Goldplanar GL1200 Review - I've changed my mind... sort of.

[@JTB--]

Andrew's new neck and arms work out routine is wearing the GL1200 while carrying a huge/heavy speaker amp to drive them while walking up the nature trail for an hour 🤟

[@ResolveReviews]

You know it!

[@HiFiGOAudio]

Grill on these looks so rich and fine. Design and looks sometimes reminds me of the Heddphone haha.

[@memoryerror]

Would it work with the Schiit Jotunheim R? (The RAAL specific amp)(With an adapter for the cable)

[@enjoshi-godrez8775]

Yes it does. Confirmed by several buyers.

[@Accuaro]

I keep looking at all these headphone reviews, but I still don't know which one does pop, r&b and edm justice. The one closest I've seen is the Arya's... and now I'm looking at ribbon headphones lmao..

[@ajrofficial06]

Headphone Tier List Please................................. I like the Honest Review and Comparison

[@SriRamaKrishnaD]

Thank god, we got reviewers like you. Your reviews are more believable than most of the reviews on youtube. I don't know if I can believe the most popular youtube reviewers. This is great stuff, please keep it up.

[@HiLoMusic]

1400 for a novelty though is quite steep

[@giladkingsley]

Sounds like the kph30i review by DMS

[@ZZ-yv5ux]

I am wondering by any chance that you know which version of the drivers you've got. When I purchased these directly form the factory, they actually gave me an additional set of the ribbon drivers that was supposed to be an improved version of the original ones. The newer drivers sound a lot better to me, as in better bass quality, and much better treble extension. I thought you might wanna figure that out and maybe give an update on that.

[@siggie7581]

the shine of the driver grills are super neat !

[@SoundWaveTrax]

I've actually had this sort of experience with the DT 990 600 Ohm. They sound very spacious and "clean" in the upper treble but the tuning is quite a bit off and peaky but if it weren't for those peaks the tuning would actually be quite fun.

[@Dan.a.k.a.bradpitt]

Cosmic Gate sounds really good on Sundara's , fyi .... like really good

[@enjoshi-godrez8775]

I find it hilarious (and disconcerting) that there was discrepancies in the tuning of the gl2000 so some got a bad and good model, yet with the gl1200. They can literally come with different drivers. If you get the ones of linsoul they are silver and said to be superior, while if you order directly from China you get the gold ones. Gold planar has discrepancies in their literal driver models. Still though, its a shame you couldn't test these on the jotunheim r as the raals always sounded best on that (like what other amplifier is deigned to only work with output impedances between 0.1 and 0.2 ohms). Would most likely sort the base issue out like it does the raals to the greatest extent.

[@bitterbuffalo8997]

BRING BACK THE CARHARTT HAT

[@ResolveReviews]

Sorry man

[@mrfrosty3]

I like it's styling a lot. Another thoughtful, quality review.

[@deshan79]

he's the GOAT

[@marcusloo767]

Can you plug any headphone into the impedance converter box or just the gl1200

[@Winzical]

Those things are a break of a headphone

[@Artaois13]

Wish more people would do some Kennerton headphones but they aren't being pushed by Lin Soul or Apos so nobody gets them. 😤

[@ResolveReviews]

I've tried one of their high end planars and it wasn't anything special really. More blunted for detail than the GL1200, but the tuning was better. At that point though I just don't see a reason over LCD2 or LCD-X

[@Artaois13]

@@ResolveReviews aw well that's disappointing. Keep an eye out for the horn loaded Kennerton Gjallarhorn with the JM mod. That's probably the one I've heard the most good things about but obviously I've never heard it.

[@aceofspades6667]

What about this vs. the HeddPhone? I know that is an Air Motion Transformer (AMT) and not a tweeter. But they are different driver types vs. traditional dynamic/planar and about the same price range.

[@ResolveReviews]

Oh, HEDDphone is way better sounding. Not really in the same ballpark in my opinion. This is more comfy though.

[@aceofspades6667]

@@ResolveReviews Thanks Andrew/Resolve! I think because they are both relatively new driver types it will be interesting to see where advancements take them down the road. Dynamics and Planars have had the lion share of the market for a decade now. Will be fun to see where ribbons and AMTs carve themselves at.. Maybe along with electrostats/stax

[@JMAudioEditions]

another update the gold ribbon vs the silver ribbon on GL1200 I think gold sounds way more full - just updated review a totl headphone now with choices unlike anything else

[@gracefullygraceful9776]

Sorry $1400 +import duty does not fall off trees for folks to have fun. Golden Planar should retune their entire line and release a Mk2 in 2022

[@enjoshi-godrez8775]

you dont pay import duty from linsoul. They mark them as a gift.

