Help me choose my first open back HP

[tonediary]

The was what I described as the perfect desert island headphone ( so if I had to pick one open back in this price range it would be that one ) as I think with the 2 pads do a good job of giving either good tonality or good soundstage. That was the one headphone I packed for my 2 weeks holiday ( other than AirPods for the airplane) and I still think that as it’s is also very comfortable for a daily driver while working ( at least for me ).

But I still love the HD600 and specifically I have the edition XS as my favourite late night headphone ( wife has gone to bet so I can’t listen to my speakers) but I want something that sounds “big”.

I think technically a combination of the hd600 and the edition xs is probably better but the hd490 pro is very close and arguable more comfortable.

Thank you very much.

I guess i will be trying the HD490 sometime in the future. I'll prolly start my open back journey with HD600 and/or XS.

 

[Graph Feppar]

I would avoid Hifiman even if they sounded good becose the QC and reliability issues, but I hate their sound and they measure poorly IMO, therefore AVOID HIFIMAN.

I suggest HD 490 Pro or used HD800 from ebay. I didnt tried Aune AR5000 but it measures great, is cheap and the build quality and comfort are good based on reviews.


Wild option = Stax L300 (Bluetac moc) + used Stax SRM amplifier, the problem are the stock pads, L700 pads cost alot and SoCas 3D adapter + oval pads arent cheap either.

 

[Deckard01]

Sorry can oratory EQ boost HD600 bass?

I as the friend of the topic can not decide with which to upgrade as an HD600 user that love them so much.

I always thik do I need to upgrade and with what so as not surpass the 400-500 price range, and I was about Aune, HD490 PRO, Sundara or Arya Stealth which seems to tick almost all the boxes in this price range.

Thanks

 

[staticV3]

Sorry can oratory EQ boost HD600 bass?

Yes

 

[IXOYE]

Sundara or HD600 depending on your personal taste, both are exceptional headphones.

 

[VMAT4]

@solderdude is the expert... But... I'd get the 400se, eq to my hearts content, and use the pile of saved money for other things.

Last I looked the HE 400SE was only $110 on Amazon.

 

[Audiodidact]

HD600 all the way. No question.

 

[davmol]

Are you able to go try any at a local store to listen for a preference? I remember being blown away when I heard the Hifiman Ananda, versus my DT1990 and HD6XX and I just had to buy them and now use them every day, unless my wife complains about the noise (they leak, a lot, and I mean, a lot!)

I also have the Hifiman Sundara Closed, which are currently incredible value and very good if you can EQ (not so good without) and I use these when my wife is working from home, again due to the leakage from the Ananda.

I had some Sennheiser HD6XX but sold them as I found them to be a little dull / uninspiring compared to the DT and the Ananda (the Sundara Closed came later). I tried the 660S2 in a store and thought they were similar to the 6XX, but bear in mind I never put an EQ to any of these so maybe they can be tweaked. The positives on the Sennheiser are their build is extremely lightweight (some might say they feel cheap) and I found them very comfortable and the best for wearing all day, but it wasn't enough to keep them, or purchase them (in the case of the S2), over the Beyer or Hifiman.

I've heard good things about Sundara and Edition XS and they would be my pick based on my other Hifiman, but just make sure you get at the lowest price because they don't really hold their value well (in case you want to sell on), compared to Senn, Beyer, Focal etc. Maybe it's because Hifiman have a habit of slashing prices. Enjoy shopping!