Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 27, 2013 12:24:37 GMT
I have one of these on the way so let's hope it's as good as the first one!! Cheap at £22 and now I'd love a test rig like Frans!!!! I love the claim of 10Hz to 30KHz. Yeah, sure. ...... at -40db? In which case, my T40 must be going up to 40KHz!! www.thomann.de/gb/superlux_hd_681_evo_bk.htm?sid=251f73c9ca09d35dfe3f109eff8a600dThey claim that it has a calmed down treble response so perhaps they have actually been taking notice of what people wrote about the first one, but I suspect there's going to have to be a new filter for it. The treble apparently is lowered but the bass is fat, apparently. I'll soon find out ......
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Apr 27, 2013 18:38:32 GMT
I have been in contact with Superlux about them and have the plots of the old and new.
They are very similar looking (FR plot wise) with the only difference being the highs are less 'ragged' up top but the amplitude is the same. At a glance you can't tell the graphs apart. Comfort and looks are different though.
When you have listened to them for a while send them over and I'll do some sensible mods to them (meaning a filter, damping with measurements) and will send them back.
a Nice 'modding' tutorial will be our reward.
They are twice as expensive as the old ones (50% more expensive as the current HD681) so still quite affordable.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 28, 2013 11:08:34 GMT
The funny thing is the one report I saw on these Frans. Fat bass? No treble? My first thought was it's faulty or the weather is so hot that the cones have gone a bit flabby!!! Hopefully, it should be here soon from Germany. It looks nice but they did retain those pleather pads which is a pity. That perhaps could boost the bottom end. I really like the original 681 with the filter and use it a lot actually; especially with portable amps since it's not a massive load. It would also be interesting to see whether the ringing of the first version is so prominent in the second as well. I remember seeing a 3d plot for the 681 somewhere, and it looked to me like it was ringing like a bell!!! Ahh .... here it is ..... Big Ben..... Do you know how the HD668b compares with the 681? It has a less ringy waterfall plot and not (perhaps?) quite as ferocious in the top as the HD681. Golden Ears says that the treble is subjectively 'rougher' than the HD681. (Whatever that means.)
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Apr 28, 2013 12:41:50 GMT
The CSD is a bit strange. The HD800 at GE has the same ringing in the CSD (which it doesn't have in reality) I figure it its a measurement artefact. Also the first milli-second the signal is still 'on' so you must subtract 1ms Here ( diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com/headphones/measurements/ ) (3rd from the top) you can find my CSD of my HD681 which clearly doesn't have the 2.5kHz ringing it shows here. The 7kHz ringing is also shortened (reduced) considerably by the filter.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 28, 2013 12:48:23 GMT
HD668b looks better in the 'bell'department!! (except at 6KHz) just the twin peaks at the top could be troublesome.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2013 17:32:39 GMT
I have both the (Frans-filtered) 681 and the 668B's and have always thought the 681 was the more fun and the 668B was the more balanced. You pays your money . . .
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Apr 28, 2013 17:58:23 GMT
I have both the (Frans-filtered) 681 and the 668B's and have always thought the 681 was the more fun and the 668B was the more balanced. You pays your money . . . I had the same experience... because of this I rarely used the 668 so sold that one in the end. The HD681 has sentimental feelings as it has Micks rings and Claus's headband made from old motorcycle jacket and half a length of the Skytronics's cable.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 28, 2013 18:40:53 GMT
There's something really satisfying about having a £20 headphone on your head that just sounds so good for that money!!!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2013 21:40:56 GMT
The HD681 has sentimental feelings as it has Micks rings and Claus's headband made from old motorcycle jacket. SNAPMine has Mick's Rings, Fran's filter , Christian's headband, Mike's cable and my first attempt at headphone modding. How could I ever sell them?
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 30, 2013 16:47:12 GMT
They arrived today and I've had a nice long listen on them.
Please remember that the version of the HD681 that I have is the GREY trim one, not red. They were in three versions - 681f (is it?) and HD681b. I'm not exactly sure which I have, but it's not the red one that people show on the internet. I think f version may be less bassy.
No 'new' headphone problems like I had with the first version. I was kind of expecting these to be thin and nasty like my first version ones were for 30 minutes or so. I know it sounds mad, but they sounded awful for 30 minutes or so and then for some reason, the sound dramatically changed.
These sound good from the box to me. I have to say, they do look nice. Some may find them a tight fit on the head. I find them very comfortable but firm. No ear pinching though.
The sound is very good imo.
The treble is smoother than V1 without a filter attached for sure. I'm a little bit shy of hot treble but these are not treble shy either and they don't sound rough up top. It sounds a little more even up there and just a bit more refined.
The bass is quite a bit heavier. It punches quite hard and there is a good slam on it. I suspect deep bass isn't that well defined, but then, I've never found the first version that great on deep bass. This one is slightly thicker and heavier making a headphone that is a tad darker than the first HD681.
