[paradoxper]

Some of us work hard. 

 

[NZtechfreak]

Studies show that metal listeners might be more intelligent than listeners of other genres. We're probably in better jobs accordingly.

 

[Music Alchemist]

Studies show that metal listeners might be more intelligent than listeners of other genres. We're probably in better jobs accordingly.

 
Intellectual metalheads unite! \m/

 

[Hansotek]

In my home town, metalheads in most cases are unemployed 30 year old dudes, who lives with parents. They even can't afford themselves to buy a can of beer.
And metalheads on your planet gather collection of most expensive headphones in the world.
What's the secret? Tell me, please

'Merica.

 

[Music Alchemist]

'Merica.

 
I was going to say the US economy, but didn't want to spark a forum war or anything.

 
(And plenty of posters here with lots of headphones aren't in the US anyway.)

 

[phrozenspite]

In my home town, metalheads in most cases are unemployed 30 year old dudes, who lives with parents. They even can't afford themselves to buy a can of beer.
And metalheads on your planet gather collection of most expensive headphones in the world.
What's the secret? Tell me, please

your town may just not be the best example. I know tons of people in the DC and NY areas who had college metal clubs, and some metalheads in NYC who were cops and mid level on wall st.  

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

  So I sold the HD 650 and want to save up so I can buy a HIFIMAN HE1000 from a friend of mine next month.
 
If that doesn't work out, would anyone care to make recommendations for the more affordable headphones on my gargantuan wish list (in spoiler) in the context of metal?
 

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Abyss AB-1266
AKG K7XX
AKG K812
AKG K1000
Audeze EL-8 Closed-Back
Audeze LCD-3F
AudioQuest NightHawk
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBL
Final Audio Design LAB I
Final Audio Design Pandora SE
FitEar MH334
FitEar MH335DW
FitEar Private C435
Fostex T50RP
Fostex TH-900
Grado PS1000e
Hidition New Tears 6-PRO
Hidition Viento-Reference
HIFIMAN HE-6
HIFIMAN HE1000
JH Layla
JVC HA-SZ2000
Kennerton Odin
Koss ESP950
Logitech Ultimate Ears 18 Pro
Logitech Ultimate Ears Personal Reference Monitors
Logitech Ultimate Ears Reference Monitors
McIntosh MHP1000
MrSpeakers ETHER
NAD VISO HP50
Noble Kaiser 10 Prestige
OPPO PM-1
OPPO PM-3
Philips Fidelio X2
QUAD Musikwiedergabe Jecklin Float QA
Rooth LSX
Sennheiser HD 600
Sennheiser HD 800
Sennheiser HE 60
Sennheiser Orpheus HE 90
Sony MDR-7520
Sony MDR-R10
Sony Qualia 010
Spiral Ear SE 5-way Ultimate
STAX SR-007
STAX SR-007MK2
STAX SR-009
STAX SR-207
STAX SR-Omega
STAX SR-Sigma
STAX SR-X/MK3
TakeT H2+
Ultrasone Edition 5
Ultrasone Edition 8 Julia
Ultrasone Signature PRO
Unique Melody Mason
Unique Melody Platform Pure Six
V-MODA Crossfade M-100
Westone ES60
Yamaha HPH-MT2

 
My thought is that if you have such an extensive list of headphones you lust for, you really should go to a meet/show where you will have a chance to try many of them. Clearly, you've got a lot of decisions to make (closed/open/IEM, dark/neutral/bright/etc., ethereal/palpable, revealing/masking....)
 
That said, as an old-time Head-Fi metalhead, I respect your dilemma, and appreciate your enthusiam, so I will give you a brief primer on my thoughts on this topic, developed over the course of well over a decade worth of high-end headphone experience.
 
What I look for in headphones for metal listening:
 
1) Transparency to the source/recording: This is paramount, as most metal is a rather dense, layered sound, and a more transparent headphone will offer a great ability to hear into that sonic jungle.  This primarily pertains to how quickly a headphone responds to the incoming signal to create a deep, nuanced, representation thereof, but to a more minor extent the frequency response as well, where major fluctuations from neutral distract from transparency.  Typically, in my experience, a more transparent headphone will tend to produce a sound that feels less "inside the head" than a less transparent headphone, and the more transparent headphone will build sonic "images" that are more precise/pinpoint.
 
2) Physical/palpable bass presentation: This implies bass that can be felt, in addition to being heard, which by and large rules out electrostatic headphones (as, by nature of their design, they do not move the large quantities of air required to feel bass via bone conduction). The quicker, more responsive the driver, the better controlled this bass presentation can be, and the more realistic the sound as a result.  Planar headphones as a group excel here, combining tactile bass response with superior control as compared to most dynamic headphones. This is also an area where IEM's simply due to the nature of their application, also struggle; however, given their unique properties regarding portability and isolation, I would typically consider them somewhat apart from traditional headphones anyway.
 
3) Seasoning to taste.  This is where personal preference really comes in, as well as fit to particular genres or recordings. One could find a single headphone that suits their collection "well enough" or try to cover different material with the sounds of different headphones, deciding which to use when.
 
