The DR150 represents the top of the line model, and yet only sold for $129.00. The sound is a clear improvement from the DR100. Previously I asked for more bass body and better vocals from the DR100. The DR150 gives me exactly that and more: livelier treble, better instrument layering, and an improved soundstage image as well. Funny, because the improvements seem to mimic a lot of the difference you find on the HD600 and HD650. Better bass body for more grunt down below and overall better musicality. Simply better vocals, more spot on presence. Livelier treble, and superior instrument and soundstage layering. The only thing that may be a weak spot in the DR150 is how the pace slightly slows compared to the DR100. Not Sennheiser slow, but you can no longer play Slipknot on this thing as well as you can on the DR100 — mainly from the added bass body and slightly longer decays. The added bass body also makes the DR150 a little more boomy than the DR100. I really am not too bothered by the flaws, as I get an overall much improved performance on the DR150, and as I really don’t enjoy Slipknot that much. However, at $129, it does seem that the DR100 is just the easier headphone to recommend to people. I’m not saying that the DR150 is overpriced. Far from it, as the improvements are very real from the DR100. It’s just that I’d like to push these Goldring trio as budget headphones, and something over $100 just don’t seem to be that budget-level. Hence the #1 recommendation falls to the DR100, and if you happen to want to have more of the Goldring sound, you can move up to the DR150 because even at $129, I still can’t find another full size, open-back headphone that does music as well as the DR150.
What about the Sennheiser HD518/HD558/598 line up? Especially the HD518 that sells for slightly under $100 ($95.57 from Amazon.com). The Senns are graced with superior technicalities, especially the way they render soundstage but also the much more accurate timbre, lower low extension, superior detail level and overall build quality. However, in terms of frequency tuning, the HD518/558 seems to be too laid back, similar to how a lot of people find the HD600/650 to be. The Goldrings on the other hand just have that easy-to-like tonality and people whom I’ve recommended the Goldrings to seem to enjoy them very much.
Upon first impression, the Goldrings don’t quite have the same wow effect as say a Grado SR60 open and lively sound, or an Audio Technica AD700 with its wide spacious sound. They are open-back, yet not Grado or AD open. Actually a lot of higher up open-back headphones (even the $2K Stax Omega2) are not as open as Grados or the ADs, so I think I can excuse the Goldrings for not being too open. They also don’t have that lively treble you find on the Grados, and their timbre has a pretty heavy plastic color to it, especially on the DR50. In the long run, I believe their more well balanced sound signature will make for a more lasting music headphone than the Grados or ADs, but you need to know what you’ll be getting and sort of anticipate that. As you grow past the first impression period, I think you’ll find them generally well balanced and very enjoyable. And once again, though the DR150 is the best of the bunch, I think the midline DR100 is the sweet spot among the three.
Thanks to Alvon at Jaben Indonesia for the Goldrings.
Pan
You got typo here:
“However, at $129, it does seem that the DR100 is just the easier
headphone to recommend to people. I’m not saying that the DR150 is
overpriced…”
Which one is it, DR100 or DR150? I guess its DR150 right?
Nice review, make me wanting DR150…
Mike
Actually no that’s not a typo.
Rūdolfs Putniņš
Nice article! Any comparison with the Superluxes? They seem to be the established giant killers.
Mike
The Superluxes are more rigid monitoring sound headphones, while the Goldrings are smoother and more relaxed.
Soonkiong Kho
nice review. i acquired the DR50 just a few days ago and found that amping helps to boost the bass significantly. using the govibe mini box amp btw.
Mike
Yes I think that’s because the Govibe is a bassy amp. Still that’s good though.
Anonymous
Hi, Mike!
I like how you describe the differences between DR100 and DR150.
I know what is the different between both cans, but only in my brain. I can’t describe it by words as good as you did when people asked. 😀
There still more reviews coming up, right? I’m waiting for E17 review especially. 😉
It’s still early on 2012, so may the force be with you! d(^_^)b
Mike
Thanks! Yes I’m also working on the E17 review.
Spencer Chan
Sounds like a great headphone for a new audiophile…
How do they compare vs some “musician” branded headphones (who’s name I will not use so that I do not pollute this awesome website) that is super popular with the lay crowd or those ‘brand name’ headphones that’s always on the TV? This seems like a good place to convince people to look elsewhere! 😉
Mike
Well you know some of the brand name headphones aren’t too bad actually. They are just expensive.
Anonymous
I think these headphones should be compare to Sennheiser HD518 not the very top end of the spectrum.
Mike
I did, didn’t you read it?
Anonymous
Sorry about that. I was reading two reviews at the same time.
Mike
Alright man 🙂
Donunus
I had the dr150 before and i found the treble peaky. Although not as bright as Grados, they are weird because the bass is ala senn. soft and rich then the highs are peaky. i dunno… I just found them weird. Only good for a few listens IMO before going up for sale again 🙂
Mike
You sure about that? The DR150 is very smooth.
