Denon AH-D1001S Stereo Headphone - AHD1001S
Wired Connectivity - Stereo

The last time I went shopping for hi-fi headphones was back in 1982, when I purchased the at-the-time mid priced leader Yamaha HP-1, an on-the-ear open back headphone. I still have them. Compared to the Denon AH-D1001S they sound muffled, veiled, and ill-defined in the bass. The only attractive aspect of the HP-1 is a natural lower midrange, but nothing else about them can compete with the Denon in terms of clarity, accuracy and neutrality. At nearly the same time I owned the Stax SR-84 (SR-80 headphones plus SR-4 partnering amplifier), an electret design that represented very high quality in headphones at the time. Compared to the Stax's, the Denon has nearly the same level of transparency across the frequency range but much more satisfying - and accurate - bass. It's mainly about "balance" and the Denons show this to be its trump card against other headphones. The Denon AH-D1001S (and the other D1001 versions that are simply color scheme changes) quickly gets your attention with a transparent and fast sound. It has the ability to follow complex music passages and at the same time is revealing of subtle details within the mix. The upper midrange is very slightly forward sounding, giving a lighter sound when balanced against the bass, but this is not a detraction from the overall enjoyment of music and does not depart too far from accurate balance. If, like me, you want accuracy (and not on-the-go pop-flavored "fun" sound that becomes fatiguing) for which to gain the most your recordings have to offer, the bass from the Denon AH-D1001S will have you grinning. Like most around-the-ear sealed back headphones these will give good reach into the lowest octave but without the uneven, tubby quality typical of this type of 'phone. Recording after recording I appreciated the highly revealing nature and transparent quality in the bass. It is easy to distinguish between Bass Viola and Cello. Want to follow the seismic bass at high volume from rock band Tool? The Denons will put you there. Want to savor the turgid pulsing keyboard lows from Laurie Anderson? You'll find them glorious through the Denons. The highs are appropriately delicate when the music calls for it and give good sense of air and transparency and are well balanced against the rest of the frequency range. While overall you can't say the Denon AH-D1001S sounds as transparent, lithe, fast and detailed as say, a high end Stax electrostatic headphone costing 5 times the Denon, the Denon does a very respectable job of allowing a close look at the music artist's and recording engineer's intent without missing important recorded details. If anything leaves me questioning the Denon's ability, it is a minor veiling of the midrange that doesn't allow one to explore, say, the skin rubbing on stringed instruments. However, I never feel wanting for more musical involvement - I enjoy all my recordings and have no urge to run out and find a better set of headphones. The Denon AH-D1001S is involving, natural and detailed with an extended, robust (though neutral and controlled) bass. One caution - the Denon needs at least 60 hours of break-in time to eliminate a somewhat dimensionally flat and un-dynamic sound. Comfort has been the reason I have never joined the hard core headphone listener's camp. It seems no headphone has been comfortable enough to listen for more than an hour or so. While the Denons took a little tweaking for me to find "the right spot" for comfort on my head (the top band needs to be slightly toward the front of my crown) and I needed to bend the top band slightly to remove pressure on the top of my head, they are nearly comfortable enough to forget I am wearing them. I find them very comfortable. Some may find them slightly confining around the backs of the ears (like me) yet it is possible to find a position to accommodate. (My solution was the forward-position of the band on top of my head.) I can't speak to their portability for use as high-activity headphones, but they appear robustly built and will be an easy amplifier load for small battery powered music devices. These Denons will play very loudly with minimal power. Those with smaller heads may find it a challenge to keep these on while running.
 
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