Headphones we'd PERSONALLY buy - 2022 year end roundup
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- čas přidán 30. 12. 2022
- We gather the headphone show team together for a year-end roundup of headphones and audio gear we'd personally buy at various different price tags. These are not necessarily products we'd always recommend to everyone, but things that work well for our individual tastes and use cases.
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If you're wondering about some of the prices you see in this video, some of those are sale prices or what we've seen them at on occasion and not their regular MSRP.
A lot of IEMs/headphones go on sale fairly regularly even if you might have to wait a couple months, so it makes sense to use “regular” sales price over MSRP. IEM/headphones aren’t as bad as speakers with MSRP being inflated to account for going on sale a few times over the year but there are still a lot that go on sale often enough to make buying at MSRP a bad idea.
The dream Camry, was that a standard model or a hybrid?
Was wondering, because I have been waiting for a deal on a Sundara and haven’t seen it go below $299 in 2 years
The HeKV2 with the new Stealth magnets is meant to be fixed at $2K as far as I can tell - not a sale price. So pretty damn crazy value that I think attention should be drawn to. The $2K segment for just buying headphones is pretty empty.
@Fisher Man it is definitely my next purchase. I am powering a set of Modhouse Argon mkiii’s off a THX 789 and I want to get a good set of open back headphones to contrast the darker sound of the Argon’s (especially for gaming). I had been thinking about the Focal Elex, but the new version of the Sundara seems like an insane value. My best open back headphones I had before were Audio Technica ATH-AD500X’s
Headphone Show picks:
$200
Moondrop KXXS
Sennheiser HD560S
Moondrop Kato
Qudelix-5K + Truthear Hexa
$500
Sennheiser HD6XX + Little Dot MKii
HiFiMan Sundara + Atom DAC + Atom amp
Moondrop x Crinacle Blessing2:Dusk
HiFiMan Edition XS
Sennheiser HD600 + Atom DAC + Atom amp
$1000
Audeze LCD-2 Classic + Atom DAC + Atom amp
Meze 109 PRO
Symphonium Helios
Audeze LCD-2F (2021)
$2000
ZMF Caldera $3500
RAAL-Requisite SR1a $3500
Focal Clear + Darkvoice 336SE + Audio-GD NFB-11
Sennheiser HD800S
64 Audio - U12t
HiFiMan HE1000 V2
Infinite
Blah blah blah
Thank you!
Was looking for this comment. You rock!
Which of the headphones listed here would be the most comfortable to wear for long sessions?
@@wetalkinb0utpractice HD6XX are incredibly comfy imo, at the higher price point I think the Meze 109's are
@@TheSyntheticSnake thanks! Might just have to pull the trigger on the 109's
I love these long group discussions, you guys are awesome with a ton of good info for someone starting out in this hobby. Thank you!
This was an awesome discussion! Thanks for all the awesome content and I hope all you have a happy New Year!
Great video! I've just gotten into true HiFi and I'd love to see more like this. All of your perspectives were awesome to listen to, the quality of advice in amongst these scenarios was dare I say it.. Dynamic and generally just enjoyed the cohesion you all have as a group. Thanks for uploading this, it was a lovely video.
Thanks guys! Your collective wisdom is always welcome. Best wishes for 2023👍🏻
I've been to the top of the Mountain with stuff like Susvara, HE1000se, Chord Hugo TT2 & M-Scaler etc... and quickly ran back down the mountain to the Mid Hifi Range. I've become a firm believer in Diminishing Returns similar to Chrono's opinion. I've settled in with a stabilized Auteur Classic, RAD-0, HE6se V2 and Ananda Stealth Magnet and no longer have the itch or care about HP's over $2K. You guys need to do more of these Fireside chats. Happy and Healthy New Year to All!!
