elysion
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Post by elysion on Sept 4, 2011 23:11:21 GMT
Great review and mods! I guess the HD-661's are not exactly for me, but as usual Superlux delivered an unbelievable bargain. Has anyone tried them with different pads so far? What are the measures of the pads at their base (the side next to the earcups)?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2011 7:00:48 GMT
Have you got a pair. Christian?
Ian
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 5, 2011 8:25:11 GMT
Frans, that is a superb review and a very interesting read I totally agree that these 'phones do not sound "closed".... they are excellent in that respect.
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elysion
Been here a while!
Team Anti M$ AND Facebook.
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Post by elysion on Sept 5, 2011 10:57:18 GMT
Have you got a pair. Christian? Ian No, but I don't need a pair at the moment. I still have a lot of work pending at home like a bunch of computers that needs to be updated/reinstalled and, of course, also more textile headbands and a lot of other stuff (like acquiring soldering equipment). I find the conclusions about the HD-661's interesting so far and I'm sure that I'll buy a pair if they are really good and match with my taste. I'm have some doubts that the sound signature of the HD-661's is really what I like to hear, but they are really cheap and buying them (later) is no problem.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2011 13:50:53 GMT
A further listen last Friday afternoon and I was swapping between the 681s and the 661s - they are not that different I thought..... those who have looked inside at the drivers... are they at all similar?
If these 661s sell at £30 then they are a bargain. I still find them quite refined; it's the uncoloured mid I reckon. And I really don't mind the slightly silver edged top end. An entertaining and musical listen.
Derek
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Post by greenstiles on Sept 5, 2011 14:30:15 GMT
Had another play today, pulled off ear pads and carefully stretched them in all directions, now they are less tight. Absolutly convinced now that if the drivers were positioned slightly higher and futher back or the pads could be reshaped to give that effect, it changes that treble edge, tones it down, intergrates it more with the mids nicely.
The best way for others to test this (if you want to) is remove the pads, put the phones on your head, slide the pads in, then listen to a track on repeat and slide the phones back and up slightly, with the ear pads still in the normal place (you may need to apply pressure to get a good seal). Think the phones would benifit from the cups pivoting side to side (a la Audio technica ) instead of up and down and a less stiff head band wire.
I really think the drivers (speakers) are quality and give great detail and bass at the price, just think the cup design needs a tweek in the right direction.
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Post by greenstiles on Sept 5, 2011 15:27:43 GMT
Just discovered a tweek for comfort, if you rotate the ear pads slightly backwards, they fit ears better ! Mine at least, looking at my ears in the mirror, they do lean back a little, so pads should reflect this ? Try it ?
Also now thinking if sound to me is better in the treble when driver is slightly back and up, it may have something to do with the perforated guard / defuser thing protecting the speaker itself. It is not drilled in the middle, like on lots of other phones.........if it were drilled in the centre more, not sure if it would make the treble more accute or if it would let the sound spread more evenly ?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2011 16:16:18 GMT
Actually, I'm quite interested to hear the 661 in comparison to the Sony and also to the AT m50.
The M50 is also touted as a 'monitoring' headphone and it does have some similarities with the Sony 7506 except that it counters the sharpish top response with a more healthy bass response.
However, comparing the M50 with the 7506 kind of points out what I don't like about the Sonys. It's not the quantity of the treble, it's the 'tone' of the treble.
I felt this to some extent with the K701 which Frans said had some kind of 'ringing' high up in the treble. I kind of feel that the Sony produces an edge which is pretty unpleasant. Almost like in one part of the treble, there's distortion and it's not actually a clean treble. I have to turn the volume right down on the 7506 because of it. The M50 also has a healthy top but not with the same edge as the Sony.
I'm beginning to wonder whether the Superlux has more in common with the M50 now.
The M50 has a lot of top information but also with a kick in the bass which is kind of how the 661 is being described.
The M50 also responds to head placement.
I'll look for an FR graph for M50.