Donunus
I was particularly sensitive to that spike. It was probably in the 8 to 10khz area if I remember correctly. The thing about it was that it was a thorn among the smooth water vs grados where almost the entire brightness region feels boosted making it more welcome to me. This one seemed weird just because it was lacking snap and dynamics yet had some brightness at the same time. Hope that rant made sense 🙂
Donunus
I think it is precisely that plastic color to their tonality that you talked about that bothered me. It just contributed to them feeling incoherent for some reason. I’m sure my quirks and issues with them are things that not very many people get annoyed with. If the listener can live with these quirks that I can’t live with then I can say that everything else about them are peachy and they are especially nice cans for the price 🙂
Donunus
I would like to add that I would take hd595s over the dr150 any day. Those are about the same price I think.
Mike
You sure have picky ears. 🙂
Donunus
Just picky enough to make my music enjoyable. I don’t have expensive cans either. I am perfectly happy with hd600s for example even though they aren’t the most detailed thing in the world. I just like them because nothing sticks out in their sound that makes my music sound annoying. I listen to Grados and other harsher cans once in a while to spice things up but I would be fine even with just one pair of boring yet behaved cans like the hd600s 😀
Jerry Szprot
I used to own the DR150 and enjoyed it a lot. IMO it sounds just like a Grado but with slightly more bass. Unfortunately, I found that the bass was too rolled off (at about 30 or 40 Hz) and this is why I eventually sold it.
Still a nice alternative to a Grado though, since it is so much more comfortable than a Grado and sounds quite similar.
Mike
What I hear is totally un-grado like.
Anonymous
got the goldring, returned them for an HD 598 – my DR150 was too uncomfortable and kinda heavy.
goldring is bang for buck, yes, but if you’re starting your audiophile journey, skip this step and head to the hd 598. you’ll save more money in the long run.
Mike
Yes the HD598 is more refined and is higher up, but also a lot more money and is not as well balanced.
Andreyoniar
hi Mike nice review!,do you have compare to denon ah-d1100
Mike
Sorry, no D1100 here.
TheManko
I bought the DR100 a few years back when they first came out but returned them because I found them to be sibilant. The sibilance was painful to me so I couldn’t live with them. I haven’t heard the DR150, but they sure look nice and if they don’t have the same treble issues as the DR100 I could see them being a good value.
Mike
I wonder why people keep on having issues with their Goldrings.
Donunus
I am also wondering whether Goldring tweaked the sound to be smoother in the newer stocks than the ones from a few years back.
Alex
Hi Mike, fascinating review. I have a headphone question peripheral to the Goldrings and I wasn’t sure where to post it. I currently listen to the Senn HD25-1; like you, I find it always propulsive and musical, especially for rock and jazz, which is mostly what I listen to. My ATH-M50s, though better in some ways technically, just don’t involve me as much with the music. My old Grado SR60s are too fatiguing and bright. My question is, is there a higher-end, more capable headphone around with the same PRaT, excitement, involvement and musicality as the HD25-1? I listen to lossless files on a Macbook->Amarra->HRT Headstreamer (awesome, by the way!).
Thanks in advance,
Alex
Donunus
I’m not Mike but would like to comment that there is a new revamped HD25 out 🙂
Mike
Hi Alex,
The Beyer T1 is not quite a HD25-1 but people who enjoys the HD25-1 should give the T1 a try for a high end equivalent.
Alex
Thanks, Mike. I’d like to move up from the HD25, but can’t quite swing the extra $1100 for a T1, plus probably another $1K for a dedicated tube head amp 🙂 What about the new Hifiman HE-400, or the T-70P from Beyer? Have you had an opportunity to listen?
Also, some folks have mentioned the high-end Denons as being highly involving and having great PRaT. I’m curious why you have never written about them on your site or included them in your closed phone shootout. Are you not a fan? Surely if Beats by Dre can land a spot, so could the Denons 🙂
Thanks again,
Alex
Mike
HI Alex, the Denons are really popular I know and I owe them a good review. However, I’ve been holding back on a Denon review since I want to do a review on the full trio D2K, D5K and D7K. So far I’ve only had the chance to listen to the D2K and I don’t think it’ll be a very exciting article if I just do a single D2K review.
The D2K I think it’s okay in PRaT. It’s a bit laid back and though the bass is plenty, it’s not fast paced enough and so I wouldn’t say it has a good PRaT.
The T70 or T70p, I’ve yet to listen to them.
At this point I feel that you really ought to try the RS1i (or at least the SR325is) with a good warm amp like the Schiit Asgard. I think it’ll make a great Rock and Jazz system, and it shouldn’t be too bright either.
The HE-400 would make for a great all rounder headphone, but moving from the SR60 and the HD25-1, the Hifiman is going to be a few stops darker in tonality, meaning much less treble presence. Maybe the Senn HD600 would be less extreme than the HE-400, and it’s also a good Rock and Jazz headphone.