As such, based on the more objective criteria 1 and 2, my preference for metal listening in this day and age is for planar magnetic headphones, when affordable, as I have simply found they offer a better combination of transparency and bass performance than do dynamic or electrostatic headphones, the Sennheiser HD800 being an exception to that rule (though it has its' own, non-standard dynamic driver anyway).
 
Here's a group of headphones that I feel all do very well in #1 and #2 for their prices (have personal experience with all), are sub $1k (if barely in some cases), in current production (or in stock at very least in the case of two) and do not require $1K+ amplification to sound close to their potential:
 
Group 1
 
Audeze EL-8
Fostex TH-600
Hifiman HE-560, HE-500, HE-400i, HE-400
LFF/Engimatic Paradox and Paradox Slant
MrSpeakers Mad Dog, Alpha Dog, and Alpha Prime
Oppo PM-2
 
I would take any of the above headphones without question over the standard dyanmic driver headphones that proliferate in the $200-600 range, such as the HD580/600/650, DT770/880/990, RS-1/2, ATH-A/AD/Wxxxx. Choice of which headphone would get into criteria 3, as well as fit/comfort, which is where there is no substitute for trying in person.
 
 
You can certainly get a higher level of overall performance going higher up the chain, but that often comes at the expense of more severe amplification needs as well. I've listed the HE-560 here as well, because I feel that it does scale up with better amplification, and is overall a match for the HE-6 when well-powered, though the two have differing presentations and strengths/weaknesses.  *I have listed the Stax for their level of transparency, despite their non-tactile electrostatic bass presentation (which would not necessarily be a problem for all listeners).
 
Group 2
 
Audeze LCD-3f, LCD-X
Hifiman HE-560, HE-6
MrSpeakers Ether
Sennheiser HD800
(Stax SR-007mkII, SR507)*
 
Again, the same caveats apply regarding fit and sonic taste.
 
Based on several listening sessions I have had with them over the course of the year, I do feel that the objective performance of the Hifiman HE-1000 is on another level from that tier of headphones, as they produce a level of transparency comparable to the best electrostatic headphones, while also managing to provide excellent palpable bass response, for the best overall performance in criteria 1 and 2 that I have personally heard. *I have listed the Stax for their level of transparency, despite their non-tactile electrostatic bass presentation (which would not necessarily be a problem for all listeners).
 
Group 3
 
Hifiman HE-1000
(Stax SR-009)*
 
These recommendations are regarding headphones in current production, so no discontinued unicorns on this list. I did not mention the JPS Labs Abyss, as I have not gotten to listen to it extensively with known supporting equipment, though my one experience with it was somewhat sonically and physically trying, I would like to hear it again under more controlled circumstances.
 
 
Take that as a rough guideline, and get out there and listen to some headphones. No amount of talk here is ever substitute for trying them yourselves!
 
One more point regarding unobtanium discontinued unicorn headphones: do not be swayed by their market value into believing that they perform better than they really do.  Most of them were loved in their time due to the lack of the amazing selection of top headphones now available.  While many have redeeming characteristics, they also have their warts as well.  Do yourself a favor, and unless you are a collector, don't be distracted by them!  There are headphones out there now every bit equal to, if not better than the Sony R10, Sennheiser HE90, Audio-Technica L3000, and all those other headphones you've read about or seen pictures of, but can't get. Focus on what you can get, and don't overpay for what you can't.

 

[Music Alchemist]

 
Great post! I don't go to meets, though; I just buy (and sell and trade) stuff.
 
My current plan is still what I mentioned: to save up for the HE1000 and buy it next month from a friend.

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

As long as you find the fit and sound balance to your liking, you should be very happy with it. Have fun!

 

[Hansotek]

Nice list Iron_Dreamer! Lots of stuff I either like or want on there.

(Nice photography too! I just took a peek at your site. Very cool.)

 

[maeveth]

Great post! I don't go to meets, though; I just buy (and sell and trade) stuff.

My current plan is still what I mentioned: to save up for the HE1000 and buy it next month from a friend. :evil:

I'll post my observations as soon as mine come in though I'm not as well versed in metal as others in this thread. Super excited for them to try most if not all genres of music.

 

[Music Alchemist]

I'll post my observations as soon as mine come in though I'm not as well versed in metal as others in this thread. Super excited for them to try most if not all genres of music.

 
Awesome. I can give you some great test tracks when the time comes.

 

[markm1]

   
My thought is that if you have such an extensive list of headphones you lust for, you really should go to a meet/show where you will have a chance to try many of them. Clearly, you've got a lot of decisions to make (closed/open/IEM, dark/neutral/bright/etc., ethereal/palpable, revealing/masking....)
 
That said, as an old-time Head-Fi metalhead, I respect your dilemma, and appreciate your enthusiam, so I will give you a brief primer on my thoughts on this topic, developed over the course of well over a decade worth of high-end headphone experience.
 
