[endrasarios]

No Sundaras in the analysis? I thought they're considered one of the essential metal headphones.

 

[Kimzou]

I am looking for closed headphones especially for Finnish melodic death music, such as Wintersun and Insomnium. The soundproofing is not important for me as I will mainly use them inside; rather, I'd prefer them not to block that much sound (but still a bit to both directions).

My budget is preliminary max 600€ (or dollars). I live in Finland, so it'd be good if the headphones would be relatively widely available.

I tried to look if someone else had a similar request previously in this thread. The closest message I found was an answer from drwlf in 2017 stating that "Finnish melodeath is a particularly difficult genre imo to get right with headphones" but I couldn't get much concrete tips out of it (https://www.head-fi.org/threads/hea...timate-solution.715478/page-508#post-13477526). I don't know much about music gear, but I think I'd like good instrument separation.

Thanks in advance for any advices and insights!

 

[Tompo88]

I am looking for closed headphones especially for Finnish melodic death music, such as Wintersun and Insomnium. The soundproofing is not important for me as I will mainly use them inside; rather, I'd prefer them not to block that much sound (but still a bit to both directions).

My budget is preliminary max 600€ (or dollars). I live in Finland, so it'd be good if the headphones would be relatively widely available.

I tried to look if someone else had a similar request previously in this thread. The closest message I found was an answer from drwlf in 2017 stating that "Finnish melodeath is a particularly difficult genre imo to get right with headphones" but I couldn't get much concrete tips out of it (https://www.head-fi.org/threads/hea...timate-solution.715478/page-508#post-13477526). I don't know much about music gear, but I think I'd like good instrument separation.

Thanks in advance for any advices and insights!

I personally don't like many closed backs within that price bracket. Only ones I've tried and liked enough to keep are the Modhouse Argon MKIII and Audeze Maxwell.

 

[spittis]

I am looking for closed headphones especially for Finnish melodic death music, such as Wintersun and Insomnium. The soundproofing is not important for me as I will mainly use them inside; rather, I'd prefer them not to block that much sound (but still a bit to both directions).

My budget is preliminary max 600€ (or dollars). I live in Finland, so it'd be good if the headphones would be relatively widely available.

I tried to look if someone else had a similar request previously in this thread. The closest message I found was an answer from drwlf in 2017 stating that "Finnish melodeath is a particularly difficult genre imo to get right with headphones" but I couldn't get much concrete tips out of it (https://www.head-fi.org/threads/hea...timate-solution.715478/page-508#post-13477526). I don't know much about music gear, but I think I'd like good instrument separation.

Thanks in advance for any advices and insights!

Do you know if there are any hifi stores close to you where you could do some testing? At least Helsinki, Turku and Tampere got those, it's hard to give recommendations without any reference points such as previous headphones. With that said, I listen to a lot of metal, including the bands you mentioned, and with that budget I'd at least check out Hifiman Sundara and Sennheiser HD660S2, both easy to find around here. What are you listening from btw?

 

[WailingBanshee]

I am looking for closed headphones especially for Finnish melodic death music, such as Wintersun and Insomnium. The soundproofing is not important for me as I will mainly use them inside; rather, I'd prefer them not to block that much sound (but still a bit to both directions).

My budget is preliminary max 600€ (or dollars). I live in Finland, so it'd be good if the headphones would be relatively widely available.

I tried to look if someone else had a similar request previously in this thread. The closest message I found was an answer from drwlf in 2017 stating that "Finnish melodeath is a particularly difficult genre imo to get right with headphones" but I couldn't get much concrete tips out of it (https://www.head-fi.org/threads/hea...timate-solution.715478/page-508#post-13477526). I don't know much about music gear, but I think I'd like good instrument separation.

Thanks in advance for any advices and insights!

Do you know if there are any hifi stores close to you where you could do some testing? At least Helsinki, Turku and Tampere got those, it's hard to give recommendations without any reference points such as previous headphones. With that said, I listen to a lot of metal, including the bands you mentioned, and with that budget I'd at least check out Hifiman Sundara and Sennheiser HD660S2, both easy to find around here. What are you listening from btw?

I can vouch for the 660S2. I know it's not closed back but if you don't need the sound isolation I would recommend that headphone as it's within your budget and very easy to synergize with amp/dacs.

