[manveru]

Quote:

 
I think that's more of the general stigma in years past that Philips didn't make very good cans.  Still, Tyll seems to like these quite a bit, so maybe they're worth looking at.

 
That's also true. The Fidelio L1 has gotten good reviews as well, so it looks like they're stepping up their game.

 

[obobskivich]

That's also true. The Fidelio L1 has gotten good reviews as well, so it looks like they're stepping up their game.

Wasn't there a Philips headphone a few years ago that was a "dark horse" too? It was silver, open-back, and beyond that I know nothing about it.

I'll update the list again tomorrow morning. Thanks to people for contributing!

 

[manveru]

Quote:

Wasn't there a Philips headphone a few years ago that was a "dark horse" too? It was silver, open-back, and beyond that I know nothing about it.
I'll update the list again tomorrow morning.

Thanks to people for contributing!

 
Even though I wasn't around back then, I feel like I might know what you're talking about. Sounds familiar...

 

[warrenpchi]

Quote:

That's also true. The Fidelio L1 has gotten good reviews as well, so it looks like they're stepping up their game.

 
Yup, heard good things about the Fidelio, surprisingly.  I think most of the truly bad Philips cans are the consumer level lo-fi stuff found in bog box stores.  Unfortunately, that's what most people think of when they think Philips.
 
Quote:

Wasn't there a Philips headphone a few years ago that was a "dark horse" too? It was silver, open-back, and beyond that I know nothing about it.

 
Hmm, that may be before my time here at Head-Fi. 

 
I'm tempted to throw out a few more offerings from Pioneer's current line - except that the problem isn't so much that they're underrated, but rather unknown.  I think this is mainly because they're hi-fi offerings have been sparse and sporadic over the years.  And of course, they're bigger in Japan than they are here.  Still, the SE-MJ591 just won HiFiGuy528's three way shootout of portable cans (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sb7GOol9IwU) so times may be a-changin'.
 
Quick side question obobs, did you want us to post any detailed impressions of our suggestions?  The thought occurred to me that people might want to know exactly why we think they are so underrated.  If so, any suggested format for said mini-reviews?

 

[manveru]

@obob
 
Could the headphone you were referring to perhaps have been these? Philips HP1000:
 

 

[Supertoaster]

The Superlux HD681 are pretty underrated, at least compared to the super popular 668b.
 
I like to say it's a 'diet' 668b

 

[RexAeterna]

I haven't heard the 3000, but if you like the AKGs, I don't think the 5000s will do it for you. Then again, if the treble doesn't bother you, they might not be a bad can to try.

i'm big fan of akg and own some of their older studio headphones, while the DF's still remaining my favorite from akg. i appreciate the sound of the sa5000 lot too. i say give them a try if you can on a good source. i mean good source. reason people complain bout their treble is most modern solid state will give them a ''gritty'' or ''grainy'' type treble(think of some adcom stuff) which can be annoying with not only these but most headphones. overall though some songs you are like ''What?'' with them lol but i really like them. for the current low price you can snag them for they're pretty darn good deal.

 

[tdockweiler]

Quote:

I think that's more of the general stigma in years past that Philips didn't make very good cans.  Still, Tyll seems to like these quite a bit, so maybe they're worth looking at.
 
 
Lol, sure.  That's what they all say... 

 
I think that's the Downtown he reviewed. Not the Uptown. Maybe he'll do an Uptown review sometime. That's been on my radar for awhile, but I wasn't impressed with the demo unit at Best Buy.
They look extremely comfortable. It'd be interesting to see how well the Uptown measures.

 

[manveru]

Quote:

I think that's the Downtown he reviewed. Not the Uptown. Maybe he'll do an Uptown review sometime. That's been on my radar for awhile, but I wasn't impressed with the demo unit at Best Buy.
They look extremely comfortable. It'd be interesting to see how well the Uptown measures.

 
That's right. didn't catch that before. It was actually the Downtown that he reviewed.
 
I'd really like to see some Uptown measurements.

 

[warrenpchi]

Quote:

I think that's the Downtown he reviewed. Not the Uptown.

 
Well that's the purple one his daughter likes, but yup.  Earlier in the year though - as part of his CES 2012 coverage - I remember him saying (in either a write-up or a vid) that Philips' latest offerings were collectively pretty good, that's more of what I was recollectiing. 

 

[Cheapy]

I’m not sure of its US pricing but for the UK the Goldring DR150 was good value. They have become hard to find recently so wondering if they have been discontinued?

 

[Dennito]

JVC HARX 700 for $40 it is a terrific value. I'm surprised it is not more popular.

 

[roma101]

That's right. didn't catch that before. It was actually the Downtown that he reviewed.

I'd really like to see some Uptown measurements.

Agreed I've been anticipating his review on the Uptowns. Surprised it hasn't happened yet but I imagine he's got a lot on his plate.

 

[vese]

Im so relieved to see the HE-300s on here..honestly, Im so baffled as to why they are rarely mentioned to the huge amount of people in the $100-300 range. They honestly outclass everything else I've heard beneath $550ish.

 

[manveru]

Quote:

Im so relieved to see the HE-300s on here..honestly, Im so baffled as to why they are rarely mentioned to the huge amount of people in the $100-300 range. They honestly outclass everything else I've heard beneath $550ish.

 
I wonder. I've only heard the "rev 1" which had significant issues.