What I look for in headphones for metal listening:
 
1) Transparency to the source/recording: This is paramount, as most metal is a rather dense, layered sound, and a more transparent headphone will offer a great ability to hear into that sonic jungle.  This primarily pertains to how quickly a headphone responds to the incoming signal to create a deep, nuanced, representation thereof, but to a more minor extent the frequency response as well, where major fluctuations from neutral distract from transparency.  Typically, in my experience, a more transparent headphone will tend to produce a sound that feels less "inside the head" than a less transparent headphone, and the more transparent headphone will build sonic "images" that are more precise/pinpoint.
 
2) Physical/palpable bass presentation: This implies bass that can be felt, in addition to being heard, which by and large rules out electrostatic headphones (as, by nature of their design, they do not move the large quantities of air required to feel bass via bone conduction). The quicker, more responsive the driver, the better controlled this bass presentation can be, and the more realistic the sound as a result.  Planar headphones as a group excel here, combining tactile bass response with superior control as compared to most dynamic headphones. This is also an area where IEM's simply due to the nature of their application, also struggle; however, given their unique properties regarding portability and isolation, I would typically consider them somewhat apart from traditional headphones anyway.
 
3) Seasoning to taste.  This is where personal preference really comes in, as well as fit to particular genres or recordings. One could find a single headphone that suits their collection "well enough" or try to cover different material with the sounds of different headphones, deciding which to use when.
 
As such, based on the more objective criteria 1 and 2, my preference for metal listening in this day and age is for planar magnetic headphones, when affordable, as I have simply found they offer a better combination of transparency and bass performance than do dynamic or electrostatic headphones, the Sennheiser HD800 being an exception to that rule (though it has its' own, non-standard dynamic driver anyway).
 
Here's a group of headphones that I feel all do very well in #1 and #2 for their prices (have personal experience with all), are sub $1k (if barely in some cases), in current production (or in stock at very least in the case of two) and do not require $1K+ amplification to sound close to their potential:
 
Group 1
 
Audeze EL-8
Fostex TH-600
Hifiman HE-560, HE-500, HE-400i, HE-400
LFF/Engimatic Paradox and Paradox Slant
MrSpeakers Mad Dog, Alpha Dog, and Alpha Prime
Oppo PM-2
 
I would take any of the above headphones without question over the standard dyanmic driver headphones that proliferate in the $200-600 range, such as the HD580/600/650, DT770/880/990, RS-1/2, ATH-A/AD/Wxxxx. Choice of which headphone would get into criteria 3, as well as fit/comfort, which is where there is no substitute for trying in person.
 
 
You can certainly get a higher level of overall performance going higher up the chain, but that often comes at the expense of more severe amplification needs as well. I've listed the HE-560 here as well, because I feel that it does scale up with better amplification, and is overall a match for the HE-6 when well-powered, though the two have differing presentations and strengths/weaknesses.  *I have listed the Stax for their level of transparency, despite their non-tactile electrostatic bass presentation (which would not necessarily be a problem for all listeners).
 
Group 2
 
Audeze LCD-3f, LCD-X
Hifiman HE-560, HE-6
MrSpeakers Ether
Sennheiser HD800
(Stax SR-007mkII, SR507)*
 
Again, the same caveats apply regarding fit and sonic taste.
 
Based on several listening sessions I have had with them over the course of the year, I do feel that the objective performance of the Hifiman HE-1000 is on another level from that tier of headphones, as they produce a level of transparency comparable to the best electrostatic headphones, while also managing to provide excellent palpable bass response, for the best overall performance in criteria 1 and 2 that I have personally heard. *I have listed the Stax for their level of transparency, despite their non-tactile electrostatic bass presentation (which would not necessarily be a problem for all listeners).
 
Group 3
 
Hifiman HE-1000
(Stax SR-009)*
 
These recommendations are regarding headphones in current production, so no discontinued unicorns on this list. I did not mention the JPS Labs Abyss, as I have not gotten to listen to it extensively with known supporting equipment, though my one experience with it was somewhat sonically and physically trying, I would like to hear it again under more controlled circumstances.
 
 
Take that as a rough guideline, and get out there and listen to some headphones. No amount of talk here is ever substitute for trying them yourselves!
 
One more point regarding unobtanium discontinued unicorn headphones: do not be swayed by their market value into believing that they perform better than they really do.  Most of them were loved in their time due to the lack of the amazing selection of top headphones now available.  While many have redeeming characteristics, they also have their warts as well.  Do yourself a favor, and unless you are a collector, don't be distracted by them!  There are headphones out there now every bit equal to, if not better than the Sony R10, Sennheiser HE90, Audio-Technica L3000, and all those other headphones you've read about or seen pictures of, but can't get. Focus on what you can get, and don't overpay for what you can't.

Awesome post. I want to hear more metal listeners response to the Enigma Accostic Dharma once it comes out this month I believe.

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

Awesome post. I want to hear more metal listeners response to the Enigma Accostic Dharma once it comes out this month I believe.

I have listened to those a bit at a show, and thought they were quite good, I would tentatively put them on the HD800 level. They aren't a miracle or anything, just an excellent headphone at a quite reasonable price for their sound quality.

 

[maeveth]

   
Awesome. I can give you some great test tracks when the time comes.

By all means give me a list - i can find them before then