Boomana and I got together last night to get an idea of how far off the cd3000 is from the R10. Is the cd3000 a poor man/womens R10 solution or is it something else altogether. While we were at it we threw the PS1 in there for kicks.
First off what did we use to compare the headphones with? They were all amped with the Eddie Current HD2 and sourced with the Wadia 302.
For this short comparison we used 2 differnt types of music Jose Gonzalez's cd Veneer (highly recommended) and Led Zep ll. This gave us a range of singer acoustic guitar and full on rock to see if the headphones in question had strenghts with different types of music.
We started with Jose Gonzalez through the CD 3000s and it sounded nice but bright and somewhat thinner than we would have liked. There was less bidy to both the guitar and vocals than with the other two cans. THe headstage was excellent possibly the best of the three and if you like your headphones on the slightly brighter side (but not painfull in any way) then these should be on your vintage headphone list. They were also vert PRATy and you were instantly tapping your toes.
The R10s sounded like Jose had just upgraded his guitar as the tone had immensly more body and you could begin to pick up more of his picking style (he finger picks in a spanish style). His vocals were fleshy and sounded more filled out. The headstage was not as broad but served this singer songwriter well.
When we went to the PS1s they felt like a mix between the two in the area of body more filled out than the cd3000 but not as fleshy as the R10s. I felt like this was a nice balance. They did struggle in the headstage dept when compared to the other two. They did a great job of picking up detail and had you hearing all his picking inflections and taps to the body of his guitar. Boomana felt this was overdone a bit but I'm sure she will elaborate later.
Clearly in the acoustic/singer category the R10s ruled supreme with greater intimacy, body a headstage that felt just right.
The we said can they ROCK and put in Led Zep ll. Well first up was the R10 and I felt as though the band was being held back somehow and Robert Plants vocals were clouded. They did do the swirling effect of Whole Lotta love very well and was best in creating the surround effect of that part of the song.
The Cd3000s the cloud was immediately lifted but the band sounded thinner and brighter by comparison. They had you toe tapping and rocking but could have used some more flesh on the bone (body ) to the sound. THe headstage was as predicted nice and wide.
The PS1s were the winner for the rock category. They had the PRAT you need and delicious bottom end that was tight and restrained. The highs and mids were never overwhelmed by the bottom end.
Now on to the area of comfort, there is no comparison as the R10s are the best in this area with the cd3000s running a close second and the PS1s a distant third (it's tough when you have two chunks of metal hanging from your head). Both Sony's had you feeling like you had strapped on two headphones made of pillows.
Now was the CD3000 a poor mans R10 or another beast altogether. I felt there was no family resemblance other than fit and comfort. They threw a wider but not as natural headstage and were thinner sounding, but not in a terrible way. So for those who are trying to get an R10 on a PBJ budget sorry but they are too different for me to say they are of the same family.
I would recommed the CD3000s over any closed can in the under $800 category and find them a strong value on the used market. They also were great all around headphones.
If I listened to small combo jazz and singer songwriters the R10s would be on the list and I'd have a kidney on Craig's List to do it.
If I were a rocker than I run straight to the PS1s. We were commenting on why Grado Labs does not do another run of 100 or so. I have heard pretty much the entire line and they best (IMHO) the GS1000, HP1000s and RS1s.
Hopefully Boomana will chime in on her thoughts
First off what did we use to compare the headphones with? They were all amped with the Eddie Current HD2 and sourced with the Wadia 302.
For this short comparison we used 2 differnt types of music Jose Gonzalez's cd Veneer (highly recommended) and Led Zep ll. This gave us a range of singer acoustic guitar and full on rock to see if the headphones in question had strenghts with different types of music.
We started with Jose Gonzalez through the CD 3000s and it sounded nice but bright and somewhat thinner than we would have liked. There was less bidy to both the guitar and vocals than with the other two cans. THe headstage was excellent possibly the best of the three and if you like your headphones on the slightly brighter side (but not painfull in any way) then these should be on your vintage headphone list. They were also vert PRATy and you were instantly tapping your toes.
The R10s sounded like Jose had just upgraded his guitar as the tone had immensly more body and you could begin to pick up more of his picking style (he finger picks in a spanish style). His vocals were fleshy and sounded more filled out. The headstage was not as broad but served this singer songwriter well.
When we went to the PS1s they felt like a mix between the two in the area of body more filled out than the cd3000 but not as fleshy as the R10s. I felt like this was a nice balance. They did struggle in the headstage dept when compared to the other two. They did a great job of picking up detail and had you hearing all his picking inflections and taps to the body of his guitar. Boomana felt this was overdone a bit but I'm sure she will elaborate later.
Clearly in the acoustic/singer category the R10s ruled supreme with greater intimacy, body a headstage that felt just right.
The we said can they ROCK and put in Led Zep ll. Well first up was the R10 and I felt as though the band was being held back somehow and Robert Plants vocals were clouded. They did do the swirling effect of Whole Lotta love very well and was best in creating the surround effect of that part of the song.
The Cd3000s the cloud was immediately lifted but the band sounded thinner and brighter by comparison. They had you toe tapping and rocking but could have used some more flesh on the bone (body ) to the sound. THe headstage was as predicted nice and wide.
The PS1s were the winner for the rock category. They had the PRAT you need and delicious bottom end that was tight and restrained. The highs and mids were never overwhelmed by the bottom end.
Now on to the area of comfort, there is no comparison as the R10s are the best in this area with the cd3000s running a close second and the PS1s a distant third (it's tough when you have two chunks of metal hanging from your head). Both Sony's had you feeling like you had strapped on two headphones made of pillows.
Now was the CD3000 a poor mans R10 or another beast altogether. I felt there was no family resemblance other than fit and comfort. They threw a wider but not as natural headstage and were thinner sounding, but not in a terrible way. So for those who are trying to get an R10 on a PBJ budget sorry but they are too different for me to say they are of the same family.
I would recommed the CD3000s over any closed can in the under $800 category and find them a strong value on the used market. They also were great all around headphones.
If I listened to small combo jazz and singer songwriters the R10s would be on the list and I'd have a kidney on Craig's List to do it.
If I were a rocker than I run straight to the PS1s. We were commenting on why Grado Labs does not do another run of 100 or so. I have heard pretty much the entire line and they best (IMHO) the GS1000, HP1000s and RS1s.
Hopefully Boomana will chime in on her thoughts
