Suggestions for upgrade from Sennheiser HD598SR to new about CDN $600 to $1000 (USD $475-$800)

[Doodski]

I use the the headphones about 2 to 10+ hours a day and need something comfortable. I boost the treble muchO. So something bright sounding might be suitable. I am using an ASUS motherboard with the SupremeFX ALC4080 codec. I have no idea what the output power is but if it isn't enough then I can buy a proper headphone amp. What would be a good headphone with a bright sound? It can be open or closed back.
@solderdude has the HD599 listed at his webpage and maybe that is close to the HD598?
@amirm tested the HD598SE here.

 

[solderdude]

measured by Rtings on the same rig.
There are small differences that suggest the HD599 has a bit more warmth/bass and 3 dB less 1.5kHz.
The labelling is weird the dotted line is 598 and the light grey and blue are 599.
The HD598 is a tiny bit closer to 'neutral'

 

[RHO]

Maybe Crinicale's headphone ranking list is a good place to start your search? You can select for "bright neutral" or "bright" to filter out the desires sound signature (top left dropdown box, above the list).
If you've found an interesting one you can click on it to see the frequency curve.

 

[ZolaIII]

This are to expensive and I don't know about build quality (they had some louse end's in the past).

https://reference-audio-analyzer.pro/en/report/hp/fostex-th-900-mk2-blue.php#gsc.tab=0

However you could use them as reference or at least way point where you want to go (Foster drivers and similar performance). Those do need a very good amplifier performance (SNR) on lo loads.
I am certain @solderdude will help with better proposition in same direction.

Edit: you might be able to find TH 900 MKII as a B stock with full warranty for less money but still over the budget. So far I found them for 1044 £ (in UK of course) but even so they are far from good value.

 

[solderdude]

Treble response of the Sennheisers is quite even.
Personally I would rarther EQ the treble of headphones that have an even response there (not measured on a fixture with artificial pinna/ear canal !) than to use a headphone with too much treble as that would probably go hand in hand with peaking.

A DT1990 would make sense if you like elevated treble or a (current) DT880. Treble is elevated and peaks but does so without many narrow band issues.

 

[ZolaIII]

Bingo and response is even better (in my humble subjective opinion tho TH-900 MKII has better impulse response), driver is the same tho 1 Ohm's less mesured average impedance.

https://reference-audio-analyzer.pro/en/report/hp/fostex-th610-max.php#gsc.tab=0

Please check thoroughly about their build quality and get them from somewhere you can return them (Amazon for example) if you don't like them or have a comfort related issue with them. Current price is about 600 US $ but you should check if you can also find them in B stock (with full warranty and return of course) for less money.

 

[Doodski]

Alrighty. I have stuff that is available in Canada from retailers/etailers.

AUDEZE LCD-2
$1,299.99

BEYERDYNAMIC DT 1990 PRO
$779.47

FOSTEX TH-610
$799.00

AUDEZE LCD2 CLASSIC
$1,099.00
$1,099.00
$1099.00

FOCAL ELEGIA
$628.30 ASR Review

FOCAL CELESTEE
$1,290.00 ASR Review
$1,299.00

FOCAL CLEAR
$1,249.00 Discounted from $1899.00

DAN CLARK AUDIO AEON 2 NOIRE
$1,149.00
$1,149.00
$1,149.00
DAN CLARK AUDIO AEON 2
$1,149.00
2 meter "Dummer" cable, 1/8th inch (3.5mm) with 1/4-inch (6.3mm) adapter (special order option: instead of this cable, get a 2 meter XLR cable)
Efficiency: 92dB/mW
Impedance: 13 ohms

HIFIMAN EDITION XS
$699.00
$699.00
$641.22

HIFIMAN HE-560 V4
$718.75

HIFIMAN ANANDA
$949.00 ASR Review
$949.00
$1049.00
$759.00 + $49.50 Shipping & Import Fees Deposit.
$1,199.00
$999.00
$1,199.00
$1049.00

HIFIMAN SUNDARA
$907.41 ASR Review
$472.28

BEYERDYNAMIC AMIRON HOME
$799.00

SENNHEISER HD660S V2
$679.95
$679.95

SENNHEISER HD 660 S
$679.95
$679.99

SENNHEISER HD 650
$446.08

 

[_thelaughingman]

Looking at the list above, they're all pretty solid and good quality headphones. I'd recommend the DCA Aeon2 based on the quality and good reviews of them around the internet. Ultimately it'll be down to preference and what strikes your fancy.

