Goldring DR150s - What replacement?
- Thread starter Gimpymoo
- Start date
Personally, I have no idea if better can be had for £80. I think it will come down to what one personally considers 'better'. That will differ from person to person, so while someone may prefer X, that doesn't necessarily mean you'd find X better.
I have DR150 too, same amount of time too albeit for £2 less.
They were an absolute bargain for £40. Better than the HD555 at the time, which gradually increased in price to £90. Replacement cable as well, which was fantastic to have at such a low price at the time. No stupid proprietary connector nonsense that you get with some headphones, just any plain old 3.5mm cable would do.
I have 2 headphones that I certainly consider to be better, Denon D2000 and Senn HD600. They cost a fair bit more though; and although I consider them to be a clear improvement, that won't necessarily apply to everyone. If you take one of the posters in your other thread, he prefers the HyperX Cloud II to the HD650. Can't say how the HXCII compares to the DR150, but that shows that although many people would consider the HD650 to be a technically better headphone, that's not everyone's cup of tea. Some people just want a headphone that's fun above all else.
I have DR150 too, same amount of time too albeit for £2 less.
They were an absolute bargain for £40. Better than the HD555 at the time, which gradually increased in price to £90. Replacement cable as well, which was fantastic to have at such a low price at the time. No stupid proprietary connector nonsense that you get with some headphones, just any plain old 3.5mm cable would do.
I have 2 headphones that I certainly consider to be better, Denon D2000 and Senn HD600. They cost a fair bit more though; and although I consider them to be a clear improvement, that won't necessarily apply to everyone. If you take one of the posters in your other thread, he prefers the HyperX Cloud II to the HD650. Can't say how the HXCII compares to the DR150, but that shows that although many people would consider the HD650 to be a technically better headphone, that's not everyone's cup of tea. Some people just want a headphone that's fun above all else.
Anything wrong with your DR150s?
Both my DR150s and NS1000s (I must have got lucky - purchased 2nd hand in maybe 2007 and still working fine) still in regular use. Unless you get a spectacular bargain I wouldn't expect a significant upgrade sound wise for £80. Materials and build quality wise - while matching the sound quality - perhaps.
My HD600s are a clear upgrade in all respects but they are pricier too.
Both my DR150s and NS1000s (I must have got lucky - purchased 2nd hand in maybe 2007 and still working fine) still in regular use. Unless you get a spectacular bargain I wouldn't expect a significant upgrade sound wise for £80. Materials and build quality wise - while matching the sound quality - perhaps.
My HD600s are a clear upgrade in all respects but they are pricier too.
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No, they are in perfect condition bar a tear in the fabric covering one of the ears but that does not make any noticeable difference to me. I just had an "itch" to see if I was missing out on anything but they do their job very well.
When comparing to other headphones in a like for like price comparison, even with inflation, they are just great.
In an age where technology comes and goes, headphones truly can be a long term investment.
HD600s are in a different league but you will also have to have a much more powerful headphone amp in the audio chain than you need with the Goldrings.
I've ordered a pair of HD650s. I went with those over the HD600s as apparently the bass is better and the sound has a more warmth over very neutral HD600s.
They will be powered by my FIIO E10K. Looking forward to testing them out on Friday.
Make sure to flick the E10K gain switch to high, they will sound lifeless otherwise.
Most importantly, give your brain plenty of time to adjust to the new sound signature. When I first listened to my HD650s I absolutely hated them, it sounded like I had cotton wool in my ears as all the high frequencies disappeared. What I didn't take into account was that my main headphone at the time was the AKG K702, which has a very different signature that focuses a lot more on the upper mids and high frequencies. After an hour or two, it may have been less because I sat there mesmerised for six hours altogether, everything clicked into place and I knew I had something special on my head. The detail was still there, it just wasn't thrust in my face, the HD650s are much more subtle (and natural) than the AKGs and if anything are even more resolving.
Most importantly, give your brain plenty of time to adjust to the new sound signature. When I first listened to my HD650s I absolutely hated them, it sounded like I had cotton wool in my ears as all the high frequencies disappeared. What I didn't take into account was that my main headphone at the time was the AKG K702, which has a very different signature that focuses a lot more on the upper mids and high frequencies. After an hour or two, it may have been less because I sat there mesmerised for six hours altogether, everything clicked into place and I knew I had something special on my head. The detail was still there, it just wasn't thrust in my face, the HD650s are much more subtle (and natural) than the AKGs and if anything are even more resolving.