B&O H6 How to check they are genuine.

[Stuartk]

Cheers Rich,

Thanks for that.

Sorry Rich but I was responding to Dale as he said he has the Dragonfly v2.

I will check out your recommendation but as I have said I feel I will stick to your original recommendation of the E07k/E17k.

Looking forward to it and the differences similar to what you described.

Awsome forum.

Stuart.

 

[dalethorn]

Cheers Rich,

Thanks for that.

Sorry Rich but I was responding to Dale as he said he has the Dragonfly v2.

I will check out your recommendation but as I have said I feel I will stick to your original recommendation of the E07k/E17k. Looking forward to it and the differences similar to what you described. Awesome forum. Stuart.

I had the Dragonfly v1, but knowing the comparison to it and my trusted allies who say the v2 is better, I put the v2 into the same class as the D3 and Microstreamer. The FiiO's are a very different kind of product, so I don't expect them to be competitive. The reason I rarely use the FiiO's is because they don't act as a DAC to my Apple devices on direct plugin, as the Oppo HA-2 or Beyer A200p does. For best sound with a computer use the USB DACs such as DF v2 or Microstreamer et al - everything else is a compromise in sound quality.

 

[Stuartk]

Cheers Rich,

Thanks for that.

Sorry Rich but I was responding to Dale as he said he has the Dragonfly v2.

I will check out your recommendation but as I have said I feel I will stick to your original recommendation of the E07k/E17k. Looking forward to it and the differences similar to what you described. Awesome forum. Stuart.

I had the Dragonfly v1, but knowing the comparison to it and my trusted allies who say the v2 is better, I put the v2 into the same class as the D3 and Microstreamer. The FiiO's are a very different kind of product, so I don't expect them to be competitive. The reason I rarely use the FiiO's is because they don't act as a DAC to my Apple devices on direct plugin, as the Oppo HA-2 or Beyer A200p does. For best sound with a computer use the USB DACs such as DF v2 or Microstreamer et al - everything else is a compromise in sound quality.

Thanks Dale,

Ah I see, OK so would it be the same advice for playing Spotify through my iPad.

Interesting to know in what way the Fiio is a different kind of product and why it's not a direct plug in ?

Just had a look at the Oppo and the Beyer and the price is a more than I would want to spend on a DAC/Amp for my current Headphones costing just £100.

I do fully appreciate that I was looking for the best sound therefore you kindly recommended both the Oppo and Beyer.

Would you agree that the Fiio would accomplish a much improved overall sound quality for the price of £69 for the E07k or £109 E17k.

Thank you

Stuart.

 

[Stuartk]

Hi Guys,

Having just made my last post there I thought I would just make a decision and go for it.

So I opted for the Fiio E07K with the L3 Cable.

This was based on actual user review by yourselves and from those on other Forums plus my needs, budget and the products functions.

I appreciate your continued help and advice based on the experience you all have, a big thank you.

I really love looking at the excellent products you list that you own and how it must be difficult deciding which one to use on a daily basis......The Joys.

All the best and look forward to seeing your comments on here within the different posts.

Stuart.

 

[dalethorn]

Cheers Rich,

Thanks for that.

Sorry Rich but I was responding to Dale as he said he has the Dragonfly v2.

I will check out your recommendation but as I have said I feel I will stick to your original recommendation of the E07k/E17k. Looking forward to it and the differences similar to what you described. Awesome forum. Stuart.

I had the Dragonfly v1, but knowing the comparison to it and my trusted allies who say the v2 is better, I put the v2 into the same class as the D3 and Microstreamer. The FiiO's are a very different kind of product, so I don't expect them to be competitive. The reason I rarely use the FiiO's is because they don't act as a DAC to my Apple devices on direct plugin, as the Oppo HA-2 or Beyer A200p does. For best sound with a computer use the USB DACs such as DF v2 or Microstreamer et al - everything else is a compromise in sound quality.

Thanks Dale,

Ah I see, OK so would it be the same advice for playing Spotify through my iPad.

Interesting to know in what way the Fiio is a different kind of product and why it's not a direct plug in ?

Just had a look at the Oppo and the Beyer and the price is a more than I would want to spend on a DAC/Amp for my current Headphones costing just £100.

I do fully appreciate that I was looking for the best sound therefore you kindly recommended both the Oppo and Beyer.

Would you agree that the Fiio would accomplish a much improved overall sound quality for the price of £69 for the E07k or £109 E17k. Thank you. Stuart.