If you’d like to read my initial impressions on the HE-400 here is the link:
https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=317143768330327
Mike
Hi Alex, the Denons are really popular I know and I owe them a good review. However, I’ve been holding back on a Denon review since I want to do a review on the full trio D2K, D5K and D7K. So far I’ve only had the chance to listen to the D2K and I don’t think it’ll be a very exciting article if I just do a single D2K review.
The D2K I think it’s okay in PRaT. It’s a bit laid back and though the bass is plenty, it’s not fast paced enough and so I wouldn’t say it has a good PRaT.
The T70 or T70p, I’ve yet to listen to them.
At this point I feel that you really ought to try the RS1i (or at least the SR325is) with a good warm amp like the Schiit Asgard. I think it’ll make a great Rock and Jazz system, and it shouldn’t be too bright either.
The HE-400 would make for a great all rounder headphone, but moving from the SR60 and the HD25-1, the Hifiman is going to be a few stops darker in tonality, meaning much less treble presence. Maybe the Senn HD600 would be less extreme than the HE-400, and it’s also a good Rock and Jazz headphone.
If you’d like to read my initial impressions on the HE-400 here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=317143768330327
lou
hi mike, putting off all other aspect, which one is grainier, smoother, sweeter mids and more “grand” soundstage. hd600 or dr150?
Mike
Lou,
Aside from the price and the tonality differences, you can bet that the more expensive Senn is better in all those aspects.
Mike
Except maybe grain, they’re roughly the same.
David Johansson
Where can I get replacement stuff for this line? I have a pair of DR150 which were demo’d in a store, so I’m interested in if I can get them in shape somehow.
Preferably from an European retailer.
Riezjkie
if DR100 compared with superlux HD 668b which one better for audiophile recording?
Mike
With audiophile recordings, definitely the HD668B.
Spam
I think they are differences between older and newer batches of the DR150 and DR100, i bought both of them now and they don’t have the harsh highs as some guys telling having owned them couple of years ago.
The DR100 sound even more relaxing than the DR150. In many older reviews it is not the case.
Mike
Okay yes that would explain it.
Lukman
finally got the dr 100…and so far loving the sound of it.
the only problem i fell is the lack of bass punch and the sound is to small(i have to put the volume on my laptop to the max).
thinking of getting the fiio E10 to solve this….so the question is:
how’s the pairing between the E10 with the DR100,mike?
Mike
Lukman,
Try an amplifier first before the E10. Something like the E11 or the JDSLabs Cmoy.
The E10 is a great DAC but the amplifier is not particularly impactful or punchy.
cujo101
I bought the DR150’s in the UK for £30 ($47) in December and find them to be great value for money. They are a little light on bass and the high are a little harsh but ‘burn in’ does help over time.
Steve Ng
Hi guys ,
I changed the cables on the Goldrings with dnm interconnect used as a headphone cable and the wow factor came. It’s the QED cable that is limiting the Goldring’s performance. Anyway, I tried on all three models and all of them improved in performance.
Prakhar Yadav
Hey
Im considering the DR150 ($179.99) or the DR100($100) and Superlux 668-B($50) (Both of which will be able to be paired with the ZO2).
I will be using music in MP3 320kbps format mostly
What do you think would be the best combo for the price; Im looking for a fun/musical headphone with decent soundstage? If the ZO is not a good combo with these headphones then ignore the option to pair :P.
Edit: Have you tried the AD 300/700 with the ZO? The Zo might help to alleviate the anemic bass of the Audio Technicas.
Thanks in Advance
Mike
I’m afraid you have to read the review and see which headphones fit your music better.
Prakhar Yadav
I have but I think that makes sense; Ill spend extra time to evaluate my options.
But have you tried the ZO with open back headphones? Does it still give that extra bass oomph, or is it not as effective.
Mike
It still works very well with open-back headphones.
disqus_exGg7s7Zwd
It seems Goldring’s vanished? Can’t find it on local stores (kantong-kresek, dontblameyourears), even amazon is out of stock
Agung Kurniawan Ruswandi
Pro-X, bro?
tranqon
BTW Mike, which is better for instrumental/orchestra mp3, DR100 or Senn
HD 439? Senn HD 439 is priced slightly higher, maybe about $8
George Lai
Hey Mike, just got the DR150 for only USD63 new. Patience does come to those who wait 🙂
Mike
Lol, nice
George Lai
The velour earpads are really itchy though. They seem to be the same size as the Shure 940’s and since you have so many headphones, do you think they will fit?
Mike
No actually I don’t have the 940. I’ll try to check with Jaben okay
Ralph
To those asking what happened to the awesome DRxxx series headphones of Goldring. They discontinued it after some time, I just got a reply from them. I liked this unit as I was able to get this equal to 30$ equivalent PH peso (1$=50php). My problem is that I wanted to add them to my catalog to sell them. Sadly I can’t due to them being off production for a long time now. May I ask if there is an alternative budget (less than 150$) friendly alternative and similar in sound to the DR100? I will be using a vivo V7+ and a Fiio Q1 Mk2.
Would Philips SHP9500 be similar? Any alternatives?