[Allanmarcus]

Yep, this is another "what should I get" thread, but I now have ether-c headphones. I'm keeping this up as it might help others.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Company	Model	ohm​	MSRP Price​	Weight (g)​
AKG	K553 Pro	32​	199​	305​
Alpha Design Lab	H128	68​	430​	330​
Alpha Design Lab	H128	68​
Audeze	EL-8	30​	699​	480​
Audeze	LCD-XC	20​	1799​	650​
audio technica	ATH-M70x	35​	419​	280​
audio technica	ATH-A1000x	50​	699​	265​
audio technica	ATH-A2000X	40​	849​	265​
audio technica	ATH-W5000	40​	1199​	340​
audio technica	ATH-A1000Z		400​
audio technica	ATH-A2000AZ		650​
Bang & Olufsen	BeoPlay H6	??​	399​	230​
beyerdynamic	DT-150	250​	299​	250​
beyerdynamic	DT-250	250​	299​	240​
beyerdynamic	DT-770 Premium	250​	299​
beyerdynamic	DT-770 Pro	250​	299​
beyerdynamic	DT-1770 Pro	250​	599​	388​
beyerdynamic	T70	250​	525​	417​
beyerdynamic	T5p	32​	1399​	530​
Denon	AH-D600	25​	188​	?​
Denon	AH-D7100	25​	599​	?​
Enigma Audio	Slant		600​	?​
Enigma Audio	Enigma		900​	?​
Focal	Spirit Classic	32​	399​	310​
Focal	Spirit Professional	32​	399​	280​
Fostex	TH-X00 (semi-closed)	25​	399​	350​
Fostex	TH-600 (semi-closed)	25​	599​	370​
Fostex	TH-900 (semi-closed)	25​	1299​	400​
Master and Dynamics	MH40	32​	399​	360​
McIntosh	MHP1000	200​	2000​	464​
Mr. Speakers	Alpha Dog		599​	440​
Mr. Speakers	Alpha Prime		999​	440​
Mr. Speakers	Ether C	23​	1499​	370​
NAD	VISO HP50	32​	299​	?​
Oppo	PM3	26​	399​	320​
Penon Audio	DONSCORPIO Dolphin	16​	99​	?​
Sennheiser	Momentum 2	18​	349​	190​
Sennheiser	HD 630VB	23​	549​	400​
Sony	MDR-1A	24​	298​	225​
Sony	MDR-Z7	70​	699​	335​
SoundMagic	HP150	32​	179​	288​
Sure	SRH1540	46​	499​	286​
Ultrasone	Performance 880	32​	499​	274​
Ultrasone	Pro 900	40​	549​	295​
Ultrasone	Signature Pro	32​	1299​	300​
Ultrasone	Edition 8	33​	1697​	260​
V-Moda	Crossfade M-100	32​	299​	280​
Yamaha	HPH-MT220	37​	399​	?​
Yamaha	Pro 500	23​	399​	369​
ZMF Headphones	X Vibro		499​	?​
ZMF Headphones	Blackwood		699​	?​

 
 
 
 
Closed Cans Shoot outs:

1. MacedonianHero
2. http://www.marco.org/headphones-closed-portable

 

[JoonBug]

Nice list! I'm starting to look into higher-end closed cans, so this is pretty cool.
 
I think the AKG K812 is open back though? Plus ATH-W5000 prices are way lower nowadays, and the older models of Edition 8s can be had for far less 1700 NIB. 

 

[Allanmarcus]

  Nice list! I'm starting to look into higher-end closed cans, so this is pretty cool.
 
I think the AKG K812 is open back though? Plus ATH-W5000 prices are way lower nowadays, and the older models of Edition 8s can be had for far less 1700 NIB. 

 
Oops, on the AKGs. I've removed them from the list. As for the prices, I just put list prices for comparison. Many are available at lower prices. 

 

[Youth]

What would like to improve on DT770?

 

[Allanmarcus]

What would like to improve on DT770?

I know, the 770s are pretty darned good. If I can get a little more comfort, maybe better clarity and soundstage, that would be awesome. I mean I'm happy with the 770s, but could I be happier?

 

[Youth]

I know, the 770s are pretty darned good. If I can get a little more comfort, maybe better clarity and soundstage, that would be awesome. I mean I'm happy with the 770s, but could I be happier?

 
Since you have listed LCD-XC does that mean you are willing to spend that much?

 

[Allanmarcus]

   
Since you have listed LCD-XC does that mean you are willing to spend that much?

 
possibly, if I can find one used
 
Right now I'm just trying to list pretty much anything in the higher end closed can market. I hope to attend RMAF/CanJam in Oct to audition as many as I am able.

 

[Youth]

Yeah trying them out is a really good idea. Out of those you have listen these would be the ones I would have a closer look at if I were in your shoes:
 
LCD-XC
TH600/900
MrSpeakers Alpha Prime/Dog
EL-8
T5p

 

[Ira Delphic]

Donscorpio Dolphins are arguably superior SQ compared to some of the phones on your list. And available for only $100. 

 

[LondonTone]

Thank you to the OP for creating the exact same thread I would have done!  As a longterm reader of the forum, but only a member as from today, I have benefited hugely from the information posted up with regards to new products.

I have a wide range of portable music gear, but the one thing I miss is a really great set of closed-back headphones.  I currently have a set of Beyer T70P (32ohm) which are very precise and detailed, but lacking in musicality and coherence across the frequency crossover points.  Bass is good and articulate, with decent attack and decay of notes, but it is a little one-dimensional.  Midrange has a slight metallic glare to the leading edge of vocals which gives presence but is ultimately fatiguing.

I am looking for something more musical, not necessarily warm and lush, but has presence and air without being too aggressive in the treble.

Holy grail in closed-back headphones perhaps??!!

 

[Allanmarcus]

  Yeah trying them out is a really good idea. Out of those you have listen these would be the ones I would have a closer look at if I were in your shoes:
 
LCD-XC
TH600/900
MrSpeakers Alpha Prime/Dog
EL-8
T5p

Yep, those are my top coices, except the MrSpeakers. I listened to them at RMAF last year, and I was thrilled. I will need to give them another listen next year.
 
I have a lot of hope riding on the EL-8; hopeful that I will be "elated" when I hear them
 
I heard the oppo, but it still needed some tuning so we will have to see what oppo does with them.
 
I think I heard all the others too, and was very impressed, but I wasn't looking to buy anything, so next Oct I will be focused on pre-purchase listening rather than filling out the bingo card.

 

[Solrighal]

There's no Beyerdynamic DT150 / DT250 on your list.

 

[Allanmarcus]

There's no Beyerdynamic DT150 / DT250 on your list.

 
Are those really high end headphones that compete at the T5p level?

 

[Solrighal]

Sonically? In the case of the DT150 then yes.

 

[Allanmarcus]

Sonically? In the case of the DT150 then yes.

ok, added them. Sigh, one more set of cans to listen to