solderdude
Administrator
measureutternutter
Posts: 4,881
|
Post by solderdude on Feb 2, 2015 20:35:10 GMT
Plots of the silver/grey version after modification. Not that shabby for a cheap headphone + some pads. Sounds quite nice as well. compared to the stock version (grey and black version measure the same)
|
|
Rabbit
Administrator
Posts: 7,087
|
Post by Rabbit on Feb 2, 2015 20:46:45 GMT
Both of those plots show really low bass going on. Terrific for a cheap headphone. I guess the dip at 2 - 3 KHz makes them smooth sounding too. Actually, they also go up a long way into the treble too. The slope is still there in the mids though so I guess it's slightly Senn like in sound? You've also managed to get the bass much more under control.
Maybe we should have a bargain area much like Tyll's Wall of Fame.
Headphones that give potential like this for such low money!!
|
|
solderdude
Administrator
measureutternutter
Posts: 4,881
|
Post by solderdude on Feb 2, 2015 21:00:59 GMT
There are a few cheapies that improve with not too expensive mods and become quite good. HD681, HD681EVO (+ chinese pads), This Philips Cityscape uptown as well. Also the K550 improves with the mods (when you have a shrill one, some models have smooth treble from the start) These all have deep lows and nice treble and a good midrange. The Superluxes are the lesser ones here though, particular in the mids and smoothness of the treble.
Without mods I quite enjoy the PortaPro and KSC35/KSC75 as well (as well as the PX100-II) The first ones mentioned are over-ear though, the latter are all on-ear.
|
|
|
Post by c61746961 on Feb 4, 2015 22:24:58 GMT
I have a chance to pick these up for ~86 USD shipped to Mexico, shipping is 61 USD for a flat rate box :S
Are these worth 86 USD?
|
|
solderdude
Administrator
measureutternutter
Posts: 4,881
|
Post by solderdude on Feb 5, 2015 5:59:27 GMT
Nah ... a bit on the high side. They do sound very nice though and have decent isolation.
When lucky I can find them here at around $35 (that is included shipping to me), shipping to Mexico would be around $20 + you need pads (another $25) that would make the about $80 fully modified.
|
|
|
Post by c61746961 on Feb 5, 2015 6:27:17 GMT
I already have a pair of SRH840 pads lying around ... Can't believe it's cheaper to ship from Europe than the US :S
|
|
|
Post by c61746961 on Feb 5, 2015 15:37:35 GMT
How would you rate them against the DT250?, I bought Deep Funk's pair for my father's studio work and had a long listen, they are very good but there are still things that the modded on1's do better.
|
|
solderdude
Administrator
measureutternutter
Posts: 4,881
|
Post by solderdude on Feb 5, 2015 15:50:22 GMT
I measured and heard deepfunks pair and thought it was accurate sounding but lacked 'finesse' in the treble. It lacked smoothness in the highs and a bit of musicality but was accurate.
The modified Philips is close in tonal balance but slightly less 'forward' sounding as the upper mids are subdued a little. Bass is more 'musical' and the treble is smooth, as in not grainy which the DT250 has a tiny bit off.
The modified Philips are not as neutral as the DT250's but more musical, more fun to listen to music where the DT250 is better for checking recordings and if the tonality of the recording is accurate.
|
|
|
Post by c61746961 on Feb 5, 2015 17:49:33 GMT
Yeah, that's what I gathered. The DT250 are impressive in the sense that they have an even FR with no major problems at all, treble is present but not sibilant, bass isn't loose, etc. They lacked in resolution, blackness, ambiance but nailed accuracy. I'll try to match the FR of both channels in the future if I ever get to build the measurement rig.
