symphonic metal, where you confirm they are an exceptional pair of cans

After that, I want to try some of the AKG offerings. I have been always interested in that brand... Maybe the K712 Pros...

... And I see one plannar in my collection in the horizon... But still undecided which I will choose...

You and your family will have a musical christmas with those Moon Drops, enjoy them a lot

 

[eric65]

I will go first with the Sennies: it seems that the second version of the 560-S -a silent revision- where the only visible changes are the different cable supplied (1,8 m with 3,5 mm end and an adaptor to 6,3 mm) and the headband padding of different material, have a raised lows and some reduction in the treble area, as you can see here (at the end of the page "post 2022 560-S").

My friend Kammerat Rebekka also recently compared the new 560-S version with a brand new 400 Pro and confirmed to me the raised lows of the former. At the same time, some people complained about the raised treble of the original 560-S, so a reduction at that area should be welcome

Also, I'm interested in the 58Xs, after I receive the original 580, an spectacular pair of headphones from the last century I hope I love them, specially the mid section for vocal genre. The 58Xs' destination, for me, is to be a multigenre pair of headphones, when I want to listen to rock or symphonic metal, where you confirm they are an exceptional pair of cans

After that, I want to try some of the AKG offerings. I have been always interested in that brand... Maybe the K712 Pros...

... And I see one plannar in my collection in the horizon... But still undecided which I will choose...

You and your family will have a musical christmas with those Moon Drops, enjoy them a lot

Thank you Terriero.

I hope you have a very happy Christmas with all your Sennheiser headphones; they are great with, morever, an excellent value for money.

Thanks also for the information about the new HD-560S (new version), which would partly correct the main tonal defect of the first version of these headphones (a peak in the treble at 4.5-5 KHz).
If it does even better than my copy of the HD-400 Pro, perhaps an atypical copy with a little more bass and slightly less treble than the stock HD-560S, then all the better.

Otherwise, if you ever plan to buy (next year) an open planar headphone, think Moondrop.

If you're taking advantage of next year's Black Friday, imho, the 300 Euros more the VENUS costs over the PARA is more than worth it; already, the VENUS comes standard with an excellent (silver) cable, very high quality and visually beautiful (and flexible); just invest in the adapter shown in the photo in my post above, if your amp doesn't have a 4.4 mm balanced headphone jack, to take advantage of this cable.

 

[Terriero]

Thank you Terriero.

I hope you have a very happy Christmas with all your Sennheiser headphones; they are great with, morever, an excellent value for money.

Thanks also for the information about the new HD-560S (new version), which would partly correct the main tonal defect of the first version of these headphones (a peak in the treble at 4.5-5 KHz).
If it does even better than my copy of the HD-400 Pro, perhaps an atypical copy with a little more bass and slightly less treble than the stock HD-560S, then all the better.

Otherwise, if you ever plan to buy (next year) an open planar headphone, think Moondrop.

If you're taking advantage of next year's Black Friday, imho, the 300 Euros more the VENUS costs over the PARA is more than worth it; already, the VENUS comes standard with an excellent (silver) cable, very high quality and visually beautiful (and flexible); just invest in the adapter shown in the photo in my post above, if your amp doesn't have a 4.4 mm balanced headphone jack, to take advantage of this cable.

Yes, I'm valorating the new planar contenders from Fiio, Moon Drop and Audeze at mid prices... I would also love to try the summit Audeze, Hifiman (although this brand has a lot of headphones at different price ranges) or DCA offerings but, as you suppose, is impossible where I live... Maybe next year if I travel to some place in Europe, I'll convince my wife to visit an audio shop : like: "dear, let's visit London this weekend, when there is a Can-jam announced ).

 

[farits]

The VENUS stands out from all the others; it is from another class.

Hi. Thank you very much for your comparison. It was interesting to read. I remember when I first heard Venus, the first thing that struck me was the resolution, detail and sound stage. But I would like a little less high frequencies at the peaks, where the music is recorded with very high frequencies. Perhaps my hearing is sensitive to high sounds. I probably had the darkest sounding headphones, the Shure 1540, which had a powerful midbass and bass line, but there was no good detail. And the sound of Venus is at a very high level, I agree with you.

 

[eric65]

Hi. Thank you very much for your comparison. It was interesting to read. I remember when I first heard Venus, the first thing that struck me was the resolution, detail and sound stage. But I would like a little less high frequencies at the peaks, where the music is recorded with very high frequencies. Perhaps my hearing is sensitive to high sounds. I probably had the darkest sounding headphones, the Shure 1540, which had a powerful midbass and bass line, but there was no good detail. And the sound of Venus is at a very high level, I agree with you.

Hi.

The sensitivity in the treble of course varies from one ear to another, from one person to another.

For mines, undoubtedly older than yours (Nb my hearing, as already said is shortened above 10-12 KHz), the VENUS does not pose a problem for me on quality and well recorded recordings.
If there is too much treble in the recording, the VENUS will also (and faithfully) reproduce too much treble.