 

[Kimzou]

Thanks for the replies!

I personally don't like many closed backs within that price bracket. Only ones I've tried and liked enough to keep are the Modhouse Argon MKIII and Audeze Maxwell.

I can vouch for the 660S2. I know it's not closed back but if you don't need the sound isolation I would recommend that headphone as it's within your budget and very easy to synergize with amp/dacs.

I guess "not closed backs" equals open backs? Unfortunately, I listen music mainly in a space shared with my girlfriend, and thus want to avoid sound leakage.

Do you know if there are any hifi stores close to you where you could do some testing? At least Helsinki, Turku and Tampere got those, it's hard to give recommendations without any reference points such as previous headphones. With that said, I listen to a lot of metal, including the bands you mentioned, and with that budget I'd at least check out Hifiman Sundara and Sennheiser HD660S2, both easy to find around here. What are you listening from btw?

I live in Helsinki, so good idea, I could go to some hifi store to check out the headphones available and mentioned so far. Didn't know they allow for testing, that's quite nice. About the reference point, I haven't owned any headphones in recent years, but instead listened music from Sennheiser MTW3 (Momentum True Wireless 3) ear buds. However, I feel that now would be the time to finally invest (a bit) more in music listening gear.

 

[Saabas]

Thanks for the replies!



I guess "not closed backs" equals open backs? Unfortunately, I listen music mainly in a space shared with my girlfriend, and thus want to avoid sound leakage.


I live in Helsinki, so good idea, I could go to some hifi store to check out the headphones available and mentioned so far. Didn't know they allow for testing, that's quite nice. About the reference point, I haven't owned any headphones in recent years, but instead listened music from Sennheiser MTW3 (Momentum True Wireless 3) ear buds. However, I feel that now would be the time to finally invest (a bit) more in music listening gear.

If closed back are preferred option then Focal Bathys would be an excellent choice. Can be used both wired and wireless and works great with metal. But definitely go to the stores and listen. Mareksound has a dedicated listening room/booth for headphones. Audiokauppa also has a few options available and also Kruunuradio, but they dont have dedicated listening rooms for headphones so if someone is rocking with loudspeakers you are in trouble.

 

[Kimmeri]

Thanks for the replies!



I guess "not closed backs" equals open backs? Unfortunately, I listen music mainly in a space shared with my girlfriend, and thus want to avoid sound leakage.


I live in Helsinki, so good idea, I could go to some hifi store to check out the headphones available and mentioned so far. Didn't know they allow for testing, that's quite nice. About the reference point, I haven't owned any headphones in recent years, but instead listened music from Sennheiser MTW3 (Momentum True Wireless 3) ear buds. However, I feel that now would be the time to finally invest (a bit) more in music listening gear.

Is used market an option for you? Tori.fi has Focal Radiance under 700 in Helsinki, test listening available Those would be very good for your needs. Theres also Argon3 for 200 eur.

 

[IXOYE]

Beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO with Oratory EQ, no competition.

 

[Kimzou]

Is used market an option for you? Tori.fi has Focal Radiance under 700 in Helsinki, test listening available Those would be very good for your needs. Theres also Argon3 for 200 eur.

Thanks for the hints! Yup Tori is definitely an option, and it was also part of the reason why the budget maximum I announced is not a binding one.

Thanks for other answers too, some dispersion in the suggestions, but I guess that means there are good alternatives in the market.

 

[Tompo88]

JM Audio XTC2 may be my current favorite headphone for metal. It works quite well with most sub genres. I don't see the JM Audio stuff brought up much in this thread and wanted to throw it out there. Currently, it's sharing equal time with my Empyrean II.

 

[MillionAntz]

I can vouch for this. JM Audio XTC 2 has been solid for my metal library. Love them.

 

[monkey4054]

JM Audio XTC2 may be my current favorite headphone for metal. It works quite well with most sub genres. I don't see the JM Audio stuff brought up much in this thread and wanted to throw it out there. Currently, it's sharing equal time with my Empyrean II.

The best headphone on the market under $1000 right now. Beats a lot over $1000 as well.

 

[Brandfuchs]

Another vote for the He1000se lol