High End Headphones

[KaminKevCrew]

So, I can't say that I've ever really listened to a pair of top of the line headphones for extended periods of time, however, I have spent considerable time in the "Mid-fi" area. Anyway, I've been noticing that as I get towards higher and higher end gear, the headphones start to be more niche products. Not in the sense that few people buy them (We all know that a comparatively small population of people buy top of the line gear) but in the sense that they become more and more focused on certain genres of music. For instance, I have a pair of Sennheiser IE80s, HD650s, and Shure SE535s, in addition to many others that I don't currently own. Anyway, I've noticed this mostly with my HD650's, but they sound AMAZING with things like Pink Floyd, but not nearly as good with, say, Paramore. They don't really capture the timbre of Hayley's voice, to my ears. Does anyone else have this opinion, or is it just me being crazy?

[xtroria]

the only person you could ask is probably @ShearMe, he has HD650 too. 

 

Certain sound signature works best with some genres.

 

Oh btw @, are you going to the head-fi meet this week?

[ESPclipse]

Notable variabilities in sound are contingent on numerous things, like the file being played, to the software decoder, to the DAC converting the digital source to analog audio, to the amplifier, well, amplifying the sound, to the cans reproducing the audio signal to physical waves on your noggin. While I haven't used HD650's myself, if they are like any reputable German headphones, then they are built to be cold and accurate. This clinical sound is great for older tunes and orchestral music and the like because of enhanced clarity, but lack the drive of more "flavoured" sounds that you might get from other brands. And modern music, in my opinion, is meant to be more flavorful. Many, like myself, have experienced what you are talking about, and have taken to trying out different headphones, amps, and DACs to find the right sound for them, thus creating a market for high-end audio

[ShearMe]

I think this is more about you practicing your listening, becoming more familiar with subtle differences. I don't think there's ever been an audiophile who's claimed to be happy owning a single speaker or headphone (single speaker + EQ doesn't count ).

 

For myself, I find that while the 650 might not make certain tracks sound as fantastic as they might on another headphone, it makes nearly everything sound at least great. Listening to the one Paramore song I'm familiar with, I would agree something with more treble emphasis would aid the vocalist as she definitely hits notes quite high in the register. There is a certain instrumental piece which I've been disappointed listening to it due to it's high treble content, so you're not alone in that regard. I've been thinking about getting another audio-technica for this - AKG treble is accurate but not necessarily pretty to my ears.

 

While I haven't used HD650's myself, if they are like any reputable German headphones, then they are built to be cold and accurate.

 

Sennheiser headphones are notoriously warm, with exceptions obviously. I'd argue the 650 to be the darkest of any headphone worth categorizing, but obviously I haven't tried everything to be certain.

[Guest]

I blame the mastering, all music should sound good from a neutral source.

 

Of course, there's no such thing as a neutral headphone.

 

I also blame the audiophile mentality, which is more concerned with audio reproduction than actually listening to the damn music.

[xtroria]

I blame the mastering, all music should sound good from a neutral source.

 

Of course, there's no such thing as a neutral headphone.

 

I also blame the audiophile mentality, which is more concerned with audio reproduction than actually listening to the damn music.

 

I'm listening to the upper mids / lower treble on my AKG K7xx right now, shut up

[Guest]

I'm listening to the upper mids / lower treble on my AKG K7xx right now, shut up

 

Sickening.

[Acquire]

I don't have any experience with the HD650s, the closest would be the HD598s for me.  I generally did not enjoy them at all.  All headphones have different sound signatures.  It just depends on what you like.  Some sound signatures will be more appropriate for certain types of music for you. I personally like clarity with awesome open bass.  I got the Audeze LCD-2s and they sound great to me. I tried a few other high end headphones (Beyerdynamic T1, Hifiman HE-560, Audeze EL-8) and while they all sounded great (except the Audeze since it was broken), I saw no reason to get rid of the LCD-2s. I wouldn't bother going down the rabbit hole of trying to "fix" the sound of your headphones by getting different DACs or Amps.  Trust me, I've been there.  Unless your equipment is garbage, it's not worth it.

[creatip123]

'specialization' happens in many things in life. Food, clothes, automotives, etc. 

 

For music, think of it this way: classical orchestral concerts are best played in a music theater, right? What happens if, say, Korn performs in a music theater? The sound acoustic and reverbs wouldn't be 'right' 

[KaminKevCrew]

the only person you could ask is probably @ShearMe, he has HD650 too. 

