The Circle Project - OCN Headphone Loan #1 - Page 3 - Overclock.net

SlyFox · 10-03-08

Can't wait to hear some results, this sounds like a fine idea.

Nostrano · 10-03-08

subb'd for impressions

s1rrah · 10-03-08

Just wanted to say ... many folks from the upcoming Houston Head-fi meet have expressed much stoke at the chance to listen to these.

Thanks again, Bryan ...

*soloz2* · 10-05-08

initial impressions:

headphones are heavy! I don't think they would be comfortable for extended listening sessions.
they are very warm sounding, and the bass is huge! I'm thinking this could be partly due to the system I'm using them with at the moment (PS1 & tube amp) so I'll want to hear them with a SS amp, which I should have one here by the end of the week... not sure if it will be soon enough to keep the schedule though

but listening to some Jack Johnson right now, not as airy or detailed as my Senns. The senns throw a wider sound stage and the highs are more extended. But the d2000's have tons of low end! highs are a little more harsh. the lower mids seem to have a bump in response as well. So not the most neutral cans, but I think they would definitely be ideal for a basshead, which I admittedly am not! Overall sound is more constricted and in your face...

There's something up that I can't quite put my finger on... and they sound good... I know I said some negative things above, but don't let that fool you. I want to like these cans, I really do. They look fantastic and they sound quite good as well! But there's just something I can't quite get my finger on that seems to detract me from the music. I need more time to really tell though...

*Aura* · 10-06-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by soloz2

initial impressions:

headphones are heavy! I don't think they would be comfortable for extended listening sessions.
they are very warm sounding, and the bass is huge! I'm thinking this could be partly due to the system I'm using them with at the moment (PS1 & tube amp) so I'll want to hear them with a SS amp, which I should have one here by the end of the week... not sure if it will be soon enough to keep the schedule though

but listening to some Jack Johnson right now, not as airy or detailed as my Senns. The senns throw a wider sound stage and the highs are more extended. But the d2000's have tons of low end! highs are a little more harsh. the lower mids seem to have a bump in response as well. So not the most neutral cans, but I think they would definitely be ideal for a basshead, which I admittedly am not! Overall sound is more constricted and in your face...

There's something up that I can't quite put my finger on... and they sound good... I know I said some negative things above, but don't let that fool you. I want to like these cans, I really do. They look fantastic and they sound quite good as well! But there's just something I can't quite get my finger on that seems to detract me from the music. I need more time to really tell though...

Thank you for the initial remarks Jacob - I will be archiving all impressions in the second post of the thread for future use (probably will not compile until everyone has posted everything they wish to comment on).

As far as impressions go - say whatever you feel. Be as honest as you wish, hold nothing back. What you hear is what you hear, and nothing anyone feels or says should be allowed to change that fact. Jacob's first impressions serve as an excellent template for the future progression of this loan.

smorgan · 10-06-08

this is an extremely cool idea.

Subbed for impressions.

PS.
<jealousy>
The rosewood (did you say rosewood?) cups look amazing.
</jealousy>

*soloz2* · 10-21-08

Some more headtime before these get shipped to S1rrah for the Houston Meet:

Sadie and I are listening to the 1812 Overture. Well I'm listening and she's sitting in my lap, very content.

For this listen I puled my Parts Connexion Modded Music Hall CD25 into my office. On top of the Parts Connexion mods I have replaced the opa627 op-amps with Burson Discrete Op-amps.
For the amp I am using my Maxed Millet Hybrid Max.
Interconnects are by SA of course

I just listened to the 1812 Overture Yesterday in my living room. Source was the same, amp was a Marantz SR7001 receiver and speakers ELT525M by av123. (my Ref 1's are currently in my office) Once again all ICs by SA.

The d200 do not have the soundstage of the elt525m, but then again we're dealing with speakers vs. headphones. I don't find the d2000 to be able to soundstage as well as my upgraded HD580's or AKG k701's either, but nonetheless not bad.
Mids and highs were pleasant. Not overly detailed and the highs seemed a bit rolled off. The d2000 are not as fast as the k701, nor are they as laid back as the HD580. Where the woodied d2000 really express themselves is when the cannons kick in. They have a huge presence that neither HD580, k701 or the elt525m can match.
I did not find the d200 as engaging as the elt525m or the HD580.

Eric Clapton: Unplugged
Going back and forth between stock (until tomorrow...) k701, upgraded HD580 and woodied d2000, the d2000 is by far the most 'thick' sounding. I can see why people like them. They are detailed enough to sound good, but there is a mid-bass boost that gives them a slightly unnatural sound. This could be due to the woody, but from several comments I've read on the d2000 I think this is probably a flaw of the headphones themselves. The k701 while fast and airy almost sound a little lean to me. I know they really need a lot of current to get them to sing... but my Max has the Mosfets cranked up fairly high so I know the k701's are getting some power, and from memory, the Max does better than the SinglePower PPX3 I had... but this isn't about amps is it?
My favorite headphone in this test is the Hd580, but then I've listened to all these headphones before (save d2000) and have always chosen Senns. Plus I built this amp with my Senns in mind.

Well I've listened to some jazz, classical, and acoustical pop so far, so I decided rock is next.

