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cwelton17
108
Oct 6, 2018
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expontherise
161
Oct 6, 2018
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cwelton17My m100's when amped (cayin c5) sound like my old kicker cvx 12s
jaydunndiddit
3262
Oct 7, 2018
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cwelton17Audioquest Nightowl, Audeze LCD2 Closed, Fostex TH610/900, Campfire Cascade, Sennheiser HD630VB all spring to mind. I have Fostex Ebonies as well and when amped they can really rumble.
rdodev
632
Oct 8, 2018
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jaydunndidditBy now NightOwl should be mandatory ownership, really. Like, when you file your audiophile enthusiast membership application the ministry of silly walks, first order should be to get a pair of NightOwl.
jaydunndiddit
3262
Oct 8, 2018
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rdodevYou know I agree, hahah. I'm actually about to pull the trigger on the NightHawk Carbon's as they're under $300 now , new. That's a steal that I don't think I can resist.
rdodev
632
Oct 8, 2018
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jaydunndidditDamn you! Just got the NightHawks. Irresistible deal.
jaydunndiddit
3262
Oct 8, 2018
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rdodevYou'll have to let me know how they compare to the Owls. If I hadn't just bought the Focal Elegia, I'd be all over them as I'm still thinking of picking up the Ether CX as well.
rdodev
632
Oct 8, 2018
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jaydunndidditHaha great minds think alike and all that. I was just contemplating the Elegia, which look amazing.
rdodev
632
Oct 8, 2018
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jaydunndidditWhere did you pre-order the Elegia from, if you don't mind me asking. Online authorized dealer?
jaydunndiddit
3262
Oct 8, 2018
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rdodevMoon Audio was the only vendor that "has them in stock." Still waiting on a ship confirmation since as far as I know, other vendors aren't shipping until early November. Otherwise, the typical places have them for pre-order: Crutchfield, Sweetwater, Headphone. com, etc. I actually called a local place that will be getting them just much later so it could work in your favor to ping a local Focal dealer. You may luck up and they get their shipment in early.
jaydunndiddit
3262
Oct 8, 2018
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rdodevJust wanted to confirm that AFAIK Moon Audio is the only place that has them in stock. They just emailed me back saying they have them ready to ship and mine will be going out later today or tomorrow so I may have them by Friday. I'm sure that's no help as you're gonna want to get them now :). I'm just happy I'll have some ear time with them prior to the Ether CX drop closing.
rdodev
632
Oct 8, 2018
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jaydunndidditActually it does help, because for me it's a bit of a zero-sum game. So forking $900 for these, means I don't have $900 to spend elsewhere :)
purplezorz
18
Oct 8, 2018
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cwelton17Woah - before you got purchasing new headphones, you need to explore the world of EQ. I have the Fostex TR-X00 Purplehearts and they do sub bass beautifully out of the box when the track calls for it and even more once you boost it. Now the Mahogany's aren't ass bassey as the Purplehearts, but they should respond well to EQ. This isn't a headphone that needs a lot of power because they're so sensitive, so your amp should be OK.
The lazy way to get an EQ is with a Creative E5. Install the software on your PC or mobile device and you can take your EQ and power with you :) Alternatively, just find some software (like APO and foobar) and work from there (that way you don't have to change your DAC/AMP).
But yes, the V-Moda M-100 with XL pads with decent power and EQ are insane and you'll be hard pressed to find something crazier at sub bass reproduction whilst keeping the rest of the frequency response coherent (though a few exist).
The Camfire Cascade has very strong mid-bass even outta the box, not so much with sub though.
The lazy way to get an EQ is with a Creative E5. Install the software on your PC or mobile device and you can take your EQ and power with you :) Alternatively, just find some software (like APO and foobar) and work from there (that way you don't have to change your DAC/AMP).
But yes, the V-Moda M-100 with XL pads with decent power and EQ are insane and you'll be hard pressed to find something crazier at sub bass reproduction whilst keeping the rest of the frequency response coherent (though a few exist).
The Camfire Cascade has very strong mid-bass even outta the box, not so much with sub though.
jaydunndiddit
3262
Oct 8, 2018
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purplezorzI'd have to disagree with you on the Cascade on its sub-bass strength: https://diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com/headphones/measurements/campfire-audio-cascade/.
