Final D8000 new planar headphones

Looks like the Chris Martens review was in the printed HIFI+ (issue 157) - here's a bit of it as they're running a contest and have added a couple of quotes -

http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/win-a-fantastic-pair-of-final-d8000-headphones-worth-3499/

 

First impressions can be like that. With pricey products some adjusting is needed usually. That's just me, but things that usually blow me away instantly fade quickly whereas promising but not over the top devices tend to grow on me to a point of being remarkable. Not always of course, but my point is that some getting used to is rather needed.

 

interesting tech. here's a TL;DR: You know how in certain situations, if you try to slam a door from fully open without following through, the air behind it keeps it from slamming and it stops right at the point of closing with a WHOOSH? The D8000 is constructed so that that happens with the diaphragm. The air stops the diaphragm from slamming. Very clever.

 

They are very clever people. And your explanation? A spot on!

Btw. are there any users reviews of D8000 here or is it too early?

 

I had a chance to try them out for a bit. Pads are odd, comfort/weight is acceptable, though not my preferred headband system. Sound is incredible.

Headstage = average
Resolution = exceptional
Diffuse field representation is excellent
Transient response is great but I bet it would sound even better from a punchy/fast amp.
No frequency response flaws, it reminds me of the andromeda in tonality, with a bit better extension down low.


Overall the sound reminds me of the Focal Clear, but without the wonky midrange stuff that's going on there. Overall the sound was better on the D8000, with a bit more bass definition the way I like, and what sounds more realistic to me.

 

I heard these twice at CanJam/NYC. First time was w/a DAP only (sound surprisingly good, but noisy environment); second time was w/a real amp in a quieter place (great sound). Like others here, I found the overall sound signature to be nice: somewhat warm; great bass; seemed to have plenty of mids & highs w/zero brightness; above-average soundstage. The pads were odd. They felt a lot like Focal Elear pads--hard foam, weird fabric covering (not soft). But this also didn't feel like a deal-breaker...

Re pricing: it's nuts. But I wasn't there to buy them, just to listen (& very glad I did).

 

No brightness, no fatigue, ho harshness. 'Just' a great all-rounder with fabulous bass and in general open and airy presentation which we've found very difficult to dislike or beat.

 

It is weird and they do themselves a disservice. When I bought my Phonitor XE, I had already listened to a friend's - which was lucky- because at the showroom when I went to buy it, they set me up with the dodgiest set-up and not enough power etc etc and it sounded like shit. Pretty hard to make a Phonitor sound like shit too. Lucky I knew what I wanted and I did tell they guy that he would have lost a sale for sure just by taking no time or due diligence.