[Halimj7]

I was thinking today about what qualities for a headphone are most important to me. I narrowed them down to the following (not in any particular order):

Tonality, Soundstage, Dynamics, Frequency Response, Speed, Detail, Isolation (for a closed back), Comfort

Then I began to ask myself, "would my ideal collection include a headphone that satisfies as many of these as possible or would I rather have headphones that specialize in and are the best at a specific quality?" I agreed with the later.

So based on this I would be interested in getting opinions on what are the best headphones at these qualities (I will provide my thoughts as examples):

Tonality - Utopia (analytical), Ultrasone Edition 15 (Warmer)
Soundstage - Mysphere 3.1
Dynamics - Stellia/Denon AH-D9200
Frequency Response - Utopia
Speed - Koss ESP950
Detail - Utopia
Isolation - AKG K872
Comfort - Mysphere 3.1/Denon AH-D9200

Thanks and look forward to your thoughts!

 

[Sefelt103]

Tonality - neutral
Soundstage - none
Dynamics- natural
Frequency Response - flat
Speed - fast
Detail - high
Isolation - none
Comfort - low weight

 

[Halimj7]

Tonality - neutral
Soundstage - none
Dynamics- natural
Frequency Response - flat
Speed - fast
Detail - high
Isolation - none
Comfort - low weight

Thanks for your response. What specific headphones do you think satisfy these qualities best and would you rather have one headphone that tries to do it all or several that specialize in these qualities?

 

[Sefelt103]

I don't think any headphone would aim for these personal preferences. I would rather have one headphone that disappeared from the audio chain so I can hear the recording rather than the headphone. These aims are however desired only by a small minority of headphone users.

 

[xRaptorxPunisher]

Can't pick one, here's a few I've heard over the years which stand out in those areas.

Tonality: MrSpeakers Aeon Open X, HD650, Aeolus, Eikon, Atticus, Verite, LCD-2 Pre fazor, HE-500.

Dynamics Abyss, Utopia, Clear, Elear, TH900, Teak.

FR: HD650, Verum 1, Aeon Open, Ananda, Teak, D5000, HE-500

Speed: ??? Usually defined by quick decay so I'll answer: LCD-4, LCD-2, X, 3, Verum, Abyss Elear, HE-6

Detail?? What is you criteria? Highlight? Resolve? Micro detail?

I'll answer HD800, HD650, Abyss, Ananda, Arya, LCD-4, HE-6

Isolation: Too many to name, most closed backs isolate great, Bose QC line?

Soundstage is mostly perceived due to upper mid dip, most will say HD800 but it's just recessed upper mids.

My vote goes to Ananda, Arya.