AudioQuest Nighthawk

Funny enough I've been thinking the X2 might be the one I should look into next. I'm just annoyed that it cant be run balanced, because my headamps balanced output is vastly superior to its unbalanced output. I havent seen anyone mod the X2 to 4pin xlr operation either...

 

FWIW, the 650's are what I listen with daily. I tried the Nighthawks and really wanted to enjoy them, but did not. I found them overly dark, lacking a sophisticated sounding presentation, and very suffocating. I had a lot of trouble with the music lacking sophistication... the sound of pots and pans came to mind while I was auditioning them and trying to get into their sound. I'm totally not trying to bash them at all... I just wouldn't recommend these if the 650's are your go to's. Just my thoughts.

 

So I tried the Nighthawks last week at Axpona out of my iPhone 6 and now have a pair on the way (used market prices are very good for these headphones) and I had a couple questions.

1. How well do y'all think these scale?

2. I'm looking for an amplifier that would compliment these well for around $400. I'm thinking a bright/clinical amp would work well for these. Anyone have any ideas on that front?

Thanks!

 

Looks like the Nighthawk has of potential modding?

 

I wonder if a more open back Nighthawk would fix both the elevated bass and rough treble? Mod time? I am so tempted to pick these up but they look to nice to mod.

 

Actually, the contrary seemed to be true. Covering the mesh with my hands seemed to make these much more normal sounding. Bass and treble both calmed the f**k down. I'll post some quick measurements later today.

 

The Nighthawk is a weird headphone. When I use them for tracks I've mixed myself they don't seem to boost anything and appear neutral. In real world listening they appear to smooth over the treble, but the treble isn't rolled off it goes to the end even though it sounds it.

Regardless of what it is, it's a special headphone that offers no apologies for it's full bodied bass unlike most headphones these days that simply roll off.

I've loved it, disliked it and thought it was just weird and wasn't sure some days. I've now come to the conclusion that it doesn't get the respect it deserves for offering great the lowest distortion, great innovation and a unique tuning.

 

I suppose weird would be one word for it... They're really just audiophile bass cannons with a weird echoey sound in the lower mids caused by the cups. Extremely detailed and resolving; super low distortion and relatively smooth with only a tiiiiny bit of zip/etch in the upper treble, possibly something to do with that 10kHz resonance.

Oh, and yes that channel imbalance below 200Hz is there in listening. $600. Yay.

 

That channel imbalance, have you measured any more pairs? I've owned a few pairs and the matching has be pretty spot.

The bass extension and control is very impressive on these headphones. I did find the veverb sound to go away after some time or my mind could of just gotten used to it.

 

I just put a set of Brainwavz angled velour pads on my Night Hawks & I like the difference quite a lot. Female vocals moved to the front of the stage where they were previously eminating from somewhere behind the Bass player. Other than reducing the bas hump's intrusion into the midrange, I hear a much more open, less tubby sound. I think a big difference is frim moving the driver farther from the ear, with the thicker pad. You can compress the pads by pressing in on the earpieces & hear the return of some of the sound that I don't like. I may try the Audeze pads if I want to spend the money. I have a pair of the Brainwavz HM5 velour pads, but I think I am experiencing the benefits of moving the driver farther from the ear. Anyway, I am finally loving the NHs too much to start fiddling with them. Maybe later.
Thanks,
Kev

 

So apparently the new pads will be available in November.

I'm really curious to hear the NightHawk but I think that I will wait another month to see if they will come with the new pads and maybe a new cable.

 

I heard these at a shop the other day and actually didn't mind them. I can't say the price, but they will be going on sale in Canada soon which makes them a very attractive alternative to the Senn HD600/650 (though keeping in mind that prices up here generally suck for us).

The new "ultrasuede" pads are very nice and take out some of the congested feel. I think the bass is actually superior to the HD650 here; very clean and didn't seem as pronounced as some people say. Into the mids/upper I'd give the resolution nod to the Senns but this would be amp dependent. The Nighthawks sound great coming straight out of my dap, the Senns not so much.

I also tried out the Nightowl which is actually similar in tonality to the Nighthawk but just can't escape that closed feeling (though I heard a preproduction model). The leather pads are awful with it; the ultrasuede pads are much much better.

 

So... anyone tried a pad-less mod for the Nighthawks?

 

Interesting, I'm also in Canada and the best price that I have found so far is $710 CAD at headphonebar. ($750 - $40 discount) They will cost less than that after Nov 1st?

Do you know if the new batch will come with the ultrasuede pads ?

 

Yeah, significantly cheaper... as in if you sort by price descending, you'll be well into page 2.

I know the Nightowls will come with the new pads... I don't remember if the Nighthawks will.

 

Very good news, thanks

 

So the cat is out of the bag..

AudioQuest will announce the new NightHawk Carbon soon.

https://www.indulgenceshow.com/audioquest-introduce-the-nightowl-at-indulgence/

 

First pictures of the new NightHawk Carbon

 

Looks very batman-y. I might have to wear a cape with this.








This is a good thing.