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GeckoDeLimon
32
Dec 23, 2017
A ONE-HOUR-IN REVIEW:
After the last hour of flipping through all the things I've been listening to lately (plus my standards), here's the things I've noticed so far:
  1. These are the most comfortable headphones I own. Imagine a slightly heavier K240, with velour on the pads. And they're classy as frig. As an aside, they should make one in silver brushed metal & tan leather, like an old WWII era set of cans.
  2. They're on-par with the K240 for isloation. Which is to say...basically none. Sound gets in, and sound gets out. If the Sony WH-1000XM2 is at one of the spectrum, these are at the other. They're as open-backy as open back can open back.
  3. I'm really hoping they need break-in, because at this point, I'm not convinced that the tonal balance is better than my ATH-M50. There's an exaggeration to the lower midrange I can only describe as "boxy". While that continues to be forward, the bass continues to feel a little thin in comparison.
  4. These are the most detailed headphones I have ever owned. I thought at this point in my audiophile journey--that I'd be past hyperbole, but I really am hearing new low-level details.
  5. Ear fatigue. They're giving me ear fatigue. For me, that usually suggests distortion. But I can't be sure. The K7xx should on paper be in a whole different league than my K240, but it doesn't feel like it. Fingers are crossed that break-in helps here. I'm definitely leaving going to leave them overnight running something bass-heavy to help the process along.
  6. These are the most unforgiving cans I have ever used. I think they're so good, that the recordings are "bottoming out". I'm noticing in songs where some guitar or drum tracks are thin compared to the rest of the mix, or sound a little out of place. I think it's because less expensive headphones "smooth out" sins, and the K7xx just fucking doesn't. What's there is what's there. If the vocals are sibilant, it ain't the AKG's problem.
  7. "Gold Dust Woman" just gave me the frission thing. That hasn't happened in years. The attack acoustic slide guitar just before the lyrics "rulers make bad lovers" made me back up the track about 4 times just to hear it again.
GeckoDeLimon
32
Dec 23, 2017
GeckoDeLimon HOUR TWO EDIT: I put Daft Punk's "Lose Yourself to Dance" on repeat, nudged up the volume, and stuffed the headphones in a drawer to run overnight. They've improved significantly. Bass has come forward, though if I want to listen to something with thump, these won't be the cans I grab. Their strong suit is in resolution of low level detail and dynamics. Things like a guitarist's pick attack and the "texture" to the distortion.They're definitely critical listening headphones. So these won't be my "every day" headphones. My M50 are like Maker's Mark--perfectly acceptable in all situations, and what flaws exist are forgivable. Stands well on its own, but there's not a damn thing wrong with slamming it as a shot or using it in an Old Fashioned. The K7xx is more like a 16-year single barrel that gets brought out only when you're really in the mood--and mixing it with anything more than a splash of water would be heresy.
Junyuan
11
Dec 29, 2017
GeckoDeLimonI have to like your whiskey comparison, though I'd apply the single-barrel analogy to the likes of the Utopia, which is equally demanding and not necessarily a daily driver (drinker) for me.
Megazine
544
Jan 23, 2018
GeckoDeLimonIsn't burn-in a myth that has not been scientifically proven, almost like a placebo effect?
GeckoDeLimon
32
Jan 24, 2018
MegazineBurn-in is debatable, but break-in does occur with moving coil motors, like speakers. It has nothing to do with the electrical and everything to do with the mechanical aspects. They are changes that can be measured as the suspension that holds the diaphragm loosens and become more compliant.
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