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Post by garbulky on Jun 27, 2021 17:50:45 GMT -5
That guy knows what's up! Did you mean he knows “the drill”? Good question. I'm going to have to chew on that for a while. |
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Post by garbulky on Jun 27, 2021 19:22:08 GMT -5
Well two things so far. The HD800S has certainly improved but boy does it have noticeable treble peaks, almost tearing my ears off at times.
The other...probably bigger problem is that its weight might be too much for my neck that has seen better days. After about half an hour, I get noticeable pain. This is a serious problem as I wear headphones for hours a day.
I want to give this a fair shake, but I am starting to wonder whether I am giving too much for something that should have been just perfect straight out of the box.
I've bought a set of $80 pads which should arrive soon. I am going to purchase a special headphone eq for $300. May end up purchasing a Loki. These costs start adding up considering the headphones retailed for $1700.
I'm looking around and most of the high end headphones other than the ether flow 2 weigh more than the HD800S, some substantially more! Perhaps I am shopping for endgame headphones at the wrong time. Should I be looking at high end IEMS instead? I would have to buy a different low noise amplifier for it...
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Post by Boomzilla on Jun 27, 2021 20:48:05 GMT -5
You're also welcome to borrow my cheap TIN in-ears. I'd be interested to hear your opinion of them... Also, when you drop by to pick up the Loki, consider bringing your 800s so you can hear them with a tube amp.
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Post by garbulky on Jun 27, 2021 22:13:40 GMT -5
You're also welcome to borrow my cheap TIN in-ears. I'd be interested to hear your opinion of them... Also, when you drop by to pick up the Loki, consider bringing your 800s so you can hear them with a tube amp. Oooooh what tube amp?! |
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Post by Boomzilla on Jun 27, 2021 23:43:02 GMT -5
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Post by garbulky on Jun 28, 2021 10:20:35 GMT -5
Hi guys, I am looking for light high end headphones. The sennheiser HD800S are 11 oz or 330g// and I am finding them a little too painful for my neck (that has issues).
The only other light high end headphones I've seen in my price range are the Mr Speaker ether 2 flow. My price range pretty much maxes out at about $2k but I may stretch it to $2300.
If anybody has any suggestions please comment.
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Jun 28, 2021 12:37:48 GMT -5
I am a Dan Clark Audio (MrSpeakers) fan and the Ether 2 is 280 grams (just under 10oz.) But if you want true lightweight you should consider IEMs.
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Post by garbulky on Jun 28, 2021 12:41:02 GMT -5
I am a Dan Clark Audio (MrSpeakers) fan and the Ether 2 is 280 grams (just under 10oz.) But if you want true lightweight you should consider IEMs. I am looking at this as well. The moondrop blessing 2 iem. $320. www.amazon.com/Moondrop-Blessing2-Technology-Monitor-Earphone/dp/B0836C6LQ8/ The issue with IEMs is that my a-100 is likely too noisy for them in direct drive mode. With the resistor enabled it may be quiet enough but the output impedance would be 220 ohms which is more than that for IEM. I would probably want a Schiit Modius for them. |
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Jun 28, 2021 12:47:10 GMT -5
I am a Dan Clark Audio (MrSpeakers) fan and the Ether 2 is 280 grams (just under 10oz.) But if you want true lightweight you should consider IEMs. I am looking at this as well. The moondrop blessing 2 iem. $320. www.amazon.com/Moondrop-Blessing2-Technology-Monitor-Earphone/dp/B0836C6LQ8/The issue with IEMs is that my a-100 is likely too noisy for them in direct drive mode. With the resistor enabled it may be quiet enough but the output impedance would be 220 ohms which is more than that for IEM. I would probably want a Schiit Modius for them. No idea about the A-100, but yes IEMs require a quiet amp. I have a set of Etymotic EVOs which rival any headphones I've heard except my electrostats, and I use an inexpensive set of 1-More triple drivers for travel which are surprisingly good. |
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Post by garbulky on Jun 29, 2021 0:41:57 GMT -5
Installed the Loki on loan thanks to Boomzilla. Attempt is to bring some bass back to the HD800S. Results - uncertain. Need more time, I've only played with it for a few minutes. On one hand, clearly there is bass. But has it really extended lower than the HD800s were able to deliver before? Not sure. But I was able to make it sound a little more full. I suspect the Loki could do with a few additional knobs on the important bass feature. Listening, now the bass appears to have a significantly more punch. What I did was I cranked up the bass close to full, reduced the last two treble dials just a smidge. I suspect the cranked bass is intruding on the mid-range introducing some muddiness. Interesting. What I heard gives me enough curiosity to pursue this experiment further when I have a little time tomorrow! As for whether the Loki is coloring the signal by simply being there, it's not immediately obvious if it is. At times I thought it was, but then I couldn't be sure. More investigation is needed! |
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Post by adaboy on Jun 29, 2021 1:14:46 GMT -5
