If anyone in Sydney Aus with these - would love to audition them..

On the XLR thing - I would also love to know. I've previously used these - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Microphone-XLR-Audio-Lead-1m-30m-Van-Damme-Mic-Cable-w-Neutrik-Connectors/223407727719?hash=item3404236467:m:mPdRS9SVxzt1FjQcv4pBGqg&frcectupt=true - and thought they were ok to use. Let me...

Everyone says the sein's are a little clinical. Try hifiman's - my next is probably going to electrostatic - stax.

Never heard of it being bad per-se but I can imagine giving the speakers a rest would be good.

Listen to Zeos on youtube - NVX pads are supposed to be excellent.

Welcome to the forum.

Different horses for different courses. Everyone is diff and SQ isn't always the #1 priority for some people (assuming that's what you meant by better?).

Relatively newbie to the headphone game - mostly lurker here.

That darkvoice is supposedly great according to Zeos from youtube but does run super hot. Schiit Valhalla should be in the price range.

Stax electro's were my next goto thing. Listen to Zeos on youtube on these - holographic are his words.

I suspect you will be happy with either - not sure there is huge diff until you move higher up the price-points.

Will second/third the topping recommendations. They also measure well for the price-point (not that measurements are the only thing).

Welcome and enjoy.

Speakers same as headphones do have a break-in time - how long depends on speaker.

You might be able to find a pair of hifiman 400s at that pricepoint second hand. Reviews are great on it and personally owned one - they are great.