Tell me some more about the KLH 5. I remember some KLH speakers from back in the day, probably a little smaller than the AR3-AX (a Kloss influenced design) and sounding a bit better than the Advent (another Kloss speaker, for more budget minded). The ones I heard may have been original model 5’s but I just can’t recall what model they were.
Are these substantially unchanged from the late 60s, or are they a new design with the old name? Kloss did a lot of acoustic suspension back then, and they were hard to drive with modest equipment.
At a certain point the equipment is good enough (you are well past that point), and you’ll start to hear source limitations. Odds are that the problems occurred in the studio. I’m not sure if you are talking about compression when you say ‘congestion,’ but pop music involves a lot of compression and volume matching so that everything can be heard.
With that said, I do find planar magnetic headphones to perform better with instrument separation and congestion during busy passages. The Clear and 800S are both dynamic driver-based, so may I suggest auditioning some planars using those specific tracks?
I’ve wondered about the same thing in the past, but given how much I enjoy the Gumby SE > Folkvangr, I’m stopped worrying that I’m leaving performance on the table. I have been wondering what the Folkvangr would sound with ZMF dynamic driver headphones or the HD800s (and almost bought the HD8XX), but I’m not feeling any FOMO currently. Jason wasn’t lying when he said the LCD-2 sounds really good with the FV.
The new KLH model 5 are wonderful. True to form in some senses (acoustic suspension, sealed, paper woofer) but different in a number (single midrange instead of two, aluminum tweeter, modern crossover). I find them lovely - sparkling up high, taut in the bass, good extension and then collapse instead of a roll-off. I’ve only heard the originals once when I was a teen, so I don’t know for sure how they compare, but the spirit is very much in keeping. They function also as lovely mid-century furniture, which is helpful. They are certainly not analytical speakers, but they are lovely at detail retrieval. I think they are great speakers to live with, to truly live with. I thought about the Wharfedale Linton’s, and the Advent revivals. I auditioned the Linton’s but didn’t love them, and decided to order the KLH’s from Crutchdale and take the chance that I would have to return them. Turned out wonderfully. I was coming from KEFs which were sparkly and precise and which I didn’t find myself always sitting down wanting to listen to. Problem solved, always drawn into music now, across all the eclectic genres I listen to. Love me my 2-channel system, love me my headphones.
I’m looking to get my parents headphones for Christmas. Here are the criteria I’m looking for:
Open back
Comfortable
Can be driven directly from an iPhone or iPad using Apple dongle
Lightweight
My parents are in their 80s and mostly listen to classical, soft rock, and lounge. I’m going together with my siblings, so I’m thinking around $200 each. But I’d consider something more expensive if it’s truly worth it.
I’m already looking at the Sennheiser HD 599 and HD 560S but I haven’t decided which. And there may be something I’m not thinking of.
Sennheiser 500 series is the obvious choice. However, many casual listeners prefer wireless over sound quality, so Bluetooth may be preferable and more versatile. This means the standard Sony - Bose - Apple airplane products.
Agree. I should have mentioned they already have those, so I’m looking for something more audiophile. My dad used to have a really nice stereo system but they moved into an apartment. He doesn’t know anything about headphones, so this is my chance to help.
My strong recommendation to folks is always the Drop Sennheiser HD-6xx. They’re lovely, scale up and down (fine from an iphone, lovely from my OTL tube amp). They’re also on sale for $200 right now. You can’t go wrong here, I’m fairly confident.
That said, a lot of folks in their 80s have lost treble sensitivity, and the knock on those headphones is that they are “boring”. Now I don’t think they are at all, but some people might think that it’s worth getting them a pair of more “exciting” headphones. In which case I think the Beyerdynamic’s most “friendly” model (the DT880 in 32 ohm, so again drivable from a phone) is a great alternative that I’ve seen a lot of older folks respond to for a variety of reasons including tuning, aesthetics, etc.
Sure you could get them a pair of planars - those are going to be a bit more “audiophile tuning” than the Beyer’s and are definitely exciting. In the $200-ish range, I’m a big fan of the HiFiMan HE-5xx. I keep them around and lend them to friends and friends’ kids who I think I might be able to get into audio.
Thanks, I missed that OP said Apple Dongle. I run my HD-6xx and HE-5xx from my iPad regularly via the Fiio KA3, which has got plenty of grunt (though it does drain power a bit faster than the apple dongle in full disclosure). It’s still a dongle albeit a little bigger. I also use the Fiio Q3, which has a battery on board and delivers even more juice. And yes that’s adding expense, I’ll admit. I personally don’t love the 5 series’ signature and resolution, but I’ll acknowledge that if you’re ONLY using them with an Apple Dongle, that is probably a smarter choice.
