[Harhar321]

In the $300 range it's also worth looking at the ATH-R70X, which is ultra-comfortable, very natural sounding and by most accounts has a better soundstage and detail than Sennheisers. I was weighing Sundara and ATH-R70X and reading about the comfort convinced me; happy with my choice.

It was designed to improve on the HD650.
https://www.theverge.com/2018/7/6/17535412/audio-technica-r70x-review-professional-headphones

Best price is from Thomann (though they do add shipping to that $275). https://www.thomannmusic.com/audio_technica_ath_r70_x.htm

It does need an amp. Your current one may be enough -- I'm not familiar with it -- but I run mine with either the VE Megatron ($56 shipped to US) or a Schiit Magni 3.

Wow thanks for the heads up. Audio Technical hasn't even been on my radar. I will check them out. Comfort is second only to the sound quality to me.

My little amp can drive up to 300 ohms. So that could theoretically power a lot of options. While this little tube preamp sounds better than I expected, I want a balanced connection option; and preferably a gain toggle.

 

[Harhar321]

You may want to consider the 650's or 6XX's driven by a decent tube Amp. The Focal Elex have a similar sound signature but are more detailed with a fuller soundstage and are fairly easy to drive. You can always upgrade amplification/DAC in the future if desired. Both of these options should run you under $600. Good luck with your search.

The hd 650s are definitely on my radar. I've noticed I can pick up a near mint-condition used pair on ebay. The Elex I need to investigate the type of sound you describe is what I'm after.

 

[Harhar321]

I have 7 HiFiMan headphones and other than a few cable problems and a Focus A pad that came apart no problem with any of them. My oldest I bought used 9 years ago . Have the Sundara’s as well and wouldn’t be a bad choice in a first planar.

Thanks for chiming in. That's good to hear. I'm not concerned really. it's just what you hear whenever HiFiMan comes up. I haven't given them a fair chance. I definitely will now.

 

[Monsterzero]

The hd 650s are definitely on my radar. I've noticed I can pick up a near mint-condition used pair on ebay. The Elex I need to investigate the type of sound you describe is what I'm after.

Just know that the HD650 or 6xx have pretty narrow stages as well.
If you want something with a wide stage, look into an AKG K701 Austria made, K702, and to a lesser extent K7xx or K712. Just know that the K7 series seem to my ears to be quite amp picky.

If you are willing to buy used, look into a Fidelio X1, or perhaps the X2 or X2HR. I can only vouch for the X1 and it has a rare combo at this price point of having a wide stage and +mid bass slam

Thanks for chiming in. That's good to hear. I'm not concerned really. it's just what you hear whenever HiFiMan comes up. I haven't given them a fair chance. I definitely will now.

My old HE6 blew two drivers in eight months. Hifiman makes some really great sounding headphones, but the QC is like playing the lottery.

 

[earmonger]

The ATH-R70X are 470 ohms, but as I said, the VE Megatron can drive them. It also has balanced out, and can run two pairs of headphones simultaneously. No volume control, no gain switch -- just the power you want.
https://www.veclan.com/engappliance_sel_one?eng_ApplianceVo.eac_id=63

It's widely reported that the Drop HD6XX sound basically the same as the HD650, so you might cross-check prices on the used HD650 against Drop at $199.
https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-sennheiser-hd6xx?searchId=5e2d475e8dacbc685d2d904444a148db

 

[Harhar321]

Just know that the HD650 or 6xx have pretty narrow stages as well.
If you want something with a wide stage, look into an AKG K701 Austria made, K702, and to a lesser extent K7xx or K712. Just know that the K7 series seem to my ears to be quite amp picky.

If you are willing to buy used, look into a Fidelio X1, or perhaps the X2 or X2HR. I can only vouch for the X1 and it has a rare combo at this price point of having a wide stage and +mid bass slam

My old HE6 blew two drivers in eight months. Hifiman makes some really great sounding headphones, but the QC is like playing the lottery.

Wow OK.I've got some more to investigate now. I know the hd 650s have that tight sounds stage, but that honey-rich sound though. The AKGs I really need give a closer look. Fidelios I've also heard of but I've assumed were out of my reach financially. As far as HiFiMan goes, I keep heading about the build quality issues. But I do really like the sundaras.

 

[Harhar321]

The ATH-R70X are 470 ohms, but as I said, the VE Megatron can drive them. It also has balanced out, and can run two pairs of headphones simultaneously. No volume control, no gain switch -- just the power you want.
https://www.veclan.com/engappliance_sel_one?eng_ApplianceVo.eac_id=63

It's widely reported that the Drop HD6XX sound basically the same as the HD650, so you might cross-check prices on the used HD650 against Drop at $199.
https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-sennheiser-hd6xx?searchId=5e2d475e8dacbc685d2d904444a148db

Excellent advice thank you. I need to up my amplifier game badly. I do want a higher power unit to drive high-ohm cans so future upgrades would be less painful. I have the hd 58x right now. I feel like the hd 6xx is sort of a side grade. I'll need to give them a listen.

 

[Monsterzero]

Fidelios I've also heard of but I've assumed were out of my reach financially.

The Fidelio X1 is dirt cheap. If you spend more than 100 bucks for them, you overpaid.

https://www.head-fi.org/search/1522...categories]=1&c[exclude_closed]=1&o=relevance

Just to be clear, if I were forced to choose between the X1 and the 6xx, I'd take the 6xx everytime, but I already have the upstream gear in place to take a high impedance headphone, like the 6xx, to it's highest point in SQ.

The X1 really doesn't scale that much IME, so it's a safer bet for someone just starting out in the hobby.

 

[Harhar321]

The Fidelio X1 is dirt cheap. If you spend more than 100 bucks for them, you overpaid.

https://www.head-fi.org/search/1522...categories]=1&c[exclude_closed]=1&o=relevance

Just to be clear, if I were forced to choose between the X1 and the 6xx, I'd take the 6xx everytime, but I already have the upstream gear in place to take a high impedance headphone, like the 6xx, to it's highest point in SQ.

The X1 really doesn't scale that much IME, so it's a safer bet for someone just starting out in the hobby.

Thanks for the heads up. Yeah I had no idea they were that reasonable. I really need to expand my brand knowledge. I will check out the X1.

 

[Monsterzero]

I will check out the X1.

If you do end up grabbing a used X1, ask the seller if he/she has upgraded the stock cable. The stock cable is really quite bad and holds the X1 back. Even an Amazon cable will be an improvement.