Headphones for metal music - ultimate solution

[Raidersfan8118]

What’s anyone think on utopia vs lcd 5 for metal? I would like to have an lcd 5 if the guitars have a good bite and crunch to them. I’ve heard utopia has that but I’m wondering if lcd 5 is close

 

[Mhog55]

So, I bought DT 1990 Pro, based on all the recommendations on how good they are for metal music. I was expecting they will complement my collection nicely (DT 770 Pro, AKG K712 Pro, HD600, Sundara), and while I would never call them bad, I feel a little bit... underwhelmed? The problem is that it's hard for me to put my finger on what exactly is missing. What I hear so far:
- a little bit too much treble (not a deal killer, but noticeable)
- I would prefer vocals a little bit 'closer' / screaming in my head
- for heavy hitting tracks, I feel like a still prefer AKG K712 Pro (hard to explain why; but AKGs do get 'lost' with complicated music sometimes)
- for slower / vocal oriented tracks, I prefer HD600
- DT 1990 Pro feel, I don't know... 'cold'? 'low energy'? I know those are not exactly audiophile terms, but hard to put it otherwise
+ just to be fair, I do hear some details in music I didn't hear before
+ they do seem to show instrument separation very well
+ guitars sound very good

So, is this normal, or I'm just deaf? Using JDS Labs Atom stack and default balanced pads. The sample playlist I'm using if it helps:
https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/fb6082bf-624b-4808-966c-58fc51fb260d

Should I give them some more time? Or maybe I made a mistake buying them for my music preferences, and should get something different below $1000?

Have you ever considered the Ibasso SR2? I've owned more expensive headphones, with the Kennerton Gjallarhorn, Focal Clear MG, and Denon ah-d9200 still in my collection. The SR2 is much better than the price suggests.

 

[Kimmeri]

Wow, thank you for that! I went with Equalizer Apo + PEACE + oratory presents (https://github.com/jaakkopasanen/AutoEq/blob/master/results/oratory1990/harman_over-ear_2018/Beyerdynamic DT 1990 (balanced earpads)/Beyerdynamic DT 1990 (balanced earpads) ParametricEQ.txt) and suddenly they sound like a completely different headphone. Hard for me to point anything 'wrong' at this point, but will definitely keep listening. Thanks once again, definitely not returning them.

Ii is also recommended that you buy Dekoni elite velour earpads for that headphone. They enhance both, sound and comfortability.

 

[SentientVoyager]

Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum and just getting back into headphones. I'm looking for a recommendation for a headphone (preferably for $500 or less) that can function well using a qudelix 5k. I like tight, present bass (want to hear the deathcore bass slams which is sub bass I believe) powerful, present sounding mids for the guitars (I'm a guitar player so really appreciate forward, detailed guitars) and balanced treble so I can hear all the cymbals and details on the highs. I listen to mostly deathcore, blackened deathcore (ex: Carnifex, Shadow of Intent, Slaughter to Prevail) and symphonic (ex: Epica, Delain) but also enjoy thrash metal, prog metal and other varieties (big into Jinjer, Nevermore, Trivium, etc.) I know that's a lot of info, but I've gone through several pairs of headphones and haven't quite found the one yet. I've tried HD58x (very close), HD6xx, Sundara, Aeon Open X, Focal Elex (very, very close but worried about QC issues). Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Mhog55]

Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum and just getting back into headphones. I'm looking for a recommendation for a headphone (preferably for $500 or less) that can function well using a qudelix 5k. I like tight, present bass (want to hear the deathcore bass slams which is sub bass I believe) powerful, present sounding mids for the guitars (I'm a guitar player so really appreciate forward, detailed guitars) and balanced treble so I can hear all the cymbals and details on the highs. I listen to mostly deathcore, blackened deathcore (ex: Carnifex, Shadow of Intent, Slaughter to Prevail) and symphonic (ex: Epica, Delain) but also enjoy thrash metal, prog metal and other varieties (big into Jinjer, Nevermore, Trivium, etc.) I know that's a lot of info, but I've gone through several pairs of headphones and haven't quite found the one yet. I've tried HD58x (very close), HD6xx, Sundara, Aeon Open X, Focal Elex (very, very close but worried about QC issues). Anyone have any suggestions?

Used Kennerton Magni would be my 1st suggestion.

