Setup: I bought THX 789 for the massive output of idk 6W/32ohms, but whenever I try to use my Sundara/Modhouse Argon/HD600/Arya V2/...whatever, I cannot reach decent listening levels in terms of db without getting this scratching/hissing noise in the background ... I think it's distortion. (DAC I use: Geshelli labs - J2, set to max volume) Settings: With an XLR output, gain setting level at 2/3 and the volume knob set to 2-4 o'clock, hearing distortion from a 250-350$ THX amp shouldn't be a thing, should it? With somewhat hard to drive headphones, I'm not reaching 70db, but I can already hear this godforsaken noise on all tracks without a constant stream of sound. If you dare to up the volume past 4 o'clock, or past 12 on gain setting 3/3, this noise becomes so loud, it might as well be an additional instrument Music: The tracks I usually listen to involve so few instruments, that you don't have a constant stream of sound. (e.g. Creep - Lena Hall) I'd love to get some feedback!...
Jun 5, 2024
I'm pretty happy with my mahogany ones from the January drop (delivered early May). They are a nice contrast to my K702 and I'll be using them as my primary headphones. The bass is impactful as I expected, but the highs are more pronounced than expected...I'd say just bright enough to not become fatiguing like the K702 and HD800. The biggest drawback is the narrow soundstage, it feels almost absent (perhaps I am spoiled by semi-open and open phones). The characteristics of the bass and treble causes the mids to become a little recessed and I'll be testing them on a few amps over the next month to see if any can improve this.
Overall I think they're very comfortable and tuned well for everyday listening. I wouldn't say they excel in any one trait other than price-to-performance for a CLOSED phone. If anyone is looking for maximum price-to-performance, I would probably have to go with the Beyer DT880 600ohm, which are open, paired with a good tube amp. The bass is almost as good, the mids are more balanced, and the soundstage is present.
These are not cannons like the V-moda M-100, which btw, are quite muddy. If you're a basshead, I recommend trying out the Ultrasone Pro990. I have forgotten the sound, but they are in a similar price range and excel at bass. But if you have the means, want an endgame headphone, and/or are a basshead, the Audeze LCD2 is a refined cannon and the answer to life. You will never need to look elsewhere.