That’s basically what I had assumed, pretty sure the ones I listened to were ANC. But definitely didn’t care to remember what it was as I would never suggest them to anyone. As mentioned this was way before I ever got into headphones.
I had a buddy who always buys Bose home theater and I swear they all sound the same. I’m sure he’s still buying them and he had 3 different ones. Buying more and more expensive models, I’m no expert now or then, but that’s my common notion. Shouldn’t it get better lol
White van scams lollll ive had some dude try to pull that on me and I read about it before too.
Yes, I mentioned the trickle down effect for those audiophile companies that are popular for wired headphones. Senn/Beyer, wouldn’t expect that from Sony or Bose.
I honestly wasn’t trying to spend that much money on a pair of Bluetooth headphones as I mean I use it 10% of my listening time. However I was so impressed by M&D I decided I would rather sacrifice the money I really didn’t have for quality sound.
ANC is great, but I really have no use for it. Sometimes my roommate is watching TV and it does cancel out all that sound and does make it more personal. I’ve only been on a few flights and that noise has never really disturbed me or is really noticeable. Probably just not paying attention to it.
So I’m looking for some open-back headphones with a bit of a strange requirement, I’d like them to sound like a better version of the Philips Fidelio X1. I’ve tried a few high-end headphones and none of them resonate with me as well as the X1, they just have this weird quality to some of the tones that feels like the inside of my ear is being massaged. Particularly on instruments like cellos, or tracks like Dan Croll - From Nowhere (Baardsen Remix).
I wish I could be more descriptive, I know the X1 doesn’t have the best technical performance and I’d love to find something better that has the same tonal qualities.
I have no experience with the X1, but checked out some reviews. Some people do indeed like it at its price point. Various reviews say it has boosted mid-bass with rolled-off treble. Cellos hit the mid-bass zone for sure. The discontinued AudioQuest NightHawk and NightOwl come to mind as bass-heavy, treble-light products too.
What other products have you tried? What amplifiers and DACs did you use?
Some audiophile headphones are neutral to bright, while warm high-end headphones may emphasize deep bass rather than mid bass. Many headphones sound brighter when used on solid state amplifiers too. I’m thinking you might like a mainstream warm-ish audiophile model (e.g., Sennheiser HD650/6XX) through a warm tube or tube hybrid amp. With the right tube it will enhance the bass. Alternatively, an equalizer can shift the tone directly (within reason).
Thanks for the reply, back when I had my pair of X1s I was just using a soundcard but now when I listen to music I have a questyle cma600i. I have modified thieaudio phantoms which are ridiculously bassey, and the focal elegia which has less base but just as much slam. I’ve experimented with EQ to see if I can get the same kind of effect with the headphones I have but matching the frequency response seems to boost the levels without giving the same kind of texture that I found so pleasing.
It’s a phenomenon that I’ve only ever found in the X1 and I’m not even sure if other people feel the same way, but it was very enjoyable.
In an effort to stop obsessing over what I want next or what I’m missing, I’m looking for feedback on what to focus on in my next headphone upgrade. I would love opinions.
DACs: Bifrost 2 and modi multibit
Amps: far too many. SW51 on order, Lyr 3, Asgard 3, Neurochrome for as high end solid state as i can afford (and I love this amp), Vali Mini coaster amp. Let’s just stop there.
Headphones: switch between Ananda and HD6xx for most listening. Elegia + Loki for when I need isolation. HE4XX is good and what I use if I think I’m going to blow something up.
Thoughts on my gear: The Elegia is wonky without EQ but much prefer the other 2 headphones I use regularly. The HD6XX is an underrated marvel that I’m convinced does some things better than anything in the low 4-digit price range. I think we undervalue the headphone because of the price, so we never seriously treat the HD600/650/6XX as similar to kilobuck headphones when we should take those comparisons more seriously imho. The Ananda is also pretty underrated too. There’s a level of clarity and the ever so slight yet natural brightness I wouldn’t imagine at the price point.
I don’t want to make a half step upgrade. Willing to save for the right thing, as long as I feel like I can justify the saving and spending. And I don’t plan to invest more in amps. I’m pretty sure I can find a good fit with what I have. I’m OK if that limits the level of headphone I look for next.
