Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Nov 3, 2013 8:50:20 GMT
During my wanders in Norwich I visited an electrical shop called 'Hughes'. I often pop in on my visits there since they occasionally have some nice gear. They've gone to town now though and have set up listening stations for headphones. The usual Senn station but the highest they go is the HD598. The Denon station, where I could audition the new Denon range. (Not great) There is also a Beats section and others. One that caught my interest was the Kef m500. The salesman kept on about them lacking bass because they're 'hi fi', which I thought was funny. I pointed out the 598 as being a good headphone and he repeated the 'hi fi' joke. The m500 is very nicely built with a tangle free flat cable. Really comfortable to wear and a very good sound. Bass isn't as weak as the salesman said. Treble was warm and Senn smooth but you could put the volume up and these headphones just bloom. I think they are voiced to sound like big speakers and are worth trying alongside the no I Senn headphones that also sell at premium prices. I'm not sure what I'd choose. The Senn on ears and over ears aren't as comfortable and can go ragged in the treble on poorer quality recordings. The Kefs are like soft pillows and sound beautifully smooth. www.amazon.co.uk/KEF-M500-Hi-Fi-Ear-Headphone/dp/B00CYBOUO0/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Nov 3, 2013 10:06:26 GMT
The KEF M500 gets some good critics. It measures well also: en.goldenears.net/23944Warm and well extended to both ends... doesn't lack bass but isn't for bass heads. It has a speaker in room alike 'tuning' and while not 'flat' sounding but warm the head adjusts quite quickly to this presentation as it lacks obvious peaks and dips.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Nov 3, 2013 10:18:18 GMT
That's about what I was getting, Frans. They are very speaker like and take high volume very well. They grow and don't become edgy. The Senn over ears can verge on 'grating' when loud. These sound very relaxed.
I think they're the first headphone that Kef have produced. I always liked the voicing of their speakers.
If I hadn't got the Senn 'on ears', then I may have got these.
The salesman did his best to put me off by saying they lacked bass, but I didn't think so. Trouble is, these salesmen often don't have a clue and they talk as though it is absolute truth, but these headphones are pretty good.
The left/right difference up top on the graph isn't too good though, is it?
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Nov 3, 2013 12:08:54 GMT
I like the sound of these, or, more accurately, the opinions of Ian and Frans, particularly the bit about them sounding like speakers - that appeals - and the fact that they appear to be closed. If anyone else is interested, there is a much cheaper pair of 'BNIB' but second hand on ebay: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KEF-M500-Hi-Fi-Headphones-/121200877291?pt=UK_AudioVisualElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Headphones&hash=item1c38229eebI might have pounced myself but I have an instinctive distrust of the poor grammar (I know, I know ) and the relatively low feedback as a seller and the low value of the items sold - I may be missing a bargain but I just have a feeling. Good luck to anyone else who decides it's a worthwhile punt. Dave.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Nov 3, 2013 12:47:52 GMT
By 'speaker like' Dave, I mean that they don't have that 'in yer face sound' that some headphones have and are described incorrectly imo, as detailed. They have a warm, well balanced sound that isn't a blatant, screaming in your lugs type of sound.
The HD600 is similar as well as the Senn 'on ears'.
These headphones seem way better in the long term than the flashy boom tizz types that get sold quicker on first listen. They're more subtle.
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Nov 3, 2013 14:07:23 GMT
. With a bit of imagination it might appear that the L and R traces at the top end are mirror images of each other, well, a bit like that - any significance in that? I just wondered if it was more to do perhaps with the 'mechanics' of what's in the cups rather than the 'electrics'. Dave.
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Nov 3, 2013 15:14:04 GMT
I have seen similar L-R differences in GE measurements lately. At Changstar they are questioning if there is something wrong with their test rig.
A 2dB level difference is enough to throw the 'middle of the soundstage' slightly to the left.
If you were to drive the HD600 through a Quad 33 pre-amp (the one with the tilt tone control' and tilt the HD600 5dB down at 20kHz and 5dB up at 20Hz they will be sounding quite similar.
The M500 is too 'dark sounding' for my taste and would 'compensate' it to be flat myself.
The way the M500 is 'voiced' is as if flat loudspeakers are used in a medium sized room with lots of curtains and 'damping' in it. Those that like 'English' sounding speakers may prefer the M500 over Sennheiser offerings. It's a bit like the B&W P5... but better.
Also curious about the NAD Viso hp50 ... Personal audio and expensive headphones are becoming hotter items.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Nov 3, 2013 16:17:22 GMT
They certainly are becoming hot items. The shop I visited in Norwich normally stocks cheaper stuff and this is the first time I've seen 'premium' priced headphones on display. Right at the price point where I start to be careful what I buy.
You are correct about the British speaker sound Frans. Designed to fit in smallish rooms, preferably from a bookshelf and a tamed top end. Gives the impression of a stronger bass at louder volumes.
One speaker make I liked were Spendors. The BBC also used some small monitors that were popular in British homes. No real deep bass but we'll behaved.
A bit like these Kefs, but with deep bass!! I really like the Proac floor standard, but they do need quite a large room to breathe and produce a good bass and sharp image. Mind you, you pay for them!!
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