I have Sennheiser HD 598 and Hifiman Ananada Stealth. What should I get for my next Headphone? I am thinking Sennheiser HD 650, but open to any other ideas. Closed back, open back, definitely different brands, different sound signatures etc. I'm not ready to splurge for something like 800s so something more reasonable in price please.
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Next Headphone?
- Thread starter Chanur
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Jiraya369
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get something comfy and eq, which shape fit your head better? go for that one, that's it.
just get a dac with eq if you switch sources constantly.
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- #4
Won't different headphones sound different? Where they put the instruments etc?
Jiraya369
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it's just FR, the FR is what the headphone produces in terms of sound, since the headphones are so close to your ears there's no reflections or off axis FR to think about. So if you want to know how a headphone sounds, just take a look at the FR. Distortion is just oddities that the headphone is not meant to produce, which happen due to poor driver quality. Low distortion is best
The openness of a headphone can lead to the perception of a wider soundstage but it's just something in your head, not real.
FR on a test rig is not the same as what you hear because we have different ear shapes, canals, etc. So you really need to eq to get a good response out of headphones or try out stuff.
solderdude
Grand Contributor
EQ it how and to what ?
This is the entire point.
Then there is comfort, sensitivity, open, closed, in-ear, wireless etc.
Otherwise we all would simply buy any cheap headphone and make it sound like a TOTL headphone.
This is the entire point.
Then there is comfort, sensitivity, open, closed, in-ear, wireless etc.
Otherwise we all would simply buy any cheap headphone and make it sound like a TOTL headphone.
Jiraya369
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hd800s is one of the most comfortable headphones ever made.
it also looks stunning.
but in terms of sound, yes, the hd600 could in fact be better cus i saw some charts where the 650 or 600 had LESS distortion.
- Thread Starter
- #10
I love the look of the HD800s but I'm not ready to spend that kind of money.
IAtaman
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There are a lot of options, and you have not given any clues as to what you might like, so its a bit hard to recommend something.
If you want to sample something different, maybe look at IEMs? There are many good options at good prices to pick from.
If you want to stick to over ear, maybe look into Audeze, Sony, AKG options that fits your price range.
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- #12
I actually got a Sennheiser HD6XX off their website for 160 bucks the other day. At that price it decided for me. What I would want going forward is a closed back of some kind or anything with a much different sound signature or supremely comfortable or something. I may be end up getting a pair of those beautiful Denon models later this year.
IAtaman
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HD6XX is a great choice. They are wonderful headphones and I don't think you can get anything better value-for-money.
Closed backs are more finicky. Their sound have a higher dependency on pads, seal consistency, whether you got glasses, when did you last shave your face etc. so what works for many might not work for you.
Personally, I can't wear closed backs for more than an hour as my ears get too hot. If I want isolation, I usually go for in-ears.
I do not own any Denon headphones so can't talk about them. I don't own them either but Fiio FT1 is all the hype these days - and they are sensibly priced. Sony MDR-7506 have a different sound signature and some people like them. They should be around $100-$150 range as well. AKG K361/K371 are good options as well as a closed back, but they have the similar Harman tuning so might not be much of a different sound signature compared to 6XX. One thing for sure - I'd stay away from Audio-Technica M series.
- Thread Starter
- #14
Why do you suggest avoiding the M series? I've seen them recommended a few times.
solderdude
Grand Contributor
The closed M series is colored. Its pleather cracks pretty soon.
The open R(x) series is more neutral.
The open R(x) series is more neutral.
Yorkshire Mouth
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MoonDrop Para 2.
It looks uncomfortable. In your hands it feels like it's going to be be uncomfortable.
But when you put it on, it really isn't. It's amazing how many reviews say this (or similar).
The stock frequency response is pretty good to start with, and easily EQ-able, and distortion is so low that it's close to non-existent.
It looks uncomfortable. In your hands it feels like it's going to be be uncomfortable.
But when you put it on, it really isn't. It's amazing how many reviews say this (or similar).
The stock frequency response is pretty good to start with, and easily EQ-able, and distortion is so low that it's close to non-existent.
- Thread Starter
- #18
I've never really owned good IEMs so never thought about it. I'll check out the Daybreak!
worker24x7
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@Chanur
Are you music sources and EQ/processor of high enough quality?
For me after many years, what made my headphones (and I have way to many to list) much better, almost every model I tried were these things
a) found music that was recorded well, it was not the bit rate (that I was thinking all these years) -- but the quality of recording. And then anything of 192Kbps was fine.
b) I stopped using VLC music player on my android phones -- and paid for Neutron and USB Audo player Pro ( I like Neutron more for a bunch of reasons..)
c) learned (well still learning) how to use parametric EQ in Neutron
These music players auto-detec my phones' internal DAC and overall with the above 3, I made my most of existing headphones sound different and better.