 

[SomeGuyDude]

Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum and just getting back into headphones. I'm looking for a recommendation for a headphone (preferably for $500 or less) that can function well using a qudelix 5k. I like tight, present bass (want to hear the deathcore bass slams which is sub bass I believe) powerful, present sounding mids for the guitars (I'm a guitar player so really appreciate forward, detailed guitars) and balanced treble so I can hear all the cymbals and details on the highs. I listen to mostly deathcore, blackened deathcore (ex: Carnifex, Shadow of Intent, Slaughter to Prevail) and symphonic (ex: Epica, Delain) but also enjoy thrash metal, prog metal and other varieties (big into Jinjer, Nevermore, Trivium, etc.) I know that's a lot of info, but I've gone through several pairs of headphones and haven't quite found the one yet. I've tried HD58x (very close), HD6xx, Sundara, Aeon Open X, Focal Elex (very, very close but worried about QC issues). Anyone have any suggestions?

Grado Hemp.

 

[monsieurfromag3]

Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum and just getting back into headphones. I'm looking for a recommendation for a headphone (preferably for $500 or less) that can function well using a qudelix 5k. I like tight, present bass (want to hear the deathcore bass slams which is sub bass I believe) powerful, present sounding mids for the guitars (I'm a guitar player so really appreciate forward, detailed guitars) and balanced treble so I can hear all the cymbals and details on the highs. I listen to mostly deathcore, blackened deathcore (ex: Carnifex, Shadow of Intent, Slaughter to Prevail) and symphonic (ex: Epica, Delain) but also enjoy thrash metal, prog metal and other varieties (big into Jinjer, Nevermore, Trivium, etc.) I know that's a lot of info, but I've gone through several pairs of headphones and haven't quite found the one yet. I've tried HD58x (very close), HD6xx, Sundara, Aeon Open X, Focal Elex (very, very close but worried about QC issues). Anyone have any suggestions?

What @SomeGuyDude said… or the 325x, cheaper and even better according to some. It’s a metal beast.

 

[Enforce]

I'm looking for some open back headphones for mainly late 80s to mid 90's power/heavy/progressive metal like Queensyrche Crimson Glory Fates Warning Savatage ect. The first decent pair of headphones I got was the Philips Fidelio X2 from around 2015 and I eventually broke them by stepping on the headband Then I got more into headphones and audio and now have the Sennheiser HD 600 Sennheiser 58X Jubilee Grado SR80e and Hifiman 400ES. The grado hurt my head listening to mid range constant and high pitched vocals often even with different DACs and EQ settings. The HD 600 are the best for me and 58x 2nd they kind of have a fun sound for me. I remember the Philips Fidelio X2 having a real fun sound but it might have been before that I just had crappy $10 earbuds. I'm looking for something in the $150-$350 range with maybe a fun sound and good on mid range and high pitched screams too if possible. I listen to only metal/hard rock and nearly all from late 80s to mid 90s and many are demos and have poor production and more of metal rarities compared to the more known ones I listed. Some Neo Classical metal but not Yngwie because he gets old fast. Mainly older Power/Progressive/Heavy metal and some newer mainly Progressive metal since most newer power metal seems to be all about slaying dragons and casting spells. I don't listen to female vocalists really besides Leather Leone and more aggressive style female vocals and not operatic like Nightwish style. I was looking into the Sennheiser HD 6XX Hifiman Sundara although I don't like the 400ES much at all but they may sound way different I'm not sure and the Philips Fidelio X2HR and open for other suggestions.

 

[xeizo]

You can EQ the HE400SE with Equalizer APO + PEACE, it's free, the HE400SE needs a lot more bass, a lot less treble and some more midrange around 2k after that it starts sound pretty impressive. It can take a lot of bass, as it has such a low distorsion to begin with. Stock it is weak, polite, sucked out mids and scratchy treble only redeeming factor is the very open sound and of course the just mentioned very low distorsion of planars.

PEACE has a lot of built in presets(Auto EQ) and a couple for HE400SE as well, however the presets may need some further tweaking for personal taste.

 

[Enforce]

You can EQ the HE400SE with Equalizer APO + PEACE, it's free, the HE400SE needs a lot more bass, a lot less treble and some more midrange around 2k after that it starts sound pretty impressive. It can take a lot of bass, as it has such a low distorsion to begin with. Stock it is weak, polite, sucked out mids and scratchy treble only redeeming factor is the very open sound and of course the just mentioned very low distorsion of planars.

PEACE has a lot of built in presets(Auto EQ) and a couple for HE400SE as well, however the presets may need some further tweaking for personal taste.