It sounds like a 'bigger' headphone and I can perhaps see that some may well find the bass a bit heavy. Perhaps this is what the other review is getting at?
I can see some preferring version 1 with it's lighter touch. I do wonder whether Superlux are reading stuff on the internet since imo, they have addressed what were seen as some of the shortcomings of version 1; particularly in the treble and added more weight.
My own preference would be less lift in mid bass. It sounds as though there could be a hump there and I would like more in the 'deep' bass.........
until I consider the price. £22 is a bargain for this.
In any case, it's not a lot to risk but I think I prefer its slightly darker sound to the original HD681. The only reason it sounds darker is that there seems to be more weight in the lower region.
This is going to be used a lot!!
Frans, are you allowed to post the FR graph? I think it's smoother up top and weightier in the bass; perhaps with a slightly bigger hump!! Not a great deal in low bass I think, but that's in common with Version 1. I'll need to dig out some recordings with big lower bass.
The leaflet claims it goes 10 - 30,000 but I bet the drop off at the extremes is quite large!!
Nice touches - two detachable leads - one short and one long. A clip to make sure the leads don't pull away. An adapter for large jack plug and a bag. £22 - a bargain.
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Apr 30, 2013 18:48:33 GMT
Hi Ian,
You have the B (Balanced) version which is more neutral but still a bot lifted in the bass. The EVO has the same bass as the red version and thus more than the grey one.
the 10Hz to 30kHz has to be taken with a grain of salt (probably@ -20dB or so)
I only have comparative plots from the original HD681 (so not the grey one) and the EVO which are, side from the highs, exactly similar.
It may be modding time.
If you send them over (together with a Horizon ?) you will receive (after some time has passed) an altered version with tighter bass and lowered treble including FR plots, waterfall and an Ember prototype.
How's that ?
I will ask if I can post the plots. I suppose I can but they differ from the info out there.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 30, 2013 19:25:58 GMT
Frans, did you not get an Evo? How about I send you a couple so you have a straight one and mod the other so you can compare subjectively too? Then keep the other one.
I've been listening for most of the day and I must say it's pretty impressive for that kind of money.
One slight boo boo is the bag. It's a bit too tight for the headphone!!
I think there is actually a lot of potential for these tbh. I guess then that I'm not used to the bass of the HD681 red version. The lift in comparison to the grey version is quite noticeable but not unpleasant.
You'll need to resend your address Frans. I haven't kept it here - also, I need to sort out mine for you. You have the old postcode for me!!
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on May 1, 2013 17:03:43 GMT
A quick update; I do like these headphones. Boosted bass and silkier top end. Perhaps with the original HD681, I didn't like the raggedness of the top? I'm going to compare the original with it soon rather then the HD681b. I originally found the 'b' version kind of 'flatter' sounding which I preferred but these really do rock big time. I found an interesting post concerning them: Thomann has started to deliver the evo in Germany (and Europe I guess). I got mine today. I was very pleased with the tamed highs which aren't sharp anymore. But I was disappointed because the bass wasn't as crisp and punchy as on my old 681.
Some guy on a german forum found out that superlux put an additional felt disc between the driver and the foam-pad. He suggested to remove it:
After I removed it (it's glued slightly) I had the feeling the old 681 is back. Fast, crisp and punchy bass that just makes great fun, the sound was more airier, bigger stage, more dynamic but there are the harsh highs back, too. I will leave the felt away because I really didn't like the clogged sound with it and live with the highs until I find a possibility to mod it.Now that has me thinking about putting some felt over the drivers and seeing if it is actually part of the HD681 Evo sound. (ie Frans filter without electronics) I don't exactly agree about the bass - It does rumble though. It's a much smoother headphone. I think Superlux have done really well with them. Negatives - the side bars are that shiny glossy plastic that looks lovely new, but they collect marks very easily so could start to look tatty quickly. I'd rather have a matt finish. The pads might not be comfortable for some who prefer velour. (HD240 pads) The headband might not feel too good for bald people. I have lots of hair, so a lot of padding!! The link for the cable could have been done a bit better I guess; rather than have it external, have a socket in the cup. (Like the T50) The clip holds it securely though. Quite strong clampers. Only just enough room for my ears - it's tight, but they're in. Microphonic cable. (Right down to the plug) However, I really do like their sound a lot in spite of them not being exactly a 'flat' headphone.
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on May 1, 2013 17:56:16 GMT
I had the EVO in my 'shopping cart' but was waiting to fill it with other stuff (to get free shipping... I am Dutch after all) but hadn't enough to complete that order yet.
I only need one to mod/measure and return after it.
If I like it I will order one together with K240 velour pads. It won't be getting too much headtime probably (Fostexes get the majority of that).
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on May 1, 2013 18:05:59 GMT
I think an amp gets the bass slightly under more control - listening on the Neco and it seems less overpowering and boomy It sure has a presence though!! The top is smoother sounding than the 681b and less 'papery'.
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