Senior Citizen Searches For Ideal Headphones

Looks like this might be it >> https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/

Amazon.ca has 490 pro at low of $558 and one clown has it at $977.00 CAD

Does you know which Sennheisers are still made in Ireland, if any ?

I do not. Possibly @Lothar_Wolf or @Resolve would know. Wouldn’t you be concerned that all vocal might have a lilt?

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Hello Sir. I personally think the 6xx is in your strike zone.

That said, I have a pair of Hifiman He4xx headphones that have served me well, are easy to drive, but haven’t seen much use in recent years, and I would be happy to send them to you for free. I have tried to create a “pass it down to younger generation” tread on other forums without success, maybe we should pass up? I just hate to see good things go unused.

Now, depending on the laptop, you may be able to get away without an amp. However, I think even a basic amp will improve your experience. I have powered these with a Fiio BTR5 with great results, but there are a ton of options, and I am happy to chat about them.

Either respond to this thread or PM me and I will work out shipping. As there is no transaction, you shouldn’t be hit with any import duties.

Enjoy the Music! - Austin

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I’d say Dan Clark Audio Aeon Noire or the open back equivalent would be my choice.

They just make me and my 62 year old ears smile n

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I’m going to offer an unconventional suggestion. Given preference for not having an external amp, your music genres and demographics, look for a used GRADO RS-1e or RS-1x. Then get the perf earpads made by Beautiful Audio.

Before the GRADO haters post, hear me out. I have this headphone, and a Senn 6XX, and you know what else. This particular GRADO is the exception to most in that it has much more balanced treble. :phone: The larger drivers have excellent soundstage and bass extension, and the Beautiful Audio pads further enhance the sound profile, are comfortable, and correct the issues with open foam.

Perhaps @Lothar_Wolf could comment. When I got my used RS-1e, it was a revelation. As outfitted above, it is a clear step up from 6xx on anything but a strong tube amp. It has at least as much mid detail, and has greater detail both in bass and treble. It excels at instrument placement, both acoustic and electric.

It drives easily, and won’t require an external DAC/AMP, but will reveal any improvements you do make with an external DAC/AMP later.

The downside is a truly abominable cable that you can’t remove without major surgery. And it uses the 6mm 1/4 inch single ended jack, so you may need an adapter. You should be able to get both the used GRADO and the Beautiful Audio pads for about $500.

And yes, they are wood and do look pretty.


:phone: Tyl from InnerFidelity bore this out

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Have you considered wireless?
That removes any amp issues. Since you are in Canada, you might consider the Audio Factory as a source. They feature overstock and manufacturer refurbished audio products. From memory, NAD, BlueSound, Dali and PSB.
Back to phones. To my 77 yo ears, I love my Sennheiser M4 over the ear phones. Strong bass but can be tamed through their app. Re; HiFiman, they regularly have sales with up to 70+ % off. I have the Ananda’s. Easy to drive and very nice sound. At their sale pricing, probably worth the risk. Mine have been flawless.

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They are the least offensive closed backs for me, not a fan of closed backs. Probably due to all of the electronic processing. As you say the FR isn’t bad and can be adjusted and have great battery life. I like them a lot for watching TV. They also shut out vacuum cleaners, and meowing cats so you are surprised when the claws dig in.

However I would not care for them as my only headphone, particularly for acoustic jazz or small jazz combos or even Alan Parsons Project, Soft Machine, etc. Not good for acoustic like Dave Brubeck or MJQ, much less some Haydn chamber music.

They can be used wired; I had Hart cables make a 5 foot silver cable for me as the included cable is a cheap afterthought. This cuts out some of the electronic gimmickry. But this is upper mid fi at best, not on par with the open backs in the 600 series.

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99.9% of the time wired have more potential than wireless headphones.

99.9% of the time open backs sound better than closed backs.

In the Sony, Bose, Beats, and Apple class, noise control and portability can outweigh pure performance. I use both types, but never ever recommend wireless or closed headphones as a primary quality setup.

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Similar age, similar tastes maybe more classical leaning
I have 3

Sennheiser HD800 now 12yrs old and still going strong

Focal Clear Mg

Arya Stealth

Build - Sennheiser and Focal Built to last, the Hi Fi man look like they need cotton wool

Sound - Arya bright but good for aging ears other 2 more neutral. Focal bass realistic

You will be listening from your phone so the DAC quality will be questionable, high cost headphones may be wasted

A good BT set Sony WH1000 MX 4 (or 5 or 6) gets around the DAC they are remarkably good, I have the 4’s and the WF1000MX4 ear bud versions too. I prefer the looks of the 4

Overall go Sennheiser or BT IMHO

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Thanks @Austin_Cooley I have sent a pm :slightly_smiling_face:

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Will mostly be listening through laptop and some form of cd player. Phone not as much, but at times. I have a pair of Souncore Q30’s as BT NC phones that are ok for podcasts etc and do cut out a fair amoint of noise, but no where near the Sony or Bose. They are mostly for trips so not too fussed about the sound. The sound is quite muddied or muffled and the detail is quite lacking for any kind of hifi experience. Hence, my quest lol. Thanks for the input. Much appreciated :speaker_high_volume:

Have considered a DongleDAC like Audioquest Red or Cobalt they too are remarkably good for the price

Yes, that is the type of component I will probably enf up with as I move my laptop around quite a bit, but it all depends on the phones T end up with.

I am not a big fan of refurbs etc when it comes to electronics. I would rather pay a fair price and have the manufacturers warranty and support behind it , such as they are nowadays, which can often be awful, if not just plain non-existant. I do have a modest BT NC set that I use for trips and they are good enough for that, for now, though I do like the M4 possibility. Thanks for the suggestions though … every little bit helps me along the road. Cheers!

A dac/amp dongle attached tpo either would give you many options for headphones.

Happy listening!

Mark

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Right. The DAC/AMP you get should reflect the type of headphone.

The problem with Dongle DACs is that you are limited by the POWER that your phone or device will deliver to them. For harder to drive headphones like the HD-6xx, they are marginal, although the balanced L&P W4, a wonderful dongle DAC, or possibly a WOO Mini Tube dongle DAC would work.

I have several dongle DACs, and the only two I use are the iFi GO-Link for beach and rough outdoor use. It’s cheap and I don’t care if it gets ruined. And the Luxury and Precision W4. I also own a Dragonfly Black and a Dragonfly Cobalt that I will probably give away or sell for a song. (Like @MikeO said Audioquest)

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I would suggest the Qudelix 5K dac/amp instead of a Dragonfly.

The 5K is powered by its own battery, has more power, has standard and balanced output, can be used wired and wirelessly and has eq (graphic and parametric).

Like many people these days I listen via wireless way more than fixed at the desktop.

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Thanks for the tip Sir ! Don’t see it on Amazon.ca but Amazon.com has it for 110 USD plus 78 shipping. 78 sounds outlandish IMO

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This gets more complicated by the day lol … it will depend on what I settle on as a headphone, of course, but if I need one down the road, I’ll hit you up for one of those if they fit the bill. The one @NickZ suggested sounds like a solid all-rounder and has wireless too

Don’t ever say “end game setup” unless you want to eat your words.

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