The Closed-Back Headphone Thread (Plus Comparisons & Reviews)

[subguy812]

I have a Romi BX2 Plus on the way, I will be curious to hear the Denon 9200 with the new addition.

 

[soundblast75]

I have a Romi BX2 Plus on the way, I will be curious to hear the Denon 9200 with the new addition.

My 1st version one doesn't add much to the Denons, they don't need much power.
The Woo W11 on the other hand is the perfect match, i can't think of a better portable sound possible

 

[subguy812]

My 1st version one doesn't add much to the Denons, they don't need much power.
The Woo W11 on the other hand is the perfect match, i can't think of a better portable sound possible

We will see...

 

[Chris Kaoss]

I like it so far.

 

[Terriero]

I don't know if is the perspective or something like that... But I notice the 9200 smaller -especially in the headband area- than the 7200. Is that true?

 

[Chris Kaoss]

Hmm.
Didn't recognized it before.
Will have a deeper look on that once i'm at home and report back.
Maybe it's just the white stitching opposite than black on the 9200.

 

[awhinyheadphone]

I like it so far.

Is the comfort of the 9200 any better than the 7200? I've heard it's lighter and that the headband distributes weight differently.

 

[ADUHF]

Unfortunately I never came around to get the D7000 myself... just heard it at a local meet. A really nice model... and a real classic. Though from memory I'd say the D9200 is a much improved version. The 7100 etc. series was in my opinion a bit of a dip after splitting up with Foster. The current series looks really good, though I still have to try the D5200 at some point. That insane 200$ deal unfortunately did not extend to EU...

I was lucky enough to get in on what was likely a pricing error on the AH-D5200 over the holidays here in the states. I have been following the many positive reviews of the AH-D9200 in this thread so was pleased to give Denon a try. I too typically like open back HPs, and so far find the 5200 to be surprisingly open sounding and extremely detailed listening to live recordings, in fact they have exceeded my expectations. Solid bass, but not overdone like my Fostex TH-X00, just very open sounding. Hard to imagine the 9200 being better.

Wish I'd seen (and paid better attention to) the D5200 BF deal a little sooner. I checked on "Cyber Monday", but the price had already gone back up to like $500-600.

I've always thought the Denon free-edge tech was sort of interesting. But prices were just too out of reach. There's always next year though.

The curves look pretty smooth and warm on the D5200 Crinacle plot. The only minor issue I can see is a slight imbalance in the drivers that appears to favor the right channel by a dB or two, similar to my 250-ohm DT-770's. Maybe that was just on the unit they tested though. (?)

 

[plakat]

The curves look pretty smooth and warm on the D5200 Crinacle plot. The only minor issue I can see is a slight imbalance in the drivers that appears to favor the right channel by a dB or two, similar to my 250-ohm DT-770's. Maybe that was just on the unit they tested though. (?)

I'm sure its not by design, so it might occur (exact driver matching makes a headphone rather expensive) but it won't occur in every single one of them.
Just to be sure: the plot did not just separate the two sides and print them next to each other on purpose? I did not search for that specific graph.

 

[ADUHF]

I'm sure its not by design, so it might occur (exact driver matching makes a headphone rather expensive) but it won't occur in every single one of them.
Just to be sure: the plot did not just separate the two sides and print them next to each other on purpose?...

I don't think Crinacle would do something like that deliberately. And the imbalance shown on Crinacle's plot of the 250-ohm DT-770 definitely seems to jibe well with my own experience, based on listening to a couple different units, one used and one new.

I can't figure out how to post a direct link to the D5200 graph there, but this a snapshot of it...

If you want to look at the actual graph, you can find it at this link: https://crinacle.com/graphs/headphones/graphtool/

Just scroll down to where it says Denon on the list of brands, and then select the D5200 on the list of headphones next to it to pull up the plot. This is the raw frequency response btw, with no DF or other corrections applied.

 

[Terriero]

Wish I'd seen (and paid better attention to) the D5200 BF deal a little sooner. I checked on "Cyber Monday", but the price had already gone back up to like $500-600.

I've always thought the Denon free-edge tech was sort of interesting. But prices were just too out of reach. There's always next year though.

The curves look pretty smooth and warm on the D5200 Crinacle plot. The only minor issue I can see is a slight imbalance in the drivers that appears to favor the right channel by a dB or two, similar to my 250-ohm DT-770's. Maybe that was just on the unit they tested though. (?)

Be careful about D5200 comfort (if you have a big head), in it's thread there are a few people saying that they have to elongate them at maximum to suit them, and they are comparing to other headphones that they have at minimum or a little elongated.

 

[ADUHF]

Be careful about D5200 comfort (if you have a big head), in it's thread there are a few people saying that they have to elongate them at maximum to suit them, and they are comparing to other headphones that they have at minimum or a little elongated.

I do have a somewhat large head and ears. So thanks for the tip on that, Terriero.

Some snapshots of the Denon D5000 & D7200 graphs for comparison to the above D5200 plot...

Fwiw, the imbalance on my 250-ohm DT-770 seems to vary a little depending on how I have it connected to the amp. And whether, for example, I'm using a 1/4" adapter or extension cable or not. So perhaps that might be something to look at on other HPs as well... or not.

An imbalance that's mostly consistent across the frequency range, like the one shown on the D5200 plot, should be fairly easy to adjust though with a simple L/R balance control on the player, dac or amp. Given a choice, it's probably better to adjust on the amp. Because there can be some loss in SQ when adjusting the volume on some digital players.

 

[Carlsan]

I have been staying away from Denon after the disappointing Denon Music Maniac AH-D7100's from a few years ago.
Picked up a like new set of D9200's and I am a convert. Looking forward to the D5200's that I snagged during the recent sale.

The D9200's are quickly turning into my favorite closed back headphones. Very addictive sound with few if any flaws.

 

[Chris Kaoss]

I don't know if is the perspective or something like that... But I notice the 9200 smaller -especially in the headband area- than the 7200. Is that true?

Good eyes, Terriero.

The D9200 has a different, better shape of the headband which should distribute the weight much better than the "flat" shape of the D7200.
This adresses the comfort issue directly.

 

[Chris Kaoss]

Is the comfort of the 9200 any better than the 7200? I've heard it's lighter and that the headband distributes weight differently.

I'd call it "slightly" better.
But the D7200 has a stronger clamp force, while the headband of the D9200, despite the same padding as D7200, follows the natural shape of the skull much better.
So yes, on the long run the D9200 will be better in comfort.