B&O H6 How to check they are genuine.

[Stuartk]

Thanks JoelSim great Info.

I would be looking for them to do both duties.

Im hesitant as the Logitech UE6000 I have are reported on Headfi as being good etc so I don't want to get a new pair of Headphones that end up with a similar performance.

Do I go for a more expensive set such as the Ultrasone Performance 880 or Pro 900 which do seem to tick the boxes.

When I decide on a product I read a review that makes me ponder and look at others.

Stuart

 

[Stuartk]

Can't believe that Amazon reviews say the Pro 900 are very Bass heavy drowning out the Mids.

Looks like I'm Back to the Cheaper Beyer DT990 Pro @ 250ohm.

Really sorry guys for all the running around questions and indecisions I just need to ensure they are not over Bassy and perform better that what I have at present but your Info has been brilliant and so appreciated.

Stuart.

 

[rich51080]

Having heard both the Performance and the Pro series I can tell you they both have amazing midrange. The main difference is the amount of bass as the Pro 900 has a lot of it but amazing proper bass. You will feel it as it hits hard. The performance series the bass is not as powerful and the 860/880 are portable - You get a lovely carry case with them.

The Pro 900 is built with plastic and metal. They are built to last. The construction is second to none.

They both have the patented technology that gives you a 3d soundstage which is AMAZING.

The frequency range is incredible on the Pro900 6-42000 Hz hence the incredible bass and treble.

I guess it comes down to what you want in a headphone. If you want amazing soundstage and phenomenal bass then I highly suggest you get a pair of Pro900's.

I have heard the top of the range Edition cans and the Pro900 has most of it's characteristics and for what a few hundred pounds.

You would have a pair of headphones that you will keep for a long long time. and you can upgrade by buying a aftermarker cable which would make them really AMAZING!!!!

The carry case with the 900's is fabulous too.

I will be buying a pair soon as they are awesome for rock and pop music and even great with vocal and acoustic sounds. You will hear things you didn't know were in tracks.

Read the reviews on Hifiheadphones.co.uk

Regards

Rich

 

[Stuartk]

Thanks JoelSim that helps as I thought they were same except Premium being a newer version.

 

[Paulq]

Can't believe that Amazon reviews say the Pro 900 are very Bass heavy drowning out the Mids.

Looks like I'm Back to the Cheaper Beyer DT990 Pro @ 250ohm.

Really sorry guys for all the running around questions and indecisions I just need to ensure they are not over Bassy and perform better that what I have at present but your Info has been brilliant and so appreciated.

Stuart.

The Beyer DT990 250 Ohm is what I have, in fact on my head right now. It's wonderful out of a hifi and, as Joel says, ok out of a portable player but you will need to bump the volume up a bit unless you buy one of the very good Fiio portable amps and a LOD if you have an Apple device - they bring the DT990's to life out of a portable rig.

If you don't have an amp with your hifi steer clear of the 600 ohm. At just over £100 the 250 ohm are good value but it's a tough choice to make; the Pro 900 tends to polarise opinion but you may love it - many do. It's not a bad headphone by any means, just an acquired taste.

I agree with Joel also in that the DT990 is a far better headphone than the DT770 though the latter isn't bad by any means. They are both £101/£102 on Amazon at the min. Bear in mind that certain retailers (no names mentioned but trying to help you a bit) have quite liberal return policies.....isn't that a way forward so you can make an informed choice rather than taking a flyer?

If I were you (and it's entirely your call) I'd order the cheaper option first in the DT990. If they hit the spot then you have saved yourself £200 ish and if they don't then you can buy the Ultrasones in the knowledge that you have eliminated one variable.

Think about it this way - you can't make a bad decision really.

 

[Stuartk]

Good advice Paulq.

Amazon answered a question saying the DT990 is all Bass & Treble which I'm sure is not the whole story but is a concern and Bass heavy comes up a lot when you get descriptions of these HP's which would be great for Rock music.

The Ultrasone Performance 900 seem to have a wide soundstage, a 3D type which I would think is good for Hybrid Classical artists and Vocal Pop music but as you say a big difference in price.

You are a great help and whatever I buy I will go for the Amp and the LOD (what is that, lol).

In saying all that I will probably go for the Pro 990 and hope it betters what I have and gives the scale And soundstage I want.

Stuart.

 

[Stuartk]

Sorry I meant the Ultrasone Performance 880, It does get confusing.

 

[Paulq]

Good advice Paulq.

Amazon answered a question saying the DT990 is all Bass & Treble which I'm sure is not the whole story but is a concern and Bass heavy comes up a lot when you get descriptions of these HP's which would be great for Rock music.

