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Quote:
Originally Posted by pbarach  /t/1245475/headphone-audiophiles/780#post_22329586


I don't write reviews, so I won't tell you how to do so. To evaluate them, you should be aware that the amp you use with some kinds of headphones can make a huge difference in the sound quality you get. Thus, you are evaluating the team of amp and headphone all the time. As an example, I used to own a pair of Sennheiser HD600 headphones, which are generally praised highly by reviewers. They sounded muddy and awful with the headphone jack on my receiver and a little better with a small portable amp that I bought from HeadRoom. So I sold them to a friend. Then I bought a better amp (Burson HA-160) and borrowed the Sennheisers back from my friend out of curiosity. Now they sounded clean and not at all muddy, and with better bass extension and a cleaner midrange than the AKG K702 headphones that I had been using in their place. So I bought them back (my friend wasn't using them).

The technical background is that receivers generally present a source impedance on the order of about 100 ohms to the headphones, which means that the frequency response of the headphones is often substantially affected by losses in the circuitry that drives the headphone jack.




Since the HD 600 have fairly high impedance that is always above 300 ohms, these effects are far less than we see with many other headphones that have impedance in the range of 15 ohms.


The big peak in the impedance curve centered at about 100 Hz translates into boomy bass when driven by a high impedance source such as we see with many receiver and amplifier headphone jacks.


The Burson HA-160 provides a rated source impedance of about 6 ohms, which minimizes the bass boost effect noted above. There are inexpensive headphone amplifiers that are even better in this regard, but won't be more accurate than the Burson because even the Burson is into diminishing returns with HD 600s. What some inexpensive headphone amps may not be able to do is drive the HD 600s to astoundingly loud volumes because their voltage output is limited, often by the fact that they run directly off of batteries. However the Burson spec sheet does not seem to provide a clear specification of its output voltage.
 
Denon AHD7100 in the HT


Denon headphones arrived today: to be clear I will not do a formal review:rather just post my subjective comments


My related gear is the Benchmark DAC1 HDR fed by SPDIF out of Olive 06HD music server, and Sennheiser HD800, Senn HDR 220, and

Denon AHD5000 headphones


I have done a lot of headphone listening with this source from a playlist: I will use the same source material for the new Denon's


interesting: the audio cable has 3.5mm mono plugs for each can


[disclaimer: no connection to Denon : bought from Crutchfield at full price]


more below...
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by markrubin  /t/1245475/headphone-audiophiles/780_60#post_22334583


Denon AHD7100 in the HT

Denon headphones arrived today: to be clear I will not do a formal review:rather just post my subjective comments

My related gear is the Benchmark DAC1 HDR fed by SPDIF out of Olive 06HD music server, and Sennheiser HD800, Senn HDR 220, and Denon AHD5000 headphones

I have done a lot of headphone listening with this source from a playlist: I will use the same source material for the new Denon's

interesting: the audio cable has 3.5mm mono plugs for each can

[disclaimer: no connection to Denon : bought from Crutchfield at full price]


: I will let them break in more....


How are they for comfort, and ability to adjust pressure exerted on one's head?


FWIW I looked them up on amazon and their high price was a surprise.



edited with permission
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by OtherSongs  /t/1245475/headphone-audiophiles/780#post_22341558

Quote:
Originally Posted by markrubin  /t/1245475/headphone-audiophiles/780_60#post_22334583


Denon AHD7100 in the HT

Denon headphones arrived today: to be clear I will not do a formal review:rather just post my subjective comments

My related gear is the Benchmark DAC1 HDR fed by SPDIF out of Olive 06HD music server, and Sennheiser HD800, Senn HDR 220, and Denon AHD5000 headphones

I have done a lot of headphone listening with this source from a playlist: I will use the same source material for the new Denon's

interesting: the audio cable has 3.5mm mono plugs for each can

[disclaimer: no connection to Denon : bought from Crutchfield at full price]

After running all night they sound much better: I will let them break in more....

How are they for comfort, and ability to adjust pressure exerted on one's head?


FWIW I looked them up on amazon and their high price was a surprise.

as the Denon's break in, they are starting to sound much better: so please don't judge them by my early comments: I am starting to like them a lot


they are quite comfortable...


a friend loaned me a pair of Grado PS1000's to audition for the weekend: stay tuned
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by 00firebird  /t/1245475/headphone-audiophiles/780#post_22342443


so aside from the Senn 518 / 558 I was looking at, I got a recommendation for ATH-TAD400 which seems to be a japan import only. anyone familiar with it?
No, but I say save a bit more and get the Senn HD-598s... Very similar to the HD-650's but no AMP needed to drive.
 
