Best open-back headphones < 800 USD

[Ole_S]

Hi Guys,

I thought it might be interesting and helpful for many users in here to have a thread on this topic, since many people buy headphones in this price range.

• HifiMan Edition XS
• Hifiman Sundara 2020
• Hifiman Ananda
• Sennheiser HD650
• Sennheiser HD660S2
• Audeze LCD2-classic
• Meze Audio 109 pro

You are very welcome to give reasons for your choices.

If I am missing any headphones, please let me know.
Then I will add it.


Hope you will participate

Thanks in advance.
Ole S

 

[Jimbob54]

Do you mean the edition X or the edition XS?

 

[Ole_S]

XS.
I will make the change.

Thank you

 

[solderdude]

Hi Guys,

I thought it might be interesting and helpful for many users in here to have a thread on this topic, since many people buy headphones in this price range.

• HifiMan Edition XS
• Hifiman Sundara 2020
• Hifiman Ananda
• Sennheiser HD650
• Sennheiser HD660S2
• Audeze LCD2-classic
• Meze Audio 109 pro

You are very welcome to give reasons for your choices.

If I am missing any headphones, please let me know.
Then I will add it.

There is no 'best' headphone. There are many good ones even well below and above the mentioned ones.

The mentioned ones all have desirable and less desirable attributes.
Which one will suit you best depends on what aspects you value the most.
So... there will be many different recommendations by various users for all mentioned and not mentioned headphones simply because owners liked them.

Build quality
Tone without EQ
Ability to 'take' EQ
Power rating, sensitivity, amplifier/source
How loud you need it to go
Price (budget)
Availability
Comfort
Longevity/support/availability of parts (pads, headband)
Connectivity (BT, wired, connector types)
use case (studio, home, portable, outdoor, NC)

 

[Ole_S]

There is no 'best' headphone. There are many good ones even well below and above the mentioned ones.

The mentioned ones all have desirable and less desirable attributes.
Which one will suit you best depends on what aspects you value the most.
So... there will be many different recommendations by various users for all mentioned and not mentioned headphones simply because owners liked them.

Build quality
Tone without EQ
Ability to 'take' EQ
Power rating, sensitivity, amplifier/source
How loud you need it to go
Price (budget)
Availability
Comfort
Longevity/support/availability of parts (pads, headband)
Connectivity (BT, wired, connector types)
use case (studio, home, portable, outdoor, NC)

That is why I wrote:

"You are very welcome to give reasons for your choices."

 

[solderdude]

But will this answer the question you posed:

Best open-back headphones < 800 USD​

or will you just get a bunch of reasoning (measurements) or personal experiences from users ?

Help Choosing Open Backed Critical Listening Headphones.

Hello. It's me again, with some more idiot questions. I've got a CCA (soon to be replaced with Moode on a Pi Zero 2W, for EQ purposes) feeding a DX3Pro+. I currently have AKG K371, Sennheiser HD569, and a pair of HD58X Jubilee arrived yesterday. The only thing they all have in common is that...

www.audiosciencereview.com

which headphones do you recommend?

I have the hd 600 and the fidelio x2hr to have a different type of sound which headphones do you recommend?

www.audiosciencereview.com

Open back that measures Harman? Suggestions ??

Open back that measures Harman? Suggestions ?? Waiting still for an open back that measures the Harman target besides the Dan Clark expanse because in my testing those sounded awful, something like the new Sony mdr mv1 which’s release is in may looks promising or the new fiio ft3 which also...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Need help on best headphone around $500($750 CAD) / complete system around $700($1000 CAD)

Hi everyone, I'm new to being audiophile but have been enjoying listening to music for a long time. So far I've actively and knowingly decided against going the audiophile route as it seems the destination is losing all interest in music and just arguing over different parts. But from what...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Jimbob54]

I will give you a tip. If you currently own the sundara (think you do) then the only question that matters is, can any other headphone below 800 do something the sundara can't?

They will all sound different stock, with eq you could get them all to sound a lot more similar. The sundara are a great all rounder. If you find them comfortable and can get a decent seal then I'd suggest no need to upgrade /sidegrade.

