Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on May 15, 2013 19:13:04 GMT
Problem is Frans, once you see the problems (like on graphs) you're never happy!!!! I've learned to accept all of their deficiencies over the years I guess and just focus on Music, or else your hair goes grey, like mine!! The graphs are reassuring but they can also be unsettling.  I posted the 280 graph to reassure Dave that they are actually quite flat until you hit 10KHz. |
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Dave
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Post by Dave on May 15, 2013 19:15:11 GMT
The only closed Superlux I liked more or less is the HD661.I owned the HD662 and some other Superluxes as well but none of them come close to the HD681.Hi Frans, Am I reading it wrong or is there some confusion with the two bits above highlighted in red? - it reads (to me) as if you are referring to the same headphones but have had 'digit trouble' when keying in one of them  . Funnily enough my Superlux HD661 are my second favourite cans so I'll have another play with them tonight to see if my aural memory has changed. Thanks, Dave. |
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on May 15, 2013 20:49:27 GMT
No mixup.
I owned the HD661, HD662, HD668B, HD669 and HD681
The HD661 was 'nice' but not as good as the HD681
the HD668-B was Boring, perhaps the B stand for boring instead of balanced.
It was more 'truthful and accurate' but not as 'fun'
The closed versions 662 and 669 never did it for me and even with filters they were 'off' .
So in the end only the filtered HD681 remained simply because it was the best one amongst those.
I found the stock HD661 to be too 'sharp' and even though a filter shaved it 'off' it could not match the HD681.
Add to that the HD681 is the cheapest of them all.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on May 16, 2013 18:51:30 GMT
It depends on how much isolation you want. Real good solutions for closed back are not abundant. Best cheap solution IMO is the T40RP/T50RP modified to be completely closed with a correction filter. I think nothing closed can beat that. If you don't want the final word in isolation the D2000 would be my best guess. If you are lucky the K550 Shure SRH-840 or if you want them more airy and less bassy the SRH940 The 2012 AudioTechnica ATH-M50 comes to mind as well. The worst part is that I can't settle for any of them except the T40 Dave. D2000 is a great headphone but fat bass. Can be bloated. K550 - quite an edgy, sharp sound and some find thin in bass response. ATH M50 - Mine was quite raised in the bass although I hear new ones are better. I don't know the Shure series. There's also the fat DT770 with it's quite sharp top end. It's quite funny in that I seem to be becoming quite a cheapskate and feel very satified with the HD681; flaws and all. (It's semi closed) The T40 is the most accurate sounding of them all but I think because of that, some would find it a flat, boring listen perhaps!! It's very strength becomes its Achilles heel for some!!!! |
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Dave
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Post by Dave on May 16, 2013 19:16:48 GMT
Hi Ian/Frans, This morning I dug out my HD681 cans, complete with Mick's Ali rings and felt/velvet ear pads and gave them another listen - not bad, are they? . I'll listen a little more, later, and see how they go. I may be kidding myself but armed with Frans' description and Ian's diagram I think I can hear what they were referring to. Just out of interest, how much of a problem would it be to mod the T50RP to get the best out of them? - they are currently available at £109 delivered in the UK so are within my budget. Cheers, Dave. |
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on May 16, 2013 19:30:47 GMT
The HD681 Evo is better Dave. Slightly more refined.
I also couldn't get on with the 'sharpness' of the HD661. It got kind of mixed reviews when they were passed around RG, but I never really took to them from the start.
I also have the T50 (Unmodded) Just change the pads on them and they are MASSIVELY improved without touching anything inside. Warm and punchy sound. Amp is most definitely needed though. Fran's filter lifts and extends the top end but I also like them with a curtailed top end. (Like the HD280 pro!!)
The worst thing about them is the stupid connection of the lead which seems to make and break at the start but a strong wiggle and twist seems to clean it up. I like being able to change the lead for a shorter one with mini plugs for portable use. (With an amp) Now have an O2 for it!!
What I really like about the T50/T40 is the way that the bass hits and goes. It doesn't dominate but has punch and a dryness that not many headphones have. Others produce robust bass, but it feels kind of 'slow' by comparison. The T50 bass is hard hitting and fast.
