Maximum Impact?!

Discussion in 'General Audio Discussion' started by themystical, Apr 19, 2017.

  1. themystical

    themystical New

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    When I listen to any set-up, be it speaker or headphone, I seem to like listening to the impact sounds make. You know what I mean?! The piano as a percussive instrument, the impact of the bow on the strings of the violin, the striking of the drum etc. I believe the set up needs to get many things right for this to be apparent, especially at lower volumes. The whole audio chain from source to amp to transducer needs to be right to make this happen? However, I do believe that the transducer has the largest role to play? One of the best headphones for impact that I have heard ( and own) are the K1000's. Worst are the electrostats Including all of the Stax's.
    What are the best headphones for impact?
    Please discuss and give your views and recommendations.
     
  2. landroni

    landroni Friend

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    Well, if you're seeking the basshead experience, which it seems like you do, please check this thread first:
    http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/the-basshead-thread.1642/


    When it comes to headphones, the first basshead thing that comes to mind is planars. Anything from LCD2 to Abyss should do bass justice. If you'd rather dynamics instead, then Denon / Fostex would likely be your pick (D7000, TH-900, TH-X00). Whatever you do, stay away from Grados!

    As for amps, check our Super Duper Marvinous Schiit Compendium (TM):
    http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...ompendium-guide-to-schiit-amps-headamps.3058/

    So if 'slam' is your thing, then you'll want Mjolnir 2 or Lyr 2, though Ragnarok (Bal) or Jotunheim should work as well. (Lyr 2 is specifically designed to handle planar loads.)

    And for DACs, the Moffat bass seems to be a thing around here. So any of the Schiit MB DACs...
     
  3. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    That's the thing, it's not necessarily basshead level headphones. A properly driven HE-6 can literally blow you away at the transient power. The Focal Utopia and Elear are two others that I hear people always talking about being really dynamic.
     
  4. themystical

    themystical New

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    I am not sure that we are talking about the same thing? It's not about bass, the Impact and percussive quality could be from a piano key!? I have previously had planar magnetically ala Audeze LCD's which has plenty of bass and found them to be quite disappointing for impact.
     
  5. barelyincollege

    barelyincollege Nice Pit Bull

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    The Elear is what you're looking for from a dynamics standpoint.

    It has its flaws, but that's one thing it does really well.
     
    Last edited: Apr 19, 2017
  6. themystical

    themystical New

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    Ok I have not heard the Focals but I was hoping to discover cheaper hidden gems which are less prone to current hype. I mean headphones are a mature technology and the best headphones are not necessarily the latest? e.g. K1000's, R10's etc.?
     
  7. TwoEars

    TwoEars Friend

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    The HD650 can deliver decent snap if amped correctly, maybe not the best snap out there but considering its price and other qualities it's still a very valid choice.

    I had the HD650 combined with the Burson HA-160 for a while and for whatever reason that combo kicked pretty nice. There are lots of other headphones that kick harder but unless you go into +$1000 territory it's usually at the expense of other qualities.

    Also - this probably should have been in the general recommendations thread... but now you know.
     
  8. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

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    At $999 the Elear is a cheaper headphone (by a lot) compared to the headphones you mentioned. What headphones do you currently own? There might be gems already in your collection just waiting for correct amplification...
     
  9. Priidik

    Priidik MOT: Estelon

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    If I get you right, you mean the quality of high bass to mid-range in K1000 to be impactful (sometimes also described as solid note weight etc - which imo all comes down to well proportioned dynamic performance with not too screwy tonality).
    In this regard perhaps even HD800 with mods and tube or hybrid amping will do.
     
  10. themystical

    themystical New

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    I know what you mean as I was reasonably happy with the level of impact of my HD600's through a Musical Fidelity X-Can V2 for a long time - that is until I heard cans like HE60 (Baby Orpheus) and the K1000's which I now own.
    I am also trying to understand the contributions made by the source and amp in this regard so this discussion is not just limited to general recommendations for a headphone.
     
  11. bigfatpaulie

    bigfatpaulie Tried to screw other friends while playing victim

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    If you are asking about what I think you are asking about - that tactile sense of the sound - for me, Abyss are the king of the castle here. HE6's and K1000's are solid performers too, but the Abyss really gives the sound oomph more than anything else I've experienced in the headphone world.
     
  12. themystical

    themystical New

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    My current headphones are the K1000 amped by a cheapo chinese valve amp (much better sounding than the EAR V20 which I sold) and the Sony CD1700 for general listening.
    I suppose having spent many hundreds of pounds in past on headphone set-ups including the the Stax top of the range from about five years ago, I would happily fork out the $1000 if the Elear was outstanding for impact AND tactility (sound that is real and physical for want of a better expression) but I need to audition it somewhere.
     
  13. themystical

    themystical New

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    You may well be right although it wasn't that apparent in the HD800 (un-modded) set up that I listened to in an audio shop fr about 10 mins? This is where it gets confused because I think you need the cans to be "properly" amped and by that I don't mean with plenty of watts but with quality! What amp would you recommend and what mods?
     
  14. Serious

    Serious Inquisitive Frequency Response Plot

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    Honestly I would steer clear of the HD6X0 if dynamics are you main priority. Modded HD800 with a good amp will get you close, but still not all the way there. Honestly I don't think any headphone will get you all the way there.
     
  15. themystical

    themystical New

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    I must check your recommendations out as you seem to have a good grasp of what I am talking about? Not heard any Abyss and the brand seems pretty new too? Which specific model would you recommend? I need to check availability and auditioning in the UK too.
     
  16. themystical

    themystical New

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    What mods/amp do you think is needed?
     
  17. TwoEars

    TwoEars Friend

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  18. Hrodulf

    Hrodulf Prohibited from acting as an MOT until year 2050

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    Any headphone with a mid suckout will feel punchy. Mostly due to the fact that it won't feel loud even if it's cranked hard.
     
  19. themystical

    themystical New

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    Ok I think I know how to do that and here is the proof! LOL

    Ok perhaps I should change the criteria to "Impact" AND "Tactility". I think it is having both - not at the expense of! Mid suck-out doesn't sound like a good recipe for tactility?
     
  20. themystical

    themystical New

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    Just had a look at the price......this is £5000+ for a planar magnetic?! Is this Orpheus/R10 competition??!!
     

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