Denon 7100's are broken in and I like them


here are some comments:


Sound quality: these are closed phones and have excellent sound quality and good bass: the sound is similar to the AH-D5000 but better overall and with more bass: I can listen to these for extended periods and they remain comfortable with no fatigue.


Comfort: the most comfortable headphone I have ever tried: small cans with leather cups: the aluminum headband really adds to the fit and comfort and adjusts over a wide range of size.


Cable: the cable is very soft and flexible: it has 3.5mm connectors for the cans and an extra cable is provided for iPhone use


these headphones needed break in before critical listening: if anyone tries them, give them plenty of use before you judge them: they really do end up with excellent audio quality (initially the sound quality was not good: after 20 hours of use they produced excellent sound).


regarding break in: the Grado PS1000 instructions warn against continuous operation of their headphones for break in purposes: they recommend normal use instead: not sure why the warning unless they are concerned with temperature buildup.


I was able to try the Grado PS1000 loaned to me for one day: they were already broken in and sound quality was excellent: much like the Sennheiser HD800. But they were not comfortable for me: too large and loose on my head. The instructions recommend bending the headband for better fit but because they were on loan, I did not want to do that. These phones are big and heavy and not for everyone.


added: the Grado's may be the best sounding phones of the bunch: even though open design, it had plenty of bass: it is the weight and size that did not suit me
 
I haven't heard anything good about the D7100 but that its a step backwards from the D7000. I haven't heard them myself but I am very interested in the Fostex TH900. But as far as I have read not many think nor its measurements have said its an improvement over the D7000. It was compared to the Ultrasone Ed8. Which I have no clue how it sounds either.
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawaiiancerveza  /t/1245475/headphone-audiophiles/780_60#post_22346072


I haven't heard anything good about the D7100 but that its a step backwards from the D7000. I haven't heard them myself but I am very interested in the Fostex TH900. But as far as I have read not many think nor its measurements have said its an improvement over the D7000. It was compared to the Ultrasone Ed8. Which I have no clue how it sounds either.

It's always tough to make judgements when you've never used the product.


I appreciated his candid input on the new Sony D7100 headphones. I'll wait for owner reviews on amazon to show up before looking for "official" reviews.


I also found his comments on the loaned Grado PS1000 headphones interesting. The few owner reviews (so far all 5 star) on amazon made no mention of possible comfort issues.
 
evaluating headphones is tougher than I thought
Image



this all started because my Nephew wants the Denon 5000's :


I think I will give him the 5000's and keep the Denon 7100's
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by markrubin  /t/1245475/headphone-audiophiles/780#post_22343732


Denon 7100's are broken in and I like them

here are some comments:

Sound quality: these are closed phones and have excellent sound quality and good bass: the sound is similar to the AH-D5000 but better overall and with more bass: I can listen to these for extended periods and they remain comfortable with no fatigue.

Comfort: the most comfortable headphone I have ever tried: small cans with leather cups: the aluminum headband really adds to the fit and comfort and adjusts over a wide range of size.

Cable: the cable is very soft and flexible: it has 3.5mm connectors for the cans and an extra cable is provided for iPhone use

these headphones needed break in before critical listening: if anyone tries them, give them plenty of use before you judge them: they really do end up with excellent audio quality (initially the sound quality was not good: after 20 hours of use they produced excellent sound).

regarding break in: the Grado PS1000 instructions warn against continuous operation of their headphones for break in purposes: they recommend normal use instead: not sure why the warning unless they are concerned with temperature buildup.

I was able to try the Grado PS1000 loaned to me for one day: they were already broken in and sound quality was excellent: much like the Sennheiser HD800. But they were not comfortable for me: too large and loose on my head. The instructions recommend bending the headband for better fit but because they were on loan, I did not want to do that. These phones are big and heavy and not for everyone.

added: the Grado's may be the best sounding phones of the bunch: even though open design, it had plenty of bass: it is the weight and size that did not suit me

Mark,


Thanks for the review.