Ian
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2011 16:34:56 GMT
I just had a look at a graph for the M50 and it does have some similarities to the graph that Frans has published!
If anything, the M50 is darker with a slope in the mid range perhaps but the overall shape is pretty similar with a smaller peak in the treble region and the little hump in the mid bass. (or two dips, depending on how you want to see the glass - half empty or half full!!) - again, like the 661 graph. There's even a 10db drop just before the treble peak on the M50, just like the 661.
The general shape looks similar (although the scale isn't the same) so I suspect that the HD661 may have more in common with the M50 rather than the Sony 7506.
For me, it'll be a question of the 'tone' quality of the treble I think. I like the M50. It does have a touch of 'cuppiness' (Like many small closed headphones) but it does have a healthy sound and is actually one I can use in the field as it were.
It was good old Rick that put me on to these and and they are a good listen. However, if the 661 is getting close, then it's plainly a bargain.
Ian
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funk1969
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Some things are so easily overlooked...
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Post by funk1969 on Sept 5, 2011 16:46:35 GMT
Auditioned the M50 once, nice headphone while not to my liking though. For me it lacked clarity and I found the midrange to be lacking.
I don't get it why Sony sometimes overdoes it thus making headphones sound 'bright'. I have had the V6 and CD900 ST and while the CD900 was bright it was acceptable. I also have this old DR 6A and it displayed a sonic sharpness with harp tones that was almost unbearable. My K240 DF is also studio oriented but it handles the highs with ease and finesse...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2011 18:17:57 GMT
I'm not sure with the Sony whether it's just too much in the top or the quality of the top.
To me it feels a bit rough somewhere in the treble region almost like it's distorting at one particular pitch. That distortion seems to be mixed in with the rest of the treble and makes it seems very gritty.
I also find this 'studio' and 'home' headphone quite funny. While it's useful to have a more limited frequency response in order to 'hone down' on harmonics included in the pick up of microphones, for playback or monitoring playback, an ordinary DT150 is way better and more flattering so that the player plays more into the 'frutier' sound that they hear.
I think engineers need a more 'focused' sound to listen for faults/harmonics etc, but performers need something that is flattering - much more akin to a home headphone. However, the more 'engineer type' are used to do a job rather than to listen for pleasure so I can't see the usefulness of advertising your headphone as a 'monitoring device' if you're aiming at hi fi markets.
I find the Sony extremely unpleasant to listen to and I couldn't care less about picking up harmonics/hiss or distortion when I'm listening to music.
Of course, recordings have to be checked for problems but the equipment used for this wouldn't be the best for music imo.
Ian
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Post by clausdk on Sept 5, 2011 22:02:17 GMT
I got me a nice packet today.. Need more time to give impressions, but I did make the pictures It is not the best pictures of me, but who cares ??
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2011 9:39:21 GMT
I got me a nice packet today.. It is not the best pictures of me, but who cares ?? Cool pics ! And I see you got the cordless version? I'll do my pic on Thursday probably. Derek
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2011 12:08:27 GMT
Claus, that's really scary!! They look a nice fit on your head and there you are, not connected to anything and obviously hearing noises in your head!! Actually, Superlux have become quite nice looking headphones. Ian
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2011 13:23:00 GMT
They'rrrre heeeeee-rrrrrre! Not been on my head yet but in the process of unpacking and plugging in they do seem very well made for 30 squiddlies
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2011 17:30:47 GMT
Chris, I've heard that they work really well 'direct' with the Sansa Clip+ so I imagine the Fuze+ will be good.
Ian
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2011 21:11:39 GMT
Ian,
Yes, I spotted that. I'm trying to resist and grind at least 24 hours on the 661s before I have a first listen.
When they first arrived today it was easy as I had no time but they are now faintly tinkling behind me.
TEMPTATION, Adorable creatures....