I do think you should have closed back headphones in your collection
. For me, I very much enjoy used Audio Technica ATH-A 900x and ATH-A 990z.
I think Denon 5200 can be the 'end game' so to speak for closed back if you want to get to that price range. But again I really like the Audio Technica models. You can also check their outlet store https://outlet.audio-technica.com/
the Axx models are closed-back the ADxx are open back. The Rxx models are open back.
I would also check the inexpensive JVC HA-RX 700 https://www.jvc.com/usa/headphones/wired-headband/ha-rx700/
(ebay prices may have them in $25 range).
The JVC and A9x series use the same diameter 110mm pads, and I was able to get incredible sound (in my mind) and variations (as if I was buying different headphones) just by playing with different pads for the above models.
Velour pads is what I typically start with if I want to improve mids or highs, and protein leather or real leather if I want to get more bass (although I cannot really confirm that this is a 'formula' wrth pads material)
Are you music sources and EQ/processor of high enough quality?
For me after many years, what made my headphones (and I have way to many to list) much better, almost every model I tried were these things
a) found music that was recorded well, it was not the bit rate (that I was thinking all these years) -- but the quality of recording. And then anything of 192Kbps was fine.
b) I stopped using VLC music player on my android phones -- and paid for Neutron and USB Audo player Pro ( I like Neutron more for a bunch of reasons..)
c) learned (well still learning) how to use parametric EQ in Neutron
These music players auto-detec my phones' internal DAC and overall with the above 3, I made my most of existing headphones sound different and better.
I do think you should have closed back headphones in your collection
. For me, I very much enjoy used Audio Technica ATH-A 900x and ATH-A 990z.I think Denon 5200 can be the 'end game' so to speak for closed back if you want to get to that price range. But again I really like the Audio Technica models. You can also check their outlet store https://outlet.audio-technica.com/
the Axx models are closed-back the ADxx are open back. The Rxx models are open back.
I would also check the inexpensive JVC HA-RX 700 https://www.jvc.com/usa/headphones/wired-headband/ha-rx700/
(ebay prices may have them in $25 range).
The JVC and A9x series use the same diameter 110mm pads, and I was able to get incredible sound (in my mind) and variations (as if I was buying different headphones) just by playing with different pads for the above models.
Velour pads is what I typically start with if I want to improve mids or highs, and protein leather or real leather if I want to get more bass (although I cannot really confirm that this is a 'formula' wrth pads material)
- Thread Starter
- #20
Great response! So for my headphones I'm using two set ups basically. At my desk I'm using Music Bee to listen to my own music. I just recently started buying stuff from HD Tracks but their catalogue is not huge so open to better suggestions! Music Bee has PEQ and is very easy to use which is why I started using it. How ever I have a JDS Labs Element 4 on my desk so I use the Core software for PEQ. So not tied to the software for music.@Chanur
Are you music sources and EQ/processor of high enough quality?
For me after many years, what made my headphones (and I have way to many to list) much better, almost every model I tried were these things
a) found music that was recorded well, it was not the bit rate (that I was thinking all these years) -- but the quality of recording. And then anything of 192Kbps was fine.
b) I stopped using VLC music player on my android phones -- and paid for Neutron and USB Audo player Pro ( I like Neutron more for a bunch of reasons..)
c) learned (well still learning) how to use parametric EQ in Neutron
These music players auto-detec my phones' internal DAC and overall with the above 3, I made my most of existing headphones sound different and better.
I do think you should have closed back headphones in your collection
I think Denon 5200 can be the 'end game' so to speak for closed back if you want to get to that price range. But again I really like the Audio Technica models. You can also check their outlet store https://outlet.audio-technica.com/
the Axx models are closed-back the ADxx are open back. The Rxx models are open back.
I would also check the inexpensive JVC HA-RX 700 https://www.jvc.com/usa/headphones/wired-headband/ha-rx700/
(ebay prices may have them in $25 range).
The JVC and A9x series use the same diameter 110mm pads, and I was able to get incredible sound (in my mind) and variations (as if I was buying different headphones) just by playing with different pads for the above models.
Velour pads is what I typically start with if I want to improve mids or highs, and protein leather or real leather if I want to get more bass (although I cannot really confirm that this is a 'formula' wrth pads material)
For my other set up I am using a WiiM Mini for Spotify almost exclusively. Currently going into my JDS Labs Atom 2 stack and occasionally my old Schiit 3+ stack.
I love the look of those three Denon headphone models. I'll be surprised if I don't end up with one of them some day.
Thanks for the headphones suggestions. I'll check them out!
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