HEDD Audio HEDDphone D1

[Bow_Wazoo]

D1 vs. Ananda Unveiled

So, the comparison is already very interesting, and for me, it has mainly shown one thing: there is only one true driver system, and that is the Dynamic one! Switching from the D1 to the Ananda, everything suddenly sounds wrong.
After a few minutes, the brain gets used to it. The direct switch is intense/crazy (or: quite a shock). The D1 simply sounds much more authentic.
This comparison also makes it clear how important a good punch is to make the music sound authentic. The D1 also sounds much more direct. The Ananda is noticeably more diffuse. Furthermore, and this is the biggest surprise for me: The D1 sounds faster. Amazing! I'll continue listening.

 

[solderdude]

The D1 sounds faster. Amazing!

That is simply because the D1 does not have the 'brightness dip' the Hifiman all have.
'Sounds faster' in music is in the 3-5kHz range and not (what people generally believe) in the 15-30kHz range.
Some people seem to prefer that 'dip' and this is personal as this is in the range that varies a lot in human hearing (ear gain).

Indeed the 'getting used to' effect is quite strong. One can turn a headphone they prefer quickly into a 'reference' and this is what makes headphone comparisons 'dangerous'.
When compared to several other headphones it is a bit more telling though.

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

I must add, however, that it offers a faster response, particularly in the low end.

 

[heraldo_jones]

I have to admit that I didn't particularly like the D1 on this song. The vocals and guitar in particular sounded shouty.

View attachment 497410

I’m not a Metallica fan, but this one sounds extremely bad. I haven’t heard the original master, but it feels like the issue comes from much earlier in the chain.

 

[solderdude]

I must add, however, that it offers a faster response, particularly in the low end.

Also a frequency response aspect not a 'faster' driver though.

sidenote:
When a song sounds bad on a 'good performing' headphone this is not the headphone's fault but poor recording quality.
There are headphones that 'gloss-over' poorer recordings making them sound 'less bad' but while this is pleasant for the user it isn't what is on the recording.

 

[posvibes]

'Sounds faster' in music is in the 3-5kHz range and not (what people generally believe) in the 15-30kHz range.
.

Forgive me if I get this wrong @solderdude, but I remember you writing somewhere that you were one of the very few that cared a lot about what happens in the 5-8kHz range. If I got that right would you care to explain and expand on what is happening and why it matters within those parameters? Cheers.

 

[solderdude]

The problem with industry measurement fixtures is that above 6kHz the measurements are not accurate anymore so you cannot base EQ on measurements above that range.

This has little to do with any 'sounds faster' perception. That frequency range is reported pretty well by measurement fixtures or at least it is repeatable.
The 2-5kHz range is where the ear gain is and that differs from person to person and even from test fixtures.
Some prefer a little less there and others a little bit more.

 

[Sebby]

That is simply because the D1 does not have the 'brightness dip' the Hifiman all have.
'Sounds faster' in music is in the 3-5kHz range and not (what people generally believe) in the 15-30kHz range.
Some people seem to prefer that 'dip' and this is personal as this is in the range that varies a lot in human hearing (ear gain).

Indeed the 'getting used to' effect is quite strong. One can turn a headphone they prefer quickly into a 'reference' and this is what makes headphone comparisons 'dangerous'.
When compared to several other headphones it is a bit more telling though.

Arya doesn't seem to have that "brightness dip". Indeed, without amplifying it

 

[solderdude]

Arya doesn't seem to have that "brightness dip". Indeed, without amplifying it

It also has the dip between 1 and 3kHz.

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

After spending some time with the AR5000, my initial impression has unfortunately been confirmed: the D1 tends to have an unpleasant 'harshness' in the 1–4kHz range.

 

[IngMishael]

After spending some time with the AR5000, my initial impression has unfortunately been confirmed: the D1 tends to have an unpleasant 'harshness' in the 1–4kHz range.

the D1 has more 3kHz presence than the AR5000

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

That has nothing to do with it. You can still reduce this range by -3 dB, and the D1 will still retain its sharpness.

 

[IngMishael]

That has nothing to do with it. You can still reduce this range by -3 dB, and the D1 will still retain its sharpness.

What you hear is across the spectrum so unless you do corrections based on your actual hearing at eardrum, of course there will be sharpness still if it is present on your head at a different position.

Basically EQ is done across spectrum to incur balance on your head, doing it partially and concluding that "see harshness still remains" is just lazy

Run through Owliophile to EQ to your head. It is a very helpful tool

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

No matter how you spin it, the D1 leans toward a harshness in the 1–4 kHz region that is quite unpleasant.

 

[Morla]

So you are going to return it?

 

[IngMishael]

No matter how you spin it, the D1 leans toward a harshness in the 1–4 kHz region that is quite unpleasant.

Sigh... I am not spinning anything... I have nothing to gain from you keeping or not keeping your headphones

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

So you are going to return it?

Yes.
In a side-by-side comparison, I actually prefer the AR5000—plus, it's only half the price.

 

[Tano]

I got the D1 a few days ago and just have to say that it is a great headphone. 0 esoteric audiophile BS, just a very good FR, at least for my tastes. Of course it's not perfect and highly benefits from EQ (like all headphones).
Having tried pretty much all the called TOTL Headphones, I must say that I prefer the D1 to most of them.
They are expensive, no doubt about it, but if you consider the prices of the competition, you could say that the price is "fair".

 

[solderdude]

That has nothing to do with it. You can still reduce this range by -3 dB, and the D1 will still retain its sharpness.

sharpness is in the 6-15kHz region and this can not be accurately measured with test fixtures.
This means you cannot see anything definitive by plot glazing of headphones and as that part of the frequency range is also pinna dependent it is possible that a headphone can sound sharp but is not seen on plots.

I find the D1 too expensive to buy just to measure the response of the driver accurately in that part of the frequency range so unless someone sends one in for measurements I cannot say if there is sharpness and what can be done about it (modification or EQ).

 

[Morla]

If nobody else steps up I could send you mine over "the canal" once I can live without them for a while. Is customs an issue EU > UK?

Actually I hope we see more independant measurements. Multiple ideally.