[@allydea]

@@enjoshi-godrez8775 That's against customs law and it doesn't even work in all countries.

[@enjoshi-godrez8775]

@@allydea China doesn't care about western laws. There are literally Disney themed parks that Disney cannot do anything about because of lack of copy right laws. Ali express have been doing this for over 20 years. China is not the same as getting a product from the USA for instance.

[@allydea]

@@enjoshi-godrez8775 What I meant was that it's illegal for me to import something under the pretense of a gift and that even if I do it, my country's customs agents might not care about the label and still charge me based on the contents. China can't do anything about it.

[@enjoshi-godrez8775]

@@allydea they more like fake the price of the item. I've been shopping from China for a long time now and I've had no issues in the UK or Germany.

[@WolfRanger2008]

That thing is a deep sea diver's helmet sans the face plate...

[@x32i77]

I got an important question : Can you plug the gl1200 directly into the HSA-1B without the box that they offer with the gl1200 ? 🤔

[@gerritfridericksohn4627]

14:42, did you say "those ones"? I've heard you say "these ones" on occasion, but I just figured, well he must be from Idaho. Doesn't know any better and you can't tell someone from Idaho anything. But now "those ones". Come on man.

[@ezvkm77]

That was weird?

[@B8THOV3N]

I’ve learnt that they come with silver and gold ribbon. Does yours come with just one set of ribbons?

[@samlee2562]

We need to evolve to the helmet headphone. It looks like a mesh motorbike helmet but it's really a giant headphone, sounds, everywhere! ✊😙

[@josuad6890]

it's as if it's the work of a new engineer and he did what the boss told him to do, make a "flat" sounding pair of cans, so he make a pair of cans that is flat on the graph. In all seriousness though, what the duck goldplanar?

[@theprinceofeverything1975]

Incredible video! Unrelated but can you reccomend a smooth dac amp for my audeze lcd xc? Also, is there any difference in sound between the maple wood cups version and the carbon Fibre verison of the xc? Thank you so much!

[@ResolveReviews]

The new LCD-XC Carbon 2021 version is simply better tuned than the previous maple one. But you can always EQ. For a smoother DAC, check out some of the iFi stuff.

[@theprinceofeverything1975]

@@ResolveReviews thank you for your help! Just to clarify, you are talking about the maple ones that you originally reviewed in 2020 before receiving the carbon ones? Thanks again!

[@ResolveReviews]

@@theprinceofeverything1975 Yeah. I mean, in both cases I EQ but by default the new ones with the new pads sound better.

[@theprinceofeverything1975]

@@ResolveReviews one last question if you dont mind: if I were to eq the maple woods, would they sound as good as an eq'd pair of carbons? Or is there actually a difference in sound sound quality that can't be fixed with tuning? Thanks for all the help!

[@halimj7]

You are coming around to appreciate why some of us enjoy headphones that sound different and the value in headphones that have a unique sonic presentation. It’s not always about detail and/or the same frequency response.

[@ResolveReviews]

But I like good detail and frequency response most :D

[@tomk9326]

The Feliks chilling on the side a teaser for things to come by any chance?

[@ResolveReviews]

mayyybe ;)

[@tomk9326]

@@ResolveReviews Haha, I look forward to it!

[@jferg0906]

Thank you for an interesting fucking analysis of some unusual headphones

[@Level42Man]

Hi Does anyone know if these will work with the Schiit amp that was made to use with the Raal Requisite headphones.

[@albertxion513]

I wanna get just that speaker amp to xlr adapter. Anyone actually know where to get that or something similar?

[@TheHEADPHONEShow]

That interface is specifically meant for the GL1200, not regular headphones. Do not try to run regular headphones off of that.

[@Yuu_Touko]

Don't. You may kill your headphones. That thing is meant specifically for GL1200's.

[@ATK.]

I agree exactly with your opinions! I was also thinking the same with the HD820, it’s objectively bad but it’s enjoyable.

[@Yuu_Touko]

Just yesterday i've watched a video on these things from Zeos. These are weird af.

