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Post by PinkFloyd on Aug 26, 2011 21:19:05 GMT
I cracked open my pair of Superlux HD-661 this morning and connected them to my ipod nano and Ibasso amp and left them playing at mind blowing volume levels for the best part of the day. They are still playing but are now strapped onto my head  (more on that in a minute). The Packaging is superb, a cardboard box with contents (not one of these presentation box type wankfests that end up on a landfill).... you first think that the HD-661 are sitting on a piece of red velvet but that is actually the carrying pouch for them.... I like the way they incorporated that into the packaging and saved on unnecessary throwaway "stuffing" or foam.  Inside the box you get the HD-661 (of course!), a red velvet type carrying pouch, a 1M straight cable, a 3M straight cable, a cable clip and a plug adapter. The two different lengths of cable are a nice touch, the 1M length for portable duty and the 3M length for more "extended" listening.  The instruction manual is good and even comes with a "hearing damage" chart   The build quality of the HD-661 is first rate. They are a piano black type finish and the quality of plastic is the best I have seen out of all the Superlux 'phones, it seems to be denser and harder which has got to be good news for the sonics. They really do look like "quality" and they also feel good on the head.... the patented "wing" design of the headband works very well and should be ideal for most average sized heads.... if you have a MASSIVE head then there may not be enough enough top play to allow the cups to fit over your ears.... I would have liked to have seen a notched adjuster AS WELL as the wings, just to give that extra "nth" of play should the wearer have a large / long head.  The drivers are 40mm neodymium types with an impedance of 68 ohms. They are very sensitive @ 102dB SPL (1mW) and can be EASILY driven to teeth loosening levels from your average "i" player type thing.  The ear pads are "leatherette" and surprisingly comfy, I've been wearing the HD-661 for over an hour now and my ears are cool.... no sweat dripping down the sides of my face You can also rotate the cups (DJ / Disco type thang) and this is particulary useful when removing the pads / refitting them.... it makes it a lot easier having a clean sweep at things.   Overall build quality is top class and they "look" the part too.... I certainly would prefer to wear these than the Sony MDR 'phones (for example) much classier looking IMO. They are ROBUST too! I have tried a few "exercises" with them (basically seeing if they would snap  ) and not as much as a "creak".... as I say, this is VERY good quality plastic that Superlux are employing and not a screw in sight! The only screws I can see are the eight that bolt the capsules into position so this is quite an innovative design purely in the "screwless" department.... I like it a lot   I am not going to go into the sound quality in any great detail this early on as I always like to give a headphone the chance to bed in before fully evaluating it BUT, in it's "8 hours" of playtime, I can already say that I MUCH prefer the character of the HD-661 to the HD-681 and, as for the Sony "MDR - 7506".... the HD-661 EATS the Sony for breakfast! No competition AT ALL. The Sony is a nasty sounding "shrill", ear irritating type of sound.... the HD-661 is more of a plug in instant "eargasm", a HUGE difference! The bass extension of the HD-661 is up there with the the HD-250ll and DT-770 and I would go even further to say the HD-661 has more bass "energy" than both. I like the mids, they are prominent and sound pretty "informative" to my old ears.... I was just reading Frans' initial impressions and haven't managed to reproduce any of the "sibilance" he mentions.... to MY ears these are pretty spot on and YES they are very "revealing" and don't sound "warm". Why, on the one hand, quote "perfect measurements" for an amp and THEN filter that amp (at the headphones) to mellow things out a bit? I don't see the sense in that.... the HD-661 seem quite "true" to life to my ears and I don't feel an urge to filter anything out. I am listening to the HD-661 right this minute through the Project Sunrise amp (68 ohm O/P) and am as happy as Larry! I am in no position to start comparing them to high end 'phones as they haven't even had 24 hours on them but, from what I have heard (so early in) all I can say is.... I am looking forward to the next 500 hours, these are an exciting listen Absolutely incredible with the ibasso (this afternoon) and, like all headphones, will perform better with a suitable partnering amp or MP3 Player. I'll give my pair of HD-661 another 200 hours on loop and will then revisit this thread and give a full review as well as an indication of the best amps /devices that have good synergy with the HD-661. Mike.       |
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mrarroyo
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Post by mrarroyo on Aug 26, 2011 21:36:08 GMT
How does the signal get from the left to the right ear? Does each "headband wire" have a signal wire running inside? Or are the "headband wires" the way the signal travels from the left to the right? I wonder if the Beyer DT250 velour earpads would fit the HD661 cans? www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DT250Earpad |