I had Saving Able handy. It's not the best recorded disc, but there's something about Addicted that I like. I think I might be addicted to that song... kind of like how one of my wife's favorite songs is Animals by Nickleback

for this trail I really, really wish I had my SR225's done... Once completed they will actually match Aura's d2000's.
Once again the d2000 are bassy, which gives them a 'thick' sound. With this particular track it gives the song a bit more grunge sound, which I have to admit I like. Near the end the decay is nice.
Switching to HD580 is like going from a system with a bandpass sub in the trunk to a pair of sealed 10's. The lows just don't have the energy, yet they are tighter and more articulate. You can hear the subtleties of the song much better and you can better distinguish the kick drum.... and then I switched back to the d2000 for another comparison... yeah, I think for the first time the d2000 are beginning to edge out the other headphones here.

This helps me to begin putting my finger on what was bothering me originally with these headphones. I first grabbed several of my 'audiophile' recordings, or discs that I've come to love due to good recording, or especially great talent that better systems are able to display their qualities in lights that lesser systems just can't.

A quick run to my media rack to dig through some CDs that I haven't listened to in quite a while confirmed this. I grabbed Jack's Mannequin: Everything in Transit. popped the disc in and I think I could get into this, the d2000's sound good. Almost like taking the HD580's and pressing that 'loudness' button that audiophiles cringe at, yet most people would press as soon as they got that 'new' piece of 'consumer' grade equipment. MY HD580 are undeniably more articulate, detailed, natural sounding, but they make many 'pop' cds sound almost sterile. A quick switch through, I really, really like k701. I always get here... I want a pair, but I just can't justify having both a pair of k701 and HD580... besides, right now I'm digging the d2000... but I know if I grab that k2 HD recording that is just begging to be picked up and listened to I'll go back to either the Senns or the AKG's. I don't think a pair of d2000's would be bad to have around, I really, really wish I had a pair of stock d2000's to compare. All this doesn't matter though because we all know even if I buy a pair of RS1's long before...

It's probably getting to the point where I should wrap this highly informal monologue. In summary (remember back in HS when you ended every paper with one of these paragraphs... ) Things I like about these d2000:
they are gorgeous! I love rosewood, and while I prefer a bit more red, Aura did an amazing job with the woody and even though they don't match my speakers the best, they still look great hanging next to my desk.
They sound good for the money. Even with the mods Aura doesn't have as much into these as the typical Sennheiser or AKG owner would have between cans and a recable.
They are easy to drive and didn't sound terrible out of the headphone output of my iPod. Yes, I did try it.
What I didn't like:
They are way too heavy in my opinion for extended listening periods.
the cable is microphonic. I don't know why anyone would EVER use Techflex on a headphone cable... biggest mistake ever! I know APS offers nylon sleeving for an additional cost. For the love of God, if you have to have an APS cable spend the little bit extra! However, you could just get your headphone cables from an 'unnamed' company that uses nylon sleeving for all headphone cables without charging customers extra (with one slight exception)
the cable is way too $#%^ short! it is a length I would use for portable cans, but these are too bulky to be used anywhere but home. If your amp is right on your desk in front of you, but mine is on a stand next to my computer desk and it's way too short.
For general listening they are honestly just not what I'm looking for.

A few thoughts that don't really fit in a like or dislike.
From my brief time with a SS amp I really think these headphones will sound better with a good SS amp. I have a feeling that a good SS amp will help tone down the mid-bass hump in the frequency response and help tighten up the lows a bit more.

phospholipid · 10-21-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by soloz2

Some more headtime before these get shipped to S1rrah for the Houston Meet:

Sadie and I are listening to the 1812 Overture. Well I'm listening and she's sitting in my lap, very content.

For this listen I puled my Parts Connexion Modded Music Hall CD25 into my office. On top of the Parts Connexion mods I have replaced the opa627 op-amps with Burson Discrete Op-amps.
For the amp I am using my Maxed Millet Hybrid Max.
Interconnects are by SA of course

I just listened to the 1812 Overture Yesterday in my living room. Source was the same, amp was a Marantz SR7001 receiver and speakers ELT525M by av123. (my Ref 1's are currently in my office) Once again all ICs by SA.

The d200 do not have the soundstage of the elt525m, but then again we're dealing with speakers vs. headphones. I don't find the d2000 to be able to soundstage as well as my upgraded HD580's or AKG k701's either, but nonetheless not bad.
Mids and highs were pleasant. Not overly detailed and the highs seemed a bit rolled off. The d2000 are not as fast as the k701, nor are they as laid back as the HD580. Where the woodied d2000 really express themselves is when the cannons kick in. They have a huge presence that neither HD580, k701 or the elt525m can match.
I did not find the d200 as engaging as the elt525m or the HD580.

excellent, i can imagine exactly how its gonna sound for me then!
thanks soloz - looking forward even more now

*soloz2* · 10-21-08

I'm done for now... but the particular IC I'm using was just built yesterday, and it's already starting to sound better so I think I shall let Jack's Mannequin play on repeat all night for s1rrah.

phospholipid · 10-21-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by soloz2

I'm done for now... but the particular IC I'm using was just built yesterday, and it's already starting to sound better so I think I shall let Jack's Mannequin play on repeat all night for s1rrah.

you should send a nice IC for the rest of us to sample ;]

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The Circle Project - OCN Headphone Loan #1

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