The cascade just keeps rising well until 100 Hz where it slowly drops until 200 Hz. These things are bass monsters. More so, the dB variance between the low-end and other frequencies shows how bass-y these things are. I don't know if you had a bead seal on them when you tried them as these are very sensitive to that. So much so, those who hate all that bass have mods to relieve pressure this way to lessen the low-end presence.
I also own Fostex Ebonies and while they have some great bass, it doesn't hold much of a candle to the Cascade (for sub-bass and impact): https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/massdrop-fostex-th-x00-ebony-measurements.2434/.
Even the NightOwl I mentioned above has more sub-bass action and impact over the Fostex models but not to the extent of the Cascade: https://www.innerfidelity.com/images/AudioQuestNightOwlStockPads.pdf.
Best part is, everything I listed responds very well to EQ. So, if you wanted to give them a few more dB in the low-end, they can take it and create so much bass it will rattle your jaws and cheeks. Shockingly, the headphone that has the tightest bass, is the NIghtOwl. The Fostex and Cascade definitely win on quantity but they can be considered boom-y by comparison (although they are not boom-y by typical standards).
This is all from a bass perspective, mind you.
The cascade just keeps rising well until 100 Hz where it slowly drops until 200 Hz. These things are bass monsters. More so, the dB variance between the low-end and other frequencies shows how bass-y these things are. I don't know if you had a bead seal on them when you tried them as these are very sensitive to that. So much so, those who hate all that bass have mods to relieve pressure this way to lessen the low-end presence.
I also own Fostex Ebonies and while they have some great bass, it doesn't hold much of a candle to the Cascade (for sub-bass and impact): https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/massdrop-fostex-th-x00-ebony-measurements.2434/.
Even the NightOwl I mentioned above has more sub-bass action and impact over the Fostex models but not to the extent of the Cascade: https://www.innerfidelity.com/images/AudioQuestNightOwlStockPads.pdf.
Best part is, everything I listed responds very well to EQ. So, if you wanted to give them a few more dB in the low-end, they can take it and create so much bass it will rattle your jaws and cheeks. Shockingly, the headphone that has the tightest bass, is the NIghtOwl. The Fostex and Cascade definitely win on quantity but they can be considered boom-y by comparison (although they are not boom-y by typical standards).
This is all from a bass perspective, mind you.
rdodev
632
Oct 8, 2018
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jaydunndidditI have not audiotioned the Ebonies yet, but borrowed a friend's Mahogany and I could tell there was a huge difference in terms of bass fidelity between it and the the NightOwl. My favorite sound signature is a slightly elevated bass and sub-bass region and (preferably) clinical the rest of the FR. The Mahogany were excessively boosted in the low end (at least to my ears) and providing noticeably less fidelity than the NightOwl.
rdodev
632
Oct 9, 2018
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jaydunndidditLet me know if they indeed ship these to you soon. AFAIK, Focal has an embargo until November 10th. Would be surprised if moon audio is shipping these against Focal sales rules.
purplezorz
18
Oct 9, 2018
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jaydunndidditI auditioned the Cascade at CanJam London this year and I'm pretty sure it had the strongest mid bass at the whole show and more than I've heard ever. But it's...violent, too violent. Even as a basshead, it's just distracting - so even it did have sub bass, it didn't stand out. EQ couldn't save it.
If someone was a mid-bass head though, this could be endgame material (the pricepoint of course is much lower because we're talking from a basshead perspective :) I know there's the Abyss and the new LCD-2 range that can get quite punchy (though I haven't heard the former) but god damn I can't see people needing more punch than the Cascades haha)
The Fostex cans have very nice sub bass, but they distort/lose control easily if you give them power because they're so sensitive. But that's fine, for critical listening, they're rich and warm and exude sub bass when it's present in the music. Perfect for the bass music I listen to.
That's the only reason my V-Modas still have a place on my head - I haven't heard the SZ2000s yet, but other than that, they're my undisputed sub bass kings <3 Give them power + bass EQ and they just keep going.
The NightOwls sounded like a claustraphobic mess which I wouldn't recommend listening to if you can AB them with...anything else. Listening to them alone, I'm sure they'd sound lovely and mushy and some people love their SS because it's so different, but just like all the Mr. Speakers cans, they're just not for me.
Although it's nice that you've posted the measurements, it's definitely half the story in this case; especially in regards to comparing the various cans. The guy said that the M100s had more "punch" than the Cascades, but actually listening to it live, I would have to disagree - EQ or no EQ. But it does show midbass elevation. I do need to sit down and compare my listening experiences with the actual untouched FR graphs.