 

[Madjalapeno]

I got a pair of DCA Aeon2 Open as open box/returns from Headphones.com

Were still in a sealed box when they arrived.

Dan Clark Audio AEON 2 Open Planar Magnetic Headphones

AEON 2 won many awards for its superb ergonomics, great sound, high-reliability, and exceptional value. Enjoy 365-day returns & free shipping!

www.headphones.com

 

[Doodski]

I got a pair of DCA Aeon2 Open as open box/returns from Headphones.com

Were still in a sealed box when they arrived.

Dan Clark Audio AEON 2 Open Planar Magnetic Headphones

AEON 2 won many awards for its superb ergonomics, great sound, high-reliability, and exceptional value. Enjoy 365-day returns & free shipping!

www.headphones.com

Yes, the DCA is very attractive. Good company, good phones and I like the construction and folding mechanism.

 

[Doodski]

What headphone amps would be good for the DAN CLARK AUDIO AEON 2?
It has such low impedance...
-Efficiency: 92dB/mW
-Impedance: 13 ohms

 

[Madjalapeno]

What headphone amps would be good for the DAN CLARK AUDIO AEON 2?
It has such low impedance...
-Efficiency: 92dB/mW
-Impedance: 13 ohms

Fellow Canadian and member @tomchr - https://www.tomchr.com/products/hpa-10-headphone-amplifier

 

[Doodski]

Fellow Canadian and member @tomchr - https://www.tomchr.com/products/hpa-10-headphone-amplifier

Interesting suggestion.
The Dan Clark Audio Aeon2 is rated @ 13 Ohms - Efficiency: 92dB/mW.
@tomchr rates the HPA-10 down @:

Output Power	1.40 W	20 Ω
Output Power	1.25 W	32 Ω
Output Power	260 mW	300 Ω

 

[RHO]

What headphone amps would be good for the DAN CLARK AUDIO AEON 2?
It has such low impedance...
-Efficiency: 92dB/mW
-Impedance: 13 ohms

I drive my DCA Aeon RT closed with a Topping A50s. No issues with SPL whatsoever.

 

[Doodski]

I drive my DCA Aeon RT closed with a Topping A50s. No issues with SPL whatsoever.

Grear review @ASR and the price is right too.
I thought the L30 was like $300.00+ Canadian.

 

[threni]

SENNHEISER HD660S V2

Never heard of the V2 before. Is this just the HD 660S which is a sonically-identical but slightly redesigned version of an earlier HD 660S, both of which have been around for a few years now? (I like the idea of something which is different having a different name!)

 

[solderdude]

I was told there was a v2 in the works about half a year ago.
Will ask them what changes were made.

 

[threni]

Maybe Crinicale's headphone ranking list is a good place to start your search?

His take on the Sennheiser HD660S:

"An even darker HD6X0. A comparatively muffled mess just barely propped up by its decent resolving ability."

Yikes! They're great headphones, but they do require EQ.

 

[Doodski]

Never heard of the V2 before. Is this just the HD 660S which is a sonically-identical but slightly redesigned version of an earlier HD 660S, both of which have been around for a few years now? (I like the idea of something which is different having a different name!)

First I've read about the 660S MkII as well. Sennheiser USA webpage has no details on it. I think the impedance is different. EDIT: Both are apparently 150 Ohm.

 

[threni]

First I've read about the 660S MkII as well. Sennheiser USA webpage has no details on it. I think the impedance is different. EDIT: Both are apparently 150 Ohm.

Yes, I remember checking when I got mine. Amazon UK sold (and maybe still sell) both.

Sennheiser have form here - I also have the HD 595 which was released with two different impedances, so you can never quite trust anything you read about them online. (Using the US Apple USB -> 3.5mm dongle and the 50 ohm HD 595 is an entirely different proposition to the gimped EU dongle and the 120 ohm version of the headphones! GIVE DIFFERENT THINGS DIFFERENT NAMES FFS!).