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The Official Headphone Thread 2.5: We're Making WAVs and Catching FLAC

I'm looking for some headphones for playing games on my switch on a noisy train,as well as watch to shows. Also I will be playing music headphones around town near busy streets. I listen to rock, hip hop and tons of podcasts.I can spend up to about £300. Would anyone be able to make any suggestions? Thanks
 

HiResDes

Member
I'm looking for some headphones for playing games on my switch on a noisy train,as well as watch to shows. Also I will be playing music headphones around town near busy streets. I listen to rock, hip hop and tons of podcasts.I can spend up to about £300. Would anyone be able to make any suggestions? Thanks
A train might have enough external noise to warrant buying something with active noise cancelling - https://www.razordogaudio.com/produ..._Bw0pG0wCRLsAftAXcZxGgTXvIR_ilX0MIBoCfiPw_wcB
 
Ordered the Beyerdynamic DT 880s Premium on sale and am looking forward to my first set of Open headphones. I'm hoping it'll be easier to mix spacing compared to my M50s.
 

X-Frame

Member
$250 6XX vs. $315 650 on Amazon with Prime shipping. Is the differences in price reflected in the build quality? Sorry I don't know much about these 6XX's but have always had my eye on the 650's.

Also, how long does Massdrop usually take to ship these types of orders?
 

LQX

Member
Damn, might buy another pair.

$250 6XX vs. $315 650 on Amazon with Prime shipping. Is the differences in price reflected in the build quality? Sorry I don't know much about these 6XX's but have always had my eye on the 650's.

Also, how long does Massdrop usually take to ship these types of orders?

Same build quality including packaging except for the outer box. I think the 6XX also looks better in person. Ship date can take from weeks to months.
 
Same build quality including packaging except for the outer box. I think the 6XX also looks better in person. Ship date can take from weeks to months.

That's disappointing.

7x3v905bdl6y.png


https://www.head-fi.org/f/threads/how-to-fix-hd-650-headband-crack-not-paint-chip.561878/
 

LQX

Member
Ha, yeah, I hate the plastic on the HD6XX line. That was my first complaint when I finally bought one. That said, never had any issues with my HD600 or HD650, but then again I pretty much treat them like babies.


Also, it is going to be hard to get these things. Last time around they sold out within two hours and the site was a mess for just as long. They made no mention of these being numbered so that may in fact alleviate the mad rush like what happened last time around.
 

X-Frame

Member
If I were in the market for new earphones at that price range I'd be considering these -http://penonaudio.com/LZ-A2s

They're based on a similar Knowles hybrid setup but tuned to be a bit warmer, great value given they're even cheaper than GR07 Classic

Hey, another follow up question to these if you don't mind ..

So I still do have working GR07 Classic's and GR07 Bass Editions, so I am not in need of a replacement to these, more of an upgrade. I know the BE's are around $110-$130 now, so even going up to $200 (which I would be willing to spend if that next tier brings tangible improvements), would you still recommend the A2S? They're more of a side-grade to the GR07's I assume?

What about going up to even the LZ A4's which are $195 I see. Something which is completely new to me is 'filters' that I can use to change the sound. It says 18 possible combinations.

I apologize if I am opening up a can of worms since I originally asked about $100 price range and now going $200. I just realized that I would be fine with going up to $200 if IEM's around that tier improve upon my GR07's.

Thank you!!!
 

HiResDes

Member
Hey, another follow up question to these if you don't mind ..

So I still do have working GR07 Classic's and GR07 Bass Editions, so I am not in need of a replacement to these, more of an upgrade. I know the BE's are around $110-$130 now, so even going up to $200 (which I would be willing to spend if that next tier brings tangible improvements), would you still recommend the A2S? They're more of a side-grade to the GR07's I assume?

What about going up to even the LZ A4's which are $195 I see. Something which is completely new to me is 'filters' that I can use to change the sound. It says 18 possible combinations.

I apologize if I am opening up a can of worms since I originally asked about $100 price range and now going $200. I just realized that I would be fine with going up to $200 if IEM's around that tier improve upon my GR07's.

Thank you!!!

A2s definitely a side grade, A4s all about modularity and customization, you can tune them warner or colder depending on your taste... They're gonna be my next IEM should something happen to my Rockets or Titans, but I'm not sure they're gonna be a big upgrade. Kinda hard to say since I haven't heard them yet and given they're are so many damn options out there now, but for $200 they are definitely one of the best options I can personally think of
 

Ashhong

Member

HD 6xx drop coming back next week. The price got bumped up $50 USD.

God dammit I've been waiting for the 6xx and I'm not even turned offf by the price increase. But I also want those Earbuds..not sure if I should spend over 350 on headphones lol.

Mass drop did say they were unprepared for the first run and the site should work much better this time around. Are the 6xx really as good as the 650?

Edit: limited to 7500 units and people who tried to get it in the first run get first dibs. Also, expected delivery of December 25th.........
 

