Dusty Chalk

I assume that's a question for the group, and as a member of the audience, let me respond with: I need to think about it. It's actually a very good question, because I find the RS-1 forward (to a fault, most of the time), and the HD600 laid back (again, to a fault, most of the time) (yes, I realize you were asking about the HD650, but I don't have as much experience with those); whereas I find the HP-2 and the L3000 closer to neutral, albeit in entirely different manners (I find the HP-2 neutral in an analytical manner, whereas I find the L3000 neutral in an exciting manner, if that makes any sense). I think the short answer is either one, but not by much, but that's subject to change.

Todd?

I...uh..."segued". And some of it leaked out.

Why specialize? How about AKG madness? Headphone madness? Audio madness? Madness madness?

Yeah, that'd be perfect.

I take a small amount of umbrage specifically with the term "headstage" because it's a play on the word, "soundstage", which, to me, has a very specific meaning of the abilities of speakers to recreate the space of the original recording. Soundstage is, of course, an illusion, the aural equivalent of stereoscopy. Short of binaural recordings -- which no-one is ever talking about when they're talking about headstage -- this is even more illusory with headphones. It is my humble opinion that most people who hear "headstage" are deluding themselves even more so than usual.* It's interesting that you talk about placement -- I don't think there's anything wrong with being able to place sound elements anywhere "within" the head -- anywhere between the two driver elements -- that can be done simply with balance. "Headstage" would require either binaural recording or some sort of HRTF (which, again, people usually aren't talking about -- this entire discussion changes if that is indeed part of the discussion). But that's "placement" -- the ability to place sound elements in the sound field. Also, that's not "separation" -- the ability to separate sound elements in the sound field, especially those which are close to each other. But both of these can be accomplished with normal, untreated recordings, whereas to get a soundstage via headphones, one must be listening to a binaural recording, or a regular recording run through a HRTF, or some such. *Self-delusion is something all of us do all the time to a lesser extent, so I'm not trying to imply that deluding oneself is, in and of itself, bad. The ability to hear a soundstage requires a certain amount of self-delusion, for example -- one must be able to close one's mind's eye to the fact that you aren't actually in the original recording venue.

Hi, morphsci! Ditters.

for reference DC proper -- Northwest, and not much else I'll second grawk's indirect advice: go Virginia. Vienna is expensive, but nice. MD -- aardvark samich isn't far off, most of the metro accessible green line is pretty bad, but U of M isn't bad, as long as you're not a coed, yourself. But don't stray too far. Stay away from the Maryland branches of the blue and orange lines. Red line -- the West leg is expensive but nice as well. The Eastern leg of the red line is a little bit less nice, but probably within reason. What are you looking for, to buy your own place? House or condo? To rent an apartment? A room? Go joint on a house? Is this the beginning of something long term, or only temporary? If the latter, for how long? What kind of music are you going to listen to? You'll need an amp. If you save for a bit and spend just a little bit more, you can get something a lot better.

How important is midrange magic to you? I think the HP-2 has just a little bit more of it. Just a little. Sorry, I keep forgetting to bring my L3000 in to work to compare, I'll try to remember this week.

I do believe I've had stripper. (It was an accident, honest -- I don't think she realized I was moving forward at the same time that she was moving backwards...)

Get both, that's what I did. Wife in the kitchen, mistress on the side.

Okay, now I'm done.

I like to take my time.

I'm not done yet.

Actually, I can't drink right now, but that post made me wish I could.

or $199 Damn, that's pretty good. But they're not ribbons. And I haven't heard them. Hmmm... Though I've not heard Samsons neither... Yeah, here's to hoping you get the Quads -- I love mine, listen to them all the time, they're great. Audioengine A2's, also for $199. I haven't heard the audioengines, neither. Why am I posting? I could be drinking.

That is one lazy-ass motherfucker. I'd have nightmares. "No, I won't tell you where I was on the night of April 31st, 1987, I DON'T KNOW!!!1!"

I stand by my comments. But will admit they are based on being that "second person" that Hirsch described. (Or rather, on not being the first person.) And LOL @ "...lays the smackdown..." -- you're using hyperbole again. Too much head-fi and wrestling, methinks. Also, my comments are based purely on separation -- I don't believe in "headstage" or imaging the way many people on these forums do, except in the case of K1000's.

Looks more and more like I need a decent Blu-Ray player.

[img width=143 height=150 alt=infiniteresistorgrid]http://www.head-case.org/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2284&g2_serialNumber=2&g2_GALLERYSID=d205c3453d69c086f2c091bd4c30f36c

approves.

Of course they are inferior, but they also cost a fraction. They are a killer deal @ US$99. Philips Microsystem:$99::Insignia NS-B2111:$40 Except, you know, they come with an amp and volume control, and sound better. Perfect for the application you're describing...erm...how big is the room again, and how loud do you intend to listen? They do go decently loud for a master bedroom, which is where they reside currently, but I don't listen very loud.

Okay, then add Gallos to the list. Oh, wait...

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4218363 But be prepared to return it, one of my speakers came non-functional. The one that works sounds really good, now if I only had two of them...

Maggies I understand, but why Vandersteens?