[Sonic Atrocity]

I've yet to find a truly neutral closed back, and the closest I've come are with "studio monitor" types that are rarely if ever above like, $300.

Maybe Neumann NH-20? They run $500 USD.

I'm really intrigued by these. At first I winced, as their ugly as sin, and boring looking. But they are well-reviewed...

 

[someguyontheinternet]

Thanks for mentioning this. I was actually wondering if planar magnetics would pose an issue..

I currently have a qudelix 5k, with an unbalanced and balanced out (the latter adds an additional 6db of power). Would the qudelix run DCA cans? I'm rather interested in the Noire, honestly... Though that will run me some serious money and I'll have to save for a while.

The Qudelix is probably enough to get ok sound at low to medium listening levels. Going loud won't work well though. The issue is with the limit of power a small portable device like that can output. You probably can get loud in pure volume, but the music will sound a bit lifeless.

Noted.

Though, my reading indicates they may not be particularly analytical? There aren't a ton of reviews on them, so I'm a little disinclined to buy.

Depends on what you mean by "analytical". The frequency response is reasonably well balanced. They also have very clean sound in the sense that distortion is extremely low.

 

[Sonic Atrocity]

The Qudelix is probably enough to get ok sound at low to medium listening levels. Going loud won't work well though. The issue is with the limit of power a small portable device like that can output. You probably can get loud in pure volume, but the music will sound a bit lifeless.

Depends on what you mean by "analytical". The frequency response is reasonably well balanced. They also have very clean sound in the sense that distortion is extremely low.

What do you mean by "lifeless"? Does pushing an amp to its upper limits reduce dynamic range or something?

 

[someguyontheinternet]

What do you mean by "lifeless"? Does pushing an amp to its upper limits reduce dynamic range or something?

Simply put yes. The driver won't receive enough power to reproduce the dynamic range of the music.

 

[Deolum]

They look kinda old and crappy, no? my reading indicates I may be able to find something with a better soundstage than that.

They are old but why do you think they are crappy? You won't find one. TH900 has a pretty big soundstage but sucks in so many other ways.

 

[Sonic Atrocity]

They are old but why do you think they are crappy? You won't find one. TH900 has a pretty big soundstage but sucks in so many other ways.

Well, I can't find them anywhere. Where are they sold? And I dunno, they just look crappy, hahaha.

 

[earmonger]

Well, I can't find them anywhere. Where are they sold? And I dunno, they just look crappy, hahaha.

Did the earlier post mean NDH20?
I don't think they look bad, and not hard to find.
https://www.amazon.com/Neumann-Headphones-NDH-Closed-Back-Monitoring/dp/B07M6RVR1Y

But reviews look mixed, particularly for something at $500.
https://www.sonarworks.com/soundid-reference/blog/reviews/neumann-ndh20-headphone-review/
https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/neumann-ndh-20
https://www.lbtechreviews.com/test/headphones/best-premium-class-headphones/neumann-ndh-20

 

[Sonic Atrocity]

Did the earlier post mean NDH20?
I don't think they look bad, and not hard to find.
https://www.amazon.com/Neumann-Headphones-NDH-Closed-Back-Monitoring/dp/B07M6RVR1Y

But reviews look mixed, particularly for something at $500.
https://www.sonarworks.com/soundid-reference/blog/reviews/neumann-ndh20-headphone-review/
https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/neumann-ndh-20
https://www.lbtechreviews.com/test/headphones/best-premium-class-headphones/neumann-ndh-20

No, they meant the Sennheiser hd250 linear. It's a very old model.

Regardless, thanks for your input - I'm looking at those cans! I don't see myself buying them, though, considering the ever so mixed reviews.

I'm kinda toying with the idea of the AKG 271 MKII, though.

 

[earmonger]

I'd actually been looking at this thread because I'm about to get my hands on the Audio-Technica ATH-R70x, a model that has been around for half a decade but got raves when it appeared and is still widely recommended for clarity and comfort. Supposed to be a near-neutral studio reference headphone with a little bit of bass warmth. Will report back after I've tried it. $350 at Amazon. But...it's open-back.

 

[Sonic Atrocity]

I'd actually been looking at this thread because I'm about to get my hands on the Audio-Technica ATH-R70x, a model that has been around for half a decade but got raves when it appeared and is still widely recommended for clarity and comfort. Supposed to be a near-neutral studio reference headphone with a little bit of bass warmth. Will report back after I've tried it. $350 at Amazon. But...it's open-back.

Ah, yes. I'd have taken a look at the M70X, but the build quality is reported to be terrible.

 

[silent-circuit]

Ah, yes. I'd have taken a look at the M70X, but the build quality is reported to be terrible.

It's actually very good. Plastic, yes, but durable. (I own a pair)

 

[Sonic Atrocity]

It's actually very good. Plastic, yes, but durable. (I own a pair)

I entirely believe you that your pair have and will continue to endure. However, a Google search illuminates a recurring issue with the M70x's build quality.

 

[silent-circuit]

I entirely believe you that your pair have and will continue to endure. However, a Google search illuminates a recurring issue with the M70x's build quality.

I was talking about the R70X, a very different model. Apologies.

 

[Sonic Atrocity]

I was talking about the R70X, a very different model. Apologies.

Oh no problem