Spirit
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Post by Spirit on Sept 6, 2009 13:02:09 GMT
Mine ;D
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 6, 2009 21:16:30 GMT
Nice one man They look in pretty decent nick too
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Spirit
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Post by Spirit on Sept 6, 2009 21:58:01 GMT
Nice one man They look in pretty decent nick too Indeed I'd always intended to get a pair of closed 'phones eventually, and these seem to be the go. Got a mate who complains about the lack of bass with the 600s, so we'll see what he thinks of these Puts the Buffalo32S behind schedule another couple of weeks, but I haven't figured out what I want to do power supply-wise, so that's all good ;D
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 6, 2009 22:06:20 GMT
Nice one man They look in pretty decent nick too Indeed I'd always intended to get a pair of closed 'phones eventually, and these seem to be the go. Got a mate who complains about the lack of bass with the 600s, so we'll see what he thinks of these Puts the Buffalo32S behind schedule another couple of weeks, but I haven't figured out what I want to do power supply-wise, so that's all good ;D "If" these are one of the better pairs of HD-250ll (I've only experienced the "good" ones") you'll cream your pants when you hear the bass.... they TOTALLY shit all over the HD-600 BIGTIME.... as has been said already, it's as if someone has strapped an REL subwoofer to the side of your head..... not with "all" recordings though.... these 'phones really do respect GOOD recordings..... I really do hope the pair you have bought are one of the "good" pairs Let us know how you get on with them man
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Spirit
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Post by Spirit on Sept 6, 2009 22:11:43 GMT
I hope so too! Will definitely report back with my findings
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 6, 2009 22:29:30 GMT
I hope so too! Will definitely report back with my findings I'm sure they will be the dog's bollox mate
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leo
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Post by leo on Sept 9, 2009 16:54:24 GMT
You still liking the HD250 II's as much as the ATH W-1000 Mike ? I remember once thinking before getting the HD250 II's should I save for the W-1000's, these still seem to get a lot of hype so just wondered how they stack up My friend still has my K701's, not missing them at all tbh
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 9, 2009 21:34:38 GMT
You still liking the HD250 II's as much as the ATH W-1000 Mike ? I remember once thinking before getting the HD250 II's should I save for the W-1000's, these still seem to get a lot of hype so just wondered how they stack up My friend still has my K701's, not missing them at all tbh The W-1000 have nicer mids IMO but the HD-250 trounce them in the bass dept. For the money I'd definitely go down the HD-250 route, overall they are a more "complete" 'phone..... The W-1000 major in the mids / highs (totally transparent)...... hell, to save me a lot of typing would you like me to send them over so you can have a listen? Mike.
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leo
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Post by leo on Sept 10, 2009 0:57:11 GMT
You still liking the HD250 II's as much as the ATH W-1000 Mike ? I remember once thinking before getting the HD250 II's should I save for the W-1000's, these still seem to get a lot of hype so just wondered how they stack up My friend still has my K701's, not missing them at all tbh The W-1000 have nicer mids IMO but the HD-250 trounce them in the bass dept. For the money I'd definitely go down the HD-250 route, overall they are a more "complete" 'phone..... The W-1000 major in the mids / highs (totally transparent)...... hell, to save me a lot of typing would you like me to send them over so you can have a listen? Mike. Thats actually sorted my curiousity ta ! also summing the 250 II's as more complete is a good way of putting it Thanks you for the offer mate regarding letting me try out the W-1000's, I'd be scared of em getting crushed or lost though tbh in the post
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 10, 2009 21:41:36 GMT
