[usery]

Yet another recommend-me thread on closed back headphones for classical music - thanks for the patience. Budget up to USD $2000, will consider pre-own.

All categories in western classical music and I mean all (early music to early modern, solo instruments and vocal, chamber, opera & choral, orchestral). Also classical 'hindu' instrumental (sitar, veena and the usual accompanying percussion).

Currently use Sennheiser HD 650 and Beyerdynamic DT1990 Pro, all stock. Prefer DT1990 Pro - for me sound stage, separation and detail are superior to HD 650. Also use Sony IER-M9 IEM, also all stock and to my ears quite good with classical.

Sources and amps include RPi's with TI and ESS DAC HATs, beyerdynamic A20, JDS Labs Atom and Shanling M6 Pro 21 DAP. Whatever the closed-back recommendation it has to be flexible with source and amp, and leaning towards easy to drive. I'm not investing in more dac/amp at this time. Honest and revealing with 'lower-quality' recordings is fine.

In semi-researched fashion I have the following short list:

---- considering ----
Denon AH-D9200
JM Audio Editions XTC^2.5 Closed <= update: found this post for classical music on the XTC
Audio Technica ATH-AWKT
Meze Liric II
DCA E3 <= with caution about apparent size/weight ... they look huge

---- cut ----
ZMF Bokeh
Sony MDR-Z1R
Sennheiser HD 820S

I'd like to keep the list short, ~5 candidates. Are there others that are must-evaluate for classical? Thanks again for considering.

 

[grant0317]

Z1R is probably the opposite tuning of what I would recommend for classical. HD820S has verrrry wonky tuning so you'll either hate it or love it so recommended that you try it out at a store if you can. DCA E3, ZMF verite closed, meze liric 2 would fall within your budget.

 

[SolarCetacean]

I'll disagree with the above poster and say that the Z1R is my go-to pick for a closed-back for classical music. Though, I'll need to clarify that most classical music I listen to is orchestral music rather than solo or small group performances. The Z1R offers bass power and spatial separation, and those two are attributes that serve orchestral music very well. Tympani drums, gongs, and most orchestral percussion instruments are boomy by nature, especially when played in a concert hall, so the Z1R's elevated bass captures their power well. The rather odd midrange tuning enhances the spatial separation of different parts of the orchestra. One particular area where I think the Z1R is particularly good is with soloist vocals vs background vocals; the soloists sound significantly closer than the choir which is quite noticeable in something like Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 Finale where there's an interplay between the soloists up front and the choir in the back.

The DCA E3 is also very good and the OP should try to demo it if possible. It's probably the best of the Dan Clark headphones at the moment. It has a more conventional tuning than the Z1R or most other closed-backs which makes it more versatile.

 

[javertim]

I pretty much only listen to classical. I've never heard a better closed-back than the ES-R10. However, the recently released Sennheiser HD620S is also incredibly good for classical. I've owned the Z1R and the HD820S and I'd take 620S over both.

 

[usery]

I pretty much only listen to classical. I've never heard a better closed-back than the ES-R10. However, the recently released Sennheiser HD620S is also incredibly good for classical. I've owned the Z1R and the HD820S and I'd take 620S over both.

Thanks for the reply. What specifically about the HD 620S appealed to you for classical, over the HD 820S and Z1R?

 

[2leftears]

I'm never too sure about headphone recommendations for a particular genre. I have found that headphones that sound good for classical productions (ie. generally good productions) also sound good for well-produced recordings in other genres. But, YMMV.

FWIW, I'm very happy with the venerable Sennheiser HD250 linear, both models I & II, 600 or 300 Ohm which can be found on the used market, but the foams inside the drivers need reconditioning. The only ones I would shy away from are the later ones produced in Ireland rather than Germany. The Ireland-produced ones tend to have grey bands around the ear cushions, the German-produced ones have silver bands. I've never owned an Ireland-produced pair myself, so this recommendation is based on what I have generally read; take with a pinch of salt...

If you are not comfortable reconditioning headphones then I would go with more recent models.

 

[KaiFi]

I agree it’s hard to recommend headphones for a specific genre and we all hear things so differently, recommendations often aren’t too helpful. But I will try, as someone who mostly listens to classical and prefers closed-backs.

First off, if I’m being honest, I thought the Sennheiser HD 620 was pretty terrible for classical. Strings sounded muffled and lifeless to me, especially when compared with the open-back HD 660S. The timbre was just off, the sound was very “closed”, and the main reason I returned them was because of their poor performance with classical.

I will say that when it comes to classical, nothing sounds better than an open-back. Classical benefits from an airy presentation and wide soundstage, which are difficult to reproduce on closed-back. But as someone who doesn’t live in a quiet environment, I need closed-back headphones. My main closed-back right now is the ZMF Bokeh and I am greatly enjoying listening to classical on these. They have an overall warm, lush sound, but I find they work well with every genre of classical, from Baroque harpsichord to Chopin solo piano to Mahler symphonies, and they are “open-like” despite being closed. They are closer to my HD 660S than other closed-backs I’ve heard.

I feel your plight though, I am always on the lookout for good classical music sound on closed-back. It’s not easy to find.

