Since I listen quite a lot on the move, I would have to pick an IEM for my one and only… While it isn’t the best, comfort being a major factor, I’ll go with IE 900 as the best jack of all trades that is so so comfortable to wear.
For sources, for the same reason, going for a portable… If I had to pick just one to keep. Probably Questyle M15, or iFI Gryphon.
Haha…, You can tell that I do like silky/warmer sounds from those choices.
This conversation made me buy some AirPods Pro 2, with xelastic tips. They’re very comfortable and clearly useful. They won’t dethrone my Audeze LCDi4 pick. Sound quality is just on a different level and I still have portability.
But I understand those who use them a lot. Sound is surprisingly decent.
Airpods Pro 2 are “good enough” while offering so many QoL things that they have become the de-facto TWS for me (given you own an apple device to properly utilize all the features)
And now them working on making them sort of hearing aids as a new feature is pretty cool.
Even though they are a master of none, they are a true jack of all trades.
Do the Xelastec tips improve the sound? Because I find the comfort already quite good with the stock tips but I’d consider an upgrade if the sound or sound isolation improves.
I get somewhat better seal and comfort with the Xelastic tips. I see that some think they are too soft and not that durable. We’ll see.
I find that the left and right side stock tips fit differently, and aren’t that great. The tail hangs down in my right ear, but I twist it horizontal in my left ear. I’d change to other tips for better comfort and a better seal.
For improving sound isolation the Comfy tips are great:
For me the best sounding tips are these:
They really are. Sadly mine fell apart within 2 months
I switched to dekoni ones which have been going strong for quite a while now
But foam tips on airpod pro are a true game changer, I agree
That’s the exact reason I changed to the SednaEarfit Max tips for the APP2. Both the left and right now stay sealed comfortably in my ears. The sound quality remained the same minus the improved bass response due to consistent seal.
After writing that…Amazon Prime Day started… I ordered a set of memory foam tips with 3 sizes.
Awesome. I’m curious to know what you think of the comfort and fit, and also if there’s any sound degradation.
Keeping things simple. My old reliable for home reference use is Sennheiser 800s paired with an inexpensive Topping L50/E50 ensemble and the RCA cord that comes in the box. It is about asclean & clear of a signal from whatever source to the headphone as you’d want to get without spending a ton more on a stacked pair.
AirPods Pro 2.
Anything else would mean giving up 90% of my available listening time.
I have many other options, some (trans)portable, some house-bound, but if it was really JUST ONE, it’d have to be something that worked for the largest number of listening scenarios and opportunities.
That means portable. That means while traveling, as well as at destinations. That means small, light, simple, wireless and with ANC (or sufficient mechanical/acoustic isolation).
If you could only have one headphone in your inventory, what would you pick? For me, it would be the Sennheiser HD 600.
Yes, there are scads of headphone models available. They all have strengths and shortfalls. Many of us get caught up in the “headphone of the month” club, where headphones are routinely bought, enjoyed, and sold, onto the next model to try out. The new model often does something “better” than the one just sold. After listening to it for awhile, you start to notice flaws, and move on to the next headphone.
The one headphone many have in their collection that does not get sold is the venerable HD 600. Introduced in 1997, 29 years later, it STILL is among the best overall models a headphone enthusiast has available. The overall balance provided by the headphone is so good, Sennheiser, with all the models that have come out since then, have had a bugger of a time providing a product that betters the HD 600 in all across the board aspects of reproduction.
What the HD 600 gets right that most headphones fall short in is the midrange. Very few headphones at any price can match the overall balance the HD 600 midrange provides. If the midrange is not right, then the overall sound is not right. It’s surprising just how many expensive headphones miss the mark on midrange performance. The HD 650 gets close, but IMHO, the HD 600 betters the HD 650 in the midrange by a small but noticeable difference.
The tradeoffs with the HD 600 is the lower bass is attenuated, but not to the point where it degrades the playback. I find a lot recordings artificially elevate the bass, which is not how a lot of live music actually sounds. The presence/treble region with the HD 600 is cited by some as harsh, but I find it to be more accurate/neutral.
In summary, whilst the HD 600 is not the best headphone money can buy (God only knows what that is) the HD 600 is the one headphone that I could live with long term if one had to choose only one headphone to own. The fact that replacement parts are readily available, and that it’s performance can upscale with better electronics is icing on the cake. Hook it up to a high quality OTL tube amp, and one is in for a real treat.
If I had to have only 1 headphone, I would go with the most comfortable, which for me, would be either the HD800/S or a Hifiman Arya (Stealth/Organic), while neither are perfect as stock, I can always just EQ them to my preferences.
I lived with HD800 for 10yrs resisting the urge to buy. I have ANC on the way but no other hi fi headphones
Eventually bought Arya stealth and Clear MG but still drift back to HD800
So the answer is HD800
There’s already a thread on this topic.
So far in my audio journey I really like the Final Audio D-8000 (non pro edition.) It is a headphone for me that does everything. Uniquely a genre generalist. I can play anything regardless of recording quality and that is something I’m truly grateful for and have not come across a headphone that does what the D-8000 does, especially for how much detail the headphone provides while being extremely friendly across all genres.
Going forward the D-8000 is a headphone I don’t ever picture myself selling. I enjoy it immensely. A permanent fixture and if I were to have just one headphone it would have to be that one. To be honest, it would be an easy decision. 
Thank you.
@andrew @taronlissimore @Resolve @listener @Torq @GoldenSound
Please move this thread into the existing one.
Still the Meze Empyrean II for me. Comfort, sound, and style. It has it all!