I am a Dan Clark Audio (MrSpeakers) fan and the Ether 2 is 280 grams (just under 10oz.) But if you want true lightweight you should consider IEMs. I am looking at this as well. The moondrop blessing 2 iem. $320. www.amazon.com/Moondrop-Blessing2-Technology-Monitor-Earphone/dp/B0836C6LQ8/The issue with IEMs is that my a-100 is likely too noisy for them in direct drive mode. With the resistor enabled it may be quiet enough but the output impedance would be 220 ohms which is more than that for IEM. I would probably want a Schiit Modius for them. Garb, if you are going IEMs look up Westone and Ultimate Ears. I have custom modeled (which I recommend) dual armature Westone in ears. Was during my drumming days and I still use them 10 years later for critical listening and drumming at church. |
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Jun 29, 2021 12:57:39 GMT -5
"Drumming at church"? I thought my relatives were the only ones who did that...  |
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Post by Boomzilla on Jun 29, 2021 16:12:38 GMT -5
So, garbulky - Enquiring minds want to know: 1. Did the Schiit Loki fix the bass of the Sennheiser 800s and does Loki color the sound otherwise? |
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Post by garbulky on Jun 29, 2021 16:18:37 GMT -5
So, garbulky - Enquiring minds want to know: 1. Did the Schiit Loki fix the bass of the Sennheiser 800s and does Loki color the sound otherwise? The answer is uncertain due to only a few minutes hands on. This was the report below Installed the Loki on loan thanks to Boomzilla. Attempt is to bring some bass back to the HD800S. Results - uncertain. Need more time, I've only played with it for a few minutes. On one hand, clearly there is bass. But has it really extended lower than the HD800s were able to deliver before? Not sure. But I was able to make it sound a little more full. I suspect the Loki could do with a few additional knobs on the important bass feature. Listening, now the bass appears to have a significantly more punch. What I did was I cranked up the bass close to full, reduced the last two treble dials just a smidge. I suspect the cranked bass is intruding on the mid-range introducing some muddiness. Interesting. What I heard gives me enough curiosity to pursue this experiment further when I have a little time tomorrow! As for whether the Loki is coloring the signal by simply being there, it's not immediately obvious if it is. At times I thought it was, but then I couldn't be sure. More investigation is needed! |
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Post by adaboy on Jun 29, 2021 21:15:04 GMT -5
"Drumming at church"? I thought my relatives were the only ones who did that... View Attachment😂😂😂 My ancestors may resemble that remark |
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Post by garbulky on Jun 30, 2021 5:47:44 GMT -5
Played around with a little bit more. Currently I have to tame this ridiculous treble glare. I wonder if it is unfixable - perhaps it is. The main problem with using the eq is that the soundstage feels smaller. Perhaps eq disrupts phase information? Or maybe exagerrated highs on the HD800S is part of the reason for its soundstage... I have a Garage Kameleon EQ on order with a custom HD800S equalization module. garage1217.com/new_website_017.htmI also put on some Dekoni elite hybrid pads. I don't know if there's anything elite about them but they do feel comfortable, better headclamp and give a slightly different tonal signature. We'll have to see. |
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Post by Boomzilla on Jun 30, 2021 7:25:53 GMT -5
Did you like the Ixos interconnects? I couldn't hear a difference with them, but they're supposed to be fairly good ones.
Other than reduced soundstage, did you hear any other coloration from the Loki?
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Post by garbulky on Jun 30, 2021 7:46:04 GMT -5
Did you like the Ixos interconnects? I couldn't hear a difference with them, but they're supposed to be fairly good ones. Other than reduced soundstage, did you hear any other coloration from the Loki? I hesitate to blame the soundstage as being a Loki coloration. It may simply be that I haven't optimized the eq settings for the headphones. I haven't been able to spot any noticeable coloration or distortion coming from the Loki. That is really impressive as I thought another box in the signal path would be immediately obvious. But not so far! It appears very quiet. I haven't detected a veil or "smoothing" of the treble that can happen with other preamps I've used. The treble feels very extended. Impressive for what is a nicely affordable piece of gear. In comparison I could hear the coloration from the introduction of the XSP-1 in the treble and bass. Is this the Loki mini or mini plus? I'm not sure which interconnects I used. Whatever they were they appeared to do the job but I didn't notice anything significantly different in them. |
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Post by Boomzilla on Jun 30, 2021 7:55:08 GMT -5
The Loki you’re using is the original - not the mini.
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Post by brutiarti on Jun 30, 2021 9:23:47 GMT -5
If you need EQ to like your headphones probably they are not your cup of tea. You should like them out of the box and fall in love as they open up. I had the same issue with some Hifiman that I had to sell right away. It was tough for me as I was coning from the HD600 that are really relaxed.
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