When someone says much improved I think "compared to .... ?" So it may improve the sound of some computers, but not others. For example, the iPhone6 or 6 plus will not improve with a FiiO amp. It is possible that you might get more power for certain headphones - depends...

 

[Stuartk]

Ok Thanks Dale.

I mean compared to.....The Headphones being plugged straight into my iPad with no Amp.

 

[dalethorn]

Ok Thanks Dale.

I mean compared to.....The Headphones being plugged straight into my iPad with no Amp.

The iPads have a pretty good sound system. Improvements would come from a conventional amp such as a Portaphile Micro, a Decware Zen Head, possibly a FiiO E12 - but all of those with a FiiO LOD cable and Apple adapter through the Line Out Doc (LOD). Cheaper amps like the E17k, E07k, PA2V2 etc. won't help much with the iPad, but they can help the older iPods. The very best things for iPad would be Apple-compatible USB DACs like the Oppo HA-2, or especially the Theorem 720.

 

[Stuartk]

Having said in my earlier posts I assumed that others also had an IPad and was making recommendations based on their experiences which could be my error but I'm surprised that you say the Fiio E07k would have no added benefit when using an iPad but the Oppo H2 @ £259 or the Theorem 720 @ £770 would.

The Oppo is not to bad on price but the Theorem is way too much for me although you do say these are the very best so I could in the house use my conventional Amp which is a Rotel RA-12.

My E07k has just arrived so I will see what value it gives if any.

Thanks for the info

Stuart.

 

[dalethorn]

Having said in my earlier posts I assumed that others also had an IPad and was making recommendations based on their experiences which could be my error but I'm surprised that you say the Fiio E07k would have no added benefit when using an iPad but the Oppo H2 @ £259 or the Theorem 720 @ £770 would.

The Oppo is not to bad on price but the Theorem is way too much for me although you do say these are the very best so I could in the house use my conventional Amp which is a Rotel RA-12.

My E07k has just arrived so I will see what value it gives if any.

Thanks for the info

Stuart.

It's simple actually - the Oppo bypasses the internal DAC *and* amp in the iPad, and so what you hear is the Oppo DAC and amp. With the E17k, you cannot (under ordinary circumstances**) use the E17k DAC, only the E17k analog amp, which is no better than the iPad's own internal amp. That's because the E17k is not an "Apple-compatible DAC" to the iPad.

**There may be a way to use the E17k DAC with the iPad using the Apple Camera Kit, but you should research that if you're interested. I've been there, and I'm definitely not interested.

 

[Stuartk]

Brilliant Dale.

So basically the Fiio is wasted as you cannot get the use of its overall functionality when used with iPad.

I haven't opened the Fiio yet I'm now thinking of returning it and ordering the Oppo.

What you mentioned is something that most people would not realise and probably would think that the Fiio E07k sounded good so a big thank you for keeping me right.

Stuart.

 

[dalethorn]

Brilliant Dale.

So basically the Fiio is wasted as you cannot get the use of its overall functionality when used with iPad. I haven't opened the Fiio yet I'm now thinking of returning it and ordering the Oppo. What you mentioned is something that most people would not realise and probably would think that the Fiio E07k sounded good so a big thank you for keeping me right. Stuart.

Yep, and while you'd get half the functionality of the E07/E17 as is (the amp but not the DAC), it's the least effective half. But the other thing is, even if you could use the FiiO DAC and add a better amp, you'd lose the small gains in sonic purity with the extra cables and connectors (DAC output jacks and wiring, amp input jacks and wiring, and interconnect cables).

 

[Stuartk]

Oh I get it now thanks.

Well I sent back both the Beyerdynamics and the Fiio.

I managed to get the Oppo H2 on AV Forum which is only 10 weeks old for a good price but from that same owner I just missed out on a pair of Oppo PM3's due to being stupidly hesitant.

I wasn't expecting to go as much for Headphones but as the price was good and reviews made me think why not I may as well do it right, oh well I will look out for a higher end pair and use the H2 with my existing Phones which are decent without an amp so will improve significantly.

Really appreciate all your input and helping drive me to a better decision as well as the great advice from Paulq, Rich, Joel & Major.

Im sure you would all have given a different recommendation if I said I could increase the budget.

Stuart.

 

[Paulq]

Oh I get it now thanks.

Well I sent back both the Beyerdynamics and the Fiio.

I managed to get the Oppo H2 on AV Forum which is only 10 weeks old for a good price but from that same owner I just missed out on a pair of Oppo PM3's due to being stupidly hesitant.

