Smaller IEMs can be sized UP, but large ones cannot be sized DOWN. Those with fatter housings that sit outside the ear will require larger tips for stability, and this can be uncomfortable.
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Thanks hottyson, I’ll check them out.
This post early on holds up well:
You seem to have a bone to pick, don’t be that guy.
I asked earlier what your expectations are in terms of response time, to help us get a better sense if your concerns are reasonable or delusional.
Entitlement mentality
What is the relevancy of how much you spend each year, no one gives a rats ass about spending six figures ( which for the record if including a number in written form you should always spell it out, unless it is over ten like say 11). Many of us could easily spend this amount a year, but we are too busy having a good time with our set ups. This is not a contest of who’s has the biggest pair of eggs, it is a hobby.
You are probably better off hiring a personal assistant to be at your beck and call when you are ready to spend another six figures in 2022. They may turn out to be a more active and contributing member of the community, rather than a leech.
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They go on sale often. I think $400 or $450.
Hi @KhaosSP sorry I can’t comment on the specific models that you have mentioned too much. I do though recommend using Iem’s for portable use. This is where they come into their own. Obviously there’s the size differences for a start. But the main question people may have is sound quality. I think as a heavy iem user that the quality of sound is now very nearly equal to over ears. In my personal opinion it matches it. Especially when you enter the higher end market. Though there are now excellent iems to suit all price brackets.
Just another thing to throw in is the source of your music. I have found that this is almost as important as the iem itself. I am talking about Dap’s. Though phones are more than adequate.
The Dunu SA6 is an excellent iem with a great cable and selection of adapters to boot. Good luck in your quest.
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I’ll keep an eye out for a sale. Much appreciated.
Thanks for the reply, much appreciated. I think I will venture into the world of IEM’s as I agree it would work for a more portable solution.
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Hello, I am new here, wanting advice on purchasing headphones. I’m new to the concept that a particular brand/model/type of phones need matching with the right amp or standalone headphone amp, which proves how ignorant I am. I already have a set of portable phones (Oppo PM-3) that sound good with my Astell&Kern 150 II DAP, been using that combo three years and satisfied with the performance, sound and comfort.
Just today I sold on eBay a set of Focal Clears I bought three years ago. I hardly used them because I didn’t like the clunky fit (not heavy or uncomfortable, just always sliding forward or backward when I tilted my head). I wasn’t as wowed with the sound of them as I hoped to be (sorry, can’t be more specific with my criticisms). Anyway, I’m looking to buy some new phones to go with my home stereo, which means I’d be plugging them into my Rega Brio amp, or conceivably into the headphone jack on my Oppo UDP-205 but probably not since the Oppo plays through my Brio on Spendor speakers.
So I talked to a sales rep at a high-end audio online store which specializes in headphones and custom cables, and was directed to the Dan Clark Aeon phones. That sales rep did not even bother to ask what my amp is. Apparently the Aeons are super comfortable, and reviews are generally favorable for the sound and performance. But now I’m being told on another thread here that Dan Clark phones would not match well with my amp, I’d either need a dedicated headphone amp or find more suitable phones.
I don’t have an allegiance to any specific type of headphone although I was thinking open backs for the typically better soundstage. Planar magnetic, dynamic, electrostatic, I don’t know how many different types there are… These are for home use so I don’t care about sound bleed, my listening room is quiet and I’m the only one here (I do share the house with two other adults, though, which is why I want or need headphones in the first place, I’m tired of having to listen through my Spendor speakers at ridiculously quiet volume so as not to disturb the housemates when they’re home).
Please ask me some questions to help you answer my request for advice, throw out some general guidelines for shopping, what type/brand/model I should check out. Of course, good sound is paramount, but unless they’re comfortable (I like a snug fit that doesn’t wobble around with head movements or changes in posture) they’ll end up sitting in the box like the Focal Clears I sold today.
Thanks in advance for your replies.
Edit: You may ask what kind of music I listen to… well, it’s a pretty wide range. Acoustic traditional folk and chamber music, classic rock, punk and post-punk, electronic and a lot of experimental, orchestral, jazz, 60s pop and current or recent indie rock. The only genres I don’t much listen to are hip hop, metal, country and opera. So I need phones that sound good with a range of genres.
What’s your total budget?
