[ggilman]

Looking for a good setup to use with my iPhone 7 Plus on an upcoming flight. I typically use my Sennheiser HD 558’s, which I love, but don’t want open headphones on a flight.

Suggestions for headphone and amp for > $300?

Listening to Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Hammock, Eno, and the like.

 

[serman005]

Did you mean >$300 or <$300?

 

[dncnexus]

I use the Little Bear B4 tube amp with Monoprice M300

Edit: This is what I use after I am in places. I travel alot for work and use this as my portable setup in hotels. As for flights, I use an IEM. Right now I am testing out the Massdrop Plus but I have used the Orion, and SE215 in the past.

 

[serman005]

What sound signature do you prefer? Bass or treble emphasized/rolled off, mids forward or recessed? Warm or analytical? V-shaped?

 

[dncnexus]

What sound signature do you prefer? Bass or treble emphasized/rolled off, mids forward or recessed? Warm or analytical? V-shaped?

I enjoy both warm and analytical depending on mood really. I use both a HD 800S and HD 650 as my main setup at home. Reason is I have an affinity toward tube amps. I use the Darkvoice, but soon will be getting a Feliks Elise. If I had to say with definition though on what I enjoy the most, it probably would be a warmer sound more of the time.

 

[ggilman]

Did you mean >$300 or <$300?

I absolutely meant < $300. That’s what I get for trying to be cool.

 

[ggilman]

What sound signature do you prefer? Bass or treble emphasized/rolled off, mids forward or recessed? Warm or analytical? V-shaped?

Not a basshead, but I like warm rich mids. I like to hear instrument separation, and like organic sounding real instruments. I know that’s a challenge with closed headphones. Not sure where that falls within your options.

 

[serman005]

You might look into a Meze 99 Classics. It ticks several of your boxes and is a fun headphone. It is also quite beautiful to look at. Maybe read about it and see what you think. It is possible it could work for you.

 

[pbui44]

Want your HD558 in closed-back form? Get the HD598CS:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01J...ords=hd569&dpPl=1&dpID=41u-ozaJQ2L&ref=plSrch

Bottom of the page link also has a case option for $14 and 1.2m cable without remote for $12.

Edit: Want to make your new HD598CS and HD558 a balanced portable and still make your $300 budget? Get a 2.5mm TRRS cable and FiiO Q1 mk2 DAC/Amp:

https://www.amazon.com/NewFantasia-Balanced-Sennheiser-Headphone-XDP-300R/dp/B075C9HXW5

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B075...+q1+mark+2&dpPl=1&dpID=319PGUiQBOL&ref=plSrch

 

[surfgeorge]

I was also looking for a combo to use on flights/during travelling, and ended up getting a Cayin N3 with Bang & Olufsen H6 Gen 2
Originally I tried the Fiio Q1MK II but had some cable issues, didn’t like the packaging and the limited memory of the iphone.

I have little to compare it with but think you could like the sound signature, but I guess you will find the soundstage very limited, especially coming from open headphones...
But it makes for a nice, compact solution, I’ll get a headphone case, and the Cayin N3 fits in the center.
And I also like that I can control it remotely from my iphone via Bluetooth(outside the airplane of course)

 

[ggilman]

Want your HD558 in closed-back form? Get the HD598CS:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01J...ords=hd569&dpPl=1&dpID=41u-ozaJQ2L&ref=plSrch

Bottom of the page link also has a case option for $14 and 1.2m cable without remote for $12.

Edit: Want to make your new HD598CS and HD558 a balanced portable and still make your $300 budget? Get a 2.5mm TRRS cable and FiiO Q1 mk2 DAC/Amp:

https://www.amazon.com/NewFantasia-Balanced-Sennheiser-Headphone-XDP-300R/dp/B075C9HXW5

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B075...+q1+mark+2&dpPl=1&dpID=319PGUiQBOL&ref=plSrch

Huh. That's interesting. I already know I'll love them, because I love my 558's. And I know they're comfortable for long stretches. Great idea, thanks for the tip!

How necessary do you think that DAC/Amp is with an iPhone playing Spotify?

 

[pbui44]

Huh. That's interesting. I already know I'll love them, because I love my 558's. And I know they're comfortable for long stretches. Great idea, thanks for the tip!

How necessary do you think that DAC/Amp is with an iPhone playing Spotify?

If you like using your HD558 with just your iPhone playing Spotify on an airplane, then a DAC/Amp with the HD598CS with just your iPhone playing Spotify on an airplane will be fine, though I would personally beg to differ from the jet engines constantly running. I have used FiiO products before (had an e12 and still have a e17) and thought the Q1 mk2 would follow suit, but it’s cables apparently do not.

I would think that an HD598CS with your iPhone playing Spotify in a quiet place would not benefit greatly from a DAC/Amp, but would benefit greatly with a DAC/Amp playing a stronger and more detailed sound while battling constant jet engine noise on an airplane, so I also recommend the AQ Dragonfly Black and Apple Camera adapter for not much more and still making your budget:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F7L3H06/ref=sspa_mw_detail_1?psc=1

The USB 3.0 camera adapter can be included for $10 more here:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06X...r_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=EF9WRE0RYN1DDNKE8B4A