ABTEC’s Headphone Range for 2014/2015!

Usually around this time of year I’m writing several product reviews, however this time round I feel like writing something different… This time I decided to do a little write up on our ever increasing Headphone Range, but not in conventional way like how I would with reviews & would select several items and do a generalized write up on all of them pointing not only my opinion on them but also Ashley’s too!

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Songs used:

  1. Pink Floyd – Us and them
  2. Guns ‘N Roses – You could be mine
  3. Bassotronics – Bass I love you

 

Headphones:

Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO (250Ohm):

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Summary: The DT 770 PRO is a closed dynamic headphone which has been designed for critical music and sound monitoring.

Lance: On the first track I must say I am lost for words as the DT 770 PRO‘s are so crisp, clear and it makes so much sense why they are used as monitoring headphones by some of NZ’s top sound engineers. On the second track I am truly lost for words, wow is all that comes to mind and I could happily own a pair for at home for when I am playing guitar or recording a beat. On the third track again wow! The bass is right there without overpowering the higher frequencies and the crispness of the hi-hat and snare just has a snap that is perfection to my ears. I would recommend using a headphone amplifier with these due to the high impedance which I made a world of difference.

Ashley: On the first track was just smooth, you don’t need to crank these to really enjoy them. I found them to be like sitting in your lounge with a set of 10 thousand dollar floorstanders (Which Ashley does have by the way). On the second track was like listening to a live studio performance, it has such a natural sound that even with everything that is going on in the song to can still make out every little note and instrument. On the third track Bass I love you the DT 770 PRO‘s managed the piano and the bass really nicely making it very defined!

Link: HERE

Price: $359.00

** A headphone amplifier was used due to the high (250Ohm) impedance of this headphone

 

Sony MDR-XB920R:

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Summary:  The MDR-XB920R is a closed dynamic (Extra Bass) headphone which are designed for the bass heavy music of today.

Lance: Now these I know inside out since I have a pair at home. On first song I found the MDR-XB920R very nice on the highs and mids, however  is a touch bass heavy (Which I love) on the lower frequencies. On the second track they seem to be very well balanced, picking up everything every frequency beautifully! On Bass I Love You they reminded me why I brought them in the first place, picking up the high and mid frequencies cleanly and precisely while pumping out the bass cleanly and with dominance! If you are a Basshead, these are the headphones for you!

Ashley: On the first song the bass was a touch too heavy making you miss out on the highs a little bit, an EQ could sort this out though. On the second song they come alive really bringing out the drums and bass but still being inline with the rest of the music. On the third song it was like having subwoofers strapped to your head, even so I could still hear the piano, synth and cymbals very clearly. On a side note these headphones are very comfortable!

Link: HERE

Price: $199

 

Klipsch Mode M40:

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Summary: The Mode M40 is a over-ear, active noise-cancelling headphone designed for hi-fidelity, comfit & style during long distance travel or just on the move.

Lance: On the first track the vocals, sax and drums were very clear even at higher volumes to the point where I could push them to levels that I couldn’t even bare before they started to break up. On the second track the Mode M40 really came alive to the point if I were to buy a set of headphones just for Guns ‘n Roses my mind  would already be made up! On the third track I was quite surprised as they handled the bass very well until I really started to push them which is no surprise since Bass I Love You has some brutal low notes in it. Overall these are a very comfy headphone that not only looks good but sounds great!

Ashley: The first track was good at low to moderate volumes however at the higher volumes they did struggle with everything that was going on. On the second track it was almost like being inside the studio where the song was recorded, I’d go as far as saying they sounded epic! Third track was my favorite as the Mode M40 held together like a true blue subwoofer even with everything else that was going on.

Link: HERE

Price: $349

 

Onkyo ES-FC300 RED:

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Summary: The ES-FC300 is a over-ear headphone built to deliver maximum fidelity at a realistic price.

Lance: Nice clean vocals and an overall flat frequency response making them a very nice and musical headphone on the first and second track, however I am personally not a fan of the dual plug system on the headphones and feel they lacked a touch on the bass side of things on the third track.

Ashley: Enjoyed them on the first  and second track, even at higher volumes. On the third track they managed the highs and lows at moderate volumes, at the higher volumes the song started to breakup. A headphone amplifier might improve this on the third track.

