A Bass Powerhouse that can rival the HD800s detail retrieval?

[r343]

Couple of options
- Get Arya Organic, it has the bass and soundstage, treble timbre and smoothness is weaker than HD800 but there ain't no perfect solution.
- Or get decent tube amp and maybe it will fill the void, like Feliks Echo Mk2.

 

[alecenriquez]

After doing a good bit of research on my original list, MDR-Z1R, TH900mk2, LCD-XC (knocked off the Denons and EMU Teaks), I've pretty much narrowed it down to the Sony MDR-Z1R for a closed back set .

Reasoning:
1. I get concerned with the comfort reports on the TH900mk2 and LCD-XC
2. TH900mk2 seems to have the most bass presence of the 3, but I'm worried about that V-sound signature a little. My ultrasones have that same signature and almost sibilant treble, which can be fatiguing, and I don't want to head in that direction.
3. Been seeing the Sony will need minimal EQ and aren't difficult to drive, so for my application, it seems pretty appropriate as I don't have a great DAC/AMP and would like the set to usable even when I don't have my setup with me.

Now that I've narrowed that down a bit, I've seen a ton of people mentioning the Arya organics.

Yeah it's a rare person who wants to spend $6,000 on headphones

The HE1000s are like higher end Aryas. The differences aren't large tho. I don't have a favorite. I just recommend the Arya Organic

The 007 is considered the best headphones ever made by some people. The 404LE is older and more rare.

You can get the 404LE cheaper then the 007. If you get the 007mk2 it's important to do the blutac mod to get proper bass response. Can't go wrong with the 007 or 404LE

Couple of options
- Get Arya Organic, it has the bass and soundstage, treble timbre and smoothness is weaker than HD800 but there ain't no perfect solution.
- Or get decent tube amp and maybe it will fill the void, like Feliks Echo Mk2.

It sounds like they might be the best open back competitors for the Sony's in my use case.

Anyone compare the two or have insight? From my understanding, it seems like the Sony's will have slightly more bass presence and better build quality, but the Organics might be better in the rest of the categories. Can the organics compete in terms of bass with the right EQ?

 

[atomLI631]

have you looked into the LCD-X 21? The bass is amazing and with EQ it sounds like a subwoofer inside your ears.

 

[MDKrinkles]

have you looked into the LCD-X 21? The bass is amazing and with EQ it sounds like a subwoofer inside your ears.

I have the XC bubinga (not sure the year, had the newer headband type). With the dekoni sheepskins the low end is just wild. Bass drums sound extremely physical. Bass extension just seemingly doesn’t end. Arguably the best low end out of all my headphones. I’d maybe say I prefer the LCD2 but that’s just cuz it has a warmer over all signature and not cuz the bass is actually better.

 

[ST33L]

I have/had the Fostex TH900mk2 and Sony MDR-Z1R, and they don’t have the detail and soundstage of the HD800S, which I also owned. The closest I found that provides a similar presentation w/impactful bass in the $1K range, especially when EQ’ed, is the Hifiman HE1000 Stealth. You can also check out Audeze LCD-X. BTW, my favorite all-rounder is the TH900mk2.

 

[alecenriquez]

I have/had the Fostex TH900mk2 and Sony MDR-Z1R, and they don’t have the detail and soundstage of the HD800S, which I also owned. The closest I found that provides a similar presentation w/impactful bass in the $1K range, especially when EQ’ed, is the Hifiman HE1000 Stealth. You can also check out Audeze LCD-X. BTW, my favorite all-rounder is the TH900mk2.

Can you expand more on why the fostex is your favorite all rounder?

I was really leaning towards the arya organic (can be talked into the he1000 stealth if the price difference is absolutely worth it) or the MDR-Z1R, but you've definitely thrown a wrench in that as you've tried pretty much every headphone in question

 

[ST33L]

Can you expand more on why the fostex is your favorite all rounder?

I was really leaning towards the arya organic (can be talked into the he1000 stealth if the price difference is absolutely worth it) or the MDR-Z1R, but you've definitely thrown a wrench in that as you've tried pretty much every headphone in question

Ha… I really liked the MDR-Z1R, but the TH900mk2 had more impactful bass, with slightly better detail and imagining. When I wanted a fun headphone, I inevitably reach(ed) for the TH900s. I decided that they were too similar to keep both, so I sold the Sonys. They were, however, one of the most comfortable headphones that I’ve ever owned. You can’t go wrong with either. GL