The Ultrasone Performance 900 seem to have a wide soundstage, a 3D type which I would think is good for Hybrid Classical artists and Vocal Pop music but as you say a big difference in price.

You are a great help and whatever I buy I will go for the Amp and the LOD (what is that, lol).

In saying all that I will probably go for the Pro 990 and hope it betters what I have and gives the scale And soundstage I want.

Stuart.

LOD is a Line Out Dock which allows you to use the lightning connector on an Apple device rather than the headphone jack. Here it is and you'd need a 32 pin to lightning adaptor if you have an Apple device with a lightning dock. Most of the new ones do.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/FiiO-Line-Dock-Cable-iPhone/dp/B004M172HW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1435267032&sr=8-1&keywords=fiio+line+out

If you haven't already then take a look at this thread. Pretty much sums up the differences in my view:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/518044/beyerdynamic-dt990-or-ultrasone-pro-900

Sorry if that confuses you more. Sounds like you just need to push the button really.

 

[Stuartk]

Thanks Paulq,

I'd say you have sorted it with the comparison review I hadn't seen that one.

Appreciate the link for the LOD too need to check my Apple gear for connectivity.

So I have ordered the DT990 as the Bass was described as being loud and exaggerated on 900.

Many many thanks to you and of coarse to everyone that give me help & advice.

Due to the price of the DT990 I may still buy the Ultrasone Performance 880 at a later date.

Maybe lol

Stuart.

 

[Paulq]

I'm sure you will enjoy them and let us know what you think when you get them.

Good choice!

 

[Paulq]

Oh and, by the way, the law says you should never ever own just one headphone. Welcome to our world.

*biggrin*

 

[rich51080]

The Ultrasone is used in studios by many famous producers.

What you hear is what the artist intended.

The bass is huge but it does not overpower the midrange to my ears.

The DT990 are pretty good headphones but I find them boring if you listen to rock and pop. They are reknown for being great for classical and acoustic music. I tried them but did not like them as they were not punchy enough.

In my own opinion of course. Your listening may be different.

I'd avoid the DT770 Pro as the mids are recessed and nowhere near as good as Ultrasones whether it be the 860/880 or Pro 900. The big selling point with Ultrasone is they have detatchable cables and a aftermarket cable would really make a difference.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Ultrasone/PRO900/

http://www.head-fi.org/products/ultrasone-pro-900

http://www.bestnewheadphones.com/ultrasone-pro-900-s-logic-professional-headphones-review/

I love the Ultrasone signature sound as it is huge and spatial sounding and they are known for having terrific bass.

Grado could be an option but if you choose that route I would look at Alessandro as they are amazing for guitar music.

These could be an option

https://mrspeakers.com/shop/closed/mad-dog-leather-alpha-pads-comfort-strap/

They are highly thought of on headfi.

I just gone and purchased a set of Pro900's - I'm getting rid of my Audio Technia cans.

regards

Rich

 

[Stuartk]

Thank you and yes a sensible law.

I will let you know they are coming Saturday so as I'm nightshift I will let you know then.

A nice world to be part of with guys like you helping so readily.

Cheers

Stuart.

 

[Stuartk]

Hey Rich.

Thanks for that but it was one of the guys on Headfi that said the Bass was exaggerated and loud so that put me off a bit so I went for the DT990 as they are cheaper with very good reviews in general.

I'm going to Florida next month and I will be looking for the Ultrasone's Range to I can hear them for myself where I can buy them after trying.

I was just going to buy both now and send one back after trying them both but thought I would enjoy the moment better in the USA (I go there a lot ).

Although I haven't a clue where in Orlando I could find them possibly at the Apple Store at the Florida Mall.

Need to look out for them as I do really like the scenario of 3D sound which should give a enveloping experience and as you say the Bass won't interfere with the Mids and hope the Treble excellent which it should be looking at its overall range.

A big thank you for all your input and please tell me what you think of your new purchase, a big congrats to you.

I think perhaps if you had said you had went for them I may just have went for them but I know I will.

So here's to next month, my holiday and new Headphones WOW I'm so excited.

Stuart.

 

[Paulq]

What's the verdict Stuart?

 

[Stuartk]

Hello,

Well initial trial was good but I'm sure it will improve significantly using an Amp.

The build quality is good but put off slightly by the plastic ears and with the cable being coiled it made it feel heavy but the Headphones were nice and light.

Sound quality was in the middle not Bassy and not overly bright a good balance I thought.

The Bass I felt for my taste needed increased a little and the Treble too but not as much.

The Midrange I thought was fine where it was.

Vocals are excellent being very clear and precise with backing vocals being strong and up towards the front as opposed to being way in the background.

In my very limited experience of these they did not like very busy tracks but handled them well enough.