Otherwise, you will find below a small table of concordance between the frequencies (between 10 Hz and 20 KHz) and what we call low, medium and treble frequencies.

You will also find this cymbal frequency plot (Crash cymbal), a high-frequency percussion par excellence; you will notice that the volume spl (in dB) of the Crash cymbals decreases rapidly above 10 KHz (as does my hearing, by the way); but for an ear younger than mine, I perfectly understand that the cymbals could be perceived as a little too bright in the extreme high range (above 10 KHz) with the VENUS.

Otherwise, to be objective, you will find as a spoiler (below) a whole comparison of the comparative frequency response of the Moondrop VENUS versus many other known headphones, including a lot of the Hifiman headphones.

You will thus see that objectively the Hifiman HE-1000, HE-1000 SE and Arya headphones have more treble (in the middle treble) than the VENUS (except in the extreme treble above 10 KHz); probably too much for my hearing which doesn't really like excessive treble, for those that I hear the most (between 4000 and 10-12,000 Hz).
Above 10-12 KHz, as already said, my hearing is shortened.

You'll notice that the Hifiman Susvara, described as the best planar headphone in the world (according to Crinacle) has objectively at least as much treble in SPL (if not a little more) as the VENUS; in terms of pure tone, the VENUS can't be that bad a planar headphone, otherwise the Susvara is just as bad.


Other FR headphones (a lot) in spoiler (below).

Spoiler

 

[Jose Hidalgo]

The friend of the OP ranks the HD560S as "better than the HD600", and the Sundara as "as good as the HD800S".
I stopped reading there.
PS: I own a Sundara and a HD600, among other cans.

 

[eric65]

The friend of the OP ranks the HD560S as "better than the HD600", and the Sundara as "as good as the HD800S".
I stopped reading there.
PS: I own a Sundara and a HD600, among other cans.

The tones of the Sennheiser HD-800, HD-800S and HD-600 can be improved (Note; look at the FR of these headphones as a spoiler from my previous post and you will see); there are better headphones that are better balanced at all frequencies (with better tone).

 

[Jose Hidalgo]

Not discussing here. Just making a statement. Have a nice day.

 

[Terriero]

Hi. Thank you very much for your comparison. It was interesting to read. I remember when I first heard Venus, the first thing that struck me was the resolution, detail and sound stage. But I would like a little less high frequencies at the peaks, where the music is recorded with very high frequencies. Perhaps my hearing is sensitive to high sounds. I probably had the darkest sounding headphones, the Shure 1540, which had a powerful midbass and bass line, but there was no good detail. And the sound of Venus is at a very high level, I agree with you.

Same happened to me with a pair of headphones that is praised a lot in the forum, the Denon AH-D9200, I couldn´t stand their treble with treble focused albums or just when playing Hollow Knight...

 

[farits]

I couldn´t stand their treble with treble focused albums or just when playing Hollow Knight...

Perhaps we have such hearing... Maybe when we get older, we won’t hear these high-frequency peaks. I am 38 years old. I remembered the video

 

[AdrianSoMC]

Have you ever tried Hifiman stuff so that you can compare with them? (vague memories are enough, I just want to have a estimation before trying at the shop)

Mainly wanting to determine whether to get the Ananda (either Stealth or Nano) or Moondrop Venus / Para (apart from the cheaper Para, broadly the same category)

Although I already got the Clear MG, the Harmonicdyne G200 and Sennheiser HD650s (also one Goldplannar early planars), still wanting a new mid-tier headphone to freshen up my listening experience (since I am basically abusing the Clear MG now, they are basically the best ones in my minuscule arsenal)

(Mainly listening to Chinese rock or pop, along with watching some youtube and anime garbage, rarely doing blues as well)

May you all kindly give me some advice on that, thank you

 

[farits]

Have you ever tried Hifiman stuff so that you can compare with them?

Now I have Venus. I managed to listen to Hifiman edition xs. These headphones are about the same. But I liked the detail and sound stage on Venus more. For me, in terms of sound, detail and sound stage come first. Perhaps Hifiman is a little darker in sound, a little more bassy. And Venus sounds brighter. It’s better to listen for yourself, everyone’s hearing is different.

 

[eric65]

Have you ever tried Hifiman stuff so that you can compare with them? (vague memories are enough, I just want to have a estimation before trying at the shop)

Mainly wanting to determine whether to get the Ananda (either Stealth or Nano) or Moondrop Venus / Para (apart from the cheaper Para, broadly the same category)

Although I already got the Clear MG, the Harmonicdyne G200 and Sennheiser HD650s (also one Goldplannar early planars), still wanting a new mid-tier headphone to freshen up my listening experience (since I am basically abusing the Clear MG now, they are basically the best ones in my minuscule arsenal)

(Mainly listening to Chinese rock or pop, along with watching some youtube and anime garbage, rarely doing blues as well)

May you all kindly give me some advice on that, thank you

Hi.

Some proposals for headphones (with well-known headphone brands) and indications based on the tone of the headphones, where the ear is most sensitive, that is to say in the high-mid and treble (between 2000 and 10,000 Hz), to be found on the next page.