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pjc68
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Post by pjc68 on Aug 26, 2011 21:42:54 GMT
I can see another tsunami thread on upgrades, mods etc on these headphones  paddy |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Aug 26, 2011 21:50:50 GMT
How does the signal get from the left to the right ear? Does each "headband wire" have a signal wire running inside? Or are the "headband wires" the way the signal travels from the left to the right? I wonder if the Beyer DT250 velour earpads would fit the HD661 cans? www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DT250EarpadI haven't gone under the bonnet yet Miguel, I'm too busy ENJOYING the music..... I would "assume" that the right channel is fed through the rods (ie: no wires)..... I will dissect them in the next few days for a look. By the way..... David Bowie "space oddity" on right now and it sounds like crap  Anybody who reckons bed in is a myth is either DEAF or arrogant...... Jesus, they have gone from A to B in the space of a few tracks... "A" being awesome / "B" being bad...... Totally mental! I am not staying hooked up.... will tune in tomorrow to see how things have progressed (or regressed / as the case may be) Night night People |
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mrarroyo
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Post by mrarroyo on Aug 27, 2011 13:40:45 GMT
Hope you had a good rest Mike. I know many do not like headphones with the wires in a dual entry format, however if the signal is being fed via the rods I wonder if the sound could be improved by feeding each transducer directly instead.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2011 13:57:46 GMT
Hope you had a good rest Mike. I know many do not like headphones with the wires in a dual entry format, however if the signal is being fed via the rods I wonder if the sound could be improved by feeding each transducer directly instead. FWIW Frans changed the cable on my 681s from the stock single entry to a longer Nikkai (ex Maplins) dual entry and I think it improved the sound. Obviously the change of lead as well as signal supply contributed to these changes. Cheers, Dave |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2011 14:27:09 GMT
Hope you had a good rest Mike. I know many do not like headphones with the wires in a dual entry format, however if the signal is being fed via the rods I wonder if the sound could be improved by feeding each transducer directly instead. I would imagine the signal is carried from one side to the other via the metal rods just like in the HD681. IIRC in the HD681 mods thread one or two members felt they got a slight improvement by bypassing the rods and going dual entry. Oops, just noticed Dave's post above I personally can not stand dual entry - too many wires near my head/neck area, i just don't like it. I've even modded my Grado '80's to single entry.  In fact if i could get the same quality from cordless headphones as I do from my Senn 595, Hd681 or Grado SR80's I would buy cordless in a heartbeat. As i say , I can just about put up with one cable but not two and no cables would be ideal! I'm really looking forward to listening to the 661's and I hope, as Mike says, they're not as toppy as the 681's. Jeff |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2011 17:06:38 GMT
There's a nice arrangement to change leads in a second on the 661. A great idea.
Short for mobile.
Longer for headphone amp.
20 foot if you want.
Or even a boutique lead.
Done in seconds and you can compare almost instantly to listen for any differences.
I like the idea of being able to change the lead.
With the dap in a shirt pocket, you could put a 1 foot lead on.
Ian
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mrarroyo
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Post by mrarroyo on Aug 27, 2011 20:00:11 GMT
I asked because when I had my AKG K340 with a dual entry I noticed a difference. For portable duty I use iems or buds. Thanks.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Aug 27, 2011 20:28:47 GMT
The single entry cord is a PLUS point to me (not a disadvantage).... it's a LOT better than having two wires dangling from your ears. I see no value (at all) in bypassing the rods and running a bit of cable around to the other driver OR dual entry.... If the headphones sounded like shite BECAUSE the cable was damaged (or something) then I would replace it but to just "apply" new cable to a nice sounding pair of headphones seems pretty perverse to me. My "ears" tell me that the left channel sounds as good as the right channel so are the rods (as conductors) a bad thing? NO! They are serving two purposes and doing a very job too. I am only "assuming" that the rods are doing the conducting and, until I have a look under the bonnet, all I can do is "assume..... It could be that wire is passed through the rods, Frans will know more about this as he has already stripped his HD-681 down to the bone. From past experience headphone "re-cabling" is a waste of money (IMO).... some guys spend a couple of hundred quid on a length of "Cardas" (or whatever) and report subtle changes