Which company produces the best, most accurate headphone drivers?

[AzraelDarkangel]

As in the actual transducer itself? I suspect alot of headphones are limited in sound quality by the enclosure, what transducer do you think is the most accurate and/or best engineered? (I'm sure electrostatics are superior but I'm mostly interested in dynamic)

 

[felichella]

this is a relative opinion....everything is depending of a kind of sound yu like?
For example I love Sennheiser but that´s my opinion.
I can´t tell these manufacturer is the best meanwhile for me it is no doubt...
But to reply your technical question think is better to speak with an sound engeneer

 

[NiceCans]

Nobody, they are all the same . . . .
they are all made overseas by a little old audio wizard, imported, then installed in the housings by sonic elves.

 

[3x331m]

Most of them can make accurate drivers, but many chose to color their products to the demands.

 

[NiceCans]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3x331m /img/forum/go_quote.gif Most of them can make accurate drivers, but many chose to color their products to the demands.

I'd expect this to be truth as most also manufacture professional recording microphones, where accuracy likely is demanded and competition tight.

 

[ericj]

It's a meaningless question. The bare driver can be made to sound better or worse depending on the enclosure, ear pads, etc.

That said, currently, today: Stax.

 

[Duggeh]

In theory, TakeT. In practice. Stax. (although its hard to seperate the analysis of the capabilities of a driver from its housing etc, if not impossible).

-attendum-

As regards dynamics, that a tough call as a lot of the dynamics that i really like aren't in production (K1000

(also R10, L3000)

In production, my favourite moving-coil headphones are the Ergo 2, W5000 and RS-2. Of those which is the best and most accurate? Objectively, its probably the W5000. But my experience of it is limited to meet conditions.

Accuracy and neutrality are not the same thing, nor are either of those and "best" of course.

 

[vcoheda]

as for least colored and most neutral (or accurate) headphone, i think it would be either the HP1000, K1000 or a Stax.

 

[krmathis]

I would need to say Stax.
But its not fair comparing the drivers alone, as the housing, arch, cable, pads, etc. have major impact on the resulting audio quality as well.