I vote the 58x. mainly so i can deprive the Nighthawk gang of another member. I’m starting to fear their power and influence
We grow stronger with every member…
Are there any treble-affecting changes between the Nighthawk and the Nighthawk Carbon?
I just want to know if Z’s review of the nighthawks applies to the carbons as well
I’ve heard the carbon is more ‘agreeable’ … others can expand on that … both are very highly recommended on this forum
I’d go with the 58x. If you wanted to expand your budget by $50, then I’d rec the Nighthawk Carbon’s with the suede pads. They are both great headphones, so I doubt you’d regret either.
Pretty much it, I would just go for the carbons unless it makes more sense to get the og
I’m seeing from people online that the Nighthawks sound really weird. Is the description of the weirdness just inflated because most ‘audiophiles’ prefer more neutral/accurate stuff? Or do these really sound like someone messed up EQ settings on some songs? Because, at this point, I’m a payday away from pulling the trigger on these bad boys
It’s inflated. Its presentation is unique and different. Because of that some people don’t give it enough time for them to acclimate to the different sound it gives and write it off as bad or weird. I personally took to it well pretty immediately, but I like warmer headphones so maybe it’s just my thing. It’s got a balanced sound to it, so it doesn’t sound fucked up, badly EQ’d or anything like that. Honestly it’s just a fun enjoyable headphone with a nice W-curve tuning tilted towards being warm. Treble might be too much with the leather pads, but if you put on the suede pads it is exactly what you are looking for.
I also think that when it was released, the trend was this more analytical HiFi sound and the nighthawks are not that, so they were pretty different when they came out compared to what was coming out at the time. Also for reviewers the nighthawk would sound extremely strange as it’s different from most headphones, so after they would listen to the Hawks and go back to a different pair of headphones it would be a large change, but for most people if they didn’t have to review them it would be a different story
To me, it is mostly people who think that good headphones must follow a certain pattern or be extremely detailed who think the Nighthawk Carbon are bad. Also, with the biodynamic drivers, they take some time to burn in and warm up, so to speak. They have a very unique presentation, that’s the thing that sticks out the most to me. They give you this sense that you are listening to speakers, they have this way of putting you in a space that is very special. The imaging can almost sound 3D at times though too, kind of like how people describe Argons as having that sort of imaging coming from different directions. The sub bass is really nice, not crazy, but very nice and yet fairly tight. The vocals are good, and with the suede pads, they tone down the treble some to make them lean more towards a ‘dark’ sound, meaning the higher frequencies aren’t as elevated, i.e. treble.
I don’t think there is anything wrong with the sound signature of these headphones, I think they just take a little while to get used to. But once you do, they really are a great pair for just enjoying the music. There is certainly good detail, but not to the point where it is unenjoyable, and there is nice pleasantness to the sound, yet not too much to where you can’t hear good detail. I should also mention that they are very comfortable. Probably the most comfortable headphones I have ever worn.
Again, these are my favorite headphones, so I could be biased, but I still think these would be the way to go if you can push your budget just slightly.
They certainly benefit from a good amplifier, but you don’t need to. They are very easy to drive at 24 ohms, I can run them on my phone with mo problem.
Awesome!
The Nighthawk gang shall strengthen >:D
One of us lol
You will want to use the suede pads as they have the most interesting signature (and have less treble than the leather pads)
Are the suede pads they come with any good?
Yeah pretty nice, the entire fit and finish is very impressive for the price they go for.
You’ll definitely love all of the accessories it comes with as well. The “package” is well put together. I have owned all of the headphones that have been mentioned on this thread and the Nighthawks are still my favorite ones on this list.
I hope you enjoy your new purchase!
Oh yes, very nice. I do love all the accessories the Carbon come with. Cleaning cloths as well.
It’ll be good to have another jojo fan in the gang : )
Why the hell wasn’t I subscribed to this thread lol (hello, fellow treble-sensitive, low-cost hi-fi amateurs).
Yes, good idea for the nighthawks (I just saw the graph). I really like my HD58Xs but I had to squish the pads (like over a yoga block for one night) to get rid of the treble and fix the headband to get a decent seal. When I got em it was “treble murder”, and I was like “what the hell, I prefer my KZ ZS10 Pros”… and the ZS10 Pros had too much treble for you already lol.
Better late than never!
My Nighthawk carbons should arrive any day not as well as my ifi zen dac because my schiit fulla 3 is actual shit.
I am moving up in the world(of hi-fi, not the regular one)!
It literally just arrived and at $30 more puts the schiit to shame.
I think schiit probably excells with their high priced things, wouldn’t recommend schiit for starter stuff.