Potential dilemma

[GeoffreyW]

I recently siezed the opportunity to audition some B&O H6 phones for a month, no commitment, just to see what higher quality phones might sound like, compared to my Alessandro MS1's. Initially, I'd no intention of keeping them, not at that price, but I've just been told that, if I really like them, I can keep them. As it happens, I've been considering a set of closed back phones for a while, and sort of decided that AKG 550's would be the ones to go for, sound and cost being considered.

Well, the arrived this morning, and I'm impressed, a bit. I'm going to leave them plugged in continuously for two or three days, playing from the radio of my Uniti., but would like to ask if anyone else has had the opportunity to compare the H6 and K550?

Perhaps Richer Sounds might let me do B2B tests?

 

[dalethorn]

I recently siezed the opportunity to audition some B&O H6 phones for a month, no commitment, just to see what higher quality phones might sound like, compared to my Alessandro MS1's. Initially, I'd no intention of keeping them, not at that price, but I've just been told that, if I really like them, I can keep them. As it happens, I've been considering a set of closed back phones for a while, and sort of decided that AKG 550's would be the ones to go for, sound and cost being considered.

Well, the arrived this morning, and I'm impressed, a bit. I'm going to leave them plugged in continuously for two or three days, playing from the radio of my Uniti., but would like to ask if anyone else has had the opportunity to compare the H6 and K550?

Perhaps Richer Sounds might let me do B2B tests?

I have 2 of the H6, and I had the K553 (similar to the K550 I hear) to compare. The H6 is slightly dark and bassy in places, while the K553 was nearly neutral. I think the 553 is a better hi-fi sound, and much cheaper too. But some people like the H6 anyway. We use EQ, so that makes our H6's more neutral.

Edit: I've reviewed both headphones here.

 

[GeoffreyW]

My H6s have been burning in for just over 24 hours continuously, and they've improved noticeably. While they still don't have the airiness of my Alessandro MS1s, they're offering a different sound, spacy to a degree, but with crisper, sharper/clearer instruments, particularly those lower frequency instruments, plus more detail in the resonances of instruments, and voices; the feel of Tommy Smith's "In a sentimental mood" was too good, raised the hairs on the back of my neck.

I really will have to try to audition the K550s, before making a decision on the H6s. With a new RP3, Tangospinner, and the H6s, I'm finally getting some vague idea of just what some of you are enjoying in your music.

 

[dalethorn]

My H6s have been burning in for just over 24 hours continuously, and they've improved noticeably. While they still don't have the airiness of my Alessandro MS1s, they're offering a different sound, spacy to a degree, but with crisper, sharper/clearer instruments, particularly those lower frequency instruments, plus more detail in the resonances of instruments, and voices; the feel of Tommy Smith's "In a sentimental mood" was too good, raised the hairs on the back of my neck.

I really will have to try to audition the K550s, before making a decision on the H6s. With a new RP3, Tangospinner, and the H6s, I'm finally getting some vague idea of just what some of you are enjoying in your music.

Here's my pictures of how the H6 and K553 sound (EQ graphs, which are the inverse of the signature). Note that the horizontal lines are 6 db from each other.

http://dalethorn.com/Photos/Audioforge/B_O_H6.jpg

http://dalethorn.com/Photos/Audioforge/Akg_K553.jpg

 

[GeoffreyW]

Sorry, dalethorn, but the graphs don't mean much to me. Unless they show the "flatness?" of the responses? I'm not a bass-head, and don't use any EQ, a left-over from earlier "flat earth" influences, perhaps?

I only use phones for home listening, using my NaimUniti output. I bought the Uniti to reduce the box count, to one box, and I'm happy with it; my only upgrade path might be with my CA 640P phono amp, but again I'm happy with it, so far.

The main reason for having the H6s is that I'm not committed to purchase them, and I fully intended to send them back, but they're seducing me to the Hi side of hifi. I can't find any K553 phones for sale in the UK, yet, so may have to go with the K550s.

Many thanks for your guidance, too.

