Will
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Post by Will on Aug 20, 2009 22:47:09 GMT
Hopefully, Mike'll turn up a box of factory fresh NOS 250II for us, using his elite valve hunting skills.
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toad
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Post by toad on Aug 23, 2009 17:35:39 GMT
Any of you know which Sennheiser headphones are supposed to replace HD 250 II linear? HD-280 Pro? HD-380 Pro? Both the 280 and 380 look pretty shitty build quality wise and, if I'm not wrong are made in their plant in China... the HD-250 was made in their Irish plant so not a lot of similarities build wise. I'm currently bedding in some 280 pros that I picked up for £70 new on Amazon a few weeks ago. I couldn't justify the £150 plus for HD250s just to wear in bed when the other half is asleep. Build quality on the HD280 is pretty solid tbh. Sound quality at first was dire and I thought OMG what the hell have i got here. They were bass shy, congested and had a soundstage the size of a sixpence. 100 hours later and they started to come on song. They are still opening up and I am feeding them a diet of MP3s from my portable player for a few hours a day. Bass is now pretty impressive, deep, punchy and controlled. They are great at keeping the world out and the music in. I can wear them in bed when my partner is asleep and have them fairly loud without waking her. Overall for a can that cost me £70 I'm very impressed. I am intending giving you guys a write up when they have opened up fully. At the moment they are still giving day by day and I wouldn't be surprised if they need a few hundred hours to really blossum. Finally, at the moment they have a tremendous synergy with the Graham Slee Novo. Rich and warm where as my Solo sounds a little bright. I will re-evaluate the Solo when the cans have finished bedding in as I've noticed in the past the Solo can sound overly bright with new cans. Ian
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jonclancy
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Post by jonclancy on Aug 26, 2009 12:24:55 GMT
Almost went for some 250s on eBay, but decided in the last few mins to leave it. They were bouncing near my upper limit (being a cheapskate), but, more importantly, a buyer asked about shipping to Spain.
Didn't want to bid against any of you guys!!
Jon
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2009 13:31:51 GMT
I'm a cheapskate too! I only had an auto-bid on, as I knew I wouldn't be near a PC at end time.(couldn't be arsed with a sniper) Needless to say I didn't get them either.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Aug 26, 2009 14:24:46 GMT
I placed a bid on a pair that were up for "spares" (only one capsule working) but some bastard beat me to it and got them for £16
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jonclancy
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Post by jonclancy on Aug 26, 2009 21:53:08 GMT
I saw that one - do they still do spare capsules?
Chris, thought it might be you!! ;D
Jon
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2009 22:08:09 GMT
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jonclancy
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Post by jonclancy on Aug 26, 2009 22:21:57 GMT
Ouch!!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2009 8:56:20 GMT
FROM DUPLICATE THREAD PINKFLOYD WROTE: Ian, have I just struck it lucky with this pair or is the bass on yours a LOT deeper than the HD-600 too? I have NEVER heard this type of bass through headphones, it's goes soooooooo LOW and sooooo DEEP, at times I think there's a massive subwoofer strapped onto the side of my head Hi Pinkie. Been away for a while yet again. Yes, the HD250 does seem to have a lower bass than the HD600. It almost sounds as though a sub-woofer is attached somewhere because the bass is unbelieveably low down and just occasionally peeks through with good recordings with an amazing clarity that doesn't interfere with the rest of the spectrum at all. The bass quality is beautifully clean. I guess that's what I meant with an earlier comment that I made about them varying from recording to recording. With good recordings they are sublime. With bad ones - change headphones to something less good!! The guy who bought the 28's for bed - I found them a little 'cuppy' sounding so moved them on fairly quickly and replaced them with the HD25 II which are amazingly good. I use those in bed. (Sounds quite bad) Ian
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 1, 2009 11:12:58 GMT
Yup Ian, with good recordings these 'phones REALLY throw up some surprises.... track 5 on Yello "the eye", the bass makes your toes curl through these 'phones, at first I thought there was something wrong with my amp, I have never heard this track reproduced like this before and no other headphone in my armoury reproduces bass this way. You are right though, the recording has to be really top notch for these puppies to shine.
Mike.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2009 13:23:39 GMT
It's funny that you mentioned Yello 'cos after replying to you, I listened to Pocket Universe and the opening two tracks, 'Solar Driftwood' and 'Celsius' really come alive on them.
The first track has sounds fading in and out in different parts of the soundstage and the second exhibits that deep rumble that you mention. The bass just doesn't seem possible on a headphone with a single driver with such a sweet treble as well.
Also what I find amazing with them is how the bass doesn't swamp out everything else in the mix.
I've seen quite a lot of engineers using HD600, HD 25 (mobile) and HD250's to monitor so I made a beeline for all of them. None of them disappoint.
BTW I'm using a Slee Solo and I understand that you've been using an MF amp. So it seems both give that deep rumble via the 250's.
