Headphones Upgrade Help

[JediMa70]

Hello I need your help to sort out my set of headphones (the list is in my signature).
I like to collect a few to try to have different features (open, closed, v-sound, neutral and so on).
My plan now is to sell 2 or 3 of mine to move up about quality. (AKG 712 pro and Meze 99 Classics for sure.. eventually a 3rd one to get extra money)
I want to get headphones with excellent detail, soundstage but with a warm sound (I use my HD600 for classical and they are very nice but cold and poor bass)
Music to listen: Jazz - Blues - Classical mainly
Budget 500 euros max
Personally I was considering GRADO SR325X,(which in italy are quite expensive 359) but any other good advice is really welcome

Thank you

 

[msing539]

OTL tubes will warm your HD600 up.

 

[JediMa70]

OTL tubes will warm your HD600 up.

Yes and they work nice with my Darkvoice, but I'm searching for headphones that sound different from them

 

[Pharmaboy]

Hello I need your help to sort out my set of headphones (the list is in my signature).
I like to collect a few to try to have different features (open, closed, v-sound, neutral and so on).
My plan now is to sell 2 or 3 of mine to move up about quality. (AKG 712 pro and Meze 99 Classics for sure.. eventually a 3rd one to get extra money)
I want to get headphones with excellent detail, soundstage but with a warm sound (I use my HD600 for classical and they are very nice but cold and poor bass)
Music to listen: Jazz - Blues - Classical mainly
Budget 500 euros max
Personally I was considering GRADO SR325X,(which in italy are quite expensive 359) but any other good advice is really welcome

Thank you

"excellent detail, soundstage but with a warm sound"

You're describing 2 headphones I own: ZMF Ori (planar, a refined/evolved version of your Fostex planar); and ZMF Aeolus (300 ohm dynamic), but only w/Verite pads on. The first almost never comes up F.S.; the 2nd is probably $750 - $900 USD (convert to EU).

Have you heard the HD650? The original HD650 doesn't have a big soundstage, but IMO it has a lovely, slightly warm sound w/enough detail for me, at least. I thought it sounded far more musical than the HD600, which sounded bright and cold to me. The HD650 is a 300 ohm dynamic, so would do well on your Darkvoice. I liked that headphone & could live with it. They're F.S. all the time, EU & US.

 

[gadus]

grado 325 great headphones, only they are not the most comfortable and their cable is thick and uncomfortable, there are dekoni replacement pads that might solve the comfort problem (I haven't tried),
If you want to increase the budget or look for second hand, meze 109 pro are perfect and meet exactly what you need.
There is also Adorama's hifiman he6se v2 which are extremely detailed with a huge sound stage, I don't know if they are 'hot', and they require a strong amplifier,
Another option is fostex t60rp, which have a big stage and a very fun sound, need good amplification (but not like the hifiman),
There is also the sundara closed back which is on sale now ($399) they have a big and impressive sound,

 

[JediMa70]

"excellent detail, soundstage but with a warm sound"

You're describing 2 headphones I own: ZMF Ori (planar, a refined/evolved version of your Fostex planar); and ZMF Aeolus (300 ohm dynamic), but only w/Verite pads on. The first almost never comes up F.S.; the 2nd is probably $750 - $900 USD (convert to EU).

Have you heard the HD650? The original HD650 doesn't have a big soundstage, but IMO it has a lovely, slightly warm sound w/enough detail for me, at least. I thought it sounded far more musical than the HD600, which sounded bright and cold to me. The HD650 is a 300 ohm dynamic, so would do well on your Darkvoice. I liked that headphone & could live with it. They're F.S. all the time, EU & US.

In this case I should replace the HD 600 I have with HD650, because I don't think that have both of them would be the best option. This is a good advice anyway

 

[JediMa70]

grado 325 great headphones, only they are not the most comfortable and their cable is thick and uncomfortable, there are dekoni replacement pads that might solve the comfort problem (I haven't tried),
If you want to increase the budget or look for second hand, meze 109 pro are perfect and meet exactly what you need.
There is also Adorama's hifiman he6se v2 which are extremely detailed with a huge sound stage, I don't know if they are 'hot', and they require a strong amplifier,
Another option is fostex t60rp, which have a big stage and a very fun sound, need good amplification (but not like the hifiman),
There is also the sundara closed back which is on sale now ($399) they have a big and impressive sound,

Price wise Meze 109 pro are really off budget 709 euros (but excellent call)
hifiman he6se v2 even worse in italy 899 euros
fostex t60rp these could be good option
Sundara Closed back here cost 479 euros so in budget
About Grado i've read that I should replace the pads but it's not a problem

thanks for the good advices

 

[gadus]

At Adorama, the he6se v2 costs $549 (it's very affordable if you have a good amplifier)
There is a sale on the Sundara closed back on Hifiman's website and they cost $399.
The sundara open ones cost even less (I think the closed ones are better)
I am attaching links.
https://www.adorama.com/hmhe6sev2.html

https://store.hifiman.com/index.php...=landingpage&utm_campaign=HolidaySale20221110

 

[gadus]

From my experience the Grados are wonderful, with an open and very natural acoustic sound, even after I listen to more expensive headphones I keep going back to them...grado is a small company without much noise and advertising but with great products,
The problem is with comfort, which is a critical issue when listening to headphones.
The fostex is very comfortable and with good sound and fun (on a big stage) but not like the grado,
But - if you have a good amplifier, the he6se v2 (Adorama) are a crazy value for the price.
In the end, only your ears decide, it's best to try it yourself (if you can, of course...)

 

[gadus]

Now I see you can buy a used he6se v2 in condition
Excellent with Adorama's warranty for $429.

 

[JediMa70]

Adorma won't ship to Italy I'm quite bound to Amazon for this kind of shopping

 

[gadus]

Adorma won't ship to Italy I'm quite bound to Amazon for this kind of shopping

in amazon uk i see them for £595...
In any case, the other options are excellent and there are many other good headphones

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Hello I need your help to sort out my set of headphones (the list is in my signature).
I like to collect a few to try to have different features (open, closed, v-sound, neutral and so on).
My plan now is to sell 2 or 3 of mine to move up about quality. (AKG 712 pro and Meze 99 Classics for sure.. eventually a 3rd one to get extra money)
I want to get headphones with excellent detail, soundstage but with a warm sound (I use my HD600 for classical and they are very nice but cold and poor bass)

HD650
HD6XX
LCD-2 Classic

 

[chezzer]

Beyerdynamic DT1990 or used T1 2nd gen

 

[DeweyCH]

If you're willing to tinker, a pair of Fostex T50rp can become extremely special with not a lot of technical expertise - some non-hardening modeling clay on the baffle and adhesive Dynamat lining the cup and you've got some amazing cans for not a lot of scratch.