The NightOwls sounded like a claustraphobic mess which I wouldn't recommend listening to if you can AB them with...anything else. Listening to them alone, I'm sure they'd sound lovely and mushy and some people love their SS because it's so different, but just like all the Mr. Speakers cans, they're just not for me.
Although it's nice that you've posted the measurements, it's definitely half the story in this case; especially in regards to comparing the various cans. The guy said that the M100s had more "punch" than the Cascades, but actually listening to it live, I would have to disagree - EQ or no EQ. But it does show midbass elevation. I do need to sit down and compare my listening experiences with the actual untouched FR graphs.
rdodev
632
Oct 9, 2018
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purplezorz> The NightOwls sounded like a claustraphobic mess which I wouldn't recommend listening to if you can AB them with...anything else.
I've heard criticism about the NightOwl, but never this. And I'd have to say either your auditioned a bad copy or your ears were completely off that day. At $400 nothing can hold a candle to it in terms of punch, definition and clarity, but specially at the bass/sub-bass region. From Audio-Technicas, Sennheiser, to Fostex Mahogany which I've compared in detail can match the dynamics and punch of the NightOwl.
I've heard criticism about the NightOwl, but never this. And I'd have to say either your auditioned a bad copy or your ears were completely off that day. At $400 nothing can hold a candle to it in terms of punch, definition and clarity, but specially at the bass/sub-bass region. From Audio-Technicas, Sennheiser, to Fostex Mahogany which I've compared in detail can match the dynamics and punch of the NightOwl.
jaydunndiddit
3262
Oct 9, 2018
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purplezorzWe have some very different ears, indeed. It's interesting you hear the Cascade that way as they have a lot of sub-bass slam but I suppose the quantity of the rest of the bass could obscure that for some (not trying to sound rude). Looking at the FR for the V-Moda's, they have some sub-bass rolloff prior to 20 Hz and slopes down from 150 Hz to 250 Hz: https://www.innerfidelity.com/images/VModaM100.pdf. The NightOwl's are linear through the entire bass region from 10 Hz to 250 Hz.
What amp are you using with your Fostex? I believe you have the PH and I have the Ebonies so there are some differences there but I have noticed nothing but better control and much tighter bass with the Ebonies from a very good amp (sampled on an iFi Pro iCAN both tube and SS). Otherwise, I find the Fostex to have more quantity but lacks quality. The NightOwl is the opposite, lower distortion in the lows and better quality bass while having less quantity. The FR graphs even support exactly what I'm hearing. Throw in that the Fostex is slightly rolled until 20 Hz (closer to 50-60 Hz for the PH) where the NightOwl is not. The NightOwls are rather linear and have a slight downward slope from 10 Hz to 250 Hz. Again, I sampled these from the same iFi amp and my findings were as I've just explained. Despite their low impedance, the Fostex respond well to powerful amps (I attribute this to the biodyna driver capabilities).
As I'm curious, what's your audio chain like? For your amp and bass in general, you want an amp that can generate gobs of current so the voice coils move enough (or have enough displacement) to generate deep, punchy bass. Planars suffer from this "issue" too when it comes to them sounding their best and having their patented "planar slam."
Also, I must say that the Focal Elex arguably has some of the best bass extension, texture, and tonality of any headphone I've heard. And while they may lack the visceral impact of the NightOwl, Cascade, or Fostex, they have the perfect amount of snap/tautness (snares drums are a treat) the other headphones absolutely lack despite being "basshead" cans. They also reach down to 5 Hz and can convey those tones (more the feel, really) over perfectly. To my ears, the Elex bass is "perfect" despite not having visceral bass slam.
What amp are you using with your Fostex? I believe you have the PH and I have the Ebonies so there are some differences there but I have noticed nothing but better control and much tighter bass with the Ebonies from a very good amp (sampled on an iFi Pro iCAN both tube and SS). Otherwise, I find the Fostex to have more quantity but lacks quality. The NightOwl is the opposite, lower distortion in the lows and better quality bass while having less quantity. The FR graphs even support exactly what I'm hearing. Throw in that the Fostex is slightly rolled until 20 Hz (closer to 50-60 Hz for the PH) where the NightOwl is not. The NightOwls are rather linear and have a slight downward slope from 10 Hz to 250 Hz. Again, I sampled these from the same iFi amp and my findings were as I've just explained. Despite their low impedance, the Fostex respond well to powerful amps (I attribute this to the biodyna driver capabilities).
