Coming from the DT880s(250ohm)...I'm torn between these three end game cans(HD 800 S, DCA E3, HE 1000SE). Which should I get?

[Chagall]

Easy. With headphones and electronics it doesn't get better the more you spend. Only trust measurements.

There is really nothing here to justify the price

HiFiMAN HE1000 Unveiled - Measurements & Official Discussion

This is the place to discuss all things to do with the HiFiMAN HE1000 Unveiled: I’ve posted my impressions of it in a different thread already so I’ll add them here, along with the measurements. B&K 5128 Raw GRAS & HpTF Variation Folks know that I hate the ‘unveiled’ concept, but...

forum.headphones.com

Just look at a Dan Clark headphone at a fifth the price of the Hifiman. It is hard to beat:

'Dan Clark Audio AEON RT Review (closed headphone)'

Jan 15, 2021

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Dan Clark ÆON RT closed back headphone. It was kindly sent to me by the company for testing and costs US $500.

In a sea of similar looking headphones, the ÆON RT manages to distinguish itself with a uniqe shape:

This makes the cup smaller which can be good for travel although I find that it almost touches the top of my ears. Clamp pressure is a tad high for my head causing a bit of strain after a few hours of use.

The pads feel soft and luxurious. A set of filter pads are supplied that get mounted inside to control the...

• amirm
• Replies: 1,231
• Forum: Headphone & IEM Reviews & Discussions

• 

Although I agree that the increase in price doesn't mean better sound quality, I would just caution from equating electronics measurements and headphone measurements. With electronics, it's simple - we know basically everything we need to. But with headphones, there are more factors - headphone frequency response on a measurement rig may not be the same as the response humans get at the eardrum, unit-to-unit variation, seal issues, positional variation, individual HRTF, preferences etc...

Headphone priorities ordered by importance IMO:

1. Fit & comfort (wearability)
2. Quality control
3. EQ-ability - low distortion, minimal unit-to-unit variation, consistent frequency response (FR) across heads and positions
4. Tonality out of the box
5. Headstage (spatial presentation)

 

[isamu99]

Although I agree that the increase in price doesn't mean better sound quality, I would just caution from equating electronics measurements and headphone measurements. With electronics, it's simple - we know basically everything we need to. But with headphones, there are more factors - headphone frequency response on a measurement rig may not be the same as the response humans get at the eardrum, unit-to-unit variation, seal issues, positional variation, individual HRTF, preferences etc...

Headphone priorities ordered by importance IMO:

1. Fit & comfort (wearability)
2. Quality control
3. EQ-ability - low distortion, minimal unit-to-unit variation, consistent frequency response (FR) across heads and positions
4. Tonality out of the box
5. Headstage (spatial presentation)

Great post Chagall. Your posts and advice have been invaluable in this thread and I really appreciate your input buddy.

OK after some more research, I have to admit I'm now leaning back in favor of the HEDDPHONE TWO GT. They appear to come with some fairly high quality cables, several adapters, supposedly isn't as super bright as the HEKs but still quite detailed, AND is around $500 cheaper! Not to mention I'm starting to hear about potential quality control issues regarding HiFiMan gear, which has me just a wee bit cautious.

 

[zonk]

Great post Chagall. Your posts and advice have been invaluable in this thread and I really appreciate your input buddy.

OK after some more research, I have to admit I'm now leaning back in favor of the HEDDPHONE TWO GT. They appear to come with some fairly high quality cables, several adapters, supposedly isn't as super bright as the HEKs but still quite detailed, AND is around $500 cheaper! Not to mention I'm starting to hear about potential quality control issues regarding HiFiMan gear, which has me just a wee bit cautious.

For less then the HEDDPHONE you can get the Dan Clark NOIRE XO. It was tested here by Amir.
I have not seen any measurements of the HEDDPHONE.

I have a Sennheiser HD800S, a Hifiman Arya Stealth and HE6SE. I am very happy with them. I use a bit of EQ and I don't feel the need for an upgrade.

 

[zonk]

Anyone have any experience with the HEDDphone Two? I posted my inquiry on reddit and someone strongly suggested them, writing...and I quote..."HEDDphone Two runs laps around all three".

That is pure subjective.

 

[isamu99]

For less then the HEDDPHONE you can get the Dan Clark NOIRE XO. It was tested here by Amir.
I have not seen any measurements of the HEDDPHONE.

