Alright, I managed to get a nice, long audition from my friend's 200 hour-clocked HTF600s. I must say, for $30 (SGD$60 for my case) it is a VERY good deal. Mids have a lot of musicality, soundstage is very nicely projected and bass... a joy to listen to.
But, um...
As with all "budget killers", one thing I noticed to be severely lacking is treble projection. Very prevalent in the Superlux line of headphones as well as a shortcoming in Dunu's ever-popular Trident IEM, the problem seems to be also present within the HTF600. From what I can remember, there was a noticeable roll-off and was lacking in sharpness.
Now, I'll compare it with the M50 and the HFI-580, the headphones that the Panny was the supposed "cheaper alternative" to. Again, like the Superlux and the Trident, the HTF600 are definitely a bout of awesomeness at a budget, doing many things that most cans at a similar or higher price are unable to do. However, when compared to to the $100 to $150 giants, some of its flaws are revealed.
As stated, there's the treble, which frankly is actually better the Superlux's grainy funkiness but is still a pretty big weakness. Compared to the M50's treble, the Pannys lose out in detail, but the M50s have this annoying imbalance within the high frequencies which make it somewhat harsh and weird to listen to, so it pretty much equals out against the Panny's. Mids are like the M50's; slightly recessed for not overly so, retain the M50's great layering properties but as stated, lack in detail. Don't get me wrong here, detail retrieval is still very, very good, just not up to the standards of the M50 or the Superluxes. As for bass, surprisingly it actually EQUALS the M50 in terms of quality, but in quantity the Pannys does have more. I would say about the AKG518's level?
Against the HFI-580, sadly it isn't as close a competitor. The Ultrasone's bass are superior in response and detail, with the Pannys again little a tad bit extra quantity. As for mids, the Pannys are definitely more forward but again lack in detail as compared to the Pannys, but definitely have more musicality to them due to the HFI-580's "robotic" approach to vocals and wind instruments. I don't think I have to speak for the treble.
Sure, the HTF600 is a great alternative to these $150 options, but are they a "better" alternative? In my book, not exactly. But a good fight. A close fight.
In short, a great find in a world filled with undiscovered gems, but like Superlux and Dunu, are just shy of being true "giant killers". These will go into my list of great budget cans, alongside the DJ100, Superlux and the Portapro.
But, um...
As with all "budget killers", one thing I noticed to be severely lacking is treble projection. Very prevalent in the Superlux line of headphones as well as a shortcoming in Dunu's ever-popular Trident IEM, the problem seems to be also present within the HTF600. From what I can remember, there was a noticeable roll-off and was lacking in sharpness.
Now, I'll compare it with the M50 and the HFI-580, the headphones that the Panny was the supposed "cheaper alternative" to. Again, like the Superlux and the Trident, the HTF600 are definitely a bout of awesomeness at a budget, doing many things that most cans at a similar or higher price are unable to do. However, when compared to to the $100 to $150 giants, some of its flaws are revealed.
As stated, there's the treble, which frankly is actually better the Superlux's grainy funkiness but is still a pretty big weakness. Compared to the M50's treble, the Pannys lose out in detail, but the M50s have this annoying imbalance within the high frequencies which make it somewhat harsh and weird to listen to, so it pretty much equals out against the Panny's. Mids are like the M50's; slightly recessed for not overly so, retain the M50's great layering properties but as stated, lack in detail. Don't get me wrong here, detail retrieval is still very, very good, just not up to the standards of the M50 or the Superluxes. As for bass, surprisingly it actually EQUALS the M50 in terms of quality, but in quantity the Pannys does have more. I would say about the AKG518's level?
Against the HFI-580, sadly it isn't as close a competitor. The Ultrasone's bass are superior in response and detail, with the Pannys again little a tad bit extra quantity. As for mids, the Pannys are definitely more forward but again lack in detail as compared to the Pannys, but definitely have more musicality to them due to the HFI-580's "robotic" approach to vocals and wind instruments. I don't think I have to speak for the treble.
Sure, the HTF600 is a great alternative to these $150 options, but are they a "better" alternative? In my book, not exactly. But a good fight. A close fight.
In short, a great find in a world filled with undiscovered gems, but like Superlux and Dunu, are just shy of being true "giant killers". These will go into my list of great budget cans, alongside the DJ100, Superlux and the Portapro.