I have listened to many headphones, almost exclusively for monitoring and mixing applications. Mostly living in sennheiser land, I have owned/own hd 280, hd 598, and hd 600. I have listened extensively to the HD 800/800s, as well as audeze EL-8O, and sine. I am also very familiar with the Bose in-ears and QC range, FWIW. I wanted a closed headphone for public transit, one I wouldn't feel bad about destroying by accident. Well, I had a $25 amazon-brand discount after a slight billing snafu with Amazon, so I figured, $15 headphones, completely free to me, why not?
Firstly, these headphones have -really- opened up new genres to me, straying so wildly from my jazz collection in Tidal into Paramore, then into screamo-punk Escape the Fate. This is due to the simple fact I have never really heard a "fun" pair of supra aurals, basing my entire experience in a world where "EQ is dead flat" and dynamic over-ears reign supreme. The driver sits close to the ear, making metal and rock really "tight" and "punchy". This also lends itself to the bass proximity effect, making lows seem fatter. This is the opposit from my hd 598, where I felt the bassier frequencies dissipated before they got to my ear.
With super, uber bassy songs, one can literally feel the whole ear piece wobbling and vibrating against your head. A novel experience to say the least. Amazingly, I found a fairly low amount of distortion at really loud volumes (compared to low volumes: yes, these $15 cans distort a bit), so head bangers and EDM-heads can rejoice.
These are super efficient, and get at least as loud as apple ear buds with an iPhone when I A/B-ed for matched volumes.
Here is the kicker. I no longer listen to my $400 hd 600 for "fun" anymore, except for long jazz or critical thinking/listening sessions. I can't wander around the house in my own sonic bubble with the 600s, and I DO NOT LIKE metal or rock with my hd 600's.
Cons? Because of the V signature, the mids are very recessed, and will make some vocal performances seem less intimate; that being said, I, inversely from the 600's, don't care to enjoy intimate performances and sweet venues with young singer/songwriters when I am wandering around doing stuff. That is for evening sits with a bigger rig. I want exciting sound when I am doing things at home or on the go, and these fit the bill. I regularly have been taking these over Bose sound sport, my other wander about set. Now those only do sweaty tasks, because I simply am getting more out of my music with these funky, blue, plastic headphones.
Thanks, Jay
Firstly, these headphones have -really- opened up new genres to me, straying so wildly from my jazz collection in Tidal into Paramore, then into screamo-punk Escape the Fate. This is due to the simple fact I have never really heard a "fun" pair of supra aurals, basing my entire experience in a world where "EQ is dead flat" and dynamic over-ears reign supreme. The driver sits close to the ear, making metal and rock really "tight" and "punchy". This also lends itself to the bass proximity effect, making lows seem fatter. This is the opposit from my hd 598, where I felt the bassier frequencies dissipated before they got to my ear.
With super, uber bassy songs, one can literally feel the whole ear piece wobbling and vibrating against your head. A novel experience to say the least. Amazingly, I found a fairly low amount of distortion at really loud volumes (compared to low volumes: yes, these $15 cans distort a bit), so head bangers and EDM-heads can rejoice.
These are super efficient, and get at least as loud as apple ear buds with an iPhone when I A/B-ed for matched volumes.
Here is the kicker. I no longer listen to my $400 hd 600 for "fun" anymore, except for long jazz or critical thinking/listening sessions. I can't wander around the house in my own sonic bubble with the 600s, and I DO NOT LIKE metal or rock with my hd 600's.
Cons? Because of the V signature, the mids are very recessed, and will make some vocal performances seem less intimate; that being said, I, inversely from the 600's, don't care to enjoy intimate performances and sweet venues with young singer/songwriters when I am wandering around doing stuff. That is for evening sits with a bigger rig. I want exciting sound when I am doing things at home or on the go, and these fit the bill. I regularly have been taking these over Bose sound sport, my other wander about set. Now those only do sweaty tasks, because I simply am getting more out of my music with these funky, blue, plastic headphones.
Thanks, Jay
