qazeqazI would like to go against NateB and say that the bass is insane. Ive never heard sub bass extend so low in my life. I mean it literally shakes and rumbles. The only way to describe it is like being a concert and feeling the vibration of the sub.
MitchPageqazeqaz, I like to use my headphones for at least a few days before I tell someone how the headphones sound to me. I have a pair of Hifiman HE-400i headphones that Hifiman suggest breaking the headphones in for 150 hours. I probably have close to that amount of time and the sound of the phones has slowly gotten better the last few times I used these headphones.
qazeqazI think you will like these headphones! I like them now, but in a few days I will put them through their paces, playing all sorts of genres of music, a true test of these cans!
qazeqazIf you are referring to the Fostex TH900's I would go for the TH900's for 800. I have only seen them in videos and on Amazon, but that red is beautiful!
NateBYou're right. I have them and the lacquer job alone is worth half the price. Although I suspect the mass drop phone is probably pretty close in sound being fundamentally the same driver. The woodwork on the TH900 is definitely art though. If you've not seen the videos on Fostex's site, they are pretty cool. It takes you through the whole process of making the lacquer, smoking the platinum foil, all of it. But at $400 i am trying to resist these because it seems such a good deal.
TheBreezeI have seen the whole process video! These headphones are turning out to be a great looking, sounding (as I use them more) and buy. The decision is yours to make, but my question to you is, do you have any open back headphones?
NateBI currently use Sennheiser 600s at home. But I need a more closed pair for work. Been to Japan and loved it there so I am leaning towards the 900s over these 00s. Just trying to pull the trigger. Need more bass as well.
qazeqazTalk to "TheBreeze" as he owns the 900s. If you get the X00s for $400 you can get another pair of headphones, like the AKG K7XX for $200 and still have some money left over for some kind of DAC/Amp, but you a chance of paying $800 for an ultimate pair of headphones and be saving $500 on these headphones, deep down I would say get the 900s. Do check out some videos on the 900s, it will help.
NateBYes I do. I am fortunate enough to have a pair of the Focal Utopia headphones. But I have also owned HD580. And I have spent a fair amount of listening time with the LCD-X and HD800. At home I use the Utopia mostly. At work a closed back Audio Technica and Campfire audio Lyra in ear.
qazeqazThe great thing here is that you have a bunch of good choices. One question. Is the $800 for the MK1 or Mk2. From what I read, there doesn't appear to be much if any sound quality difference. The MK2 has a detachable cable though. I have the MK1. I am confident both the X00 and the 900 have plenty of bass. If read a bit you'all find that the most frequent criticism of the 900 is that it is a bit too rich in the bass. Being someone who listens mostly to rock music, they fit my preference well. But NateB has a really good point. Yes, 800 is a really good price for a headphone that normally goes for $1300. But I really think the difference in sound will be relatively minor and that $400 will give you quite a few options for a DAC/Amp. I just got a Chord Mojo for $470, arriving today.
TjPhysicistFrom Sonic Elextronix, but apparently it was a one day coupon on Friday. Right I think they are back to to $529. I know Amazon had it for $529 also.
qazeqazI'll let you know what i think later this week, but Chord is a company that has an excellent reputation in high end home stuff too. The reason I want it is because the DAC is implemented in a very different approach from most. Most DACs use off the shelf chips, from, TI, Wolfson, Cirrus Logic, etc. Then they will do some configuration of filters, etc. And many of these are really, really good.
The Mojo (and all the other Chord DACS) do not use an off the shelf chip. Instead they use field programmable gate array chips and implement the conversion in software. My DAC at home, a PS Audio Directstream does the same thing, implement the conversion totally in software. Chord and PS Audio use different approaches, but both believe they can do a better job by writing their own conversion instead of using a chip. So I have really wanted to try the Chord. You can find many very positive reviews. Most seem to feel it offers outstanding value for money.
