I got a pair of Final Audio UX3000. The sound is consumer-friendly but refined. Yes, accentuated bass and a slight V-shaped sound signature. A bit of bleed into the lower mids. That’s to be expected with almost any ANC over-ear can at this price range. Not bad at all.
But there’s a HUGE negative with these cans that is forcing me to return them: The ear cups are TINY. We’re talking PUNY. Final Audio must have used a dwarf elf as its ergonomic model as there is no adult human on Earth for whom these will fit comfortably. These are not over-ear cans; they’re ANC on-ears. Uncomfortable as hell. That’s not what I paid for.
Do you want punch and slam, or are you referring to bass extension that goes flat all the way down to 20Hz? Or both?
The Beyerdynamic DT 770 comes to mind for bass quantity and extension; it has quite a lot of treble, though. Also, the Creative Aurvana Live! has a good amount of bass. Both are closed-back headphones.
Curious what everyone’s upgrade paths look like for 2023. I’m debating a few options, as I sold a few headphones this year due to knowing my tastes better than ever and am down to just the Audeze LCD-X 2021 and Sennheiser HD 6XX, driven by a JDS Labs Atom+ stack.
My preferred genres are rock, classic rock, alt-country and hard bop and piano jazz.
Options:
Buy another kilobuck headphone, perhaps closed back. Looking closely at ZMF Aeolus as warm, relaxed chill can. Wondering if it will be too close to LCD-X or HD 6XX in signature to justify $1,000+ expense, though. Also considering used MM-500, but will that be just a small upgrade to LCD-X 2021?
Buy a headphone between $500 and $1,000, perhaps boutique. Definitely have my eye on Meze 109 Pro, but again, I wonder how much different it is to the LCD-X 2021 or if it’s that much better. The Aurorus Borealis intrigue the hell out of me. Love the concept of supporting a boutique manufacturer.
Improve existing gear, especially source chain. Already all but sold at buying ZMF pads for my HD 6XX to reinvigorate those. But also considering an upgrade in fidelity and power for my Atom+ stack. Would like to stay at $500 or less for new stack. Have no clue what that next step would be, so I appreciate any and all advice.
Try the Grado sound. I demoed the 325x in August at a shop in Seattle and was surprised how much I enjoyed them. Comfort is a question, though, because I’m not big on on-ear cans.
Buy some cheap IEMs and sit still and enjoy the music. There’s also a small part of me that just says get Truthear Hexa and Salnotes Zero as cheap but good IEMs to satisfy my closed-back needs, and then just sit pat for a few months and enjoy the music. Yeah, I know: Fat chance!
Appreciate any and all advice here. Would love to also read about your upgrade plans for 2023!
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year!
I don’t have any particular upgrade path identified: my IEM purchases resolved my need/desire for better closed back headphones, my Atrium compliments my Gungnir and Folkvangr uncannily well, and there are no holes in either of my work or home stacks. If anything, 2023 might the year to sell off some equipment that got me to where I am now.
If I had to identify a purchase, I would like a better cable for the Atrium than the OFC cable it came with. That cable is worse than any Focal cable in term of stiffness and usability.
I’ll be going for number 1 or 2 sometime next year, possibly the Meze 109 Pro or Auteur Classic. I repurchased the HD 650, as it’s a good pallet cleanser and reference when comparing to stuff. So, right now I basically have the same headphones you do, though I’m using a RebelAmp.
If you don’t have any decent IEMs yet, pull the trigger brother; it’s so convenient when doing odds and ends around the house or just chilling on the couch. My listening time probably leans more toward IEMs or TWS simply due to convenience to be honest. I’ll probably pick up the Symphonium Meteor at some point too haha.
Have you thought about replacing the stack with the Element III, simply for convenience and a slightly upgraded DAC? Something from Schiit might suit your needs as well.
I don’t have any set plans. I think I’m at a soft pause, completely satisfied with the Rosson RAD-0 and/or the Nectar Hive for main cans and the Audeze LCDi4 for IEMs. Maybe a true wireless, but no big headphone expenses.
On the toy list might be a tube amp, but certainly not a priority.
For sound in general, I still really want to upgrade my aging main speakers in the living room, which could trigger an amplification upgrade. Not sure what the path might be. High on the list - in no particular order are
Harbeth 40.3 (preferred, or HL5-XD Plus possible)
EgglestonWorks Kiva or perhaps Oso
Klipsch - probably AK6
Vandersteen - I think the Quatro
If anybody has any thoughts on speakers in this class, I’d be happy to hear them, and happier to find out where to audition. I had liked Wilson Audio, but I think that I won’t wish to afford DAWs.
As far as amplification, I have adequate power, I’ve liked my Wyred4Sound integrated, but I know it is only what it is…
I’m a huge Vandersteen fan, but my most recent speaker purchase was from Salk Sound. They’re absolutely stunning looking and sounding. They’re internet direct so they’re hard to audition if you don’t go to the trade shows.