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As previously mentioned, I’d personally steer clear of the DCA stuff unless you have a high current amp that can drive them to their fullest. Unfortunately the Rega Brio probably isn’t going to cut it, but I could be wrong; it also may have had a bad synergy with the Clears, thus you weren’t hearing them at their full potential. Also, not sure using the headphone jack on a Blu-ray player is such a good idea.
Please try to be specific about what you liked and didn’t like about the Focal Clears, besides the headband issue. Giving us an idea of what sound you’re looking for will go a long way in helping us make audition recommendations.
Have you considered upgrading to a more powerful amplifier, and maybe a dedicated DAC? You definitely want to be sure the headphone you purchase is being driven properly.
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Forgot to mention my budget. Thinking in the $1000-1500 range, could possibly go higher.
My Rega Brio is paired with a Rega DAC-R. I have the Oppo UDP-205 for playing discs and use it for DSD playback via USB from my desktop Windows PC with JRiver Media Center, using the Rega DAC for PCM playback from local library on JRiver and streamed hi-res from Qobuz thru Audirvana. Mostly I listen to digital files but got into vinyl again this year, Rega Planar 3 with Elys cartridge. Spendor A6R speakers and REL t9i subwoofer,
Not sure how to describe the sound I am seeking, without using vague subjective terms like airy, expansive, presence, intimacy. I played Dark Side of the Moon SACD thru my Clears and I just didn’t feel engaged or immersed in the music.
Not willing or able to upgrade my amp or other components, but might consider a headphone amp if vitally necessary to drive whatever phones I buy. How I came into this entry level audiophile system is I was evicted from my rent controlled apartment three years ago and got a big legal settlement and bought a stereo and started collecting CDs (and more recently records). I am a disabled senior living on a monthly benefit of $1200 so I don’t have the budget to upgrade amp and other components. I just want to get some phones that will sound great with what I presently own, if that is even possible.
If it helps to say it, I’m probably not the discriminating audiophile who fusses over every nuance and frets about matching components and cables and although I consider myself a highly discriminating connoisseur of music, my audiophile status is pretty much bush league. I’m not looking for perfection so I don’t know if I’m in the right place posing questions here where the bulk of the members are much more highly evolved and dedicated audiophiles than I will ever be. I figure at least I might get some advice on what to look out for, and avoid the prejudicial advice I might get from a salesperson who wants to sell me a particular product because the profit margin is good for their business.
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Well, for “presence” and soundstage, I think the Sennheiser HD 800s would be a lovely, lovely pick.
The Clears are known for slam, so I’m guessing that is not a main concern. Would NOT go Dan Clark without a more powerful amp, but don’t think the Senny is hard to drive. Hifiman Ananda perhaps another option. ZMF Aeolus.
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It’s ok, you can use vague subjective terms here, we’re all about that.
I echo elliot’s recommendation of HD800S. It’s a reference headphone that pretty much every audiophile owns or owned at some point, and it is commonly seen as an alternative to the Clear (meaning a great many people seem to prefer one or the other).
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Agree on both accounts.
@Ferrara It sounds like you value clarity and soundstage & imaging more than others; so, another vote for the Sennheiser HD 800. Also the HiFiMan Arya.
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How’s the Sennheiser HD800S for comfort and fit? The sales agent for the store I talked to on the phone (who rec’d the Aeons w/o asking my amp model) said the Aeolus was kind of heavy and bulky in terms of fit… I don’t see that one listed on this site for sale anyway. I was looking at Hifiman Arya and Ananda both before being steered to the Aeon.
Thanks for these tips, it will give me some specific models to ask about when Alan Lin calls me this week as I’d requested a sales consultation with him.
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HD800s is super light and has almost no clamping force, it just sort of “fits” on the head and is generally considered one of the most comfortable headphones on the market. Though, of course as always, your mileage may vary.
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Alan is incredible. Spoken to him many times and he will absolutely steer you in a good direction.
I find the HD 800S to be very comfy. It’s got an almost “not there” feel.
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I don’t foresee you having any issue with comfort; the fit is a bit loose though, so if you had issues with the Clear, you may as well with the weakish clamp force of the 800’s. Definitely try before you buy. But they are quite possibly the most comfortable headphone in existence (along with the Empyrean).
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Worn out hd800 pads do suck tho.
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I don’t know… the 800s is one of my favorite headphones. I think it’s fantastic and I find it very comfortable. I think it really needs an amp though. Not only does it need power but i feel it’s pretty amp picky. Under powered I don’t think it will sound it’s best. Just my 2 cents. Not a headphone I’d recommend running without an amp.
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