Ananda sounds as good as the Arya in most cases. Probably the best headphones under $750USD/$1000CAD
@@StoneColdClassics u have 2 hear my tuned Sundara 2020 ..Space and Bass
i work with my stellias due 2 the detail (u can c the sound)
but the Sundaras are like entering the Berghain / Tresor
i use bass boost on my IFI's and put some cloth between driver and (custom BIG) earPads
@@StoneColdClassics I've heard pretty much every Hifiman headphone now from the Susvara on down. I really prefer the Stealth Magnet versions over the OG versions. Maybe it's because my music genre's are more Hard Rock type stuff. But after having the Ananda SM a few days going back and forth with my HEKse... I was satisfied enough with the Ananda SM giving me a lot of what the TOTL Hifiman are doing and I sold the HEKse. Maybe if I was more into Classical/Orchestral type music I'd have stuck with the HEKse. It could get a little hot in the treble with Rock and Metal genre's. For my personal music tastes I prefer the Ananda SM which is a great all rounder with surprisingly nice Bass compared to the OG Ananda. I'd say the Ananda SM is a benchmark under $1K. I'd also say the HE6se V2 is a benchmark under $1k if you can get the sale price and can amp it properly. Think I got mine new from Adorama for like $425. Total steal and another HP that can give you that Hifiman Family tree sound without spending a fortune on the TOTL Hifiman HP's. I'm totally all about the diminishing returns now. It's not worth paying thousands more for a HP or Gear to get maybe 10-15% better sound quality. I'd rather spend $2-$3K on a new Electric Guitar where there is an obvious difference once you jump up in price
"Mid-fi" and "Auteur Classic" in the same sentence lmao
Danggg nice cans
Very entertaining, gents. Thanks for all the content this year. Happy new year!
I bought the Sundara with the Atom stack based on these guys reviews a couple of years ago and I've loved them. Loved this discussion. Shows the amazing range of audio gear available to us these days. Great video!
Still love it?
It's impressive that you were able to make a 30-minute video ostensibly about "headphones" that is interesting, informative, and fun.
Great video. I'd love to see one with your personal favorites for different music genres, like: classical, jazz, punk, rock, ...
You guys helped me alot in making my purchases this year. Happy new year!
HD650s and Apple AirPods Pros with Mojo 2 and Poly are superb sounding... I'm still getting used to fine-tuning the Mojo 2 as I have only had it for two days. Great review, guys.
omg I just fell in love with all of these guys' voices!! Especially Andrew's!!
Great stuff.Im listening on my new HD 560s .Just sent my DT990 Pros hoping nobody going to mention these to assure me I've made the right decision to get 560s instead.On top of great content you do , you all seem genuinely good collegues and it's so enjoyable to watch too.
Happy New Year from Australia. 2023 feels very similar to 2022.
Thanks Much! and Happy New Year!
What a great, thoughtful, articulate conversation. Thank you so much. Educational and entertaining. Happy New Year!
Great review, very honest.
In many areas I still enjoy my Senns. HD800s or HD820 much more than other $6,000 headphones.
The improvement in the expensive ones is not absolute.
So I prefer to use the extra money on another trip to Europe with my wife and visit new cities.
I don't know, man. They have ultra cool soundstage , but otherwise they're meh
It would be cool to see a comparison video on which headphone, headphone dacs and amps are the best for a particular music genre. For example, as far as I've found out, Area Stealth excels in jazz and soundtracks since it has wide soundstage and great sub-bass; On the other hand, vocals from indie and pop music sound clear and warm on HD6XX (especially, paired with a tube amps, although I haven't tried a tube amp myself yet). I don't like much RAP, Hard Rock and Metal music. So, I wonder, which headphones and headphone systems would I rather avoid?
I love my Focals but they are heavy so they don't sit on my head for long periods of time. The HD600 is a timeless classic that gets more time on my head than perhaps it deserves, but for my head shape they are by far the most comfortable. I love all of my Beyer headphones as well, especially the 1990's but they are also a bit heavy so long sessions I feel like I am pushing them farther past my comfort. Currently I am pad rolling the new ThieAudio Ghosts and they are getting more and more impressive as I go through the huge box of pads that I own. Currently I am liking them with the Dekoni fenestrated sheep skins, they don't fit perfect as they were meant for the Beyers, but they make the headphones sound great, and make the soundstage enormous.
Delightful dialogue!
Maggie’s ☑️
Quiet car for audio ☑️
Discussion and tangents ☑️
Tune amp like Valhalla 2 for Sen hd650 or ZMF Auteur Blackwoods ☑️ (mine)
Really liked this video and all input!
For a car, I’ve thought some kef 6.5 inch home coax speakers in custom enclosure s could be very good!
I got an ALO Studio Six headphone amp and the HE-1000 6 or 7 years ago. I am still listening with them. Of course the cost was less back then. I just enjoy the sound of the tube amp through those headphones.
