Hello, newbie here, I'm looking for recommendations!

[Moldea]

I'm not sure as to how to build my stack and I thought I'd ask you guys for advice based on my preferences
So I'm in the budget of 500 euros( but I can go slightly above that) and for the headphone I was inclined to go for the Hifiman edition XS and for the amp or dac I have no clue.
As for my preferences I would go for a warmer ( richer ) sound( if you guys have any rec's for the EQ) and I prioritize sound over comfort ( for over ear headphones ). I am open to suggestions from a totally different stack to stacks that complement the Hifiman edition XS. ( even though, I am not set on this headphone )

 

[BDWoody]

Welcome!

Are you in a position where you might be able to try different headphones before buying?

The amp part is relatively easy, but the part that makes the music and clamps on your head is a bit more personal.

Have you settled on open back vs closed?

For that budget you should be able to set yourself with a very nice sounding setup.

 

[bluefuzz]

I prioritize sound over comfort

As long as a headphone has reasonable default tonality and lowish distortion, especially in the bass, I would always go for comfort over sound. With the possible exception of DCA Stealths (which are somewhat outside your budget) then all headphones will benefit from EQ anyway. Use the EQ to tune them to your preferred tonality. So any amp + dac from Amir's recommended list will be fine with a streamer that can do EQ. CamillaDSP is popular round here. I would then find the comfiest midrange Sennheiser, AKG or Beyer that suits your budget ...

 

[Moldea]

Are you in a position where you might be able to try different headphones before buying?

Unfortunately not, as for the other question open back is my preferred choice and for the amp + dac a warmer tone is what I desire more

 

[Moldea]

As long as a headphone has reasonable default tonality and lowish distortion, especially in the bass, I would always go for comfort over sound. With the possible exception of DCA Stealths (which are somewhat outside your budget) then all headphones will benefit from EQ anyway. Use the EQ to tune them to your preferred tonality. So any amp + dac from Amir's recommended list will be fine with a streamer that can do EQ. CamillaDSP is popular round here. I would then find the comfiest midrange Sennheiser, AKG or Beyer that suits your budget ...

very interesting, Sennheiser would be my second choice of headphone, but I stand undecided . Do you know the main differences in tonality between the 600, 650 and 660 S2?

 

[Doodski]

I would go for a warmer ( richer ) sound( if you guys have any rec's for the EQ)

I'm the PEQ Dood and I am here to help you... LoL.

There are many EQ to choose from dependent on the PC OS that you use.

EQ Software for Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS/iPadOS and Android.

Any suggestions are welcome. Post suggestions here. I will gather the details and add them. Thanks. :D This will be organized as results come in. @sweetchaos made a guide for PEQ filter data input and operation. For crossover software go here. Windows: AutoEQ four easy steps to make your...

www.audiosciencereview.com

If you are on Mac OS I will suggest you use one of these EQ software but not both at the same time.

eqMac - System Audio Equalizer and App Volume Mixer for macOS

System Audio Equalizer for Apple macOS (OS X) System. Professional grade Parametric EQ with Unlimited Bands, Volume Mixer (per Application volume control), Spatial Audio (Reverb effect). The last and only tool you will need for your Mac.

eqmac.app

SoundSource - A Superior Sound Control

Access your Mac's audio devices, control per-app audio, and much more, all from the menu bar.

rogueamoeba.com

If you are using Windows then install this and then install this.
Then find Peace/Peters Equalizer and open it.
If offered upon the Peace EQ software opening disable the auto updates.
This is what it will look like when it is opened and it is very cool to operate.
A screenshot of my Peace EQ in operation.>

 

[bluefuzz]

Do you know the main differences in tonality between the 600, 650 and 660 S2?

No, not offhand. If you are able to do EQ then the difference probably isn't worth worrying about. Get the comfiest and/or cheapest ... ;-)

 

[Moldea]

I'm the PEQ Dood and I am here to help you... LoL.

There are many EQ to choose from dependent on the PC OS that you use.

EQ Software for Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS/iPadOS and Android.

Any suggestions are welcome. Post suggestions here. I will gather the details and add them. Thanks. :D This will be organized as results come in. @sweetchaos made a guide for PEQ filter data input and operation. For crossover software go here. Windows: AutoEQ four easy steps to make your...

www.audiosciencereview.com

If you are on Mac OS I will suggest you use one of these EQ software but not both at the same time.

eqMac - System Audio Equalizer and App Volume Mixer for macOS

System Audio Equalizer for Apple macOS (OS X) System. Professional grade Parametric EQ with Unlimited Bands, Volume Mixer (per Application volume control), Spatial Audio (Reverb effect). The last and only tool you will need for your Mac.

eqmac.app

SoundSource - A Superior Sound Control

Access your Mac's audio devices, control per-app audio, and much more, all from the menu bar.

rogueamoeba.com

If you are using Windows then install this and then install this.
Then find Peace/Peters Equalizer and open it.
If offered upon the Peace EQ software opening disable the auto updates.
This is what it will look like when it is opened and it is very cool to operate.
A screenshot of my Peace EQ in operation.>
View attachment 357024

Oh wow, really helpful dude, appreciate it!
(didnt really know a lot about EQ and this really helps)

 

[Moldea]

No, not offhand. If you are able to do EQ then the difference probably isn't worth worrying about. Get the comfiest and/or cheapest ... ;-)

Is it really that little difference for the price?? Wow I never thought of it that way

 

[ZolaIII]

Denon AH-D5200 closed back, good seal no surce impedance dependance, fits almost all heads. Can be driven by anything. Recommendation for the amplifier is a dongle DAC with high SINAD at 50 mV. Those are not for outside or even much activity on the inside as they have rather low clamping force which among other things makes them comfortable. They are very, very low THD.

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

If you want to go other way around gaming, BT, WiFi and cetera check Audeze Maxwell planars which are actually bass shy but that can be fixed with EQ.
You won't get low and sub bass extension on open back ones.

 

[bluefuzz]

Is it really that little difference for the price??

I have half a dozen or more headphones from the usual suspects. Once EQ'd to a standard I find the differences inconsequential, especially between cans from the same manufacturer series, e.g Sennheiser HDs. So I just use the comfiest, which for me is mostly HD560S. No doubt others will disagree ...

 

[Doodski]

I have half a dozen or more headphones from the usual suspects. Once EQ'd to a standard I find the differences inconsequential, especially between cans from the same manufacturer series, e.g Sennheiser HDs. So I just use the comfiest, which for me is mostly HD560S. No doubt others will disagree ...

I use the Sennheiser HD 598SR and they are amazingly comfortable and lightweight. Sound is excellent.