 

[bodhi]

I will give you a tip. If you currently own the sundara (think you do) then the only question that matters is, can any other headphone below 800 do something the sundara can't?

+1

Sidegrading leaves a sour taste. At first, right after the purchase, you feel it made sense. Then after a while you start to wonder if you are fooling yourself. Couple more weeks and you can't be bothered switching any more and either one of the headphones goes to storage with other sidegrades. Couple more years and you have boxes full of sidegrades with combined price of one good actual upgrade. Talking about a guy I know, not myself of course.

 

[Jimbob54]

+1

Sidegrading leaves a sour taste. At first, right after the purchase, you feel it made sense. Then after a while you start to wonder if you are fooling yourself. Couple more weeks and you can't be bothered switching any more and either one of the headphones goes to storage with other sidegrades. Couple more years and you have boxes full of sidegrades with combined price of one good actual upgrade. Talking about a guy I know, not myself of course.

I tend to find the ones that are most comfortable end up "sounding" best. Whether thats because they get more use therefore more brain burn in or whether our brains conflate comfort with listening enjoyment or whatever, same end result- things staying in boxes/ cupboards.

 

[Ole_S]

I have just been offered a pair of almost new Ananda for 469 EUR

 

[solderdude]

A newer model (cheaper as well) of the Ananda is available. That may be the reason.
The headband of the Ananda is more comfy than the XS for larger heads.

Good headphone. Not much better than Sundara but different. Very different size drivers and comfort.

 

[Ole_S]

A newer model (cheaper as well) of the Ananda is available. That may be the reason.
The headband of the Ananda is more comfy than the XS for larger heads.

Good headphone. Not much better than Sundara but different. Very different size drivers and comfort.

Please send a link to the new version? I have not heard of that.

And how do you know that it s not the newer mode I have been offered?

 

[ferrellms]

Hi Guys,

I thought it might be interesting and helpful for many users in here to have a thread on this topic, since many people buy headphones in this price range.

• HifiMan Edition XS
• Hifiman Sundara 2020
• Hifiman Ananda
• Sennheiser HD650
• Sennheiser HD660S2
• Audeze LCD2-classic
• Meze Audio 109 pro

You are very welcome to give reasons for your choices.

If I am missing any headphones, please let me know.
Then I will add it.


Hope you will participate

Thanks in advance.
Ole S

Shure SRH1840 have been reviewed in SOS (the pro audio engineering rag) as among the best available for monitoring (accuracy). I have only heard the HD650 of those above - to me the SRH sounds about the same, ie amazing detail and smoothness and great, but with more extended bass response. They are comfortable without a lot of weight.

 

[Ole_S]

Shure SRH1840 have been reviewed in SOS (the pro audio engineering rag) as among the best available for monitoring (accuracy). I have only heard the HD650 of those above - to me the SRH sounds about the same, ie amazing detail and smoothness and great, but with more extended bass response. They are comfortable without a lot of weight.

Thanks for your input

 

[solderdude]

Please send a link to the new version? I have not heard of that.

And how do you know that it s not the newer mode I have been offered?

HiFiMAN's ANANDA NANO Open-Back Headphones Feature Nanometer Thin Diaphragm: High-End Munich 2023

The long-awaited ANANDA NANO update features trickle-down technology including a nanometer thick diaphragm based on the reference SUSVARA headphones. Are they better than the Edition XS? We're going to find out soon enough.

www.ecoustics.com

Shure SRH1840

 

[bodhi]

I tend to find the ones that are most comfortable end up "sounding" best. Whether thats because they get more use therefore more brain burn in or whether our brains conflate comfort with listening enjoyment or whatever, same end result- things staying in boxes/ cupboards.

I agree that the feel is major contributor. Not exactly comfort as I really think that my HD600s are the most comfortable ones, you really don't feel them on your head that much. But still my favorite feel is with the LCD-X: the weight and cool, soft leather pads immediately put you into "now we are getting serious"-state for critical listening. That is still the best headphone I have and I'm pretty sure it's not the sound.