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Looking for Open back wide soundstage headphones under $500

c0z

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Apr 28, 2022
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Hi gang, newbie here. I'm not entirely new to the audiophile realm, though. I have a pair of V-Moda Crossfade M-100 masters, and have had beyerdynamic cans in the past, as well. all closed back. I like the feel of speakers in a room and am looking for a set of cans that are open back, have a wide sound stage and are good for referencing, well as close to reference as possible for a wide soundstage open backs can get. Are there a set of cans that have the details of planars, but the bass and dynamics of dynamic headphones? I realize there's going to be a compromise here.. especially since I'm asking for under $500.. please be kind...

I just want a set of cans that will bring me to tears listening to a solo grand piano performance or give me goosebumps listening to my fav prog metal/rock stuff.

The V-Modas just don't do it, and the cheap in ear buds I got from a gas station give me more feels than those V-Modas. they fell too "closed off" lmao, puns.

I preferably want something that has strong, clear, undistorted sub-bass and bass response to give you those feels, without muddying up the highs.

I'm using a very high quality headphone usb DAC that sounds better than my already great sounding Singxer SA-1 headphone amp. I'm using a balanced cable from both into the V-Moda, which was an improvement, but now I want that open back "speakers in a room" feel, but on my ears as I am in an apartment now.

Much Thanks in advance to your expertise and advise! I'm not looking to get "schooled" I just want some cans that can deliver as close to what I want as possible for under $500. I'm not opposed to buying older models, if they are in new condition. I read some reviews the HD560s might be nice, but they don't appear to have the bass I want and too much highs in the review posted here. I preferably want something that the Verum 1 mkII offers. The Audio-Technica ATH-R70x response looks nice, too, but lacking that bass I want. I realize one is planar and the other dynamic. I'm leaning more towards what a planar can offer, tbh.

Apologies for the long post, just trying to get all the asks and deets in. Peace!
 

stubaggs

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Mar 6, 2020
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Hi gang, newbie here. I'm not entirely new to the audiophile realm, though. I have a pair of V-Moda Crossfade M-100 masters, and have had beyerdynamic cans in the past, as well. all closed back. I like the feel of speakers in a room and am looking for a set of cans that are open back, have a wide sound stage and are good for referencing, well as close to reference as possible for a wide soundstage open backs can get. Are there a set of cans that have the details of planars, but the bass and dynamics of dynamic headphones? I realize there's going to be a compromise here.. especially since I'm asking for under $500.. please be kind...

I just want a set of cans that will bring me to tears listening to a solo grand piano performance or give me goosebumps listening to my fav prog metal/rock stuff.

The V-Modas just don't do it, and the cheap in ear buds I got from a gas station give me more feels than those V-Modas. they fell too "closed off" lmao, puns.

I preferably want something that has strong, clear, undistorted sub-bass and bass response to give you those feels, without muddying up the highs.

I'm using a very high quality headphone usb DAC that sounds better than my already great sounding Singxer SA-1 headphone amp. I'm using a balanced cable from both into the V-Moda, which was an improvement, but now I want that open back "speakers in a room" feel, but on my ears as I am in an apartment now.

Much Thanks in advance to your expertise and advise! I'm not looking to get "schooled" I just want some cans that can deliver as close to what I want as possible for under $500. I'm not opposed to buying older models, if they are in new condition. I read some reviews the HD560s might be nice, but they don't appear to have the bass I want and too much highs in the review posted here. I preferably want something that the Verum 1 mkII offers. The Audio-Technica ATH-R70x response looks nice, too, but lacking that bass I want. I realize one is planar and the other dynamic. I'm leaning more towards what a planar can offer, tbh.

Apologies for the long post, just trying to get all the asks and deets in. Peace!
Take a look at the Dan Clark Aeon, https://danclarkaudio.com/aeon-rt-new-1.html.

There is also a review here on ASR, https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-audio-aeon-rt-review-closed-headphone.19393/

They also turn up, discounted, on Drop fairly regularly.
 
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staticV3

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Hifiman Edition XS should be on your list.
Here are measurements, EQ suggestions, and subjective impressions by Resolve
 
OP
C

c0z

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Apr 28, 2022
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Take a look at the Dan Clark Aeon, https://danclarkaudio.com/aeon-rt-new-1.html.

There is also a review here on ASR, https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-audio-aeon-rt-review-closed-headphone.19393/

They also turn up, discounted, on Drop fairly regularly.
Would you happen to know the differences between the Drop + Dan Clark Aeon Flow X Open versus the Dan Clark Aeon RT? I have a suspicion it's the same exact tuning, etc.

Has anyone compared the Aeon RT Open with the Aeon 2 Open? Should I ask this in a new topic?
 

ManuCV

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Apr 3, 2021
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I would recommend the Avantone Pro Planar. They don't have the widest soundstage, but their bass and sub-bass are super precise (and good amounts of both). Piano sounds great on these, as well as harder stuff like rock. They are quite flat, so don't expect V sound but they are very EQ-friendly.
 
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