Best sounding closed-back headphone $500-$1,000 for a non-audiophile?

[Hatto]

But is there really a sound quality difference between 5 foot long cables to justify the extra $?

Hopefully I made the right choice.

Short answer: No

Long answer: No, there isn't a a sound quality difference between 5 foot long cables to justify the extra $

You made the right choice as long as the cable has decent build quality.

 

[PRL18]

Short answer: No

Long answer: No, there isn't a a sound quality difference between 5 foot long cables to justify the extra $

You made the right choice as long as the cable has decent build quality.

Hart Audio Cables has good reviews. Hopefully they live up to them. They also answered my questions

 

[leonasj]

one of the best sounding for that price is audeze LCD-2Closed back. i have them new in box for sale,- new 2021 model/. neutral sound. 690eur. shipping worldwide. Pm me. paypal for goods payment. selling ,as got stellia.

 

[PRL18]

Here are 2 pictures showing the difference between the original Audeze cable and the one I just bought to get it shorter and with a 3.5mm plug.

The Audeze seems to be better quality (I guess the you get what you pay for applies). The Audeze is the one with metal on the top vs the all plastic one. I wanted to ask if this may be a problem.

Also, the 3rd picture shows both plugs of the new cable. The red circe shows an extra piece the yellow doesn't have. Is it to differentiate the right from the left or is it actually missing?

How do I know which one is the right one? Normally would be a red tape added.

Thanks

 

[staticV3]

The Audeze is the one with metal on the top vs the all plastic one. I wanted to ask if this may be a problem.

No.

Also, the 3rd picture shows both plugs of the new cable. The red circe shows an extra piece the yellow doesn't have. Is it to differentiate the right from the left or is it actually missing?

It's usually used as a strain relief, which isn't really necessary for this application.
Whether the one that made this cable usually puts strain reliefs on both sides and just forgot one here, or whether they use a strain relief as a subtle channel marker, only they themselves can answer. No use asking on ASR.

How do I know which one is the right one?

Go to this website: https://www.audiocheck.net/audiotests_stereo.php
and play the Left/Right test tones on the Audeze.
If Left is Left and Right is Right, then the cable is plugged in the right way around. If not, then it's not.

Once you have it plugged in correctly, you can memorize which side has the strain relief and which doesn't.

 

[PRL18]

No.


It's usually used as a strain relief, which isn't really necessary for this application.
Whether the one that made this cable usually puts strain reliefs on both sides and just forgot one here, or whether they use a strain relief as a subtle channel marker, only they themselves can answer. No use asking on ASR.


Go to this website: https://www.audiocheck.net/audiotests_stereo.php
and play the Left/Right test tones on the Audeze.
If Left is Left and Right is Right, then the cable is plugged in the right way around. If not, then it's not.

Once you have it plugged in correctly, you can memorize which side has the strain relief and which doesn't.

Thanks a lot. I tested it. It seems the one with the red circle / strain relief was in fact the right channel.

 

[Deleted member 60987]

Hello,

I'm hoping I can get some help on choosing a nice pair of headphones.

First the disclosure: I'm not even close to being an audiophile. I hardly understand some terms as tight, controlled, fast response, muddy, decay, imaging, DAC, etc. without researching online. My best pair of earphones is a 1MORE Quad Driver In-Ear (there, I said it).

I wanted to buy a pair of wireless headphones that sounded amazing below $1,000. I almost went for the Focal Bathys until I read the Noise Canceling is always on and changing the battery will cost $200 once it dies. Now, I understand a wireless headphone will never sound as good as a wired one, or so I believe. Therefore, I changed my mind.

What I'm up to / looking for:

• I enjoy mostly jazz, classical and pop music
• Closed-back headphones, to avoid being annoyed by external noise or annoy others myself
• Comfortable
• Enjoy bass but no overpowering
• Can be plugged directly to a phone (iphone 11) or computer (apple mac pro 2015) without the need of any intermediate apparatus (DAC or whatever), unless a miniature DAC exists that is both good and inexpensive
• Ideally up to $500 but I'm willing to go up to $1,000 if there was a huge difference in sound quality
• And the most important: The best possible sound within my above price range, including detail, soundstage and as many of the best qualities as possible

Is there a pair of headphones that you would recommend to a non-audiophile that just wants to listen to the best possible sound without getting into the rabbit hole to learn everything about it?

