Have you tried a vintage AKG from a seventies amplifier? My old Sansui kicked some live into my beloved K240 DF...

Of all the fullsize above, save for the ESP 950s which I found too rolled off in both directions, the Paradox has everything beat for evenness of response.  I think the "hype" which there really wasn't much of to begin with (considering that I had to PM a couple of people to figure out details + order) is well deserved.

lolwut, not much hype to begin with for the Paradox? Many people might still be unsure of how to get them, but there is generally a lot of hype around them. They deserve great praise, and there is no doubt about that, but there is certainly hype surrounding them. BTW, "hype" to me is not necessarily a negative thing...just wanted to point that out. I know people all have slightly different ideas of what the word means.

I stand by my opinion that the MD in its current state is quite close to the Paradox, enough to the point where I can't justify the extra $150-200. I have third party measurements confirming this (sorry, private business, and not at my request). I'm hoping purrin will measure a new MD in the future so that something will be publicly available (I've offered several times). As I've stated, I find neither to be perfect. Something in-between would suit me best. I EQ both either way to account for their very minor deficiencies, so I might as well save some money!

I honestly just think it's sad I have to pay $300 or more to get genuinely good, neutral-ish sound without any outstanding issues. With the T50RP going for $75-125 and modding materials costing less than $100 generally, I can't believe that large companies are still offering the shit they do for crazy prices. It makes no sense to me, which is why, as mentioned, I'll probably sell both down the road (already working on selling my Paradox) and just mod my own T50RP again now that I have a better idea what I'm doing.

Don't get me wrong...I know Luis and Dan put a lot of work and heart into their products, but I think it's sad that I have to rely on DIY products because big companies have a hard time putting out decent products at decent prices. It's quite clear that they COULD do it...they just don't. I do appreciate that people are stepping in and trying to offer what companies choose not to, though, and I've done my best to try and support their work by purchasing their products enthusiastically. Either way, this is getting really off topic and more to deal with the industry as a whole than anything else.

Long story short, they're both great products that deserve praise (I will never understand the weird animosity towards the MD on this forum...seems counter-intuitive to the ideals and philosophies behind the community), but I'm going to try to save myself some money down the road and go the DIY route again. It takes time, work, and patience, but it's easier to get great sound out of the T50RP that matches the MD or Paradox than people might think, especially with all of the information available today (such as BMF's work).

That's just my two cents. I might not be happy with the current headphone industry/market and pricing, but you can't go wrong with either product IMO!

Quote from: Sphinxvc on December 23, 2012, 05:44:58 PM

If you're talking to me, I haven't.  But a local builder built a really cool tube amp just for his 600ohm K240 DFs last year, and I had a chance to hear it, some of the nicest vocals I can remember hearing.

My Sansui AU-217 was an old integrated solid state. Nevertheless you understand why some people get hooked on them...

Yup.

Quote from: stratocaster on December 19, 2012, 06:05:09 PM

I do like the Paradox. I bought a used pair (#27) and I am quite satisfied with it, as I already pointed out in various threads. this has not changed.

There is just on thing I am wondering about. I recall LFF mentioning that the Paradox are hermetically sealed, this being a prerequisite of perfect performance. But when I blow through the cup vents of my P., I notice that air is entering the cups and exiting through that little hole on top of the cups (the one through which the small cable that connects the cups enters). In addition the baffle bass vent is open. Conclusion: I am wondering why LFF says they are hermetically sealed. At least MY baffle vents are open, the cup vents (must at least partially  be) as well.

Maybe LFF can clarify.

I can verify that mine are the same way. Pair No. 18. Got them new closer to the beginning of this year. There is also no resistance if you lightly blow through the 3.5mm jack (lips sealed around it). I can't tell if my baffle port is sealed or not. No sealant over it like the screw holes, but I looked in it with a led flashlight, and I looked like there might have been something in it. Too hard to tell, didn't mess with it any further than that.

I have bought my one in this month and it is quite good. I got a new one, I don't like to mess with any of my stuff.

I can't believe how flat LFF has tuned paradox. Do they need lot of amping ?