Y’know because of your suggestion I tried my HD 6XX from my iPhone using the Apple dongle and it actually wasn’t bad. I still think the HD 599 or HD 560S are a better fit to my requirements though.
Congrats on getting headphones for your parents. I’ve read the other recommendations, and admit my first thought was the Sennheiser HD-580 variant from Massdrop, the HD-58x. I’ve powered it on the Apple Dongle and it’s OK.
I’d nix the HD6xx both due to power requirements and the clamping force. There’s a good chance that your parents would find them uncomfortable.
Now here’s were I’m going to differ from most of the others. I think that the GRADO SR-125X would be a good choice.
I note that the cord, which I did not like on earlier models is improved. I’ve found the foam pads from Grado to be comfortable, and natural in that they let in room sound. This situational awareness can be very important for older folks.
Grado seems to be taming their highs, and given the typical hearing issues of people in their 80’s the slightly elevated and very detailed upper mid and high end may be just the ticket. They do not lack bass, and I doubt that your folks are EDM sub-bass junkies. I like Grado for lounge. Ask @Lothar_Wolf
Also consider that Grado has easy-change foam pads of differing designs, which can be a plus. Finally, you could always spring for the Beautiful Sound pads which are supremely comfortable. The headphone is light, and it’s slightly retro look should not be a problem. List on the SR-125x is $175. The slightly better SR-225x is $225.
+1 for the 58x as sounding great from a phone/computer built-in! They would also be my recommendation as a nice taste into the audiophile world without spending a fortune on DACs/Amps. They are also super lightweight. They were my first “entry” into Headphones and they blew my mind enough to get me hooked. I still put them on from time to time and enjoy listening to music just as much as my ZMFs.
The Sennheiser Drop HD 58X was my first open back, so I agree it is a good choice for sound. However I ended up selling it as I could never get used to the clamp. That’s also my main concern with the Sennheiser Drop HD 6XX. I needed to stretch the headband very aggressively to get them wearable for more than a few minutes. Since I inherited this noggin shape from my dad, I suspect he would have the same problem and I really think comfort should be the #1 consideration. My understanding is that the Sennheiser HD 599 and HD 560S design is far more comfortable, but someone please correct me if this is not the case.
For some reason, I hadn’t even thought of Grados! I will definitely check those out.
If you are entertaining Grado, the Beyers (@johhnnnyooops) might also be worth a try too. I consider my Beyer DT 880 (600 ohm) to be far more comfortable than my now sold Grado 80 series. For me the fit is well above average, and certainly better than the clampy Senn 58X or 600 family. With age we must consider high range hearing loss, so perhaps neither Grado nor Beyer treble may be a concern.
Grado’s on-ear fit and feel is personal but I didn’t like them AT ALL myself. To my ears they sounded like the HD 600 with its lowest octave cut off, and slightly rougher treble. These had Grado’s traditional scratchy foam on-ear pads, and I sold them probably 4 years ago.
I will add that Beyer premium (not pro) are insanely comfortable. A lot of folks HATE the sound signature. I personally think that the 880 premium 32 ohm is a fun “semi-on-the-go open-ish not too expensive” can. Like I can get away with using it in a shared workspace at which isn’t pin-drop quiet so long as I’m listening that volumes that I can actually work at, and I think it’s better than a lot of closed back. It’s super versatile, and on sale for $150 from Amazon right now. It’s got a “weird” signature if you like all the Audiophile™ cans, but a lot of people love it.
EDIT: ha, @generic and I are at it simultaneously! Have to admit I love my Beyer DT880 600 ohms with my Folkvangr. It’s an acquired taste, and I think they’re a fun complement to HD800s/LCD-3x. But I do find them unlistenable on my Mjolnir 2 - I get what a lot of people are saying about them, just that I love them with my Folkvangr.
I run my DT 880 with Dekoni’s retuning pads to drastically cut the treble, and then use a Schiit Loki to bring them back to ‘neutral.’ It works wonderfully well for vocals – my main and narrow use case for them. The DT 880 600 ohm gives the much more expensive Senn HD 800 S a run for its money on smooth and nuanced vocals.
And it’s funny @AudioTool I know that we should respect your budget. But all I want to do is to recommend the Focal Elex, which obviously is three times what you want to spend. But a lot of older folks I know love the “substantialness” of the Focal line vs. other options. I doubt the Listen Pro gets you anywhere near the Elex/Clear goodness. But the feeling of weight and air movement underlying the bass & midbass is what keeps a lot of people coming back to those when their treble goes. Dunno what to do with this - not trying to distract you.
Back to trying to be actually helpful: I still think the Beyer HD880 / Grado / Senn 5-series shootout could be a good idea. Order all from Amazon, return the 1-2 that they don’t like.