Ultrasone hfi-680 are wonderful and better than hfi-780

[stang]

Thank god I got the ALO-780 then, the standard HFI-780 sounds like it isn't all that good.

 

[Graphicism]

Did you keep your 680s stock cable and was the 780 you auditioned also stock? ~ Supposedly this is one of the major flaws with Ultrasone, upgrading this results in a much better sounding headphone. Furthermore with the idea that it's easier to remove bass than add it; if EQ'd to match the 680 in bass is there anything else done differently between the two?

 

[12thgear]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stang /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thank god I got the ALO-780 then, the standard HFI-780 sounds like it isn't all that good.

No need to jump to extremes (a popular pastime on Head-Fi). I prefer the HFI-680, but the stock 780 I heard still sounded really good. It's more a matter of taste than performance between the 680 and 780, IMO.

 

[hawat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silenced /img/forum/go_quote.gif ok good. I'm not crazy! I really think the 680 is a more refined version of the 780... weird considering it is a step down in price... they have gotten rid of what most people complain about w/ the 780's (recessed mids, harsh treble and boomy bass). Strange thing is I noticed that many Ultrasone dealers don't seem to carry them... Btw, what amp do you use them with? Are they alright unamped?

Are you sure that you aren't mixing the hfi 780 with the pro 750? The pro line tend to have recessed mids.

 

[stang]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawat /img/forum/go_quote.gif Are you sure that you aren't mixing the hfi 780 with the pro 750? The pro line tend to have recessed mids.

I thought it was the other way around, because the HFI 780 has a lot of bass, which tends to cause the mids to sound recessed.

 

[hawat]

Well all the stock pro that I have tried had recessed mids.

 

[stang]

Well then, not much point in trying other Ultrasone PRO/HFI's then. I would be looking for something like the ALO-780 with a lot more mid forwardness and detail, with the bass reduced a tiny bit.

 

[Graphicism]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stang /img/forum/go_quote.gif I thought it was the other way around, because the HFI 780 has a lot of bass, which tends to cause the mids to sound recessed.

Are you using a tube amp with your 780s?

 

[stang]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graphicism /img/forum/go_quote.gif Are you using a tube amp with your 780s?

Maybe

. I do prefer it with my Zero, as it is SS and the bass is reduced a bit and details are bought out a tad more, but the bass still overpowers the mids a bit anyway, I believe nothing will change this. I am not going to get a SS amp until I get ANOTHER pair of cans then needs them as well. Saving up for Beyerdynamic DT880 600ohm and an ATI 5870 (or two) graphics card(s). I would love a new DAC and a SS amp, but I do not want to do this until I am pretty much settled with my rig

 

[Palpatine]

Interesting...I'd like to have a listen to these one day, and compare them to my own impressions of the HFi 780.

 

[Graphicism]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stang /img/forum/go_quote.gif Maybe . I do prefer it with my Zero, as it is SS and the bass is reduced a bit and details are bought out a tad more, but the bass still overpowers the mids a bit anyway, I believe nothing will change this. I am not going to get a SS amp until I get ANOTHER pair of cans then needs them as well. Saving up for Beyerdynamic DT880 600ohm and an ATI 5870 (or two) graphics card(s). I would love a new DAC and a SS amp, but I do not want to do this until I am pretty much settled with my rig

Yeah these Ultrasones really do need a SS amp, the Zero when upgraded should suffice until you go balanced. I see you have the OPA627 as do I, using both OPA627 & LT1364 makes a huge difference over stock which is terribly undetailed. You might find the 880s bass light in comparison, perhaps the 990s would be a better solution?

Are you still using the 5.1 foobar setup? I could share my mixer profile with you unless you've played around with your own by now.

 

[ex0du5]

The HFI-580s are also vastly underrated...seems like they were the better of the HFI-580/780 when those were the only 2 products out. I'd probably go towards the 680s now hearing how they have less recessed mids (which is the only issue I have with the 580s).

 

[Silenced]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stang /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thank god I got the ALO-780 then, the standard HFI-780 sounds like it isn't all that good.

No, no, no! They are very good phones, I just think the 680s brought a level of refinement. Just like a tweaked 780. 780 issues were not THAT big, in fact I'd be happy to have them, it's just that I prefer 680. There are many other worse headphones out there. The bass is boomy sure, but the trebble issues were very small and rare. Also the recessed mid-range was amazing for electronic music. 680s=better all arounders.

Has anyone heard 680s and the AKG k271/272? Can someone comment on which they preferred?