Review: HEDD Audio HEDDphone ? Pure Pristine Power

[dingeth]

1. Just for curiosity's sake [member=19111]gLer[/member] will you be buying this headphone or not? Thanks for the effort for reviewing this.

No, I won't, not in the immediate future anyway. The reason is simple: I've switched over entirely from high-end desktop listening (full size headphones) to high-end IEMs. Sold all my headphones (LCD-3, Auteur, and HD800, along with my Audio-gd R-28 amp/dac which would have easily driven the HEDD too). Hypothetically speaking, if I were to get back into headphones right now, this is the first headphone I'd buy, no question. I'll give brief one-line comparisons below between the HEDD and the headphones I A/B listened to alongside it in case you're interested).

Hi [member=19111]gLer[/member] , out of curiosity what are you finding in high end iems that you aren't getting from headphones? Is it a matter of technicalities or simply comfort (and maybe convenience?)

 

[gLer]

Hi [member=19111]gLer[/member] , out of curiosity what are you finding in high end iems that you aren't getting from headphones? Is it a matter of technicalities or simply comfort (and maybe convenience?)

Hi [member=21609]dingeth[/member], my switch to IEMs was initially made not for sound quality (as in I wasn't 'missing' anything from my desktop system) but for convenience. Since I'm no longer chained to my desk most days, I tend to enjoy listening to music on the couch or in bed, which is practically impossible with my headphone system which was tethered to the desk along with the giant amp/DAC and computer. Now that I've climbed pretty far up the IEM ladder I've probably surpassed the SQ of my desktop headphones, plus I find the IEMs I've settled on very comfortable for long listening sessions (though again that was never an issue with the HD800). But the most valuable part of the switch, for me, is simplicity. I no longer have big boxes, long cables and power issues to fuss with, and since I was never much of a 'source' guy, this suits me very nicely. IEM + DAP and I'm in sonic heaven anywhere I choose to listen.

All that said, if one day I set up a listening room (for speakers), I'll probably add a good headphone to the mix because I do enjoy listening to headphones, and physically they can do things no IEM can in terms of sheer sound size. If y'all are having a Cape Town day with Lumous I'd love to join, meet everyone, and I may even bring the IEMs along if you like so you can try them out. 

 

[dingeth]

Hi [member=21609]dingeth[/member], my switch to IEMs was initially made not for sound quality (as in I wasn't 'missing' anything from my desktop system) but for convenience. Since I'm no longer chained to my desk most days, I tend to enjoy listening to music on the couch or in bed, which is practically impossible with my headphone system which was tethered to the desk along with the giant amp/DAC and computer. Now that I've climbed pretty far up the IEM ladder I've probably surpassed the SQ of my desktop headphones, plus I find the IEMs I've settled on very comfortable for long listening sessions (though again that was never an issue with the HD800). But the most valuable part of the switch, for me, is simplicity. I no longer have big boxes, long cables and power issues to fuss with, and since I was never much of a 'source' guy, this suits me very nicely. IEM + DAP and I'm in sonic heaven anywhere I choose to listen.

All that said, if one day I set up a listening room (for speakers), I'll probably add a good headphone to the mix because I do enjoy listening to headphones, and physically they can do things no IEM can in terms of sheer sound size. If y'all are having a Cape Town day with Lumous I'd love to join, meet everyone, and I may even bring the IEMs along if you like so you can try them out.

Thanks for the detailed response, interesting read and much appreciated.

A meet and greet sounds great, will definitely be something to look forward to when the time comes.

 

[Dhiveshan]

Congrats [member=19111]gLer[/member] ! I see your review has been listed as a feature article on the head-fi.org home page!

 

[capetownwatches]

And well done for linking to Lumous Audio not once but twice in the review...won't be long now before you get your first overseas order!  :thumbs:

 

[ron g]

considering the power of his words, one has to wonder if gl'er shouldn't be in advertising.  :thinking: :thinking:

great review, & congratulations on the head fi feature. :dop: :dop: