[PRL18]

Hello,

I'm hoping I can get some help on choosing a nice pair of headphones.

First the disclosure: I'm not even close to being an audiophile. I hardly understand some terms as tight, controlled, fast response, muddy, decay, imaging, DAC, etc. without researching online. My best pair of earphones is a 1MORE Quad Driver In-Ear (there, I said it).

I wanted to buy a pair of wireless headphones that sounded amazing below $1,000. I almost went for the Focal Bathys until I read the Noise Canceling is always on and changing the battery will cost $200 once it dies. Now, I understand a wireless headphone will never sound as good as a wired one, or so I believe. Therefore, I changed my mind.

What I'm up to / looking for:

• I enjoy mostly jazz, classical and pop music
• Closed-back headphones, to avoid being annoyed by external noise or annoy others myself
  Comfortable
  Enjoy bass but no overpowering
  Can be plugged directly to a phone (iphone 11) or computer (apple mac pro 2015) without the need of any intermediate apparatus (DAC or whatever), unless a miniature DAC exists that is both good and inexpensive
  Ideally up to $500 but I'm willing to go up to $1,000 if there was a huge difference in sound quality
  And the most important: The best possible sound within my above price range, including detail, soundstage and as many of the best qualities as possible
  
  Is there a pair of headphones that you would recommend to a non-audiophile that just wants to listen to the best possible sound without getting into the rabbit hole to learn everything about it?
  
  
  I guess a more tricky question would be if there is such a thing as an indisputable winner in these categories (up to $500 & up to $1,000) that audiophiles agree on?
  
  
  Thanks!!!

 

[ScornDefeat]

Earmen Sparrow DAC/Amp Dongle (https://earmen-shop.com/products/sparrow)

Ddhifi Mfi06 Lightning to USB-C Cable (https://audio46.com/products/dd-ddhifi-mfi06-lightning-to-typec-data-cable)

Focal Elegia with Dekoni Elite Sheepskin Pads (https://www.adorama.com/fofelegia.html?bc_pid=Rk9GRUxFR0lB&utm_source=bluecore&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=backinstock&emailprice=t&obem=hedb_EdSDiGWzUiUgIX-AhiWQfnYejW_eO3wc7q9U8o=&bc_lcid=t5703501738450944lw5659749032435712&utm_source=bluecore) and (https://audio46.com/products/dekoni-audio-elite-sheepskin-replacement-ear-pads-for-focal-headphones)

All-in this is around $700-800 depending on tax and ship.

You can't plug any wired headphones direct into an iPhone so you will need some form of DAC, Amp, DAC/Amp combo or mobile dongle, which I included above recommendation along with the necessary cable for it to work with an iPhone.

There's unfortunately never any indisputable winners in the audiophile world, it's all quite subjective. I recommended the Focal Elegia w/ Dekoni Elite Sheepskin Pads because it fulfills some of your requests; a) comfort, b) some bass but not at the sacrifice of detail, c) good isolation.

 

[earmonger]

The Elegia is only 35 ohm -- low impedance -- so you might be able to get away without the Earmen DAC/Amp and just get Apple's $9 dongle.

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMX62AM/A/lightning-to-35-mm-headphone-jack-adapter

 

[PRL18]

Earmen Sparrow DAC/Amp Dongle (https://earmen-shop.com/products/sparrow)

Ddhifi Mfi06 Lightning to USB-C Cable (https://audio46.com/products/dd-ddhifi-mfi06-lightning-to-typec-data-cable)

Focal Elegia with Dekoni Elite Sheepskin Pads (https://www.adorama.com/fofelegia.html?bc_pid=Rk9GRUxFR0lB&utm_source=bluecore&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=backinstock&emailprice=t&obem=hedb_EdSDiGWzUiUgIX-AhiWQfnYejW_eO3wc7q9U8o=&bc_lcid=t5703501738450944lw5659749032435712&utm_source=bluecore) and (https://audio46.com/products/dekoni-audio-elite-sheepskin-replacement-ear-pads-for-focal-headphones)

All-in this is around $700-800 depending on tax and ship.

You can't plug any wired headphones direct into an iPhone so you will need some form of DAC, Amp, DAC/Amp combo or mobile dongle, which I included above recommendation along with the necessary cable for it to work with an iPhone.

There's unfortunately never any indisputable winners in the audiophile world, it's all quite subjective. I recommended the Focal Elegia w/ Dekoni Elite Sheepskin Pads because it fulfills some of your requests; a) comfort, b) some bass but not at the sacrifice of detail, c) good isolation.

Really appreciate your input! I'll check all of the above. I was hoping to avoid additional equipment more for simplicity than anything else, but if it's needed so be it

 

[PRL18]

The Elegia is only 35 ohm -- low impedance -- so you might be able to get away without the Earmen DAC/Amp and just get Apple's $9 dongle.

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMX62AM/A/lightning-to-35-mm-headphone-jack-adapter

Thank you! I'll check this one too! It's all really new to me

 

[AudioDuck]

Hello,

I'm hoping I can get some help on choosing a nice pair of headphones.

First the disclosure: I'm not even close to being an audiophile. I hardly understand some terms as tight, controlled, fast response, muddy, decay, imaging, DAC, etc. without researching online. My best pair of earphones is a 1MORE Quad Driver In-Ear (there, I said it).

I wanted to buy a pair of wireless headphones that sounded amazing below $1,000. I almost went for the Focal Bathys until I read the Noise Canceling is always on and changing the battery will cost $200 once it dies. Now, I understand a wireless headphone will never sound as good as a wired one, or so I believe. Therefore, I changed my mind.

