What is the way to go? Headphone stable upgrade…

[kazzak]

Hi, since during the quarantine using headphones (at least for me) is the logical option, I have been locking into upgrading or diversifying my headphone lineup. As far as my music taste goes it's easier to disqualify genres of music I don’t listen to, those would be: hiphop, r&b, house, sax intensive jazz. Solid 50% of my playlist is occupied with rock, jrock, classical (especially piano covers), electro with some OST`s.

My current setup

Headphones: Sennheiser HD 58x, Koss KPH30i, HyperX Cloud (1)
DAC/AMP: Topping D50s/A50 stack
Source: TIDAL, Spotify, Foobar2000 (with DSD upscaling)

I am looking for a pair of headphones around $500, but would have absolutely nothing against a great value headphone below that price. I would be glad to hear any recommendations you might have for a good upgrade over my HD 58x or a bit of a diversification from them. I was hoping to expand my headphone lineup with ether a more dynamic (fun) headphone like the Mod House Mk3 Argon but the wait combined with shipping to Poland, especially at this time is a big uncertainty. I was also considering something a bit more precise and wide than my HD 58x like the DT 1990 ( I can get them locally, new for the equivalent of 400 USD). The next pair of headphones I was considering were the Sundara`s, but I have heard a bit of negative opinions about their build quality and QC and for this kind of money I must say, that build quality and pad replacement availability is important to me. Locally they are also not a great deal since they are only $30 cheaper than the DT 1990`s. Maybe I`m missing a hidden gem out there ?

Thank You all in advance!

 

[Bob-23]

Compared with my HD600, to me, the K702 has a wider soundstage, better imaging, more detail and is more comfortable - b u t it has to be equalized: bass up & highs down (Harman corrections work well for me; nevertheless it'll never be a bass monster!), and while the HD600 generously allows you to forgive weaknesses of recordings - yes, you get them, but it's alright - the K702 it's absolutely non-forgiving and merciless. It accepts only good recordings.
I mainly listen to Jazz and Classics - for these genres it's a great headphone, and, altough I generally like a certain amount of bass, I never miss it with these headphones, I rather miss it with the HD600 (having both of them equalized). To me, it's a great value. And K702 has its well deserved place on the 'Wall of Fame', still today.

 

[MRC01]

In objective terms (linearity, distortion, CSD), it's hard to beat the HD58x for $500. Some of the planars in that price range have tighter cleaner bass than the HD58x, but they tend to be more uneven in the mids & treble. However, they might be more dynamic and fun.

 

[solderdude]

Audio Technica ATH-MSR7b (beware fakes exist of the non-b version) needs a little EQ in the bass otherwise good closed headphone.
Beyerdynamic DT1770, Amiron home (most of these have a bit of a peak in the upper treble), DT1990
HifiMan Sundara
Philips Fidelio X2HR (you need to be lucky with these)
Sennheiser HD660S (small improvement over HD58X)
Shure SRH1540 , SRH1840
AKG K812 (needs some EQ) would have to be 2nd hand, the K371 also isn't bad and a nice complementary to HD58X
Verum 1 (you need to be patient to get one)
mr Speakers AEON closed (2nd hand ?)
Focal Elex
Oppo PM3 (obsolete)


are all options.

 

[kazzak]

Thanks for the recommendations. I did try the HD 660S with my AMP at a local shop, they seem very similar to my 58x so I didn't really consider them. I need to have a look at the ATH-MSR7b, Focal Elex and the AEON`s. I hope I can give them a listen locally.

 

[Cahudson42]

Possibly consider/audition if possible the old HE400i? Mine have no quality issues at all. Perhaps the heavier diaphram compared to the Sundara helps consistency.
Here in US about $180. Might leave you a bit for a PEQ/DSP setup (miniDSP? IL-DSP?) and/or Heresy/Magni 3/Geshelli amp, too...

 

[VMAT4]

Audio Technica ATH-MSR7b (beware fakes exist of the non-b version) needs a little EQ in the bass otherwise good closed headphone.
Beyerdynamic DT1770, Amiron home (most of these have a bit of a peak in the upper treble), DT1990
HifiMan Sundara
Philips Fidelio X2HR (you need to be lucky with these)
Sennheiser HD660S (small improvement over HD58X)
Shure SRH1540 , SRH1840
AKG K812 (needs some EQ) would have to be 2nd hand, the K371 also isn't bad and a nice complementary to HD58X
Verum 1 (you need to be patient to get one)
mr Speakers AEON closed (2nd hand ?)
Focal Elex
Oppo PM3 (obsolete)


are all options.

I'm really in agreement on recommending closed 'phones such as the Shure SRH1540 or Audio Technica ATH-MSR7b or Akg 371.
Although the Oppo PM3 is no longer in production the Drop +THX Panda may be an alternative to it.