Man, for below $200, Qudelix 5k was a genious answer by Resolve! That and any of the excellent budget IEMs currently in the market is pretty much all I need to be happy enough with.
The Qudelix is absolutely the best DAC/amp for the price.
where u buy qudelix at? over here the price is like $220
@@suwandicahyadi9213 get btr5 2021
@@semirrahge what difference does an amp make if its not adding extra power to your signal?
@@profound369 better bt codec support, built in variable EQ, can be lower noise and bypass ground loop issues
Nice video, I'm currently trying to decide between the $1K-$2K range myself
Great to hear all the reviewers and preferences at different prices and the reasons why. Have a great New Year.
I used to wear a lot of iem’s and I can totally agree that they change the shape of your ear with time. I used to have trouble getting iems to stay in my ears for over 2 hours and now all of them stay in my ears for a much larger amount of time.
And that's not good for general hearing lol
@@SupportNoob I just meant in terms of comfort. Just because I wear headphones/iems all day doesn’t mean I’m playing my audio too loud. Moderate/quiet listening levels is fine for all day listening
I got the Arya Stealths during September last year, and they are perfect for me. They excel in any music genre I throw at them, they have fantastic dynamics and speed, great soundstage and imaging and overall an extremely balanced timbre and tonality.
Tried the Sennheiser HD 800S and 660S today, and those confirmed how much I love the Aryas. Great headphones, but the Aryas tick all the boxes for me.
Love this, would be great if you told us your music preferences too, thanks guys
Great video, as always, guys! …and Happy New Years to you all and everyone here! 🎉🎊🥂✨ (…and yes HD600! 😆)
is hd 600 a great headphone ? im a newbie in headphone and people seem to jokes about it too much. And what about hd 600 In comparison to hifiman xs and sundara?
I came for the HD 600 jokes and i was not disappointed
is hd 600 a great headphone ? im a newbie in headphone and plan to buy hd 600. And what about hd 600 In comparison to hifiman xs and sundara?
@@andikawidianto9060 The HD 600 is a legend in this hobby.
The hd600 may be the greatest headphone created making it a reference point for what you might want later… I use the jds labs atom+ heavy… gain pressed… around 1 o’clock… and it’s good for gaming music and movies… lacks stage but great sound separation and imaging
@@KennyRaini need a new headset whats good for ASMR and gaming?
@@Reaperherpderp price range and budget is kind of everything… you can get the shp9600 with inline mike for around 80 bux… 32 ohm impedance, they get really loud without an amp… and the sound stage is pretty good
If money were no object, I'd plan my music listen a month in advance and fly in the artists for a live performance.
If money were no object,And the artist pay you for?
And now for the final (I think) comment and perhaps the only serious one, I'd love to see you guys also pick 5 albums. Like the 5 albums to take to a desert island
If you're looking for a TWS setup then easily the UTWS5 MMCX version and grabbing a 20-30 dollar MMCX to 2pin connector is the best investment under 200. Just add a Salnotes Zero for another $20 ish and you've got a solid TWS with room to upgrade in the future.
The reason for the MMCX to 2pin is because the standard 2pin UTWS5 has issues inserting as deep as you want in some IEMs like Moondrops that have recessed ports. The MMCX to 2pin adapter (the majority of highly rated ones) can fit in those recessed ports but the base UTWS5 is slightly too short and can be a bit finnicky. It still works, but just not as secure as you'd want it. Plus you get the bonus of being able to spin/turn it for a better fit. Just make sure to get the mini size of the adapter to reduce the amount of length you're adding.
Audeze MM 500 and Thieaudio Oracle MKII and Chord Mojo 2 are perfect for me! Don’t plan on needing to upgrade any time soon
If I had 50k to spend only on headphones, I would get the TOTL from multiple companies. LCD-5, Meze Elite, Focal Utopia and Stellia, HD800, DCA Stealth, MDR-Z1R, ZMF Caldera, Fostex TH-900, Hifiman Susvara, Stax SR-X9000, etc. That way I would have many different form factors and sound signatures, and lots of backups if anything breaks. I would get an Astell & Kern CA1000 to power them and store my music.
It's really a frustrating and somewhat expensive journey choosing the HP that's right for you (or me) I must admit that I have purchased HP's in the past based on the recommendation of reviewers, some very expensive ones, and hated them. I have had a LOT of HP's and recently got rid of all but 3 pairs which I use all the time and surprisingly, some of the 'high end' HP's didn't make the cut.
