There were some terrific deals on these a while ago, someone seemed to find a batch of new old stock and prices were ridiculously low for such a superb product.
I find them very easy to drive, they are just fine when plugged into my Galaxy S10 phone. Although a decent amp does improve them a bit I donât think you actually need one.
It still amazes me no other manufacturer has really picked up on the philosophy of these. They are the most comfortable headphones I have ever used, comfort is essential for headphones and quite a few manufacturers could learn something from these. Also sound signature, the cult of the Harman curve is leading to a homogenized sound for headphones yet it is only one tuning of an infinite number of possibilities and Audioquest showed that a completely different philosophy can work. These are closer to a speaker experience than most headphones and it really does work. And the overall presentation with an excellent case, cleaning cloth, manuals etc was superb. I know I keep saying this but it really does amuse me that the only thing I criticise is the cable given who made them.
Drop really should talk to Audioquest about buying the IPR to these.
I was thinking the same last night, as I poked around to see if suede pads were available anywhere. Problem is, could they make it viable?
Seems like original price was $700, which would be a tough sell for these (pits them straight against Elex for example). Meanwhile, the $2-250 prices have been fire sale / clearance. A Drop version is unlikely to be so inexpensive. So, what price then? Even $350 puts them at Sundara prices, and everybody seems to be struggling to keep those in stock right now. Could Drop do that and pull a profit?
I like the idea, and hope it could work, because these sure do deserve a second life in the market. Of course, if they wind up being a strange cult classic of HiFi then Iâm glad I got in on them, but disappointed that Iâll probably relegate them to âspecial occasionâ headphones for the sake of minimizing wear and extending their life.
Chances are pretty good that audioquest marked these up to a greater degree than necessary lol. I think you could save with a more basic cable and packaging as well. Selling them at $350 would be okay as I think theyâre fair at that price and are quite different from the sundaras. Hopefully drop is watching but I doubt it
I think when they were still in production they were around 400 for a while, only when they stopped making them did they dip lower. I personally wouldnât pay more than 400 for one imo
They could drop it below $400 for sure if they give you minimalist unboxing materials. One set of pads, a cheaper cable, no carrying case⊠just a simple box with headphones and cable. I think at $300-350 these rock and I am really glad I got it for less than that even.
I honestly find it hard to justify the price of any expensive headphones. I am not sure I would pay the original SRP for the Nighthawk Carbon, but the ÂŁ250 I paid for them still sealed new was a bargain. Interestingly when these were launched they were expensive, in todayâs audiophile headphone bubble theyâd probably be mid-priced but that says more about the way the market has developed than the Nighthawk. I have never paid for really expensive headphones. My Denon D7200 was less than half original SRP in a clearance offer, I got my PM-2 for about half price new too.even at these reduced prices they werenât cheap but I thought them worth it.
Iâve had the NHâs for about 3 weeks now and they have hardly been off my head, every opportunity I disappear off to my man cave, ignoring my wifeâs protests. Iâve tried to explain but she doesnât get it.
Anyhow, I managed to purchase an aftermarket custom balanced cable and these have definitely taken up the audio performance a notch with more attack and power and more airyness. The conclusion I have come to is that I now have 2 different sound options where there is that much of a difference between listening via SE output with the stock cable vs the 4.4mm balanced out with the custom cable on my Fiio M11 player. So I see the balanced cable option as an alternative rather than a replacement for the stock because i like the sound equally between the two.
I have also been experimenting with ear pads. I definitely prefer the stock leather vs suede pads for sound, and now I have broken them in a bit are just as comfortable but I am suffering a bit in the UK sunshine a bit with sweaty ears! As a result, Iâve also tried some of the other earpads Iâve got, such as Brainwavz velour and hybrid. Tbh, i dont care much for the velours, they are similar to the stock suede and suck out too much of the sound for my liking but I can definitely recommend the hybrids. In fact, I like them so much I have kept these pads on, I find them more comfortable especially in the heat, they also provide a bit more warmth and refinement in terms of sound whilst retaining everything else i get with the stock pads.
In my head, I keep hearing a voice saying âend game, end gameâ. This is the first time I have ever felt that way about a pair of headphones and I will be interested to see whether the voice turns into a reality or Zeos comes up with another gem that grabs my attention!
Bro, Iâm feeling you on that, like headphones just donât do it for me anymore. Like between theeeese and my 95sâŠwhy bother LOL. They are like vanilla and chocolate, or yin and yang, or peanut butter and jelly⊠some things are just perfect
letâs go baby!!! lol fucking pleather for the win. Honestly i gave the suede another chance and honestly iâm right there with u. i prefer the pleather for sound, i think @AECH is another person who prefers the pleather. letâs unite. no more hiding underneath the sewers agains the suede tirants, we will ride horses to the sunset and behead them like the filthy pigs they are
but I doubt it
