Quote:
Originally Posted by fbhifi
Recently spent an afternoon listening to R10s, CD3000, 650/Cardas. Meridian 508.20 and Singlepower Supra (current model w/ multiple upgrades) and a current model Singlepower Maestro.
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In terms of satisfying the above noted objectives of smooth, flat, frequency response with good extension in the bass and treble- The SENN. 650 / CARDAS combo is the clearly superior set-up. Great tight, reasonably extended bass response, with smooth FLAT frequency response up thru the (again) reasonably extended highs. I feel that FLAT FREQUNCY RESPONSE is CRITICAL to faithfully reproducing the musical event. Peaks and Valleys, Bloats and Leanness all detract from the performance. These characteristics may be entertaining, but I think a knowledgeable listener will grow tired of them, over time.
SONY R10- Very seductive tonal quality thru-out alot of the frequency range. The mids on up were smooth, warm and nicely bloomy, with-out deviating TOO far from flat response. There seemed to be a general and very PLEASANT Honey Colored coating to the sound. Some would call it a tubey quality. I, BTW, prefer clean tube amps to solid state. The BASS SUCKED!! It was ill defined, very bloaty and lacked decent extension and slam. In terms of slam- it was like hitting a baseball with tuna instead of a bat!! My focus was drawn away from the music by this miserable bass response.
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To get this thread somewhat back o/t, I will chime in, after holding off since first seeing it, and being once again reminded of how we all hear and appreciate differently.
fbhifi, you blew me away with the comments regarding the R10's bass. I am in complete and total disagreement with you on that one, and wonder what material you listened to? In my system, to my ears, with Meridian 588 source through a Maestro or Stealth, the bass is glorious - deep, controlled, articulate and true. I appreciate your love of and quest for "smooth, flat frequency response with good extension in the bass and treble", and it may be that the R10's are lacking in absolute flatness - I have no way of knowing one way or the other bacause this is something I cannot measure. Others have said the R10's are somewhat colored, to which I always respond, I like that color!
Now, I must admit to also loving the HD650's. I am on record in other posts in calling them perhaps the absolute best value in headphones because of their accuracy and ability to just get better and better as the system around them improves. I just happen to love my R10's more. For that matter, I also love AT L3000's and Stax Omega II's more than 650's, but both of them are big $$ compared to the 650. In the price range of the 650, nothing compares, and I will agree with you that it rules.
Since the setup you heard the R10's with (Meridian 508.20 and Supra/Maestro) is very close to mine, I am very curious to learn what CD's you heard. Perhaps if I auditioned some of the same ones, I might get a feel for what you heard.
