mmann68
Active Member
How lame would it be for me to say I am absolutely jamming out to Can on my latest set of cans :thmbsp:. Too late, I said it. My avatar kind of says it all about my lucky acquisition of a set of SS-2 headphones. So, how's about a little review?
First, a quick disclaimer. I'm definitely not a headphone expert. I have a set of Sony MDR-V150s that I've been really pretty happy with over the years, at least outside of the pesky and well known ear piece peeling issues. I haven't heard a ton of headphones to compare to. From what I do know, I would say that I certainly agree with the general consensus that says that while the vintage Sansui receiver/amp sound that we all love is the best, the vintage sound may not completely translate to the old headphones versus new ones. Having gotten that out of the way, I love the SS-2s.
I have them plugged into a Sansui 771. The SS-2s are one of the early headphone models, and are 8 ohms. When I first put them on, I was listening to the tuner section, a good FM rock station. At lower volume, the phones seemed a tiny bit tinny. One thing I have to give the Sonys, even for a lower end headphone, is that they sound really good and are consistent sounding at lots of different volume levels. At first listen at that very low level volume, I was a tiny bit disappointed, even though I had no real high expectations for the sound of the SS-2. Then I discovered these babies just wanted some juice.
Turn them up a bit and let them run, and they are a really, really surprisingly good sounding set of headphones. A really perfect match for the 771, which stands to reason for sure. Just incredibly smooth, flat sounding in a very good way, not too much, but enough on the bass; perfect on the highs. Really great clarity, and I would have to say actually better separation of sounds than my far more modern Sonys. One really surprising discovery is just how much better listening to digital sources from the computer through these headphones is. It may just be psychological, but to me listening to Spotify or my personal digital library through the SS-2s via the 771 is smooth as silk.
And as for just the sheer cool factor, these are off the charts. It would be worth the price of admission for these just to have them sitting on top of the receiver. A super cool white can, and the can isn't one of those massive airplane sized can you can find on a lot of the older headphones. Certainly they're big, but they're actually kind of sleek and modern looking. And not heavy enough to cause any issue that I can tell so far with extended listening. They've got the great old steel, the leather head covering, with nice black leather ear pads. And the set I have is near perfect aesthetically, apparently having been in storage. They seem to have been barely used. Other than the kind of funny, super thick cord that should be attached to an old telephone switchboard, they are a perfect vintage pickup. The perfect combination of awesome sound and sweet, conversation inducing looks. I am attaching some pics, but check out the avatar, the tags alone on the ears are works of art. I really should have taken the pics with the headphones hanging off the lit up receiver. So seventies cool.
You can probably tell I am a happy camper with this pickup. As I type this and continue to listen, there is no listening fatigue. So clear and smooth. Sansui simply continues to rule.
First, a quick disclaimer. I'm definitely not a headphone expert. I have a set of Sony MDR-V150s that I've been really pretty happy with over the years, at least outside of the pesky and well known ear piece peeling issues. I haven't heard a ton of headphones to compare to. From what I do know, I would say that I certainly agree with the general consensus that says that while the vintage Sansui receiver/amp sound that we all love is the best, the vintage sound may not completely translate to the old headphones versus new ones. Having gotten that out of the way, I love the SS-2s.
I have them plugged into a Sansui 771. The SS-2s are one of the early headphone models, and are 8 ohms. When I first put them on, I was listening to the tuner section, a good FM rock station. At lower volume, the phones seemed a tiny bit tinny. One thing I have to give the Sonys, even for a lower end headphone, is that they sound really good and are consistent sounding at lots of different volume levels. At first listen at that very low level volume, I was a tiny bit disappointed, even though I had no real high expectations for the sound of the SS-2. Then I discovered these babies just wanted some juice.
Turn them up a bit and let them run, and they are a really, really surprisingly good sounding set of headphones. A really perfect match for the 771, which stands to reason for sure. Just incredibly smooth, flat sounding in a very good way, not too much, but enough on the bass; perfect on the highs. Really great clarity, and I would have to say actually better separation of sounds than my far more modern Sonys. One really surprising discovery is just how much better listening to digital sources from the computer through these headphones is. It may just be psychological, but to me listening to Spotify or my personal digital library through the SS-2s via the 771 is smooth as silk.
And as for just the sheer cool factor, these are off the charts. It would be worth the price of admission for these just to have them sitting on top of the receiver. A super cool white can, and the can isn't one of those massive airplane sized can you can find on a lot of the older headphones. Certainly they're big, but they're actually kind of sleek and modern looking. And not heavy enough to cause any issue that I can tell so far with extended listening. They've got the great old steel, the leather head covering, with nice black leather ear pads. And the set I have is near perfect aesthetically, apparently having been in storage. They seem to have been barely used. Other than the kind of funny, super thick cord that should be attached to an old telephone switchboard, they are a perfect vintage pickup. The perfect combination of awesome sound and sweet, conversation inducing looks. I am attaching some pics, but check out the avatar, the tags alone on the ears are works of art. I really should have taken the pics with the headphones hanging off the lit up receiver. So seventies cool.
You can probably tell I am a happy camper with this pickup. As I type this and continue to listen, there is no listening fatigue. So clear and smooth. Sansui simply continues to rule.
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