Step up from HE4xx planar, but closed...

[AnalogDE]

I am really digging the planar sound from my new HE4xx. I want another planar magnetic headphone for my office, needs to be closed type. Which closed planar would you choose?

 

[JJB70]

I s there a particular reason you want planar magnetic? Pistonic dynamic drivers can be just as good and will give you an awful lot more choice.

 

[AnalogDE]

Ok, I guess I really like the sound of the HE4xx's and want something similar, but closed...

I already have the Beyer DT770s at work... I am noticing that annoying treble peak now

 

[raif71]

Maybe this site might help but you still have to find out whether the hp is planar magnetic or not https://hifiguides.com/

 

[Fluffy]

I haven't yet heard a closed planar that I liked, but here are the popular ones: Monolith M1060C, Fostex T60RP (semi open), Fostex T50rp, Oppo PM-3, MrSpeakers Aeon Flow Closed, Audeze LCD2 Closed, Audeze EL-8 Closed.

 

[Gabs]

Hi,

I have the HE400i, PM3 and Aeon closed.
Actually, what do you want in terms of fequency response, soundstage, etc ?

The Aeon closed and PM3 are more neutral. The PM3 has more bass and is more forward. The Aeon is generaly better than the Hifiman but lacks bass IMO.
Maybe you would want to have the Aeon 2, wich may sound open despite being closed.
Blue makes the Ella.

But everything depends of you tastes.
Please help us understand.

 

[Gabs]

One of the most respected is the Modhouse Argon Mk3. But I'm not sure if it's a step up or not from the Hifiman...
EDIT : and if you want something portable, there is the Audeze Sine.

 

[AnalogDE]

Hi,

I have the HE400i, PM3 and Aeon closed.
Actually, what do you want in terms of fequency response, soundstage, etc ?

The Aeon closed and PM3 are more neutral. The PM3 has more bass and is more forward. The Aeon is generaly better than the Hifiman but lacks bass IMO.
Maybe you would want to have the Aeon 2, wich may sound open despite being closed.
Blue makes the Ella.

But everything depends of you tastes.
Please help us understand.

Where can I find Aeon 2? I don’t see it on MrSpeakers website.

 

[Berwhale]

Ok, I guess I really like the sound of the HE4xx's and want something similar, but closed...

I already have the Beyer DT770s at work... I am noticing that annoying treble peak now

What are you using as a player? Does it have EQ? With something like USB Audio Player Pro + MorphIT plugin you could easily EQ the DT770 to the Harmon OE/AE target or make them sound similar to your HE-4XX.

 

[AnalogDE]

What are you using as a player? Does it have EQ? With something like USB Audio Player Pro + MorphIT plugin you could easily EQ the DT770 to the Harmon OE/AE target or make them sound similar to your HE-4XX.

I’m using Tidal and it doesn’t have EQ...

 

[August]

Where can I find Aeon 2? I don’t see it on MrSpeakers website.

They have changed their name to DanClarkAudio and released a brand new aeon2.

 

[Berwhale]

I’m using Tidal and it doesn’t have EQ...

Tidal running on what?

 

[Gabs]

Where can I find Aeon 2? I don’t see it on MrSpeakers website.

Just announced, maybe we have to wait the hype fades away and measurements be released.
https://darko.audio/2019/11/a-short-film-about-the-dan-clark-audio-aeon-2/

EDIT : here is the official link
https://danclarkaudio.com/headphones-22/aeon.html

 

[AnalogDE]

Tidal running on what?

At work it runs on my PC running windows 10.

 

[Berwhale]

At work it runs on my PC running windows 10.

Assuming that you are able to install software at work, then you could use: sourceforge.net/projects/equalizerapo/

 

[AnalogDE]

Hi,

I have the HE400i, PM3 and Aeon closed.
Actually, what do you want in terms of fequency response, soundstage, etc ?

The Aeon closed and PM3 are more neutral. The PM3 has more bass and is more forward. The Aeon is generaly better than the Hifiman but lacks bass IMO.
Maybe you would want to have the Aeon 2, wich may sound open despite being closed.
Blue makes the Ella.

But everything depends of you tastes.
Please help us understand.

Basically I’d like it to be comparable to the HE4xx. Same amount of bass or slightly more. Mids and highs comparable to HE4xx.

 

[Gabs]

Basically I’d like it to be comparable to the HE4xx. Same amount of bass or slightly more. Mids and highs comparable to HE4xx.

So i'd say, let's dig into these (in comparison to the Hifiman) :
Oppo PM3 >> smoother but good highs, no soundstage
Audeze Sine >> I found it boring, but it's personal taste
Aeon 2 closed ? >> the version 1 lacks bass IMO
Blue Ella >> Aeon 2 copied on this one for the headband mechanism ! >> I did not find measurements but it's intended for studio so...
Master and dynamics MH40 >> I prefer the PM3
Monoprice M1060 closed ? >> opinions needed
Audeze LCD 2 classic closed ? >> opinions needed (personnaly I listened to 4 Audezes and did not like them....)

Here is another question : why do you need a closed back ?
I have some closed and open backs.
For outdoors there are 2 real choices for my personal taste : iem because it's really portable (maybe the Tin T4 would fit your sound taste !) or open back because it's safe and the open sound very pleasing to me outside.

If you want to block the outside, then better grab a Bose, Sony, or PSB.

 

[Fluffy]

I listened to the first Aeon and it didn't sound to me like something to write home about. The new ones still look sexy AF like the old one, and they claim a new voicing. Can't wait to see someone measuring those and compare them to the old Aeon.

@solderdude ?

 

[AnalogDE]

So i'd say, let's dig into these (in comparison to the Hifiman) :
Oppo PM3 >> smoother but good highs, no soundstage
Audeze Sine >> I found it boring, but it's personal taste
Aeon 2 closed ? >> the version 1 lacks bass IMO
Blue Ella >> Aeon 2 copied on this one for the headband mechanism ! >> I did not find measurements but it's intended for studio so...
Master and dynamics MH40 >> I prefer the PM3
Monoprice M1060 closed ? >> opinions needed
Audeze LCD 2 classic closed ? >> opinions needed (personnaly I listened to 4 Audezes and did not like them....)

Here is another question : why do you need a closed back ?
I have some closed and open backs.
For outdoors there are 2 real choices for my personal taste : iem because it's really portable (maybe the Tin T4 would fit your sound taste !) or open back because it's safe and the open sound very pleasing to me outside.

If you want to block the outside, then better grab a Bose, Sony, or PSB.

I need closed back because I work in a cubicle office setup, can't have sound leaking out and also need to keep sounds from coming in.
I don't need ANC headphones (already got the Sony's)... closed back is good enough.

 

[Berwhale]

I need closed back because I work in a cubicle office setup, can't have sound leaking out and also need to keep sounds from coming in.
I don't need ANC headphones (already got the Sony's)... closed back is good enough.

Are you intending to drive these headphones off the PC or something else? (Apple dongle, USB DAC/Amp, etc.)