[340519]

That's the confusing thing about them. Shows just how subjective this hobby is. Some people say they are the best headphones in the world, while others don't think they are that special...

Very true and that's why you can't take any of these posts here that seriously. Judge with your own ears.

 

[Hansotek]

Very true and that's why you can't take any of these posts here that seriously. Judge with your own ears.

I think there is some subjectivity for sure, but one major thing with this thread is the diversity of sub genres within metal. People would agree more frequently if we were all judging on the same criteria. Unfortunately, each opinion is assembled via a different sample group of experiences, and the terminology “metal” is too vague to specify the right judging criteria.

Subjectivity plays a huge role for sure, but sample bias and definitions more frequently “break” the experiment.

 

[Tekunda]

Thanks for your reply. I can definitely afford any of them, just want to find the best option. Have you heard the D8000 Pro? Many reviews have said it might be an even better choice than the D8000 for metal? I'm definitely gonna get the TH900 as well as I love my TH600. RAD-0 is interesting too, but it might be best to wait for the RAD-1 revision and see if they can reduce the weight and improve the comfort.

I own the Final D8000 Pro and I listen to all kinds of metal. I think they do a terrific job for metal.

 

[Tekunda]

I just listened to Carnifex, a deathcore metal band. The bass on these headphones is a revelation!

 

[monkey4054]

I just listened to Carnifex, a deathcore metal band. The bass on these headphones is a revelation!

Please stop. You're going to make me 5k poorer soon!

 

[Hyperfluxe]

Alright, just pulled the trigger on a brand new pair of Fostex TH900 (Orginal Gen, not mk2) for $1080 CAD ($790 USD). I'm also certain I'll enjoy them as closed back headphones, especially since I listen to DnB (neurofunk, techstep, liquid, drumstep). It was the last pair on clearance from a Canadian PC hardware website. I guess I lucked out with pricing because now I can buy a pair of open-backs when I'm ready.

As an aside, how woud you guys modify the following list based on personal preference? Pretty stoked to see the TH900 as Tier 1.

I only listen to metal and this is IMO best headphones.

Tier1:
Final Audio D8000
MrSpeakers Ether Flow Open 1.1
Focal's (Elear, Elex, Clear, Stellia)
Fostex TH-900

Tier2:
Dharma D1000 (after pads change)
Hifiman HE-6 (after LFF mod)
Audeze LCD-3
Meze Emperyan

Tier3:
Hifiman HE-5LE, HE-500 (sheepskin pads)
Hifiman HE-X v2
AKG K712 (modded)

This headphones i listen too.

 

[wazzupi]

Please stop. You're going to make me 5k poorer soon!

Try to shop around for the d8000 pro I did and I was astonished how much I got my d8000 pros for.

 

[wazzupi]

I had a odd idea that the meze empyreans were the obv step up from foster th900s maybe I am wrong I heard them once didn't like em but it was in Jan of 2018. I would like to try them again

 

[monkey4054]

Try to shop around for the d8000 pro I did and I was astonished how much I got my d8000 pros for.

That's the sale price here in Aus. Normal price $6500..

 

[wazzupi]

That's the sale price here in Aus. Normal price $6500..

oh thats not a bad price at all in terms of USD, I got my pro cheaper but still... it retails 4300 here.

 

[monkey4054]

Haha yes sure, when you convert to USD it's not too far off US retail.... But 5k here is still 5k. You can get a decent used car for that!

 

[Hansotek]

I had a odd idea that the meze empyreans were the obv step up from foster th900s maybe I am wrong I heard them once didn't like em but it was in Jan of 2018. I would like to try them again

Shouldn’t a “step-up model” be in the same family of sound? Those headphones have very little in common, sonically speaking.

 

[wazzupi]

Shouldn’t a “step-up model” be in the same family of sound? Those headphones have very little in common, sonically speaking.

Well my understanding was the empyrean was warm sounding alot of bass and great resolution decent soundstage, where the foster has huge soundstage great bass and I didn't hear anything about treble and its closed back(I don't know if it's huge for a closed or in general). I'm not familiar with both headphones I was only saying that maybe it would be, based on some words thrown around. So based on what I knew and what I just read more in detail about them I was wrong to suggest it. But I can still see them as a complementary headphone.

 

[Hansotek]

Well my understanding was the empyrean was warm sounding alot of bass and great resolution decent soundstage, where the foster has huge soundstage great bass and I didn't hear anything about treble and its closed back(I don't know if it's huge for a closed or in general). I'm not familiar with both headphones I was only saying that maybe it would be, based on some words thrown around. So based on what I knew and what I just read more in detail about them I was wrong to suggest it. But I can still see them as a complementary headphone.

Complementary, for sure. I see the Empyrean as very warm and smooth overall, whereas the Fostex is more v-shaped and geared for excitement. The Fostex is more "rock out" where the Meze is more "chill out".

 

[gazzington]

I’m considering buying a chord hugo 2 as I’ll be working at home for the foreseeable future. What would be great headphones for this. I listen mainly metal (black, death) but also electronic music. Difference price points and open and closed options would be very useful