Smooth sounding planar headphones under $1K?
Jun 7, 2016 at 3:28 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 23
DivineCurrent

DivineCurrent

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After comparing my recent purchase of the HE-400i to all my other dynamic headphones, I noticed it had better bass extension than any of them. Unfortunately, the treble was heightened a little too much for my taste. I am a big fan of the HD-650/600, and I prefer a flatter more extended treble, not emphasized or peaky. Are there any planars available under 1K that provide good bass extension with smooth extended treble? I am potentially interested in the Oppo PM-1 or PM-2, but by reviews and frequency graphs, I see the treble rolls off quite a bit after 10khz. There is also the HE-560, but I hear that also suffers from the same treble emphasis as the HE-400i. 
 
Jun 7, 2016 at 5:00 AM Post #2 of 23
PM1, PM3, LCD2, EL-8 (open back) are all smooth sounding. (I havn't heard the PM2, but essentially should be the same flavour as the other Oppos)
HE-500 needs modding to sound smoother, but even then the treble still might be too strong for your taste as even after modding it's still not as warm or smooth as the others.
 
Jun 7, 2016 at 6:05 AM Post #3 of 23
Unfortunately, there is no perfect-sounding planar magnetic in your price range (or any). There are always tradeoffs. I would say that you should get a listen to the PM1, PM2, and HE-560 to see what you think. You might be surprised. Maybe, at the end of the day, the HD650 is your can ? Or maybe you want to just save money and get the HD800 (I know, not planar magnetic--but still, so good) :).
 
Jun 7, 2016 at 7:12 AM Post #4 of 23
serman005 said:
  Unfortunately, there is no perfect-sounding planar magnetic in your price range (or any). 
Click to expand...

This is totally subjective.
 
I have two perfect-sounding planars in this price range. 
Perfect-sounding to me of course.
 
Jun 7, 2016 at 9:44 AM Post #5 of 23
serman005 said:
Unfortunately, there is no perfect-sounding planar magnetic in your price range (or any). There are always tradeoffs. I would say that you should get a listen to the PM1, PM2, and HE-560 to see what you think. You might be surprised. Maybe, at the end of the day, the HD650 is your can ? Or maybe you want to just save money and get the HD800 (I know, not planar magnetic--but still, so good) :).
Click to expand...

Yeah, to me the HD650 is almost perfect. I just wish it had a bit more transient response and bass extension. In fact, if I had not heard the HE-400i's amazing bass extension and texture, i would have not even posted... lol. Maybe if i cant find really smooth treble in planars, should i try electrostatic?
 
Jun 7, 2016 at 1:14 PM Post #6 of 23
Want less treble? Simply reduce it with a parametric equalizer. You can pinpoint any frequency and reduce or boost it by any amount you like, down to a fraction of a decibel.
 
The HE400i is already quite good, though. (Check out these measurements.) Personally, I found it to be a little too smooth (you can see that the treble is rolled-off a bit from the green line), though mine was modified. I think you're better off tweaking them instead of going for another headphone just to fix a problem that can easily be fixed for free.
 
Also: I do like electrostats more than planar magnetics, regardless of price (that means comparing even the cheapest 'stats to the most expensive planar magnetics), but that's just me.
 
Jun 7, 2016 at 5:27 PM Post #7 of 23
music alchemist said:
=.

Also: I do like electrostats more than planar magnetics, regardless of price (that means comparing even the cheapest 'stats to the most expensive planar magnetics), but that's just me.
Click to expand...


Who cares? That does not help him. You have owned one planar and one electrostat, but you feel the need to say that every 5 posts.....
 
Jun 7, 2016 at 5:55 PM Post #8 of 23

 
I have repeatedly told you that your rude and abusive posts are unwanted, yet you relentlessly persist. Stop trolling.
 
Who cares?
Click to expand...

 
Plenty of people.
 
That does not help him.
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You do not determine that. For your information, he specifically asked about electrostats in this post. Furthermore, it is common knowledge that electrostats have less problems in the treble than planar magnetic headphones do.
 
You have owned one planar and one electrostat
Click to expand...

 
This is not relevant. I have heard plenty.
 
but you feel the need to say that every 5 posts.....
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No, I do not.
 
Jun 7, 2016 at 6:07 PM Post #9 of 23
music alchemist said:
I have repeatedly told you that your rude and abusive posts are unwanted, yet you relentlessly persist. Stop trolling.


Plenty of people.


You do not determine that. For your information, he specifically asked about electrostats in this post. Furthermore, it is common knowledge that electrostats have less problems in the treble than planar magnetic headphones do.


This is not relevant. I have heard plenty.


No, I do not.
Click to expand...


I am not "trolling" you, I could care the least what you have to say. I just grow weary of it, I read the forum at my desk and you pop up often.

Plenty of people feel like me, trust me, read "other" forums.

If someone does not agree with you, yet OWN the equipment you mention you've "heard" that is not trolling it is called opinion, embrace it.
 
Jun 7, 2016 at 6:17 PM Post #10 of 23
fearless1 said:
I am not "trolling" you, I could care the least what you have to say. I just grow weary of it, I read the forum at my desk and you pop up often.

Plenty of people feel like me, trust me, read "other" forums.

If someone does not agree with you, yet OWN the equipment you mention you've "heard" that is not trolling it is called opinion, embrace it.
Click to expand...

 
Having an opinion is fine, but saying things like "who cares" or "that won't help him" when someone else expresses their opinion is not fine, and is trolling.
 
Jun 7, 2016 at 6:23 PM Post #11 of 23
is this the GTA5 forums all of a sudden?
 
Jun 7, 2016 at 6:29 PM Post #14 of 23
fearless1 said:
I am sorry you feel that way, not my intention.

He asked about planar headphones, please stay on topic.
Click to expand...

 
As I already mentioned, he also asked about electrostats:
 
achelgeson said:
Yeah, to me the HD650 is almost perfect. I just wish it had a bit more transient response and bass extension. In fact, if I had not heard the HE-400i's amazing bass extension and texture, i would have not even posted... lol. Maybe if i cant find really smooth treble in planars, should i try electrostatic?
Click to expand...

 
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