This is the official thread to discuss the AudioQuest NightHawk Carbon.
Specifications
I purchased these about a month ago when the selling price dropped to $399. They are detailed and warm (mid/bass heavy). So far I still prefer a neutral (e.g., Sennheiser HD600) profile for most sources, but the NightHawks are good for overly bright or intentionally bass-heavy productions. The NightHawks make it obvious that some masters were never tested with so much bass, as the mid/tops can become quite muted.
Very good value for $399.
The Audioquest NightHawk Carbon is a unique headphone. I received them for review from the review/loan program. I really enjoyed my time with the NightOwl Carbon but my time with the NightHawk Carbon wasn’t the same.
Quick thoughts, more detail in the video review:
Bass, Bass and more bass
Mids are slightly recessed
Treble is rolled off and lacks clarity
Soundstage is wide
Imaging is excellent
Details are lacking
Overall a dark, bassy sound with laid-back mids and treble and a wide soundstage that lacks clarity but has good imaging. A fun headphone for bass lovers but not a fun headphone for detail lovers.
Here is a link to my video review:
Here are a couple of pictures shot on my OnePlus 6T:
rps20190717_163707_256|480x480
Yep.
Best response ever 
Thank you for the chuckle 
Pretty much the same reasons why I can’t stand the original Nighthawks. The bass elevation is alright, I like bass, but the way it smothers the midrange without any treble to balance it out is an instant non-starter for me. Surprised you found it lacking in detail though since I thought it was reasonably competent at resolution, but I can see how the “mud” could obscure nuances.
By the by, I very nearly thought that was actually the original Nighthawks in your photos! Reflections on the cups had me fooled, haha. The OP6T should be capable of excellent photos (there’s noticeable grain to your shots), just need some good sunlight to make up for the sensor’s limitations.
Haven’t watched the video, but thanks for the review! I wasn’t planning on going out of my way to try the Carbons, but this served to affirm the idea :))
Yeah the NightOwl Carbon is better overall. I am not a big fan of the Nighthawk Carbon. The details are just too hidden for me. Bass is way too much with the ultrasuede pads.
As for the picture quality, I reduced the quality and size of the shot to help with the post not causing issues with bandwidth size. But I am no pro photographer to begin with so…anyway.
Thanks for taking the time to read my brief review.
Hah! The compression is considerate, but I’m just a sucker for photos so was tossing around random offhand comments about them. They’re still good photos, don’t get me wrong, I was just letting my mind wander.
I’m personally just finding it hard to like AudioQuest’s headphones. The original Nighthawks are at the top of the list for me, but even then are somewhat disappointing. Can’t recall my thoughts on the Owls but just based on measurements they’re definitely a step in the right direction, if with an odd midrange. I honestly think it a shame that they stopped making headphones.
Random off-topic …
The ideal size for forum-post pictures, absent stuff that warrants being able to zoom in on (which isn’t that common), is 1024 pixels wide.
I would have loved to see Audioquest continue making headphones. I think they were headed in the right direction with the NightOwl Carbon. But they do make a good DAC/amp. I hope to get my hands on the Cobalt in the future.
I bought my Nighthawk Carbon’s during the discount phase (and it turns out the close-out phase). Per their website marketing, they put a ton of thought into every single detail and tried to make an ideal product. Some aspects were noteworthy (e.g., the super comfortable suspension system and the out of box experience) while others were misguided or overthought at best (i.e., the goofy factory cable).
In the end, I point my finger at the limitations of their driver technology. This implementation of biocellulose has undertones of wet paper or a flabby rubber blanket. It was their main differentiator but it just wasn’t very good. My guess is that it cost too much to produce and/or couldn’t be improved, and who can truly compete with the 6xx in the $200 ballpark?
Yeah the 6xx/650 at it’s price point is the better option. Even though I am not a huge fan of the 6xx/650 sound signature it is better than the NightHawk Carbon in a lot of ways. But I do like the NightOwl Carbon and recommend that headphone for a fun, relaxing listening session.
I know these post are older but there are some things about the Nighthawk that should have been detailed by Audioquest for new owners. They did mention the 150hr break in period and i would say definitely 150hrs. Nighthawks have a sound that takes your ears several minutes to adjust to. I tell everyone that after 150 hrs to put the headphones on and play 3 songs through completely. Your brain needs to adapt to what you are hearing. I don’t find anything recessed. Nothing is forward but there in the right amounts. I guess you could argue the mids are ever so slightly recessed but once you have adjusted to what you are hearing the detail is there. Some people have said its like there is some sound processing applied…it feels that way. I hated these when I first received them and wanted to trade them. Im am very thankful that i did not do that as I would not trade or sale the Carbons for anything. Now, of course i don’t mean anything. If you wanted to pay me 20k id probably turn loose of them. I have several headphones, which includes planar magnetics and I believe the Carbons are one of the finest, most enjoyable headphones to ever have been created and are still my favorites. My main amplifier for these is a hybrid Music Hall PH 25.2 but they do equally well with the THX 789.
I purchased my Nighthawk Carbons lightly used for $173 including shipping and sales tax.
A far cry from their $700 retail price. First off, these are the most comfortable headphones I have ever owned. They are also nicely made. The shortcoming, and IMHO the reason so many ended up on the used market, is due to their recessed midrange. This is also why Audioquest dramatically reduced the price of the Nighthawk and Night owl carbons.
It sounds sucked out. However, this problem can be largely ameliorated using equalization. Having done so, IMHO, the Nighthawk Carbon is a very pleasant
sounding headphone that with its excellent comfort, is good for hours of fatigue free listening. They are getting tougher to find these days.
Especially in nice shape. 
The NightHawk Carbon and NightOwl Carbon headphones do sound wonky. The frequency response curve and tonality requires the ears and brain to adjust to an altered normal. But what’s interesting about the headphones is that the wonky sound ends up making the NightHawk and NightOwl very good with binaural recordings. The headphones don’t sound quite as wonky when listening to binaural. The headphones almost sound normal when listening to binaural. It’s uncanny how well these headphones do binaural.
If you have a NightHawk or NightOwl find some good proper binaural recordings done using a binaural head microphone setup. Either music or field recordings. And enjoy what these headphones can do.
Here’s one binaural example recorded by Abyss:
