Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jan 15, 2015 17:49:00 GMT
The K551 is here and the bass is there!! That was my biggest concern. Pretty much the same I think.
I don't like the mean looking cable which looks like a slightly thicker Senn px100 cable. It's a bit springy so it keeps coiling up. I laid the wire across a hot radiator which has helped to straighten it out a bit, but it still resists!!
I don't like the volume control either really. It works with the IPad but not anything else. The pause works with the X1 but not the volume. It's also a pain if you connect directly into a DAB which uses the cable as an aerial. You hear no sound at all until you press the pause and hold it down. IPad wiring doesn't work with DAB radios.
Sound is lovely for a portable headphone. It's a K550 with a short lead basically. Much more sensible for mobile use and imo, sound wise, one of the best portables around at £100. Better than a Y50. Way more balanced. Really comfortable and the most balanced sound I've heard on anything designed for DAPs. Headband still rings if you click your teeth together though.
I can settle for these. They'll get a lot of use.
I don't know whether this by design, but both K550 and K551 adjust the cups up and down as well as left and right, but they are quite stiff, so the friction holds the in place. So you can put them on and move the cups until they seal evenly around your ears and they stay in that position. They don't swivel loosely.
Last chance, does anyone want a Beyer DT1350? I prefer the K551.
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Post by c61746961 on Jan 16, 2015 3:26:51 GMT
$$$?
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jan 16, 2015 15:02:58 GMT
The inconsistency I'm talking about may be what I see on GE. If you compare the K550 with K551, the graphs are similar, but look at the boxes that describe the sound!! The bass is marked quite differently on them.
Could be inconsistency or bad seal.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jan 17, 2015 13:42:26 GMT
I've just fixed the silly curly lead on the K551. Laid it across a red hot radiator for an hour or two and then slightly stretched it followed by running y fingers along it and then put it back.
The lead was very springy before but at least now it's straight.
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Crispy
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Post by Crispy on Jan 24, 2015 20:30:35 GMT
Just to let you know Fran's, the K551's have arrived safely in da house I am now going to have a long listen to them - if the very short cable reaches my amp? may have to find an extension cable.
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Crispy
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Post by Crispy on Jan 29, 2015 16:19:21 GMT
Just to let you know Fran's and Ian, I have been having a good listen to the K551's the last couple of nights after an aborted session on Saturday night. Saturday night my extension lead played up and was forever shorting the signal out, not to mention my stream magic did not want to play the tracks that I wanted to hear. So I was right P****D off and not in any frame of mind to listen at all. I switched everything off and cleaned the extension lead sockets and re-set my stream magic. Sunday everything went according to plan and no problem with the lead or the stream magic Now I know that you say "not everyone will benefit from a headphone that is EQ'd closer to flat" but am I missing something here? It seems like the phones give a really clear and detailed mid-band at the expense of lower bass and higher treble? The only way I can describe listening to them is like this: If I were looking at a picture of the Mona Lisa I would look at the whole picture to appreciate it and not just her face. Yet the modded k551's seem to concentrate on the mid-band only therefore not seeing the whole picture - if this makes sense to you? Am I missing the point here - do I need to listen in a different way and what would I be listening for? At the moment I am totally confused about FLAT headphone listening??? Help
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Jan 29, 2015 18:04:02 GMT
Could be a few things going on here.
1: Have a listen again but press the earcups against your head. If the (not abundant) bass is there (only when it is actually in the recording) then you have a seal problem. Could be a question of swivelling the cups (needs a bit of force and they stay in that position.
If that isn't the problem then these (and other flat headphones) simply aren't your taste. Nothing wrong with that. Flat is an acquired taste and only sounds good on well made recordings. Most pop music will sound bassless and lifeless. Don't worry too much about it. In reality both the (extremely deep subbass and upper treble are there and on the correct level.
When you have a good seal they will sound closely the same to nearfield monitors in the studio or like 'flat measuring' speakers at 1m distance in the garden.
2: Another factor may be listening level. to get 'real' sound (exactly as it is recorded) you will have to play these a bit louder than one would normally play music. The bass and treble 'pops-in' at the correct level.
3: You may be used to 'fun' headphones, those with bass and treble boosted. Comparatively the K550 will sound boring and midrangy simply because you have gotten used to that sound. Most headphones have a bass boost and treble peak, usually well above the mids. Also most headphones have a 10 to 20dB 'dip' around 2-3kHz which removes 'clarity' and makes everything warmer and 'laid back' sounding. The treble peak after that masks it and gives the idea of treble being present and exaggerated details. Also nothing wrong with preferring those headphones either. It's all about enjoying music.
Personally I like to have both 'flat' and 'fun' headphones for different occasions and music.
If it's not for you simply send it back or forward it to someone else that likes to try 'flat'.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jan 29, 2015 18:52:53 GMT
You'll be surprised how many recordings lack deep bass, Chris. Then when you get a really nice recording, the headphone takes off.
Flat isn't what everyone would like. It's bland I guess, but it is being honest to the recording. Headphones with boosted bass will always have a healthy bass because it's boosted and recording with bass properly recorded will just sound more bassy. A bigger bass gives many recordings a life that they don't really have!!
They do a very subtle sub-bass, but only when the recording has captured it.
You're coming from a DT770 which has a very much ramped bass and strong top end.
