UPDATE: Wow, these are great for vocals - specifically showtunes, musicals and the like.
I think I've finally got it pegged down now. Whoever labeled these as "audiophile" cans must listen to a crap ton of showtunes. Based on a hunch from the beginning of "21 Guns" (thanks HiFiGuy), I went and ransacked my CDs for some recordings from my musicals phase. Impressions? Individual voices ring true and smooth. Voices in chorus remain distinct during the strongest crescendos. And there's vocal clarity and detail without sibilance. Yup, no doubt about it, this is a pair of cans for the theatre crowd.
The Secret Garden - Original Broadway Cast Album
Track Highlights:
17. Lily's Eyes
24. Quartest - There's A Man
26. Wick (damn I'd forgotten how good Daisy Eagan is)
Rent - Original Broadway Cast Recording
Track Highlights:
16. Will I??
26. Seasons of Love
42. Finale B
So if anyone out there is thinking "man I wish I had a good set of portable cans for all of my Broadway shows..." then lament no further.
OT: Hey HiFiGuy, how many clicks to you extend the headband by? I extend each side out to the point where the first notch is just showing. Weird question I know. But since I tend to not mind tight cans nearly as much as other people, I'm thinking that I may have a fairly thin cranial structure.
Quote:
I was very tempted to buy one and add it to my portables review thread (vs HD25, DT1350, M80, etc), but the pricetag was the main deterrent. Sadly, I don't think any local stores up here even carry it anymore.
DealSourceDirect has them for $197.69 and they ship to Canada out of New Jersey. Many Best Buys (and I would guess Future Shops) have them but I suspect you'd have to pay full retail there. If you did pick up a pair, I suspect that you'd want to keep them though. The frame (headband, joints and bails) are all tough as nails - making this unit's superstrucure a good basis for mods. And the pads are ridiculously comfortable - so much so that I almost don't notice the clamping force on this unit.
Of course the cheapest way would be to do a temporary loan so that you could do the review. The only problem I have with that is the fact that these are my daily portable cans (for my 120 mile round trip commute) so I'd definitely miss them. And I'd ideally like to have them back before the LA meet (August) as I'm thinking about going and bringing these (since so few people have heard them). Don't know how long you'd need them for in order to do a thorough review (although I have saved you burn-in time). Maybe we could do a 1-month swap so that I'd have something to listen to during commutes (and be able to audition something different at the same time)?