The AD is the best headphone I have heard that presents an evenly perceived frequency response while maintaining openness, clarity and dynamics.
I'm not against expensive headphones.....I just don't think some of them are worth the asking price when considering that much less expensive ones can get you pretty much the same thing or better. For example, I have the LCD-XC and in no way is it worth three times the price of the AD. In some ways, it's not even as good as the AD. But if you want the XC sound, you will have to pay for it.
Great points about the Alpha Dog, but I have to say that it is an expensive headphone. It's not outside of the range of affordability to those with the means of course as much as an SR-009 is within the means of some folks.
For a minute consider that the AD would NEVER exist if it weren't for Dan and of course the T50RP. At this point the LCD-XC in said alternate universe may end up being worth the retail value even to you. Consider what your relationship is with these companies. You buy Mr. Speakers Alpha Dogs instead of the Audeze LCD-XC for a couple reasons, and to name a couple which come across in your writing:
1- Sound Quality and Preference
2- Value to the customer
You believe there is a value to the customer not only because of the SQ and performance, but because of its comparative market value. This is exactly what Dan is offering and why I recommend him as an option even though he is not innovating drivers-- he is innovating the package drivers come in to compete with hi-fi audio components and how he is able to provide value to his customer base. Even though this is a considerable value to own his device, the AD has the roots in a $100 headphone. He has convinced you with results that it is worth $500 extra dollars for him to do what he does.
If I recall Alpha dogs came out not too long ago... it was just the end of 2013. That's enough time to start waves of change, and while I understand you want the price to performance and value to customers to increase there is an undeniable cost to the engineering and production of a headphone. When the Alpha dog came into production the cost of the flagship Mr. Speakers headset doubled. No longer is the Mr. Speakers flagship headphone a mod. Expensive headphones are not just cheap toys marked up-- there are quite a few respectable companies out there making wonderful devices at prices which are of a value to themselves and their customers.
Please don't misunderstand me- I love the Alpha Dogs, I also own less expensive headphones which compete with it in some aspects. ADs will be on my wall, probably forever, unless they are entirely outclassed in the future. I believe people are questioning you because it is easy to see where you believe the AD shine. It is not equally obvious to them that the AD is better than their Dream Headphone X.
That is something you could argue all day... but I'd suggest just shrugging it off and enjoying what you love. When you talk about your love for the music you listen to and how the AD bring out the sound- I get it. The experience is pretty mutual. More people will buy them now that Dan has streamlined batch production beyond what was possible at the end of last year. More people will inevitably understand why you talk about the music you listen to through the AD and not just comparisons to other flagships which are very very different.
Keep on rockin.
