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Post by donunus on Sept 2, 2012 7:32:28 GMT
The 501s are quite different from the 601s though aren't they?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2012 8:08:10 GMT
The 501s are quite different from the 601s though aren't they? I guess so, but there is a family resemblance 501/601/701 and I don't think anyone here has a 501 and a 550. I can't think of any other headphone that sounds like a 501 anyway.
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Post by donunus on Sept 2, 2012 13:49:32 GMT
alright. I think I need to listen to a pair now. The reviews are so mixed but I get the feeling that most of the negative reviews may just be caused by a bad seal.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2012 14:18:21 GMT
alright. I think I need to listen to a pair now. The reviews are so mixed but I get the feeling that most of the negative reviews may just be caused by a bad seal. Yes, that's my feeling too. They're not a DT770 and are very open sounding for a closed headphone - a bit strange in that respect. I think the lack of bass may well be down to seal. The treble is also quite prominent (like the K601/701) but perhaps less thin since it has a bit more in the bass. The D2000 for its weight and the K550 for its clarity are my favourite closed headphones.
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joethearachnid
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Post by joethearachnid on Sept 2, 2012 21:21:42 GMT
The main thing bothering me about the K550 now that I can get a consistent seal is the headband. I always find that solid headbands pressure on the very top of my head, and it's quite painful after short time (even though I'm not short of hair). I know that I can fix this by positioning padding on the headband in the same positions as on the PX100 (ie on the two sides but not on the top) to relieve the pressure since I did that with my MS-1, but taping foam to a headphone like the K550 just seems sacreligious. It's infuriating because I'm liking the sound of the K550 a lot, I just can't wear it for any extended period of time without getting a headache (and not from the sound sig).
-JoetheArachnid
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funk1969
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Post by funk1969 on Sept 3, 2012 7:38:29 GMT
Does it help to slide the headband more to the back of your head?
For me with clamping headphones that usually helps. (With clamping I mean clamp á la Monitor 10, a solid half kilo headphone on your head. The AKG K181 also exerts pressure from the headband.)
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joethearachnid
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Post by joethearachnid on Sept 3, 2012 10:46:40 GMT
The clamping isn't really a problem - I'd actually like it if the K550 clamped more, as it would help get a better seal and would relieve some of the pressure from the top of my head. The problem is that the shape of the headband means that only the top of it actually makes contact and the padding isn't thick enough to spread the load. I have a possible plan involving an HD 215 headband, but I'll have to see if it works out.
-JoetheArachnid
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2012 17:42:14 GMT
Joe, Check in the mirror to see if the headband is straight. It is easy to wear it 'offset' so in fact, you have the edge bearing down on your head. I'm surprised given that the headband is nearly one and half inches wide. I find the best fit on mine is maybe slightly forward on the head, but I do make a conscious effort to try and make sure the band is flat on my head. I also push the cups a little forward to ensure a good seal at the back. BTW - coming soon, the K551.
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joethearachnid
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Post by joethearachnid on Sept 3, 2012 21:12:19 GMT
Ian, I have some (very rough) illustrations here to show my problem: The oval thing is my head, the other bit is the headband. Due to the shape of my head and the shape of the headband, only a small part of the headband actually makes contact, and since the clamping force isn't that great, nearly the whole weight of the headphone is pushing onto the very top of my head, so the width of the headband doesn't really come into it. On the 'normal' AKG design headphones (K701/601/240 etc.) the headband just fits the shape of your head because it's flexible and on Senns the padding is so thick that the pressure gets a more even distribution. Here was my solution for my MS-1: By putting padding on the sides of the top of my head but not on the very top I can distribute the pressure more evenly without having to use very thick foam. This mod actually made my MS-1s vastly more comfortable over long periods. Maybe it's just that I have an odd-shaped head or am sensitive in that spot, but this is infuriating me. -JoetheArachnid
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2012 7:12:47 GMT
That's a really good idea Joe. I'm tempted myself now.
The reason is, have you tried banging your teeth together with them on? There is a tuned resonance - around the note G I think. (I have perfect pitch) If you bang your teeth together, you can detect it so my guess is that the headphone may well be resonating somewhere quite strongly.