 

[dalethorn]

Sorry, dalethorn, but the graphs don't mean much to me. Unless they show the "flatness?" of the responses? I'm not a bass-head, and don't use any EQ, a left-over from earlier "flat earth" influences, perhaps?

I only use phones for home listening, using my NaimUniti output. I bought the Uniti to reduce the box count, to one box, and I'm happy with it; my only upgrade path might be with my CA 640P phono amp, but again I'm happy with it, so far.

The main reason for having the H6s is that I'm not committed to purchase them, and I fully intended to send them back, but they're seducing me to the Hi side of hifi. I can't find any K553 phones for sale in the UK, yet, so may have to go with the K550s.

Many thanks for your guidance, too.

My graphs, unlike those of innerfidelity and others, show the actual deviations from flat.

 

[GeoffreyW]

dalethorn, I've just read your review of the H6s, and it is a very accurate assessment of them. On CD, I've just listened to Trombone Shorty, and DSOTM, and totally agree, the bass on Backastreet, and the first four tracks, is deep and accurate, while the heartbeat intro to DSOTM is tangible, almost physical in the enclosure. The brass of Stan Kenton's Django has real bite. Then, Ben Webster/Gerry Mulligan playing Chelsea Bridge has a sensuous, almost liquid quality. Whitesnake, Still of the Night, has real impact, while retaining clarity. The H6s render instruments discretely, each identifiable individually, with very accurate reproduction of the characteristics of each instrument, as well as voices.

The soundstage is wide, perhaps not quite as wide as my Alessandro MS1s, but the H6 sound is far more detailed than them. I'm finding more information and detail being resolved from my vinyl, too, due in some respect to a Tangospinner subplatter, but the H6s reproduce sound extremely accurately. Hopefully, soon I'll stop analysing the detail in what I'm hearing and enjoy the music agan.

I'm going to have to find another cable, or a lightweight extension, though, as my listening is at home, and the cable is just too short. I'm using my Grado extension, but it's a little on the heavy side.

Thanks.

Oh, yes, the H6s are keepers.

 

[dalethorn]

dalethorn, I've just read your review of the H6s, and it is a very accurate assessment of them. On CD, I've just listened to Trombone Shorty, and DSOTM, and totally agree, the bass on Backastreet, and the first four tracks, is deep and accurate, while the heartbeat intro to DSOTM is tangible, almost physical in the enclosure. The brass of Stan Kenton's Django has real bite. Then, Ben Webster/Gerry Mulligan playing Chelsea Bridge has a sensuous, almost liquid quality. Whitesnake, Still of the Night, has real impact, while retaining clarity. The H6s render instruments discretely, each identifiable individually, with very accurate reproduction of the characteristics of each instrument, as well as voices.

The soundstage is wide, perhaps not quite as wide as my Alessandro MS1s, but the H6 sound is far more detailed than them. I'm finding more information and detail being resolved from my vinyl, too, due in some respect to a Tangospinner subplatter, but the H6s reproduce sound extremely accurately. Hopefully, soon I'll stop analysing the detail in what I'm hearing and enjoy the music agan.

I'm going to have to find another cable, or a lightweight extension, though, as my listening is at home, and the cable is just too short. I'm using my Grado extension, but it's a little on the heavy side. Thanks. Oh, yes, the H6s are keepers.

I think most people who hold the H6's slim-line and light-weight earcups in hand would be surprised at how they produce such good sound, especially the bass impact. That slim profile is great for portability, and the fit is good enough that it stays stable on the head with average movements.

 

[GeoffreyW]

And finally.......as dalethorn says, quiet sibilants, such as "t" and "s" in sung vocals, or cymbals lightly tapped, can be clearly heard, as well as louder music, such as bass drums struck forcefully, or strings plucked with force.

I'm a spectacle wearer, and I find them comfortable for periods up to 2 hours, without overheating or soreness. They fit firmly, but without undue pressure to keep them in place. When wearing them, during periods when music isn't playing, I can hear some external sounds, but there's no outward sound leakage. I must repeat that I'm using them at home, not while travelling/commuting.