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2011 21:21:18 GMT
Also quite a well known song. I can't wait to hear what you think. I haven't heard them yet!! Soon will ........ Ian
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2011 21:33:35 GMT
Also quite a well known song. I can't wait to hear what you think. I haven't heard them yet!! Soon will ........ Ian Steady! No one mentioned grey matter burn out before
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 6, 2011 22:43:14 GMT
Ian, Yes, I spotted that. I'm trying to resist and grind at least 24 hours on the 661s before I have a first listen. When they first arrived today it was easy as I had no time but they are now faintly tinkling behind me. TEMPTATION, Adorable creatures.... FULL of desire? Ian, 661 should be with you tomorrow
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Post by clausdk on Sept 6, 2011 23:31:03 GMT
Claus, that's really scary!! They look a nice fit on your head and there you are, not connected to anything and obviously hearing noises in your head!! They actually keep the voices away.. It can be hard to believe but I took about ten pictures and those were the best, I am not really skilled in making selfportraits, but lots of fun.. I did plug them in later and initial impressions were quite good.. Another thing in Frans' review it is mentioned that it is not a hifi but a monitor phone, I should know what the difference is but i do not.. Can anyone elaborate on those things, I just like the way they sound..
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 7, 2011 11:06:14 GMT
In a way, a 'monitoring' headphone is more like an analysis tool rather than a 'pleasure' listen. Hi fi headphones are designed to sound impressive and deliver (very often) a lifted bass level and a rolled off treble so that you can wear them for long periods, they're comfortable and they make the majority of your recordings sound very good. Often, they implant their own sound on top of the recording which can be useful since that makes all of your CD's sound consistently similar. A monitoring device is more like a laser. It should be flat (or as flat as a headphone can be) but sometimes, having a raised treble will point out details like hiss, distortion, sibilance and all the nasties up there while having a boom in the bass is also not so desirable since it can 'mask' other things. Hi fi people tend to like a bit of boom and not too 'stingy' up top. The Sony 7506 is quite a hard listen for me. It would certainly point out any nasties in the treble instantly. For me, it's not a pleasure headphone. However, musicians playing wouldn't use these 'monitoring' headphones to play into. It would affect the way that they play. For performing and monitoring, musicians tend to want loud and rosy. It makes them feel good when they play into a rich headphone so they play better. Sometimes, even a reverb is sent through which doesn't appear on the final recording so that they feel at home with the sound they're playing into. If it's loud, then they really don't want a fatiguing headphone sound, therefore, I use a Beyer DT150 which makes you sound like a Rock God not an 'engineer type' monitoring device. That's the sound that a lot of hi fi people would like too, although by loud, I mean at 'life' volume, so for me the DT150 has enough treble for work situations, but at home, perhaps not enough because I don't listen as loud. Tone and volume work together and you often find that the people who like 'edgy' headphones listen at low volume. The Superlux has me very curious since it seems to be bringing up so many different views of its sound. No one is wrong, it's just what you prefer. I'll compare it to the ATH M50 as well as the Sony 7506 since for me, the M50 does a better job. Ian
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 7, 2011 15:11:50 GMT
Is it me?? . My new 3M headphone cable arrived this morning. Before using it for real I plugged the male jack into the female jill but it wouldn't go all the way. So I pushed a little harder and in it went. Oh good, I thought, no problems with a dodgy connection with this one . I then pulled out the jack, which needed a bit of extra effort, and out it came, minus the centre pin 'nipple' on the end - sh1t!! ;D . The seller has immediately agred to replace it FoC, but it might be a while before I resume testing on my main set up. I can report though that, with the short lead, they sound absolutely sublime playing FLAC on my iPod through a portable C-Moy - I love them Meanwhile the 661s are now resident on one of my speakers while my Logitech Touch plays into them virtually non stop. In this position the phones are nearly silent and they're getting stretched open a tad which helps the fit on my head . Dave.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 7, 2011 22:14:39 GMT
Yes.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 7, 2011 22:20:50 GMT
Thanks Mike, I feel better for knowing that ;D. Another crack like that and I'll report you to the mods ;D Dave.
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