Most to least used:
•Sennheiser HD700 (workhorse)
•Audeze iSine10 (portable favorites)
•Aeon2 C (all-rounder+ comfort)
•Audeze LCDX (scotch companion)
•Fostex TH-X00 (nice cans/bad wire)
•AKG K702 ( needs bass boost+pads. OK 4 Classical. Decent comfort)
•Stax lambda pro system (Vintage. Old school Stax sound and “comfort”)
edit: I didn’t list IEM or Noise Canceling “headphones”. Not my cup of tea. Also no ranking as I like them all in one way or the other.
Been swapping between HD 6XX, "HD 600" and HD 660 S again and I can't help it - both HD 6XX and HD 600 just sound better to my ear. Imaging, staging, frequency response, texture, clarity, bottom rumble and sharpness. HD 660 S sound like there's a blanket between the driver and the ear - it sounds somewhat muffled and not very coherent. The "spatial feeling" also feels wrong (I really can't describe it better). At least my HD 6XX and make shift HD 600 sound similar enough that unless I switch instantly between them it's hard to notice differences (there's small differences in frequency response but in grand scheme those aren't earth shattering) - it's like instant adjustment. Switching to HD 660 S from those on the other hand... It just feels like instant downgrade. I'll just give up on HD 660 S. At least the headband is nicer than on HD 6XX so I swapped the shells...
I have decided to add a pair of Focal Clears to my Audeze LCD-3. Currently using a Topping DX7 Pro to drive them. I may replace it sometime in the future but I have no plans to do so in the short term.
Martin
Gorgeous headphones. No idea what they sound like personally. They are industrial art.Focal Clears
Did you try using Audeze EQ curve?I purchased a pair of Focal Clears in late June and now own both the Clears and the pair of Audeze LCD-3. I am still using a Topping DX7 Pro to drive both headphones from the 4-pin XLR balanced jack using stock cables.
I sent my Audeze LCD-3 in to have a cracked cup repaired and Audeze measured a channel imbalance. They replaced the drivers under warranty and returned my rebuilt headphones yesterday. The LCD-3 are basically new; the Clears are very lightly used (the original owner replaced them with Utopias).
Last night I sat down to compare both headphones. I did so listening to one song on one headphone then on the next. Back and forth between them for about 2 hours. The comparison was sighted (obviously) and not level matched. I played with the volume and listened at my normal listening levels.
These are my initial highly personal, subjective impressions:
Songs used:
- Clear just a tad bit brighter in the treble, pushes right up against sibilance without being sibilant. LCD-3 treble just slightly more recessed but still very present.
- Clear and LCD-3 midrange sound nearly identical to my ears.
- LCD-3 bass just digs slightly deeper and with a touch more authority (slam?). Clear bass just slightly more recessed but still very palpable.
- LCD-3 more open soundstage – more space between instruments – slightly airier. Clear has a more compact soundstage – slightly less spacious.
- Clear has an edge on clarity. The LCD-3 is ever so slightly less clear – thin veil or the slightest hint of muddiness.
- Reasons Why (DSD64) - Nickel Creek
- I Love You (FLAC 16/44) - Sarah McLachlan
- Bad Guy and Ilomilo (FLAC 16/44) - Billie Eilish
- We're An American Band (DSD64) - Grand Funk Railroad
- Unforgiven and One (16/44) - Metallica
- Crime Of The Century (24/192) - Supertramp
- Stairway To Heaven (16/44) - Led Zeppelin
I also played a few songs with a new Loxjie P20 headphone amp I just picked up. It's fun and has a surprising amount of power. I am using a $12 5A 12V SMPS on the amp as I read the included 1.67A 12V SMPS limits the amp. I also swapped the Chinese tubes with a pair of $3.99 NOS JAN G.E. 2C51 tubes.
Martin
Care to share your 560 eq profile?Hi
A bit OT. I have listed the headphones I currently own and have come to the conclusion that my headphones journey is likely over if it for sonics. Through EQ , they (HifiMan HE6, HE 560, Stax 007) sound almost the same/ The Stax bass can be made to be quite strong, yet that of the HE6, remains IMO, better. The Stax remains overall the superior headphones but the HE6 remains the favorite and the HE560 the most used .... through EQ, to repeat, slight differences.
Conclusion: EQ is necessary in headphones. Intrinsically good headphones driver, a beefy amp and a PC for EQ ... I don't see myself buying a >$1000 headphones , In fact , I may not buy another headphones for years.
Lo
Did you try using Audeze EQ curve?
I almost feel sorry for mentioning that. LolI didn't know what that was so I Googled it. I use a piCorePlayer connected to LMS running on my Synology DS918+. Therefore I am unable to use their Reveal+ software. I did find this Reddit that claims to provide the Audeze EQ settings: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/7bxpvu
Doing some more research I found this Reddit providing EQ settings for 700+ headphones: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/92b08s
I've looked into using EQ settings in piCorePlayer and the process is a little complex. I'm a software engineer with a CSE degree so I don't mind experimenting with complex processes. The problem I have is I teach myself how to do something, do it, then find 6, 12 or 18 months down the road that I've completely forgotten what I did and how I did it. I've learned to document stuff like this but still... I may play with some settings.
I'm also seriously considering relegating a NUC10i3FNK I purchased for playing Minecraft on my 4K TV to an audio server role. (Frame rates suck and I may replace it with a NUC8i7HVK.) Problem is I love the convenience of a headless Raspberry Pi and using my iPhone as a controller.
Martin