I wasn't expecting to go as much for Headphones but as the price was good and reviews made me think why not I may as well do it right, oh well I will look out for a higher end pair and use the H2 with my existing Phones which are decent without an amp so will improve significantly.

Really appreciate all your input and helping drive me to a better decision as well as the great advice from Paulq, Rich, Joel & Major.

Im sure you would all have given a different recommendation if I said I could increase the budget.

Stuart.

Wow - you sent the Beyers back as well? I guess it was worth a try but if they are not for you then it's the right decision.

What you gonna go for now?

 

[Stuartk]

Hi Paulq,

Yes sent them back too although they were good and an improvement on what I have at the moment but I really want something that will be a big improvement and I suppose for that I will need to spend more so looking at the Oppo PM3, Ultrasone Performance 880 or the Beyerdynamic T90/DT90 (not sure the difference) but they all have great reviews.

I have bought the Oppo H2 Amp so just waiting for that to come which will improve what I have but also the new ones too.

As said the Byers were good especially for the money so I felt I may as well do it right first time rather than upgrade in stages and as I would never be interested in ones that are in the £1,000+ bracket I'm looking for a long termed in the £300 bracket.

Stuart.

 

[rich51080]

Stuart. You really should not discount the Alessandro MS2i's.

You wont pay import duty as they mark them as a gift. And you get them for the price of 299 dollars which is about 175 quid.

I have had my pair for over eight years now and they are amazing. They are still made my Grado Labs but in conjunction with Alessandro whom make guitar amps. They are tuned and the midrange is the best I have heard on any headphone under 500 quid.

I really cannot rate them high enough.

Best headphones under 500 pounds in my opinion of course. My Grado ps1000 beats them in term of detail but its not as much as you think it would be.

The Ultrasones are good as I now own the Pro 900. They are terrific and the bass is tight and huge but not overblown. Not like the Beyer DT770 Pro.

Im selling my Beyer dt880's as I am going to buy the Ultrasone Signature Pro. That leaves me with over 10 pairs of headphones now. I am a headphone geek but I love the different sound signatures. I should do reviews like Dale as I have heard over 30 headphones under £500. But the one that is most enjoyable is the Alessandro's.

Stuart also check out these as they might be to your taste:

http://www.hifiheadphones.co.uk/final-audio-design-pandora-hope-iv-closed-back-hybrid-driver-headphones.html

My favourite 8 headphones/earphones I have listened to or have owned.

1. Audeze LCD-3 - One word - WOW

2. Grado ps1000 - Detail monsters

3. Ultrasone Signature Pro - (my next purchase) Terrific mids and the bass is immense

4. Alessandro ms2i - will never ever sell these as they are stunning for the price you pay.

5. Audiofly AF160 - Super IEM - Very revealing of recordings. Will never sell these too.

6. AKG K550 - Bargain buy at less than a hundred pounds - huge soundstage for closed headphones. Keeping these.

7. Ultrasone pro900 - Bass monsters but not muddy or overblown - superb for rock/pop. Much better than Beyers DT770 pro

8. Final Audio Design Adagio III. for less than 60 quid you get amazing sound quality and they are detailed.

Regards

Rich

 

[Stuartk]

Great post.

Hi Rich,

Love the league Table, brilliant assortment you have and interesting that Ultrasone is at number 7.

Checked out the ones you have and they are expensive but stunning with I'm sure sounds to match.

Also looked at the recommendations the Alessandro get great reviews not sure as they have been around for quite a while and haven't others moved forward, in saying that they have a small profile.

They look small for over ears!!

Which site do you get them from?

Final Audio Design look good with good reviews at £400 not sure I want to spend quite that much plus the frequency response is similar to what I have at the moment.

So your buying the Signature Pro then excellent you can sell the 900's to me. Lol.

As said on another post the Oppo amp I'm waiting for Its arrival and I just missed out on the Oppo PM3's which I did fancy especially at the price they went for but that's life.

There is also the Beyerdynamic Premium Telsa but they look very chunky.

Need to choose soon and all that's been suggested will be good sounding but my problem is making a decision, I need to ensure my choice goes well with the Oppo H2 Amp.

Stuart.

 

[rich51080]

http://www.alessandro-products.com/main.php?p=headphones

Take my word for it - they are outstanding and great with any genre.

 

[Stuartk]

I do believe you.

Where do you get these then?

