silent-circuit
Headphoneus Supremus
Currently have AKG Q701, Philips Fidelio X2HR, and Hifiman / Drop HE-4XX. Powered by the front output of an Emotiva PT-100 for casual stuff (does surprisingly well for most things) and PC -> Topping D50 DAC -> Little Dot MKII (I have like 3 different sets of tubes, bought it second hand, haven't really played with them) for "serious" stuff.
Of my current stuff I generally prefer the Q701, then the HE-4XX, then the X2HR. I've also own a pair of Sennheiser eH-2200 and AudioTechnica ATH-M50. I /think/ I prefer a flat sound signature. I /think/ I prefer open back (but realize I've really only experienced 'good' open back headphones). I did get to try out a friend's HD-6XX with my DAC and amp, and... they sounded a lot like the Q701 to my ears.
My stereo setup is much better than my headphone setup -- Martin Logan reQuest speakers, Nakamichi PA--7AII amp, Emotiva PT-100 pre/DAC. I love my electrostats, but don't think I have the cash / can justify the cost of electrostatic headphones. Unless the Drop / Koss ESP/95X is worth it? Seems like a solid STAX earspeaker setup is $1000+, and that's like, minimums.
Currently planning to buy a set of Dan Clark Audio Aeon Flow closed, just to see what they're like, and will probably sell them on shortly after. If it costs me $50 or whatever, that's fine. Similarly considering picking up an AKG N90Q (also used, obviously) mostly cause they're... so weird. With and without the DAC? Self calibrating? Weird. Will probably sell those on in short order unless someone here raves about them or I'm amazed by them.
Any open back recommendations around the $500-600 price point, used? Preference goes to planar drivers over dynamic, relatively flat sound signature vs. something V shaped or bass heavy. Ideally something I'll fall in love with and never want to replace? (asking a lot, I know) Or should I just get the Koss electrostats from Drop, try those?
I don't have a balanced DAC / amp right now; should I be looking in to that first?
Listening preferences, since I'm sure that'll come up:
Electro-pop / Dubstep with female vocals (Banks, Terror Jr., Kiiara, Zed's Dead, Crystal Castles etc.)
Other weird female vocals? (POLICA, Little Dragon, Purity Ring, Sylvan Esso, MTNS, etc.)
Alt rock (Foo Fighters, Nirvana, Soundgarden, NIN, TV on the Radio, etc.)
Also just general weird crap.
Of my current stuff I generally prefer the Q701, then the HE-4XX, then the X2HR. I've also own a pair of Sennheiser eH-2200 and AudioTechnica ATH-M50. I /think/ I prefer a flat sound signature. I /think/ I prefer open back (but realize I've really only experienced 'good' open back headphones). I did get to try out a friend's HD-6XX with my DAC and amp, and... they sounded a lot like the Q701 to my ears.
My stereo setup is much better than my headphone setup -- Martin Logan reQuest speakers, Nakamichi PA--7AII amp, Emotiva PT-100 pre/DAC. I love my electrostats, but don't think I have the cash / can justify the cost of electrostatic headphones. Unless the Drop / Koss ESP/95X is worth it? Seems like a solid STAX earspeaker setup is $1000+, and that's like, minimums.
Currently planning to buy a set of Dan Clark Audio Aeon Flow closed, just to see what they're like, and will probably sell them on shortly after. If it costs me $50 or whatever, that's fine. Similarly considering picking up an AKG N90Q (also used, obviously) mostly cause they're... so weird. With and without the DAC? Self calibrating? Weird. Will probably sell those on in short order unless someone here raves about them or I'm amazed by them.
Any open back recommendations around the $500-600 price point, used? Preference goes to planar drivers over dynamic, relatively flat sound signature vs. something V shaped or bass heavy. Ideally something I'll fall in love with and never want to replace? (asking a lot, I know) Or should I just get the Koss electrostats from Drop, try those?
I don't have a balanced DAC / amp right now; should I be looking in to that first?
Listening preferences, since I'm sure that'll come up:
Electro-pop / Dubstep with female vocals (Banks, Terror Jr., Kiiara, Zed's Dead, Crystal Castles etc.)
Other weird female vocals? (POLICA, Little Dragon, Purity Ring, Sylvan Esso, MTNS, etc.)
Alt rock (Foo Fighters, Nirvana, Soundgarden, NIN, TV on the Radio, etc.)
Also just general weird crap.
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