Home long-term "one-pair" headphones - 2000€ budget

[ZeroOhm]

I am looking for high-quality headphones for at-home listening (while working). At the moment, I am using my Airpods Pro, but I want some high-fidelity headphones next.
Still have my trusty Sennheiser HD-25 laying here completely worn, over 15 years old. Would be nice if my next headphones also make it that long. My new headphones would be purely be for at home. I will not be investing in another pair of headphones, so ideally would be something that can take all kinds of music easily, and can be easily EQd (although no experience with that).

I have looked around at the review index, and have seen that Sennheiser is still a good choice after all these years. Even the HD800S, which I have seen 15 years ago when I was buying headphones was listed as the best, still seems to be up there in the rankings. Sennheiser is going to release the "audiophile" variant of the Momentum 4s, but not sure if the listening experience is worse than some wired models.

USA brands like DCA are not very easy to get here in Germany.
I would buy the headphones on Thomann probably.

 

[solderdude]

Thomann sells DCA headphones.

Over-ear, on-ear, in-ear
closed, open ?

 

[respice finem]

Just a thought - it may or may not apply: For working at home (I assume, desk/PC work) I would opt for a lightweight headphone/mic combo. Chances are, you will be taking calls while working, and that you wear glasses for PC work. Having to take off the headphones every time is quickly annoying in such a scenario. And, very few people will be able to concentrate on work and music at the same time.

 

[ZeroOhm]

I think I want over-ear, haven't tried open headphones yet. It's no problem if there is audio leaking because I will just use them at home.

 

[ZeroOhm]

Just a thought - it may or may not apply: For working at home (I assume, desk/PC work) I would opt for a lightweight headphone/mic combo. Chances are, you will be taking calls while working, and that you wear glasses for PC work. Having to take off the headphones every time is quickly annoying in such a scenario. And, very few people will be able to concentrate on work and music at the same time.

I was going to get a modmic and attach it to the headphones.

 

[Somafunk]

Dan Clark Noire XO, (open back), and a Topping DX5 ii for amp/dac/eq duties if necessary

Dan Clark Audio Noire XO

Detailed Product Information on Dan Clark Audio Noire XO at www.thomann.de

www.thomann.co.uk

NOIRE XO

NOIRE XO is available immediately. Shipments begin May 12. NOIRE XO™ updates our iconic AEON 2 open by integrating DCA’s state-of-the-art Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System™ (AMTS™) with an improved driver, all carefully wrapped in a gorgeous ergonomically-enhanced design. NOIRE XO’s dramatic...

danclarkaudio.com

 

[DVDdoug]

I don't know which ones are known for ruggedness and reliability. A true pro headphone should be rugged but a lot of headphones are named "pro" just for marketing.

Koss has a lifetime warranty, but I don't see many reviews or measuremets. Only two Koss models have been reviewed here on ASR. Only one (the Porta Pro) was "recommended" (with EQ) and you are probably looking more "high-end" and that can sound better without EQ.

...Or for 2000€ you could get a lifetime supply of AKG K371's. (They have a reputation for good sound quality but being fragile.)

 

[respice finem]

I was going to get a modmic and attach it to the headphones.

Makes sense, sometimes a desk mic is even better, but if you will have to accept phone calls, it's nice to be able to do it by press of one button, so all should be "wired" accordingly.

Oh, and I would not recommend closed-back HP, because they make the ears sweat. "Half-open" may work well.

Just an example:

MMX 330 PRO: Gaming-Headset (offen) | beyerdynamic

Professioneller Sound✓Hohe Sprachverständlichkeit✓Höchster Tragekomfort✓Made in Germany ✓Jetzt kaufen!

www.beyerdynamic.de

 

[davmol]

I would say if you haven't tried planar magnetic yet then give them a go, as they totally blew me away when I first heard them and I gave up my Sennheiser's after that, and now am running a pair of Hifiman Ananda for the past year (and love them). The Dan Clarke Noire XO as mentioned above is a also great shout (if pushing the boat out) and might be my future end-game planars. DAC w/ amp wise I also have and love the Topping DX5-II but updates and PEQ tweaks can be a hassle if it is not permanently connected to a computer. The Fiio K13 R2R also looks like it could be another functionality and value winner (although as yet untested here), given it has a user friendly app for EQ, vs the quite annoying and glitchy Topping Tune.

