From the impressions thread
some of my older thoughts from the AD-D600 review thread:
And so after a long hiatus... and thinking about this headphone for many years... its back.
Seems like the third time is a charm. The second time owning these headphones, they didn't have the impact... but what I'm realizing is that the pads may not have been properly either broken in or attached. My first pair and this one sound like how I remembered.
This is such an underrated can. What I've come to appreciate after owning Denon D2000 (2x), TH-X00 and auditioning TH-900 and AH-D7200 is that I absolutely adore biodynamic drivers.
And as far as I'm concerned a biodynamic is a biodynamic. While I loved the tuning of the TH-X00, the AH-D600 is more comfortable and portable. It scratches that itch.
So like Frederickwild, I also own a Utopia.
So why the AH-D600? Well, I sold off some closed sets and my HD800... I needed a comfy set to chill with (Utopia is not as comfy, its more like a fighter pilot helmet). What I've come to realize, is that when doing work tasks, gaming, etc... you don't necessarily need Utopia grade. And even among biodynamics, the D600 is no slouch. It isn't my reference can, and so a coloured tuning is fine... its actually desired.
Also, the Utopia can be harsh on anything that isn't impeccably mastered and engineered. The D600 is much more forgiving.
Now really, my Sony XBA-Z5 in-ears pretty much take the cake for bass and smooth sound. In contrast the D600 is splashier, and has punch but doesn't extend the same way. However, over-ears are just more cohesive for myself.
For whatever reason, I sorely missed this headphone. I am so happy to have it back. It costs me a fraction of my Utopia (like 1/30th!) but I know I'm going to be using these a lot.
I realise I'm quite late to the game reviewing the D7100s here but nevertheless, here's my two cents:
I bought them in the airport on an impulse purchase back when I lacked an amp, thinking they would be easier to drive and more engaging to my hip-hop obsessed state than my Sennheiser HD650s. While I certainly don't think they deserve the hate they got on the forums, and were certainly engaging, dynamic and interesting to listen to, they are a little muddy, even in comparison to an unamped HD650.
Later, when I purchased my Schiit Mjolnir 2 and Gungnir MB, these cans really opened up and I was far more satisfied with the control they offered. Have since skipped a couple of upgrade steps to the Focal Utopias, but still listen to them ocassionally when I need a more relaxed listening experience!
some of my older thoughts from the AD-D600 review thread:
These are great headphones, and I've gone through a couple. Very comfortable and great for electronic music and movies.
I ended up with an older D2000 which is similar but I'd say more analytical. Its also very comfortable. The highs on the D2000 are much sharper than the D600.
The D2000 and D5000 are very similar. the D2000 is excellent with trance music. The bass lines just roll.
And so after a long hiatus... and thinking about this headphone for many years... its back.
Seems like the third time is a charm. The second time owning these headphones, they didn't have the impact... but what I'm realizing is that the pads may not have been properly either broken in or attached. My first pair and this one sound like how I remembered.
This is such an underrated can. What I've come to appreciate after owning Denon D2000 (2x), TH-X00 and auditioning TH-900 and AH-D7200 is that I absolutely adore biodynamic drivers.
And as far as I'm concerned a biodynamic is a biodynamic. While I loved the tuning of the TH-X00, the AH-D600 is more comfortable and portable. It scratches that itch.
So like Frederickwild, I also own a Utopia.
So why the AH-D600? Well, I sold off some closed sets and my HD800... I needed a comfy set to chill with (Utopia is not as comfy, its more like a fighter pilot helmet). What I've come to realize, is that when doing work tasks, gaming, etc... you don't necessarily need Utopia grade. And even among biodynamics, the D600 is no slouch. It isn't my reference can, and so a coloured tuning is fine... its actually desired.
Also, the Utopia can be harsh on anything that isn't impeccably mastered and engineered. The D600 is much more forgiving.
Now really, my Sony XBA-Z5 in-ears pretty much take the cake for bass and smooth sound. In contrast the D600 is splashier, and has punch but doesn't extend the same way. However, over-ears are just more cohesive for myself.
For whatever reason, I sorely missed this headphone. I am so happy to have it back. It costs me a fraction of my Utopia (like 1/30th!) but I know I'm going to be using these a lot.