I kept my 13yo HD650's, my Focal Clear & the Sennheiser Momemtum 4's.
The Focal Clear paired with my Burson Conductor 3 Reference solid state amp sounds really good to me.
Happy New Year fellas. Timeless 7Hz in the $200 price point is the winner for me. 😉👊💯🎼🎉✨
Kinda into the money no object, I went with the DCA Stealth and it basically killed my interest for other headphones, I just keep watching because I wanna try other flavors but I'm so satisfied with it, that's basically my "buy it for life" choice.
What it gives is a super competent performance with basically total adherence to the Harman target and being closed, it helps me focus more into the sound when I need to.
Then just because the Harman target itself isn't quite perfection but a really good starting point, I got a RME ADI-2 Pro (not DAC, I need those inputs) and EQ a bit of the ear gain region for my personal point of neutrality. Haven't heard much better than that and it all comes with some compromises.
ready for the 2023 round up now
Metal 571: Best Wishes For 2023! 👍🏼
Yesss Andrew is wearing the Momentum 4. I love them
Great video. I went for qudelix and blessings 2 normal version. What would you recommend in the 500-700 $ in ear market as a side step, a different signature?
Currently running HD 560S and Schitt Magni+ coming in 2 days. Even powered through my UMC22 Behringer the HD 560S sound very crisp. I have thrown an EQ at it through Sonar and it sounds way better than stock.
hd560s + oratory eq + amp sounds pretty good
@@SileDevil Good on a budget for sure. Not a fan of extra settings and softwares, prefer to run everything au natural. Ended up with Edition XS and the same Magni+ Amp/Dac combo. It's nasty!!!
I've been looking for the best gaming headphones that match very well with enjoying all kinds of music. So I need something with "surround sound" or as far as over-ear headphones can manage, but it also has a very good balance for listening to music; anything from Classical to EDM.
You guys were so close at the end to mentioning a car with Focals and you did! I'll just point out, the best choice would be a Lexus as they are designed to be the quietest on the road (double-paned glass, sound deadening foam throughout the cabin and even sound treatment in the wheel wells to reduce road noise). You can get a used ES or LS sedan for under 30k, and would still be as easy to maintain as a Camry :)
Nice video but I think $200 for 'budget' section is very high, I have a few flagships but I still love my AKG K240II's and they are like $50's, also IEM's, Apple dongle and some Aria's, could easily be someones end game. My brother came down for Christmas and he is only used to regular gaming headphones and cheap true buds, he listened to my BLON bl05s, again, $50's, they blew him away, there is sooo much good audio out there for around $50 and under these days, my go to first headphone recommendation for a lot of people is still the Koss Porta Pro, that thing paired with a CD walkman back in the day was audio nirvana!
thanks all, for the great reviewing. can i lean on your expertise for a second and ask a question?… I’m considering the HD650s for extended in-headphones practice sessions. can you tell me if a pro-level digital piano headphone output will be sufficient to drive them? thanks again, great channel.
Under $200...for me I am very happy with a set of the Shuoer S12's paired with KZ AZ09 Pro BT5.2 earhooks (in Power Mode). Price...about $140 for the S12's plus another $30 (AliEx sale price) for the earhooks. Great for home AND office. No ANC...but decent sound isolation, clear call quality (CVC), and convenience (wireless, TWS+). Comfortable to wear for hours with decent battery life (5.5 hrs in Power Mode for the earhooks + 42 hours with the case).
I watched several of your videos prior to making my choice. Beyer DT770 Pro 80 0hm. I tried the Rode NTH 100 which sound great... but I could easily understand the sad coments on the very poor build quality of the plastic adjustment button which often breaks, rendering the 150 euro headphones useless. The AKG K371 were very nice and light... but the Beyer pleased me more.
Thank you all for your excellent videos which were essential to "widdle down" a short list of 3 to 5 candidates.
My only issue with the beyer is the nondetachable cable
Wonderful chat! Which IEM mentioned has the best soundstage ie width and depth?
We need an updated version 👏🏼
let's say you are listening to media mostly on the go, played from an android smartphone via a bluetooth dac/amp like Shanling UP4. Given those limitations, which IEMs make sense to buy still? Does it make sense getting things better/more expensive than the Moondrop Aria and will you be able to hear it with the given limitations?