I have a Sennheiser HD800S, a Hifiman Arya Stealth and HE6SE. I am very happy with them. I use a bit of EQ and I don't feel the need for an upgrade.

Dan Clark NOIRE XO? Hmmmmmm......

 

[Chagall]

For less then the HEDDPHONE you can get the Dan Clark NOIRE XO. It was tested here by Amir.
I have not seen any measurements of the HEDDPHONE.

I have an Sennheiser HD800S and an Hifiman Arya Stealth. I am very happy with both.

B&K 5128:

Earphones Archive Squiglink - IEM frequency response database by Earphones Archive

Compare hundreds of frequency response graphs between IEMs and earphones from manufacturers like Moondrop, Sony, 64 Audio, Fiio, and more.

earphonesarchive.squig.link

KB006x pinna clone:

Squiglink - IEM frequency response database by GadgetryTech

Compare hundreds of frequency response graphs between IEMs and earphones from manufacturers like Moondrop, Sony, 64 Audio, Fiio, and more.

gadgetrytech.squig.link

Some EQ will be needed, but then again, who knows?

 

[zonk]

B&K 5128:

Earphones Archive Squiglink - IEM frequency response database by Earphones Archive

Compare hundreds of frequency response graphs between IEMs and earphones from manufacturers like Moondrop, Sony, 64 Audio, Fiio, and more.

earphonesarchive.squig.link

KB006x pinna clone:

Squiglink - IEM frequency response database by GadgetryTech

Compare hundreds of frequency response graphs between IEMs and earphones from manufacturers like Moondrop, Sony, 64 Audio, Fiio, and more.

gadgetrytech.squig.link

Some EQ will be needed, but then again, who knows?

I saw these measurements too, but don't know if they are of same standard as Amir or oratory. For me personally the HEDDPHONE is too exotic as I would like to spend those amount of money. Like a complete unknown.

 

[zonk]

Not to mention I'm starting to hear about potential quality control issues regarding HiFiMan gear, which has me just a wee bit cautious.

I had in total 4 Hifiman headphones, three from Amazon and and one from the Hifiman store. All were absolutely flawless, perfectly packed for transportation.

 

[isamu99]

I had in total 4 Hifiman headphones, three from Amazon and and one from the Hifiman store. All were absolutely flawless, perfectly packed for transportation.

Hmm, you say *had*. You don't own them anymore? If so why'd you get rid of 'em?

 

[zonk]

Hmm, you say *had*. You don't own them anymore? If so why'd you get rid of 'em?

The others I had was a HE400SE and a Sundara. I liked both very much too but I gave it to family members, just because I had too many headphones.

You could even buy for example a Dan Clark XO and maybe one or two IEMs. I have fun by using different gear.

 

[isamu99]

The others I had was a HE400SE and a Sundara. I liked both very much too but I gave it to family members, just because I had too many headphones.

You could even buy for example a Dan Clark XO and maybe one or two IEMs. I have fun by using different gear.

Gotcha. Yeah I'm watching some reviews on the DCXO now. We'll see.

 

[zonk]

Don't watch too many random reviews. Most of them are very subjective. Instead read Amirs review carefully. I added the link in one post.

Don't know where you are located. Today I saw in a store in Berlin the Hifiman Arya Organic for 659€
https://www.hifi-im-hinterhof.de/kopfhoerer/over-on-ear-kopfhoerer/hifiman-arya-organic.html
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/kg0czm9qnjmfce9sw229m/Hifiman-Arya-Organic.pdf

 

[isamu99]

Don't watch too many random reviews. Most of them are very subjective. Instead read Amirs review carefully. I added the link in one post.

Don't know where you are located. Today I saw in a store in Berlin the Hifiman Arya Organic for 659€
https://www.hifi-im-hinterhof.de/kopfhoerer/over-on-ear-kopfhoerer/hifiman-arya-organic.html
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/kg0czm9qnjmfce9sw229m/Hifiman-Arya-Organic.pdf

OK noted. Thanks bud. Let me ask you guys a question....

Lets assume I'm open to exploring getting IEMs instead of over the ears. Which IEMs would you recommend in the $1000-$2000-ish range, that has an exceptional soundstage and open-ish, air-y type of sound, with great clarity and detail?

