No so much on the higher-end, but if you really like bass, check out the HarmonicDyne x Zeos Eris. I found those things to be bass cannons, but missed the the mids and highs.
1 Like
Thanks guys for your replies. Much appreciated!
I am listeting to EDM but not only. I do listen to a lot of jazz as well. So that has to factor in as well. They should not only have good bass, but also shouldn’t be too bad at instruments and vocals as well.
@Polygonhell you mentioned that the abyss 1266 is a bass monster but not too good with instruments etc. That would not justify the price for me.
But I will listen to it anyway. And thanks for the other suggestions.
Meze Empyrean sounds quite good from what you descriped. Goes on my list as well.
Listen for yourself, and a true bass head may hear things differently. There is no right or wrong. I demoed the Abyss with a smile on my face even as I realized it was super colored…and tuned for fun.
2 Likes
It’s a personal opinion, as I said a lot of people love them. If you can try them, I wouldn’t want to color your opinions with what I hear.
Short version I own them and rarely use them, but there is a cadre of people who claim they are the best headphone in existence. What irritates me, clearly doesn’t impact that group the same way. So listen and make your own mind up.
Like I said I’m not a Bass head.
They are a very impressive headphone when you first hear them.
2 Likes
Another possibility for you to consider is the ZMF Eikon (used) or Eikon Classic (new or used).
It is a closed back, which for some rules it out right away (tinnitus, etc). But it has incredibly impactful bass and digs deep into sub-bass, but it is clean and not what I would call sloppy or muddy bass. It’s very articulate and resolving at the same time.
The Eikon Classic uses the Auteur Classic drivers, while Eikon OG uses Auteur OG drivers. The Classic has lower distortion and a more even tonal balance, and in fact sounds very good with genres that are not bass heavy (like jazz or even Classical).
It’s not for everyone, but it is a tremendously fun headphone and does kick ass in OG or Classic form. Could be a good deal used, and Eikon Classic is in intermittent production currently.
1 Like
Hello folks
I searched the forum but didn’t find what I was looking for.
I’m a bass-head and I’m more concerned with the punch of the bass than the extension of the sub-bass (which is nice too).
I’m looking for a high-end headphone with these features. What would you guys recommend?
I have IEMs and they pop quite well, but I’m looking for an over-ear headphone, preferably open. However, if you think that only closed headphones can achieve the desired effect, please suggest those as well.
As I am going to a store soon to test some (they have many brands, Meze, Focal, Hifiman, ZMF, Sennheiser, Abyss etc etc) I would appreciate suggestions to steer me in the right direction as I don’t have the time to listen to every single headphone they have 
Thanks guys, I appreciate it!
Sorry for the mix-up, for whatever reason it didn’t move the whole thread to the purchase advice topic. But it should all be here now. Hopefully folks can give some ideas on what to look for there.
For me… I tend to find the Focal headphones do really well for this quality, so the Clear, Utopia and so on. I’d test those if you can.
3 Likes
thanks resolve. the fault is on my side. it was my first post and i did it wrong. so thank you for moving it to the right thread. and thanks for your and all other suggestions, very much appreciated!
I am creating a list with all the suggested headphones to listen to. so looking forward to it. 
greetings from switzerland!
p.s.: been watching your videos for years, thanks!!
1 Like
Well as a budget pair. I’ve been having great experiences with the FIIO FT5, especially with the suede pads on it.
That is a seriously punchy headphone and great for the price. Bass extension is decent as well, but mainly it punches hard kind of like a focal utopia. Anyhow the FT5 are worth trying, especially at $450 USD. 
1 Like
If I recall, one of your main headphones is the HD-800S.
How does the openness/soundstage of the FT5 compare to the HD-800S?
Thanks!
Hi Nick. I have the original HD800. 
I use it very seldomly. My daily driver is actually the D-8000 from Final. For me that is a headphone like no other, but to answer your question the HD800 and FIIO FT5 are worlds a part in difference.
To start with soundstage. The HD800 is wider and a faster sounding headphone with a leaner bass response.
The FT5 is more narrow sounding but taller in sound presentation.
I mean you couldn’t pick 2 headphones that are more different than one another. 
Which is better? Comes down to what you like, but of course the HD800 has more technical performance capabilities with instrument placement, but the FT5 has a far better bass presentation when it comes to tactility and extension.
Mids? Vocals sit right around the same in presentation. FT5 may be a bit more forward, while the upper mids have a bit less glare on the FT5. A smoother presentation, but the HD 800 gives you more information in that range.
Overall I lean more towards the planar sound these days. Love the speed in the bass. It is addictive.
Great info - thanks!
I was asking because the only headphone that I found that works for me is the HD-560S, due to the “open” presentation. Of course, the tuning and technicals are not so great.
The only upgrade I know about that fits with the HD-560S presentation would be the HD-800S, but I’m always looking for other options.
Looks like the FT5 would not be a contender for me since it’s so different than the HD-800S.
Good news is there’s always something to fit everyone’s taste.
You might want to try the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro. It has a different presentation compared to the HD 800 S or HD 560S, but might give you a similar subjective spatial experience.
1 Like
Thanks for this info!
I’ll look around and see what I can find about it.
The price is pretty close to the 560S so it might be closer to a sidegrade than an upgrade for people who already have the 560S.
The swappable pads are intersting though!
I wouldn’t consider price into the equation when it comes to upgrade/sidegrade conversion, because price has almost zero bearing to sound quality. For Sennheiser, price does correlate with build quality and comfort though, so keep that in mind.
3 Likes
Hey everyone
I was just hoping for a little bit of advice for choosing between the Hifiman Sundara, Edition XS, or Ananda. They are all on sale right now and are close enough in price that it doesn’t matter which one I go with price wise. I’ve done a little bit of searching through reviews, but I’m not completely sure which one to go with yet. What are some pros and cons between these headphones?
I have the hd6xx and Monoprice M1060c. I also have a dac and amp too.
Thanks!
Are you striving to compliment the headphones you already have, or do you want something with a different sound profile? What do you like about your current headphones, and what do you want the new headphone to do differently? How important is comfort to you?
1 Like
I’m hoping for a new sound profile. I want something with more detail and bigger soundstage. I got to try out a pair of the Sundaras a while ago and I really liked them.
I really enjoy the headphones I have now. I really like the vocals on the 6xx, and I enjoy the bass in the m1060c and they seem to have better imaging and soundstage than the 6xx, which I like. I have modded the m1060c to be open.
Comfort isn’t the biggest deal for me.
That’s great that you’ve had an opportunity to hear the Sundara. If you already know you like it, I’d say that’s the safest choice.
If it were me choosing between those three options, I’d likely opt for the Edition XS for better comfort and deeper bass extension. The FIIO FT1 Pro would also be on my radar in that price range.
1 Like
Is the ZMF Vérité Open still worth it in 2025?
I’m considering getting a pair, but I’m not sure how it stacks up against newer flagship headphones.
Is it still a relevant choice among today’s high-end options, or have recent releases surpassed it in terms of performance and value?
Thank you.