[Trunks159]

The x1 is looking pretty good right now, as I can't find any bad impressions on them. There aren't too many (open) options in this price range that have neutral bass. I was thinking just getting the sr80i (again) and something else. Any advice? All closed headphones seem to have let me down when dealing with rock. Closed cans just aren't airy enough to separate all the instruments.

 

[Thujone]

The X1 is really bass heavy, so I wouldn't call it neutral. They do it very well though. The bass is detailed enough and the rest of the spectrum is great as well. They very punchy though. Bass cannons 
 

 

[Trunks159]

How about for rock/metal?

 

[Thujone]

I really like my V-Moda M-100's for rock/metal, actually. They have surprisingly good instrument separation. Also, despite their reputation, I don't find them to be super bassy. They are very well extended but they have no where near the quantity of the X1. The M-100's are also very punchy. I don't think anything can beat my MS1000's though for these genres. Grado's just own this realm IMO.

 

[Trunks159]

Heh heh. I had the sr80i andi can't really remember how they sounded. I am definitely not a grado hater. I loooove bright headphones!

 

[Thujone]

You might want to consider the HE-400 too. You can get a used one on the FS forum for around $325. They are bright and dark simultaneously. My favorite for sure

 

[Trunks159]

How can they be bright and dark at the same time? Lol. Does the sound change from track to track?

 

[Marximus]

I think the SoundMAGIC HP100s have excellent air and separation for closed cans, and their bass is pretty close to neutral.  They're excellent.

 

[Trunks159]

I'm not really interested in closed cans, but thanks!

 

[Thujone]

The HE-400 has a very very linear region through the mids and down through sub bass. However, the upper mids/lower treble region has a dip in the frequency response. They make up for it by having a big spike in the 8kHz to 10kHz region. This makes them a very bright headphone in that the highs are crystal clear and are in contrast to the quiet upper mids.

 

[Trunks159]

Oh ok. The he400 had just been that can i've simply skipped over.

 

[roBernd]

the X1 is not a bad can, but makes them a no go is: no spare parts what so ever. Confirmed with their tech-support. If your pads are worn out... you'll really have to improvise. This said, they are more neutral then most cans around, and the bass bump is not massive at all.

 

[Trunks159]

Urg. Yeah, I forgot about that.