I will add one thing is that one of the reasons headphone selection can be so different to different people is that each person their ears actually hear the different frequencies at different levels and it is not the same for everybody.
Add in the individuals age and even hearing damage from being subjected to repeated loud noises can amplify these differences to the point one person may say that a certain headphone is too bright with the treble presentation a person with a certain amount of hearing loss or degrading in that frequency range may consider the treble that the other person said was too forward or bright that this person may find such to blend more naturally with their personal needs for hearing those frequencies.
I have many times wondered if the sound engineers designing some models actually take into account say an older users hearing will not be as sharp as say a younger person that has not absorbed years of damage from loud noises when they design the sound curve on some models.
What an enjoyable video. Thank you so much. I have the HD 600 and HD 650 and I agree with the statements made. But, I also have an Ananda, and that is probably my number one go to open back headphone.
Oh, I also use the AirPod Pro 2 and Sennheiser momentum three for on the go listening
Do you prefer the hd600 or the hd650 ?
@@mateokll The 600 most of the time, but sometimes I prefer the 650 for its darker richer sound, it works great with 70s soul.
You guys should do a similar video but for specific purposes; noise canceling, working at the office (all day comfort?), detail chasing, chillaxing, gaming, etc
Interesting to see the personal preference differences. Almost no one said anything I would, but still most of these people review the same stuff very similarly to how I would. Nice food for thought.
I just bought the Focal Radiance on sale and quite enjoying them with my JDS DAC and Valhalla 2 - however not much in it apart from some clarity and Closed compared to my DT1990
I sold all my expensive headphones and AMP(/DAC) combo’s and bought instead my first Focal: Elegia for less then 400€ incl. taxes. What a tank! It is -to my surprise- not entirely closed back because it has vents. But I hear nothing once the music is on and vice versa. It plays loud enough on my Apple M1 laptop and far better on my Qudelix. What’s left is cheaper stuff that is really nice to use for certain genres. Tygr. DT 880. Dekoni blue on speaker amp. So diminishing returns: totally agree.
Very interesting talk!!!! :) I´m a studio engineer that does mostly mixing, and mastering. My studio monitors consist of Genelec 1029A´s, Presonus Eris 8´s, and my recently purchased Focal Shape Twins. My headphone collection consists of my Sennheiser HD-580´s, Beyer Dynamic DT-880 Pro´s, Ultrasound Pro 900´s, and Sennheiser HD-25´s. I mostly use my Sennheiser HD-580´s for mixing, and mastering, because of their almost totally flat response. I´ve been thinking of buying a pair of new headphones, and was thinking about the Neumann NDH-30, the Beyer Dynamic DT-1990 Pro, or maybe the Audeze MM-100, or Audeze MM-500. But, I´ve watched lots of headphone talks, and reviews lately, and somehow the Sennheiser HD-600 keep being mentioned. I love my HD-580´s, which unfortunately aren´t in production anymore. The HD-600´s were the successor to the HD-580´s. After watching 100´s of talks and reviews, I´m seriously thinking about buying the HD-600´s.
Happy new year you guys :)
Interesting discussion. This year I found my personal (current) endgame - Focal Clear MG with RME adi-2 dac fs. I left LCD-2f as a backup 🙃
Agreed, the Adi-2 is a fantastically versatile device, if you learn how to use it. It really helped me explore what kind of tunings I like and what frequencies I am sensitive to.
I keep hearing the the summit fi level dacs have better imaging and oval shaped soundstages around the head but find myself doubting it, the ADI-2 seems like ovverkill even for endgame but I love it nonetheless
How much mg is better than og clear?
i've got a V60 T8 with the harmon kardon system on order, cause i'm too poor to go top trim with the bowers and wilkins... but yeah. cars are an easily overlooked place where u've got a built in surround sound system. and if u go EV/PHEV, ur dropping the engine noise substantially, though that amplifies your attention towards road noise and other nvh...
A little bit curious that no one mentioned the 58X. They actually have a lot of qualities that make them a great value. I think that the 58X along with the German Maestro GMP 8.35 D Mobile make for a great open/closed budget combo.
$50,000???😮
First thing I’m getting is a maxed out Blue Hawaii. A top of the line ribbon headphone would be next. That’d leave a lot left over so…..🤔
I own the HD 560S coupled with a Zen Dac V1 and it's out-fcukin-standing for me. I love this headphone.
