[oakparkmusicguy]

I wanted to get your input on this choice - I can get the Hifiman 4XX for $140 shipped. Is that enough of a deal to make it worth it over spending $200 plus shipping for the 5XX?
Some background:
- I am very treble sensitive
- I do a lot of gaming
- I already own:
— Sennheiser 58X
— Sennheiser 6XX
— Beyerdynamic DT770 & 990
— AKG K7XX

I’m looking for something with decent soundstage and imaging with a reasonably balanced frequency response.
Thank you!

 

[Hifiearspeakers]

I'd stay away from both of those models if you're treble sensitive, unless you use EQ. Also, the Sundara is a much better headphone than those models for not much more.

 

[oakparkmusicguy]

Thank you!
Any recommendations for a budget-ish planar? Or other headphone to add to my collection… Open or closed is fine. Been thinking about a Beyer 880 600ohm or a 177x but Beyer’s treble can be vicious.
Thought about a Meze 99 but not sure it fits my needs - mostly gaming and some classical music. (Not at the same time

 

[SilverEars]

- I am very treble sensitive

The Beyers contradict this statement. DT800 is bright, and if you are really treble sensitive, you should avoid.

 

[oakparkmusicguy]

Touché! Good point. But had to buy and try them. And they serve some small roles in my headphone lineup.

 

[jasswolf]

Sell the 990 and the 7XX, order the Sennheiser HD 8XX instead.

If you're insistent on HIFIMAN, take a look at the Sundara and the Arya, and from a Drop perspective take a look at the HE-X4 (or alternatively the HE-400SE Stealth Magnet edition, which is similar).

I suspect HIFIMAN will have successors or updates to the Sundara and Ananda next year, anyway.

 

[SilverEars]

I wouldn't recommend 8XX if he's truely treble sensitive, and some people claim Hifimans have too strong treble as well. It depends on what part of treble one is sensitive to. Some are sensitive to upper-mids and can't stand shoutiness, and others seem to find 9-10k annoying. Me personally, it's 6-8k. That's the most entense, and I really disliked HD800 when I first heard it, and it was out of your avg solid-state amp.

And also, the treble forwardness will dependent on amp/source to some degree. I found HE-6 too intense with the treble at first, and then my multi-bit DAC mellowed the treble down to be tolerable level.

I generally have no issues with Hifiman headphones, but I've run into mainly peaky iems by Hifiman. Only Hifiman headphone I found unbearable was HE560, but I have not tried all Hifimans. That treble was really scratchy sounding, it was annoying.

Sundara has high upper-mids shout due to Pali-pads. It just boosts vocals way too much. So, every headphone has issues, some much more annoying than others.

 

[oakparkmusicguy]

I appreciate everyone input! Feel free suggest any headphones (open or closed) that have less treble but retain midrange clarity and overall soundstage and imaging.
Thanks again!

 

[oakparkmusicguy]

Update: I ended up getting the 4XX for $125 shipped. I jumped on the deal!
I agree with a post about selling some headphones - especially the DT990s. But for now I’m gonna hold on to all my headphones. I’m not opposed to selling (anyone here want a pair of 990s or heavily modded 7XX real cheap?). I‘m a music teacher so besides using the usual games, movies, music, I can use some for work and practice. Although the 4XX is serving a few of those purposes.

Anyways… Yes, the 4XX has some odd treble issues. But I find them easier to listen to than Beyers! I’m definitely keeping the 4XX. I swapped pads and did a few non-destructive mods which really did a nice job of adding bass and smoothing treble. And now that I know I like planars….and that my only closed back is the DT770…. well, I obviously need a set of closed planars…

So I have a pair arriving Saturday

 

[vkenz]

get the 6xx instead.

 

[oakparkmusicguy]

I have the 6XX and love them! Also enjoy my 58X. Once I get a closed pair of planars the the DT770 and 990 are not gonna be in the rotation.

 

[Philimon]

T50RP are closed planars.

 

[oakparkmusicguy]

After lots of reading I decided to go for the Aeon X Closed.