It could have 'hotpoints' on G, D G B D F G in that order. (Harmonics) and then above there, they get very close so the headphone could have quite a lot ringing up top!! (Where the harmonics are very close)
That may be helping to make the sound a little 'richer' and vibrant.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2012 20:51:52 GMT
I recently got a hold of a pair of Beyer DT-150's and though I normally prefer 'open' cans, I have been absolutely blown away by these old style closed back cans. Someone at work let me hear his pair and I really liked them. I managed to get a pair brand new for silly money and I have been listening to them constantly since. Did a quick search a couple of days ago and found that Mike and Ian were singing their praises 3 years ago Must have missed that thread - or more likely looked at it and thought "Closed cans, not interested". What a numptie. I ran them in for approx 400 hours and started listening seriously. Absolutely love the bass. I really like the smooth top end. At first I thought they were really rolled off (I've never seen a graph), but I can hear lots of HF stuff - it's just not screechy and in-your-face. But it is there when you listen for it. "Listener fatigue? A thing of the past!! I just keep turning it up , and up, and up . . . " It has a completely different signature than anything I'm used to, but I really like it. When I change to open cans, I keep thinking "Where's the body? Where's the depth?" They all just sound 'thin' now. Soo . . . Now that I have fallen in love with a pair of closed back cans I have read this thread with real interest. I have phoned round the half-dozen or so hi-fi dealers in Glasgow and not one of them carries AKG - they all seem to concentrate on Senn, Stax, and, can't remember the other one. I would have to buy them from someone like Amazon so that if I really didn't get on with them I could return them. @ Ian (or anyone else here that has both the Beyer DT150 and the AKG 550) - Could you give a quick rundown of how the 550 compares to the 150? As much bass or more? Tighter? More or less mids? How do the highs compare? Jeff P.S. - I'm hoping someone says the 550's have a similar sound/tone/signature but are even better
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2012 21:16:07 GMT
Jeff,
The DT150 is a lot fatter sounding than the K550. If you're really keen on the 150 sound, then it's quite probable that you may not like the K550. In comparison, it will sound positively thin and a bit edgy.
I have used DT150's for years at work. They play at life volume and you can use them as speakers. As you say, you can wear them for long periods. (all day in my case sometimes) without fatigue. That's really what they're designed for. They are also built like a tank for pro use and are 'modular' in design so are easily repaired. Easy to change cable too, so you can fit different lengths.
The K550 retains the K601 type of sound which is much more analytical. I use it precisely for that - analysis of tracks and for indulgence in music, I turn to the D2000 or Senn HD600 or 650. That edgy sound can be tiring.
The bass is there on the K550, but they can be difficult to fit properly sop many people report no bass. I get good bass from it but it does sound more toppy or extended than a DT150.
Nothing wrong with a DT150 - a damned good headphone. Industry standard.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2012 21:22:34 GMT
Thanks for your reply Ian.
What can should I be looking at then, that has a similar fat sound as the 150.
What I'm thinking is I really love the 150's signature but is there another can with a similar 'tone' that is even better?
Maybe something further up the Beyer family tree? Or is the 150 sound unique?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2012 21:44:31 GMT
Jeff, the DT150 is one of a kind imo. It has a very strong, hard hitting bass and it is perfectly capable of playing at life volume with no screeching. Precisely why they are so popular in the pro world plus the ruggedness and ease of cable changes. I think they are often overlooked by audiofiles because they don't sound glassy or tinkly up top.
A good, honest headphone that resembles speakers rather nicely.
The DT770 has a similar bass but is slightly less controlled I think. Radio 1 and 2 seem to like the DT770 in their studios.
The Denon D2000 is closest and perhaps more refined than the DT150. May be hard to get now. They also produce those lovely warm, rich tones that the 150 is good at. The current Denons are also very good but expensive. The D2000 can be had for £199 if anyone still stocks them. HMV gave me the one I have and it is truly excellent. I am tempted to go to the D5000.
Don't think of the DT150 as inferior. It's very good. Capable of head splitting volumes on a powerful amp and on a really good amp, they become more controlled as well. An amp that supplies plenty of headroom gives you a massively deep and controlled sub bass that is absolutely stunning.
They are often described as a dark headphone. Turn up the volume and the treble appears. They aren't what I'd call a low volume type of headphone.