I am leaning Aeolus. As much as I want a Verite I don’t think I can justify saving the money for one yet although I might long term. I could be sold on the Auteur instead, but sounds like I can pad roll on the Aeolus and still have some fun even with more neutral suede pads. I don’t know if I need to go down the Focal road. The fact that pads are $250 gives me pause. I used to want the Clear and now I want more of a warm and fuzzy that Focal is going to support these headphones longer term. If I want to try something more Ananda than Ananda…I’m not sure I want this. Every review of other Hifiman implies higher end is a trade off from here and I’m not interested in that yet. I’m kind of interested in the HEDD but I have a big noggin and now we’re getting into money where taking chances and limited/no availability to preview is harder.
Why does the bright shiny object I don’t have take so much of my thoughts. Why.
As a guy who has trimmed down to one Autuer, one Ananda, I can support a zmf urge.
Aeolus are easy to pick up and flip back into the market with minimal loss, Autuers a little trickier. VO, pretty easy, @antdroid had a pair that has gone around the block a few times since he cut them loose.
With your diy skills, are you ready to start modding headphones?
Why do you believe the Auteurs are tougher to flip. Seems to be fewer of them out there. I have two Aeolus presently; I absolutely love them. I don’t ever see myself parting with them.
I’ve not thought this through properly and it’s past my bedtime but how about the following two sets of options: go hog wild, sell everything but your Bifrost 2, SW51, Lyr 3, Asgard 3, and put the proceeds toward the Vérité. You could then sell whichever amp(s) you like the least with those headphones. Or, alternatively and less impulsively, it might be worth considering some leading questions:
Do you need closed-back headphones?
If no, you could sell the Elegia and put the money towards upgrading your open-back headphones
If yes, does it make sense to upgrade the Elegia since you’re less fond of them than your other headphones?
If, in turn, the answer’s yes, the good news is that there aren’t many options below the VC’s price to choose from: the Radiance or Celestee - although I hear you about the price of Focal pads and, more importantly, the issue of how long the replacement pads will be available (if you plan on having the headphones for 5+ years, budget an extra $200) - and then there are the ZMF Atticus and Eikon. Beyond the LCDXC, I’m blanking on other options right now.
What are you looking for in an upgrade over your HD 6XX or Ananda? Put another way, what’s missing from your current collection, or what’s out there that’s more appealing?
You might want to hold on to the HD 6XX until your SW51 arrives before deciding. (FWIW, that’s what I’m doing: if I’m not sold on the HD 6XX pairing with the SW51+ in a few months’ time, I’ll sell the headphones and put the proceeds towards a future investment; further down the line, instead of saving up for a TOTL tube amp to unleash the full potential of the HD 6XX, I’d probably save up for the Vérité)
Do you want to have both a planar and a dynamic driver headphone?
If yes, perhaps the Ananda could be replaced by an Arya, LCD-X, HE-6SE v.2, or HEDDphone (I assume your Neurochrome amp would power the last two properly)?
If no, your choices among open-back dynamics drivers are, again, quite limited below the Vérité: there are the other ZMFs, the OG Clear or the Mg version (the Pro options with the extra pair of pads might make these more attractive), whatever Grado is in your price range, the HD 800S or the Drop HD 8XX (when it comes out).
The good news is that you’ve got enough amps to cover a wide range of headphone options, I’d guess. Having said that, the Sennheiser HD 800S / 8XX might benefit from a warmer tube amp than the SW51. I’ll be checking out the SW51+ with my HD 800 SDR when the amp arrives…
What’s the ear time split between the HD6XX and Ananda? Which one do you think is higher performing or more enjoyable? Are you looking for something to be great all around, versus excellent for certain use cases? What sonic property(ies) do you think are lacking with your current gear, if any?
I preferred the larger sonic images and natural timbre of the Eikon over the technical performance (dynamics and clarity specifically) of the Clear OG. TBD if that applies to the entirety of the respective houses.
If people in the headphone hobby really want to know: Swap HD6XX drivers with those from a headphone set with an elegant, top of the line, wood, magnesium, and gold chassis. Put the top of the line drivers in the plastic 6XX chassis, but add a big “prototype” sticker because everyone has experience with how the 650/6XX sounds.
