What headphone(s) do you own ?

[Robbo99999]

The problem is that Harman curve might have the right tonality, but only at a certain SPL level. Anechoic Flat speakers measure flat at any SPL (until power compression sets in) but that doesn’t fully describe perfect tonality either imo.

If ASR is telling people that Harman is the “correct frequency response”, is there also a “correct SPL level” that people should listen to music?

I‘ve never heard of such a thing as the “correct SPL level,” so that’s the problem with using a single curve to describe perfect tonality.

For sure the listening level you use will also determine what kind of "frequency response tonality" you want to aim for. As you said if you listen at low volumes then you get the feeling you want to increase the bass when you're using Harman EQ'd headphones - that's fine. The same is gonna be true of Anechoic Flat speakers in a listening room if you listened at low levels. I mean I think most people just turn it up until it sounds good as long as it's not annoying your neighbours or whoever you're living with. You also want to prevent hearing damage so it helps to have an idea of what actual levels you're listening at. For myself though I listen at fairly low to normal levels and the Harman Headphone EQ's work fine for my headphones....and to be honest it also works fine if I turn it up a tad more than my normal listening level, but that doesn't really increase my enjoyment of it so I rarely do that. It's normal and acceptable with Harman Headphone EQ's that you adjust bass to preference anyway, you'd probably be best using a Low Shelf Filter at 105Hz with Q0.71 and then you tweak the dB value of that filter to add bass or reduce it from the normal Harman Target.

 

[Audiophilosopher]

First time poster here. Have really enjoyed this forum as well as Amir’s reviews.

Just went through a little bit of a headphone “redo” over the last few months. Sold several pairs and bought some new ones. Have been through many pairs over the years and am OK with EQ but have found that I prefer a neutral-ish/Harman turning that I can adjust slightly for my own tastes and less than perfect hearing. For all of my current headphones, I EQ with a bass boost of some sort (if required) and one to three parametric EQ points (if required) with usually 1 dB max of adjustment. In my experience if a headphone is too far off from my desired sound profile, using extensive EQ to adjust the sound never works to my satisfaction. I also rotate between headphones all the time depending on my mood, where I'm located, what kind of music I'm listening to, etc. One other note is that I like to listen at the lowest volume that gives me full range of sound.

My "get lost in the music headphones" for critical listening and pure enjoyment
Hifiman Arya Unveiled
DCA Noire XO
HEDDPhone D1

For background music while working
Focal Hadenys - also travel with these sometimes
Hifiman Edition XV

For when I infrequently require a closed back
Senn HD620s

Rarely used anymore (but can't let go)
Senn HD600

Wireless - mostly for travel or working around the house
Senn HDB630
B&W Px7 s2

Recently sold:
Audeze LCD-XC
Focal Clear
Focal Elegia
Shure 1840
Shure 1540

Have owned many others in the past. At this point I think (and hope ) that I’m set for a long time.

For equipment I have a JDS Labs Atom Amp/DAC 2 on my desktop, a Topping G5 and a Fosi DS2.

 

[Antiaudiophile]

I'm a Sennheiser fiend... I had a pair of HD 480 classic but I lost them when I was camping... such a bad loss, so I ordered another vintage set, HD 450 ii from 1991. Not as good but I don't really mind, I just want something vintage that's easy to drive. I have another set of vintage Sennheiser's HD 520 from the 1980s, I'd never been able to properly drive them until a few weeks ago with my Fosi ZH3, DAC/HPA, it gives 2.5 w but I still need to crank the volume to max, but it's definitely loud enough for a 'loud' listening experience. These are by far my best headphones. Both of these were made in West Germany before the fall of the Soviet Union. I also have some other Sennheiser's HD 558, HD599, HD 280 pro, Urbanite XL and momentum 1 on-ear. The last two are really bad compared to the others. But nothing compares to the HD 520s with the right amplification, I was blown away by the bass, mids and treble... all in perfect balance.

Update... the HD 450 ii actually sound better than the 480 classic. I think they even sound better than my HD 520!

 

[artismo]

My favorite right now is my HD58X with inner foam replaced with coffee filter and pinhole perforations over dome, half Sennheiser foam cut covering the bottom inner driver, 2cm paper towel disc over perforations of dome, then rear foam removed, furniture felt over magnet with T15 hole, coffee filter disc with T10 over felt

 

[Ilkless]

Audeze LCD-2F (post-2020 leather pads), with the above EQ. Started with Oratory, but which had been measured on older pads, eyeballed the delta, then tweaked further from there. Probably nets out to Harman-ish in shape to ~6kHz, but 1.5dB lower 3kHz peak, then closer to DF above 6k.

What this yields (YMMV, this is for my HRTF) is immense separation, natural timbre, and sound that seemingly emanates completely decorrelated from the headphone, even with skeptical listening. I mean it. Everything I've thrown at either sounds very realistically live, or on terrific nearfields, or on very good large-format speakers. I wouldn't be too surprised if I have done HRTF correction by ear to a very good degree. Took me forever because I had an EQ profile that was nearly perfect except it was too subdued around 6k. This now fixes that.

 

[inselwissen]

• Sennheiser HD600
• Audio-Technica ATH-R70x
• Audio-Technica ATH-R50x
• HiFiMAN HE400se
• Philips SHP9500
• AKG K371
• AKG K550 mkII

A few of these are recent additions, as I'm currently in the process of consolidating my collection down to just two open-back headphones and the closed-back AKGs, which are a necessary evil for music production.

The HD600 are a given for all the reasons one would pick them, namely natural timbre and comfort (w/ Capra strap). Something that complements the HD600 and its weaknesses makes the most sense for the second spot - think extended bass and treble and a wider soundstage. The HD600 will probably keep the #1 spot for music listening, while the other pair will be used more for immersive gaming and movies. Though having a "fun" pair around is also great for music when the mood strikes.

A few quick notes on the candidates so far:

The ATH-R70x would be my #1 do-all pick if I could only have one headphone. It's considerably better in the imaging/soundstage department than the HD600, but the HD600 has it beat for smoothness of treble and natural sound. Comfort is great for me, though I have read lots of comments to the contrary. It's a jack of all trades, and a damn good one at that, but I feel having two specialized headphones makes more sense for me.

The ATH-R50x are, suprisingly, my current front runner for the #2 spot. They are like the halfway point between the ATH-R70x and something like a DT880. I've also seen them called a "baby Sony MDR-MV1", which I fully agree with. Lots of well-extended bass, an ever so slightly recessed midrange and broadly elevated treble. Not too bad stock, but once EQ'd to the Harman target, these become FUN. I use a slightly altered version of oratory's EQ (the PDF from Reddit), which tightens up the poofy mid bass, gets the mids to a more natural place and reigns in the treble. Comfort is great because they weigh next to nothing and the split headband is designed to avoid hotspots. I wish the pads were a little larger. I put on the pads from my R70x, which have a slightly bigger inner diameter, but I'm still looking for viable alternatives. Good value. I paid 100 € shipped for a like-new pair.

I bought the HiFiMAN HE400se because of Amir's glowing review. Completely different presentation from the other headphones I own. They feel notably wider than the others, though I don't know if that translates to an actual sense of space for me. Imaging and positioning seem to be slighty off, which I notice most in first-person games. Music plays in an "out of head" kind of way that tends to remove me a little from the emotion of the track. It gets better once you fill in the gaping hole around 2 KHz. Amazingly punchy bass when properly EQ'd, too. But no matter what I do EQ-wise, they feel sort of "diffused" if that makes sense. Far from bad for what I'd use them for but I don't know if I'd ever be able to really get into a piece of music on them. Comfort is poor out of the box because of the weight and bad headband design. I ordered the matching Capra strap the day they arrived. The strap helps a lot, but it's still not an all-day headphone for me.

I've had a few Philips SHP9500 over the years. They used to be the default recommendation for gaming headphones under 100 € and for good reason. The soundstage and imaging are both good in a natural, non-exaggerated way, which means positional accuracy is on point. Stock, they are bass-shy and the treble is kind of grainy. A bass shelf and some strategic cuts in the treble (5,5 KHz is the main offender on my head) improves the sound exponentially, but the peaky treble means the usual EQ presets found online need fine-grained individual adjustments. I'm still not 100 % satisfied with my EQ curve and I'm sceptical I'll ever get these phones to sound any better than "pretty good". A big plus point for the SHP9500 is the single 3,5 mm input on the left cup, which allows you to use a wide range of aftermarket boom microphones. Back in my sweaty multiplayer days that would have been a real selling point, but now I can take it or leave it. Though they feel kind of cheap, the mechanical design and comfort are actually very good. Big ear pads, low clamping force, nicely stepped headband adjustments. Very solid in that regard.

