So, Audeze EL-8, Nighthawk and HE-1000. Please remember CES is very noisy place.
EL-8.
Essentially they are step-down version of LCD-X and LCD-XC, with reduced weight and enhanced comfort. But they are still quite heavy (almost 500g)
Open version's tonality is actually between LCD-X and LCD-2, slightly darker but not as dark as LCD-2. I guess a lot of people will like the sound.
You guys can safely forget about closed version. It is the brightest Audeze I've heard so far.... harsh and emphasis on treble. I don't understand why so many expensive closed headphones (XC, TH900, Denon, Beyer, etc) have all torturing high. It seems such adjustments are done to make the headphones sound airly.... but this is the worst way IMHO.
No sign of high Z. I asked and the answer was 'somewhat June', but I won't betting that date. EL-8 headphones themselves will be soon available for order.
Well, I can say EL-8 Open version is good. It is as good as LCD-2, better tonality, better comfort, and cheaper price.
Yes, they have a DAC+amp with 699. I think they use sabre chip. I have no interest in DAC and amps, so I did not ask any questions.
AudioQuest Nighthawk.
It's warm-sounding headphone without being dark. Completely non-fatiguing with still enough air and good soundstage and refinend sound. Not a slight hint of harshness or uneven responses. I bet the frequency response of this headphone is very smooth overall. Think of it as a step-up version of HD650.
And a price tag of $599. Well, I am buying this. They said it will be available around March or something.
HiFiman HE-1000
At least they look better in person than in picture. But I really do not like the colors. They said both products (headphones and amp) are not finalized design, and subject to change.
I said HE-1000 is 30% better than LCD-X... Well, after I heard them for a while, now I'd say about 20% with come catch. They sound incredibly natural (very neutral, to be precise) headphones, sounds somewhat between typical ortho and e-stat. It is not ethereal as e-stat (thank god) but the sound is more lighter than typical headphones.
Good thing is that as planar, it comes with incredible bass response. I was very surprised and pleased when I heard Hotel California.. Very well done.
Yes, the amp is vacuum-tube powered, but no easy way to replace them. I made some comments and they said they are planning to change the chassis design. That's good.
They have not set up the price yet. Only issue I am seeing is that it seems they are trying to sell them as a combo (Headphone + Amp) rather than separated products. (Thus making it expensive to buy regardless of the price tag they will set) Not a good idea, since I (and some others also said similar things) have no interest in buying yet another amp when I already have amps such as Beta22 and Ragnarok. I talked this issue to one of their senior employee, and I think he said something line of selling them as separated products is not out of the picture. They may make them available as separated purchase after sometime combo is released.
...to be continued..