As I'm curious, what's your audio chain like? For your amp and bass in general, you want an amp that can generate gobs of current so the voice coils move enough (or have enough displacement) to generate deep, punchy bass. Planars suffer from this "issue" too when it comes to them sounding their best and having their patented "planar slam."
Also, I must say that the Focal Elex arguably has some of the best bass extension, texture, and tonality of any headphone I've heard. And while they may lack the visceral impact of the NightOwl, Cascade, or Fostex, they have the perfect amount of snap/tautness (snares drums are a treat) the other headphones absolutely lack despite being "basshead" cans. They also reach down to 5 Hz and can convey those tones (more the feel, really) over perfectly. To my ears, the Elex bass is "perfect" despite not having visceral bass slam.
jaydunndiddit
3262
Oct 9, 2018
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rdodevThey are shipping already. Just got a notification they're on their way to USPS now so just waiting on update details. I know some vendors received stock ahead of RMAF for the Elegia but it appears to have been an incredibly small group of vendors. Either way, I'm not complaining as I'll get them a month ahead of other folks.
rdodev
632
Oct 9, 2018
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jaydunndidditJust heard from headphones.com they said they'll get them in stock very soon, too. I think I'll buy from them given their customer service, which is super helpful.
purplezorz
18
Oct 9, 2018
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rdodevComing to think about it, this was at an audio show, so everything was pretty good, so when I say AB them with anything, I'm exaggerating; I listened to everything from the Meze 99 Classics right up to the Shangri La, but I mainly listened to cans £500 and up.
But at the time I was listening to the Fostex TH-610 TH-900, the Senny HD 6XXs, the Fidelio X2HRs.
As soon as I put on the NightOwls I wanted to take them off. BUT, prior to this, I've read many times that it's a love/hate situation - and after those three days, I realise, when you AB things, you can destroy good cans.
For example, I used to think you could barely get any more resolution/richness than the HD 650s, but the TH-900s (and my purplehearts) just sound so much more rich and full bodied - and of course, it's essentially bass anaemic. But by itself, it's still so good, when I AB it with my other cans that have sub bass, I can't go back to it in that same listening session and enjoy myself.
Clarity...I wouldn't associate the NightOwl with that - HOWEVER, it's very important to state what you listen to and specifically which headphones you're comparing against. I still believe that I could enjoy the NightOwls with some isolated listening, but I personally didn't like what I heard that day. I was listening to Branches by Submotion Orchestra at the time.
Clarity...I wouldn't associate the NightOwl with that - HOWEVER, it's very important to state what you listen to and specifically which headphones you're comparing against. I still believe that I could enjoy the NightOwls with some isolated listening, but I personally didn't like what I heard that day. I was listening to Branches by Submotion Orchestra at the time.
jaydunndiddit
3262
Oct 9, 2018
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purplezorzWhy wouldn't you associate the NIghtOwls with clarity? Their CSDs and distortion plots show how well behaved their drivers are compared to the Fostex models (even more so if not Ebony wood). Just for context, my musical taste is very eclectic: blues, jazz, funk, soul, RnB, hip-hop, bluegrass, folk, classical, trap/EDM, etc. Truthfully, the only genres I don't listen to is country and modern pop. I listen to more blues, jazz, soul and RnB over all other genres.
My wife is learning to play cello right now so I am hypersensitive to how it sounds since I'm hearing her play it almost daily. I can for a fact state the NightOwl sounds substantially more clean, clear, and precise over the Fostex while listening to Yo-Yo Ma for example. It's not even a contest really. The Fostex has the wrong tonality and timbre, and lacks the weight needed for conveying the artists emotions as they play their strings. The same applies for the blues when you have a fast, super talented guitarist like Lightnin' Hopkins and trying to pick up on all the fine details in his playstyle. The Fostex again can't keep up nor convey the proper range of the notes being played (watch the video and you'll understand the depth of layering and weight I am talking about): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BATlJwKB8ts.
Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoy my Ebonies for certain things but the NightOwl is superior in many ways comparatively (comfort, overall sound quality, etc ).
