Subjective Testing

We call this section’ Subjective’ as it is quite impossible to show the reader the sound quality on this product and then factor in that opinions may differ from user to user. However let us try to describe the quality of the sound reproduction.

The Soundcard utilised was the rather amazing Asus Xonar Essence ST, which was then outputted to a ‘tube or as some people say a valve amplifier and then the headphones (with the more professional 6mm adapter used) inserted into the aforementioned amplifier.

Finally other reviewer sites and people generally test a product such as this by using MP3 files, however we at Overclockers Tech feel that this is the wrong way to go about the subject of testing the Thermal Take product. Instead the music CD’s were converted to LOSSLESS FLAC files, of which retain as much sound clarity as the original format. Music loses so much in both frequency and clarity when converted to an MP3 format, rendering any TRUE testing useless. Then if we add to the mix that any high quality product trying to render a lower quality sound source will only serve to highlight the poor quality format. So to truly test the Dracco headphones a high quality source must be employed.

Music

Here in order to test the TT Dracco Headphones we utilised our usual range of suspects in order to promote a ‘standard’ between ALL headphone reviews so if one wishes to browse our review site  then the reader can easily compare between all products.

Asus Xonar Essence ST Settings used as standard:

Anyway on with the show to so to speak.

Mike Oldfield 

It is this type of music that a tube amplifier is designed and built for, however its rich warm sound cannot be duplicated if the headphones are speakers are not of matching quality. We are pleased to say that the ‘warm’ sound produced by the valve amplifier was rendered perfectly. The acoustic guitar and the grand piano in the track ‘entitled  ’The-Bell’ was almost a live experience and was very impressive.

1980′s Music: Human League (Love Action)

Whilst being on the ‘cheesy’ side, this track is still known today for its great bass and rhythm.

The bass in this track was the most pure I have ever heard from any headphones tested so far, even the impressive CM Pulse-R could not live up to the Thermal Take Dracco product. One even found my head bobbing along with the track as it was such a fun experience.

Hop Hop ICE-T Lethal Weapon (From the Album Iceberg)

A great track and brilliant samples taken from Eric B and Rakim’s ‘Microphone Fiend’ song. Subtle electric guitars and a high level of turn-table use.

The high-range and therefore the turn-table scratching was extremely impressive, was heard distinctly and once again the bass was very impressive in its own right.

Hijack: Style Wars

One of the most well remembered tracks of early UK-Hip Hop that broke the mould, competing with the likes of Overlord X, Derek B and MC Duke. This track features fast vocals and an almost legendary use of the turntables. This group even gave the Americans a run for their money……….. who said you cannot rap with an English accent?

The headphones once again reproduced a fantastic base along with the very distinct high’s of the turn-tables.

Operatic Metal

Sirenia: The Path to Decay and the Mind Maelstrom

Operatic or should we say symphonic metal  combines heavy guitars with extremely strong vocal talents, including that of the ‘growler’ and the opera vocals.

Brilliant distinctive operatic vocals , great high’s of the opera section and the bass of the ‘ growler’s was rendered perfectly. We do think however a touch of the mid-range was lost somewhat, otherwise the track was flawless.

Doom Metal

Paradise Lost In Requiem

Paradise Lost have been credited with the formation of the genre ‘Doom Metal’. Having been around for twenty years they have experimented from early ‘growly’ metal to an almost ‘Depeche Mode’ type sound and then metal again.

Famous for its guitar solo at the start and at the closing sections, this will test the sound cards ability to render the instruments correctly. This would be the ultimate test for guitar solo sound quality.

The lone electric guitar at the beginning was so well rendered that it sent shivers down this reviewers spine! Just as this reviewer was getting used to that, the other guitars kicked in and the whole track sounded almost flawless, with the only exception being a slight loss (and one has to listen hard for this) of the mid-range.

Games

These headphones are not in any means built for gaming-hence the lack of a microphone, but a bonus we thought we would include the token game in order to get a more round picture.

Skyrim

Skyrim surely the ultimate test in gaming as this blends in music with awesome sounds effects such as; explosions, water and voices such as the immortal ‘arrow to my knee’ line.  Indeed the fireball spell had satisfying deep base rumble and even water was rendered well along with birds and wildlife within the forests. The water, as previously mentioned was exceptional to say the least with the  only thing niggle was that sound did not pan from speak to speaker and one didn’t feel as though they were immersed totally within the game due to the lack of spatial sound.

However just like what we did for the CM Pulse-R (but the opposite situation) we cannot knock points off the Thermal Take Dracco, due to the fact that this product is mainly built for music and gaming is seen as an added bonus.

In a final note in this section, a reader viewing this article could say, oh it is for the reason that he is going through a ‘Tube Amplifier’ that they sound so good. Well an answer to this statement would be that if the headphones are not of sufficient quality then a tube amplifier would not make the slightest bit of difference. Also playing LOSLESS FLAC files insures a more accurate review when testing for sound quality.

Let us now move on to the conclusion of this review.