 

[zonk]

OK noted. Thanks bud. Let me ask you guys a question....

Lets assume I'm open to exploring getting IEMs instead of over the ears. Which IEMs would you recommend in the $1000-$2000-ish range, that has an exceptional soundstage and open-ish, air-y type of sound, with great clarity and detail?

No need to spend so much money for good IEMs. EQ is usually recommended.

Up to 50€/$
- Truthear Gate
- 7Hz x Crinacle Zero 2
- Moondrop Chu II
- Tangzu Wan'er SG 2

Up to 100€/$
- Truthear Zero Red
- Truthear Hexa
- Moondrop May
- Simgot EW300

Up to 200€/$
- Truthear Nova
- Simgot Supermix 4
- Crinear Daybreak

 

[isamu99]

No need to spend so much money for good IEMs. EQ is usually recommended.

Up to 50€/$
- Truthear Gate
- 7Hz x Crinacle Zero 2
- Moondrop Chu II
- Tangzu Wan'er SG 2

Below 100€/$
- Truthear Zero Red
- Truhear Hexa
- Moondrop May
- Simgot EW300

Below 200€/$
- Truthear Nova
- Simgot Supermix 4
- Crinear Daybreak

Wow that cheap 'eh? Interesting I'll have to take a look at those thanks.

 

[zonk]

Wow that cheap 'eh? Interesting I'll have to take a look at those thanks.

The fun with IEM is, there's no need to spend a high amount of money. You can listen to them by using your RME/headphone amp or for example with a Qudelix 5k connected by bluetooth to your phone.

 

[Svend P]

You really don't have to spend mega bucks to get good headphones.

O

'IEM's - Where do diminishing returns start - cost wise? $10, $15, $20, $30, $50, $200, etc, etc'

Jun 22, 2024

I've been on my own journey, rabbit hole for a good IEM here., and my 1st and only IEM is a CCA CRA, which I have a lot of respect for. I understand its the 2nd incarnation of this model, cos I bought and received mine, within the most rece's nt month. It was bought on a whim for approx £11(total cost), cos I could afford to not cry, at that price, in case it was a dud, I'd accept my loss and lick my wounds. My ongoing journey is discussed here :

June 2024 - Need a good transparent sounding IEM - budget $60 max

For critical and/or casual listening. I am not a bass head. Suggestions please. I may have asked this on some other threads, but the market keeps changing, so a refresher is needed. If there was anything like a flat frequency, with no emphasis on any frequency, that would be my preference...

audiosciencereview.com

I was about to...

• OK1
• budget diminishing returns iem quality quality control reliability
• Replies: 222
• Forum: Headphone & IEM Reviews & Discussions

• 

 

[Subob]

OK noted. Thanks bud. Let me ask you guys a question....

Lets assume I'm open to exploring getting IEMs instead of over the ears. Which IEMs would you recommend in the $1000-$2000-ish range, that has an exceptional soundstage and open-ish, air-y type of sound, with great clarity and detail?

No need to spend anywhere near that in the IEM market!

My recommendation goes to the BQEYZ Spring 2. Piezoelectric driver magic right there!, in terms of 'airiness' and treble extension without ever being fatiguing. It's my favourite in my small collection of IEM's. I paid about £80 for it used. You can still pick it up new for about £120 I think.

This month, the BQEYZ Winter II is coming out. I tried them at CanJam, and to me they are like a Spring 2 but taken to the next level. I'm not sure what price they're going to be, but I think I was told in the region of high £200. Have to wait and see.

 

[isamu99]

No need to spend anywhere near that in the IEM market!

My recommendation goes to the BQEYZ Spring 2. Piezoelectric driver magic right there!, in terms of 'airiness' and treble extension without ever being fatiguing. It's my favourite in my small collection of IEM's. I paid about £80 for it used. You can still pick it up new for about £120 I think.

This month, the BQEYZ Winter II is coming out. I tried them at CanJam, and to me they are like a Spring 2 but taken to the next level. I'm not sure what price they're going to be, but I think I was told in the region of high £200. Have to wait and see.

Interesting!! If they're under 200 I might grab a pair just for shits and giggles to compliment my over the ears.

 

[Svend P]

Interesting!! If they're under 200 I might grab a pair just for shits and giggles to compliment my over the ears.

Or you could get a pair for 25$ and be amazed how little it takes. Don't be fooled by marketing