My wife is learning to play cello right now so I am hypersensitive to how it sounds since I'm hearing her play it almost daily. I can for a fact state the NightOwl sounds substantially more clean, clear, and precise over the Fostex while listening to Yo-Yo Ma for example. It's not even a contest really. The Fostex has the wrong tonality and timbre, and lacks the weight needed for conveying the artists emotions as they play their strings. The same applies for the blues when you have a fast, super talented guitarist like Lightnin' Hopkins and trying to pick up on all the fine details in his playstyle. The Fostex again can't keep up nor convey the proper range of the notes being played (watch the video and you'll understand the depth of layering and weight I am talking about): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BATlJwKB8ts.
Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoy my Ebonies for certain things but the NightOwl is superior in many ways comparatively (comfort, overall sound quality, etc ).
purplezorz
18
Oct 9, 2018
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jaydunndidditI definitely think that may be the case - but I should just listen again one day to re-evaluate as I had been listening to headphones for 2 days straight by then.
The rolloff on that graph is minuscule in the sub bass region and I'm thinking the graph might change slightly with the XL pads installed like on my pair.
The V-Modas have a sensitivity to sub bass that I've never experienced in any other can; even more so than the Z1Rs (which are insane for an "expensive audiophile" can and are the ones that have taken the most bass EQ and power whilst staying coherent - will definitely have to revisit those with a iDSD Micro BL and a bass EQ one day).
I use my Creative E5 for my amp to test everything because it comes with an inbuilt EQ and tested most of the cans through them. However, when I was at the show, pretty much every table had a Chord Hugo or Hugo TT or other dedicated things. In regards to my Purplehearts, it was interesting today because mine are only a couple months old with probably less than 150 hours on them, but I turned them up and they handled the volume very well. With the extreme bass EQ, it still started to struggle when I turned it up, but again, that's fine, my V-Modas can deal with the extreme side of things. Annoyingly, the creative doesn't list their output power ratings - I think I found someone give it once somehow....but I have no link and I don't even think I interpreted what they were saying properly. Anyway, on high gain, they get loud quick - I listen at moderate volumes at 19/100, 29 when I'm listening "loud" and today I got it up to 49 and it was loud and clear, but...still loud, so only one song lol.
I haven't tested the Nightowl extensively enough to know how it responds to different amps, so maybe it sounds vastly different on a very powerful / high end amp.
I agree with the quality remark in regards to the Fostex, my critical listening EQ lowers (-3db I think, don't have it right now) the 60hz region whilst slightly (2db) boosting the sub bass region and to compensate for the volume, I take around 1 or 2db of the whole treble region and it's just nice and smooth for Atmospheric Bass music which is 63% of my listening. Without lowering the bass, it's a lil muddy outta the box. Fine for normal music, but bass music is already bass-centric.
Agree with the planar thing also - I was holding out on giving up after my creative just causes distortion when you turn up the insensitive ones because everyone says they do the best bass - but even though the Hugo, JUST before it was about to get to the perfect level, it started breaking up. So I agree they're awesome, but it's a different signature to what I'm looking for. HOWEVER, I will travel the world of planars again if I acquire an iFi and switch to APO for my EQ over the inbuilt creative one. Then I can put the rumour to rest once and for all (but I suspect you can't have ultra fast accurate sub-bass of the planars and the visceral sensation you get from competent dynamic drivers when they reproduce sub-bass in one can. The Kennerton Odin was REALLY close though...but I digress).
My main chain is laptop, DAC/AMP, Cans. Single-ended only.
If the Elex is heavily based on the Elear, then again, perhaps as you describe, good for drums and "naturally occurring" bass, but I wasn't wowed by its depth of bass for the music I usually listen to. Anything from Artic by Aether on the nicer side of things to Train Of Thought by Tryple on the heavier side of things, or my personal favourite sub test track, Lion by Dillard. That one usually cripples headphones if you turn it up :P
Cans like the Focal Clear and the Sennhierser HD series where the bass is just present but clean are nice sometimes, but for the majority of my listening, there's just no point in me indulging in such a SS. Even out of all the cans mentioned in this thread, I still swear by the Beyer DT 770s for movie watching over everything. They just do that really really well to me. Anyway, digressing again :)
I use my Creative E5 for my amp to test everything because it comes with an inbuilt EQ and tested most of the cans through them. However, when I was at the show, pretty much every table had a Chord Hugo or Hugo TT or other dedicated things. In regards to my Purplehearts, it was interesting today because mine are only a couple months old with probably less than 150 hours on them, but I turned them up and they handled the volume very well. With the extreme bass EQ, it still started to struggle when I turned it up, but again, that's fine, my V-Modas can deal with the extreme side of things. Annoyingly, the creative doesn't list their output power ratings - I think I found someone give it once somehow....but I have no link and I don't even think I interpreted what they were saying properly. Anyway, on high gain, they get loud quick - I listen at moderate volumes at 19/100, 29 when I'm listening "loud" and today I got it up to 49 and it was loud and clear, but...still loud, so only one song lol.
