@Torq covered it better than I could. The AFC need more current than what your iPhone’s going to provide on its own. That’s not to say you couldn’t grab a portable amp to beef up your signal, but whether that’s something you’d want to do is going to be up to you.
It certainly doesn’t help that the AFC’s cable runs on the shorter end, which would lead you to believe it was designed for portability. If there’s one negative I have regarding the AFC, that cable length is definitely it. Luckily, I sit really close to my listening station…
Hmm for just running out of a cell, honestly the Focal Headphones will likely sound best!
I personally like Aeon C Flow but I’ve got a few powerful portable and desktop setups, but straight from your cell I too feel AFC [Aeon Flow Closed] will be more underwhelming and un impressive than anything, I do like HE 560 [with BrainWavz Angled Velour Pads for comfort and sound] also but it like AFC likes a little more power
So going back around the bend, I think the Focal either their closed back or the Cleer/Elex would do really well! The Focals seem to perform more consistently even with a little less power/amping
An actually In terms of price the original Focal Elear is right around $500[new], it’s the least balanced sounding of the Focal headphones or rather more so kinda unique in it’s presentation but I think coming from an HD 58X you may enjoy it. Worth hearing if you get the chance!
Wouldn’t it be hard to “audition” headphones from Massdrop? Maybe I should do what I’ve seen others do, order several alternatives and return the ones I don’t like?
Unless you know someone that owns the Massdrop headphones you’re interested in, or can find them at a meet or show, you won’t be able to audition them. Unless otherwise noted, sales are final and returns are only excepted for defective/damaged goods.
The Fostex headphones are all pretty comfortable, being lighter than many cans and with relatively light clamping pressure, but the opening in the pads can be small enough diameter that some people will have their ears touching the inside of it.
By just passively watching the secondhand market, there’s usually a healthy amount of Massdrop cans that end up right in the classifieds within a few months of people receiving their units. Only real exception to that rule I’ve seen has been with the THX 789 (which shows up, but at massively inflated cost). My suggestion would be to set aside a little “try it” fund and just snatch them up on the classifieds. Anything you don’t like can get relisted at little to no loss and will most likely sell.
I have the Shure 1540 Closed back headphones and find them light weight, comfortable and extremely neutral and smooth with an open presentation similar to open headphones. I enjoy them more than the HD 650s I have owned other Sennheiser and Beyerdynamic headphones and find these the best.
Currently I’m using Audio technical ATH M50x headphone for the last couple of years and i would like to go for an upgrade.i have Fiio A3 amplifier to boost my headphone further. my budget would be 300-350$. suggest me an ideal headphone, i mostly listen to new age, Celtic, country folk, indian classical music and i rather prefer a flat response headphone rather than bass type. the headphone can be either open or closed, only the sound quality matter and im using it indoors only. New recommendations are welcome.
Come on guys. Don’t be lazy. This is posted in the headphone news section. Let’s at least make a little effort to try to keep the forum organized okay?
There is an entire section dedicated to purchase advise, and many existing threads this could be posted to instead of starting another one.
And yeah, I get grumpy when obvious stuff screws with my OCD. I let lots of stuff slide, but this one I just can’t.
As others mentioned, the Drop Sennheiser HD-6XX is a version of the retail HD-650 sold only by Drop.com. It’s a great and inexpensive way to get a high quality, all around headphone. However, you mentioned “flat rather than bass type” and might prefer the HD-600. The 6XX runs on the warmer side, while the 600 is simply neutral.
The HD-600 costs about $300 in the US through standard dealers, instead of $200-$220 for the HD-6XX.
This is a great jump off upgrade… or even the HD58X though the HD6XX is a step up 