[catscratch]

A well written post, but high end headphones are still incredibly colored.  I agree with your last paragraph, but I would say almost all, rather than "some".  Which high end headphones don't boost the higher frequencies?  I can't think of any except the Audeze and a few Stax models, and the Audeze is in the opposite direction. 

You're right... I forget that I've listened to nothing but the O2 for the last few years - I'm starting to forget other headphones.

I think coloration exists in all headphones that I've heard thus far at least compared to high-end speakers. If you want totally flat FR you'll need flat speakers in an acoustically treated room. I don't know of another way to get it. But stuff like the O2 gets reasonably close that I can call it neutral within headphone limitations, while offering even better resolution and transients. SR-X Mk3 Pro is pretty neutral as well, though with a bit more treble emphasis than the O2.

I'm holding off on getting the 009 for as long as possible

 

[idletime1213]

Quote:

First--a quality recording, mix, etc. (preferably done for stereo) is required--
 
Beyond that the great the frequency response on the recording and the more voices (instruments, vocals, percussion, etc.)--at least to a point--the better.
 
Music you personally enjoy is a big, big plus.
 
No 78's or early Herb Alpert type stereo releases allowed.

That should be:

First - Music you personally enjoy
 
Beyond that the great the frequency response on the recording and the more voices (instruments, vocals, percussion, etc.)--at least to a point--the better.
 
a quality recording, mix, etc. (preferably done for stereo) is a big, big plus.

 

[extrabigmehdi]

Listening to this with some stax 009, must be an otherworldly experience.
I  recommend it to any serious audiophile !
 

 

[Taowolf51]

Quote:

Listening to this with some stax 009, must be an otherworldly experience.
I  recommend it to any serious audiophile !
 

Completely not what I was expecting.
 

 

[Roller]

Quote:

Listening to this with some stax 009, must be an otherworldly experience.
I  recommend it to any serious audiophile !
 

 

[Magick Man]

Listening to the HE-6 and HD800 lately, I've come to the conclusion that most recorded music is produced and mixed by tone deaf chimpanzees.

 

[rhythmdevils]

Or your headphones were designed by tone deaf chimpanzees.

 

[Headzone]

Quote:

Listening to this with some stax 009, must be an otherworldly experience.
I  recommend it to any serious audiophile !
 

 
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Roller /img/forum/go_quote.gif


 

 
Roller, you are a tone deaf chimpanzee if you don't like that.
 

 

[Roller]

Quote:

 

 
Roller, you are a tone deaf chimpanzee if you don't like that.
 

Hey, no insulting listening challenged chimpanzees

 

[Magick Man]

Or your headphones were designed by tone deaf chimpanzees.

Dunno, but that's doubtful, because every once in a while I find a track that's just amazing beyond words.

You aren't tone deaf, are you? Didn't mean to insult you and your... umm... people.

 

[Chris_Himself]

This kind.

 

[ProjectDenz]

I thought the point of this hobby was to enjoy the music. Not to listen to as much detail as possible. Hell if a record I love is eternally doomed to bad mastering then I will enjoy them no matter what.

 

[RexAeterna]

I thought the point of this hobby was to enjoy the music. Not to listen to as much detail as possible. Hell if a record I love is eternally doomed to bad mastering then I will enjoy them no matter what.

keep it up and you'll be breaking this inevitable paradox we known as head-fi.

 

[Kossinater101]

So your saying that I should listen to J stuff, but I don't like that kind of stuff man. Here I listen to this:
.

 

[Kossinater101]

Here is some Electronic Gold: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myhBYeCHDaw