Watch as some hear correctly right away, while others fall for it hook, line, and sinker. There are plenty of individual/personality differences – find out what kind you have. Spenders must/will buy new stuff regardless of need, while savers will find any reason to not buy. Each will be unhappy if they do the opposite. [You are writing and thinking like a saver, IMO.]
Buy any Focal you want. Spend about $60 or $75 on Dekoni pads. Remove the unused Focal pads and store them in the box. If you ever sell, put the factory pads back on.
I’ve heard a lot of bad things about dekoni pads, and they don’t appear to measure well even per their own site. I had Ultra Hybrids on my 650’s and didn’t love em.
Love this. Thanks. Half the reason I posted was so I could get my questions out of my head. I couldn’t easily put words to what I want over what I have other than greener grass syndrome. Still can’t. You addressed probably my biggest question was an opinion on waiting to invest in higher end gear. That’s a personal question I need to understand for me. Big money gives me anxiety. Lots of little investments don’t, and I need to do what I need to do to be comfortable with audio goals and scumbag brain. Thank you for the therapy session.
You might find @pennstac’s excellent advice here worth reading. It has helped me clarify a few things, especially for figuring out if I want to put together an ideal system or experiment with different gear. I’m hoping to find a compromise between these two positions.
Here’s my cunning plan: to invest a certain amount in used gear and then cycle through it, buying and selling items as I want to try out new things. I think of it as a rainy day slush fund, one for mowing that greener grass.
I’m right there with you. I’d love to buy a pair of Vérité. Since my current headphones were purchased used or b-stock - Clear, HD 800 SDR, and LCD2-Classic (except my HD 6XX) - the Vérité would amount to a larger investment than all of them combined. Honestly, that makes me nervous.
@bpcarb had a great piece of advice: to buy an Aeolus or Eikon en route to the Vérité. I’d not lose out much on the resale and I’d get to have a lovely headphone to keep me happy until I could reach for the Vérité. (Please, for the love of god, Zach, please keep making the Vérité for another couple of years!)
A big boy amp will have to wait even longer. The temporary solution is to do what you’re doing: collecting a nice set of high-performance affordable amps, like the SW51+, the Lyr 3, Asgard 3 - and in my case the ZDT Jr. - that should work well with a wide range of headphones and do decent justice to higher-end headphones.
Purchasing the HD800S gave me the piece of mind you’re (implicitly) looking for. I recall being anxious about trying new stuff. But that probably happened only because the HD800S ticked two open checkboxes I had back then:
– What is like to hear a (namely) high-end headphone?
– What the hell is this soundstage anyone talks about?
I lived similar situation in my other (guitar) hobby. I remember wanting a Fender (and a Gibson Les Paul) so deadly. Got the Fender almost 4 years ago and never looked back getting the Gibson. Weird, huh?
So maybe you need a checklist of characteristics you’re looking for and then narrow down the headphones that are able to present these features? This is how I would start. Good luck.
Game has changed now they’re producing something similar to Sennheiser offering (but with supposedly better foam). Bought two sets and installed them in the 600 and 660S. Did not notice the wonkiness given by the other thick pads they offer. Link below:
Focal Clear Aficionado Looking For Closed back Advise- Currently using Aeon Flow and find them light in bass bit comfortable.
The Focal Clear- original- Anyone have firsthand advice on the Focal Radiance vs Celestee. I’ds like a closed back for noisy or quiet environs bu would lobe to stay close to the tuning of the Focal Clear.
I do turn on Bass Boost and 3D+ on my iFi Dac for bass and soundstage.
I too have the Clear and AEON Flow Closed (original). The AFC wants a lot, lot, lot of power for maximum performance. I’m using the 9 watt Schiit Lyr 3 desktop amp for mine. If you are running the AFC on a portable battery powered iFi model then I’d try a different source.
I have no experience on the Radiance vs. Celestee, but various people have posted reviews on the forum (searchable).
Hi and welcome to the forum.
If you’re looking for a closed back with a sound signature close to the Clears then the Celestée is the way to go.
I’ve listened to them at focal Factory and they are the closest closed back in sound to the Clear.
The Radiance have a sound with a richer bass in comparison.
Take a look at @Resolve review of Celestée:
