[GirgleMirt]

So what would be a good upgrade from 400i and Q701? Before noticing this forum, I had posted this thread; Anything better @ $499 than Koss ESP/95X for high fidelity? Ended up passing on the ESP95x because mainly of the 6 months shipping time (they'll likely repost the drop) and might be something better.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/anything-better-499-than-koss-esp-95x-for-high-fidelity.891988/

Then they announced the Massdrop Hifiman XX at 699$, but again, 7 months wait is quite long time and full payment in advance is just stupid with that long of a delay... So that's pretty much where I'm at...

It might not be realistic as I understand it's often about trade-offs, but if I splurge more than $750cdn for a pair of headphones (taxes, shipping, currency exchange, etc.), i would like it to improve everything on my current 200-300$ headphones!

Also when splurging that much money, it might not be very reasonable, it just seems to get to a point like throwing in another 3 or 400$ isn't all that much. Also I tend to be more of a what does it do wrong instead of what does it do great. Like the best system would be the system with the least flaws, not the system that does 2-3 things great and 2-3 things not so great... The ESP950s seem to be more of a specialist type rather than does everything great...

I think I really want just a solid upgrade; a great all rounder, which in the best case would at least match the 400i in resolution/bass/imaging/soundstage/etc., and then at least improve a little on everything; smoother sound, no brightness/sibilance, etc., just something that would make me want to get rid of my current 6 pairs of headphones... Focal Clear comes to mind, although I've not heard it, Innerfidelity's Tyll comments about it being the 1st 1000$+ HP he'd really recommend sounds interesting, but yeah it's still a bit of a ridiculous pricing for me, guess I'm slowly working my way up... $1900cdn lol There's Focal Massdrop Elex at $699, but yeah over 1k$cdn after 15% taxes... Not even sure it would do the job... Would it?! Then there's a potential HFM Edition XX at 599$.... Sigh...

So yeah, Koss ESP950 isn't really out of the question, if I could find them for $5-600 in Canada, I might buy it (sold in 2014 at $599cdn, so Massdrop deal isn't that phenomenal). Focal Elex also sounds interesting, would have to do more research, but $699us is over $1000cdn with taxes and all, and although it's not so bad for the wallet, it's entering what I'd call a bit of a ridiculous amount to pay for headphones...

But at least the Elex wouldn't have what some have described as "leanness in sound tonality", to which some even tend to prefer a 650 over ESP950... That would be a major flaw to them for me, as dynamism & authoritative bass is a significant part of the music. Elex also look like quite good quality, comfortable, well made, etc. It's just likely they wouldn't be as transparent/detailed/fast/etc., as electrostatics, but if they're still good enough... But I actually never heard the high end Focal headphones, just going on a vague feeling that the Focal Clears are great and that the Elex are 'close' to the Clears...

Currently for dac; Schiit Modi DAC. Amps: original Schiit Magni and Topping A30. Thanks!

 

[GirgleMirt]

It's a bit weird that it seems so hard to find a good upgrade for the 400i... It does appear like the Elex might not be a 'clear' upgrade... (pun intended). I mean from this video for instance, it does appear that the Elex is a good all around performer, but, it's not as good as many of the cheaper offerings in many aspects;



My issue with the 400i, well, more like my issue after the 400i, is that once you get used to the detail and resolution, it's hard to go without. And obviously, if I was to spend almost $1000 for an upgrade, it should be a no brainer that the detail/resolution is better... In the vid above, he ended up returning the Elex...

So it does seem like the Koss 950 would be a decent upgrade to 400i, albeit some limitations (bass, dynamics), which makes it still interesting and a consideration; getting improvement in resolution would be great. But it then brings us to the Hifiman edition XX, which is at least I would think as good as the 400i in its strengths, and maybe not as great at resolution than ESP950, but maybe with more dynamism/bass/impact/etc, which might make them a better overall performer? As as I said, I'd rather have a headphone which is A all around, rather than one who's A+ in some aspects and B- or C in a few...

For Elex vs Koss, it does seem also that the Koss has an advantage in comfort, being that the Focals are apparently pretty heavy. That's also quite significant for me! 400i comfort definitely could be improved as they're a bit heavy and tend to get warm.

 

[GirgleMirt]

Wow... I didn't expect the Elex to get 100% of the votes! Pretty incredible that it's so unanimous...! I guess I should definitely take a better look at them!

 

[squee116]

Wow... I didn't expect the Elex to get 100% of the votes! Pretty incredible that it's so unanimous...! I guess I should definitely take a better look at them!

The sample size is low, I wouldn't feel shook about it.

I'd say look elsewhere, but it largely depends on what you plan to use it for. For music? I'd say the Koss, the Hifiman Sundara, or with a little bit of stretch in budget or buying used, a Stax. Surprisingly, the thx00 is pretty similar in presentation, but the stage is a lot smaller, though I think the 400i still gets the details better.