I use the Qudelix-5K but I also have the Audioengine D1 and some soundblaster USB dac and my onboard audio. I tried several built in HE400SE profiles and just didn't like it much even other profiles along with the HE400SE but I can try APO+ Peace

 

[Hofy]

You can EQ the HE400SE with Equalizer APO + PEACE, it's free, the HE400SE needs a lot more bass, a lot less treble and some more midrange around 2k after that it starts sound pretty impressive. It can take a lot of bass, as it has such a low distorsion to begin with. Stock it is weak, polite, sucked out mids and scratchy treble only redeeming factor is the very open sound and of course the just mentioned very low distorsion of planars.

PEACE has a lot of built in presets(Auto EQ) and a couple for HE400SE as well, however the presets may need some further tweaking for personal taste.

tHat only works if you are listen through a PC. Not much good on a stereo with LPs and CDs.

 

[Mhog55]

I'm looking for some open back headphones for mainly late 80s to mid 90's power/heavy/progressive metal like Queensyrche Crimson Glory Fates Warning Savatage ect. The first decent pair of headphones I got was the Philips Fidelio X2 from around 2015 and I eventually broke them by stepping on the headband Then I got more into headphones and audio and now have the Sennheiser HD 600 Sennheiser 58X Jubilee Grado SR80e and Hifiman 400ES. The grado hurt my head listening to mid range constant and high pitched vocals often even with different DACs and EQ settings. The HD 600 are the best for me and 58x 2nd they kind of have a fun sound for me. I remember the Philips Fidelio X2 having a real fun sound but it might have been before that I just had crappy $10 earbuds. I'm looking for something in the $150-$350 range with maybe a fun sound and good on mid range and high pitched screams too if possible. I listen to only metal/hard rock and nearly all from late 80s to mid 90s and many are demos and have poor production and more of metal rarities compared to the more known ones I listed. Some Neo Classical metal but not Yngwie because he gets old fast. Mainly older Power/Progressive/Heavy metal and some newer mainly Progressive metal since most newer power metal seems to be all about slaying dragons and casting spells. I don't listen to female vocalists really besides Leather Leone and more aggressive style female vocals and not operatic like Nightwish style. I was looking into the Sennheiser HD 6XX Hifiman Sundara although I don't like the 400ES much at all but they may sound way different I'm not sure and the Philips Fidelio X2HR and open for other suggestions.

I would highly recommend a used Ibasso SR2, new if you can swing it.

 

[xeizo]

tHat only works if you are listen through a PC. Not much good on a stereo with LPs and CDs.

That is true, you can say that the HE400SE is a desktop headphone, sort of. I have a couple of cans that sounds terrific right out of any jack, like the SHURE SRH840a and the Beyerdynamic DT900ProX.

 

[Driftervov]

Hi all
Did any one try HD 58x for power or melodic death metal?

Or what may be a good option in your opinion
I'm searching for headphones that add some colors and hide record and mastering mistakes for some tracks.
Budget not more than 100€ open or closed

I have DT880 what good only for a little of geners imo
Grado sr80x I like them but not that great for metal
M50x for me anything sound ok but nothing is great

Thanks
Enjoy your music

 

[Enforce]

Hi all
Did any one try HD 58x for power or melodic death metal?

Or what may be a good option in your opinion
I'm searching for headphones that add some colors and hide record and mastering mistakes for some tracks.
Budget not more than 100€ open or closed

I have DT880 what good only for a little of geners imo
Grado sr80x I like them but not that great for metal
M50x for me anything sound ok but nothing is great

Thanks
Enjoy your music

I have HD 58x and they are not bad for me for power metal but I listen to late 80s to mid 90s power metal basically only and don't listen to death/black metal. I don't like my Grado SR80e for any metal I listen to. I think I like my HD 58x more for metal than my HD 600 honestly and I was gonna try DT 880 or DT 990 but I heard they are kind of bright so I don't know. Grado SR80e hurt my ears even messing with EQ and different DACs with Power/Prog/Heavy/Melodic metal I listen to. The most "fun" headphones I had for metal was the Philips Fidelio X2 back in around 2015 but that was my first headphones even above $30 and I had them solely by themselves for so many years broke them and then I got HD 600 so maybe its more of a past memory of actually hearing good sound compared to what I was used to all my life with crappy earbuds and crappy cheap headphones. So I'm not sure if I'm gonna buy another pair or H6xx or what. I like more fun sounding headphones I think and most of the music I listen to is crappy late 80s and 90s demos and compilations released decades later besides some more known bands. I only have one pair of pads so I gotta swap my HD 58x and HD 600 pads back and forth and I'm not sure if the 58x pads were intended for the HD 600 but they fit in them. For how cheap the 58x are I love them and I will probably sell my Grado SR80e even though so many people claimed they were amazing for metal they pierce my ears