The Grado fit is definitely a potential issue, though for mine and the two other owners I know, bending the headband so that the phones get a better balance has led to huge improvements in comfort. While the PS-1000's will never be confused with a lightweight headphone you can bang your head while wearing, I have no problem keeping them on for 8 hours.


So now that you haven't said that the "Denon's Music Maniac AH-D7100 Artisan" (who came up with that?) are "night and day"
Image
better than the PS-1000's, I'm back in my quandary about whether to get another set of cans or a good SS amp to complement the Woo 6SE tube amp currently in the headphone rig.


Anyone have thoughts/suggestions? The Benchmark HDR is one I would consider, but open to others.
 
^^^


I will tell you the Benchmark DAC1 HDR made the single biggest improvement in listening to all my headphones


prior to that I relied on the Olive 06HD headphone out: it was supposed to be an audiophile grade headphone circuit: it is not (as compared to Benchmark) and the Olive volume control was noisy


I also tried the Newforce Icon HDP headphone amp last year: that is another good choice
 
Looking for some good, portable phones to use with my iphone and with my macbook when I'm on the road. I don't like anything in my ear. I have points I earned for doing surveys that allowed me to get a $200 gift cert at Brookstone, who carries Beyerdynamic among a few other brands.

Leaning towards the T50p. I know the DT1350 has been getting better reviews at a similar price point, but they don't carry them.

Also intrigued by the Audioquest Dragonfly to use with the Macbook.
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by bfreedma  /t/1245475/headphone-audiophiles/780_60#post_22346713


...I'm back in my quandary about whether to get another set of cans or a good SS amp to complement the Woo 6SE tube amp currently in the headphone rig.

Anyone have thoughts/suggestions? The Benchmark HDR is one I would consider, but open to others.

I have a Benchmark DAC1/HDR. A check of benchmarkmedia shows a new lower price of $1,600 and amazon still a bit lower. For HDR see: http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/dac/dac1-hdr


FWIW Benchmark used to have a nice summary web page comparison of their 4 model DAC1 lineup, but I don't currently see it.


My prior comments on Benchmark DAC1/HDR are in my posts 730 and 776 of this thread.
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by OtherSongs  /t/1245475/headphone-audiophiles/810#post_22346912


I have a Benchmark DAC1/HDR. A check of benchmarkmedia shows a new lower price of $1,600 and amazon still a bit lower. For HDR see: http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/dac/dac1-hdr

FWIW Benchmark used to have a nice summary web page comparison of their 4 model DAC1 lineup, but I don't currently see it.

My prior comments on Benchmark DAC1/HDR are in my posts 730 and 776 of this thread.

I'll look at the site when I get a chance, but do they offer the an amp only version? I have a Wyred4Sound DAC2 in the chain and would prefer not to spend to replicate it's function.
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by bfreedma  /t/1245475/headphone-audiophiles/780_60#post_22346933


I'll look at the site when I get a chance, but do they offer the an amp only version? I have a Wyred4Sound DAC2 in the chain and would prefer not to spend to replicate it's function.

AFAIK Benchmark only offers headphone amp combo'd with their 4 different DAC1 models, the cheapest of which is the DAC1 at list of $1k.


There's lots of less expensive standalone SS headphone amps on the world market, so if you don't want a DAC then don't buy a Benchmark.
 
I have read many reviews on Head fi. There are a few peiple who have quite a collection of head phones of their own that gave the input. I trust their imput as do many others on the site. Perhaps you should visit the site so you can actually read some of the reviews. Sillysally is a HF member as I am.


Not saying his reviews arent reliable but there are many reviews on HF which are helpful.
Image
 
^^^^


I'm an active member @ head-fi. Just looking for additional information here.


Head-fi is a lot like AVS. Everyone has opinions, but far fewer have opinions that extend beyond "buy what I own - it's the best". Certainly not calling you or SillySally out for that, just making a general observation about the sites and why I'm casting a large net.
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawaiiancerveza  /t/1245475/headphone-audiophiles/780_60#post_22347928


I have read my reviews on Head fi.

Sorry to be blunt, but IMO www.head-fi.org sucks big-time.


Meaning my time is far better spent reading in this thread and amazon owner reviews.
 
Depends whos reviews your reading and who your talking to.


There many who are as you've described but there are many that do give good reciews on things. But like anything else it all depends who your talking to and what teviews tour reading. I do like measurements with what a person is stating so I look for them with those. I also use other hf sites like effin ringin lol. But these are just suggestions.
 
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