With the K550, I listen at a lower volume since the bass appears but go too high and the treble starts to sound unnatural to my ears. (Similar to the K701 and 601 treble)
Put a big amp on the DT150 and it positively blossoms where others need to stay low down because the treble starts to drill through your head. Senn HD650 scales up extremely well too.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2012 21:57:35 GMT
I think they are often overlooked by audiofiles because they don't sound glassy or tinkly up top. Or maybe because they are easily the least sexiest-looking cans on the planet Oh well, I'll just continue to enjoy my ugly-as-sin cans. Thanks, Ian
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joethearachnid
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Post by joethearachnid on Sept 29, 2012 22:43:50 GMT
The DT770 has a similar bass but is slightly less controlled I think. Radio 1 and 2 seem to like the DT770 in their studios. I have a friend who is somewhat into headphones who was shocked and impressed that the BBC would use anything like DT770 for their general use. I did attempt to explain that the 770s have been around for decades and are an established industry standard, but he didn't seem to understand. What was he expecting? Skullcandy? -JoetheArachnid
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2012 6:51:19 GMT
It's a question of cost and ruggedness, Joe. They are a tough headphone and on the end of a lot of amplification (as in BBC) they are a little more controlled. It surprises me how low powered some of our amps are as hi fi people. To really blossom, a headphone needs loads of headroom and yet, hi fi people seem to often 'scrape' by with regards to the amount of headroom available. That's what I like about Fran's designs. He doesn't skimp on the power. Not for loud listening, but to provide more headroom and control. The 770's also impress the BBC guests in much the way the Dre's impress kids with their bass. Once you get attuned to a DT150, other headphones sound extremely thin with no body. A DT150 on a powerful amp really takes off and plays with such impact that you can almost 'feel' the bass like a speaker. The K550 has more extension in the treble. The bass attacks and decays faster so it feels like a much 'quicker' headphone than the DT150. Some people find the fit a bit awkward and miss out on the bass slam. Less bass than the DT150 but same sense of attack. The K550 is one of the most 'open' sounding closed type headphone I've ever heard. It's a real workhorse and it's tough. Mine have been sat on many a time. In fact so many times that I have a reputation for testing headphones like this. The truth is, I forget that I haven't got them on my head and sit on them because I forget where I put them. Old age creeping in. Sent from my iPod using ProBoards app
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2012 9:19:57 GMT
They're an 80's design but I really like the way they look. I look hard in them - like a Cyborg.
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oldson
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Post by oldson on Oct 24, 2012 18:23:25 GMT
anyone compared thes to US pro900?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2012 18:45:57 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2012 18:57:14 GMT
If I didn't have my eye on so many things at the moment I'd be all over this even better deal. (I don't know if they ship to the UK) edit= yes they do but point out you may be stung by customs Today €121
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2012 20:05:13 GMT
If I didn't have my eye on so many things at the moment I'd be all over this even better deal. (I don't know if they ship to the UK) edit= yes they do but point out you may be stung by customs Today €121 That's a really good deal, Chris. UK won't get done for customs will they, if it's an EU country, I think we're ok. Mine were retailing over here at £179 when I got them. Actually, the K601 and K550 make a nice matching pair with some similarities, offering open and closed. K601 is also an audio bargain imo.
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Post by rassama on Nov 22, 2012 20:12:04 GMT
I bought the K550s earlier this year. I had them for a few months before I sold them after I had acquired a pair of secondhand Denon D2000s. I
would advise anyone considering the K550s to really listen to them first. They are quick and clean but get a bit 'ringy' around certain frequencies. Some types of music I listen to we're totally incompatible with them. They were excellent with e.g. Laura Marling (folk) or Peaking Lights (dubby electronica) but absolutely terrible with I Break Horses (electronics and guitars). The D2000s have a slightly exaggerated bass in comparison but are much friendlier on the whole. Comfort wise there is little between them IMO that is to say they are both very comfortable.
My AKGs did need a little breaking in, at first they were horrible (not the seal issue) but that went away in the first 20 hours. Let me also add that they seal really well. As I use them at home I actually prefer the D2000s because then I can hear someone enter the room, the AKGs keep everything out (and in of course).
Regarding the seal: it's pretty obvious if you have a good fit but nevertheless I always had the feeling that even the slightest pressure on the outside of the cups made the sound better, less of the wandering trebles.
Someone wrote above that the the K550s are better as reference and the D2000s for enjoyment. That corresponds well to my thoughts. If I had the money I probably would have kept them but I actually think I'd rather have something completely different in sound to compliment the Denons.
For reference: I don't know what I'm talking about and listening was done without headphone amps but rather straight out of a Marantz PM80 amp, a MF B1 amp, a Marantz CD6003 and an iPhone4. Experience was consistent over all of these though. HAing obviously might make a tremendous difference.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2012 20:51:13 GMT
That was me! Funnily enough, I get the same with the Senn HD25 and the Beyer DT1350. The 1350 is really quite analytical and 'cool' sounding whereas the HD25 puts the music back.
The K550 can be quite 'cold' sounding. I tend to fiddle around with the volume until I get a good 'focus' point since they can't be just whacked up loud and then you hope for the best. They could go easily into harshness. The K601 is easier in that respect.
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2013 13:21:53 GMT
Haha me lads, I couldn't resist!
Mine arrived today. So a few quick first impressions;
On the looks side these are very plush and exude a very high quality feel with an excellent fit and finish to all aspects of the construction.
Instantly you know these are VERY fussy for fitting to your head, you must position and adjust them "just-so". Thankfully the side adjusters are not only notched for progression but also index marked, very handy once you've found the correct setting. You cannot wear spectacles while using these, the arms of the specs break the all important seal to your head and make them sound totally naff. Other headphones are affected by this also but to far less dramatic degrees.
Short term comfort is very good, time will tell on long term.
Sound quality wise I instantly like what I've heard thus far, albeit very little.
Very promising.
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