What I'm up to / looking for:

• I enjoy mostly jazz, classical and pop music
• Closed-back headphones, to avoid being annoyed by external noise or annoy others myself
  Comfortable
  Enjoy bass but no overpowering
  Can be plugged directly to a phone (iphone 11) or computer (apple mac pro 2015) without the need of any intermediate apparatus (DAC or whatever), unless a miniature DAC exists that is both good and inexpensive
  Ideally up to $500 but I'm willing to go up to $1,000 if there was a huge difference in sound quality
  And the most important: The best possible sound within my above price range, including detail, soundstage and as many of the best qualities as possible
  
  Is there a pair of headphones that you would recommend to a non-audiophile that just wants to listen to the best possible sound without getting into the rabbit hole to learn everything about it?
  
  
  I guess a more tricky question would be if there is such a thing as an indisputable winner in these categories (up to $500 & up to $1,000) that audiophiles agree on?
  
  
  Thanks!!!

Another great closed-back option in your price range: The Shure SRH-1540. It costs $450-500 (depending on the site you purchase from), is lightweight, durable, very comfortable, easy to drive, and is a good musical all-rounder. It also scales well with better gear, so if you bought the Sparrow suggested here, it would sound better. I’ve used my SRH-1540s for many years now, and they are a great product. You can check reviews of them- What Hi-Fi and CNET loved them too, if I recall. They have a lot of fans here on Head-Fi, too.

I’ve not used USB dongle DACs, but the Audioquest USB stick-sized DAC/amps have a fantastic reputation as well.

You might also want to check out the dedicated closed-back headphone thread here: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the-closed-back-headphone-thread-plus-comparisons-reviews.939901/ . It has a recommended page on the first entry of the thread, voted on by a group of experienced Head-Fi members.

 

[PRL18]

Another great closed-back option in your price range: The Shure SRH-1540. It costs $450-500 (depending on the site you purchase from), is lightweight, durable, very comfortable, easy to drive, and is a good musical all-rounder. It also scales well with better gear, so if you bought the Sparrow suggested here, it would sound better. I’ve used my SRH-1540s for many years now, and they are a great product. You can check reviews of them- What Hi-Fi and CNET loved them too, if I recall. They have a lot of fans here on Head-Fi, too.

I’ve not used USB dongle DACs, but the Audioquest USB stick-sized DAC/amps have a fantastic reputation as well.

You might also want to check out the dedicated closed-back headphone thread here: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the-closed-back-headphone-thread-plus-comparisons-reviews.939901/ . It has a recommended page on the first entry of the thread, voted on by a group of experienced Head-Fi members.

Thanks! Will check the Shure as well as the dedicated thread you mentioned!

 

[earmonger]

Just to say...earphone sound is SO GOOD nowadays. You will easily find great enjoyment that you can afford. 1More does a good job; I have enjoyed their stuff. When you get something in the three-digit range you will be delighted, and that's all that matters.

 

[chesebert]

https://www.etaheadphones.com/headphone/mini-closed

Works out of anything. Warm, smooth with hard hitting bass. You can find my impression somewhere on this website. Also it's $499.

 

[PRL18]

https://www.etaheadphones.com/headphone/mini-closed

Works out of anything. Warm, smooth with hard hitting bass. You can find my impression somewhere on this website. Also it's $499.

Thank you for your input! I'll check it out.

 

[pbui44]

Also, check out the EM-U Teak (preferably with a removable cable) here and if you order it, consider getting a zippered headband cover to protect the pleather:

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/e-mu-teak-review-headphone.24824/

https://www.emu.com/order.html

https://www.amazon.com/ATH-M50X-Headband-Cover-Compatible/dp/B088TL6QRK

Also, if you listen to a lot of jazz, then the Schiit Vali 2++ will be enough to drive it with a very nice lushness to the instruments:

https://www.schiit.com/products/vali-3

 

[Heyyoudvd]

Another vote here for the Elegia.

Right now they’re at the discounted price of $399 at Adorama, and they’ve gone as low as $299 with the periodic email promo.

Throw in a $9 Apple dongle (or perhaps two, since they’re not very durable), and you’ve got an excellent closed back listening experience that plugs right into your iPhone.

 

[Mhog55]

A whole lot of this is going to depend on what type of music files you are listening to. If you want to obtain the full potential of what any particular headphone can do, you should consider upgrading your source. Doesn't have to be expensive, but needs to be capable.

 

[PRL18]

Also, check out the EM-U Teak (preferably with a removable cable) here and if you order it, consider getting a zippered headband cover to protect the pleather:

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/e-mu-teak-review-headphone.24824/

https://www.emu.com/order.html

https://www.amazon.com/ATH-M50X-Headband-Cover-Compatible/dp/B088TL6QRK

Also, if you listen to a lot of jazz, then the Schiit Vali 2++ will be enough to drive it with a very nice lushness to the instruments:

https://www.schiit.com/products/vali-3

Thank you! will add to the check list

 

[PRL18]

Another vote here for the Elegia.

Right now they’re at the discounted price of $399 at Adorama, and they’ve gone as low as $299 with the periodic email promo.

Throw in a $9 Apple dongle (or perhaps two, since they’re not very durable), and you’ve got an excellent closed back listening experience that plugs right into your iPhone.

Thank you! I'm just starting to do some research on all the mentioned headphones. What called my attention is seeing contradicting comments about the Elegia lacking or not on the lows. Although I'd like to avoid the bass overpowering, I do enjoy some bass.