This is pure conjecture but I suspect the Mojo is capable of getting everything out of the phones that is possible. Only you and your budget can decide whether it is worth it to you. I am traveling mid week, but should have a more informed opinion by the end of the week.
TheBreezeSo I assume you would recommend it for a mobile set of IEMs like 64 Audio? Can the Mojo work well as a desktop unit and mobile? I know it is designed more for mobility. But 1 that does both would be the best solution for me since I am always on the move.
qazeqazIf you search for Chord Mojo reviews on the web and check out the Mojo specific thread on head-fi.org, you'll find far more about it than I could say. I just got home and plugged it in to charge, so it will be tomorrow before I hear it the first time. The in ears I use are quite different from the 64 Audio IEMs. They use balanced armature drivers. The Campfire Audio Lyra uses a single 8.5 mm dynamic driver. So I wouldn't really be able to comment. What I can say is that I would recommend reading the write up of the Mojo on headphone.com. Disclaimer: I have been a customer of headphone.com since the mid 90's. I have always found them to be very honest with you on the phone and very concerned that you get the right product. They also offer 30 day return privileges assuming you keep all materials etc. Once the Mojo is charged I'll be able to compare it to the DAC in my ALO CDM dad/amp and to my PS Audio Directstream, so I'll have comparison with a product about 3 times its cost and one that is about 10 times its cost. I'll let you know.
NateBSounds like you and I have similar tastes. I am also a big fan of everything AudioEngine does. Really terrific value for money. Always very musical.
TheBreezeBack in the late 70's through the early 90's, I kept up with the audiophile world. I got out of because I was moving a lot and had to downsize. I recently came into a few extra dollars and I am slowly getting back into the swing of the better headphones (since I live in an apartment, trying to be the good neighbor) and slowly working on the DAC/Amp combinations. I try to read head-fi.org articles, watch Z Reviews on YouTube and also on YouTube InnerFidelity along with a few few other subscriptions to other channels. Slowly I will have the headphones for every need in the future.
qazeqazOk. received the Mojo last night. Charged it for the full 10 hours overnight as directed. Hated waiting. :). Brought the TH900s to work with me. Let's start with the hyperbole. I have a. 6k DAC at home that is the best I've heard. I would say as a DAC the Mojo is like 98% of that one. As a DAC it is fantastic. There is just a "wholeness" to the music. Now that I have heard two different DACs from 2 different companies both implemented in software, but using different approaches, I believe we've been missing the boat on DACs for a long time. I am big vinyl bigot and at tube guy, and the MOJO just sounds right. It is really good with the TH900. I have a hard time thinking anyone would be unhappy with that pairing. I also tried it with my in ears and it is very good also. My impression is that it would be fine with the 64 Audio or most IEMs. The other thing I like about the MOJO (and my PS Audio) is that regular CD quality files sound pretty much just as good as the hi res and DSD files I have. My opinion is that it is a terrific deal at the list price of $600. At $459 it is just a freakin steal. I am more convinced than ever that software is the way to do D/A conversion. Now if I could just afford a Chord Dave. :)
TheBreezeI am listening to it as a DAC only feeding my ALO Continental Dual Mono. The CDM is a dual mono vacuum tube amp that includes a very good Wolfson DAC, but the Chord bypassing the CDM DAC it just really nice. Listening to Deep Purple and can't sit still. But the people around me are used to that.
TheBreezeI just ordered the Mojo... So it looks like I will be in the same boat as you. Mojo and the 900s haha. Such an expensive hobby. Pumped to get it in, hopefully this week.
TheBreezeSo I got the 900s and have them hooked up to the OriGen+
I thought these would have more bass :( They are good headphones do not get me wrong, just assumed it would have more balls.
Mojo to be delivered tomorrow.
qazeqazReally more bass on the 900s ? Listening to the X00 for a while now and ive never heard bass extend this low this clearly. Im confident to call these the ultimate bass champions in terms of audiophile headphones. I would think the 900s would out perform these.