[Spie1904]

Hi,

I have a very broad music taste (from Missy Higgins, Mumford & sons to Dire straits & Muse to EDM to Volbeat and Metallica...)

I'm looking for a 'semi-portable' headphone that I'll be mostly using when sitting at my desk (programming) or when coming home and wanting to have a relaxing music session.

I'll be mostly using Tidal for my audio with some occasional lossless music (that I bought / have locally).

I previously own Campfire Andromeda IEM's and I absolutely love how they sound but I just can't get them to meet that level of comfort that I require for hours on hours of listening.
I loved how singer songer writer songs sound so great, the soundstage is marvelous and it also serves my need for heavy rock and metal songs. I guess these are not EDM heavy but it's more than good enough for my occasional EDM songs.

Therefore I'm looking at purchasing a new headphone.
I will be using these with 2 sources:

A. Directly from Samsung Galaxy 9+
B. S9+ connected to Ifi Micro IDSD black label

I'm also looking at potentially getting a Pioneer XDP-300R DAP sooner or later.

Potential candidates that I researched were:

- Beyerdynamic T5P 2nd gen (They seem very high audio quality that can be used both from phone & DAP / DAC)

https://www.earsunlimited.com/product/beyerdynamic-t-5-p-2nd-generation/?add-to-cart=2857

- Audeze LCD (Not sure on how feasible for phone aswell as how comfortable they are)

https://www.earsunlimited.com/product/audeze-lcd-2-classic-closed-back/

- Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless (Does the audio quality suffer alot? Is it do-able in terms of size for office usage)

https://www.earsunlimited.com/product/beyerdynamic-amiron-wireless/

- Campfire Cascade (I found very mixed reviews on audio quality for these. Is it subjective or did campfire just didn't knock it out of the park like they did with the Andromeda's for me)

https://www.earsunlimited.com/product/campfire-audio-cascade/

If you got any other suggestions, I'll gladly take a look at them

I would consider open if it wasn't for the fact that I don't want to disturb my colleagues at work with my music so closed it is for now I guess

Budget is around 1000 euro.

Thanks in advance

 

[kukkurovaca]

Campfire Cascade (I found very mixed reviews on audio quality for these. Is it subjective or did campfire just didn't knock it out of the park like they did with the Andromeda's for me)

I haven't listened to them, but the Cascade is not meant to be tuned at all like the Andromedas. (More like the Vega and Atlas, I think.)

With the LCD-2, again I haven't heard them, but you probably would not want to use a phone to drive them, based on specs. Re: comfort, opinions vary, but they are pretty heavy. A lot of folks report that replacing the stock headband improves comfort though.

Audeze does have more sensitive options in their lineup that would be more suitable for use with a phone, but the only Audeze thing I've personally used are iSines.

 

[Spie1904]

I haven't listened to them, but the Cascade is not meant to be tuned at all like the Andromedas. (More like the Vega and Atlas, I think.)

With the LCD-2, again I haven't heard them, but you probably would not want to use a phone to drive them, based on specs. Re: comfort, opinions vary, but they are pretty heavy. A lot of folks report that replacing the stock headband improves comfort though.

Audeze does have more sensitive options in their lineup that would be more suitable for use with a phone, but the only Audeze thing I've personally used are iSines.

Anything in particular you´d recommend from audeze to look into please?
Also what do you think about the beyerdynamic ones?

Do you think Meze Classics are any good in terms of sound quality as I see them pop up often on websites as editor's choice...

 

[PointyFox]

The LCD4 sounds like the Andromeda, but with deeper bass. I think the LCD2 and 3 sound similar as well, just not quite as good overall.

 

[kukkurovaca]

Anything in particular you´d recommend from audeze to look into please?
Also what do you think about the beyerdynamic ones?

Do you think Meze Classics are any good in terms of sound quality as I see them pop up often on websites as editor's choice...

I think the LCD-X/LCD-XC are intended to be more efficient, although not necessarily built for portable use. The Sine or EL8 lines would probably make more sense.

Haven't used Beyerdynamic or Meze yet, but they're both very well-reviewed.

Another popular option that might be considered semi-portable is the Mr. Speakers Aeon Flow.

 

[Spie1904]

The LCD4 sounds like the Andromeda, but with deeper bass. I think the LCD2 and 3 sound similar as well, just not quite as good overall.

The LCD4 is extremely costly and doesn't seem like the headphone I can take to work every day to plug into either my phone or idsd black label though..

 

[chimney189]

Check out the AudioQuest Nightowl

 

[Spie1904]

I think the LCD-X/LCD-XC are intended to be more efficient, although not necessarily built for portable use. The Sine or EL8 lines would probably make more sense.

Haven't used Beyerdynamic or Meze yet, but they're both very well-reviewed.

Another popular option that might be considered semi-portable is the Mr. Speakers Aeon Flow.

I can get a deal on a LCD-X for 999 euro somewhere. Not sure if it would be worth it.

 

[Spie1904]

Check out the AudioQuest Nightowl

These seem to be very reasonably priced.
How would you rate the sound quality compared to Campfire Andromeda's please?

 

[chimney189]

These seem to be very reasonably priced.
How would you rate the sound quality compared to Campfire Andromeda's please?

Off the bat the Nightowl is more an out-of-your-head experience. Every sound is more intense and fuller with the Nightowl.

The Andromeda's might have more detail considering that it is a more intimate experience.

 

[Spie1904]

Off the bat the Nightowl is more an out-of-your-head experience. Every sound is more intense and fuller with the Nightowl.

The Andromeda's might have more detail considering that it is a more intimate experience.

Hmm I see.. As I'm often listening to singer song writers or very intimate vocal songs (Missy Higgins for example) or complex music (Muse), I'm not sure whether I would be missing my campfire andromeda's at that point with the nightowl.

Do you think there are headphones (with superior comfort) that can somewhat match the andromeda's in general (sound quality, staging, etc)?
(I really like my andromeda but it's the discomfort in my ears that I can't put up with anymore)

 

[Spie1904]

Off the bat the Nightowl is more an out-of-your-head experience. Every sound is more intense and fuller with the Nightowl.

The Andromeda's might have more detail considering that it is a more intimate experience.

Hey, I've been digging deeper on the research and while the offer of closed back's with good comfort and audio / build quality is limited, I've come up with the following 4 possibilities and I was wondering if you had any experience with them:

- Audioquest Nighthawk
- Audioquest NightOwl
- Campfire Audio Cascade
- Beyerdynamic T5P 2nd gen

I was wondering if you had any experience with any of these and how you would compare them to each other?
Knowing I listen to both acoustic / relaxing music and rock, edm, pop, I was thinking maybe the cascade would be an excellent option which also has insane build quality.

However I'm really intrigued by the audioquest ones as I find only compliments about their insane comfort levels..
I was also wondering if you had any input on why the NightOwls vs the Nighthawks? Is there a specific reason? Is it dependent on music taste?

Beyerdynamic seems like the odd one out as I don't find all that much information on it (other than treble sensitive people should stay away from it) and it doesn't seem too hot here on the head-fi forums either...

 

[Tsukuyomi]

Look at the new b&o h9i, extremely comfortable. Ive been able to wear them the entire day(work day of 8hrs) sound is great wired and wireless.