catscratch
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2004
- Posts
- 4,050
- Likes
- 773
Quote:
I definitely like the ES2 with the original Hornet. It sounds ever so much like a more forward and engaging HD650. A very good combination for rock and dance music, and not bad at all for smaller acoustic ensembles where soundstage doesn't matter. Large orchestral works... well, we have a problem there, but I suppose with the M Hornet, they would be quite good.
The ES2 changes it's sound signature an awful lot depending on what you plug it into, though. Much of the combo's sound is due to the Hornet's rather colored sound signature, as opposed to the inherent sonic characteristics of the ES2.
I still maintain that it is far too sensitive for general high-end use. For instance, with the Hornet there is far, far too much gain even on the Low setting when the combo is used with high(er) output sources like the MicroDAC. The minimum volume where the two channels are equal is right on the edge of what I would consider a comfortable listening level, if not above it. The combo does sound terrific, but I have no choice but to blast my ears off if I want to listen to it
I'll have to send the Hornet in to Ray to set the Low setting to unity gain.
Originally Posted by Romanee If you're loving the original Hornet -- Don't be unfaithful! Don't Fool Around! Be Happy! After all -- the original is so warm, close and -- how do you say, Très Intime -- no? Yes? (pardon my lousy French) |
I definitely like the ES2 with the original Hornet. It sounds ever so much like a more forward and engaging HD650. A very good combination for rock and dance music, and not bad at all for smaller acoustic ensembles where soundstage doesn't matter. Large orchestral works... well, we have a problem there, but I suppose with the M Hornet, they would be quite good.
The ES2 changes it's sound signature an awful lot depending on what you plug it into, though. Much of the combo's sound is due to the Hornet's rather colored sound signature, as opposed to the inherent sonic characteristics of the ES2.
I still maintain that it is far too sensitive for general high-end use. For instance, with the Hornet there is far, far too much gain even on the Low setting when the combo is used with high(er) output sources like the MicroDAC. The minimum volume where the two channels are equal is right on the edge of what I would consider a comfortable listening level, if not above it. The combo does sound terrific, but I have no choice but to blast my ears off if I want to listen to it
I'll have to send the Hornet in to Ray to set the Low setting to unity gain.