Hi, headphone buying advice

[maverickronin]

True that. but Senn owns Neumann... so i dont know if it qualifies as a mid tier in their lineup.... at least in a brand that they also own

I always forget about that. Depending on who worked on it, it might be the 'missing' Sennheiser.

 

[Jimbob54]

I always forget about that. Depending on who worked on it, it might be the 'missing' Sennheiser.

Have a search on pootube for z reviews on the neumann (first) and the senn that literally shares a shell (can't remember it's name). It may well be 2 completely different phones on the inside, I don't know either product.

 

[maverickronin]

Have a search on pootube for z reviews on the neumann (first) and the senn that literally shares a shell (can't remember it's name). It may well be 2 completely different phones on the inside, I don't know either product.

The HD630VB...I had almost forgotten about that atrocity...Looks like they're different on the inside, thank Odin...

Also, even in mini player his videos still make me sick...

 

[Jimbob54]

The HD630VB...I had almost forgotten about that atrocity...Looks like they're different, thank Odin...

Also, even in mini player his video still make me sick...

The ones with the twirly bass boost cup. Boo ya!

 

[marv]

I always forget about that. Depending on who worked on it, it might be the 'missing' Sennheiser.

Whatever it's worth, the YouTuber named Z who reviewed the Neumann and accdng to him, it's better than the Ether CX

Hoping somebody from ASR reviewed/reviews the Neumann.. I'm very intrigued... There's a YouTuber names Oluv who makes seemingly honest reviews, at least in my opinion.. I hope he also reviews them coz I don't have any chance to audition these...

 

[JeffS7444]

Thank you, this is a good read. While I have EQed headphones in the past, and also my old car audio setup, my dilemma with equing headphones is that when I use them with other applications/devices the custom eq is not carried across applications? And most of the time system wide equalizers esp in mobile phones are not that robust

It works if you always use the Mini DSP headphone amplifiers with those other devices, otherwise, kind of hit-or-miss as you say.

 

[Archsam]

A few years ago I went to my favourite hifi shop to audition the Focal Elegia. A few hours later I left with a pair of Focal Clear. True story.

 

[marv]

A few years ago I went to my favourite hifi shop to audition the Focal Elegia. A few hours later I left with a pair of Focal Clear. True story.

May you kindly elaborate? Does it mean that the Elegia disappointed you? or is the sound difference really that big from the Clears?

Come to think of it, i have been pondering on the benefits of making the jump to higher tier headphones from the ~200-300 priced headphones like the HP50, AKG K371, Meze 99, etc... is the jump from these to the levels of Elegia, Ether CX, Aeon 2 worth the price difference in your experience? in short, please excuse the bluntness, but is the sound worth the big euros/dollars the price difference? i know its in the ears of the beholder but will there be a glaring difference in sound? a wow factor? im willing to pay the difference if its worth it.... your opinions?

 

[Jimbob54]

May you kindly elaborate? Does it mean that the Elegia disappointed you? or is the sound difference really that big from the Clears?

Come to think of it, i have been pondering on the benefits of making the jump to higher tier headphones from the ~200-300 priced headphones like the HP50, AKG K371, Meze 99, etc... is the jump from these to the levels of Elegia, Ether CX, Aeon 2 worth the price difference in your experience? in short, please excuse the bluntness, but is the sound worth the big euros/dollars the price difference? i know its in the ears of the beholder but will there be a glaring difference in sound? a wow factor? im willing to pay the difference if its worth it.... your opinions?

Personally, I would say yes. I try and get my older flagships second hand. But the senn Hd800 is a different class to the HD6zz family. The audeze planars and the like also . Different game entirely

 

[Jimbob54]

Personally, I would say yes. I try and get my older flagships second hand. But the senn Hd800 is a different class to the HD6zz family. The audeze planars and the like also . Different game entirely

Don't get me resorting to generic audiophool language as to why though. Try before you buy to see for yourself, you'll never have any money though

 

[marv]

Don't get me resorting to generic audiophool language as to why though. Try before you buy to see for yourself, you'll never have any money though

my problem is that i dont have the chance to audition these... stores are far and wide...i normally order on line.. a risk i know.. thats why i stated my sound preference and hopefully leaning on the experience of the people in ASR : )

Like i said i have never spent this much at one time, if and when i decide to get one of those. Right now, im leaning toward the elegia, europe brand, for aftermarket service, just in case...

 

[Jimbob54]

my problem is that i dont have the chance to audition these... stores are far and wide...i normally order on line.. a risk i know.. thats why i stated my sound preference and hopefully leaning on the experience of the people in ASR : )

Trouble is I don't know the ones you do list except the meze. Which I believe is massively overrated. I've got the ether cx on now, if you're in US and have the amp for it , at current Drop price its a no brainer. But I'll put a big disclaimer on that. Cable is horribly microphonic and pads won't suit all ears. Both replaceable.

 

[marv]

Trouble is I don't know the ones you do list except the meze. Which I believe is massively overrated. I've got the ether cx on now, if you're in US and have the amp for it , at current Drop price its a no brainer. But I'll put a big disclaimer on that. Cable is horribly microphonic and pads won't suit all ears. Both replaceable.

there's someone offering me his Ether CX almost brand new for around 600 US, and another his aeon 2 closed - 4 months old for 700 US... im afraid if something goes wrong... the warranty and service here in europe for DCA? : (

i can get an elegia bnew for 600 US plus shipping..hhhmmm

 

[Jimbob54]

there's someone offering me his Ether CX barely used for around 600 US, and another his aeon 2 closed - 4 months old for 700 US

Subject to my caveats, I think that's fair if in v good condition. 750 new. I got lcd x for £700, hd800 for £500 on ebay in uk so there are other options for that $600 price.

 

[maverickronin]

May you kindly elaborate? Does it mean that the Elegia disappointed you? or is the sound difference really that big from the Clears?

The clears are open though, which didn't seem to be what you were looking for.

 

[marv]

Subject to my caveats, I think that's fair if in v good condition. 750 new. I got lcd x for £700, hd800 for £500 on ebay in uk so there are other options for that $600 price.

So the big question...
Say, if you could do it all over again and had 650 to 700 in hand to buy a closed headphone that is good for all genres, sensitivity and efficiency aside, what would you get? I already have an amp...

 

[Jimbob54]

So the big question...
Say, if you could do it all over again and had 650 to 700 in hand to buy a closed headphone that is good for all genres, sensitivity and efficiency aside, what would you get? I already have an amp...

HD800. If you eq. Or lcd x if you don't.

Second hand obviously. Not many new phones for that I would go for.

 

[marv]

The clears are open though, which didn't seem to be what you were looking for.

I was planning on getting a closed.. I already have an open that I'm satisfied with right now... Hopefully for a long time.. An hd58x

 

[Jimbob54]

HD800. If you eq. Or lcd x if you don't.

Second hand obviously. Not many new phones for that I would go for.

I'm an idiot. Missed "closed"

 

[marv]

I'm an idiot. Missed "closed"

If I was ever considering changing to an open... I was curious about the verum awhile back ... But that's another story...

But I am surprised you could get those you mentioned for 600 to 700... But maybe not here in Europe?