Whats the difference between Ultrasome Performance 880 & Pro 900 and would either of them be better overall than the Alessandro pair?

Stuart.

 

[rich51080]

Alessandro MS2i would destroy most headphones below £500. The Grado RS1i only just beats it in terms of detail and punch but they cost £750

Order them from the Link I gave you.

You buy them for $299 which I believe is about £175 and shipping is free.

They are better then the Grado 325e and a lot less expensive and the mids are stunning.

They will need burning in for about 80 hours. I use pink noise to do this.

The difference between the Ultrasones pro 900 and 880 are: the pro has a much wider frequency range and has more sub bass than the 880's. They both use the patented surround sound. The pro has a hardback carry case whereas the 880 has a soft one albeit very nice.

hope this helps

 

[Stuartk]

It does thanks Rich.

Can I ask, Are the Alessandro's Over The Ear as there size seams to indicate an On Ear type ?

You have the Ultrasone, is your preference still the Alessandro's ?

I think I quite like the idea of a surround sound type especially with the wider frequency range or is that more of a gimmick than the high quality Alessandro's ?

Finally, the Alessandro's are an open air type what would you recommend as a closed design?

Stuart.

 

[rich51080]

The MS2i sit on your own ears. They are better than the Ultrasones. They are an open back so leak sound. But they are outstanding when you listen to them.

Closed design you should be looking at AKG K550 or Shure 1540. I personally do not think the Shures are great. They have a veil to their sound.

You could try German Maestro but I have not heard them.

If you got the money then final audio design Pandora is a viable option. They do sound good and are really comfortable.

Have you thought about having in ear monitors. ?

Regards

Rich

 

[Stuartk]

Great, Thanks Rich.

I have never been able to get in ear to fit properly.....odd ears I think.

Pandora is very nice but a bit pricy at £400.

The AKG 550 looks good with good spec but the site said the 545 is the newer version, both at £199 seems 545 slightly lower end at 10 Hz - 24 kHz 550 at 12Hz - 28 kHz.

I don't think I have used an On Ear before, do they seal as well as closed back ?

Would there be much in it between AKG and Alessandro for sound comfort etc ?

Stuart.

 

[rich51080]

As you may well know. I own the Alessandro and the AKG K550.

They have totally different sound signatures.

The MS2i is focussed on the mids which are amazing especially if you listen to rock/pop/acoustic. The treble is bordering on bright but definitely not fatiguing. The bass is punchy without being too much. They do show up badly recorded music and you will hear new sounds that you thought did not exist. They are more highly thought of on headfi vs the more expensive Grado 325e and they are better than the 325e. If i were to rate these they would get a 9/10

The AKG K550 is very analytical - it will show up bad recordings. The treble is very detailed and the midrange is lush. The comfort is wonderful but have been known not to fit small heads. The bass is "natural" and to some ears may not be enough. If you want to hear what the artist recorded then go with these as you can buy for less than a hundred pounds. Feed it bassy music and it will give you bass. I find them wonderful to listen to and a bargain at £100. My rating 8.5/10

I own both and love them as they have different signatures.

The AKG K545 I would avoid as you can buy the superior K550 for £100.

The end of the day it is your money but both these would make great purchases.

K550 is closed back whilst ms2i is an open back.

Personally I'd buy them both as they give you different spectrums in musicality. I would use the ms2i for rock and metal n pop and use the AKG's for acoustic/classical and jazz.

The K550 is the more comfortable but thats not saying the ms2i is not.

You can get "both" for less than £280.

And........ they both get even better with an amp so you have the upgrade.

With regard to I.E.M's why don't you try Audiofly. They are soooooooo comfortable that you can sleep with them in.

hope this helps

 

[Stuartk]

I was half way down your reply when I thought I will just buy both firstly I will get the AKG and as im in Florida in a couple of weeks I will pick up the Alessandro unless I see both here at a good price.

Oh well thats me sorted at long last, Thanks Rich I will let you know when I get them and give my thought on them too.

Have a great day,

Stuart.

 

[Stuartk]

Decide (again) to go initially for the AKG K550 and as Im going to the USA on holiday Im looking to get the Alessandro MS2i.

Feel that having different types will be more fullfilling than just having a one for all occations.

See I'm learning from you guys and your vast array of Headphones but it will be sometime before I get to own the pedigree's you have.

The wee Oppo Amp has made a big difference to the UE 6000's I have so Im pretty excited as to what it will help achieve with the new pairs I get.

Many Thanks Rich and ofcourse Paul.

Stuart.