 

[ZeroOhm]

Dan Clark Noire XO, (open back), and a Topping DX5 ii for amp/dac/eq duties if necessary

Dan Clark Audio Noire XO

Detailed Product Information on Dan Clark Audio Noire XO at www.thomann.de

www.thomann.co.uk

NOIRE XO

NOIRE XO is available immediately. Shipments begin May 12. NOIRE XO™ updates our iconic AEON 2 open by integrating DCA’s state-of-the-art Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System™ (AMTS™) with an improved driver, all carefully wrapped in a gorgeous ergonomically-enhanced design. NOIRE XO’s dramatic...

danclarkaudio.com

Looks like both so good options. Would pull the trigger to be honest.
Thomann doesn't sell the Topping. Would the RME ADI-2 DAC FS be a good alternative (albeit more expensive)?

Does Sennheiser have an equivalently good all-round headphone?

 

[imas69]

Looks like both so good options. Would pull the trigger to be honest.
Thomann doesn't sell the Topping. Would the RME ADI-2 DAC FS be a good alternative (albeit more expensive)?

Does Sennheiser have an equivalently good all-round headphone?

Hifiman 1000se and Sennheiser 820s, I wouldn't listen to the negative reviews of the 820 as they are a fantastic headphone and the people that don't like them are the copy and pasters, they sound great with every genre, I would give them a go if you get a chance

 

[Alexander Gödde]

Sennheiser HD800S are an option. Light-weight, comfortable, surprisingly rugged, good availability of spare parts. They also have both low unit variation and quite consistent frequency response across users. This means that if you want to EQ them the measurements online can serve as a better starting point than with most other headphones. Oh, and they are relatively easy to drive. Something like the Qudelix 5K gets them loud enough for almost all use case (especially with a balanced cable) and allows you to use EQ independently of your sources.

 

[Jim T]

I am looking for high-quality headphones for at-home listening (while working). At the moment, I am using my Airpods Pro, but I want some high-fidelity headphones next.
Still have my trusty Sennheiser HD-25 laying here completely worn, over 15 years old. Would be nice if my next headphones also make it that long. My new headphones would be purely be for at home. I will not be investing in another pair of headphones, so ideally would be something that can take all kinds of music easily, and can be easily EQd (although no experience with that).

I have looked around at the review index, and have seen that Sennheiser is still a good choice after all these years. Even the HD800S, which I have seen 15 years ago when I was buying headphones was listed as the best, still seems to be up there in the rankings. Sennheiser is going to release the "audiophile" variant of the Momentum 4s, but not sure if the listening experience is worse than some wired models.

USA brands like DCA are not very easy to get here in Germany.
I would buy the headphones on Thomann probably.

The first thins you need to know is what your hearing requires of your headphones. Do you have hearing loss, and then do you need open back so you can hear your work environment, or will sealed or closed back preferable to keep noise out. Do you like more bass or want accuracy? Your music preferences will dictate some of this.

I am 78 and have much hearing loss so I tend to buy some brighter sounding cans. Closed back I have Sony's MDR 7506 (long time recording studio standard) and a new pair of their M1's that are more refined, but at 3X the price of the 7506, which I really like. My open back headphones are the AKG K701 of which I have 3 pair in various rooms at headphone stations. They are comfortable. I used some Shure 215 IEMs for mobile use, but for $99 they were just OK once I found the tips that would seal my canals. I also have a pair of closed back Audio Technica 50X's that I like, but have more bass than the Sony's. I have also likes the opern back Grado's I've owned, but you need the large foam pads for more comfort. Try starting at the 125 model. I wish there was a way for you to try before you buy.