Antiwhippy

the holder of the trombone
I think it's just the headband and stuff like that.

Graphs I remembered showed that it's pretty much just a 650.

Also I backed the wireless earphones. Wireless is still pretty unproven outside the airpods but these liberty+ are significantly cheaper than the other wireless iems that came and went on kickstarter. I can fuck wit $99.
 

Ashhong

Member
I think it's just the headband and stuff like that.

Graphs I remembered showed that it's pretty much just a 650.

Also I backed the wireless earphones. Wireless is still pretty unproven outside the airpods but these liberty+ are significantly cheaper than the other wireless iems that came and went on kickstarter. I can fuck wit $99.

Ahhhh fuck it. I'm down for them too as long as it's stil 100 by the time I go home. Saw the email from Anker this morning but forgot about it. Could have saved $$

I'll also have to go in on the 6xx after I read some more reviews to see if it fits my fun loving style. Would a cheap Xonar XG pc sound card be able to push these or do I need to upgrade?
 

X-Frame

Member
Yeah if you're willing to go up to that price I'd recommend the A4's.

Thank you!

A2s definitely a side grade, A4s all about modularity and customization, you can tune them warner or colder depending on your taste... They're gonna be my next IEM should something happen to my Rockets or Titans, but I'm not sure they're gonna be a big upgrade. Kinda hard to say since I haven't heard them yet and given they're are so many damn options out there now, but for $200 they are definitely one of the best options I can personally think of

Cool, thank you for that and for introducing me to the LZ line. I'll look into the A4's a bit more, but from what I've seen they seem great for the price so I may pull the trigger tonight.

Is AliExpress a good vendor to buy these from? I seen them recommended often for these LZ IEM's but never heard of them before now. They look like a Chinese eBay?
 

e90Mark

Member
Ha, yeah, I hate the plastic on the HD6XX line. That was my first complaint when I finally bought one. That said, never had any issues with my HD600 or HD650, but then again I pretty much treat them like babies.


Also, it is going to be hard to get these things. Last time around they sold out within two hours and the site was a mess for just as long. They made no mention of these being numbered so that may in fact alleviate the mad rush like what happened last time around.
The full post mentions they beefed up their infrastructure to handle the load, but to expect slowdowns still. Pretty sure they also mentioned them still being numbered, they just start after the first batch.
I think it's just the headband and stuff like that.

Graphs I remembered showed that it's pretty much just a 650..

You're right. I've never bought the 650s due to me not liking the look. I like the 6xx aesthetic a lot better, so I'm gonna try to get these.
 

Antiwhippy

the holder of the trombone
Thank you!



Cool, thank you for that and for introducing me to the LZ line. I'll look into the A4's a bit more, but from what I've seen they seem great for the price so I may pull the trigger tonight.

Is AliExpress a good vendor to buy these from? I seen them recommended often for these LZ IEM's but never heard of them before now. They look like a Chinese eBay?

They are chinese ebay so, like, waaaaaay skechier, but these chinese brands often setup their own store on there. I dunno if LZ has one, I'm assuming they do.

Penonaudio is a safe bet.
 

Tommy DJ

Member
How do people manage that? I've had my 650s for nearly eight years now and except some minor paint flaking off the clip is still A-okay. As the 650 doubles as my PC headset it even fell to the floor quite a few times (or: far too often) during those years.

I don't get how people do it either. Its not like I baby my headphones either, I've dropped my HD800s off the desk a couple dozen times. I have to figure that a lot of people hulk stretch their headphones in an attempt to deal with the clamping force, only to break or crack their headphones in certain spots.
 

Ashhong

Member
Just got in my VE Monk earbuds from a massdroop. Very impressive sound quality for roughly 5$. Kind of open feeling but with some decent bass and a surprisingly good build quality too. Feel super solid.
 

Xander51

Member
I bought those Best Buy exclusive Audio-Technica SR6BT's, thanks to trading in my old phone.

The build quality is not quite what I want from a $200 set, but it's okay. It's a little bit creaky on one side and the adjustment sliders are a bit loose. Sound is the same great signature from the other SR-series headphones I've heard. The name is appropriate, because the whole thing feels like a scaled-up version of the SR5BT. The pads aren't as big as the MSR7 pads, but they're just big enough to be over-ear.

In spite of my kind of lackluster first impressions...they're the only headphones I've been using all week, haha. I sold my other wireless headphones a while ago, and forgot how nice it is to work without a cable.

I think I'm the only person to buy an AT headphone from my local store's new display. The stock numbers don't seem to have changed at all in the few weeks they've had them in, and my box was a little dusty.
 
Has anyone tried the ATH-A990z? Amazon had them priced at 99 backordered for a bit so i placed an order since original price is 219 and decided to do some research. Seems like there aren't so many reviews anywhere but from I gather it is basically an ATH-AD900x but closed-back right? I'm mainly looking to use for rap music and gaming and this will be my first time spending more money on headphones.I had previously looked into the M50x and the SHP9500 since those seem to be rated as good all around headphones for my needs. Coming from an HD201 so anything will be an upgrade and will be glad to listen to any suggestions
 

Antiwhippy

the holder of the trombone
It's good isn't it?

