Looking to maybe buy a new headphone, thinking of closed back. What is the best <$1K over-ear headphone out there currently? I like rumbly bass that extends deep, but don't like V-shaped headphones otherwise. So neutralish/harman curve with great bass. Oh and they need to be supremely...

I've been thinking about buying the Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 Noire, given the good reviews and measurements and they look like they'd fit my large ears well and thus should be comfortable. They go for $900. What else to consider at that price point that is closed back, measures well and is...

Looks like Bose just announced these today: https://www.bose.com/p/headphones/bose-quietcomfort-ultra-headphones/QCUH-HEADPHONEARN.html Codec support appears to be SBC, AAC and AptX Adaptive. Curious how these perform. Can be pre-ordered now, available early October. Cost $429. Some...

I have an extensive local music library which I so far would copy over to my phone and play locally. However, these days, with the eradication of microSD cards on almost every phone, getting an Android phone with 512GB of storage means getting a gigantic device (like a Galaxy S22 Ultra or Pixel...

I currently have a Sony XM4, and with the stock pads those just sit on my ears essentially, which gets uncomfortable pretty quick. Otherwise like the features and codec support. I'm on Android. What is currently the best wireless ANC headphone to get with very good ANC, very comfortable...

What are the best wireless earbuds out there for up to about $300? Decent ANC (but doesn't have to be the best out there), long battery life, neutral or Harman curve sound signature, comfortable for extended wear, and good call quality. Will be using it with Android for primarily music, and...

What is currently the best ANC (over-ear) to get? Is that still the Sony WH-1000XM4? I expect to be flying again this summer so would like something that can block out airplane noise well. Ideally a headphone with both excellent SQ and ANC, but I'll take ANC over SQ if I have to pick, as when...

So I recently picked up the Fidelio X2HR, which I thought is a steal at $150. They sound quite good. I just don't find them very comfortable. I fixed the clamping by stretching out the headband a little, but those earpads are just itchy and uncomfortable, I'm constantly adjusting them. So even...

What is a good $200ish open-back headphone with a neutralish sound signature? Looking for over-ear with huge earcups, as I have big ears. Main use case is gaming, secondarily music listening. So looking for one that's extremely comfortable on the head for extended wear, and also doesn't get...

What is a good DAC/Amp combo for $400 or less? Will be using this as the primary sound output from my pc. Must haves: - low impedance headphone out - line out for powered speakers (ideally balanced) - good windows drivers Optional: - balanced headphone out - multiple inputs (digital +...

Question on what the right settings are for Windows 10 sample rates. So in Control Panel sound settings the default sample rate is typically 48khz. I'm using an external audio interface (Motu) to route audio to my speakers or headphones, and it's setup as the primary audio device in windows...

So I like to use both active powered speakers and headphones at my desk. I'm currently using a Scarlett 2i2 (Gen 1) USB Audio Interface at my desk which has balanced outputs to my speakers (JBL LSR305), and it sounds just fine. Reason I use an Audio Interface vs. a DAC/AMP combo with line-out...

...until I picked up a $20 IEM cable, braded cable with a mix of copper and SPC to use with my JH Audio JH13FP (been using the stock cable it came with for years). Bought it from China. The result, to put it mildly, was absolutely.... horrible! Just terrible, everything suddenly sounded...

So what are some good portable MQA compatible DACs out there? I know of the iFi Nano DSD Black Label that supports MQA. What else is out there? Ideally one with a separate power/charging port and usb input port. I had a ordered a Topping NX4, but I received the wrong color (Amazon Warehouse...

Does anyone know of a front-end that will allow proper usage of a DAC with Spotify in Android? For example, with USB Audio Player Pro (UAPP), you can connect to Tidal and Qobuz and stream through UAPP while properly utilizing your DAC. I think when I play straight from the Spotify app it just...

Currently have a Fiio Q1 MKI. Are there other dacs out there worth getting that aren't too expensive that would be a noticeable upgrade? Preferably one with great battery life in DAC mode (this fiio should have up to 15 hrs). I know there's the Q1 MkII and the Topping Nx4 that aren't too...

So I'm currently trying out the Fiio FH5, which costs $260. Not sure yet if I like them. They sound pleasing and nice and warm overall, but the mids are maybe slightly too forward and the bass seems slightly dis-jointed with the rest of the soundscape, where at times it hits harder than I...

So I have a JH13Pro, which is a 6 driver BA setup. Great CIEM, still love it. This week I picked up the Sennheiser IE 40 Pro, a $100 dynamic driver monitor IEM. Also love it, sounds quite a bit different than the JH13, so fun to swap between these two. Now I want to add a hybrid IEM to the...

I'm looking for a simple pair of DD IEMs <$200. Currently use the JH Audio 13 Pro as my daily driver (and well, my it's the only IEM I have right now anyway), and want to add something else to the mix, ideally with a Dynamic Driver so that I can get better textured bass and would just like a...

Hi all - Perhaps a bit of a rant, but I wanted to see everyone's thoughts on this current trend we're seeing on the extinction of the headphone jack on phones. I think it's ridiculous. It's been THE standard for decades and is one of the few things that are essentially universal across audio...

Hi all - What would you say is currently the best portable DAC (< $250) for use with Android, that would also have a reasonable battery life (ideally 15hr+ battery life for long flights). Thanks.

Hi there -   Anyone know a good place to buy CIEM wax cleaning tools in bulk?  Most CIEM manufacturers charge anywhere from $3 - $5 for 1, which is ridiculously overpriced as I'm pretty sure they probably cost less than $0.10 to manufacture, and the metal piece that you insert into the sound...

Hi,   I will soon be building a new desktop setup where I'll be getting a pair of active studio monitor speakers. Ideally I would like the setup to have an external DAC connected by USB to the PC that has a built-in headphone amp (preferably an output impedance < 1 ohm) and also has a line-out...

Hi,   I currently own a Headstage Arrow 4G amp. Amazing amp, but doesn't pair well with the JH13, probably an impedance mismatch. The bass sounds weird and a bit distorted on certain tracks (don't hear it when I attach the JH13 directly to my iPod classic, or when I attach a full-size...

Hi guys,   I've had my SE530 IEM for 5 years now, but the cable is starting to break. I have the option of sending it back to Shure and have it replaced by the SE535 for $240. That's not a bad deal, considering that full retail is $400+.   But are there any other options out there I'm...