Also ... try pushing down on the pads. I have two HD250's. One old, one fairly new. The old pads make them FAT, still without any bloat to splat out anything else!!! They have one helluva fast response.
Ian
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 1, 2009 13:42:59 GMT
Ahhhh...... pocket universe is a lovely album (one of my favourite Yello albums) do be sure to buy "The Eye" and listen to track 5 if you want to hear what these puppies can do basswise you may also want to try some of their earlier stuff such as "Stella", "one second" and maybe "flag"..... awesome recordings that really give any pair of 'phones a good work out
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2009 13:47:46 GMT
On 'The Eye', track 8, Hipster's Delay really shows the superb clarity of these 'phones.
If you listen to the conga, the slaps are all at different pitches and it is SO clear even with all of the other stuff in the mix. (The slap is the off beat 'pop' sound that congas produce. Difficult to produce but on this track, they pop at different pitches!! (I don't think they're sampled)
Ian
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 1, 2009 20:16:49 GMT
Ian.... are you referring to the "clack clack clack clack clack" sound? I'm having a bloody good listen right now and am very aware of the clack clack clack clack clack (like clapping)...... maybe I'm homing in on the wrong thing here? ;D
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2009 21:10:10 GMT
Ian.... are you referring to the "clack clack clack clack clack" sound? I'm having a bloody good listen right now and am very aware of the clack clack clack clack clack (like clapping)...... maybe I'm homing in on the wrong thing here? ;D That's it. It's a special sound made on the conga by cupping the hand and hitting the drum in a certain way to produce a high pitched 'Clack' (as you say!!) It's on the 'offbeat' It's quite a difficult sound to get right and listening on the HD250 really pinpoints the sound in the mix and the pitch of the 'clacks' are quite variable. Normally, a player gets the sound and sticks with it but on that recording, the player keeps getting slightly different pitches. It's not sampled so the player is slightly inconsistent on the slaps. Good player too. The HD250 really defines subtleties like that well while also giving that gut wrenching bass. All at the same time. They are an amazing headphone. I went back to my HD600 straight after them and they almost sound 'enclosed' and muffled in comparison. As you say, that deep rumble isn't as clearly defined either. It's a great pity that they're discontinued. I would like to change the pads to velour though. They don't suffer from the usual closed headphone 'quack' sound and the sound stage is amazing for a this type of headphone. They sound almost like an open headphone to me in that respect with a sub-woofer attached. I far prefer the quality of the bass on the HD250 to the Beyer DT770 bass since it doesn't exhibit any roll over from heavy bass attacks so that finer detail doesn't get masked. Ian
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 1, 2009 21:42:09 GMT
Can we source some velour pads? I, too, would like to swap over to something a bit more comfy on the ear.... I swapped over to velour with the HD-25/1 MKll and much prefer them to the pleather pads both sonically and comfort wise. It's great to come across a fellow Yello fan, how long have you been listening to them Ian? I've been a Yello head since way back in the early 80's and have everything they have ever laid down, even the limited edition windsong international "CD single collection" (number 008 of 3000).... I just LOVE what they do! "One second" is fantastic for rhythm with the likes of La Habanera, call it love, goldrush etc. etc... it's a pity they steered away from that south american (or whatever you'd call it) style but that's Yello for you, constantly evolving and always fresh.... I just wish they'd release some new material! I totally agree with you re: the HD-600..... going back to them after the HD-250 ll is a big downgrade in the sonic dept., they do sound muffled and bass shy.... for years the HD-600 were my favourite 'phones UNTIL these HD-250 ll's arrived, they totally blow them away in all departments in my opinion.... I'd go as far as to say they also blow away the AKG K-701 and the ATH W-1000 BIG time.... I just don't want to listen to that airy fairy type of presentation any more, the HD-250 really do hit the spot and, with Yello, the best I have ever heard through 'phones Time to start searching for some velour pads I think
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 1, 2009 21:51:16 GMT
Ian...... I'm happy to burn you copies of any Yello stuff you don't already have.... PM me with what you already have Mike.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 1, 2009 22:17:03 GMT
BTW I'm using a Slee Solo and I understand that you've been using an MF amp. So it seems both give that deep rumble via the 250's. The good old X-Can v2 (modded) makes a better job of things than the Solo with the HD-250... the Solo seems to cut off the bass depth and extension with a pair of scissors.... the V2 allows it to roll off in it's own time.... again I point you to track 5 on "the eye"...... with the Solo it's a case of brmmmmm/ with the V2 it's more of a brmmmmmmmmmmmmm with "body".... the Solo snaps the toe curling extension off in it's prime, the V2 allows it to decay to a more satisfying depth / finale.... let's say the V2 penetrates deeper and gives a more satisfying eargasm in the bass region Solo is very nice (especially in the midrange) but just doesn't give me that extra bit of "grunt" that the V2 does.... it's fizzy, energetic and revealing but lacks the bottom end power the V2 punts out. HD-250ll is also extremely nice with the humble QED MB-45 (which can be picked up for £20 on ebay).... out of all my amps the V2 and QED MB-45 seem to control them the best. Mike.
