The most overrated and underrated headphone you tried?

[muza_1]

Overrated for me the Shure SE530 I have them since they came out and used them for years until it was easier to get other brands here. Comparing them to modern IEMs the mid-frequency is too prominent they lack bass and treble and sound unnatural, really good isolation though.

Not underrated per se (they are fairly new) but I think they deserve more attention, the CCA Trio are surprisingly balanced, natural and open. They sound just right.

CCA is a KZ brand so there is controversy around it and the looks are pretty much like any other KZ but for the price +/-$30.00 is worth a try.

 

[DenverW]

Overrated: Anything Grado. I know some people like them but I not only couldn't stand the sound, but the fit and comfort as well.

Underrated: So many mid fi iems such as the jvc fdx1, the FLC8S, and others. Great sound in an affordable package.

 

[StigErik]

Agree with that. Expensive Grado headphones are among worst crap I’ve ever heard.

Underrated : SONY WH1000. They sound great I think.

 

[MbphotoX]

as an owner of both the Grado RS2e and the Sony WH1000-XM4...
I just nearly spit out my drink!


Sure, the Grados are an acquired taste, but the Sony is really only good for its ANC..

I really love the Grados for clasic rock and the likes. Singer Songwriter stuff.. Awesome!

if you love the Sonys, you're robably a basshead

Agree with that. Expensive Grado headphones are among worst crap I’ve ever heard.

Underrated : SONY WH1000. They sound great I think.

 

[Exaybachay]

as an owner of both the Grado RS2e and the Sony WH1000-XM4...
I just nearly spit out my drink!


Sure, the Grados are an acquired taste, but the Sony is really only good for its ANC..

I really love the Grados for clasic rock and the likes. Singer Songwriter stuff.. Awesome!

if you love the Sonys, you're robably a basshead

Totally agree. WH1000-XM4 are horrible sounding headphones and honestly I have never listened to any Sony headphones that sound good.

 

[Mulder]

as an owner of both the Grado RS2e and the Sony WH1000-XM4...
I just nearly spit out my drink!


Sure, the Grados are an acquired taste, but the Sony is really only good for its ANC..

I really love the Grados for clasic rock and the likes. Singer Songwriter stuff.. Awesome!

if you love the Sonys, you're robably a basshead

Under- and overrated is a personal subjective reflection. Underrated is in my view an headphone that most people seems to dislike, and where you disagree, and likewise an overrated headphone is something most seems to like that you dislike. In that respect the Grados are in my view hardly overrated. It is my impression most people dislike them. So therefore I think those who regard them as underrated are in a minority. But as this is personal I can´t se the point in having an opinion in what others think about them. Me myself find them painful. Very uncomfortable and terrible treble.

 

[StigErik]

as an owner of both the Grado RS2e and the Sony WH1000-XM4...
I just nearly spit out my drink!


Sure, the Grados are an acquired taste, but the Sony is really only good for its ANC..

I really love the Grados for clasic rock and the likes. Singer Songwriter stuff.. Awesome!

if you love the Sonys, you're robably a basshead

I don't drink.

 

[MbphotoX]

you say most people dislike Grados, and you agree with them..
so they are neither underrated, nor overrated, aren't they?

 

[Mulder]

you say most people dislike Grados, and you agree with them..
so they are neither underrated, nor overrated, aren't they?

I suppose you meant me. Well, I guess you could put it that way. But that was not my point.

 

[StigErik]

you say most people dislike Grados, and you agree with them..
so they are neither underrated, nor overrated, aren't they?

Reviewers love them... those who have measured them, not so much.

I've heard Grado RS1 and RS2. Can't remember anything else below 20$ sounding that awful.

 

[MbphotoX]

Reviewers love them... those who have measured them, not so much.

I've heard Grado RS1 and RS2. Can't remember anything else below 20$ sounding that awful.

yeah, they measure horribly.

goes to show that measurements are not everything when it comes to sound perception.

And your ridiculous exaggeration doesn't help your credibility at all.

 

[StigErik]

This is ASR. Measurements are everything.

 

[MbphotoX]

This is ASR. Measurements are everything.

is that why Amir always includes his listening impressions with tests of transducers?
I would agree that amplifiers, converters, etc. mostly depend on measurements, but Transducers?

that's the whole point of this hobby! taste is personal!

And Harman didn't release ONE curve.. they released a huge RANGE for bass and treble..
people just decided to completely ignore that fact and assume that it's one TARGET that must be matched.

 

[Glint]

Overrated: Anything Grado. I know some people like them but I not only couldn't stand the sound, but the fit and comfort as well.

Was literally about to post this exact sentiment. Had the Sr325 way back, sounded fine I guess (not for the cost though), but that fit&finish/comfort?!...get out of here!

 

[Golf]

Most underrated? No question: Sennheiser HD 414.

 

[Blockader]

overrated: Stax SR007mkI/II/mk2.9
underrated: Beyerdynamic DT1990 with a lil bit of EQ.

 

[GoDawgs]

Underrated: Hifiman Ananda Nano (w/EQ) I find it quite pleasant at my normal listening volume, very comfortable to wear.

 

[Mr Swing King]

I’m not sure I am ever going to really understand underrated and overrated other than ‘what I dig is better than what you dig’-type of thang.
Anyhoo here goes

Underrated: AKG K245, Maude Technical ATH-R70X, AKG K612, Aune AR5000.

Overrated: Abyss AB1266 Phi TC, Grados (I very much agree!), Hifiman Susvara, most of Raal’s offerings and the same goes for Kennerton and ZMF.

 

[Postlan]

If you don't use EQ, the HD600/650 are truly excellent. Considering the price, balance and comfort, they can still be considered underrated.

Currently, I believe those who use EQ are still a significant minority, but for example, when corrected with EQ, if you compare the Audeze MM-500 and the HD-800s in the same price range, the MM-500 has undeniably better sound quality than the HD-800s yet it is way less popular, which also makes it quite underrated. The Austrian Audio Hi-x65 is also quite good for its price and could stand to be a bit more popular.

The most overrated thing is Sonarworks. It might slightly improve the frequency response, but even with light correction, it just makes the sound worse. If you need an EQ, do it manually starting with Oratory 1990.

 

[markanini]

The most overrated thing is Sonarworks. It might slightly improve the frequency response, but even with light correction, it just makes the sound worse. If you need an EQ, do it manually starting with Oratory 1990.

Agreed. One would have better outcomes EQ-ing manually.