I'll be pursuing the uptowns then, hoping that I get better deal than 80 USD.
|
|
Rabbit
Administrator
Posts: 7,087
|
Post by Rabbit on Feb 5, 2015 20:54:17 GMT
Funny thing that reviews say the opposite about the amount of bass on the Philips. Some say bass heavy, while others say lacking in bass. Quite strange in the wide range of responses.
|
|
solderdude
Administrator
measureutternutter
Posts: 4,881
|
Post by solderdude on Feb 5, 2015 21:02:28 GMT
The stock version has a lot of bass (green line) BUT if you break the seal bass disappears rapidly. These are plots of the actual SHL9505 with the stock pads. As can be seen, some hair or arms of glasses may remove a LOT of bass on these.
|
|
Rabbit
Administrator
Posts: 7,087
|
Post by Rabbit on Feb 5, 2015 21:06:36 GMT
I see why the wide variations then. Reminded me of K550. Same thing. Some saying excellent bass while others said no bass!! I thought perhaps QC must have been bad.
Mind you, now Ive heard one that was different, I realise that there are indeed variations. I heard the new one again today and felt that the top end was tidier as well.
Possibly same for Philips, plus the random fits on heads.
What is the 3.5 socket one?
|
|
solderdude
Administrator
measureutternutter
Posts: 4,881
|
Post by solderdude on Feb 5, 2015 21:12:09 GMT
A 3.5mm socket from an extension cord (just for the sake of the test) that I had at hand and looked small. It is simply shoved between the pad and the testrig. Simply to see what a small 'leak' would do.
Most headphones have quite a spread in tonality. In most cases L and R of drivers are matched in the factory (if lucky) but tonal variances simply exist during production.
DT1350 is notorious for it as is the K550 and even the HD800 seems to have various degrees of 'treble'
|
|
Rabbit
Administrator
Posts: 7,087
|
Post by Rabbit on Feb 5, 2015 21:16:05 GMT
It may have been more to do with the quality of treble that I noticed in my student's headphone. Listening again today because he brought it in, I felt that the top is more refined sounding which would probably make it seem rounder in the bass by comparison.
My K551 seems like a good one too.
Bit worrying though when you see such opposing views.
Are there real differences between stock black, brown and grey versions or is it just QC do you reckon?
|
|
Rabbit
Administrator
Posts: 7,087
|
Post by Rabbit on Feb 6, 2015 17:04:44 GMT
I've been having a deep bass fest this afternoon, listening to the absolutely fabulous Kameleon. Just changed over to the Cityscape Uptown that Frans has modified and sent over with the Kameleon.
I would say if you want a terrific portable headphone, this is really good. Not as neutral as the Senn sound and, would you believe, heavier sounding but you just wonder where on earth the deep bass is coming from. It has a bass that's not overpowering, but a long way down.
They sound so good, that I telephoned a dealer friend of mine (who is kind enough to supply me with basically anything he can get his hands on) and I will have a standard Cityscape here tomorrow so I can compare and see what the differences are.
They are worth what Amazon are asking imo, although I know that Frans is getting them second hand and cheap but the mods that he has devised are terrific. They sound like a full blown expensive headphone. Not as refined or spacious as the Sennheiser, but I'm quite relieved by that since the Senns cost a damned sight more.
What we are seeing here is someone getting the absolute most from a cheap headphone giving just amazing value for money. It's a rich, hard hitting listen that is really musical and entertaining for music listening.
I really couldn't believe the depth of bass from the little cups. They seem too small to produce anything like what you get.
Hearing so much sub-bass in the Senns from the Kameleon and the Philips (totally on its own) has made me realise that I'm not really what you'd say a bass head is. In fact, I miss the sub-bass more than I thought in headphones. Something that you get live, but rarely hear in any headphone, but once it's there, you realise that it's not MORE bass you want, but a proper level of sub bass. I think I like a raised bass because it kind of compensates for a lack of sub-bass.
The Cityscape does sub-bass with Frans mods big time and is worth getting.
Frans is doing some unbelieveably ground breaking work on headphone listening at the moment. The ideas are truly stunning and supply a way to top listening with relatively little money. Quite amazing actually. You just wouldn't believe the level he has got the Cityscape to and as for the Senn HD650 ...,,, it could well stop people spending big money on other things tbh.
Boy..... I'm going to have one helluva weekend with this gear!!!
|
|