Looking for headphone recommendations for a gift

[ilgeek]

Hi everyone,

I'm reaching out once again for your knowledge and expertise.

I'm looking for some headphone recommendations as a gift for my brother. He, like me, really enjoys music, but he's more into rock, metal, hip-hop, and electronic music.

I've introduced him to my headphone collection, and he appreciates the clarity and detail that some of my planar headphones provide. However, he values sub-bass and overall bass quality as well. So, my question is this: what planar headphones can I get for him that offer a good balance of detail and a punchy bass sound signature?

I have a budget of $800. He currently uses a Schiit Audio DAC/AMP combo (Modi/Magni), which I also gifted him, so I’d prefer something that is easy to drive.

Thank you all for your help and advice!

Cheers

 

[twsecrest]

https://drop.com/audiophile/drops/newest?sc=headphones

 

[TurtlePaul]

Why not a good dynamic headphone like the Sennheiser HD650? It sounds like he doesn't like the sound of planars (which have too little bass). For $220, the 7hz Timeless is planar, easy to drive and has good bass/sub bass, but they are IEMs, which I assume is cheating your criteria. The Dan Clark Closed Aria have good bass and sub-bass and are being sold on Drop, but people complain about the headband breaking.

 

[DVDdoug]

Or maybe the "famous" AKG K371? It gets good reviews except perhaps for a little "excess bass". But it does seem to have a reputation of being fragile and it might be too cheap if you normally give your brother $800 gifts.[/b]

 

[twsecrest]

I remember that Denon (AH-D7200?) headphones, using the fostex drivers, had a well liked bass.
So something (headphone brand) with close to the same drivers?

 

[bequietjk]

Why not a good dynamic headphone like the Sennheiser HD650? It sounds like he doesn't like the sound of planars (which have too little bass). For $220, the 7hz Timeless is planar, easy to drive and has good bass/sub bass, but they are IEMs, which I assume is cheating your criteria. The Dan Clark Closed Aria have good bass and sub-bass and are being sold on Drop, but people complain about the headband breaking.

Maybe he's referring to the sizzle and snappyness of planars? If he enjoys the planars from the collection it would probably be a good rule of thumb to follow

 

[bequietjk]

Hi everyone,

I'm reaching out once again for your knowledge and expertise.

I'm looking for some headphone recommendations as a gift for my brother. He, like me, really enjoys music, but he's more into rock, metal, hip-hop, and electronic music.

I've introduced him to my headphone collection, and he appreciates the clarity and detail that some of my planar headphones provide. However, he values sub-bass and overall bass quality as well. So, my question is this: what planar headphones can I get for him that offer a good balance of detail and a punchy bass sound signature?

I have a budget of $800. He currently uses a Schiit Audio DAC/AMP combo (Modi/Magni), which I also gifted him, so I’d prefer something that is easy to drive.

Thank you all for your help and advice!

Cheers

Could you tell us which of the headphones your brother has tried and enjoyed?

 

[ilgeek]

Could you tell us which of the headphones your brother has tried and enjoyed?

Hi, thanks for helping me with my particular issue.
I mean, its not like I have tons of headphones, I've recently bought the Meze empyran II, before that I was using the meze liric as my main driver, for open back before the empyrean I was running with the Hifiman He1000SE, for gaming I'm using the Audeze Maxwell and my dynamic driver is a Focal celestee.

When my brother tried both Meze headphones he told me that the sound felt pretty clear, with a really good dept, he didn't enjoy that much the Hifimen for him it was way to bright and kind of dark, he liked some metal tracks with the celestee without giving to much af an explanation.

thats why I'm thinking on getting a planar for him with a little bit of bass/warm kind of signature, I'm trying to find something between clarity and punchy
maybe a planar with those features its not a thing and thats ok, maybe a dynamic driver could be the solution?

Again thanks for taking the time to help me
Cheers

 

[ilgeek]

Maybe he's referring to the sizzle and snappyness of planars? If he enjoys the planars from the collection it would probably be a good rule of thumb to follow

Yeah, he doesn't enjoy that level of brightness

Why not a good dynamic headphone like the Sennheiser HD650? It sounds like he doesn't like the sound of planars (which have too little bass). For $220, the 7hz Timeless is planar, easy to drive and has good bass/sub bass, but they are IEMs, which I assume is cheating your criteria. The Dan Clark Closed Aria have good bass and sub-bass and are being sold on Drop, but people complain about the headband breaking.

I know that the sound signature of the Sennheiser HD650 its legendary, but the build quality feels so cheap, the plastic parts and the ergonomics are kind of a let down IMHO

 

[pier25]

Or maybe the "famous" AKG K371? It gets good reviews except perhaps for a little "excess bass". But it does seem to have a reputation of being fragile and it might be too cheap if you normally give your brother $800 gifts.[/b]

I own these. I think they are good for the price and being closed but not even in the same league as some of my other headphones (NDH30, Sundara, HD600, etc).

@ilgeek are the headphones going to be used with EQ?

 

[ilgeek]

I own these. I think they are good for the price and being closed but not even in the same league as some of my other headphones (NDH30, Sundara, HD600, etc).

@ilgeek are the headphones going to be used with EQ?

I don't think so, my brother is in that category of set and forget kind of user

 

[bequietjk]

I dont have experience with these but i wonder if these would be a good recommendation. Or perhaps something in the Dan Clark line.

It would also be good to find out if he will like a closed back vs open back.

 

[ilgeek]

I dont have experience with these but i wonder if these would be a good recommendation. Or perhaps something in the Dan Clark line.

It would also be good to find out if he will like a closed back vs open back.

View attachment 477423

Its really strange, after trying the Meze Empyran II he told me that the sound stage, the "openess" on the headphones was amazing, but he was looking for tracks with a lot of bass to stress them so to speak, thats why I started thinking that maybe there's something in the middle, good sound stage, clear and somehow boomy?

I'm aware that maybe something like this doesn't exist at all, but its really hard to find an audio boutique in my country
So its really hard for me to try different brands, models and technologies for drivers, dacs or amps

Anyway, thank you for the recommendation

 

[DipankarMohanty]

Why not a good dynamic headphone like the Sennheiser HD650? It sounds like he doesn't like the sound of planars (which have too little bass). For $220, the 7hz Timeless is planar, easy to drive and has good bass/sub bass, but they are IEMs, which I assume is cheating your criteria. The Dan Clark Closed Aria have good bass and sub-bass and are being sold on Drop, but people complain about the headband breaking.

HD600 or 650 are perfect for metal but its treble is a lil subdued for good reasons. Where they shine is bringing out details of badly recorded albums to satisfactory levels. Loudly recorded albums basically.

 

[DipankarMohanty]

Hi everyone,

I'm reaching out once again for your knowledge and expertise.

I'm looking for some headphone recommendations as a gift for my brother. He, like me, really enjoys music, but he's more into rock, metal, hip-hop, and electronic music.

I've introduced him to my headphone collection, and he appreciates the clarity and detail that some of my planar headphones provide. However, he values sub-bass and overall bass quality as well. So, my question is this: what planar headphones can I get for him that offer a good balance of detail and a punchy bass sound signature?

I have a budget of $800. He currently uses a Schiit Audio DAC/AMP combo (Modi/Magni), which I also gifted him, so I’d prefer something that is easy to drive.

Thank you all for your help and advice!

Cheers

Maybe this will help -

 

[Misguided]

There's the new Hifiman XV also there have been some good reviews for the Moondrop Para 2, apparently it sounds very nice if you change the pads.