Link: HERE

Price: $229

 

Digital Designs DXB-03:

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Summary: The DXB-03 is a studio grade headphone designed with a natural Bubinga wood housing to deliver a warm and wide soundstage.

Lance: On the first track the DXB-03‘s are just so beautiful and have such a natural flat response to the point I wanted to continue listening to Pink Floyd, I’m pretty sure after 10-20 hours they would be able to be pushed even more with ease. On the second track I could easily push the DXB-03 past my volume fresh-hold before them starting to break up which I find very impressive for the pricepoint. On the third track they were just amazing how clear they were overall with everything going on and had so much bass making me want to go back for a second listen.

Ashley: On the first track it was very clinical with the detail, however did breakup a touch once pushed but I have a feeling this might to do with the track itself. On the second track I was very impressed on how they managed everything that was going on from the thundering drums, to the guitars and vocals. On the third track again it was like having mini-subwoofers on my head but still had the finesse with the higher Fq range. Very impressed!

Link: HERE

Price: $199

 

Koss PRODJ200:

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Summary: The ProDJ200 are a full-size noise-isolating headphone designed to give both music lovers and professional DJs the flexibility to change cords on the go, sound quality and comfit at an affordable price.

Lance: On the first track the ProDJ200 were very clean, precise and held together very well even when pushed, I found them to be also very balanced. On the second track again they were very clean, balanced and took everything I threw at them while still picking up every note beautifully. On the third song every note was yet again very clean and spot on, the bass was very clean held together great showing that this is a very versatile headphone!

Ashley: On the first track they played the Pink Floyd amazing, you could hear all the tingles and sounds that you usually can’t hear on other headphones of this price point. I could play them at full volume with no issues, except for my ears. On the second track they were really really loud, really enjoyed the nice mix of highs and lows. On the third track I wouldn’t say they lacked on the lows but it wasn’t as dominate as it is with some of the other headphones, these are some amazing sounding headphones that are really balanced.

Link: HERE

Price: $199

 

Focal Spirit One:

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Summary: The Spirit One, is a sleek, upscale high-fidelity headphones. Snug, lightweight and perfectly mobile.

Lance: On Us and them I remembered why it took me so long to return them (3 weeks in fact) when I borrowed the demo pair from work (Abtec Petone), these are some very defined sounding headphones on Pink Floyd that didn’t miss a note. On the second track the Spirit One brought out little details and sounds you usually don’t really notice so much making you feel the music to the point of if I had closed my eye’s it would of almost felt like Guns ‘N Roses were playing in the same room! On the third song you could hear every little detail, however I would of liked it if they had a touch more bass! If you are looking for a really refined headphone with extremely fine detail these are for you, a Basshead would be left wanting more bass. No wonder why these headphones have won awards!

Ashley: On the first track the Spirit One‘s attention to detail was very clean and clear and very had a nice balance between the musical mix. On the second song they were amazing, these are very clinical headphones however were lacking a touch bass in this track. On Bass I love you they were again very very clinical and I feel it held together very nicely on a more musical sense, very balanced considering how bass heavy the song is.

Link: HERE

Price: $399

 

Koss PortaPro Classic:

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Summary: The PortaPro Classic are a high quality lightweight portable headphone designed for portable music listening.

Lance: Even before listening to these I have to make a comment, I had a set of headphones given to me during the 80’s and swear they were Koss PortaPro’s!  On the first track they were actually very nice on all the frequency ranges and took all the volume I threw at them. Again on the second song they took anything I threw while still holding together fine, I am very surprised with these as they scream 1988 to me! On the third track is where they surprised me the most, how can a $79 headphone sound this good!?! They start to struggle on the bass notes when pushed but for $79 I’d happily have a per laying around in the car for those odd random walks I like to go on!

Ashley: On the first track they handled the Pink Floyd fine, don’t have the clinical finesse the higher priced ones do, however they have big wow for what you pay for them. For track two all the drums and music was clean and clear, these wouldn’t keep an audiophile happy if you are the clinical type. On the last track again I can’t understand how they handle the lows, these are an amazing set of headphones for the price!