I haven't tested the Nightowl extensively enough to know how it responds to different amps, so maybe it sounds vastly different on a very powerful / high end amp.
I agree with the quality remark in regards to the Fostex, my critical listening EQ lowers (-3db I think, don't have it right now) the 60hz region whilst slightly (2db) boosting the sub bass region and to compensate for the volume, I take around 1 or 2db of the whole treble region and it's just nice and smooth for Atmospheric Bass music which is 63% of my listening. Without lowering the bass, it's a lil muddy outta the box. Fine for normal music, but bass music is already bass-centric.
Agree with the planar thing also - I was holding out on giving up after my creative just causes distortion when you turn up the insensitive ones because everyone says they do the best bass - but even though the Hugo, JUST before it was about to get to the perfect level, it started breaking up. So I agree they're awesome, but it's a different signature to what I'm looking for. HOWEVER, I will travel the world of planars again if I acquire an iFi and switch to APO for my EQ over the inbuilt creative one. Then I can put the rumour to rest once and for all (but I suspect you can't have ultra fast accurate sub-bass of the planars and the visceral sensation you get from competent dynamic drivers when they reproduce sub-bass in one can. The Kennerton Odin was REALLY close though...but I digress).
My main chain is laptop, DAC/AMP, Cans. Single-ended only.
If the Elex is heavily based on the Elear, then again, perhaps as you describe, good for drums and "naturally occurring" bass, but I wasn't wowed by its depth of bass for the music I usually listen to. Anything from Artic by Aether on the nicer side of things to Train Of Thought by Tryple on the heavier side of things, or my personal favourite sub test track, Lion by Dillard. That one usually cripples headphones if you turn it up :P
Cans like the Focal Clear and the Sennhierser HD series where the bass is just present but clean are nice sometimes, but for the majority of my listening, there's just no point in me indulging in such a SS. Even out of all the cans mentioned in this thread, I still swear by the Beyer DT 770s for movie watching over everything. They just do that really really well to me. Anyway, digressing again :)
jaydunndiddit
3262
Oct 9, 2018
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purplezorzNo worries. There's no right or wrong answer at the end of the day, just our own impressions. Funny you say that about the DT770 (I still have yet to find a Beyer I actually enjoy...) but for tv/movies and gaming, that's when I tend to use the Fostex the most. They work wonders for LFE effects where quality isn't concerned but have the "filling sound" (if that makes any sense) that gives the proper weight to movie and game soundtracks.
I know we probably won't see eye to eye on the Elex but it can reproduce down to 5 Hz. It's also incredibly fast for a dynamic driver and has some of the best dynamic range of any headphone I have heard. You can distinctly hear various bass notes from 20 Hz to 60 Hz. That's nothing to sneeze at. And although I always say they need a touch more impact without EQ (similar to the Elear), their bass is truly otherwise perfect.
Either way, nice to have a humble conversation with a fellow basshead that cares about the low end more about than boom-boom-pow one note bass.
I know we probably won't see eye to eye on the Elex but it can reproduce down to 5 Hz. It's also incredibly fast for a dynamic driver and has some of the best dynamic range of any headphone I have heard. You can distinctly hear various bass notes from 20 Hz to 60 Hz. That's nothing to sneeze at. And although I always say they need a touch more impact without EQ (similar to the Elear), their bass is truly otherwise perfect.
Either way, nice to have a humble conversation with a fellow basshead that cares about the low end more about than boom-boom-pow one note bass.
purplezorz
18
Oct 9, 2018
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jaydunndidditI've only got my MDR-1000Xs with me ATM, but I had a listen.
This is a nice tune, but it's the first time I've heard it and it's not usually a genre I listen to.
I get that there's a lot of fast plucks going on here for some of the notes, especially towards then end, but I don't understand how the Purplehearts wouldn't be able to keep up with it. Whilst out of the box the bass (60-100hz) is a little muddy and over-bearing (for smooth but bass heavy tracks), the higher frequencies are just fine.
But, I will reserve further judgement in this instance as I haven't got a NightOwl even at home to AB with, so I will take your word for it :)
Just going off sound signature and characteristics though, similar to the Mr. Speakers Aeons (both) I just felt boxed in and I couldn't appreciate what the manufacturer was trying to achieve with the headphone.