to the sound.... erm £200 folks!!! You could buy a few pairs of headphones for that and have a LOT of different "changes" to the sound simply listening to different headphones. There will ALWAYS be a "change" to the sound if the capacitance / impedance of the cable is changed.... it will be subtle (to say the least).... but there will be a slight difference. Whether this "difference" can be classed as an "improvement" is another matter I think that anybody who buys these after market pythons, to hang round their necks, have more money than sense but if they "believe" that the cable will make an improvement then it probably will (for them). Placebo. I have been exposed to quite a few aftermarket headphone "cables" over the years and find them to be as much use as go faster stripes on a car.... Yes, they LOOK good but do they improve the performance? No! Anyhoo.... this is not a debate on the pros and cons of aftermarket cabling type thread so I'll shut up |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Aug 27, 2011 21:04:23 GMT
While I was typing that last post I was listening to Ian Dury and The Blockheads (Mr. Love Pants) through the Beyer DT-990 (fed by Ian's Project Sunrise amp) and IMMEDIATELY whacked the HD-661 into circuit (half way through "Cacka Boom") and it was as if a veil had been lifted..... The DT-990 presentation was like standing outside the door waiting to get in and the HD-661 was like being in the club. Bright? I wouldn't describe that kind of presentation as "bright", no....... "realistic"? Yes, a lot more descriptive term. I always have to remind myself of how REAL "live" instruments sound..... a trumpet (for example) "rasps", a violin (or fiddle) can be quite an irritating sound at times.... in fact, ALL instruments and voices are different and there is no "standard" for singing, playing or composing. Truth is that music is "inherently" LOUD.... anybody expressing themselves to an audience is generally a "loud" type of character.... the so called "Hi-Fi" sound (to my ears) tends to major masking the true character of the performers to make it an acceptable "easy listen" for the masses.... Erm...... standing in a smoke filled venue with a bunch of drunken / stoned guys for 2 hours getting your ears damaged by your favourite band is not "Hi-Fi" but is is REAL and it is ENJOYABLE. I will not refer to another person here but will tell you how sad I used to be...... I was obsessed with loudspeaker based systems (back in the day) and wouldn't be able to SLEEP at night if I heard something in the room vibrate! I would go around EVERYTHING in the room and apply blue tack to stop it vibrating..... ornaments, nik naks, pictures, paintings, ashtrays..... you name it! I am sorry but that is an ILLNESS.... NOT part of the musical enjoyment process...... Think about it, do you get blu tacked into your seat at a live gig? Does the band's road crew spend the day ensuring the "kimber" cables have been treated with "de-oxit"? Do they F@@k !! Again, not appropriate for this particular thread so I'll shut up but take some time to think about it Hi-Fi is essentially a "taming down", "easy listen" type thing and those who are objecting to "bright, noisy, hummy, raw, edgy" etc. are ACTUALLY objecting to REALITY |
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oldson
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Post by oldson on Aug 27, 2011 23:33:53 GMT
that wing design is very similar to AT's.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2011 7:58:44 GMT
that wing design is very similar to AT's. I find the AT arrangement really comfortable. I'm really looking forward to hearing these. I like the look of them. I thought that perhaps Superlux would have stuck with the same basic shape for the cups. However, that may have caused 'cup' reflections perhaps and needed something inside. I'll find out soon enough. Do your ears fit in Mike or do they fit in a similar way to the Sonys? Maybe when I get my paws on a pair, I'll not only compare with the Sony, but also the AT M50. They kind of remind me of the M50 as well. Ian |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Aug 28, 2011 8:12:55 GMT
They fit in ok Ian.... I don't have enormous ears.... they fit into the Sony 'phones too..... the cups are identical in shape / size to the MDR-7506 so you will be able to use the Sony pads with these (if you desire).... you could probably make a Frankenstein "SonyLux" by cherry picking the best bits out of both and combining them |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2011 8:31:33 GMT
Oh, same size as Sony? Great. Less casing - less sensitive to vibration. That was one thing I wondered about seeing the pictures - whether they are as large as the 681.
I get my ears into the Sonys as well. (at least the flappy part!)
I want to get a feel for them as is rather than change pads etc.
Ian
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Post by PinkFloyd on Aug 28, 2011 8:36:48 GMT
Will take some pics of them side by side this afternoon but, yes, identical shape / size.
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funk1969
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Post by funk1969 on Aug 28, 2011 8:57:53 GMT
Lifting a veil? Are sure you aren't overly enthusiastic about the HD661?
