Hi everyone,
I've been exploring an upgrade from my Grados Rs2i — I'm looking for a fuller sound, i.e. with more bass and slightly less bright. Plus I'd like more dynamics, a deeper punch. I've been listening to T90 and He-400 for the past week. They both are a definite improvement over Rs2i according to my ears, but I feel like I could use some advice. T90 are amazing in terms of detail retrieval, they're just as analytical as you can get. But it does hurt some music genres (think not-necessarily-well-recorded 80s/90s metal and industrial) and the bass isn't as deep as I would like it to be. On the other hand, HE-400 has superb bass, in many situations sounds is wonderfully "meaty", but the overall darker sound signature is too far from RS2i's or T90's clarity. I feel like I'm missing out on details and I definitely don't like the subtle veil. It also seems that some areas of upper mids / lower highs are being reproduced in a strange, artificial manner.
So, the question is — is there something in-between? I really want a fun, musical, punchy, exciting and full-sounding headphone. With noticeable treble and powerful bass. Perhaps modding HE-400 (pads, cable etc.) would help? Or should I consider HE-500 (although they have less bass)?
A few other models I tried: Sennheiser HD650 and HD800 — not my cup of tea. Beyerdynamics DT990 — not enough resolution. AKG 702 — too neutral, not exciting enough. Grado PS1000 — I'm not sure if the quality jump from RS2i is worth the money.
Budget: doesn't matter at this point, but please don't suggest headphones just because "expensive sounds better".
Source: iTunes > lossless files > Nuforce Icon HDP.
Type: open, full sized around ears
Tonal balance: punchy, deep, powerful bass + balanced mids + noticeable trebles. Something between T90 and HE-400.
Current Headphones: Grado RS2i
Music Preferences: industrial, progressive rock, thrash and progressive metal, EDM, break core, ambient. Some of my favorite music on Spotify.
Thanks in advance!
I've been exploring an upgrade from my Grados Rs2i — I'm looking for a fuller sound, i.e. with more bass and slightly less bright. Plus I'd like more dynamics, a deeper punch. I've been listening to T90 and He-400 for the past week. They both are a definite improvement over Rs2i according to my ears, but I feel like I could use some advice. T90 are amazing in terms of detail retrieval, they're just as analytical as you can get. But it does hurt some music genres (think not-necessarily-well-recorded 80s/90s metal and industrial) and the bass isn't as deep as I would like it to be. On the other hand, HE-400 has superb bass, in many situations sounds is wonderfully "meaty", but the overall darker sound signature is too far from RS2i's or T90's clarity. I feel like I'm missing out on details and I definitely don't like the subtle veil. It also seems that some areas of upper mids / lower highs are being reproduced in a strange, artificial manner.
So, the question is — is there something in-between? I really want a fun, musical, punchy, exciting and full-sounding headphone. With noticeable treble and powerful bass. Perhaps modding HE-400 (pads, cable etc.) would help? Or should I consider HE-500 (although they have less bass)?
A few other models I tried: Sennheiser HD650 and HD800 — not my cup of tea. Beyerdynamics DT990 — not enough resolution. AKG 702 — too neutral, not exciting enough. Grado PS1000 — I'm not sure if the quality jump from RS2i is worth the money.
Budget: doesn't matter at this point, but please don't suggest headphones just because "expensive sounds better".
Source: iTunes > lossless files > Nuforce Icon HDP.
Type: open, full sized around ears
Tonal balance: punchy, deep, powerful bass + balanced mids + noticeable trebles. Something between T90 and HE-400.
Current Headphones: Grado RS2i
Music Preferences: industrial, progressive rock, thrash and progressive metal, EDM, break core, ambient. Some of my favorite music on Spotify.
Thanks in advance!