I have the LCD2f from 2015, and I was thinking of selling them and getting the X, but now I am not so sure lol
The only thing that annoys me with the 2f is people saying, "EQ them and they are way better" but every time I use the 2f (2015-2019) EQ settings I find online, it does not improve them. To me, it's easy to hear how much it drains them of life.
I really like the budget shout since most reviews are kilobuck tier. I am more curious about how this video was filmed however.
This panel sharing and clear video footage in a conversation format could be useful for people recording at a work forum. How did record this? Most recorded video forums have horrible SQ and video quality.
I’m very curious as to what DMS thinks about the lcd-x 2021. And compared to an lcd2c and others at a similar price range.
Hey guys. Very entertaining and informative video.
I have a question for anyone out there..
Is a rating of 1v-2.5v and a range of 50mw to 100mw good to run 300ohm headphones out of this receiver? or are the 6xx 333ohm like that headphone calculator says it is?
Basically, Is this a decent amount of power from my receiver to run the Sennheiser 6xx that I'm buying? And the Hifiman Sundara's (2020) that I just ordered also..
I was listening to this highly interesting discussion with a very cold bottle of coke… cool down my senses and bring my sanity back to the ground. 😁😁😁 you guys are fun and interesting to watch.
Funny to see this and quite interesting although as a professional session musician here in Europe for the last 45+ years and played on more than 10 thousand records the Beyer Dynamic headphones still are the most used and popular especially for the price and listening is always going to be personal but interesting to see you young guys explore all the different choices and price but the real sound is in the ears themselves..
Great info .. fun. Thanks
I just grabbed the AKG N5005 on sale for $199. I found very little info out there in terms of reviews or just people talking about them at all so its a bit of a gamble.
So I just completed my system, Ananda(non stealth $477 open box) Xduoo MT-604(upgraded tubes) and the SMSL SU-6s(from Drop $180), so around $1,000 with cables and tubes. I love it. Open, airy, detailed, seemingly appropriate bass. I don’t have a lot to compare to. If I were to jump up to around $2,500, keeping that same sound signature, what would be my next recommended set up? There is a good chance I will have that to spend later this year. Happy New Year!!!
Bro really spent a kidney of headphones and asked what is more expensive
@@Time-Travelling-Lesbian To each their own. I have actually had a few good months and kept the Anandas and upgraded everything else. The Anandas revealed that I love all the upgrades. Since the next step to upgrade from the Anandas is going to cost double or maybe triple the cost, it could be sometime down the road. I never tried the Anandas using the Apple dongle yet. Will try it tomorrow. I don’t pay much attention to measurements. While the Anandas are the most expensive headphone I have listened to, I just really care bout how much joy I get when I listen. I am not an audiophile, just a music lover. Except for a couple of cheaper headphones I have tried, every upgrade has increased my listening joy. I hope you continue to enjoy the hobby and whatever equipment you have.
@@davdidit6 I was a little insensitive in my original comment, but all that matters is you enjoy what you do and listen to.
@@Time-Travelling-Lesbian please believe when I say that I did not take your comment as insensitive. I also hope my reply did not seem biting or passive aggressive in return. As I got into the headphone hobby, doing my own research to find what I liked best, I came across a lot of people, with lots of different opinions. Like I said, I just love music and I just have been searching for the best way I can financially afford to get the most enjoyment out of it. What I like can be the total opposite of some one else’s and we both can still be happy. I do really appreciate what you said. I am going to try out the Anandas with the Apple dongle. I do sincerely hope that you enjoy what you have.
Be interested on your thoughts: across all headphones, at what price point do you get the best bang for your buck? Many thanks.
Great, like kids dreaming in candyshop… perfect Happy New Year❗️❤️🙋♂️🤘
I'd get HD800S too. Very happy with Arya Stealth but more soundstage wouldn't hurt. For impactful and energizing sound i would probably get dynamic Focal or highly praised HE6se v2 as a complementary headphone. I guess the Arya Stealth is middle ground between hd800s and he6se v2. It's quite dynamic, vivid, relatively good impact and spacious. What i don't like about egg shape headphones in general is that their imaging is kinda confusing maybe because of my headshape. They have extremely good separation but images aren't spread out if that makes sense. Also the dynamics kinda soft. Can't get that tactility in the midbass although sub bass can be big.
