[Davie]

I've come to realize what the cause of my dissatisfaction with these is. I'm not sure if it is technically sibilance, but I feel that there is a peak in the frequency response in the high treble that can add an element of raspiness to the sound.

Has anyone else experienced this, and are there any suggestions about a way to stop it?

 

[TravelLite]

Davie, nowhere do you mention what your complete system is. You know, all the upstream components, the whole nine yards.


TravelLite

 

[miroslav]

I remember your complaints about the same annoyance from before and I commend your patience.

It must be your source.

In my low-fi chain (Trackmasters into a cheap Sony

), the 650s are in no way offensive with highs. I even desire for more higs with some albums. It must be my source, too.

 

[Davie]

Quote:

Originally posted by TravelLite Davie, nowhere do you mention what your complete system is. You know, all the upstream components, the whole nine yards. TravelLite

Well, in my case it's more like two or three yards since I'm just using it with a variety of portables and sometimes an Airhead.

But given the number of headphones that I own and the fact that this is a problem only with my Trackmaster, I was assuming it was the headphones themselves.

 

[Davie]

Quote:

Originally posted by miroslav I remember your complaints about the same annoyance from before and I commend your patience. It must be your source. In my low-fi chain (Trackmasters into a cheap Sony ), the 650s are in no way offensive with highs. I even desire for more higs with some albums. It must be my source, too.

Haven't used it with my Sony (which is in the office, whereas the Trackmasters are at home.) That might be worth giving a try since the Sony is definitely darker in presentation than any other portable I've heard.

But I'd like to be able to use it with Philips and Panasonic too.

 

[miroslav]

Oh, to add a bit of clarification, my Sony is a mini desktop one. Sounds better than couple of Panasonic and Philips portables I compared it with. Unfortunatelly, I never had an opporunity to try the 650s with a Sony portable.

 

[wallijonn]

so what do they sound like out of "regular" equipment?

I've always wondered if breaking in headphones on rasphy sources, like PCDPs, will ruin the headphones. kinda like breaking in an engine at 6500 rpm, only.

 

[miroslav]

I`ve never heard them out of any "serious" equipment, so I can`t make any comparisons. I just love the way they sound with what I have right now.

Also, I`ve never heard any other serious headphones beside the Trackmasters, but I like to believe these are the best sounding big name headphones when used in rude surrounding.

I`d be surpised if the quality of the source had anything to do with the final results of headphone break in. Shouldn`t the drivers go loosen with cheap sources anyway? You made me worried now.

 

[Davie]

Quote:

Originally posted by miroslav I`d be surpised if the quality of the source had anything to do with the final results of headphone break in. Shouldn`t the drivers go loosen with cheap sources anyway? You made me worried now.

I would doubt if this is the source of my problem. I've broken in *all* my headphones on portbles, including my "audiophile" quality AT A1000s, and haven't had any problems.

Whether the Trackmasters are picking up on an element of raspiness in my equipment that none of my other headphones is registering is, I think, a separate issue not related to break in. It's definitely worth checking out, though my only other option is my old NAD receiver's headphone out jack, which I've never been that crazy about.

 

[miroslav]

Quote:

Originally posted by Davie Whether the Trackmasters are picking up on an element of raspiness in my equipment that none of my other headphones is registering is, I think, a separate issue not related to break in.

Agree. Maybe the DVD Edition would suite you better?

 

[Davie]

Quote:

Originally posted by miroslav Agree. Maybe the DVD Edition would suite you better?

I've thought about it, though I've read that the DVD edition has a long cord and a regular (non-mini) plug, which would be problematic for portable use.

Apart from this problem, I think the Trackmaster is a great portable option because isolation is second only to the Senn HD280Pro among circumaural cans that I've tried, and it is a good deal less dorky looking...

 

[SteeleBlayde]

Perhaps you should have a look at the AKG K271 Studio? Better than the HD280 Pro and very comparable to the Ultrasones.

But then again, why am I recommending new equipment when your headphones could be fine and it might be something else? If I were you, try checking out the stuff in your chain.

Hope that helps.

 

[KJ869]

I find Hfi-650 DE pretty comfortable, litle ear sweat from pleather but that can be fixed by beyer pads, if wanted. Hfi-650 DE comes with the adapter also.. so portable use isnt that big problem. You just need to wrap the 10 feet cord to the length you want, I like it more than coiled..

About sibilance on DE, I cant say, in my music I dont hear sibilance, but i dont have highpitching singers, or anything els. I would say its fact theyre litlebit bright, what is needed for more upfront sound. No, theyre not overbright, but theyre 1 small step to bright rather than dark.

That wallijonn comment was saving my day, damn that was fun 1.

Source effects more to 650's than the amp, at least what I have notice, with the limited equipment I have had opportunity to test it on.

 

[Davie]

Quote:

Originally posted by SteeleBlayde Perhaps you should have a look at the AKG K271 Studio? Better than the HD280 Pro and very comparable to the Ultrasones. But then again, why am I recommending new equipment when your headphones could be fine and it might be something else? If I were you, try checking out the stuff in your chain. Hope that helps.

These look very interesting....

Do you own them? Do they fold up?

 

[SteeleBlayde]

Yes I do own them.

Yes, they're great.

No, they dont fold up. (Kind of a good thing I think, since fold-up headphones tend to be flimsy).

Personally, I think these are the best closed headphones around, other than canalphones. Some would disagree and probably mention the Beyer DT831's but I personally think those are a bit too bright. You can get a brand new pair of AKG K271 Studios off of EBay. Keep an eye out for this seller: Music123.com They're selling the phones absolutely brand new at $139.99 plus shipping. I think thats an amazing price. Don't know how good this buyer is though. Communication wasnt very good and they have 64 negative feedbacks... If you want a bit more security, you can always go to HeadRoom.

You can sell your Ultrasones on the forums here if you decide to go with the AKG's. Alot of people apparently like them.