Ed Selley
Hi-Fi Editor
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2003
- Messages
- 12,046
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- Age
- 43
Is this priced £139.9 or 1,399?
Great review, as ever. I'm trying to get my head around this new Best in Class award. What would you say is the class in this context?
How could Jo blogs justify that expense for headphones?
this is true. Much like the 1500 pound iPhone XS LOL.He can't. But if there were no market for these, they would not be made.
Martin
Very interesting, cheers. I must say, I heard these at the Munich show this year and was mightily impressed, so certainly agree with your review.With the exception of a tiny number of specialist options at a much higher price (Stax, Final, Abyss etc), this is the best all round combination of performance, build, comfort and compatibility there is. I did originally award a Reference badge but the badge policy changed in the meantime so this might be taken to be the best headphone over £1,000. As such, I will over the next 12 months, identify the best in class for £0-500 and £501-999
I know the Oppo PM1s are now consigned to history and they had to be the best value planners available at the time. Would I spend £1400 on another pair of 'phones, quite possibly although Senn's reputation for being very analytical and treble sensitive are a bit off putting especially as my only music source is CD or SACD. I would be more interested in how they perform with some of today's artists who's dynamic range never ventures anywhere near double figures.These are in planer territory. Would love to see if they compare to ones around this price. I've never heard anything above my HD600 so I don't know. Just wish we had Massdrop here with HD58XX for silly money. There's s lot of very good cans out there.
How could Jo blogs justify that expense for headphones?
I'm surprised to see that comment here of all places. Different strokes.
Maybe Joe lives in a small flat and this is a primary system, alternative for a 2ch/AV system (of which I'd expect most on here are >£1400)
Maybe Joe travels a lot, and these are a way of kicking back and relaxing in the hotel after a day's work
Maybe Joe prioritises audio over cars, watches, holidays etc, and treats himself to these
Maybe Joe thinks - "you know what, these will be the last headphones I ever own, why not do it properly"
Maybe Joe is just sufficiently well heeled that he just wants a fancy pair of cans and £1400 just isn't all that much of a bother
Ok joe calm down, you can buy what you want mate.
While I'm at it, not sure how anyone could reconcile giving a £1400 pair of headphones a "10" in value for money.
Vulgar styling that only a Premiership footballer could love. Tasteful they're not.
You're going to love the headphone we've got coming next...
Vulgar styling that only a Premiership footballer could love. Tasteful they're not.
Ed, have you listened to any Audeze?
Martin
I'd recommend trying out some of Focals recent offerings if you want something less analytical and easy to drive. I have the Focal Clears which have a lovely tonal balance and a fairly neutral frequency response with a dash of fun. They're very detailed without being analytical and quite easy to drive. You won't get the same soundstage width as the HD800(S), which whilst loved by many can come across a bit dissected at times IMHO. They are French, however, so their longeivity might be up for debate.I know the Oppo PM1s are now consigned to history and they had to be the best value planners available at the time. Would I spend £1400 on another pair of 'phones, quite possibly although Senn's reputation for being very analytical and treble sensitive are a bit off putting especially as my only music source is CD or SACD. I would be more interested in how they perform with some of today's artists who's dynamic range never ventures anywhere near double figures.
I think that, at the moment, my headphone amp which is direct from my Marantz SACD player, is not powerful enough for the Senns. Something I'm going to have to remedy in the near future, but I'd love to listen to a well run in pair of 800s.
Nah, cans aren't for me. IEMs please