I'm listening to the HD-250 with the Cardas cable ATM (thanks to Nigel) and first impressions are... it's bloody good!...... I can't quite describe it but there seems to be more air, it's as if everything has been lifted a notch above ground level and there's a better sense of scale with instruments floating in mid air.... as I say, not easy to put into words but most definitely better sounding than the stock cable. Leo, I can wholeheartedly say that these 'phones are truckloads better than the W-1000 / HD-600 and AKG K-701.... I've been searching for this kind of sound from headphones for years.... it's absolute class on a stick.... without a shadow of a doubt they beat ANYTHING I have heard hands down.... every aspect of the sound is just total quality. I never thought I'd get into this aftermarket cable lark, and my experiences with aftermaket cables in the past has been negligible to say the least, but the cardas / HD-250 really does lift the performance to, yet, another level.... I'm so happy I have just laid down fifteen big ones on a couple of Cardas connectors..... it seems a ridiculous price to pay for a couple of bits of plastic with pins in it but, unfortunately, these are not commonly available and the sellers have the ball at their feet and can pretty much charge what they like..... Why have I bought these? well...... after hearing the improvements the Cardas cable has made then it's only logical I make a DIY cable and try to squeeze even more performance out of the HD-250.... thankfully the cable and 6.3mm Jack industry is "open" and prices are relatively cheap compared to the "£15" connectors so you can probably DIY a bloody good cable for well under £30 (including the rip off £15 connectors)...... Off to have a look for some suitable cable in the workshop.... I've got a few 6.3mm Jacks so "good to go"..... just awaiting the connectors now..... Leo, are you willing to blow £15 on a pair of connectors? If so, we can share notes / experience and see if we can come up with one helluva good headphone cable to REALLY extract the best out of these puppies....... Mike.
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leo
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Post by leo on Sept 10, 2009 23:58:45 GMT
Nice!!!! I actually want a 4pin plug and socket anyway to allow balanced as an option so a diy cable sounds a very good idea
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 12, 2009 19:32:22 GMT
You know, I love these 'phones but in a way I also HATE them big time..... they have made all my other headphones sound absolutely watered down, puny, basslight and, to be frank... bloody horrible sounding in comparison.... seriously, the HD-250 absolutely blows the rest of my 'phones away. I know what you mean about the K-701 Leo, I had a listen earlier on and it was like going from a Hi-Fi system to a little transistor radio.... the difference between the HD-250 / K-701 is VAST.... just why have Sennheiser stopped producing these? They are the best 'phone they have ever made ffs! I made up my own headphone cable today (the Cardas connectors arrived) and they improve the bass even further (yes even MORE!) well worth doing Leo! Here's a pic of my home made cable on the HD-600's (took about 1 hour to put together): I only had a cheapo 3.5mm jack but have ordered a 6.3mm which I will fit when it arrives..... hell, the HD-250 are so good I'm frightened to use them, I'll be putting ALL of my headphones on ebay shortly (apart from these and HD25/1) I honestly can't see me listening to them again.
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leo
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Post by leo on Sept 13, 2009 9:41:28 GMT
That looks great! what cable did you use ? Did the Cardas connectors fit into the HD250 II ok? I noticed the plugs from the HD650 lead was a tight squeeze when I tried those In all honesty I struggle listening to any other headphones for longer than a few minutes now Other types are over flavoured for my taste , I've tried my best to get on with HD650's but I must admit they are the cans I hate most so far
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 13, 2009 10:05:21 GMT
That looks great! what cable did you use ? Seeing as I have 3 x 500Metre reels of Evolution pro OFC cable I used that Not a perfect fit Leo, it goes in at a slight angle but once it is in it's a pretty tight fit... you "could" shave the connectors down a bit with a craft knife and it would be a perfect fit, I may well do that. My all time favourites, the HD-600, I just can't listen to them now! They sound SO weedy and "tinny" compared to the HD-250.... it's like "where's the fckin' bass gone?!!".... it's amazing how you get used to something and accept it as a "standard" and then........... the HD-250 come along and rewrite all the rules.....