[@Dan.a.k.a.bradpitt]

I'm sure he said buy them they're sent from heaven

[@aceofspades6667]

@@Dan.a.k.a.bradpitt Only if he's being paid to do/say so.

[@italotorres3653]

i am lookinf for more reviews of this headphone, in youtube there is another guy but he is german, and i cant fucking undesrtand his english. In Headfi there are 2 more guy that has them, and they say: Buy it, but you need Good AMP.

[@thelastrhino2581]

Good lord, are they trying to rip off the Meze Empyrean pattern on those cup grills? That is the poster child of cheap China imitation attempts. Grotesque. :)

[@bardenhick2121]

Cant wait for the HE6se full review, I hope you compare it to the Arya in that

[@zackpetrovic3029]

Goldplanar should just stick to planars

[@loonation2185]

whats the price of this headphone again?

[@blainecollins]

Just want to use this opportunity to humbly ask for a possible future review of the Cambridge DacMagic 200m!

[@blainecollins]

Almost no one has covered it, just curious why.. Seems it's closest competitor is the SMSL M500?

[@amargnwalkr]

Steve Guttenberg did a video on it. He made sort of an odd comparison, IMO, but there's some good info there. But I'd love to see it compared to the D90, SU-9, Gustard X16- and any other DACs in that price range.

[@karolkedzierski5824]

Have heard sound demo of these on Zeos channel. Even on youtube they sounded fantastic, very very detailed, great dynamics and holography.

[@fclp67]

These are actual earspeakers, they even require a speaker amp

[@Dan.a.k.a.bradpitt]

thats rediculous

[@yhCha80]

Could you give me the information about the microphone used in this video?

[@lateknights1]

I think it‘s the Electrovoice RE-20

[@yhCha80]

@@lateknights1 Thanks~~ ;)

[@datdudeinred]

Guys please do a clear mg vs mg pro comparison as i really love how the pro looks but if non pro sounds better(even though focal says otherwise) then it will be a hard choice. And considering you guys sent the pro to josh means you guys will definitely will be able to do a comparison, isn't it?

[@ruusta8042]

That was already done: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4iXZICla66kfq8

[@datdudeinred]

@@ruusta8042 that's not clear mg vs clear mg pro

[@ruusta8042]

​@@datdudeinred Oh, sorry, I misread your initial comment. I'm not sure that they'd take the time to test the versions against each other. I expect that they'd be trusting Focal's word that they sound the same.

[@taronlissimore5613]

Clear Mg and Mg Pro are the same aside from different accessories and colour-ways, just like the OG Clear & OG Clear Pro.

[@Turcoda]

1) Buy the Nemal Raal to 4 pin XLR adapter plug AND 2) Buy the Raal converter box OR 3) Buy the Schiit Jot R and what you get is basically a Raal Sr1a. The tonality and detail is mostly just like Raal's and SIGNIFICANTLY different than using the GL1200 converter box. Sounds like an entirely different headphone once you stop using the GL1200 converter box. Not saying you should buy this over the SR1A, but its a more comfortable option. Id stick with raal if you favor quality, but the comfort of the Raal leaves a lot to be desired. The Chinese 100% tried to copy Raal with this product, and didn't do a very good job with the converter box because, in terms of detail and transient speed, it leaves a bit to be desired. However, what they did right was the housing... the comfort on these is quite good.

[@Tsukino_u]

The jotunhem r could definitely power the lcd-r and the ralls, however the specs between those and the gl1200 couldn't be further apart (2 and 32 ohms compared to 0.1-0.2 ohms, with that low of an impedance you are entering breaking-conventional-amps territory), i am certainly interested in these drivers and planting it into my own chassis (especially knowing that it is available for purchase for 300 from linsoul), could you tell me your experience with the 1200-jot r pairing? i might be getting one for the raal circumaural and might fetch a pair of gl1200 drivers just for the fun of it

[@Turcoda]

​@@Tsukino_u Ive had the sr1a and the GL1200s. No the GL1200s are not 300 - they're 1400 regular price. GL1200 is sitll a much better deal. For 2k you get the schiit amp and the GL headphones and call it a day. Nothing will touch this pairing. I've also tried e-stats and this is WAY better than what I've tried. The reason I feel this is better is that the drivers are parallel to the ears and not on a stupid angle like the sr1a. GL1200 is way more comfortable to use. Goldplanar just ripped off the technology from Raal. Its sad that they did that, but Raal needs to address it or counter it somehow.

