solderdude
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measureutternutter
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Post by solderdude on Jul 5, 2013 20:31:52 GMT
I added some measurements and sonic impressions about the following headphones in the measurements section on the website. (click on the link to take you there) Added headphones are the Sennheiser HD 25-1 / HD 230 / HD 215 and Philips SHP 9000. a few days earlier I also added the Sony XB-500 and an oldie... the Stax SR-5 with SRD-6 adapter.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jul 6, 2013 8:31:51 GMT
The Senn HD25 is both a surprise and confirms what I have felt for a long time about it Frans. Your description of 'coarse highs' tallies with what I hear and have never really said because so many people seem to like it as a headphone.
It's not 'bad' but I do find the top end strange and always have.
I saw underneath it, the DT1350.
I still struggle with the DT1350. Although 'coloured', I prefer the M50 if I'm honest.
Maybe it's an amp matching thing. I do find some amps work better with certain headphones and although the differences are very slight, it seems to make all the difference. The Beyer has this 'nasal' quality that I sometimes find a bit unpleasant. I'll give it another go with more powerful amps just to see if it's something to do with what's driving it though.
I guess I'm after a portable version of the t40 and it just isn't there. It's just a shame, because my 'head' or 'expectations' of this headphone were way above what I feel I'm getting in reality.
If any headphone is ripe for mods the DT1350 is. In spite of all the positive reviews that are seen, it has it's own set of problems with those tiny cups imo.
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solderdude
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measureutternutter
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Post by solderdude on Jul 6, 2013 9:13:03 GMT
With the velourpads on it and 'filter-amped' the DT1350 is difficult to beat by most portable HP's IMO. IMO the DT1350 needs a portable amp anyway and if you drag one along might as well have a 'filter' in it as I don't use other portable HP's anymore. yes, the highs aren't 'velvetty' but ain't a deal breaker for me either. Well.. I do use the KSC35/75 directly out of portable devices. The filter-amp removes the cuppy mids which is indeed it's biggest negative point aslong with creating a good seal with the original pads. Clamping force (just like with the HD25) is on the high side when you need a good seal and your pinnae aren't 'flat' enough. Also in case of the DT1350 it largely depends on which 'choclat' you happen to have. I auditioned mine before I bought it. To me it sounds a lot better than HD25, PortaPro, PX100, HD238 e.t.c. Haven't heard the expensive AT's though but these appear to sound lush. I don't like rock on lush headphones. Stock I don't particularly care for the DT1350 that much. On a Sansa Fuze with the second EQ slider pulled down a bit and the bass and treble a notch up I already find it a very good listen though.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jul 6, 2013 9:22:56 GMT
Mine is stock and like you, I don't care for its sound at all. I am beginning to think it'll be leaving soon. Or else, I have a different sounding one - it's the one that Tyll reviewed and then was passed on to Dale.
Tyll liked it but Dale didn't and also mentioned the 'nasal' sound and lack of bottom end clout.
Maybe the seal? I don't know. It's a love/hate thing with it tbh.
Wearing them 'low slung' seems to help, so perhaps my ears are a bit knobbly and so don't seal too well. Perhaps a softer pad that took the shape of my ear better would help?
An amp with a warmer sig helps actually - the Fiio E12!!
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Jul 7, 2013 21:19:23 GMT
The 'problem' with the DT1350 is that it is not a hifi phone. It's for monitoring.
To turn it into a capable headphone you have to alter it to do the hifi job. Most are not willing to go that far and want a headphone to be good of the shelf. No such thing I am afraid.
really liked it on auditioning. Hated it when I got home and had to resort to different pads and a dedicated and FR corrected amp to make it work.
After this I haven't found a single headphone (besides ortho's) that can do what I like to see in headphones.
No ... it's not as good as a modified/filtered T50 nor LCD-2/HE500/HE-6 but with the right tools it comes quite close. As said... Purrin measured HUGE differences between individual DT1350's and you have to be fortunate to have a good one to start with. (Have it) measured to see where that particular one hurts and compensate it... voila great headphone, easy to drive from battery operated gear. Unlike most portable headphones I know the DT1350 reacts very well to EQ-ing.
Stock.... nope I would not use it that way ever.
b.t.w. it sound marginally better driven from 120 Ohm.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jul 7, 2013 21:24:09 GMT
The DT1350`s are the only HP i have ever purchased after auditioning, that i liked initially, then after a couple of weeks grew to hate. They were sold shortly after. I found them extremely tiring after anymore than 15 or so minutes of use. Mick I'm glad I'm not the only one, Mick. I think mine will be going too!! Filter and amp kind of defeats what I'd like to use it for.
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