MikoLayer
1000+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2004
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My attempt to get answers by posting quick questions in related threads did not yield a convicing result, hence this thread so I could get some more direct input. I read quite a few threads addressing more less the same issue including this one, only to get all the more confused.
With my PPX3-6CG7 running on 6GU7 tubes, music feels 'just right', not lacking in any particular aspect to my ears. If anything, I could either experiment with a bit more forward (euphorically colored?) mids or better defined, tighter bass. Bass quantity is already plenty here, more of it would only be boomy and overbearing from what I would predict. K701 was not THAT bad in retrospect, just that simply not involving enough to enjoy music; dynamics is there, but not weight and soul to the sound. Last thing I want is another set of analytical and detached sounding phones. Another head-fier mentioned how it is easy to get fatigue from AK701 as users are prone to turning up the volume to get more bass out of it, which I find spot on. They do have a hint of 'metalic' and tinny sound that I could live without. So the long journey of perfecting HD650 sound meets ATs and Denons.
Reasons I want AD2000:
1. AD2000s, called "HD650 done right" by some, are reknowned for their airiness, speed and euphorically colored and forward mids. Bass is sometimes deemed on the leaner side, which I think I should ok with.
2. This would likely be my first AT headphones. AD900 is seen as a noticeable jump in SQ going from AD700, but only at a more than triple of the cost. At this price range, I might as well get me an AD2000 and call it a day.
3. Cheaper than the denons.
Reasons why I am hesitant
1. By going this route, I will have to give up my chance to experience denon sound. With recent spending on amp and cabling upgrade (and potetially an amp on top of that, ouch), I simply cannot afford to get both at the same time. AD700s only costy $88.67 shipped from amazon (what the hell, it was $82 just yesterday I swear
); if they can serve as a good preview to what AD2000s can is capable of, I could probably stretch my budget a bit and get D7000 AND AD700.
2. Their price have gone up over time, not as a "good deal" at the moment compared to undervalued D7000s. Then again, there is no telling if they will get cheaper or more expensive in the future.
3. Naysayers are not fond of the overt coloration in the mids. Fit and comfort is questionable.
Reasons I want D7000:
1. D7000s are often favorably compared to HD580/600/650, some even go as far to compare it to HD800. Their strength seems to be centered around good and abundant bass.
2. Again, my first denons. Some say it is a notable improvement over D2000/5000 with their flaws addressed, although yet others say the three are mostly similar than different.
3. Being closed cans, they might be more intimate sounding than HD650s
Reasons why I am hesitant
1. Huge FOTY effect still in effect. There's gotta be a good reason for it, but still.
2. I doubt there would be any airiness, being closed phones and all.
3. More expensive.
Other things to consider:
1. Amping: I may upgrade to SP extreme or Woo6 if either phone work better with amping upgrade, as HD650 will most likely benefit from that also. Out of the two, AD2000 is not very amping dependant IIRC.
2. Open vs. closed: Since I live by myself and this is meant to be added to the home rig, isolation is not required at all. My limited experience with closed hi-fi cans in CD3000 tells me I would probably favor airiness and better soundsatge of open cans over intimacy & harder hitting bass of closed ones.
3. Comfort: Perhaps equally as important as feel of the material and headband claming force is weight and its distribution. CD3000 had a very nice leather (pleather?) feel to it, but was too heavy to wear and created a huge strain on my neck and head. This is probably why I much prefer HD580 to K701 in terms of ergonomics.
4. I already have a pair of HD580s (with newer HD600-like silver baffled drivers) as my subs, so I would rather stay away from something that resembles too much of HD580/600.
Ultimately, I realize I am the only judge when it comes to the overall satisfaction of either can. Even then, it is prudent to gather whatever information I can muster before commiting to buy to mimimize the hassle and loss from selling used gear. At this price point, I expect a definite step up and a replacement, not a complement to the Senns. Please share whatever tidbit you might know about these two phones, a comparison to their respective siblings (e.g. AD900 and markl modded D5000) is welcome. Thanks in advance!
