I agree that they sound so different to the 650 that they make the perfect sidekick.
Yes, the treble is higher than I like but it was the narrow soundstage that I found really difficult to deal with at first. So much detail in the narrow soundstage made everything sound very congested. I could hear everything but not able to place them right and that kinda diminished the pleasure the extra details had brought out.The DTS Surround feature helps a lot in that regard though. I did like that they are very detailed and great for vocals. Another issue I had with them was that they are very uncomfortable to wear. Maybe they'll loosen up with time but I have monkey ears so on ear headphones have always caused me pain if worn for long durations. I still haven't put them for sale so maybe somewhere at the back of my mind I want to keep them............
I guess it boils down to preferences. Looks like you enjoy headphones with a wide, 3D like soundstage with a laid back presentation. I did not like the Audio Technica M50x-s which had a wider soundstage and more recessed mids but loved the HD25 and Grado SR60-s with their hot treble. Weirdly, I found these comfortable enough. Not on the level of a PX80/100, but not too bad, nonetheless. Why don't you try velour pads? They should be more comfortable than the supplied pleather pads at the cost of some isolation.
Finally got some time to spend with the new hd25 ( my old one is in terrible shape) and holy smoke!! The details!!
It's insanely detailed and clear, each and every instrument is precisely located despite having a complete in your head sound stage......
You can say that again. Listening to well mastered songs on these are awesome. I found that these are quite unforgiving of poorly mastered songs and does nothing to sugarcoat the flaws. As you said, these are actual studio headphones with a little sprinkling of treble and bass. Listening to Opeth on these is a treat.
I still don't believe/understand how you guys are hyping these little guys so much when you already own monster cans cost 10x as much! I mean i seriously can't imagine supraaurals sounding better than circumaurals. And not even considering the passive isolation.......
These isolate pretty well, actually. Coupled with a snug fit and high sensitivity which can make these go loud, I actually cannot hear phones ringing near me when I am listening to a song on these.
Trust me man, this is a really good one. And it was really expensive even a year back for an on-ear.
These are possibly 25 years old cans still in production with minimal change in design and sound signature.
Something must be really right with them to be used for 2 decades and still going very strong among DJs and professional videographers.....
I was ogling at these since 2012 when I was interning. Even back then, these weren't cheap- around 18K and 14K on Ebay for a lower impedance variant which had aluminum housings instead of plastic (Adidas special edition or Amperior- I forgot). Stayed away since I couldn't afford them. Even used ones go for 14-15K even at the beginning of this year.
... I also saw a plus version on Amazon. What's the difference?...
I think the plus version has some more accessories like a carry case, extra cables and earpads.
......the fantastic Sennheiser mid and absolutely no trace of their veil.
Agreed. Though the mids aren't as forward as my Grados, these are no slouches. Very clear and crisp.
I hate expensive cans like hd700 ( absolutely rubbish IMHO)
Am curious.. Why did you not like them?
Even the hd820 is an overpriced POS ( except soundstage, nothing is exceptionally good in it)
Again, curious. Could you tell me more?
I got rid of most of my expensive cans except 2.
Looks like I would be doing the same (albeit not so expensive as the ones in your collection). Might put up my Grados for sale and stick with just the HD25 and PX100.
Sundara is not that expensive, but sounds perfect (hifiman could easily priced them higher, yet people would buy)
Was curious about these too. How good is their comfort and soundstage? How good are these at instrument separation?
And there are cheap stuff with fantastic sound, specially the IEMs..T2/ ie40 pro/ bl03 are all better than IEMs costing 10-20 times more.
The ie40 truly deserves the pro name, it's possibly the cheapest on stage monitor which can easily compete with entry/ mid level customs.
It's definitely better than Andromeda and JH audio IEMs even for casual listeners ( getting a good seal is the main issue, with a proper seal, I'm pretty sure most people can't distinguish them from 1000 USD IEMs)
Woah- better than the Andromeda?! High praise since the Andromedas are known to be quite sensitive and resolving.
I will rank HD25 in that top tier, those rare breed of cans which have enough bass, excellent treble extension without a recessed mid. Technically superior to HD6XX any day.
Again, high praise when you are ranking them above the HD6XX which were already well regarded. Can't thank you enough for telling me when the HD25 was going on sale in Amazon. Best money I have spent on a pair of headphones.
.....So while sounding like a total pessimist, i think i'm done with headphones (and sanity) for the foreseeable future.
I would have gone mad for sure. Don't know how you are holding up.