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 13, 2009 21:19:13 GMT
I'll reiterate what Ian has already said...... the INCREDIBLE bass response of these 'phones is pretty much recording dependant.... on some recordings it's like "WTF!! WOW! Yeeeeeeoooow!" and on others it's pretty much business as usual.... these REALLY are the most unique pair of headphones I have ever experienced, it's as if they can "sense" a top notch recording and decide to go into turbo boost mode....... For anyone new to these 'phones I urge you to buy a copy of Yello "The Eye" and you'll see what I mean Leo, I'm being serious here, I will swap you my Pristine / AS NEW / boxed pair of ATH W-1000 (retail @ £550 in the UK) for your pair of HD-250's.... I need two pairs of accurate monitor headphones and to save me buying another pair of W-1000 it seems logical to swap and have two pairs of HD-250. Have a think about it, it's a bloody good offer Mike.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2009 21:52:50 GMT
Leo Don't do it ! I feel the same way about my Sony MDR CD780. "the INCREDIBLE bass response of these 'phones is pretty much recording dependant.... on some recordings it's like "WTF!! WOW! Yeeeeeeoooow!" and on others it's pretty much business as usual.." That seems to sum mine up pretty well too. Sure, the W1000 have an edge in revealing subtle details in female voices etc. , but overall I would take the Sony headphones if I had to keep only one pair. At the moment, I am giving the W1000 more running in, in the forlorn hope that the low end will improve further.It's not just my tired old ears either, as a >20 years younger friend of mine who is a Stax lover, prefers overall the sound of my Sonys vs. the AT W1000. Alex
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Nigel
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Post by Nigel on Sept 13, 2009 22:03:38 GMT
No question the phones sound good but my problem was long listening sessions resulting in ear fatigue. Keep them on your head for a couple of hours at a decent volume, do this for a few nights in a row & maybe you will see what I mean. I assumed most closed phones have this kind of problem, all that bass moving around an almost sealed enclosure.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 13, 2009 22:21:31 GMT
Leo Don't do it ! I feel the same way about my Sony MDR CD780. "the INCREDIBLE bass response of these 'phones is pretty much recording dependant.... on some recordings it's like "WTF!! WOW! Yeeeeeeoooow!" and on others it's pretty much business as usual.." That seems to sum mine up pretty well too. Sure, the W1000 have an edge in revealing subtle details in female voices etc. , but overall I would take the Sony headphones if I had to keep only one pair. At the moment, I am giving the W1000 more running in, in the forlorn hope that the low end will improve further.It's not just my tired old ears either, as a >20 years younger friend of mine who is a Stax lover, prefers overall the sound of my Sonys vs. the AT W1000. Alex Oi! keep your nose out you meddling old bugger! I reckon Leo should swap his HD-250 for my ATH W-1000 for his own good! I have Leo's interests at heart here and am doing him a big favour The W-1000 will NEVER have bass like the HD-250 Alex, no matter how long the "bed in" but they are a superb "neutral" pair of 'phones nonetheless and I'm sure Leo prefers the intracacies of the midrange to the disgusting WALLOP of the low end which is why I recommend he swaps those boom box HD-250's for a nice pair of wooden, silky smooth W-1000...... Come on Leo, you know it makes sense
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 13, 2009 23:31:09 GMT
Listening to my pristine pair of HD-414 at the moment and enjoying them so much..... not a hint of bass but, nonetheless, a wonderful insight into the music..... Totally off topic but just wanted to say, there's more to music than "bass"...... Leo, are you listening?
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 13, 2009 23:39:04 GMT
BTW....... everyone should have a pair of HD-414, the mids are just sublime and the detailing second to none.... sure, they are hard to drive but well worth the effort.... the total opposites to the HD-250, the HD-414 are a purists treat. Just thought I'd throw them into the mix
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2009 23:46:21 GMT
Mike I guess you could say that the W1000 and the HD414 would be better suited to Classical music ? Alex
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2009 1:10:32 GMT
I used to have a pair of 414sl, a freebie with a Marantz CD75 if memeory serves. Good 'phones but mine have long since departed this world.
