The $1000 Void

[xenithon]

Hi all. I'm doing a lot of reading up, research and homework into various headphones and found, what I think, a void or gap in the market. There are a number of distinct price brackets:
- starting from the entry-level and low-mid level headphones at <$200.
- then mid level anywhere from $200-$500 (the likes of the AKG 701, Beyer DT880/990, some of the Ultrasones, the mid-level Grados, new Denon D2000)
- the mid-high level in the $500-$800 regions (Audio Technica's woodies and AD2000, Denon's D5000, Grado RS1, higher end Ultrasones, Headphile Darth's)

But then, from around $800 onwards there seems to be quite a gap....the only headphone I can think of is the JVC/Victor HP-DX1000 (~$900), and one or two of the Stax systems (~$800-$1200, and of course electrostat - not dynamic). The next step up seems to be the big-hitters, which usually start at the $2000+ level....the likes of the W2002, L3000, PS1, HE60 etc.

Talking strictly about headphones (i.e. not earphones or in-ear's) and preferably dynamics, anyone know of any offerings filling that void? If so, are any of these current production or all part of the discontinued and/or limited edition crowd? Just an off-beat observation, blame it on my insomnia

Cheers,
X

 

[gates_2]

don't forget the K1K in the $1-1.2K range

 

[vcoheda]

i think the most expensive in production dynamic headphone is the GS1000 at just under 1K.

 

[Zorander]

Grado GS-1000

edit: damn. Beaten to 4th post...

 

[PFKMan23]

Isn't the most expensive in production dynamic, the Edition 9?

 

[xenithon]

Thanks for the input guys. Some comments:
- I was tempted to include the K1000, but it is a difficult one to include since, in general, a pretty powerful and expensive amp is absolutely mandatory....so I figure the K1000. Also, unlike other headphones, you can't just use an existing headphone amp due to the requirement for a "regular" speaker amp
- GS1000 does indeed fit in that price range. It did, however, bore me to sleep when I tried them

 

[Icarium]

You can't forget the JVC DX1000 at the ~1000 dollar price range. I think it's probably about the best headphone you can get at that price range (IMO).

Edit: Oh you mentioned it... well its basically 1000 ;p I think it fills that void just fine

 

[Veniogenesis]

Just for reference, the JVC cans are just a few dollars (~$30 USD) more than the W5000.

 

[vcoheda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFKMan23 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Isn't the most expensive in production dynamic, the Edition 9?

wouldn't it be more accurate to say that the E9 is the most expensive ($1500) limited edition in production headphone.

are they really limited anyway, to how many.

 

[Veniogenesis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vcoheda /img/forum/go_quote.gif wouldn't it be more accurate to say that the E9 is the most expensive ($1500) limited edition in production headphone. are they really limited anyway, to how many.

They are in no way limited.

It says so specifically Ultrasone's website.

Regards,
Venio

 

[coolshot]

i thought you can get jvc now for around $750.00

 

[vcoheda]

i don't know. ultrasone's own press release calls them LE. i guess they changed their mind.

http://news.harmony-central.com/Newp...eadphones.html

 

[Veniogenesis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolshot /img/forum/go_quote.gif i thought you can get jvc now for around $750.00

Yep, you can.

Or around $685 USD or so if you're in Japan.

Cheers,
Venio

 

[krmathis]

For in-production (new) headphones you can group them up like you did.
But when it comes to out-of-production headphones its hard to draw such lines, since there are cheap phones who might outrun those selling for 2-3 times the amount of money.

Example, I personally would rank the Lambda Pro ($250-300) above the GS-1000 ($800-1000) and RS1 ($500-800).