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Post by PinkFloyd on Aug 28, 2011 9:22:15 GMT
Lifting a veil? Are sure you aren't overly enthusiastic about the HD661? Not at all.... instead of saying "veil" I should have said "door".... I didn't say I prefered them to the DT-990 but they "open a door" between the performer and listener... some will love this, some will hate it.... Definitely a good headphone for a studio though. They could be described as more "raw" sounding than the DT-990.... there, that's a better term Raw. Not as refined, less forgiving of crappy recordings.... sugar cane as opposed to refined granulated sugar cubes type of thing. I can only report what I am hearing and if something sounds good to my ears then I believe it only fair that I say so? Maybe I should lie and say they sound like crap, they need different drivers, different cables, filters etc. etc. etc. ? YES, I am enthusiatic when I listen to a pair of headphones costing $49 USD which offer this type of performance and am more likely to criticize a pair of headphones costing ten times as much and scratch my heading wondering "why" they cost so much more I was accused, last night, of raving about a different thing every month / flavour of the month type of thing. I'm sorry but it has been quite some time since I have heard anything that is really terrible sounding and most of the gear I have "raved" about warrants it! The Aune Mini APE, The HD-681, The Project Sunrise, The Panda headamp, The Aune dac / amp, the DacMagic etc. I have "raved" about them all and believe they are all worthy of a good "rave" Believe me, I am the first person here to throw a spanner in the works if I think something sounds crap |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2011 9:47:41 GMT
Lifting a veil? Are sure you aren't overly enthusiastic about the HD661? More like many say that the Grados put you on stage and the Senns place you half way back in the hall. Neither is better. Just different. The Superlux places you closer to the stage. Mike isn't one to dally around the point!!! Since I use the DT990, I understand what he's saying since I get the same kind of thing going from them to the Grado 125i. I can't wait to hear these, but the others will have gone out before I've got home!!! Very frustrating. Are they as up front as the Sonys Mike? (or no decision yet?) They probably need a good solid week on them before saying too much. My recent 681 had the biggest signature change that I've ever heard on a headphone!! Thank goodness they got better!! Ian |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Aug 28, 2011 10:00:44 GMT
Lifting a veil? Are sure you aren't overly enthusiastic about the HD661? More like many say that the Grados put you on stage and the Senns place you half way back in the hall. Neither is better. Just different. The Superlux places you closer to the stage. Mike isn't one to dally around the point!!! Since I use the DT990, I understand what he's saying since I get the same kind of thing going from them to the Grado 125i. I can't wait to hear these, but the others will have gone out before I've got home!!! Very frustrating. Are they as up front as the Sonys Mike? (or no decision yet?) They probably need a good solid week on them before saying too much. My recent 681 had the biggest signature change that I've ever heard on a headphone!! Thank goodness they got better!! Ian Not as up front as the Sonys (thank god ) and you don't feel like ripping them off your head and diving out the nearest window when you crank them up either I haven't wrapped your pair yet Ian, would you like me to loosen them up a bit on the Kaossilator? A bit of L.07 / a.26 / b.31 / c.54 / 5.62 / d.89 / p.91 all on loop with gate arpeggio on.... I have a 4.5V PSU for the Korg so can leave it on in the workshop for 48 hours or so.... a good plan? |
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funk1969
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Post by funk1969 on Aug 28, 2011 10:20:03 GMT
Good to know, my V6 eventually gave me headaches. The Pioneer Monitor 10 proved to be quite a revelation at the time.
Revealing...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2011 10:56:05 GMT
Ok Mike. You could compare older and new.
Glad to hear they haven't got that Sony cheesewire sound. That's what's quite funny - the Sony sound isn't one I'd pick to aspire to tbh. I can only take it at low volume. I'm afraid the hd25 takes the lead in portable closed for me although I would prefer more top edge, so the Superlux picture you're painting sounds good to me.
Maybe we should all pick the same recording to use as a reference? Say 'Touch' which has plenty of bass and top stuff with lots of layers in the mix. I'll also try some orchestral - that always points out good imaging and tone really well.
I was thinking about a 'hearing perception' difference between different nations. Perhaps the Eastern listeners prefer a more top - led sound and Germanic people - bass led?
Sony, Audio Technical, Superlux are all more treble led than Senn and Beyer on the whole. (dt880 is a bit different in comparison to the rest) It's quite funny how the Grados are recommended for good electric guitar sound as well, coming from the USA.
People working with headphones all day tend to go for less edgy headphones like Beyer dt150 funnily enough, rather than all this treble detail that hi fi people like!! Mind you, they sometimes listen very loud too! (that brings the treble up!!)
I wonder when they will be released onto UK Market? And what price. Maybe they're already out, I don't know.
Ian
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2011 10:57:59 GMT
Sorry - hard when you're mobile. Double post.
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funk1969
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Post by funk1969 on Aug 28, 2011 11:34:59 GMT
My standard reference tracks for serious 'reviews & comparisons' is the one I posted with the Fostex T50RP. Is there a list of Rock Grotto reference tracks?
Ian, if I can recommend one headphone with agreeable highs try the K240 DF. Of the headphones I have the CD1700 might have an edge on the DF in highs. If anything with the K240 DF AKG somehow got the balance very right...
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2011 11:40:02 GMT
I wonder when they will be released onto UK Market? And what price. Maybe they're already out, I don't know. Ian I was wondering about price too. Has Andrew given you any idea of the U.K. price Mike? It would help when considering their sound in relation to price competitors. (knowing Superlux, they'll probably blow away their price rivals ) Jeff |
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(more on that in a minute).
) and not as much as a "creak".... as I say, this is VERY good quality plastic that Superlux are employing and not a screw in sight! The only screws I can see are the eight that bolt the capsules into position so this is quite an innovative design purely in the "screwless" department.... I like it a lot 
Anybody who reckons bed in is a myth is either DEAF or arrogant...... Jesus, they have gone from A to B in the space of a few tracks... "A" being awesome / "B" being bad......
