why is sbaf so different?

Hi,

this forum is alway very controversial to all other forums that i know. Why is this?

for example this forums hypes the hd650 very hard while it is known as a veiled low/mid fi headphone in every other place. Other things are hyped in other forums and here it is declared as the worst shit on earth. Is it just necessary here to be against the mainstream? I can`t really understand why this forum has completely different opinions / hypes than any other forums that i know espacially because it never matches with my own listening experiences. Please explain

 

It's not as different as you think it is.

 

The HD650 was once Sennheiser's pinnacle of headphone sound-- it was very much hi-fi. It magically did not change to low or mid-fi through the subsequent years.

I don't think the HD650 is all that amazing of a headphone, but it does a few particular things really well that not even the most expensive headphones today do well. I think you'll find that most people here appreciate and admire the HD650 for what it is and isn't-- there isn't much hype that surrounds it.

 

I went around in circles with headphones for a few years, originally thinking the HD650 and other Senns were veiled and boring. It took the appreciation of having real comparisons to realize how well rounded and innately musical the 650 is; I had to first know what I was missing. Now I find it challenging to listen to other headphones in its price category like a Grado 325e or HE-400i. I don't think SBAF is the only place you'll find 650 lovers regardless; it's been a reference point for comparison in the headphone market for a long time.

 

ok but the hyped 650 is just one example of many. I own it myself and it's not bad but I don't get why it is hyped that much. Many other stuff that is considered as really good in other places is known here as bad and overpriced and it never matches with my own expeirences so I am just wondering if its a troll forum

 

Pretty sure there is a big thread on HD650 where purrin explains stuff about it.

My summary
1) new ones do not sound like the old ones
2) yes they still require a great amp (and source)
3) pad condition is critical

just a guess since I only posted on Changstar a few times and haven't read much of this forum:
4) people here like more tonally even headphones

 

I'm wondering if you're a troll poster.

 

no, why should I ? Pls just share your opinion why sbaf is so different. serious questions

 

You might be able to argue that it's a self selecting process of people finding this forum and either agreeing with or disagreeing with the overall opinions of the most prominent users here, and thus sticking around and contributing to a sort of groupthink if they fall into the former category. But given how there are clear disagreements about specific products in most of the threads I read, I don't even think that's the case.

If I had to narrow to one point, it would be a top-down atmosphere established by the mods and older members that gear costing more than its performance implies should be called out for setting off their ripoff detectors. In a hobby like this where price sometimes determines public opinion rather than the other way around, isn't that a breath of fresh air? Isn't that a good environ to learn how to separate the wheat from the chaff? I think so; that's what makes SBAF different to me and it's why I stick around.

 

Just ask his thoughts on the TH900 and Gustard X20

 

What makes this forum different for me is that it is one of the few places that will talk crap about products if they underperform. On top of that they take measurements seriously. In fact my main reason to join is because it's really the only place where I saw measurements of tube amps. At least until Tyll ramps up his amp program.

I notice that a lot of new people think this is a place to just talk shit and troll everything. This isn't 4chan and you will get banned quickly for behaving like that.

(Yeah, I know this thread was started by a crap poster. The topic is still worth talking about)

 

Our schlongs are also on average much more resplendent...

 

SBAF defaults with night mode. Its much easier on the eyes than it's competitors.

 

This so much. Bleach white websites with no night mode or dark Stylish add-on's is equivalent to jamming rusty forks directly into your eye sockets.