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[Digital-Aftertaste]

I am in a bit of a proverbial conundrum here and I would like some ""expert"" help. I have recently gotten into reveling in high quality audio with my Sony WF-1000xm5 this was after I tried out EqualizerAPO and was actually able to widen the soundstage on my Barracuda X... sounded like trash but I could feel the potential of being able to do something like that in terms of audio quality.

Preface aside, this is the current issue:
I am going to bite the bullet and nab myself a Hiby R4 along with a decent pair of headphones... However, I am still at odds with which pair to get for my first dive with high end stuff. Either the Focal Bathys because of the added versatility of it not only being bluetooth but also sporting anc and an internal USB-DAC... Or the Sony MDR-Z7M2 which sports a 70mm driver compared to the 40mm on the Bathys but I would have to purchase yet another DAC if I want to use it on the PC

Bathys: more features, better connectivity, internal DAC 5hz-40khz
Z7M2: Massive driver, better frequency range, much better sound staging... assuming. 4hz-100khz

Edit: I can acquire them at around 500$ each

 

[TheUnicornGuy]

What will you be listening to source wise? Bluetooth 5 has a maximum bandwidth of 2Mbps, so if your source is high definition then you'll likely lose a bit of quality there.

The other thing is which are the most comfy? If you're using them for long periods then comfort will be important. I had a pair of cheapish grado headphones that sounded decent but I couldn't wear them for more than about 10 mins before my ears started to hurt.

 

[Maiden Voyage]

if high end is what you're after, these are your best bet:

HE 1 | Sennheiser United States

The first electrostatic headphones with integrated high-voltage amplifiers. Discover ultimate sound experience now!

www.sennheiser-hearing.com

 

[KaiserBecks]

I've listened to countless headphones by Denon, Sennheiser, Audeze etc. etc.
I keep coming back to the Beyerdynamic DT1990 PRO. Awesome headphones: wide soundstage, punchy and precise bass, great for both gaming and listening to music.

 

[p_xavier]

if high end is what you're after, these are your best bet:

HE 1 | Sennheiser United States

The first electrostatic headphones with integrated high-voltage amplifiers. Discover ultimate sound experience now!

www.sennheiser-hearing.com

And you met my expectations of a reply.

 

[dsp]

I've listened to countless headphones by Denon, Sennheiser, Audeze etc. etc.
I keep coming back to the Beyerdynamic DT1990 PRO. Awesome headphones: wide soundstage, punchy and precise bass, great for both gaming and listening to music.

I use these for making music a lot of the time. Can't recommend them enough. First time putting them on and hearing every little reverb tail and instrument separation was quite a treat compared to the Sennheiser ones I used to use.

 

[Digital-Aftertaste]

What will you be listening to source wise? Bluetooth 5 has a maximum bandwidth of 2Mbps, so if your source is high definition then you'll likely lose a bit of quality there.

The other thing is which are the most comfy? If you're using them for long periods then comfort will be important. I had a pair of cheapish grado headphones that sounded decent but I couldn't wear them for more than about 10 mins before my ears started to hurt.

So the source will be PC while also dedicating listening sessions on mobile, hence the R4. I am aware that bluetooth has its limitations but the nice part about the bathys is that it can be connected through usb-c and I can listen to lossless music like 192khz flac files without compromise. Basically it has an integrated USB-DAC... rip my QC 35.

I've listened to countless headphones by Denon, Sennheiser, Audeze etc. etc.
I keep coming back to the Beyerdynamic DT1990 PRO. Awesome headphones: wide soundstage, punchy and precise bass, great for both gaming and listening to music.

Honestly a very good contender that I was actually thinking about but the higher impedance rate concerned me a bit. Would have to keep it in mind for the second purchase if anything, would actually come in at around the same price range of 500$ if I also purchase a decent DAC/AMP for the desktop.

 

[navii]

If you know what's good for your wallet I would close this thread and never open it again and continue "reveling in high quality audio with my Sony WF-1000xm5".

 

[Digital-Aftertaste]

If you know what's good for your wallet I would close this thread and never open it again and continue "reveling in [edit:] ""high quality audio"" with my Sony WF-1000xm5".

... Ur not wrong, literally the most sane take... that being said, I am stupid and am not adverse to spending 2000$ on an unnecessary piece of tech that ends up not working for me.

 

[Chittagong]

I recommend the DCS Lina dac/clock/amp stack and a pair of Hifiman HE1000 SE

On a budget, start with a Schiit dac/amp stack. Great value.

 

[navii]

... Ur not wrong, literally the most sane take... that being said, I am stupid and am not adverse to spending 2000$ on an unnecessary piece of tech that ends up not working for me.

I usually buy second hand, this way if it's not working out I won't lose too much if I need to resell. It's all a bit of a journey, finding out what I like and what gear goes well together.

There is something to be said about just buying end game gear and just enjoying it because over the course of the journey you will likely spend more, but during the journey you will find out what you like.

To give you a recommendation. I found the Sennheiser IE600 iems to be mind blowing.

 

[Digital-Aftertaste]

I usually buy second hand, this way if it's not working out I won't lose too much if I need to resell. It's all a bit of a journey, finding out what I like and what gear goes well together.

There is something to be said about just buying end game gear and just enjoying it because over the course of the journey you will likely spend more, but during the journey you will find out what you like.

To give you a recommendation. I found the Sennheiser IE600 iems to be mind blowing.

Honestly never considered in ear monitors before but I'll keep it in mind in the hopefully distant future.

 

[Digital-Aftertaste]

So after souring on info for more hours than I'm proud of I decided to go for an oddball but probably what might work for my general preference. I got myself the HarmonicDyne Eris... the one collabed by that weeb reviewer...

It has good sound staging for a semi closed back and doesn't skimp on bass though it doesn't drown everything else either. Cheaper than the other options I had in mind so I also nabbed myself a Fiio k11 for the desktop. If I ended up making a mistake then I'll wait it out a bit and get the DT1990 later on or the IE600. The Hifiman with the complete stack... Hopefully I won't feel the need to enter loan territory any time soon.

I could go for the z7m2 in the future but It would solely depend on whether I start building up a desire to listen to lots of orchestral music which is a bit sad since I have no idea where one finds something like the Monster Hunter theme in flac format.

Bathys seems to gotten a handful of complaints when doing research so I figured that its better to just use the Sony ones I already have if I really want some ANC

 

[navii]

Good idea to keep your Sony's and getting another headphone to compliment it.

With the Hifiman headphones you don't need to go all out and buy everything at once. There are even cheaper model hifiman headphones you can try first.

If you don't want to buy the headphones second hand for hygiene reasons, it makes sense. But you could get the amp/DAC second hand and save money. Facebook Marketplace has become and addiction of mine! If I buy something at a good price I can offen resell it and not lose any money. It's a good way to sample gear for next to nothing. But I had some bad experiences with untrustworthy sellers.

It's a personal journey of discovery.

What music do you listen to?

 

[Digital-Aftertaste]

As of late I've been addicted to the Persona 5 OST, if its not some sort of jazz inspired EDM like Haywyre, then its something bass heavy or rap... also some more orchestral stuff but its really situational like the Monster Hunter OST or sometimes norm stuff like Vivaldi but if i'm in the mood for it.

Also yeah, definitely going the used route for the most part. the whole Bathys and Z7M2 thing was on ebay where I was planning those purchases and as for the k11 it was also through ebay.

 

[Xeela_sunston]

I use the Etymotic ER4XR's. Which seem to be more like Planars quality wise since I can tell lossy from lossless on them. They can slam hard with some EQ bass boost.