|
Post by PinkFloyd on Dec 31, 2009 13:14:22 GMT
New Years Eve and the courier has just delivered a box from China.... a quick look inside and there are 3 pairs of headphones from Superlux The HD-668 B (Studio monitors) The HD-662 B (Studio Monitors) The HD-381 B (In ear headphones) I'll get pictures taken ASAP and get them all hooked onto something to bed them in a bit.... more to follow!
|
|
|
Post by clausdk on Dec 31, 2009 13:45:17 GMT
Can´t wait
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2009 15:46:40 GMT
They're not available in UK yet are they? Mike - become the UK distributor!!!
Ian
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2009 17:28:43 GMT
Looking forward to your thoughts on them Mike.
|
|
toad
Been here a while!
I am the Super Toad, the Original Toad, the Whole Toad and nothing BUT the toad.... don't forget it!
Posts: 1,223
|
Post by toad on Dec 31, 2009 20:47:13 GMT
I hope they're not too good I haven't got room for more cans.
|
|
|
Post by clausdk on Dec 31, 2009 21:33:00 GMT
I hope they're not too good I haven't got room for more cans. There is always room for one more
|
|
|
Post by PinkFloyd on Dec 31, 2009 22:01:23 GMT
OK, I've taken a few pictures so here goes: The Superlux HD-668 BCome in a good quality cardboard box with features, specifications etc. printed on it.... the overall presentation of the box is very professional and gives you the impression that "quality" is contained within: The contents of the box are 1 pair HD-668 B, 2 x connecting leads (one is 1M long, the other 3M long), 1 x carrying pouch, 1 x plug adaptor and a cable clip. There is also a dedicated 26 page instruction manual which features technical data, a description of the 'phones, a section on hearing damage and an exploded diagram of the HD-668 B.... it is also interesting to know that the adjustable headband design is patented (with patent number) The HD-668 B is a semi open dynamic type with 50mm, 38µ double dome, neodynium magnet. The voice Coil (at 1,000Hz Open Circuit Voltage) is 56Ù impedance, copper coated aluminum wire. Frequency Response is 10 to 30,000Hz, Maximum Power handling is a beefy 300mW and Sensitivity is 98dB SPL, 1mW. Overall "feel" is more rigid than the HD-681 (not as compliant) and I have the feeling that these 'phones could take a decent battering and survive unscathed.... they are "not" battleships like the Beyer DT-150 but very well put together and obviously built to withstand the rigours of everyday use. The pads are "pleather" and seem identical to those used on the HD-681 (The HD-662 B pads are a lot thicker but more on that later,.....) so velour AKG pads (K-240 / 271) will fit no problems should the owner wish to go for a bit more comfort. The headband "wings" are also pleather and stuffed with foam.... the overall feel is "comfortable" but not "sumptious". Clamping force (headband pressure) is 3.5 Newton metres.... they seem quite tight on my head but past experience dictates they will "bed in" over a period of time. On a scale of 1 to 10, with Grados being the most uncomfortable and ERGO 2 being the most comfortable, I'd rate the HD-668 a "6" and that may improve to a 7 with bed in. The drivers "appear" to be the same as the HD-681 but they are not.... the HD-668 features a "double dome" driver.... the acoustic grill, however, appears to be the same as that used in the HD-681: I don't quite know what a "double dome" driver is (to be honest) but I will ask Andy Chung at Superlux, hopefully he can throw some light on it. What else can I say about the actual "build" of the phone....... oh yes, the detachable cables! Not just one of them but TWO come supplied with the 'phones.... one measuring 1 metre and the other measuring 3 metres.... I wish all headphone manufacturers would do this! Wanna listen to your portable, fit the 1M cable..... Need a bit more room between you and the amp, fit the 3 metre cable..... not enough?.... fit them both together to get a 4 metre lead! A very nice touch Cable "rolling" will also be a piece of cake with these 'phones.... a simple case of terminating the cable of your choice with a 3.5mm jack.... pop it in and, bingo, job done Without describing the type plastic used, grade of foam in the pads, or place of origin of the materials there's not much else I can add..... the HD-668 are put together to very high standards (fit and finish is faultless)..... if there's anything I have missed just ask and I will do my best to elaborate further. I've got them bedding in by the side of me and will report on the "sonic" aspects as soon as they have warmed up.... initial impressions are very postive, they seem a lot more "in yer face" than the HD-681 and show up every flaw in a recording.... they don't "seem" to have the same amount of bass delivery but what they do punt out is more balanced with the rest of the spectrum..... Unless my ears are deceiving me, I think these 'phones may become major contenders for the "neutral" crown More to follow.........
|
|
|
Post by PinkFloyd on Dec 31, 2009 22:04:38 GMT
HD-662 B I haven't taken them out of the packaging yet..... I'll concentrate on the HD-668 first and then focus on the HD-662
|
|
|
Post by PinkFloyd on Dec 31, 2009 22:07:07 GMT
And......... when I have time I'll comment on the HD-381 IEM's
|
|
|
Post by PinkFloyd on Dec 31, 2009 22:08:01 GMT
|
|
Will
Been here a while!
