solderdude
Administrator
measureutternutter
Posts: 4,881
|
Post by solderdude on Jan 12, 2017 20:26:08 GMT
The Superlux reputation for studio gear isn't about the headphones. It's about the microphones mostly. The better studio's won't use them though. The smaller (home) studios etc will likely have either Superlux or T.Bone mics. These are surprisingly good sounding and very cheap, they ain't no Neumanns of course. Most guitarcenters etc will have some Superlux devices in their line up... just to offer something in the lower end. Headphones is not their core business, more an accessory to them which they also sell cheap. www.superlux.com.tw/productKind.do?pdkid=1&level=0&lv0=1www.superlux.com.tw/productKind.do?pdkid=3&level=1&lv0=1But you may well be right that the Superlux headphones are probably bought more by low budget audio-enthusiasts than (small) studios perhaps. Someone starting a small studio and needing 5 or 6 monitoring headphones and a bunch of different good sounding mike's that don't cost much to replace may be well off. You can get a load of Superluxes for the price of one or 2 'better' headphones/microphones.
|
|
oldson
extremely active
Posts: 1,678
|
Post by oldson on Jan 12, 2017 20:36:19 GMT
build quality can also be an issue though on higher end gear. i used to own the ath-ad2000 , which sounded really good to me initially, but after weeks of a creaking headband they ground me down. to me the build quality was to blame for this. awful headband design imo.
|
|
solderdude
Administrator
measureutternutter
Posts: 4,881
|
Post by solderdude on Jan 12, 2017 21:18:55 GMT
Indeed.. look at the gimbals of Denon/Fostex headphones, the paintjob on HD800/HD650, broken wood on Audeze, failing drivers from Audeze...
|
|
z3d
quite active
Posts: 170
|
Post by z3d on Jan 14, 2017 20:47:15 GMT
Frans, could you ask Superlux if they are willing to send some other drivers? I will cover the expenses if they don't agree to send them for free as beta-testing units.
I'm really interested about measuring some pairs and play a bit with some enclosures to check how they react.
|
|
solderdude
Administrator
measureutternutter
Posts: 4,881
|
Post by solderdude on Jan 14, 2017 22:08:44 GMT
I don't think they will. They probably have fitted some of these new drivers (mechanically the same diameter as the old ones) in some HD662-EVO enclosures and sent a few of them ? around to see what the public wants. Have not seen anybody else mentioning these so maybe there is only a few of these around.
Don't think they will send out new drivers as parts.
|
|
garyc
contributing
Posts: 45
|
Post by garyc on Jan 16, 2017 10:47:14 GMT
I may be in a minority but actually I find the 662EVOs very comfortable to wear (with the velour pads). Regarding the look, I really don't mind the shiny plastic as I don't spend too much time admiring myself in the mirror while wearing them ;-) The most irritating thing is the 'flying plug' arrangement which requires a socket to socket gender bender if you want to use a regular (as opposed to extension lead) 3rd party cable. I suppose I ought to get round to making up my own cable with a 3.5mm socket but have yet to find a suitable source for good (non-microphonic) cable (converting the headphone plug to a socket is too much faff).
But anyway, what first drew me to Superlux (668B, the 'wings' are as uncomfortable as hell) was the price and the reported sound quality, plus readily available velour pads. Then I discovered DIYAH through all the good comments on the 662EVO. Right now, I would be prepared to pay an intermediate price (say £100-200) for a closed model that had a better headband, socket rather than flying plug and more oval shaped pads (ala Sennheiser) as the 'massive round' style compromises the isolation, at least for my small head. Improvements to the sound (a smoother top end) would be welcome but perhaps not quite as important as making these design improvements. An open design could even start to give the HD600 and 650 a run for their money.
|
|
solderdude
Administrator
measureutternutter
Posts: 4,881
|
Post by solderdude on Feb 5, 2017 19:57:01 GMT
Finally had some time to write an article about the HD688 and post info on the websiteWhat I get from my e-mails with Superlux is that the production HD688 (whenever it will be launched) will look like the HD662-EVO. It will not replace the EVO but exist alongside it. I assume it will be about double the price of the EVO but feel it is worth it for sure. There will also be a semi-open version (looks like the HD681-EVO but with some pink/silver accents. Almost the same driver different sound. I have one hear and measured and modified it. More on this one later. Both can be improved by mods. For both these headphones it is not set in stone yet how they will be made. Some changes might still be made. No plans for a 'higher end' version.
|
|
|
Post by timjthomas on Feb 5, 2017 20:11:02 GMT
Sounds like good news. I hope the open versions sound as good as the closed!!
|
|
|
Post by ihack13 on Feb 27, 2017 13:37:23 GMT
Thank you for this post. If these are similiarly priced like the 662Evo that you recommended before I will go for these ones once they are out.
|
|
solderdude
Administrator
measureutternutter
Posts: 4,881
|
Post by solderdude on Feb 27, 2017 14:34:02 GMT
These will be sold next to the HD662-EVO line and the HD687 (still have to finish the article) alongside the HD681-EVO.
The EVO versions are already about twice the price of the original HD681 and HD662. They also have the HD685 which is double the price of the HD681/662-EVO but not nearly as good sounding.
I reckon the HD687 and HD688 will be between $60.- and $ 80.- ?
Soundwise they would certainly be worth it but build wise they are still in the $30.- class.
If only they would increase the build quality along with this driver and increase comfort and adjustability then I believe I would happily pay 100 to 150 Euros....
|
|
|
Post by timjthomas on Feb 28, 2017 1:20:07 GMT
That's too bad. I was really hoping they would have improved the overall comfort of the headphones. I love the sound of the 662, but can't wear them for long.
|
|
|
Post by superluc on Mar 11, 2017 18:01:48 GMT
Sibilance-wise how it perform with velvet pads ? The toilet paper mod is necessary for better linearity or for put at ease the sharpen highs ?
|
|
solderdude
Administrator
measureutternutter
Posts: 4,881
|
Post by solderdude on Mar 11, 2017 23:05:33 GMT
The supplied velvet pads make a noticeable improvement with sibilance with this headphone. 2 things here though.
1: This is merely a prototype and most likely the final product will be slightly different. 2: I have tinnitus (a few months now) and have become VERY sensitive to distortion and treble peaks and the HD688 with 1 ply of toilet paper and velvet pads does not trigger any beeps in my ear.
The very slight hint of sibilance this prototype had (stock form) is nowhere near as bad as the first HD681 etc. No sharp treble in this headphone, even without toilet paper.
May take many months before it becomes available though.
|
|
|
Post by superluc on Mar 12, 2017 15:16:00 GMT
I have tinnitus (a few months now) and have become VERY sensitive to distortion and treble peaks and the HD688 with 1 ply of toilet paper and velvet pads does not trigger any beeps in my ear. Me too, so i'm very happy to hear it. I sure wait for see your testing and modding when the final product will be released
|
|
|
Post by superluc on May 11, 2017 15:10:32 GMT
I've casually found a promotional image of both the 688 and 687, from NAMM2017 ( january ), so is not new. The stock HD688 just appear a little better looking, with that circle, over the prototype.
|
|