hd800s with a tube amp is superb though , no more lack of a tick good bass
. Just a completely different headphone
Sundara and Edition XS paired with the JDS Elements III has honestly left me wanting very little. So I highlt agree with the Sundara + Atom Stack for the $500 budget.
i just bought the Sundara to go with my RU6. i also have the Meze 99, great for games movies but the rock and instrumental music i like its a bit muddy. how do you like the Sundara? im looking for clear natural sound
As a city apartment dweller and public transit commuter, I do find that I enjoy closed backs more often than opens, not because they sound better, but because they're better at preventing my environment from ruining my music. Because of this, despite not being the best sounding variety of 'phone, if I could only own one pair, it'd be an ANC model. The best sounding headphones I've ever heard are open backs, but my environment negates their beauty.
I guess a LCD XC is your endgame then
anyone who finds moondrop s8 shouty I would like to recommend pairing it with a warm source. I am using it with PAW s2 and when I compare it with Tr Amp let me tell you its a night and day difference. Yes you lose some (compared to TR-amp which is very clean and detailed) of those details but PAW s2 adds life to music. Definitely this combo takes the edge off the S8 but the treble still sparkles and added weight to bass really makes it worth it.
Appreciate 2 "best" intermediate headphones for average drummers. Wanting to get a set. Thanks.
For me I love the HD-8XX with EQ.
I have had a pair of akg k712 pros for a long time and they have been great for the price. had a pair of audeze lcd-2 which i dold as i found i was using the akg's more mainly because they are so much more comfortable. looking for a high end headphone again though probably will stay away from audeze this time as they broke twice in my short time of owning them
HD600 for me regardless of budget because it’s just so damn comfy and natural sounding.
Aloha~ from Hawaii🏖
Regardless of today's content, I have a product that needs your opinion.
I'm thinking of purchasing Unique Melody Maven Pro, but I'd like to hear your honest opinion before purchasing.
Thanks in advance👍
I'd go with:
$200 and under - Senn HD6XX
$500 - Dan Clark Aeon X Closed
$1000 - Hifiman Arya Stealth
$2000 - Hifiman HE1000SE
$2000+ - Stax X9000
In the $500-ish bracket, allowing for sale prices, e.g., on Black Friday, you could snag a new Focal Elex for $549 (MSRP is currently $749). You'd be hard-pressed to find a better value, aside from the used/refurb market.
What do you guys think of the hd58x? I've been running that with a GSX 1000 for a few years and wondering what is the next good upgrade?
To me what is more interesting is for you guys that have access to all these headphones, which ones do you actually choose to listen to most often? For example, you have access to Focal Utopia headphones - do you ever use them? If not, that to me says why would I ever spend that much on them?
The same discussion would be good for headphone amps and DAC's
I am new here, and curious to know what would be recommended for commuting? Noise canceling is a needed feature, it's been tough with background noises on the train especially.
Which one should i get the HD 560s or Beyer 770 pro? I really can't decide, i was thinking about the 770 because i could maybe listen to them in louder environments, but idk..
Hey! You did this talk. It was talked about during the streams.
Next do 1-on-1 arguing about some headphone, listen to it together and see if you can change anyones opinion in some way. An audionerd cage fight so to speak.
Ears and noses never stop growing. A keen reason to stick with universal fit IEMs
What do folks like for an all-rounder closed back mixing and mastering headphones? Monitoring and daily desk use not important.
What do you think about Sundara and Topping DX3Pro+ combo below 500?
I've been wondering.. How much different would the littledot mk2 be in comparison to the Xduoo TA-26? I always fear to miss the 6XX's full potential, despite having a tube rolled amp and all that.
An amp has two functions:
1. To provide enough power to drive your headphones
2. be as neutral as possible
If an amp is changing the sound of your music... well it's a bad one.
I have a focal clear og and a lcdx 2021, the only thing I have to power them is a chord mojo 2, im thinking about getting the og utopia since it is now 1000 dollars off, but I'm not sure if the mojo 2 would be good enough for the og utopia
The high end market just seams to be throwing in more drivers, nicer shell and cables. But even modular the cables having been getting cheaper in better.
Give me an HD 800 S, Grado GS 3000 X. McIntosh HhA200. I'd be abesolutely stoked by it.
If I wanted to go one step further on something I never heard before but more than likely love to bits, probably the Suvara and Feliks Audio Envy. But I love the Soundstage on the HD 800 S so much, I kinda have to have that as part of the collection too.