update#1 to what I wrote below: after folding half the inner black felt, I found that "Selena Gomez & The Scene - Naturally" sounded a bit too sparkly. Maybe this is what people complained about in the original 681. I would say maybe open the inner felt 1/3 only or find a thinner felt. I am not sure if the driver in the 681evo is the same as the original 681. I must admit that I can feel my inner ear hears move to the high vibration .. I must admit, once modded, ears get a little sore from not getting use to the sparkly highs. I guess I have some getting use to because this headset is very accurate, sparkly, and enough bass where I need some adjusting to get use to because it's a bit too stimulating! Okay, going back to only have a 1/3 opening on the upper half quadrant. on the inner felt.
update#2 to what I wrote below: man, the 681evo sound stage is much larger than the hd201. day and night even with the 1/2 folded inner black felt. hd201 sounds closed and a little muddy in comparison once the 681evo is opened. I couldn't appreciate the 681evo as much only until I listened to some sucky classical opera music which sounded closed and mids reccessed, and that's when I decided to open the 681evo half way. Going to mod it again for 1/3. The HD201 has tigher bass while the 681evo has a richer, more depth to the bass, which my sensitive ears need to get use to. When listening to the 201 on "Selena Gomez & The Scene - Naturally" I would say the 201 has enough bass for me... a bit tight though. okay, ears hurt from over stimulation of my hears from both headsets! A amp did make a big difference.
update#3 to what I wrote below: I think thinner inner felts would be better than to cover half the headset with felt. Even with 1/3 felt opening, it's still too bright. Now I understand what people mean by the original 681 being too bright.
conclusion: I'm happy with the 681evo. In my opinion, it is important to get headsets that are as neutral as possible so that you hear the music as intended by the producers! That's the whole point right? And also look for headset that has a large sound stage, more depth. Then if there's a need, pump up the equalizers to your taste. I would say that so long as the headset is neutral, yet has the capability to respond to any frequency that the producer intends, that's all I ever ask for. Once you find that pair of headset (without spending a whole lot of $$), leave the forum, get a life, and break the habbit of lusting over set of cans! It's not only the amount of $$ you guys will be spending, but also the enormous amount of time! Check out this guy's review and draw your own conclusion as to why he left the forum:
http://www.head-fi.org/products/superlux-hd-681/reviews/8473 The user I'm referring to is
Sonichedgehog360. I'll return once I test this headset against the more expensive ones at Best Buy. In regards to gears, if I have to spend the money, I would limit my money on headset but spend a little more on a stereo system because there is a difference to watching moves with subwoofers vs. an expensive headset! I dunno, but I'm happy with watching movies over my laptop and hooking it to external speakers. At some point, I think you guys need to know when to quit. This audiophile thing is just getting ridiculous!
Anyway, here's something to laugh over.. I promise.. the guy's facial expression makes me laugh hehe.. this is crazy.. I will never do this to my ears:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=6QXVKlUvA9g&feature=endscreen
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I didn't get a chance to go to Best Buy yet, but I will after my finals. Right now I did a little mod to the 681evo open up the highs a bit. I noticed the 201 is clearer than the 681evo without mod when listening to classical music. However, after I opened up the 681evo (very easy), I pulled half of the inner black felt and folded it in half closed it back with the outter felt, the highs opened right up, more clear than the 201. I have not tried to take off the whole inner black felt because it might be too high, but after listening to some not so good recordings on youtube, that's when I noticed that opening up half the inner black felt (lightly glued) made a BIG difference. Also, I am using valor pads on this thing, so don't know how the original felt. I stretched the metal band a little and it's very comfortable...no sweat, not hot. Though I have not tried any other high end headsets at this time, I can say I'm very happy with it. It's more comfortable than the 201. I have not modded the 201. The main difference between the 201 and 681EVO is the expanded sound stage, cleaner (once 681EVO is opened up half way), and definitely more pleasant bass. It's very nice. Know that I use a cheap USB amp that made it a HUGE difference compared to bear laptop output. The laptop sounded muddy without the amp, which I've never realized until now. I have not tried this on a desktop PC which definitely by default have more power for the audio out. Either way, I just don't see why anybody would pay for more than $50 or so for a headset.. the 681EVO is good enough. I really believe in having a natural headset cuz if you really want more, than boost the equilizers, so long as the headset it self is able to drive to those highs and lows. I just don't get why people buy the really high end stuff. I guess I'll find out when I visit Best Buy
I'll be sure to report back. The more I think about it, the more I believe that you guys should stop wasting your time on this forum once you've found a really good headset and stop the addiction! Seriously, though I'm a newbie, I was sucked in reading for the best bang for the buck and I was lusting for those sets of cans
Yes, sluts are hot, sexy, and yummy. I don't mind having a clean virgin person, and that's exactly what I got, so to speak.
I got to say, I like the 201 too....just wish the soundstage was wider and a little more bass. Maybe it can be modded.. don't know. the 201 can be had on sale for $5 to 12 dollars! Got it for about $5 on black friday without a rebate, and it it for about $12 for a few months back. I keep mentioning the Seinheizer hd201 because it's damn cheap once on sale and it's a really big bang for the buck. The headband is also a little tight on the 201, which I can mod with a heat gun.. I'm very curious about opening up the sound stage of the hd201 and to get the bass up just a little, but all that isn't worth the time.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/122358/modding-the-sennheiser-hd201
http://www.head-fi.org/t/579623/sennheiser-hd201-bluetack-mod-to-made-headphones-louder-and-better
Here's the thing about modding -- I wouldn't do it if it takes time and risk.. it's just not worth it. The 861evo is very easy to mod. I like the 201 due to the performance / price ratio..cuz things do break. My heart will sink if I have have a $50+ headset break on me. I had a HD202 (was it??) many years back, which I bought for $40?? about 7 years back??.. one of the speakers died (not a wire problem) after 1 year of usage, and it was painful cuz I just can't afford buying more of these stuff, and that's why I was thrilled to the 201 for $5 and $12
The other thing I love about the 681evo is that if there's ever accidental yank on the cable, the cable comes out of the short extension so that my cable will never get damaged. it's a very nice feature!