solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Jan 31, 2016 14:08:19 GMT
The new HD662-EVO arrived here on Friday. Looks a lot like the HD681-EVO but is a fully closed version as opposed to the HD681-EVO which is semi-closed. When the link above does not work (it doesn't on anything Google related) contact me via PM through this forum and I will e-mail it. Fit and finish as well as comfort is excellent. The sound of the stock HD662-EVO was impressive but obviously with elevated treble. Nothing like the HD681-EVO for sure. The HD662-EVO sounded closer to the original HD681. It also exists in white: Where the HD681 EVO is dark and bassy sounding with subdued highs the HD662-EVO has deep bass, non recessed mids (a bit forward sounding) and the right amount of treble. Below the frequency response of the stock HD662-EVO with felt disc, later production models do not seem to have the felt disc anymore. Plenty of (sub)bass, but the mids are coloured sounding. A bit thin but not harsh. more measurements and information can be found HERE. The modification guide can be downloaded HERE. NOTE: When the link above does not work contact me via PM and I will e-mail it. Below the difference between a stock HD662-EVO and the modified HD662-EVO. yep that is quite an improvement with a very easy to do modification that doesn't require exotic materials or even having to open them up. The mods are also easily reversible but reckon most won't be inclined to do so. Some people find the clamping force a bit on the high side (depends on noggin' size as well I reckon) which is easy to 'adjust'. Below a small tutorial on how to decrease and increase the clamping force.
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Post by timjthomas on Jan 31, 2016 23:28:35 GMT
Impressive!! How does this compare to the HD580, HD600, or Paradox?
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Feb 1, 2016 20:00:41 GMT
Don't have any of those to compare it with. It certainly won't compare to the HD580/HD600. I do have an HD650 but would have to fit new pads on it to make a valid comparison. I prefer the comfort of the older pads and equalize it so it has the best of both worlds.
Will make a comparison with EQ'ed HD650. One thing is for sure the bass on the HD662 will have more power. The mids have more presence and the treble is slightly less refined.
The bass levels are much higher than on HD600. Treble isn't as refined as on the HD600 of course. There is a rather large gap in price there.
The HD600 is tonally balanced. HD662-EVO is not, it's a more fun and musical headphone. A bit like the modfied Philips uptown but with clearer mids popping out more and slightly more 'sparkle' to the treble.
It's above all a fun and engaging and dynamic headphone. Not a lush one for sure.
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Post by altrunox on Feb 6, 2016 3:50:10 GMT
Thanks for the review and the mods are amazingly easy! Looks pretty decent, if it's priced the same as the HD681 Evo should be a no brainer.
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Post by psych0 on Feb 10, 2016 16:48:02 GMT
Amazing work as always. So out of the 662-EVO, 681 and 681-EVO, all with modifications, which one would you recommend?
Edit: Just finished reading your modifications guide and got the answer - 662-EVO.
Hope they will be available soon.
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Feb 10, 2016 19:02:31 GMT
yes, the HD662-EVO drivers are defenitely an improvement over the old HD681 drivers and the HD681-EVO drivers.
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Post by musicfreak on Feb 13, 2016 17:17:04 GMT
Interesting! I can't wait till I can buy them in The netherlands or Germany...
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Feb 13, 2016 20:23:00 GMT
Thomann will probably be one of the first to have it.
Will ask my Superlux contact when they will be distributed in Europe.
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Post by mcoll on Feb 14, 2016 1:59:09 GMT
I'm curious, have you had the chance to compare these to the Samson SR950 and the SR850? I have the HD681 Evo (still dark sounding even after mods) and have listened a lot to the other two as well, and I'm inclined to get a pair of SR850 which seem the flattest of the bunch (maybe with the treble a little hyped-up), mainly for listening to classical and jazz and solo piano (listening and playing). Thank you!
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Feb 14, 2016 8:40:19 GMT
I did own the SR850 for quite a while, along with the HD668B. Never heard the SR950.