I guess a more tricky question would be if there is such a thing as an indisputable winner in these categories (up to $500 & up to $1,000) that audiophiles agree on?

Thanks!!!

Hello,

I'm hoping I can get some help on choosing a nice pair of headphones.

First the disclosure: I'm not even close to being an audiophile. I hardly understand some terms as tight, controlled, fast response, muddy, decay, imaging, DAC, etc. without researching online. My best pair of earphones is a 1MORE Quad Driver In-Ear (there, I said it).

I wanted to buy a pair of wireless headphones that sounded amazing below $1,000. I almost went for the Focal Bathys until I read the Noise Canceling is always on and changing the battery will cost $200 once it dies. Now, I understand a wireless headphone will never sound as good as a wired one, or so I believe. Therefore, I changed my mind.

What I'm up to / looking for:

• I enjoy mostly jazz, classical and pop music
• Closed-back headphones, to avoid being annoyed by external noise or annoy others myself
• Comfortable
• Enjoy bass but no overpowering
• Can be plugged directly to a phone (iphone 11) or computer (apple mac pro 2015) without the need of any intermediate apparatus (DAC or whatever), unless a miniature DAC exists that is both good and inexpensive
• Ideally up to $500 but I'm willing to go up to $1,000 if there was a huge difference in sound quality
• And the most important: The best possible sound within my above price range, including detail, soundstage and as many of the best qualities as possible

Is there a pair of headphones that you would recommend to a non-audiophile that just wants to listen to the best possible sound without getting into the rabbit hole to learn everything about it?

I guess a more tricky question would be if there is such a thing as an indisputable winner in these categories (up to $500 & up to $1,000) that audiophiles agree on?

Thanks!!!

Depends what you like. I don't think you have to spend that much, but who can say? Here is a poll of over 2,000 headphones based on listening tests:

 

[solderdude]

They look 100 time's better and will last 5 times longer.
Regarding price;

Denon AH-D5200

Buy the Denon AH-D5200 at Wifimedia.eu | Free shipping to Benelux and Germany | Official Denon Dealer

www.wifimedia.eu

Denon AH-D5200 Over the Ear Headphones - Zebrawood for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Denon AH-D5200 Over the Ear Headphones - Zebrawood at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

or if you don't mind B stock

Denon AH-D5200 Reference Over Ear Headphones AHD5200 | Hyperfi

The new Denon AH-D5200 Reference Over Ear Headphones feature FreeEdge 50mm drivers that will cancel out unwanted resonances, and feature an ergonomic design that incorporates memory foam into the ear cup covers in order to provide you with a fatigue free listening experience.

www.hyperfi.co.uk

Didn't really answer my question about horrific highs.
Edit: and their rating is based upon deviation towards their flat bass curve not Harman or something in between.

Just reviewed the AH-D5200 (was sent in from Germany for a review)

AH-D5200

back to Denon back to measurements home Published: Nov-18-2023 NO SMOOTHING is applied to the shown plots. Most measurement sites have some smoothing applied which ‘irons flat’ sharp peaks and ‘wig…

diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com

 

[ZolaIII]

@solderdude very nice review and very high regards on the end of it.
Did you play with different pads?
As much as I heard Dekoni angular sheep skin ones would shave about 3 dB or little less from bass. So I think you would prefer them like that yourself. Best regards and thanks.

 

[solderdude]

I do not have those pads.
Might try some pads I have lying around.

 

[ZolaIII]

I do not have those pads.
Might try some pads I have lying around.

Denon AH-D5200 Discussion and Impressions

I've not had time to listen yet. Just quick measures. Stock t50rp pads from Mayflower, DGMP pads, then all 4. The DGMP pads I measured at a little...

www.superbestaudiofriends.org

Have fun!