I tried a pair of leather, non perforated pads I have with my SR2. I thought it sounded boxy, stuffy and boomy.

So it must sound quite different than the M6 Ultra. My M8 doesn't sound nearly as warm and gooey as the M6U, plus the M8 definitely captures details and nuances much better. I reckon I should grab an M5U sooner than later.

Subbed

Two of my favorite cans right there. They contrast yet compliment each other very well, mood and genre dependant.

Don't you tease me with a good time! But I'd hope they sound better than the 5000 if they cost twice as much. I wonder if it uses a different driver than the open back. I would assume so.

More of a monitor presentation? Makes sense. Did you find the 5000 more colored, fun, and musical?

I'm also looking forward to hearing your impressions. I'm going to hold off on purchasing either until I can make a better informed decision. Who am I kidding, I'll likely end up with both. The struggle is real.

It's called the AR3

Those look quite nice. I'm digging the color.

What are your thoughts on that cable? Hearing anything beneficial with it? There's a 4.4mm balanced Aune cable on Amazon for a great price, but it looks darker in color than this.

Yep and yep

I don't recall. I keep mine in high gain. I don't own any IEMs, just full size headphones.

Sounds like the M5U would be a good fit for rock and metal. I'm just a little concerned the overall presentation is going to be a little too close to that of the M6U and M6 Pro original. Or it's going to sit right between those and the M8. I kinda want a different flavor - a little more...

What is the XM5?

I was very much considering buying this dap. Never owned a dap from Fiio, but it sounds like a lot of issues with no resolve with firmware updates or other means. I can't support that. Sounds like the DX260 might be a better choice from that perspective. Too bad, I really want to hear what this...