 

[usery]

I agree it’s hard to recommend headphones for a specific genre and we all hear things so differently, recommendations often aren’t too helpful. But I will try, as someone who mostly listens to classical and prefers closed-backs.

First off, if I’m being honest, I thought the Sennheiser HD 620 was pretty terrible for classical. Strings sounded muffled and lifeless to me, especially when compared with the open-back HD 660S. The timbre was just off, the sound was very “closed”, and the main reason I returned them was because of their poor performance with classical.

I will say that when it comes to classical, nothing sounds better than an open-back. Classical benefits from an airy presentation and wide soundstage, which are difficult to reproduce on closed-back. But as someone who doesn’t live in a quiet environment, I need closed-back headphones. My main closed-back right now is the ZMF Bokeh and I am greatly enjoying listening to classical on these. They have an overall warm, lush sound, but I find they work well with every genre of classical, from Baroque harpsichord to Chopin solo piano to Mahler symphonies, and they are “open-like” despite being closed. They are closer to my HD 660S than other closed-backs I’ve heard.

I feel your plight though, I am always on the lookout for good classical music sound on closed-back. It’s not easy to find.

Thanks for the thoughtful reply - that answered my earlier question to you on the ZMF Bokeh thread. I've 're-added' the Bokeh to my short list : )

 

[searchingtom]

I use the Atrium Closed for string quartet and cello focused music. The Atrium takes the edge off of notes without sacrificing detail. I listen for hours at a time with no fatigue whatsover. Brilliant desigt and beautiful to look at. Musical perfection and also a work of art.

 

[Spearthrower Owl]

Yet another recommend-me thread on closed back headphones for classical music - thanks for the patience. Budget up to USD $2000, will consider pre-own.

All categories in western classical music and I mean all (early music to early modern, solo instruments and vocal, chamber, opera & choral, orchestral). Also classical 'hindu' instrumental (sitar, veena and the usual accompanying percussion).

Currently use Sennheiser HD 650 and Beyerdynamic DT1990 Pro, all stock. Prefer DT1990 Pro - for me sound stage, separation and detail are superior to HD 650. Also use Sony IER-M9 IEM, also all stock and to my ears quite good with classical.

Sources and amps are in my signature. Whatever the closed-back recommendation it has to be flexible with source and amp, and leaning towards easy to drive. I'm not investing in more dac/amp at this time. Honest and revealing with 'lower-quality' recordings is fine.

In semi-researched fashion I arrived at the following:

---- considering ----
ZMF Bokeh <= 're-added' today 4aug2024
JM Audio Editions XTC Closed <= anyone have any classical listening on these?
DCA E3 <= with some caution about apparent size/weight ... they look huge
Sennheiser HD 820S

---- eliminate? ----
Sony MDR-Z1R

I'd like to keep the list short, up to 5 candidates. Should any of the above be dropped altogether? Are there others that are must-evaluate? Thanks again for considering.

I'd drop the Sennheiser 820 from the list. Or give them a listen and see what you think. They are very spacious and comfortable, and they can sound great with something simple, like a piano or harpsichord. But the tuning is strange and with more layered music (e.g. opera recital) IMO they will start to sound confused.

If you like the DT1990 Pro over the 650, add the Meze Liric II to your list. I suspect they're not as good as the DCA E3 (which has a great neutral tuning but really needs power), but they are probably closer to a Beyer sound. I'm trying them out for the first time this weekend.

What will you be using for amplification? The E3 really needs a lot of power, so much that you can barely do the job with a portable. If you want a closed back because you'll be taking it places, consider that. The Liric is definitely easier to drive.

I don't know the Bokeh or JM, so can't speak to them. Good luck!

 

[Spearthrower Owl]

Or save a grand and get the Focal Celestee, which are pretty good.

 

[musicday]

For me Z1R even with a decent dongle like W4 sounds very very good, for such a portable setup.

 

[Running Nightmare]

I prefer the Denon AH-D9200 for classical music.

The D9200 is almost like a monitor.

It plays musically correct and doesn't exaggerate. It doesn't have to, because it doesn't have to conceal any weaknesses or prove itself in any other way.

Easy to drive. Any headphone output from any device will do.

Balanced, playful, direct, fast, precise, differentiated, high purity and color fidelity.

The precise contrasts (sound depth and separation) in particular produce good spatial differentiation.

But beware: merciless towards poor recordings. These headphones have already literally ground some cherished albums to dust and called my listening habits into question.

But please, it's just my insignificant opinion.

 

[yrstruly]

I prefer the Denon AH-D9200 for classical music.

The D9200 is almost like a monitor.

It plays musically correct and doesn't exaggerate. It doesn't have to, because it doesn't have to conceal any weaknesses or prove itself in any other way.

Easy to drive. Any headphone output from any device will do.

Balanced, playful, direct, fast, precise, differentiated, high purity and color fidelity.

The precise contrasts (sound depth and separation) in particular produce good spatial differentiation.

But beware: merciless towards poor recordings. These headphones have already literally ground some cherished albums to dust and called my listening habits into question.

But please, it's just my insignificant opinion.

Agree D9200 could be a good fit given its treble extension.

Think the Bokeh might be too warm to be truly suited to classical tbh.

 

[Mink]

Anyone on a budget could give the Philips Fidelio X3s a try. They are my go to headphones for classical music.