# Headphone Regrets šŸ˜Ÿ **URL:** \ **Category:** General Headphone Discussion\ **Created:** [February 17, 2019, 3:23pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-regrets/2737 "2019-02-17T15:23:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lalakai](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/lalakai/32/496_2.png) [@Lalakai](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Lalakai)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2019, 3:23pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-regrets/2737/1 "2019-02-17T15:23:56Z")
Sometimes no matter how you plan or review, it doesnā€™t work. I recently picked up a pair of DT 880ā€™s semi-open back and realized I had made a serious error; the semi-open back let too much back ground noise intrude, nearly ruining the experience and joy. Even the tv in the next room can be heard, greatly distracting from the music and listening pleasure. Now it frustrates me instead of relaxing me, to listen to music while also hearing unrelated noises. Iā€™ve never had this issue before so perhaps the level of ā€œsemi-openā€ classification varies between headphones, but this is a deal breaker for me and Iā€™ll be looking to either sell or gift these, rather than be frustrated by them. The performance is very good and the comfort level is great; if you have a very quiet environment or need to hear background noises (office setting) then these may work well. But the 880ā€™s profoundly identified that a significant portion of my listening experience is also based on isolation, pushing me very strongly to only consider closed style for any future purchases (which makes the DT 1990ā€™s very difficult to consider). Fortunately I only had $150 invested and there are silver linings to this experience. Donā€™t purchase from places that wonā€™t take returns (for non-defective reasons), ā€œlisteningā€ preferences vary not only based on performance and fit but also isolation capabilities. Worse case scenario Iā€™m only out $150 in a ā€œteachingā€ moment as compared to spending $600 and finding myself just as frustrated. And with a degree of humility I also admit, had I purchased through Headphone, I could have taken advantage of the return policy and the teaching moment wouldnā€™t have been as bad. Lessons learned. ---
**Author:** ![TylersEclectic](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/tylerseclectic/32/8751_2.png) [@TylersEclectic](https://forum.headphones.com/u/TylersEclectic)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2019, 4:37pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-regrets/2737/2 "2019-02-17T16:37:18Z")
I had a similar experience with a pair of 880sā€¦ended up selling to a friend who Iā€™m pretty sure sold them offā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![pennstac](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/pennstac/32/381_2.png) [@pennstac](https://forum.headphones.com/u/pennstac)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2019, 5:20pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-regrets/2737/3 "2019-02-17T17:20:37Z")
The Sennheiser MM-450x that I got on eBay for $75 used, along with a second pair of them that werre supposed to be MM-550ā€™s but werenā€™t and a pair of low end Senns that I gave away. Only one pair of the 450s worked properly. I bought a new battery, and a special cord to try them wired. The purpose of the buy was to try and replace my destroyed Senn PX-100s. Maybe upgrade, but looking for portable. Since I made the L-pad switch with tape mod, my Grado SR-60eā€™s seem to be filling that role. The 450ā€™s lack bass-yes, even compared to the Grados. I used them on a plane - the noise reduction works, but is not sensational. I canā€™t bring myself to buy Bose QC 35s because I donā€™t care for the class of people I see on flights smugly taking their Bosies out of the case before takeoff. I see the Senn MM-450 in my travel bag all the time, but they just donā€™t get that much use. Probably because they try to be everything, but are really good at nothing. ---
**Author:** ![Tacanacy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Tacanacy](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Tacanacy)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2019, 5:57pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-regrets/2737/4 "2019-02-17T17:57:36Z")
I regret buying a Mobius. I got it for gaming, but the 3D and virtual surround sound barely expand the soundstage in itā€™s default setting, while making the sound quality a little worse. Iā€™ve calibrated it in Audezeā€™s software, and increasing the room ambiance does increase the soundstage, but destroys the clarity, timbre and dynamics. It sounds awfully hollow/harsh/metallic/tinny, especially voices/vocals. So Iā€™m selling it off. ---
**Author:** ![Lalakai](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/lalakai/32/496_2.png) [@Lalakai](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Lalakai)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2019, 5:57pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-regrets/2737/5 "2019-02-17T17:57:52Z")
Now I have to start my research again, balancing the pocketbook and acceptable performance. This has taught me that I have give up some performance in going to closed headphones, but the background noise leaking inā€¦canā€™t work with that. ---
**Author:** ![pennstac](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/pennstac/32/381_2.png) [@pennstac](https://forum.headphones.com/u/pennstac)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2019, 10:14pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-regrets/2737/6 "2019-02-17T22:14:15Z")
Hmmmmā€¦ I have a pair of Sennheiser MM-450-Xā€™s with a new battery and pads. They are open, but have noise cancelling. Maybe we could make a dealā€¦ [ducking and runningā€¦] ---
**Author:** ![ProfFalkin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/proffalkin/32/1399_2.png) [@ProfFalkin](https://forum.headphones.com/u/ProfFalkin)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2019, 11:37pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-regrets/2737/7 "2019-02-17T23:37:58Z")
I donā€™t really regret any of my headphone purchases. They were all learning experiences leading to where Iā€™m at now. I do regret some amp purchases though, like the old (no longer made) Felix Elise. When someone said this was the best sound in all of audio, it should have been a massive red flag that the hype (and someoneā€™s lack of common sense) was out of control. ![8874048_thumb](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/headphones/original/2X/d/dce4935e2a9efb91e56eae56e27258900dfb931b.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Carmantom](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/carmantom/32/490_2.png) [@Carmantom](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Carmantom)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2019, 2:30am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-regrets/2737/8 "2019-02-18T02:30:06Z")
