Goldring Headphones. You're Opinions?

There is a really good review on Head-Fi from a HD650, DR150 owner. He suggests they could be related, that they are very similar in some ways. HD650's are obviously better, but he reckoned the DR150's are about 60% of the HD650's. That's good, when you consider the HD650's are between 5-6 times the cost.
 
Mr Krugga said:
Goldring NS-1000s are brilliant, I can't believe the low quality rumours that spread over the Forum recently and were taken for granted.

It's either a faulty one or differences in packaging and lack of burn-in period.
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My first pair the headband snapped after relatively low usage (to and from work, at home I preferred my DR150s). My second pair the ANR was built incorrectly and produced an extremely loud hiss in 1 cup, seeing as I only ever used the ANR on my previous pair I know what they should sound like.

I hate to tell you this, but faulty is a sign of bad quality control which is exactly what the issue is. If people are getting multiple faulty cans then I think it's good others are being warned.

The point is whether or not these are only bad batches the quality at the moment seems pretty poor, the accessories have been low quality which doesn't bother me but it's obvious the internal components were low quality too. Hopefully this is just a bunch of bad batches and will pass but right now I can't recommend them at all.

EDIT:
Should mention that I'm only disillusioned with the NS1000s, the DR150s are still amazing value in my opinion and highly recommended.
 
Auraomega said:
EDIT:
Should mention that I'm only disillusioned with the NS1000s, the DR150s are still amazing value in my opinion and highly recommended.
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DR150s have also had some material quality issues leading to cracking etc recently. I opened mine up and found they could do with a tidy up - rather haphazardly thrown together to be honest but materials on them are OK.

Might be worth pointing out that I think the NS1000s are made for Goldring by Phitek. Think they might be Goldring's own drivers though. Not sure if Goldring make the other headphones themselves or use an OEM. It may be that they made by someone else entirely.

Goldring have historically been a maker of components for vinyl hi-fi systems. Goldring headphones have only consistently been around for the last few years.

Phitek also make very similar noise cancelling headphones for other companies (Audio Technica ANC7, ANC7b, Creative Aurvana X-Fi, Panasonic RP-HC500E-S) and their own Blackbox M10 and Blackbox M14. Not tried any of these but the form factor and accessories are generally very similar.

Other than that the only other thing I've heard about Phitek is patent disputes with Bose regarding noise cancelling technology.
 
Global_Inferno said:
God, I hope my NS1000's are going to be ok, they're turning up today. Hope that they aren't duff! What should I be on the lookout for?
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Build quality, materials and noise cancelling circuitry that misbehaves. Expect a little hiss from noise cancelling but if it's much louder in one ear, even with a fresh battery, that's a sign that things aren't quiet right.
 
Uriel said:
Build quality, materials and noise cancelling circuitry that misbehaves. Expect a little hiss from noise cancelling but if it's much louder in one ear, even with a fresh battery, that's a sign that things aren't quiet right.
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Ok, I'll give them a damn good looking over when I get back home tonight, if there's the slightest thing wrong, back they go!
 
Global_Inferno said:
Hope that they aren't duff! What should I be on the lookout for?
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As Uriel said check the build quality, specifically around the headband. The ANR should produce a little hiss but if it's overly loud or much louder in one ear then there's an issue. While I'm not sure if you could class it as an issue there are a few of these cans which have creaking noises from the cups or clicking.

I've just listed the issues I've had with mine, I don't remember reading any other issues anyone else has had but obviously be on the lookout. Strangely though if you start getting a really weird distorting noise with noise cancelling on you need to change the battery, it's not an issue with the circuitry :p
 
Sound quality of the ns1000's is very impressive for the money, as is the noise cancelling. I had to send my first pair back recently though as one of the ear cups clicked annoyingly when you moved your head, so build quality has been an issue with me thus far. I'm still waiting for a replacement pair.
 
Well I've been trying out my Goldring NS1000's and so far they seem bloody amazing! Obviously I'm going to have to wear them in a bit, see how they sound after 50hrs+, but compared to my Razer Carcharias. No competition! I'm shocked.
 
Global_Inferno said:
Well I've been trying out my Goldring NS1000's and so far they seem bloody amazing! Obviously I'm going to have to wear them in a bit, see how they sound after 50hrs+, but compared to my Razer Carcharias. No competition! I'm shocked.
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That's like your 2nd audio epiphany in the week or something!
 
Global_Inferno said:
Well I've been trying out my Goldring NS1000's and so far they seem bloody amazing! Obviously I'm going to have to wear them in a bit, see how they sound after 50hrs+, but compared to my Razer Carcharias. No competition! I'm shocked.
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And yet people still recommend/want headsets in these forums and ask for such :(

Have you got yours from that island retailer recently? If so, I think it proves that one or two "faulty" units reported here not so long ago were just unfortunate exceptions.
 
Ive had mine for a few months now, theyre starting to sound even better, bought from the jersey store, no creaking and the hiss with anr enabled is barely perceptible.
 
Mr Krugga said:
And yet people still recommend/want headsets in these forums and ask for such :(
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Yeah, i noticed that too. I mean, if everyone is suggesting these Ns's, then it makes sense to give them a try, but i guess some people are put off by the basic looks of the Ns and look at other brands because Goldring are unheard of and some other headphones look better
 
Do you reckon if OcUK promised to sell enough, Goldring might make a version of the DR150s or NS1000s with a boom mic attatched?

Just a thought...
 
RobRX-7 said:
Yeah, i noticed that too. I mean, if everyone is suggesting these Ns's, then it makes sense to give them a try, but i guess some people are put off by the basic looks of the Ns and look at other brands because Goldring are unheard of and some other headphones look better
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You can get good looking headphones that would still be mighty better than similarly priced headsets.

Goldring NS1000s are not pretty but they do not stand out as fugly either and I doubt anyone would card what headphones you wear in public when 99% of people use their superb white earphones bundled with iPods/iPhones.
 
Bought DR150s last time ocuk stocked them, never looked back, can wear them for hours on end with no discomfort (and 1/2 the time barely registering that i'm wearing them). sound is nice (though i have limited experience with headphones so dont have much for real comparison)

Only complaint i have is mine have lately picked up a bit of a buzz at certain frequencies in the left cup, thats probably me not looking after them more than anything. Thankfully whatever sound range causes it isnt present in most of what i listen/watch/play
 
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Ive seen uglier, some of the beats by dr dre are vile, look as though they were designed by four year olds.
 
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