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Post by oldfogie on Mar 2, 2008 22:18:31 GMT
Back listening on my 580's powered by my Green Solo no 16 after about 8 week's abstinence. The Solo has been on since it arrived and my cans have been 'listening' to Connect FM all that time too. They're completely different animals now, stunning bass and clarity, the Solo picking up amazing detail. I'm sure the Solo has the capacity to improve the performance of better cans but which to upgrade to? I was thinking of 650's but have been reading Pinkfloyd's rave reviews about his AT W-1000's - wow! Depending on my mood, I could put on Joe Satriani, U2, Green Day, Rufus Wainwright, The Corrs, The Marriage of Figaro, Carmina Burana, Johnny Cash, Motown or anything in between. I know this is an incredibly subjective but any suggestions would be appreciated, Thanks, Oldfogie
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Post by charleyphogg on Mar 11, 2008 0:34:02 GMT
I'm like you, and have found the Solo to really open up the 580's.To me, they don't seem to have that laid back Senn signature that you hear about, or have experienced with other amps. I could be happy with them, but where's the fun in that.
I look forward to upgrading and when it happens, I'm waffling between the W-1000's, 650's, and also the K-701's which I never gave much thought of before hearing some reviews here.
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Post by sometrolls2 on Mar 11, 2008 1:50:39 GMT
I went from 580 to 650 on the Solo and within a couple of months sold the 650s, they were astonishing for ambience and really poor on other stuff, boring and fatiguing. A short lived enthusiasm for the 650s is not that rare and a waste of £50.
The logical replacement for 580s would be 600s but if the 580s are in good condition it would be an expensive change for not much difference. If possible try the current Senn 250 which Graham Slee favoured in his use of the Solo, or switch brand. Also consider what £150+ invested in your source will do, it should get a X-10v3, fund significant improvement to most CD players, etc.
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Post by oldfogie on Mar 11, 2008 19:49:38 GMT
Thanks for the input guys. Since posting, Mike has fallen in love with a pair of 701's and I'm waiting to see his comments on how the Solo drives them. I quite fancy switching brands so if the the 701's & Solo get on, I may get them. Thanks again,
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toad
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Post by toad on Mar 11, 2008 20:20:14 GMT
Thanks for the input guys. Since posting, Mike has fallen in love with a pair of 701's and I'm waiting to see his comments on how the Solo drives them. I quite fancy switching brands so if the the 701's & Solo get on, I may get them. Thanks again, Excellent review of the AKG K701s www.enjoythemusic.com/SuperiorAudio/equipment/1106/akg_k701.htmand he just happens to extol the virtues of the Solo
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Post by oldfogie on Mar 11, 2008 21:16:46 GMT
A really interesting review, thanks toad! K701's looking better!
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insomniac
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Post by insomniac on Mar 11, 2008 21:55:30 GMT
Hi Oldfogie, another thing to consider is whether You prefer an open type headphone like HD650 or closed type like the AT W1000. Some people complain of warm ear syndrome with the closed back types.
I am currently using a Green SOLO + HD650's and unlike sometrolls2 do not find this combination boring and fatiguing. I would describe the sound as a touch laid back maybe but definitely not fatiguing, infact the HD650's are very comfortable when worn for hours at a time.
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Nigel
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Post by Nigel on Mar 11, 2008 23:46:03 GMT
I agree with insomniac, the HD650 Solo combination offers real musical emotion, they seem to receive a fair amount of criticism but nothing surpasses them for comfort, you'll still be listening to the HD650's when other offerings have fallen by the wayside.
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Post by sometrolls2 on Mar 12, 2008 0:58:28 GMT
I found that with electronic music the 650s had terrible detail but some sort of musicality that was tough to pin down and not matched by the 580s. You need to listen to them to get just how different they are from Senn's audiophile range.
Oldfoggie two quick points: the Solo when used with the PSU24 can apparently be modded for better sound; the Senn 250 II can be had for £120 mail order, about £60 cheaper than 701 and £210 cheaper than W1000s.
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Post by leporello on May 16, 2008 14:52:17 GMT
I owned a set of HD580s for a couple of years before I bought a set of HD650s. I've owned the HD650s for about six months and they have about 7-800 hours burn in but I just don't like them. I use a Green SOLO amp and I find the bass too prominent for my liking.
I also have a set of Audio Technica W5000s which have become my own and my son's headphone of choice. I find the ATH W5000s much more comfortable than my Sennheisers, (apart from the occasional creaking sound I get when I move my head!) and much more musical and exciting in sound. (BTW, referring to another thread, IMHO the leather ear pads are substantially more comfortable than the "pleather" pads on the W1000s).
The HD 580s were the first pair of quality 'phones I owned and looking back I preferred them to the HD650s. Now this may be down to my experience and such factors as burn-in, but I have just never learned to like the HD650s since I've had the W5000s.
My HD650s dangle from their banana stand unused and unloved. if I get around to it I'll probably sell them off. I've been rather impressed by the reviews and user comments on the AKG 701s and am tempted to give them a whirl.
As will be recognised from this post and others of mine referring to equipment, I am of the "know nothing but what I like" school of audio equipment users, so my opinion is of no consequence.
