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Closed headphones below 500

Well since we're talking about closed back headphones under 500 what about AKG? K553 MKII
 
Yep... or... Delivery At Place

10db said:
Well since we're talking about closed back headphones under 500 what about AKG? K553 MKII
Click to expand...
Definitely a contender, so is AA Hi-X60
 
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dunno... heard a few U.S. models and some of them are really grating on the ears, despite the huge bass some have, especially the edition versions. (not all U.S. are sharp sounding though)
 
@solderdude How is sound-stage and imaging HD620S vs FT1. Which of those gonna be closer to HD560S in performance for Gaming. Want something in closed back which is good for gaming and also has long term reliability unlike Maxwell. Looking for wired headphones. Not wireless.
 
KING DRANZER said:
@solderdude How is sound-stage and imaging HD620S vs FT1. Which of those gonna be closer to HD560S in performance for Gaming. Want something in closed back which is good for gaming and also has long term reliability unlike Maxwell. Looking for wired headphones. Not wireless.
Click to expand...
I am not a gamer but HD620S is closer to HD560S. Sennheiser support is well known. FT1 does not even sell parts like pads. HD620S is 2x more expensive.
 
solderdude said:
I am not a gamer but HD620S is closer to HD560S. Sennheiser support is well known. FT1 does not even sell parts like pads. HD620S is 2x more expensive.
Click to expand...
Cool but overall Soundstage and imaging. Which is superior as per your testing. Which is more spacious and provides accurate representation of placement of objects or instruments in music. Even based on Music testing which is better performing in those aspects.
 
Audeze Maxwell- especially open box/ refurbs at under £250

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Bluetooth headphones - looking for sound quality, comfort, durability

Hello all! I'm struggling to find a pair of Bluetooth headphones that don't cost an arm and a leg with a combination of good sound quality, comfort and durability. I tried my friend's Sony WH-1000XM4's, but I was blown away by how unexciting their sound was. I am by no means a bass head, but it...
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I am going to hop on this one as @Jimbob54 closed the other thread I was looking at due to it being a duplicate. What I am looking for is the most transparent headphone under $500 (hopefully less). I am starting to realize that I may not be able to get an accurate monitor system for my office due to space constraints and think that I will have to use headphones for critical listening. I want headphones that impart no color and just accurately represents what is being played. It is OK to need eq to do this, as my Wiim Pro has one, but I would prefer something that needs as little of it as possible.

I have read a bunch of reviews here and elsewhere as well as comments on this forum and my list is as follows:
AKG 371, Hifiman HE400SE, Aune AR5400, Massdrop + Sennheiser HD58x, Senheiser HD 490, HD560s, and HD 620s, and the Drop _ DAn Clark Audio Aeon X Closed. I am leaning towards the DCA Aeon x, but would rather spend less, if I can get something as accurate. I have found them used fro around $300.

Any suggestions, comments or questions are appreciated.:cool:
 
GratefulDAC said:
I want headphones that impart no color and just accurately represents what is being played. It is OK to need eq to do this, as my Wiim Pro has one, but I would prefer something that needs as little of it as possible.
Click to expand...
Alas they do not exist.
The reason for this is what person A considers 'not colored' may be substantially different from what person B or C considers 'not colored'.
When determining this based on measurements one has to pick a measurement standard of choice and target curve for that standard and then you can pick headphones that follow that standard the closest.
This, however, is not guaranteed to sound 'without color' to you at the listening levels you prefer and or the seal you might be able to get (or not).

All the mentioned headphones have some coloration you might like or not but all are decently neutral in some ways.
When basing the choice on measurements you would need to figure out what tonal balance fits the various target curves that exist.

Only AKG 371, HD 620s, and the Drop _ DAn Clark Audio Aeon X Closed are closed. You could add the FiiO FT1 if you like lightly elevated lows (fine when listening at low SPL or while commuting) or the SRH-840A. When you have small ears that are not protruding or don't mind if your pinnae are touching the drivers the MDR-7506 is an option.
Don't forget to put the Austrian Audio Hi-X60 on your list either.

Note: most closed headphones are very seal dependent so when using glasses or having hair between the pads and head bass might be compromised.
This effect is usually much less with open headphone unless they have really good low bass extension.
 
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solderdude said:
Alas they do not exist.
The reason for this is what person A considers 'not colored' may be substantially different from what person B or C considers 'not colored'.
When determining this based on measurements one has to pick a measurement standard of choice and target curve for that standard and then you can pick headphones that follow that standard the closest.
This, however, is not guaranteed to sound 'without color' to you at the listening levels you prefer and or the seal you might be able to get (or not).

All the mentioned headphones have some coloration you might like or not but all are decently neutral in some ways.
When basing the choice on measurements you would need to figure out what tonal balance fits the various target curves that exist.

Only AKG 371, HD 620s, and the Drop _ DAn Clark Audio Aeon X Closed are closed. You could add the FiiO FT1 if you like lightly elevated lows (fine when listening at low SPL or while commuting) or the SRH-840A. When you have small ears that are not protruding or don't mind if your pinnae are touching the drivers the MDR-7506 is an option.
Don't forget to put the Austrian Audio Hi-X60 on your list either.

Note: most closed headphones are very seal dependent so when using glasses or having hair between the pads and head bass might be compromised.
This effect is usually much less with open headphone unless they have really good low bass extension.
Click to expand...
I’d add the new Sony MDR-M1 to the list. Also @solderdude , I hope you review those soon!
 
solderdude said:
Alas they do not exist.
Click to expand...
One thing I think will happen and I can see / hear this a little of this already with the new AirPods 4, is that ANC headphones will get much smarter. Specifically, I noticed 2 things that Apple are doing (and no doubt other companies are also thinking about):
1. The AirPods use an internal microphone right inside the ear and with "dynamic EQ" when I measured the new AirPods (with ANC) you have to play something for a few seconds before measuring as it dynamically adjust the sound using this inner microphone to your ear (or in my case I had to measure with a Pinnae rather than just a 711 coupler). And Apple are getting much closer to using the Harman target as standard (sadly not with the AirPods Max though). If only Apple had proper system wide EQ on top of this I think you would get to a system (at least with TWS) where the earbuds are dynamically tuned to your own ears and current environment when you put them in your ears.
2. There is an option (again when using an iPhone) to scan (using the Lidar camera) your individual HRTF - you use the phone camera to scan your ears and head. Obviously this is something that not many people will bother doing but it is an option available and I am sure they are using the data gather for some more internal research.

So I think soon we will get much closer to a way to reduce many of the problematic aspect of personal audio. I would not be surprised if Apple will have an AirPods Max 2 using all this technology and I would also guess based on the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 "tuning" that this headphone will dynamically EQ the sound to Harman (but that is a guess).
 
Sadly 'regular' wired headphones won't be able to.
With active headphones the options are limitless and those apple features sound promising.
It does require smart gear and won't work without charged batteries.
I do wonder what craps out first... the pads, the battery or support of OS'es.
 
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