I must admit, I really couldn't understand the sarcasm and weird comments when I started the T50 thread on the other place. Things like 'get a decent headphone' and forget the filter etc. All coming from people that hadn't even tried it.
Then kingpin modded one and lo and behold, it's the best heard!!! I felt that from the start even with stock pads - which are not great. The headphone has mids that are unbelievably good and the change of pads brings the bottom end in. However, one reviewer preferred the DT770 to them - now that's plain lack of experience and reacting to boom tizz!!!
It's a classic in my books and is beautifully understated in presentation. So much, you'd think it was 'unexciting' until you hear something recorded well and it smacks you just how good they sound without being at all flashy.
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Dave
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Post by Dave on May 16, 2013 20:52:29 GMT
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on May 16, 2013 21:20:50 GMT
Dave, the white version looks the same as the black to me. Just the colour? I think the Evo is also referred to as Mk II.
I have the stock pads on the Evo. (Pleather) You can put the same ones that the old HD681 takes. Is it AKG 240 pads?
Basically, the Evo is a warmed up version of the old one I'd say. £23 is an amazing price for the sound you get tbh. To think, you can get 5 of these for one T50!!!! (Mind you, the T50 is a better headphone)
It looks like Fran's new filter will make the Evo sound even better too. My guess is that it will become more balanced since it does have quite a thunderous bass response. (About the same level as the old HD681)
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Dave
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Post by Dave on May 16, 2013 22:26:33 GMT
Hi Ian, Sorry, my mistake regarding their look - for some reason I was thinking they looked like the 661 - old age taking it's toll I'm afraid  . Dave. |
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juke
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Post by juke on May 17, 2013 8:52:24 GMT
It's a Hammond EMI enclosure - I used one for my DT1350 filter/amp too. Neat build Dicky, how did you do the lettering? Syd |
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dicky
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Post by dicky on May 17, 2013 20:30:25 GMT
Thanks guys - it took me a couple of hours to build the PCB and a couple of weeks to drill the case.  I hate drilling holes and even bought a cheap drill stand to help. That was a mistake - the clue is in the cheap!!!. It's in the bin now. I had to buy new end plates for the enclosure.  Anyway Syd, to make the lettering I got a Brother PT300 label printer from ebay for about £3. The tapes are quite expensive at around £15 but they are quite effective. I got it originally to label my wallwarts, PSUs and cables so I don't connect the wrong things together. If you PM your address and let me know what you want I can send you some labels. I have white on clear, black on clear and yellow on black tapes. |
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juke
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Post by juke on May 19, 2013 9:35:31 GMT
....Anyway Syd, to make the lettering I got a Brother PT300 label printer from ebay for about £3. The tapes are quite expensive at around £15 but they are quite effective. I got it originally to label my wallwarts, PSUs and cables so I don't connect the wrong things together. If you PM your address and let me know what you want I can send you some labels. I have white on clear, black on clear and yellow on black tapes. Hi Dicky That's a very kind offer, I'll PM you. I was going to say I'll buy a machine as you had mentioned a few other uses which would make it very useful to me, but they don't seem plentiful on Ebay just now, so a couple of labels will be great until I find one. It will let me label up my soon to be completed HE-6 filter box. Where did you buy your case? I couldn't find one quite like it. Syd |
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dicky
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Post by dicky on May 19, 2013 12:09:16 GMT
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Dave
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Post by Dave on May 19, 2013 13:03:48 GMT
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on May 19, 2013 16:13:21 GMT
These are nice Hammond boxes but the PCB won't slide in there.
It does slide in a 1457C1201 but these are more expensive boxes alas
GBP 17.- at Maplin
€ 18,49 at Mouser.
€ 31,40 at Conrad.de (in VAT)
€ 20,35 at Farnell (ex VAT)
€ 21,57 at RS-online (ex VAT)
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I hate drilling holes and even bought a cheap drill stand to help. That was a mistake - the clue is in the cheap!!!. It's in the bin now. 