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Sol
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Post by Sol on May 16, 2008 16:09:02 GMT
Hi Oldfogie, another thing to consider is whether You prefer an open type headphone like HD650 or closed type like the AT W1000. Some people complain of warm ear syndrome with the closed back types. I am currently using a Green SOLO + HD650's and unlike sometrolls2 do not find this combination boring and fatiguing. I would describe the sound as a touch laid back maybe but definitely not fatiguing, infact the HD650's are very comfortable when worn for hours at a time. I concur ... I have the HD650s with a Mobius cable upgarde that adds additional sparkle to the upper frequencies, and a little more sense of control. I never listen to the Grado 325i's I have now with the Solo - they are reserved for trips abroad when i use them with a portable player and small battery amp. They sound good with this combination, but can't match the Solo and HD650 obviously. I'm tempted by a set of K701s, but am not inclinded to go closed back as I hate hot ears!
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2008 22:15:35 GMT
Hi Oldfogie,
I too had Senn 580s, but they were recently trashed by my son. I always enjoyed them on the MF xcanv2 which has had the "Elna upgrade". I do not have a Solo so can't comment on the combo.
I've recently replaced with Senn 600s and, after a decent run-in, I am very pleased with these too, I listen to all the bands you mention.
Despite the fact that they are technically nigh-on identical I find the 600s more refined yet more dynamic at the same time, though I cannot do a direct comparison, I am enjoying the music more on these.
I took the plunge and found some immaculate, barely used K701s, which are running in now. First impressions, less bass, but better "out of head" / space to the music. Update later.
I have borrowed, well run-in 650s, from a freind but did not like their balance on my setup. I found them generally overblown, hence buying 600s. I too, don't like closed back 'cos of heat-discomfort.
These are just my thoughts/opinions, K701 subject to change!
I hope they help rather than confuse.
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Post by merton on May 17, 2008 2:27:38 GMT
how'd he trash them?
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Post by oldfogie on May 17, 2008 5:45:33 GMT
Hi cjarchez, I too acquired a pair of mint 701's but mine were run in and am very pleased with their clarity, sound stage and bass though I don't find them as comfortable as my HD580's which will be going. I'm sure you'll find the bass improves. Paul Simon's Graceland is stupendous with the 701's! Saving up to try ATH-W1000's now... Cheers,
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Post by leporello on May 17, 2008 10:18:01 GMT
...My HD650s dangle from their banana stand unused and unloved. if I get around to it I'll probably sell them off. ... I wish you were in the USA so I could offer to trade a Voyager for your HD650. A nice thought Miguel but I'm not looking for a Voyager, neither do I wish to compete with you and Mike in establishing a collection of headphones and amps. I'll leave the collecting and technical know how to people like your good self and I'll leech off your knowledge. As you'll gather I'm delighted with the W5000s despite the occasional creak they make. This may be down to the sonics of my head but I find the W5000s more open sounding that the HD650s and more comfortable. If I try another amplifier I'll probably look for a tube amp. I've been casting a curious eye on the Xcan V8 and looking forward to reading some informed reviews and comments from some of you more knowledgeable collectors. Please don't wish me to the US as I've heard that the damned place is full of bloody Yanks who're all armed to the teeth. ;D
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Post by leporello on May 17, 2008 10:44:33 GMT
Hi cjarchez, I too acquired a pair of mint 701's but mine were run in and am very pleased with their clarity, sound stage and bass though I don't find them as comfortable as my HD580's which will be going. I'm sure you'll find the bass improves. Paul Simon's Graceland is stupendous with the 701's! Saving up to try ATH-W1000's now... Cheers, I see you posted your message at 5.45am and presume that you must be the bloke who winds the Town Hall clock and starts the day for the rest of us mere mortals. I bought a set of W1000s from pricejapan anf paid a total of £238.00 which included £17.00 VAT charged by Customs. I thought they sounded fabulous but the "man made leather" ear pads do cause hot ear. I understand that many people prefer the sound of the W1000s over that of the more expensive W5000s. I sold my W1000s in order the to buy Miguel's W5000s. I don't know if their respective sound characteristics are substantially different but I love the way in which they reveal music and ambience.
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2008 14:00:07 GMT
He "BOUNCED" on them. (I had left them on the floor ) Walt Disney has a lot to answer for "The wonderful thing about Tiggers...." As he has passed away I'll blame his son (sins of the fathers), so that's both his and my son for high jump!
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insomniac
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Post by insomniac on May 17, 2008 16:49:23 GMT
I have been waiting in the for sale section for one of those Glock's They never seem to come up ;D
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Post by oldfogie on May 17, 2008 17:27:55 GMT
I guess so! Unfortunately, I can't seem to lie in on Saturdays & Sundays. The alarm wakes me up at 6 during the week but at weekends I wake unprompted c.5am - bummer!
I too have read that the 1000's are often preferred soundwise to the 5000's but I'm sure I've read that Mike bought a pair of leather ear pads for his 1000's......
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Post by merton on May 18, 2008 0:09:04 GMT
i've always wanted a mateba model 6. they're so cool looking.
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