[planet]

Nitpick: the thread title is incorrect.  The new headphones are Alpha Prime (not Alpha Dog Prime).

 

[Oregonian]

The Prime has great bass. Certainly an upgrade from the AD. The only bass that I've liked better is lcd2.2 pre-fazor. But Prime is in the neighborhood. 

Just curious. Have you ever heard the HE-6 bass........driven right?

 

[MattTCG]

Yes. Forgot about that one. Its fantastic. But the amp requirements make it unobtainable for most. Regards of the he6 bass.

 

[musicman59]

Just placed my order of the AP!

 

[mikemoo]

I would love to hear a comparison between the hifiman he560 and the alpha prime given they're in the same price range. 

 

[Asr]

I would love to hear a comparison between the hifiman he560 and the alpha prime given they're in the same price range. 

 
Heard both of them at RMAF. Caveat: Not on the same amp though. But I'd say they're sufficiently different-sounding that I'm not sure why a comparison is needed, particularly when one is closed and the other is open—surely you'd want one type over the other? That aside, the HE560 had more treble in general than the Alpha Prime, and generated a wider, more expansive soundstage. The Alpha Prime seemed to continue the relative neutrality of the Alpha Dog; the HE560 clearly wasn't neutral at all (IMO).

 

[Wildcatsare1]

Heard both of them at RMAF. Caveat: Not on the same amp though. But I'd say they're sufficiently different-sounding that I'm not sure why a comparison is needed, particularly when one is closed and the other is open—surely you'd want one type over the other? That aside, the HE560 had more treble in general than the Alpha Prime, and generated a wider, more expansive soundstage. The Alpha Prime seemed to continue the relative neutrality of the Alpha Dog; the HE560 clearly wasn't neutral at all (IMO).

In what ways do you find the 560 to err from neutrality?

 

[Asr]

In what ways do you find the 560 to err from neutrality?

 
The mid-range & mid-bass don't balance equally against the treble and lower bass. I have previous impressions of it from here as well: http://www.head-fi.org/t/711824/hifiman-he-560-impressions-discussion-thread/6375#post_10767600

 

[john57]

I also heard the AP and the HE-560 at RMAF Friday night. The treble frequencies on the HE-560 is uneven from the upper mid-range and higher. The mid-bass has a bit of a boost to it.  The bass on the HE-560 is drier sounding and the AP bass is more full bodied and resonant specially with instruments like the Timpani. It is easy to tell that the AP is flatter and more neutral. Both headphones were played back on the same equipment that I brought with me.

 

[reddog]

I also heard the AP and the HE-560 at RMAF Friday night. The treble frequencies on the HE-560 is uneven from the upper mid-range and higher. The mid-bass has a bit of a boost to it.  The bass on the HE-560 is drier sounding and the AP bass is more full bodied and resonant specially with instruments like the Timpani. It is easy to tell that the AP is flatter and more neutral. Both headphones were played back on the same equipment that I brought with me.

The Alpha Dog Prime is sounding just fantastic, I am so tempted to order one now, but no must save my money for the Ragnarok.

 

[mikemoo]

Can you make some comments about the clarity and definition between them two as well. I currently own AD, yet I still wish it has more clarity because it feel congested at times.

 

[john57]

Hi Mike,
 
The clarity and definition between the two were quite close that I would need to bring both home with better equipment and see if I can tell the difference. Without knowing your equipment profile and music you like I can not comment on your issue on congestion. But I would say alot of pop music are compressed due to the loudness wars.  Not sure if that is the case with you or not and your user profile did not have any info either. I do listen to heavier more dense type of classical music.

 

[atsq17]

Reading conflicting reports regarding the Alpha prime bass compared to alpha dogs. Would appreciate more feedback on this from those who have heard both. Some have said there's improved impact and extension. Others have said it's very similar to each other.

 

[Frank I]

check out merce review on Headphone.guru . I hear them and will tell you the bass is much better defined and hasd slam but also texture . Definite improvement over the Dog.

 

[john57]

I trying to keep my posts that pertain to Alpha Prime here instead of spreading around in various threads. 
I also did hear the TH500RP at RMAF  Dan can do better.
 
What is amazing to me is that Dan does not have all the resources of a big corporation in developing a product.  Dan has the advantage that he answers to no one. That allows him to have a single focus on what the next headphone should sound like and to succeed with far less resources. It does takes a bit of experimenting to find out what tweaks or changes in materials that will give a better quality of sound. That is something a computer program will not have all the answers. In the end it takes an artist to create a wonderful sounding headphone. More to come.