Link: HERE

Price: $79

 

Beyerdynamic DT 1350:

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Summary: The DT 1350 are  a closed supraaural headphone with straight cable for control and monitoring applications, musicians and DJ’s.

Lance: The first track was so clear, crisp and so natural that I played Us and them a second time round. On You could be mine the DT 1350‘s again were very full sounding while still being very clean sounding still capable of distinguishing the drums, bass, guitars and vocals from each other beautifully! On the third track these little headphones surprised me so much as the bass was a lot more dominating then a couple of the larger headphones while still playing the higher  frequency notes super clean. Personally I am blown away but how precise the DT 1350‘s are!

Ashley: On the first song these should be illegal as these are absolutely amazing, its hard to believe these are a portable headphone. On the second track was mental, at all volumes it was punching out the sound so clearly I almost forgot I was sitting in my chair as I was so immersed in the music. On the third track just reminded me on how addictive these are, you just don’t want to give them back. They sound very detailed, every instrument sounds natural in every sense and also these are very comfy!

Link: HERE

Price: $479

 

Ear Buds:

Digital Designs DXB-01.1

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Summary: The DXB-01.1 are a dynamic, extra bass ear bud designed to enhance the thick bass response without sacrificing clean crisp mids and highs.

Lance: On the first track I found the DXB-01.1 to be very warm and well balanced with very nice bass, clean highs and mids too. On the second track again they are very balanced with very tight bass and nice clean highs. On the third track yet again these are some very nice sounding ear bud. If I was to ask for anything it would be some memory foam plugs like the DXB-02‘s had as no ear bud fits in my ears properly without them!

Ashley: On track one the voices and instruments were well balanced. On track two very dynamic and clean and pleasant. On track three again the piano was clean and precise, on the bass side of things these headphones definitely meet the Digital Designs level of bass definition.

Link: HERE

Price: $89

 

Klipsch  R6i

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Summary: The R6i are designed to be lightweight, durable and comfortable while providing legendary sound

Lance: Ok, on the first track I was blown away. Finally a set of ear buds sit right in my ear sealing properly without the need to told them into place! Super clean highs mids and bass. On the second track again WOW, lost for words. Most definitely the closest to the sound of a high end headphone yet! So powerful while still being clean! On the third track the highs and mids were beautiful, I did however crave a touch more bass. Overall a very beautiful ear bud!

Ashley: Track number one have nice depth, very comfortable with beautiful highs, mids and lows. On the second song it was like having a concert in your lounge but it was in your head. On the third track these ear buds were amazingly good and that is coming from a person that doesn’t like ear buds, lots of bass but still with all the twinkles going on nice and clear.

Link: HERE

Price: $169

 

Koss  IL200KTC

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Summary: The IL200KTC are a interlocking in-ear headphones utilizes an ingenious patented design for easy on-the-go storage without sacrificing richly delivered audio.

Lance: On the first track these ear buds were very balanced with very clean rich highs and vocals, the bass wasn’t at where I would like it however you definitely knew it was there. Again on the second track very balanced but somewhat lacking in the bass/depth side of things. On the third track I was surprised a little as the highs and mids were clean and balanced but this time the bass was touch more dominate. These are a nice ear bud but yet again I had issues having a memory foam for my large ear canals would of made a world of difference.

Ashley: On the first track was nice and detailed with very defined sound overall. On track two it was again very clean with very defined drums, guitar and vocals. On the third track the bass was clean, involved definition in the highs. Overall I am very impressed with these ear buds.

Link: HERE

Price: $129

 

 

Headphone Amplifier:

Onkyo DAC-HA200

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Summary: The DAC-HA200 is desgined to be a practical and portable DAC/amp to provide a direct-digital connection to your iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad

Lance: I had a chance to use the DAC-HA200 for a couple of days when first got one in and must say on any headphones (not just high impedance headphones) is was like night and day and it is very hard to go back to not using this! Well worth the investment if you are after high sound quality!

Ashley: This is nuts, on every headphone we tried it gave it great depth! Also the fact it can charge a phone was handy. Very portable and would recommend to any headphone user!

Link: HERE

Price: $349

 

**Note we only used the headphone amplifier on the Beyerdynamic DT 770 due to it high (250Ohm) impedance

 

 

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