I was fiending for a kilobuck high end can but getting the emu quelled that quite a bit.

Still want a zmf eikon but that can wait for awhile.
 

K.Jack

Knowledge is power, guard it well
I am a fan of the PM-3, but damn does the E-MU shit on it, every category. I don't know that I can go back to it, which is a shame to say about $399 headphones.
 

NotSelf

Member
Drop for 6xx is tomorrow morning so gonna try asking again, will my Xonar DG sound card be enough to drive them?

It should suffice until you upgrade to something better.

I just tested my 6xx with my ipad mini and was able to get a listenable level at 50.
 

DriftedPlanet

Unconfirmed Member
The comply 200 tips and the silver cable came in a few days after the Kz Zst did. It has been my second favorite behind my trusty ATH-AD700s (ahead of Sony MDR-V6, Superlux HD668B with the Velour pad swap, and Sennheiser HD280 pro). That's all good.

My current conflict is that I grabbed 600 ohm dt990s off of Massdrop, which showed up yesterday, and I can't drive them properly. My dac/amp is a Fiio E07k, which is recommended to use with 16 - 150 ohm headphones. I've been listening to them anyway, and on high gain (not entirely maxed out because of certain aspects of the sound and to avoid clipping) it can't really play the bass bits that others definitely all can leading further credibility to my theory that I'm hearing a power issue. It isn't able to display the full V shaped sound signature.... yet.

So I need an amp. I'm going to get a Magni 2 based on price and general approval online of Schiit. I didn't expect the 990s so soon, so my budget for a Magni is a little short right now. However, even underpowered as they are, these "fun cans" are bringing to my attention a relative flatness in my AD700s and other headphones I had forgotten.

Tldr; now my other headphones sound flat, and the new one is under-powered and thus not completely satisfying as fun cans until I properly power them.
edited for clarity, sorry about that.
 

K.Jack

Knowledge is power, guard it well
The comply 200 tips and the silver cable came in a few days after the Kz Zst did. It has been my second favorite behind my trusty ATH-AD700s (ahead of Sony MDR-V6, Superlux HD668B with the Velour pad swap, and Sennheiser HD280 pro). That's all good.

My current conflict is that I grabbed 600 ohm dt990s off of Massdrop, which showed up yesterday, and I can't drive them properly. My dac/amp is a Fiio E07k, which is recommended to use with 16 - 150 ohm headphones. I've been listening to them anyway, and on high gain (not entirely maxed out because of certain aspects of the sound and to avoid clipping) it can't really play the bass bits that others definitely all can leading further credibility that it is a power issue. It isn't able to display the full V shaped sound signature.

So I need an amp. I'm going to get a Magni 2. Okay so I know what I want, no problem, right? Well, until I get it I have a problem in that these underpowered "fun cans" are bringing to my attention a relative flatness in my AD700s and other headphones that is killing my appreciation for those other cans. So I'm stuck realizing that my other headphones sound flat and listening to those anyway, or keep listening to my under-powered and thus not completely satisfying new fun cans.

Letting the above post marinate for a few minutes and listening to my AD700s, I still hear this flatter sound to it. It isn't unlistenable of course, but I notice it now. Should I just get that amp for the dt990s asap?

If you're buying the Magni, what is the conflict? You have no choice until it shows up.

I'm just surprised that you never noticed the AD700 has no bass.
 

DriftedPlanet

Unconfirmed Member
If you're buying the Magni, what is the conflict? You have no choice until it shows up.

I'm just surprised that you never noticed the AD700 has no bass.

I wasn't sure how big the difference would be as my AD700 has been my daily driver for 3 years. I got so used to its sound signature with a 4 dB bass boost on my dac that any legitimate bass is surprising.

Regarding the Magni, I was buying the beyers from Massdrop so I expected I would have weeks to get the amp and hold off a while. Instead, they emailed me a tracking order 3 days after the drop.

It's a first world problem for sure, but I wanted to update on the Zst post I made weeks ago and just comment on the beyers with my current config. I was trying to acknowledge that I can't fully drive them but that I know what I need to get next.

Edited the previous post and this one, hopefully more straightforward now.

I am a fan of the PM-3, but damn does the E-MU shit on it, every category. I don't know that I can go back to it, which is a shame to say about $399 headphones.

How does the E-MU stack up to other sets you've listened to? I've read nothing but praise for them.
 

Ashhong

Member
It should suffice until you upgrade to something better.

I just tested my 6xx with my ipad mini and was able to get a listenable level at 50.

Cool thanks!

So I just saw that I can get the HD600 for 255$ final price, whereas Massdrop will be just a bit more because of tax. Technically the 6xx is better right? And according to reviews, has a bit more impactful bass? If that's the case I'll still keep my eyes set on the 6xx..
 
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