Post by Rabbit on Apr 13, 2014 8:16:30 GMT
Actually Dave, when you first heard the K550, you didn't like the raised top end so obviously, you are well aware of sounds up there. (Or the brain is compensating) So I guess, if Frans altered its FR away from 'neutral', you would notice since that's what you should be 'hearing' all day long really, in spite of the damage to your hearing.
I guess one reason why some may not exactly enjoy the sound of a 'neutral' headphone is that they should sound how you hear, and there is nothing in particular that stands out for listeners to oooh and aaah to. ie; it should sound 'normal' or unextraordinary!!
The T40 is similar in sound to the K550 but doesn't sound quite as extended in the treble so it's less fatiquing. (After being modded) It's really smooth and flat!! (Like a flat response Senn) The quantity of bass is similar but the K550 is remarkably open sounding for a closed headphone!
You soon become accustomed to the flatter sound so that many other headphones sound very coloured by comparison.
The closest I have to the modded K550 but is an open headphone (that hasn't been tampered with), is the K601. It's one headphone that has been described as 'boring' by some, but that could be the result of hearing a headphone that isn't too shabby as far as frequency response goes. It's also interesting that many on Headfi change the pads on the K701/601 to the K712 pads in order to try to raise the bass response.
The other trick on them is some peel off a piece of sticky paper on the back of the driver inside the 601/701; opening a port to give them more bass.
So, many don't seem to enjoy a flatter sound without that bass hump that Frans refers to. I think that having that hump in the bass kind of makes nasty recordings sound a bit easier on the ears, whereas a flat headphone will show faults in all their glories!!
I guess one reason why some may not exactly enjoy the sound of a 'neutral' headphone is that they should sound how you hear, and there is nothing in particular that stands out for listeners to oooh and aaah to. ie; it should sound 'normal' or unextraordinary!!
The T40 is similar in sound to the K550 but doesn't sound quite as extended in the treble so it's less fatiquing. (After being modded) It's really smooth and flat!! (Like a flat response Senn) The quantity of bass is similar but the K550 is remarkably open sounding for a closed headphone!
You soon become accustomed to the flatter sound so that many other headphones sound very coloured by comparison.
The closest I have to the modded K550 but is an open headphone (that hasn't been tampered with), is the K601. It's one headphone that has been described as 'boring' by some, but that could be the result of hearing a headphone that isn't too shabby as far as frequency response goes. It's also interesting that many on Headfi change the pads on the K701/601 to the K712 pads in order to try to raise the bass response.
The other trick on them is some peel off a piece of sticky paper on the back of the driver inside the 601/701; opening a port to give them more bass.
So, many don't seem to enjoy a flatter sound without that bass hump that Frans refers to. I think that having that hump in the bass kind of makes nasty recordings sound a bit easier on the ears, whereas a flat headphone will show faults in all their glories!!