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leo
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Post by leo on Sept 2, 2009 0:36:01 GMT
Yup Ian, with good recordings these 'phones REALLY throw up some surprises.... track 5 on Yello "the eye", the bass makes your toes curl through these 'phones, at first I thought there was something wrong with my amp, I have never heard this track reproduced like this before and no other headphone in my armoury reproduces bass this way. You are right though, the recording has to be really top notch for these puppies to shine. Mike. Bloody hell! its rattling my sinuses I presume you mean Junior B?
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 2, 2009 10:56:38 GMT
Yup Ian, with good recordings these 'phones REALLY throw up some surprises.... track 5 on Yello "the eye", the bass makes your toes curl through these 'phones, at first I thought there was something wrong with my amp, I have never heard this track reproduced like this before and no other headphone in my armoury reproduces bass this way. You are right though, the recording has to be really top notch for these puppies to shine. Mike. Bloody hell! its rattling my sinuses I presume you mean Junior B? That's the one mate.... at the begining... dum de dum dum baaaaaarp, dum de dum dum baaaaarp..... the length / depth of the baaaaaarp is a lot longer / deeper with the HD-250 / V2
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 2, 2009 11:09:29 GMT
NEW YELLO ALBUM ARRIVING IN OCTOBER!!!!!!!!! www.yello.com/WOW!!!!! CANNOT WAIT!!!!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2009 17:00:34 GMT
Can we source some velour pads? I, too, would like to swap over to something a bit more comfy on the ear.... I swapped over to velour with the HD-25/1 MKll and much prefer them to the pleather pads both sonically and comfort wise. It's great to come across a fellow Yello fan, how long have you been listening to them Ian? I've been a Yello head since way back in the early 80's and have everything they have ever laid down, even the limited edition windsong international "CD single collection" (number 008 of 3000).... I just LOVE what they do! "One second" is fantastic for rhythm with the likes of La Habanera, call it love, goldrush etc. etc... it's a pity they steered away from that south american (or whatever you'd call it) style but that's Yello for you, constantly evolving and always fresh.... I just wish they'd release some new material! I totally agree with you re: the HD-600..... going back to them after the HD-250 ll is a big downgrade in the sonic dept., they do sound muffled and bass shy.... for years the HD-600 were my favourite 'phones UNTIL these HD-250 ll's arrived, they totally blow them away in all departments in my opinion.... I'd go as far as to say they also blow away the AKG K-701 and the ATH W-1000 BIG time.... I just don't want to listen to that airy fairy type of presentation any more, the HD-250 really do hit the spot and, with Yello, the best I have ever heard through 'phones Time to start searching for some velour pads I think I'm an old boy at 55 so I saw a lot of bands in the 70's and 80's live because of my work. I crossed paths with them while touring myself so I met the Yello guys a few times and saw some of their shows. Also met Zappa in UK. (Another guy I admire) Other stuff I'm fond of is early Genesis, early Pink Floyd (not you), Peter Green (who lives 100 yards from me) Jeff Beck, Jeff Healy and a recent guy I like is Eric Bibb. (Bluesy) They all blow your socks off on the 250's. I wonder how much it would cost to commission velour pads? It would make them a collector's item because I think that they are an overlooked headphone. It was Graham Slee who put me on to them on this site. Portable music is more important for me than home because I move around so much, but I have Baby, Claro Que Si, The Eye, Flag, Hands On Yello, Motion Picture, One second, Pocket Universe, Solid Pleasure, Stella and Zebra. All fantastic in different ways. I have always fancied trying an Xcan but it is difficult to find a dealer who will let you have a listen. The newest one, I believe isn't so hot but earlier versions I hear are quite amazing. I have always been curious how they compare to the Solo which I have had for quite a long time. Don't think the wife is so curious though!!! I occasionally take the Solo with me on a touring bus which is fantastic while you're travellng with the HD250's. Mine have just come back on my head from Spain so they had a holiday! Ian
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 2, 2009 20:14:38 GMT
I have a contact in Hong Kong and will see what he can do.... he makes moody copies of the pleather pads (very good ones too) so I can't see it being a problem making velour ones (famous last words).... I'll put it to him and see what he says Did you have a look at the Yello site? If the last two albums are anything to go by this new one promises to be pretty mindblowing.... roll on October 2nd!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2009 21:06:29 GMT
[ I have a contact in Hong Kong and will see what he can do.... he makes moody copies of the pleather pads (very good ones too) so I can't see it being a problem making velour ones (famous last words).... I'll put it to him and see what he says Did you have a look at the Yello site? If the last two albums are anything to go by this new one promises to be pretty mindblowing.... roll on October 2nd! OMG. Brilliant if possible. Thanks Pinkie. I did have a look at the site. I just can't imagine where they're at now. Such an inovative band that seems to move ever forwards with their work. I will look out for that as soon as it becomes available. Ian
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Post by minivan on Sept 6, 2009 12:09:40 GMT
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