Just going off sound signature and characteristics though, similar to the Mr. Speakers Aeons (both) I just felt boxed in and I couldn't appreciate what the manufacturer was trying to achieve with the headphone.
purplezorz
18
Oct 9, 2018
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jaydunndidditI literally can't listen to music with the Beyers, but movies man...IDK.
It's just perfect. I think it's because they do speech tracking so perfectly. Explosions are perfect and I think the somewhat "dull" (flat?) treble is perfect for movies. My Fostex for example, the highs just get instantly fatiguing. And my Fidelios - I think I watched Guardians Of The Galaxy and there was a scene inside a space-ship and with the Fidelios it sounded like they were in a weird can vs when I listen to the Beyers, it just sounded right. IDK - they just do something right in that regard. Yet with music, I just don't feel it. The bass teases you, but when you turn it up, it distorts very easily and the treble is kinda dull. For spoken word and UK Grime music, it's not bad - because vocal tracking supremacy - but anything else...nah.
I would like to hear the Elex, and possibly the Elear again. Maybe with something like La Ritournelle - I think it could shine there from your description. That kick drum is sublime.
Yes, agreed, this was a good conversation and diversity in the headphone community keeps things interesting :D
I would like to hear the Elex, and possibly the Elear again. Maybe with something like La Ritournelle - I think it could shine there from your description. That kick drum is sublime.
Yes, agreed, this was a good conversation and diversity in the headphone community keeps things interesting :D
jaydunndiddit
3262
Oct 9, 2018
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purplezorzThe Fostex lacks the speed and transient response for this track or a lot of the blues for that matter. Hopkins has such a unique style but if you can watch and keep up with his hand movements and the sound you hear, you'll notice there is A LOT of information being played. The Fostex sadly misses out on these finer details and transients. MY other gripe is with their dynamics as there isn't enough range between notes played. They all tend to get kinda blurred and mushed together. This is a curse of the Fostex as it is warmer than the NightOwl. And while I can enjoy the NightOwl on tracks like this, this is where the Elex comes into play and will just strong-arm every note played with gusto and detail.
I don't know if you;re into IEMs, but I also own the Campfire Atlas and they have some of the best sub-bass I have ever heard from such a small device. I had the Andromedas and promptly returned them after I bought the Atlas. Oddly enough, I also liked the Vega but the Atlas is the superior upgrade over its brother. You owe it to yourself to try them at some point as they're truly unique with their single dynamic driver in a sea of multi BA IEMs and anemic, weird bass.
I don't know if you;re into IEMs, but I also own the Campfire Atlas and they have some of the best sub-bass I have ever heard from such a small device. I had the Andromedas and promptly returned them after I bought the Atlas. Oddly enough, I also liked the Vega but the Atlas is the superior upgrade over its brother. You owe it to yourself to try them at some point as they're truly unique with their single dynamic driver in a sea of multi BA IEMs and anemic, weird bass.
cwelton17
108
Oct 9, 2018
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jaydunndidditDamn I'll have to remember the Atlas for another life with a much higher salary :P
purplezorz
18
Oct 9, 2018
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jaydunndidditAh alas, I can see how the Fostex wouldn't be as suited to certain music vs other cans, especially competent opens. In the music I listen to, it's more the intricacies of the individual sounds that I like. For example, Inner Dimensions from Congi, there's so much and so little going on at the same time - and that sub bass sublime. Or the break in Unlock by Escapism Refuge where all the sounds layer on top of one another as the beat comes back in.
To me these headphones keep getting better and better and it makes it hard to justify getting anything else right now.
Higher end stuff cost 4-10x times the price with only double / triple the SQ - but it may also be a limitation of what I listen to and my current critical listening abilities/preferences. The journey continues :)
Oooo, I kinda regret not trying the in ears now - imagine having the whole campfire lineup and not listening to the in ears D: Next year though :) For now I will stick with my cheapies for in ears for now - made by a company called Tranya, who seem to have shut up shop and left Amazon :S
Oooo, I kinda regret not trying the in ears now - imagine having the whole campfire lineup and not listening to the in ears D: Next year though :) For now I will stick with my cheapies for in ears for now - made by a company called Tranya, who seem to have shut up shop and left Amazon :S
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I'm using the Massdrop LCX as DAC/AMP.