 

Certain sound signature works best with some genres.

 

Oh btw @, are you going to the head-fi meet this week?

I was not aware that there was going to be a meet this week! If you PM me, or reply here, I will be sure to show up, as long as its in the PNW!!!

[Guest]

'specialization' happens in many things in life. Food, clothes, automotives, etc. 

 

For music, think of it this way: classical orchestral concerts are best played in a music theater, right? What happens if, say, Korn performs in a music theater? The sound acoustic and reverbs wouldn't be 'right' 

 

Turns out the acoustics of most modern concert halls aren't right for classical orchestral either.

[Dingus]

The only modern concert hall with which I am personally familiar is Benaroya Hall in Seattle.  Third balcony center was the sweet spot so far as I recall.

[KaminKevCrew]

'specialization' happens in many things in life. Food, clothes, automotives, etc. 

 

For music, think of it this way: classical orchestral concerts are best played in a music theater, right? What happens if, say, Korn performs in a music theater? The sound acoustic and reverbs wouldn't be 'right' 

To be fair, I would PAY to see korn in someplace like that, it would be so out of place...

 

The only modern concert hall with which I am personally familiar is Benaroya Hall in Seattle.  Third balcony center was the sweet spot so far as I recall.

Benaroya Hall has awesome acoustics. I love going to concerts there. A friend of mine conducted a show there when he was 16, I think. Then he went to Juliard...

 

I don't have any experience with the HD650s, the closest would be the HD598s for me.  I generally did not enjoy them at all.  All headphones have different sound signatures.  It just depends on what you like.  Some sound signatures will be more appropriate for certain types of music for you. I personally like clarity with awesome open bass.  I got the Audeze LCD-2s and they sound great to me. I tried a few other high end headphones (Beyerdynamic T1, Hifiman HE-560, Audeze EL-8) and while they all sounded great (except the Audeze since it was broken), I saw no reason to get rid of the LCD-2s. I wouldn't bother going down the rabbit hole of trying to "fix" the sound of your headphones by getting different DACs or Amps.  Trust me, I've been there.  Unless your equipment is garbage, it's not worth it.

Well, I'm going to be getting an amp/dac stack or combo at some point here pretty soon, as I would like to have some physical volume controls for my headphones, and easier access to plugging/unplugging. I wish I knew more people that listen to a lot of music, with high end gear so I could experience more of it.

 

Turns out the acoustics of most modern concert halls aren't right for classical orchestral either.

Sucks for them then, I guess, huh? Out of curiosity, is there anything that they ARE good for? Acoustically, at least...

 

I'm listening to the upper mids / lower treble on my AKG K7xx right now, shut up

I should really look into the AKG 700 series, and see if I like any of them. I thought about getting a pair a while ago, but I needed closed cans at the time, and well... yeah...

the only person you could ask is probably @ShearMe, he has HD650 too. 

 

Certain sound signature works best with some genres.

 

Oh btw @, are you going to the head-fi meet this week?

Okay, so I just checked on Head-fi... Is bottlehead based in Bainbridge Island??? I used to live there! huh... Interesting...

[Guest]

Sucks for them then, I guess, huh? Out of curiosity, is there anything that they ARE good for? Acoustically, at least...

 

Romantic orchestral music.

[KaminKevCrew]

Romantic orchestral music.

That's a very specific type of music...

So are you saying that if one hall wanted to have multiple different kinds of music playing at different times, they would have to change the acoustic properties of the whole building?

[xtroria]

Okay, so I just checked on Head-fi... Is bottlehead based in Bainbridge Island??? I used to live there! huh... Interesting...

Yup, I think this meet will be pretty big since it's happening in bottlehead HQ.

I probably cant go due to lack of transport and homeworks, maybe it's for the better. Anytime I try new audio gear that isnt my friend's I tend to upgrade afterwards

[KaminKevCrew]

That's too bad man, it would have been nice to meet some LTT guys there! Homework sucks though, I'm 19, so I totally feel your pain...

[Guest]

That's a very specific type of music...

So are you saying that if one hall wanted to have multiple different kinds of music playing at different times, they would have to change the acoustic properties of the whole building?

 

Bascially, yes. Classical music generally calls for a drier, more intimate acoustic than the big Romantic works.

 

That's one of the challenges with modern concert halls, making them sound good with all kinds of music.