My overall initial feelings were of pure joy at what I listen too timing is great and the Tweeters bring out vocals effortlessly Bass as said I want more fuller ( if that's the correct term ) but this was only on some tracks others that were a natural Bass line was strong.

I also found that they don't go very loud, not that I want to go deaf yet but the max volume was no where near what I would have liked on certain tracks but my Logitech ones do and their Bass is better too.

I'd say overall they need an Amp to get the most out of them and they are better than the Logitech's.

After listening to them for a few hours I was liking them more and more with no fatigue at all which is not what I would say about my other pair.

I appreciate that a burn in period will improve no end and after my first taste I could not wait to use them again with still more improvement in overall balance plus it is increasing my enthusiasm for Headphones.

One thing that did puzzle me is that these are open backed to give better spacious/ambient presence but I could not tell the difference from my Logitech's which are closed and a Noise Cancelling ( Allegedly ).

So I would score 7.5/8 out of 10, Brilliant especially as only £100.

I know you said about a specific Amp being the Fiio so which model is best for these?

cheers

Stuart.

 

[Paulq]

Glad to hear you are enjoying and, yes, they do improve with an amp.

How are you listening to them? Through a laptop or amplifier?

Assuming it's the former then the Fiio E17K is good as is the E10K with the latter having the additional benefit of a DAC which may improve on the one in your PC. The E10k also has a Bass Boost which, from your comments, may suit you though I am not sure how good or natural this is. These things have a tendency to make bass artificially boomy but you may want to try it.

If your budget can stretch a little I would strongly recommend the Meridian Explorer 2. I use it out of my MacBook when I use Spotify and can testify for its quality.

 

[rich51080]

http://www.hifiheadphones.co.uk/fiio-e07k-andes-portable-headphone-amplifier-usb-dac.html

I own this and it is amazing. It has bass and treble boosts and they dont muddy the sound.

Best thing is you can use the dac on your smart phone by using a micro usb to mini usb cable.

Better than the Dragonfly usb dac which I used to have.

 

[JoelSim]

Ah you bought the DT990 Pro rather than the Premium then?

 

[Stuartk]

Hi Paulq,

Well I'm using them via my IPad only so especially pleased as they will be so much better when I get the Amp although I have my Rotel Amp for the HI-Fi I just haven't used them on it yet probably as I will use them at work mostly so a portable Amp would be perfect.

Thanks for the heads up in which Amp to look at I have been looking already and the Fiio's you mention are the ones which caught my attention, the Meridian I would have thought that it's not too portable.

Edit: Just checked the Meridian out and like the Audioquest it's tiny, so portable but it is £200.

I have also been looking at the Audioquest Dragonfly v1.2 as it was voted best on WHF but Rich says he had it before and voted for the Fiio E07k.

Thanks Rich,

I'm going to check out the link you left and certainly the Fiio range has very good reviews.

Hey Joel,

Opps did I get the wrong ones but I'm not sure what the difference would be in terms of sound quality, what do you think?

Stuart.

 

[Stuartk]

Hi Guys,

OK looking at the Fiio E07k & E17k, what would be the difference in sound if any as there is only £20 between them?

Cheers again

Stuart.

 

[rich51080]

Right the difference is the E17K has optical and coaxical whereas the Andes E07K does not.

The sound quality is the same via usb.

It all depends on whether you need an optical input.

regards

Rich

 

[dalethorn]

Hi Guys, OK looking at the Fiio E07k & E17k, what would be the difference in sound if any as there is only £20 between them? cCheers again. Stuart.

Headfonia said the E07k was better than the E17 (before the E17k), and I agree, but the new E17k is at least as good (I have all of these). But the E17k and E07k are below the quality of Dragonfly v2, Microstreamer, Audioengine D3, and probably the Meridian, and that's due I think to the amp section of the FiiO's not being as good as their DAC.

 

[Stuartk]

Cheers Rich,

So pretty much the same except for digital connections.

Wow Dale,

You have them all so that will be one in each of the main places you go I take it, work etc.

You said Dragonfly is better sound but you don't seem to have one or is it that the Fiio has better overall package .

Im looking probably at the E07k or may just go for the E17k as I could use the additional connections on other products.

Although my main aim is sound quality so I'm still interested in the others you mentioned.

Any input you have is greatly appreciated.

Stuart.

 

[rich51080]

As I said previously I was not a fan of the Original Dragonfly USB stick dac.

I not listened to version 2 of the Dragonfly so can't comment on the sound.

Also check out the soundmagic amplifier. Meant to be very good.

I love my Fiio Andes. The sound is awesome and very musical. I use it with my Ultrasone Pro 900 and K550's and Audiofly AF160's and it does not disappoint with either of them.