[@Turcoda]

@UC7QH2cMWBVgYqswjwtUYi8A Oh for sure for just their drivers, but you still need the headphones, right? Or do you already own them?

[@Tsukino_u]

@@Turcoda i mean, i had experiences in putting used hifiman drivers to new chassis just because of how much i hated the "chifi overear build", like the time where my 2016 400i bit the dust, fixed some of the coupling/fit issues and increased driver load in the meantime, giving better low extension as well as giving them a significantly better paintjob, so, mostly for hobbyist reasons i'm trying to tackle this sort of driver, might take weeks or months but it should be fun,

[@Turcoda]

@@Tsukino_u Ohhhh gotcha. If you can find the time and the effort to do it go for it. I managed to get 2 pairs of golds and 2 pairs of silvers with the headphone on sale at 1200 USD. For that price Im 100% happy i didnt do any tinkering. With that said Im jsut starting a project making a pair of ribbon speakers so I understand where you're coming from.

[@JMAudioEditions]

I wonder how long you broke em in? I needed 30hours of continuous break in for me to consider these at the level I did in my written review on head-fi - nice job Andrew it really sets what you look for in a headphone clearly - I did use and reference your review in my review and I included two graphs- very helpful for buyers to see BOTH sides www.head-fi.org/showcase/gold-planar-gl1200.25000/reviews

[@halimj7]

Is this a Chinese made headphone?

[@Dan.a.k.a.bradpitt]

lol

[@italotorres3653]

yes, but projected in america.

[@datdudeinred]

The War is officially began between zeos and andrew HAHAHA At least the stuff panning with pinpoint accuracy is agreeable between the two..😂

[@vincenthusvh]

Do i see a FeliksAudio Euforia there?? Edit: I also notice a Stellia on the table. Are you going to do a updated review?

[@heavyharmonies]

Your affect in this video is that you like them... but are ashamed that you like them, because objectively you should not. Also keep in mind that these cost only a fraction of what the Raal costs.

[@NO_SIMP_ZONE]

Yup. I am now officially sick of this headphone/ iem madness

[@SoundWaveTrax]

They're objectively bad except for the treble I guess. So this is a headphone for treble heads, sort of. Weird tunings can lead to weird imaging (like the HD800S).

[@allydea]

There is nothing _weird_ about the HD800S tuning.

[@SoundWaveTrax]

@@allydea Technically it's mostly the hollow mids at 1K but I think the artificially wide stage is achieved via reflections in the cup. That's why they sound kinda hazy to me probably.

[@allydea]

@@SoundWaveTrax I'm not saying you have to like them, but to most people the hd800 sounds very natural and therefore not weird at all. Hot, sibilant, lean bass are reasonable complaints, but not naturalness. Anyway, at least that's my opinion.

[@SoundWaveTrax]

@@allydea My in-ears have better image clarity than the HD800 so...yeah. They don't sound as natural or as clear as they could have.

[@allydea]

@@SoundWaveTrax Just out of curiosity, which IEMs do you have?

[@nimzerz2422]

What amplifier did you use with them?

[@davidmason8212]

9:13 This is the most important part many thanks for your honest review

[@gnewt75]

How many hours of listening time has the OP burned into these earphones? I'm reading that the longer the listening time, the better the experience gets.

[@dannybos7024]

Burn in of the drivers is a myth. Brain burn in is a thing, but that's literally just your ears and brain adjusting to the new sound signature.

[@gnewt75]

@@dannybos7024 and where do you get that from? I'm reading this from the online review of this specific headphone. His 100+ hour headphone experience improved the sound of the 1200. www.head-fi.org/showcase/gold-planar-gl1200.25000/reviews

[@dannybos7024]

@@gnewt75 Ignore head-fi. That forum is one big joke. They believe in soundstage burn-in, and you're not allowed to post cable measurements since that would break the contracts with their funders, who produce those overpriced audiophile type of cables. Don't believe burn-in. If you have to wait 200 hours before a headphone is up to a certain standard, it's bad product design.

[@gnewt75]

@@dannybos7024 then Hifiman is a bad product and so is Focal because the company recommends hours of burn in.

[@dannybos7024]

@@gnewt75 And you know why they do that? So you can't use the headphone within the return window, it's not that hard to understand that. Just don't listen to such bullshit statements like that.