What your favorite headphones? I think for many of us, it’s a moving target. We seem to buy and sell them quite often.
Right now, my favorite is the Grado HP100 SE, with Dekoni Fenestrated earpads. The earpads elevated the headphones performance even further, in that they increased the sub bass and smooth out the presence/treble range.
I’m fond of different headphones for different situations or moods. I prefer to change it up to keep thing’s fresh as well. But I have spent more time on my Focal Elex than anything lately.
I got the Abyss 1266TC 4 year ago and they blew me away. I rarely use my speaker rig now as I just prefer my Headphones and I never thought I would feel like that.
Just got a second hand pair of Susvaras too and they are right up there with the 1266TC too.
I hear you. The British have a saying “ Horses for Courses”. The same can be said about headphone listening.
As much as I like the Grado HP100 SE, there are some recordings/hardware setups where my PS1000e seem to be a be a more pleasant match.
Then there are times where closed back headphones are required for the listening environment. Out of the closed back headphones I’ve owned or auditioned, my current favorite is the Ultrasone Edition 15 Veritas. Ultrasone evokes strong feelings both pro and con. The S-Logic EX works well for some, not for others. For me, it works very well.
Here’s what AI has to say about S-Logic:
“ Ultrasone’s S-Logic EX technology is a proprietary driver arrangement designed to create a more spatial and immersive listening experience. It features a funnel-shaped structure that positions the sound transducer further away from the ear, resulting in enhanced soundstage and a more three-dimensional effect through increased sound wave reflections. This design allows for a broad stereo platform and vivid tonal depth, creating a sound experience described as virtually indistinguishable from high-end speakers. S-Logic EX is particularly noted for its precise location capabilities, which provide a decisive advantage in gaming and film enjoyment.
The technology is featured in several Ultrasone headphone models, including the Edition 8 EX and the Edition 5 Unlimited. The Edition 8 EX, introduced in 2016, was the brand’s first mid-size headphone to incorporate S-Logic EX, combining it with a portable design and premium materials like titanium-coated Mylar drivers and Ethiopian long-haired sheep leather ear pads. The Edition 5 Unlimited also utilizes S-Logic EX, enabling greater spatial localization by increasing the distance between the sound transducer and the ear. Both models benefit from the technology’s ability to reduce ear fatigue during long listening sessions, promoting extended, carefree music enjoyment.”
I found the Edition 15 to sound very close to speakers, without any need to use EQ. To me, they sounded better than the Focal Stellia. The Edition 15 does need good electronics to perform at their best.
I’ll try to narrow it down to 3.
I love the sound of the Modhouse Tungsten DS. It’s just the perfect tuning to me. Outstanding headphones. Just have to use my big boy amp to drive them. So, not the most flexible headphones.
My most used is probably the Meze 109 Pro. Great comfort and driveability. Very good sound too, especially with a little EQ. They’re excellent for gaming and soundstage as well.
The Dan Clark Noire X is such an excellent closed back. The detail retrieval I hear from them is out of this world.
My three:
Focal Utopia OG
Raal Requisite SR1A
MySphere 3.2
Other: ZMF Verite Closed
Meze Empyrean II is the overall winner
Hifiman Mini Shangri-La when I’m in the mood
ZMF Bokeh closed when I need a closed back or just want to shuffle my music library
Well for me mainly playing my own vinyl or my CDs, or my cd collection which is only in MP3 which I use in mainly fiio audio players. M7 , M11s, etc…….
Headphones I tend to use . Some with amps sometimes not.
Grado Sr60. Sr125e, Sr225 , Sr325e, Sr325i, Rs2e, Gs1000, Ps1000,
Sennheiser Hd580, Hd600, Hd660s, . Momentum 4 , Accentum plus plus items…
So really it’s what you want open, closed, on the move , chilling out at home. Plus what’s your source….streaming, cd, vinyl, files…..etc
Oh and if I want closed iv got. Meze90 classic. And Focal Elegia. All good.
Audeze LCD-5 but for comfort reasons, I had to add the longer rods and a Capra strap. I also have an un-der-stat-ed Montréal strap which looks great but the Capra is better for comfort.
I like the default signature but know that I can get interesting alternative signatures out of them with EQ relatively easily. There’s just such punchiness and detail to them that it is addicting.
Empy ii, for i love it within 10 seconds
Aria 2, for it provide me a good sound with a very reansonable price
Shure se535, for it is my very first proper headphone/earphone. Before that i always use junks that comes with a new cellphone. For the first time i realize how good that sound can be.
For me the Final Audio D-8000 (original tuning) is the headphone that really is “the best” and my favorite with in my audio world. They have the most incredible diversity, not just with music genres but with different types of mastering done in music recordings themselves. Exceptional detail yet easy going at the same time. The D-8000 is still a bit of an enigma to me. The tuning is really special.
The pads I like are the H-Pads with the SPC junkosha Junflon cable. You get a bit more air and sophisticated treble tonality with these options.