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leo
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Post by leo on Sept 14, 2009 7:51:05 GMT
I'll reiterate what Ian has already said...... the INCREDIBLE bass response of these 'phones is pretty much recording dependant.... on some recordings it's like "WTF!! WOW! Yeeeeeeoooow!" and on others it's pretty much business as usual.... these REALLY are the most unique pair of headphones I have ever experienced, it's as if they can "sense" a top notch recording and decide to go into turbo boost mode....... For anyone new to these 'phones I urge you to buy a copy of Yello "The Eye" and you'll see what I mean Leo, I'm being serious here, I will swap you my Pristine / AS NEW / boxed pair of ATH W-1000 (retail @ £550 in the UK) for your pair of HD-250's.... I need two pairs of accurate monitor headphones and to save me buying another pair of W-1000 it seems logical to swap and have two pairs of HD-250. Have a think about it, it's a bloody good offer Mike. Thanks for the very generous offer mate but I like these 250's too much Did you know its taken years for me to actually appreciate headphone use? all other cans I tried just did not do it for me at all BTW its NOT the bass from these cans I appreciate most, its the way the mids and highs are clear unlike other cans which add far too much flavouring. If I've been working on say a dac or amp these are the cans which show up problems where as others just carry on cramming down the flavour masking everything. If you can get the source, amp etc right these cans are really something else, something I just can't get with any other alternative I've tried and risking getting rid of the 250's (in my case ) would be a big mistake I can go bright , smooth, heavy bass, less bass or just neutral now depending on whats being fed into them where as something like 650's EVERYTHING sounds the same, well actually has this same sickly signature The K701's also always give me the impression they have a phase issue no matter what music, amp etc is used
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Spirit
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Post by Spirit on Sept 14, 2009 8:06:44 GMT
What are you running them off now Leo? Direct from the 32S, or with a Class A in there too?
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 14, 2009 21:25:58 GMT
Did you know its taken years for me to actually appreciate headphone use? Same here Leo, it takes quite some time to actually get used to the "delivery" and "in head" sound experience but well worth the effort once you get used to it. Well.... the HD250 are pretty skewed compared to standard headphones and their delivery is slightly more "loudspeaker" like.... it's probably because they are unlike most normal headphones that you like them? I must try them with crossfeed, I've got a feeling it will be pretty spectacular with these 'phones I agree, they provide an open "window" on the music where other 'phones present more of a rose tinted view of the music, as if the mids and highs are smeared with a coating of syrupy fudge.... The HD-600, IMO, has to be the most fudgy headphone out there, some call them "veiled", I call them fudgy Enjoyable, fudge for the masses, type of presentation but NOT accurate.... far from it! The ATH W-1000 are pretty "honest" 'phones but don't quite have the degree of openness the HD-250 possess.... The K-501 come close but lack the bass, I still prefer the midband of the K-501 to the HD-250, it's a tad more open and informative. The K-701 have definitely been painted with the "popular" fudge brush but are, nonetheless, enjoyable thought not "accurate". The HD-250 are definitely the most accurate and fudge free 'phones I have ever listened to with the K-501 coming a close second and HD 25/1 third. Thing is, the masses don't want "accurate" (or don't know what accurate is as they are used to the mass market fudge the biggies are churning out).... if it's got a bit of bass and is pleasing on the ears it's good to go Nothing wrong with a bit of mass market sound but PLEASE don't call the likes of HD-650 etc. "High end"! High end WHAT?.... define "high end"..... does "high end" mean top quality fudge?..... to me, high end should mean the most OPEN and REVEALING.... NOT a jack of all trades do nothing wrong / do nothing right type of sound. IMO, the HD-250 does way too much RIGHT and very little wrong which is why they have been discontinued.... ;D And that would NOT be good (showing up crap recordings / playback mediums) would it?........ Better to market a fully fudged headphone that "tolerates" crap recordings / equipment.... if they produced a totally open 'phone for today's "generation" of MP3 heads it would be branded as CRAP as it would show up the deficiencies of the shit they were listening to ;D Yep, same here....... the problem is most people aren't trying Leo and all they have as a reference is the crap the corporate giants are feeding them with....... so, consider the HD-250 a "blip", an "oversight"..... a NEVER TO BE REPEATED mistake....... mediocrity is the name of the game these days, especially where $$$$ is concerned. Hold onto them and cherish them mate, the likes of them will never be seen again. Mike.
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