I quite like the K550 and 551. Some wouldn't like their slightly analytical sound I guess, but mine positively thunder really deep with decent recordings. I first thought that they had no bass, at least my first K550. It may have been a dud I suspect. I've since replaced it with another 550 and the 551 which are sonically more beefed in the bass.
I found out that they might be a bit variable by accident when I bought one for an adult student. His seemed much better than mine. (And it wasn't the grass being greener. I compared.
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Crispy
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Post by Crispy on Jan 30, 2015 21:19:55 GMT
Could be a few things going on here. 1: Have a listen again but press the earcups against your head. If the (not abundant) bass is there (only when it is actually in the recording) then you have a seal problem. Could be a question of swivelling the cups (needs a bit of force and they stay in that position. If that isn't the problem then these (and other flat headphones) simply aren't your taste. Nothing wrong with that. Flat is an acquired taste and only sounds good on well made recordings. Most pop music will sound bassless and lifeless. Don't worry too much about it. In reality both the (extremely deep subbass and upper treble are there and on the correct level. When you have a good seal they will sound closely the same to nearfield monitors in the studio or like 'flat measuring' speakers at 1m distance in the garden. 2: Another factor may be listening level. to get 'real' sound (exactly as it is recorded) you will have to play these a bit louder than one would normally play music. The bass and treble 'pops-in' at the correct level. 3: You may be used to 'fun' headphones, those with bass and treble boosted. Comparatively the K550 will sound boring and midrangy simply because you have gotten used to that sound. Most headphones have a bass boost and treble peak, usually well above the mids. Also most headphones have a 10 to 20dB 'dip' around 2-3kHz which removes 'clarity' and makes everything warmer and 'laid back' sounding. The treble peak after that masks it and gives the idea of treble being present and exaggerated details. Also nothing wrong with preferring those headphones either. It's all about enjoying music. Personally I like to have both 'flat' and 'fun' headphones for different occasions and music. If it's not for you simply send it back or forward it to someone else that likes to try 'flat'. Thanks for explaining that Frans, I will have another good listen this weekend. I don't think it is a seal problem and will have a listen at a higher volume than normal and try to see if that makes any difference to how I feel. Thanks also Ian for your explanation - like I said I will give them another long listen without comparing them to the DT770's I think that was maybe my mistake to listen to a track through the K551 then the same track immediately afterwards through the DT770's and vice versa. So this weekends listen will be through the K551's ONLY.
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Jan 30, 2015 21:34:13 GMT
The DT770's have a 'boosted' bass (mine was pretty one-note as well) and has a substantial treble peak. So relatively sucked out mids.
This is quite enjoyable on a lot of music.
Compared to the DT770 the K551 will be bassshy (yet reach much deeper down) and lack treble as it doesn't have the treble peak any more (it has been removed by the mods) As the midrange is at the same level as bass and treble it will sound 'only midrange' as you are used to not hearing the midrange.
The DT770 is much more 'fun' in a similar way as the modified HD681 is, elevated bass and treble.
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Post by solderdude on Jan 31, 2015 15:40:41 GMT
I did some measurements concerning seal using the SHL9505 original pads which are similar in material and pad thickness as K551. Good seal, thin temples of reading glasses, thicker temples of sun glasses, a 3.5mm connector tucked under the pads. That's a whole lot of bass loss just because there are some reading glasses involved.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jan 31, 2015 18:40:58 GMT
That IS a lot Frans. If I wear glasses, I tilt the arms upwards so they seal. I get a pretty healthy bass from both K550 and K551, but possible I'm more used to a 'flatter' sound and so accept it more easily? I do like the K551 quite a lot as it is actually. It certainly has weight and is lovely for mobile use although they're pretty big.
In fact. I much prefer the 551 to the unadulterated DT1350 actually. I must do something about getting that one sold!! I hardly use it tbh.
In fact, I might do a clear out soon I think!!!
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Post by solderdude on Jan 31, 2015 19:54:39 GMT
c61746961 was interested.
Wait with selling a bit though.... Th Kameleon will be travelling with a DT1350 filter (designed for the newer pads though) amongst other filters.
I was quite surprised to see the measurements myself as I sure don't hear it that way. Possibly the the arms als 'bury' themselves in the skin a bit ensuring a better seal than the measurements suggest. The rubber cell foam I use is less compliant than skin and the layer is a bit thinner as well.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jan 31, 2015 20:20:00 GMT
Oh, ok. I've just really adjusted to the K551 so much now that it feels spot on for me. It takes a lot of beating as far as mobile headphones go. Reasonably flat (ish) and nice and sensitive.
It's the hd650 I'm dribbling over. I love that headphone as it is, never mind a further reaching bass!!!
I think perhaps even the Momentum might go as well. I do need to clear a few out really and have been through so many that in the end, don't really cut it for me for one reason or another.
I guess I'll keep what many refer to 'the Keepers'!!
Maybe some amps as well since I exclusively use the Ember and Polaris nowadays. Nothing comes close for power and adaptability.
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Post by c61746961 on Feb 1, 2015 2:29:18 GMT
I've successfully modded my Thinksound on1 using the DT250 as reference but I'm still curious about the Beyers. The thinksound are fairly resolving and impactful, but they have some slight treble issues that prevent them from being a perfect pair (of portables) for me.
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