I'm known as takato14 throughout most of the internet. Most of my audio gear, past and present, is comprised of vintage flagships and/or TOTL equipment. Mostly headphones, with an amp or two thrown in there. At first it was just a bad combination of very little money and a lot of curiosity, but after a while I started getting equipment that I really enjoyed. Less relevantly, my interests are drawing, video games, needlework, and singing. I'm a furry as well as a computer enthusiast, and I'm trying to get a job as a computer repair technician.Now, as to why I'm joining here: So far, every headphone I've bought or listened to based on the subjective opinion of others has proven to be a massive disappointment, and was quickly gotten rid of. It is also worth noting that every single one of these headphones measure badly in one way or another; most of which were were purchased when I couldn't read them (so no expectation bias there). Thus, I am very hesitant to believe subjective impressions on said equipment unless there are measurements to support the claims being made. I trust my own ears above all, and wouldn't call myself "faithful" to measurements, but what I will say is that until I'm proven wrong (ie, once I hear something that is not reflected in the measurements), I will continue to use measurements as my go-to for headphones I haven't heard myself. And as we all know, philosophies such as this are "frowned upon" in certain other audiophile communities. On that note, I've found that I prefer a neutral sound, but a little bit of deviation from this is welcome as long as the FR remains smooth. I am very sensitive to distortion and bass issues (bloom, thickness, extension, etc). Most of the headphones I consider neutral are considered bright by others due to my bass preferences; I could not stand the HD800's bass, for example.My current favorite/most used headphone is the Pioneer Monitor 10-II, from 1983. Not to be confused with the original Monitor 10, which is from 1972. Former favorites were the Sony DR-Z7, NAD RP18 Mylar, and Sony DR-Z6, in that order. A ranked list of the headphones I've listened to will be available in my profile momentarily.Of course, it's very possible that I'm just a vintage geek with very specific (read: low) standards, and all of my headphones measure terribly. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯Either way, I'm glad to finally be here, and not there.
Welcome I have read about the Pioneer Monitor 10 II. I had the Pioneer Monitor 10 and the 21st century 10R. If the first Monitor 10 was anything to go by, well Pioneer put an amazing driver in that headphone. Pioneer's Monitor 10 had a driver that if well placed and well dampened, sounded like an open AKG with the low end of a closed headphone in the seventies. Please take care of the Pioneer, such headphones are rare pleasure from past times...
Quote from: marvey on October 06, 2014, 05:21:29 PMQuote from: takato14 on October 06, 2014, 05:13:55 PMMost of the headphones I consider neutral are considered bright by others due to my bass preferences; I could not stand the HD800's bass, for example.It's interesting you mention that. You are referring to the HD800's mid-high bass bloom no?Yeah, it just felt too loose and out of place in regards to the rest of the sound, like Sennheiser intentionally loosened it up to make the headphone less bright sounding or something.I was relatively fine with the upper ranges though, likely because I was used to very bright headphones (SA3000, DR-Z7, DR-Z5) at the time. I'd like to give it a good, long audition again, as it has been a while and my ears have matured a bit.
Quote from: takato14 on October 06, 2014, 05:13:55 PMMost of the headphones I consider neutral are considered bright by others due to my bass preferences; I could not stand the HD800's bass, for example.It's interesting you mention that. You are referring to the HD800's mid-high bass bloom no?
Most of the headphones I consider neutral are considered bright by others due to my bass preferences; I could not stand the HD800's bass, for example.
Quote from: takato14 on October 06, 2014, 05:29:47 PMQuote from: marvey on October 06, 2014, 05:21:29 PMQuote from: takato14 on October 06, 2014, 05:13:55 PMMost of the headphones I consider neutral are considered bright by others due to my bass preferences; I could not stand the HD800's bass, for example.It's interesting you mention that. You are referring to the HD800's mid-high bass bloom no?Yeah, it just felt too loose and out of place in regards to the rest of the sound, like Sennheiser intentionally loosened it up to make the headphone less bright sounding or something.I was relatively fine with the upper ranges though, likely because I was used to very bright headphones (SA3000, DR-Z7, DR-Z5) at the time. I'd like to give it a good, long audition again, as it has been a while and my ears have matured a bit.Sounds like you could be an HE6 guy or maybe current Stax. Perhaps try the 307 out.
Welcome Tak! I always love hearing about your vintage collection. Maybe I'll get to hear some myself someday.
Please take care of the Pioneer, such headphones are rare pleasure from past times...
Quote from: Claritas on October 06, 2014, 09:08:35 PMI always love hearing about your vintage collection. Maybe I'll get to hear some myself someday.Now that you mention it, I'm kind of off my DR-Z7 right now, and I have two 10-IIs... Perhaps once I get the 10R in my hands I could see about sending them to you for an audition. I could do a shipping relay when I send them to Tyll for measurements (me -> you, you -> Tyll or similar).
I always love hearing about your vintage collection. Maybe I'll get to hear some myself someday.