Right now, my preference is R50x > SHP9500 > R70x > HE400se, but I'm not done yet. I still have an AKG K702 and a HiFiMAN Edition XS on the way (both used). I had the K601 for a while, loved its soundstage and comfort but can't do fixed cables anymore so I thought I'd give the K702 a shot. The Edition XS is HiFiMAN's last chance to really impress me before I write them off under "just not for me". Well, maybe I'll also need to hear the Edition XV as it seems to be a big departure from their house sound but we'll see.

Does anyone have any other ideas? Preferably for not stupid money?

 

[Phree]

Closed;
Audio Technica ATH-PRO700MK2, old DJ bass cannons, not used now.
Yamaha HPH-MT220, similar to above, lost in a junk box somewhere.
Shure SRH840, loved these, my first "decent" cans (IMHO). Broke more than once. Replaced by 1540 now.
Shure SRH1540, nice, my reference closed back.
Denon AH-GC25W, Small, light, comfy, wireless, for work and travel. Good sound for what they are.
HIfiman Sundara closed, cheap and cheerful closed planars. New so jury still out. Subjectively, very detailed, like them so far.

Open;
Fischer Audio FA-011, first open cans, still love them. Punch well above their price. Worn out and falling apart now.
Hifiman HE400se, my first planars, great value, highly recommended.
Hifiman Arya Stealth, just superb, probably close to end game for me.
Audeze LCD2c, fun cans, not even sure what I like so much about these but keep going back to them.

​

Update,
Senn HD6xx, just to see what everyone is on about, lifeless, dull and... well...just not for me.
FiiO FT13, my go to closed back now, more comfy, better everywhere TBO than Sundara closed, more fun than SRH1540.
FiiO FT7, WOW, these are just right for me, pretty much beat the Aryas everywhere except comfort and that is marginal, FR and extension, the timbre is to die for, detail, imaging all outstanding. Love these!

 

[aukje.dirkw]

A DT 770 does not exist though .
There are several different DT 770.
The 32ohm, 80ohm, 250ohm and even a 600ohm the professional series and the Edition series and the early ones even differ from the current ones.

Which DT 770 do you have ?

That is true haha. I have the 80 ohms. I also tried the 770 pro x and 250 ohms, I thought they were good also but the drum snares are often too loud on them. For me the 80 ohms is balanced the best, only slightly too much treble but easily fixed. The rest of the sound is perfect for me.

 

[d00]

That is true haha. I have the 80 ohms. I also tried the 770 pro x and 250 ohms, I thought they were good also but the drum snares are often too loud on them. For me the 80 ohms is balanced the best, only slightly too much treble but easily fixed. The rest of the sound is perfect for me.

For me 770 Pro X are the best from all 770 series.

 

[Johnkeizer]

Just curious ...
What headphone(s) do you currently own ?
Which one(s) is(are) used the most, or is your favorite ?

Way too many, although suspect way less than some.
Favourite is Sennheiser HD800S, close second Audeze LCD2, then Aune AR5000, Hifiman Edition XS, Beyerdynamic 1990 ( latest version), followed by a couple of also rans.

 

[solderdude]

Used with or without any EQ ?
Which pads on the 1990-mkII ?

 

[Johnkeizer]

Hi, never used eq on any of my hifi gear- don’t include my home theatre in this- as still believe anything in the chain affect the music to it’s detriment.
The Beyerdynamic phones are the 1880 sorry, mistake on my part here, bought them to find a set of closed backs I could live with.
Hardly ever use them, the alternatives are too good. Use them with the pads that were on them.
Only closed backs I ever really took to were Focals but the clamp force was way too high so passed them on.

 

[nOOky]

HIFIMAN Edition XS, Sony MDR-M1, and a whole bunch of earbuds. The Sony's are excellent imho, but generally I do not get a lot of time to sit and listen to music. I run, a lot, so I have many earbuds for that form older Jaybird Vista 2's to Aftershokz etc. I also have a pair of B&O H3 earbuds moistly for airplane use.

 

[Dk33145]

In terms of higher end planars, have the Para 2, Verum 2 and because of spousal complaints now the Noire X. While the open planars sound more ethereal (and are a lot more competitively priced), the bass slam of the closed Noire X is something else and getting lost in the music with the isolation is another something else.

