What cans next?

[Wil]

Currently using my MS2Is with tube ampilfication. I love the Grado house sound but was thinking if the RS-1s would provide a marginal ( read: not that dramatic ) improvement from my current cans, i would actually look somewhere else.

I for one, hate the ploddiness of the HD600 and HD650s and thought that Beyer cans while fantastic for the money, sounded boring compared to Grados....

Which leaves the AKG-701. From what i read, it seems to be nicely balanced, articulate and rather neutral. Also, reports of it having tight, punchy bass is a plus too. Reviews said that tube equipment would add bloom and warmness to the slightly neutral sound, which is...good.

Anyone care to comment?

 

[iozz]

I sold my DT990 after getting my MS2, so I can just agree with you

For the moment I wouldn't comment about RS1 because I've never had a chance to listen to them. But one of my friends jsut bought one, so I'll soon be able to compare with my MS2.

AFAIC I think the K701 are a good complement to MS2, as they are pretty different. Amazing soundstage, details. I keep them for calm music, when I want something smooth.

 

[tourmaline]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wil /img/forum/go_quote.gif Currently using my MS2Is with tube ampilfication. I love the Grado house sound but was thinking if the RS-1s would provide a marginal ( read: not that dramatic ) improvement from my current cans, i would actually look somewhere else. I for one, hate the ploddiness of the HD600 and HD650s and thought that Beyer cans while fantastic for the money, sounded boring compared to Grados.... Which leaves the AKG-701. From what i read, it seems to be nicely balanced, articulate and rather neutral. Also, reports of it having tight, punchy bass is a plus too. Reviews said that tube equipment would add bloom and warmness to the slightly neutral sound, which is...good. Anyone care to comment?

Forget it. The akg 701 is even less musical then the hd650. The drive of the rs-1 is really nice but lacks in some other area's. For the money, the hd650 is a better bang for the buck, since the rs-1 is 800 euro's over here and the hd650 just 400 euro's and they are on par, on average.

BUT, if you pair the hd650 with the right amp, it will become much faster; more drive and attack. Comfort wise hd650 wins for me with by a mile. I couldn't stand the harsh highs and the discomfort of the rs-1's. They are quite nice but for the price over here, not real competition for the hd650, only if you really LOVE the sound of the rs-1.

The rs-1 sound allready quite good out of a headphone plug out of your cdplayer, the hd650 needs a good amp.

 

[Wil]

Sigh.

K701s.

HD650s.

RS-1s.

mommy.

 

[F107plus5]

Alright now! I also have MS2i, but if I were going for something that had similar excitement and presentation as the MS2i or the Grado house sound, but took it well into the next level or above; I'd probably buy....uh.....um.....I dunno.

I'll betcha we're talkin' mega-bucks here boss.

 

[Wil]

Quote:

Originally Posted by F107plus5 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Alright now! I also have MS2i, but if I were going for something that had similar excitement and presentation as the MS2i or the Grado house sound, but took it well into the next level or above; I'd probably buy....uh.....um.....I dunno. I'll betcha we're talkin' mega-bucks here boss.

Yes-sireee.

I understand ya.

Hm. i don't know, but from what i've read i think i would like the 701s. Just a hunch. need to listen to em' cans first!

 

[tourmaline]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wil /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yes-sireee. I understand ya. Hm. i don't know, but from what i've read i think i would like the 701s. Just a hunch. need to listen to em' cans first!

over here, the akg 701 is just 300 euro's! So, for best bang for the buck it is the best choice. But, you need to listen to all trhee in your system to decide what's best for you.

 

[Wil]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tourmaline /img/forum/go_quote.gif over here, the akg 701 is just 300 euro's! So, for best bang for the buck it is the best choice. But, you need to listen to all trhee in your system to decide what's best for you.

Over here, the AKG is the cheaper than the HD650...sooo....i think i know what to do! : )

 

[rb67]

I don't know... if you thought the HD600's and Beyer's were boring, then you'll likely find the AKG's quite boring.

My suggestion would be to replace your MS2i's with RS-2's. I find the RS-2's to be a little more exciting than the RS-1's. Also, honestly, the difference isn't much. I had to really really concentrate when I auditioned the RS-1's to try to find differences.

 

[boomana]

I am a total Sen fangirl, using the 650s with an Exemplar Denon/Extreme Platinum in my main rig, and the 600s with an imod/Larocco PRII or SR-71 as a bedrom rig. The Senns are far from boring or plodding, as you say, with the right amplification, source and recable. With the Extreme, they are fast, with a super tight bass and zero veil. I do agree that they can sound soft or plodding if not given the right gear.

I also used to think the K701s were boring, thin, etc., but I just spent a few weeks with another head-fier's ALO recabled pair, and my opinion has changed completely. Again, with a little recable and right amp, I now understand why people think they are wonderful headpones. They are.

I've only heard the RS1s a couple times, not enough to comment, but enough to put on my wish list for later.

I think the deal is that you're looking at some great headphones, but each require a system around it, not that you can't start somewhere. I also highly recommend the K340s if you like punch and the most amazing mids, but then again, they also need a recable and mods plus a serious amp to drive them. If you want to stick with the gear in your sig, the RS1s might be the way to go. If you're planning on starting with headphones then changing things up to suit down the line, you've got more decisions to make. Have fun!

 

[Rise To The Top]

GS1000, PS1, HP1000, or HD650. I've tried the RS1's and they are not that great coming from HD650s, and nor are AKG701s. 701's have more clarity and soundstage than the Senns, so if you didnt like them, then just shoot high. I'm sure other members can add on about the RS1's not being that great at the price point, when the GS1000s are a hop and skip away...

 

[tourmaline]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rise To The Top /img/forum/go_quote.gif GS1000, PS1, HP1000, or HD650. I've tried the RS1's and they are not that great coming from HD650s, and nor are AKG701s. 701's have more clarity and soundstage than the Senns, so if you didnt like them, then just shoot high. I'm sure other members can add on about the RS1's not being that great at the price point, when the GS1000s are a hop and skip away...

The drive of the rs-1 is out of the box a little better then the hd650. Comfort is another thing. I couldn't stand them, to harsh highs. I've had them for quite a while but sold them.

As boomana said; with the right amp the hd650 is fast, no veil and accurate.
An aftermarket cable will give you extension in the top and bottom regions and tighten the bass somewhat.
because the representation of the hd650 is so smooth, it seems it has less sharp edges as say the rs-1 or the akg701. Alot can be tuned with an aftermarket cable.

Over here, the rs-1 is 800 euro's and the hd 650 is about 400 euro's. The akg701 is about 300 euro's. So, for the price, the rs-1 is in europe not really that a great deal! In the USA it is quite different where the price of the rs-1 and the hd650 are much closer.

The gs1000 should be better, but at 1200 euro's or so even more expensive and way over a grand. But as i understand adresses all the issue's with the rs-1, better low end, top extension and no harsh highs.

I am waiting for the next sennheiser. it should be also aroun 1000 euro's but hopefully a big leap over the hd650. Also a new electrostat is to be said to come out. So, i would wait if i were you till all the new stuff is out and then decide what to get. I hear also akg will have some new stuff out next year.

You can only spend your money once, so spend it wisely.

Boomana: nice to have some girls on head-fi.

You suppose to have 30% better colour vision (especially red) and better ears as well, so always interesting to hear what a girl thinks of some equipment.