Oh, last but not least, I mainly listen to various OSTs containing a good mix of Jpop (most exlusively female vocals), acoustic, newage, electronic and trance. Probably not so much of rock, male vocals or classical there.
With my PPX3-6CG7 running on 6GU7 tubes, music feels 'just right', not lacking in any particular aspect to my ears. If anything, I could either experiment with a bit more forward (euphorically colored?) mids or better defined, tighter bass. Bass quantity is already plenty here, more of it would only be boomy and overbearing from what I would predict. K701 was not THAT bad in retrospect, just that simply not involving enough to enjoy music; dynamics is there, but not weight and soul to the sound. Last thing I want is another set of analytical and detached sounding phones. Another head-fier mentioned how it is easy to get fatigue from AK701 as users are prone to turning up the volume to get more bass out of it, which I find spot on. They do have a hint of 'metalic' and tinny sound that I could live without. So the long journey of perfecting HD650 sound meets ATs and Denons.
Reasons I want AD2000:
1. AD2000s, called "HD650 done right" by some, are reknowned for their airiness, speed and euphorically colored and forward mids. Bass is sometimes deemed on the leaner side, which I think I should ok with.
2. This would likely be my first AT headphones. AD900 is seen as a noticeable jump in SQ going from AD700, but only at a more than triple of the cost. At this price range, I might as well get me an AD2000 and call it a day.
3. Cheaper than the denons.
Reasons why I am hesitant
1. By going this route, I will have to give up my chance to experience denon sound. With recent spending on amp and cabling upgrade (and potetially an amp on top of that, ouch), I simply cannot afford to get both at the same time. AD700s only costy $88.67 shipped from amazon (what the hell, it was $82 just yesterday I swear
2. Their price have gone up over time, not as a "good deal" at the moment compared to undervalued D7000s. Then again, there is no telling if they will get cheaper or more expensive in the future.
3. Naysayers are not fond of the overt coloration in the mids. Fit and comfort is questionable.
Reasons I want D7000:
1. D7000s are often favorably compared to HD580/600/650, some even go as far to compare it to HD800. Their strength seems to be centered around good and abundant bass.
2. Again, my first denons. Some say it is a notable improvement over D2000/5000 with their flaws addressed, although yet others say the three are mostly similar than different.
3. Being closed cans, they might be more intimate sounding than HD650s
Reasons why I am hesitant
1. Huge FOTY effect still in effect. There's gotta be a good reason for it, but still.
2. I doubt there would be any airiness, being closed phones and all.
3. More expensive.
Other things to consider:
1. Amping: I may upgrade to SP extreme or Woo6 if either phone work better with amping upgrade, as HD650 will most likely benefit from that also. Out of the two, AD2000 is not very amping dependant IIRC.
2. Open vs. closed: Since I live by myself and this is meant to be added to the home rig, isolation is not required at all. My limited experience with closed hi-fi cans in CD3000 tells me I would probably favor airiness and better soundsatge of open cans over intimacy & harder hitting bass of closed ones.
3. Comfort: Perhaps equally as important as feel of the material and headband claming force is weight and its distribution. CD3000 had a very nice leather (pleather?) feel to it, but was too heavy to wear and created a huge strain on my neck and head. This is probably why I much prefer HD580 to K701 in terms of ergonomics.
4. I already have a pair of HD580s (with newer HD600-like silver baffled drivers) as my subs, so I would rather stay away from something that resembles too much of HD580/600.
Ultimately, I realize I am the only judge when it comes to the overall satisfaction of either can. Even then, it is prudent to gather whatever information I can muster before commiting to buy to mimimize the hassle and loss from selling used gear. At this price point, I expect a definite step up and a replacement, not a complement to the Senns. Please share whatever tidbit you might know about these two phones, a comparison to their respective siblings (e.g. AD900 and markl modded D5000) is welcome. Thanks in advance!
Oh, last but not least, I mainly listen to various OSTs containing a good mix of Jpop (most exlusively female vocals), acoustic, newage, electronic and trance. Probably not so much of rock, male vocals or classical there.