 

[solderdude]

The Beyerdynamic phones are the 1880 sorry, mistake on my part here, bought them to find a set of closed backs I could live with.

These don't exist but I am confident you meant the DT880.
There are many different (sounding) DT880 though.

Only closed backs I ever really took to were Focals but the clamp force was way too high so passed them on.

Comfort is very important (for longer listening sessions).

 

[Cantor set]

Favorite ones: Focal Hadenys (comfortable, with very clean mids and satisfactory bass and treble performance after EQ; ideal for pop and rock), Arya Organic (my previous daily driver. I do not like how the vocals sound on this one compared with several others I own. Still, it really shines with movie scores, jazz, and classical), and Fiio FT1 (a pretty good one that I use when I want isolation), in that order.


Occasional use: ATH-R70x, since it has terrific mids.


Not using anymore: Hifiman Ananda Stealth V3 (too uncomfortable), AKG K702, Hifiman HE400se, Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro X (again, uncomfortable), and Sennheiser HD600 (my least favorite in terms of music enjoyment).


Bluetooth ones: Sennheiser HDB 630 (daily use outside), Sennheiser Momentum 4 (my sleep headphone), and Audeze Maxwell (pretty good, but too heavy and with too much clamp force for me, so I only use it while watching TV shows for a couple of hours).

 

[Jcrow]

I currently own:

Shure SH-840 - used to be my main ones (ony pair) but now only use for vocal tracking when singing. I've had them for 13 years and they still work well, though, all the pleather has deteriorated on the band. They have always been very fatiguing but I put up with them. Otherwise sound is pretty good.

Sennheiser HD 599 - A more recent purchase, mainly used for watching movies. I have them EQ'd to Harmon (at least according to oratory). They are ok, but occasionally I hear them struggling with really loud passages with lots of bass. I plan to upgrade eventually, but they mostly do the job for movies. For music I mainly listen to speakers.

 

[ianovic69]

I have Beyerdynamic DT990Pro Black Edition 250ohm.
I use them mostly for producing and when I don't want to disturb others in the house.
Recently I tried the new correction app thingy they released as it's free. It changed the sound completely and while I'm sure it fixes some aspects of the sound, it's so drastic that for now I'm going to use it only as if it's another reproduction reference.
Has anyone else tried Headphone Lab yet?

 

[thon]

I have Beyerdynamic DT990Pro Black Edition 250ohm.
I use them mostly for producing and when I don't want to disturb others in the house.
Recently I tried the new correction app thingy they released as it's free. It changed the sound completely and while I'm sure it fixes some aspects of the sound, it's so drastic that for now I'm going to use it only as if it's another reproduction reference.
Has anyone else tried Headphone Lab yet?

Yes. I saw it mentioned somewhere here on the forum and downloaded it the other day.
use it for my DT1990pro. Kind of.
For years I've used the DTs with Dekoni Pads with EQ (based on Oratory1990 but modified) but swapped to the A-Pads to try out Headphone Lab.
The headphones never sounded that good!
However - the DT1990pro EQ requires a severe sharp cut in the high frequencies.
But the App only works in Minimum Phase mode and that doesn't really work for me in this particular case.
So I've rebuilt the headphone Lab curve for my DTs and apply a 2-step correction - the lower register in minimum phase and the mids and higher register in linear phase mode.
The result is excellent.
So apart from my somewhat cumbersome workflow the correction curve provided by Beyer as such works great. IMHO.

 

[ianovic69]

Yes. I saw it mentioned somewhere here on the forum and downloaded it the other day.
use it for my DT1990pro. Kind of.
For years I've used the DTs with Dekoni Pads with EQ (based on Oratory1990 but modified) but swapped to the A-Pads to try out Headphone Lab.
The headphones never sounded that good!
However - the DT1990pro EQ requires a severe sharp cut in the high frequencies.
But the App only works in Minimum Phase mode and that doesn't really work for me in this particular case.
So I've rebuilt the headphone Lab curve for my DTs and apply a 2-step correction - the lower register in minimum phase and the mids and higher register in linear phase mode.
The result is excellent.
So apart from my somewhat cumbersome workflow the correction curve provided by Beyer as such works great. IMHO.

Nice, I think I'll experiment more with it. Thanks for your input.