> [@TylersEclectic](#): > > I had a similar experience with a pair of 880sā€¦ended up selling to a friend who Iā€™m pretty sure sold them offā€¦ I thought you said he was a friend. šŸ˜œ ---
**Author:** ![ProfFalkin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/proffalkin/32/1399_2.png) [@ProfFalkin](https://forum.headphones.com/u/ProfFalkin)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2019, 3:14am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-regrets/2737/9 "2019-02-18T03:14:57Z")
I literally LOLā€™d. Friends donā€™t let friends Beyerdynamic. Iā€™ve owned the 990, 880, 1770, T1ā€¦ I tried so hard to like them. So comfy. So good looking. So murderously bright. ---
**Author:** ![TylersEclectic](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/tylerseclectic/32/8751_2.png) [@TylersEclectic](https://forum.headphones.com/u/TylersEclectic)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2019, 3:16am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-regrets/2737/10 "2019-02-18T03:16:43Z")
We arenā€™t on the best of termsā€¦šŸ¤£ ---
**Author:** ![Pharmaboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Pharmaboy](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Pharmaboy)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2019, 3:34am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-regrets/2737/11 "2019-02-18T03:34:14Z")
Interesting thread. Iā€™ve had some headphones that really didnā€™t work for me (the TX-00 & JVC HA-SZ1K stand out on the misery meter); some amps that didnā€™t make the sonic cut, and so on. At the time I thought each was a defeat, and not only for $$ spent. But it turned out these ā€œdefeatsā€ were just necessary learning experiences. These days I have a better sense of what I really like. But having said thatā€“odds are very good Iā€™ll eventually purchase some new disastrous headphone or amp. ---
**Author:** ![Lalakai](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/lalakai/32/496_2.png) [@Lalakai](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Lalakai)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2019, 4:56am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-regrets/2737/12 "2019-02-18T04:56:41Z")
misery loves company eh? šŸ˜œ ---
**Author:** ![darmanastartes](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/darmanastartes/32/36273_2.png) [@darmanastartes](https://forum.headphones.com/u/darmanastartes)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2019, 1:58pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-regrets/2737/13 "2019-02-18T13:58:00Z")
My biggest headphone purchase regret was the Campfire Audio Polaris. I found the driver flex unbearable, and the Japanese V tuning was not distinct enough from the Mee Audio Pinnacle P1 to make them worth keeping. Thankfully they were purchased used and I was able to resell them without too much trouble. ---
**Author:** ![Carmantom](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/carmantom/32/490_2.png) [@Carmantom](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Carmantom)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2019, 5:12pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-regrets/2737/14 "2019-02-18T17:12:53Z")
This is a great topic allowing a baseline although it be someone elseā€™s impressions. It then allows further investigations to gear. ---
**Author:** ![generic](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/generic/32/61169_2.png) [@generic](https://forum.headphones.com/u/generic)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2019, 11:09pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-regrets/2737/15 "2019-02-18T23:09:54Z")
Regrets: - Grado SR80e ā€“ incredibly bright high range, rough foam earpads press on the ears - Massdrop X Noble IEMs (Midnight Blue, 2 BAs) ā€“ no bass at all, short ear shafts, difficult to keep in place - KZ ZS10 IEMs ā€“ regretted partly because I bought better KZ AS10s shortly after getting these. The ZS10s have a weird sound profile too. ---
**Author:** ![pennstac](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/pennstac/32/381_2.png) [@pennstac](https://forum.headphones.com/u/pennstac)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2019, 11:42pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-regrets/2737/16 "2019-02-18T23:42:56Z")
If you still have the Grados, do the L=pad switch with the tape mod. Improves bass and cuts the treble peak a bit. See mod notes and graphs on Inner Fidelity resources. ---
**Author:** ![DavidA](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/davida/32/686_2.png) [@DavidA](https://forum.headphones.com/u/DavidA)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2019, 5:16am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-regrets/2737/17 "2019-02-19T05:16:58Z")
HD598 and SHP9500, couldnā€™t give them away fast enough, but looking back I think they gave me a better idea of what is my preferred sound, thin and bright is not it. ---
**Author:** ![geniekid](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/geniekid/32/2660_2.png) [@geniekid](https://forum.headphones.com/u/geniekid)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2019, 4:18pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-regrets/2737/18 "2019-02-19T16:18:15Z")
Like others have said, I donā€™t regret any purchases because they all increase my experience and insight. And theyā€™re always fun at the beginning šŸ™‚ That said, if I had to do it all over again and my primary goal was to minimize expenditure, I would skip the HE-400S, HE-4XX, Aeon Flow Open, and K7XX. I donā€™t know if itā€™s tonal balance or actual resolution, but the planars always sounded blurry to me compared to my HD-6XXs. The K7XX was more of a comfort issue. ---
**Author:** ![mdcore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@mdcore](https://forum.headphones.com/u/mdcore)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2019, 3:40pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-regrets/2737/19 "2019-02-17T15:40:18Z")
I would vote for gifting, and would like to be the first to volunteer. In a message dated 2/17/2019 10:34:00 AM Eastern Standard Time, [headphones@discoursemail.com](mailto:headphones@discoursemail.com) writes: ---
**Author:** ![ShaneD](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/shaned/32/2915_2.png) [@ShaneD](https://forum.headphones.com/u/ShaneD)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2019, 2:53am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-regrets/2737/20 "2019-04-05T02:53:26Z")
On the learning side there was the HD598Cā€™s, the ATH-M50xā€™s, B&W P5ā€™s (Gen 1), Sony MDR-Z7ā€™s, Grado SR325eā€™s. On the regret side there is the NightOwl Carbons. Fell in and out of love in one month. Most overhyped headphone ever: HD6XX. I bought these AND an amp to drive to them. What colossal waste of money. ShaneD [Next page](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-regrets/2737.md?page=2)