Ribena abuser!
Member since 2008
Posts: 2,164
|
Post by Will on Dec 31, 2009 22:30:04 GMT
Mike, when you get a chance, can you say how well the HD668 isolate you from outside noise? (telly on in the corner of the room, that sort of thing). I'm guessing that the HD662 would be better, as they appear to be fully closed, with the HD668 being semi open. I know it's very early days, but, along the SQ, I'm quite interested in how well they isolate, and prevent intrusion into my music listening. Also, looking at the graphs that Superlux have at their site of frequency response, the 'B' suffix does seem the most neutral or flattest. Mind you, more interested in how they sound with real ears than graphs.
|
|
|
Post by PinkFloyd on Dec 31, 2009 22:59:03 GMT
can you say how well the HD668 isolate you from outside noise? Not as well as a fully closed design Will.... at moderate levels you will hear the telly in the background unless that telly is at pretty low volume levels..... they have a lot more isolatation than, say, an HD-600 but, being semi open, they will let noise in, as well as out so are not totally isolated..... All depends on what you are trying to isolate? Low level TV, no problems at all...... a woman watching a soap in full flight, you will hear it
|
|
|
Post by PinkFloyd on Dec 31, 2009 23:22:41 GMT
Give me a few days with the HD-668 and I'll report back in full.... at the moment I prefer the HD-681 to them but I realise I've got to allow the HD-668 time to bed in..... I'll be back once they've had some serious headtime
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2010 2:18:56 GMT
Agh nuts! I'll have to wait longer for you to play with the 662 ( I like the look of those BES60/80 active monitors, my desk is begging for something to hook the SCHA up to, any more info than the website? Price etc.) Have fun.
|
|
Will
Been here a while!
Ribena abuser!
Member since 2008
Posts: 2,164
|
Post by Will on Jan 1, 2010 10:56:28 GMT
All depends on what you are trying to isolate? Low level TV, no problems at all...... a woman watching a soap in full flight, you will hear it Funny that, you've hit the nail on the head there! The only thing wrong with my K701's is that they allow a lot of noise in (as well as out) so soaps do tend to interfere with anything I listen to. No problem when no-one else is around though.
|
|
|
Post by clausdk on Jan 1, 2010 17:31:25 GMT
|
|
|
Post by PinkFloyd on Jan 1, 2010 21:42:19 GMT
Well.... the HD-688 have had about 24 hours on them and the initial "brightness" and edginess has almost gone. They are a very well balanced sounding pair of 'phones with bass, mids and highs integrating seamlessly. The bass is a fair bit tighter (starts and stops on a sixpence) than the bass on the HD-681 which, initially, gives the impression that there isn't as "much" bass.... there is, it's just that it's more controlled and brings the rest of the spectrum together rather than standing out. Bass is also very detailed, it is taut and musical can shake its arse with utter ease.
The mids are informative, revealing and pretty much spot on as far as placement is concerned. Soundstage (or "headstage") is not as expansive as, say, an AKG K-701 and the presentation could be classed as "intimate" with everything being on quite a narrow stage..... you can almost "feel" the impact of the instruments if you crank the volume up a bit and, in this sense, the presentation could also be described as "realistic". Vocals are as smooth as silk and remain aloft during even the heaviest bass action.
The treble, after 24 hours, has tamed and remains in it's designated spot (as treble) and does not coat the mids with a sparkly sheen, nor does it impede on the bass (sometimes an over enthusiatic treble will compensate for round edges of bass notes and "tighten" them up a bit).... again, the treble is well integrated and does not overspill into the rest of the frequency range.
So far into the bed in, they are proving to be a very "correct" headphone but musically involving they are not (again, this may change with a few more hundred hours on them)..... they seem to convey all aspects of the music "perfectly", with robotic, metronomic precison but something is lacking.... a "soul" maybe?.... don't get me wrong, they are not "cold" sounding but there's just not that foot tapping quality that I like in a headphone.... very much like the LM-6171 opamp, fast, correct, revealing, microscopic but not "musically" involving..... like driving a simulated sports car.... you can get from A to B but you're not driving....
Putting what you hear into words is not easy so I'll stop waffling..... to "my" ears, at this moment in time, I don't enjoy these half as much as I enjoy the HD-681 but others may find the opposite to be the case..... I think, for monitoring purposes, these 'phones would be very good.
I'll report back once they've had another 100 hours under their belt.
|
|
|
Post by audiofil on Mar 14, 2010 12:34:47 GMT
So ... what's the verdict Mike on the new HD668B ?
I'm considering getting a pair of these, as they are (from your description) more AKG-like than the HD681.
Because they are available on Thomann.de (only) and shipping to Romania is a whopping 30 euro (!!!!) I'd like to ask for help from our German/Dutch/Danish... forum members for buying them
|
|
|
Post by noobiiee on Apr 27, 2010 19:13:50 GMT
The HD668B murdered my V6 flat response but no shrilling high-mid and high. Is it worth buying the velour pads? They're like 25 quids on Thomann. That's a lot of money for a pair of ear pads!!
|
|