Ultrasone HFI-700 or Proline 650?

[denisavu]

Hi all,

I am a noobie to the heaphone scene. In preparation for the delivery of my Cowon D2 player, I am in the market for a decent pair of headphones. Nothing hard to drive, as I am not planning on getting an amp until the phones are broken in. I am looking for a closed-design and generally listen to pop, new age, but may venture off to other genres as well.

I would appreciate a differentiation between the two models listed above, and an opinion on which would suit my needs best. I'm also open to other makes/models.

Thanks.

Denis

 

[configure]

This is probably faaar under the budget you're looking at (what a rarity for a recommendation), but let me be the first to suggest the AKG K81 DJ.

 

[tcrex2000]

Hey Denis,

I suggest you check out this post: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showpo...32&postcount=1

It seems to be one of the only posts that compares most of the Ultrasone lineup. Unfortunately, the HFI-700 isn't in the list, but I believe that the HFI 700 is just an updated version of the HFI-650, so all of the opinions about the 650 should apply to the 700. From what I gather in there, they actually sound pretty similar, with the prolines maybe sounding more refined and less grainy. However, looking through the giant ultrasone thread gives the impression that people don't tend to like the HFIs as much as the prolines.

The major difference between the two are the design and the accessories that are included in the box. The prolines come with two cables that can be swapped out and an extra set of ear pads. In my opinion the HFIs actually look nicer than the prolines, which look "cheap" to me. I imagine that the sound differences probably come from the differences in the enclosures, since I think they have the same driver. I haven't read any comparisons as far as comfort goes, but it seems like the pads are a bit bigger for the prolines so they would probably be more comfortable. Also, the prolines cable terminates in a 1/4" plug and the HFIs terminate in a mini plug, if that matters. Hopefully someone will chime in here who has tried both headphones and can give a real comparison between the comfort and sound of the HFIs compared to the prolines. I've never actually seen a pair of ultrasones in person, so take what I've said with a grain of salt.

It seems like outside of head-fi, the upper lineup of ultrasone headphones is pretty well reviewed, so I bet you would be happy with either one.

 

[MaZa]

I havent heard Ultrasones, but from what I have gathered of their line, Prolines are superior headphones. AFAIK HFI-700 is same as HFI-650 but has humped up bass and is aimed for movie watching and such than music.

 

[denisavu]

I've been scouting the net for all the reviews that I can get my hands on. Some people really things that the Ultrasones even give the HD650 a run for their money while some thinks that it's a little shrill. I'm looking for the audiophile sound, something that can go tight and low when needed, give that magic sparkle and warmth in the midrange for vocals, but can also extend at the top without grain. Maybe I'm asking for a perfect can, which does/does not exist in my price range. Anyone care to chime in on the K701? how about the DT880?

Thanks.

 

[oqvist]

Mainly the type of music depends on what people preferr of the 650 and 2500. orchestra many seem to preferr the 650 even if I have read some conductor review preferring the Ultrasones lol.

People calling out shills is mostly people not having them and thus is suspicious or even afraid they will spend more money on this hobby or simply just don´t like them and don´t think other people can like them because they don´t lol. It´s a bit silly actually on something as subjective as our hearing.

The Ultrasones will definiatly give you the low end... As for vocals for me they are not optimal for stuff like Enya for example. Our old AKG 240 does a very good job... Ultrasone is a bit colder than that AKG for sure but it goes all the way up without a problem the 750 anyway. 650 is not going as high I have heard...

I think you are right that it´s impossible to get it all lol.

I think you are also right in comparing it to HD 650/AKG 701/DT 880

 

[MaZa]

The shrillness of Ultrasones is debatable. They need good deal of burnin, and due to their unorthodox driver position, the positioning of the cans changes the sound dramatically. Move it around in your head and it changes from shrill to muddy.

Ultrasones are praised by studios, but musicality is perhaps bit suffered. Midrange of Ultrasones is disliked by some.

DT880 is quite flat headphone with bit emphasis on highs. Bass is there, but its not kicking nor pumping. It does reach low though. Clinical, but good sound. DT990 '05 has pumped up bass and bit pumped up highs so it has more "fun sound" than DT880.

 

[captian73]

well i can only say that i'm more than very happy with my Proline 750's. well worth the money, lovely bass, lovely sound.

 

[denisavu]

Is the cabling in the 750 silver vs. copper for the 650? If so, does it render a cooler signature?

 

[captian73]

Quote:

Is the cabling in the 750 silver vs. copper for the 650? If so, does it render a cooler signature?

pass, but i'll tyr and find out

 

[oqvist]

750 should be cooler because it has more highs then the 650

 

[daveDerek]

i'm on my third set of ultrasones. i've previously owned the hfi700s and the proline 750s (both closed) and now have hfi 2200ules (open). the 700 had a tremendous bottom end - play organ music through it and it went loud and low with real feel to the bass. it could stand to be a bit cleaner but i've yet to hear a headphone that did that. otherwise it could be a fun, although not the most accurate, headphone. the proline 750s i only had briefly. these had been burned in for at least 2-300 hrs, so that should not have been an issue. to me they never sounded natural. i didn't care for their spectral balance as they were almost shrill. that being said i'm still curious about their open sibling, the proline 2500, as well as the far pricier edition 9 which supposedly uses the same drivers. the 2200 has been the most natural sounding of the group so far. i haven't yet spent a lot of time with it but it seems easy to listen to and closer to a more neutral, natural sounding phone like a good akg.

 

[vkvedam]

I have got HFI-650s (Not Proline) which are now HFI-700s (Same Specs).
Believe me. There is not much recognizable difference
between Proline HFI-650 and normal. I heard proline also.
The best thing about Ultrasones is they have got excellent
bass response and progressively smooth highs. Acceptable mids.
Pretty easy to drive as they are driven easily by my MP3CD player.
Closed design, good attenuation. Pretty good sound stage.
When amped they really shine as you don't have to do this straight
away. Its good to have initial impressions before really getting into
amplification I suggest. You would actually start to relish in such
a progressive sort of way.
Hope this would help.

PS: Its your ears, always try before you buy.

 

[Dexdexter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveDerek /img/forum/go_quote.gif the 2200 has been the most natural sounding of the group so far. i haven't yet spent a lot of time with it but it seems easy to listen to and closer to a more neutral, natural sounding phone like a good akg.

The PROline 650 share the same warmer tonal balance as the HFI-2200. Not surprising, since they are in essence the closed version of the 2200, with the same gold-plated drivers.

The PROline 650 are superior overall to the HFI-700 and from what the OP has told us thus far, they should easily meet his requirements, since they can be driven happily without amplification.

 

[Dexdexter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by denisavu /img/forum/go_quote.gif Is the cabling in the 750 silver vs. copper for the 650? If so, does it render a cooler signature?

Not certain about their composition, but the cabling is exactly the same for all the PROlines.