The SR850 was closest to the HD668B. I found them both to be a bit 'boring' but less hot in the treble and bass than HD681. The SR850 and HD668B are good for monitoring but not as good for hi-fi although many disagree.
For Classical and Jazz the HD662-EVO would be a better choice. For solo piano the HD668B or SR850 may be 'better'.
Also owned the old HD662 which I didn't like that much. It was sounding a little too much 'off'.
I only kept the HD681 (modified) and HD681-EVO (modified with Wang Yifei pads and half the felt discs) The HD662 EVO (when modified) sounds a bit inbetween the EVO (which is 'warmer') and the HD681 which has more bass, is more 'forward' and better treble extension. The HD662-EVO has deep bass which does not over power nor bleed in the bass / bloom. The mids are 'clear' and 'open' sounding (NO 'boxy' mids) and the highs (once modified) sound extended, smooth and detailed without any harshness or sibilance.
For those who heard the modified Philips ... a bit like that but with more clarity and perhaps slightly more 'sparkly' in the upper treble.
If I ever had to pick just one headphone and keep it cheap (below 200 Euros) this would currently be my pick with the Philips as a runner up. This doesn't mean this is the best headphone out there. It doesn't resolve as best nor sound as good as flagship headphones. But it is very easy to tune into and 'musical' with impressive bass extension (subwoofer kind).
Of course when I want to listen to the best recordings and get everything out of the recording (being a detail-whore at that time) I have better options. However, when driven directly from a DAP like the FiiO X3 or Sansa Fuze (or fill in other DAPs here) this one is comfortable and sounds excellent.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Feb 14, 2016 8:59:30 GMT
It's nice to see velour pads fitted rather than those horrible plastic ones that many Superlux headphones have.
I wonder when this one is due to be realeased? And how much?
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Feb 14, 2016 12:04:47 GMT
It comes with pleather pads fitted. The velours ones are included in the box though.
The pleather is much softer than the original HD681 pads. They are the same as the HD681-EVO pleather pads.
I reckon they will sell for around E 30.- to E 40.-
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Feb 14, 2016 12:08:26 GMT
Thanks Frans. I might have a go with a pair when they come out.
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Post by mcoll on Feb 15, 2016 23:17:42 GMT
Hey, I just checked back. Thank you very much for the very elaborate answer, solderdude! It's of big help but now I will have some more thinking to do. No hurry though. The SR850 come with velour pads too, currently. The SR950 I can borrow whenever I feel like a change, I gave a pair to my brother. I'm pretty sure they're based on the HD662 (not sure which variant). They appeared sometime last year, also with velour pads. They sound nice, good detail (better than the 681evo) and sound stage. I believe they have a bit of a v-shaped response, while still relatively flat, but not as flat as the SR850. Also liked the construction and headband, which I don't particularly like in the Evos, which is a shame, because I was unable to try them locally. Not very happy to see the new 662 will have the same design, despite liking the detachable cables. This was just to give a picture of the SR950 to all who read this and might be interested. I use the 681 EVO with the standard velour pads and without the foam disc (which opened it up a bit), but still feels a bit lacking in detail, not so transparent, on the dark side. Wasn't eager to actually cut the felt disk on the driver, thinking that I might sell it at a later time. I remember reading about your mods at the time when I got them. Thank you for all the reviews and mod guides, by the way. I really appreciated your materials and I'm sure a lot of people passionate about this do too! I'll really consider the HD662-EVO when they bring them at thomann, although ultimately I may go with the SR850 especially for the piano, and use the 681evo for when I want something more bassy/ darker. And for music listening, lately I listen a lot on a pair of JBL LSR305 monitors and I'm always taken with the imaging and clarity. The headphones discussed above which I've used are also surprisingly nice, but I feel in these regards they are a little under the monitors. Decisions, decisions..
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Post by psych0 on Feb 16, 2016 5:12:42 GMT
From the info i received from Superlux they should be coming out in April.
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