[Toushima]

Hello everyone,

15 Months into having the HiFiMan Ananda's and treating them like my firstborn child as they were my first endeavour into the higher end headphones, the right driver decided to die on me. Unfortunately they're out of warranty and replacing them would cost me 370 EUR. With the prospect of having them die again in 15 months, I rather look to the future and find something else even though with my current budget I won't be able to replicate the amazing sound that the Ananda's delivered (in my opinion).

1. Budget: Around or under 300 EUR.
2. Use Case: 70% Competitive FPS gaming (Apex/Valorant), 30% Music Listening. (EDM/Pop/Instrumental)
3. Source: Fiio K5 Pro / Apple USB-C Dongle / 3.5mm Jack. (Will upgrade this at a later date if needed)
4. Preferred Headphone Style: 60% IEM / 40% Headphone
5. Preferred Tonal Balance: Neutral with a slight Bass elevation
6. Past Headphones: Sundara's, Ananda's, M50x's, DT 880/990's, ATH AD500-900 Line (Listened to, didn't like them), HD 560s (Too empty sounding)
7. Researched Headphones:
   Raptgo Hook X - These seem to be highly regarded by Fresh Reviews for its 360 soundstage and imaging. However there seem to be a lot of QC issues? After the HiFiMAN stuff, I'm not sure I want to commit to this uncertainty again.
   
   Letshuoer S12 (Pro) - Not sure what the difference between the normal S12 and the Pro's are but they seem to be universally recommended for IEMs for both gaming and music within this price category on Youtube and Reddit.
   
   Moondrop Blessing II's - Crinacle rates these quite highly as the only Sub-500 A+ IEM. Fresh Reviews was also quite positive about them.
   
   Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X - The only headphones I can find that I feel would be good for competitive FPS gaming without giving up too much audio quality. Had some issues with Beyerdynamic fit and pressure in the past with the 880s/990s, but I hear that the 900's are much easier on the head in a much shorter time

I look forward to any and all recommendations!

 

[pbui44]

Sorry to hear about your Ananda's. As much as you want to go get an IEM, you should allow yourself to transition from what you had with the Ananda. With your budget, you can go for a Fostex T60rp that you can mod yourself later and CCA CRA:

https://www.thomannmusic.com/fostex_t60rp_headphone.htm

https://www.amazon.nl/CCA-Oortelefoon-Dynamische-Tangle-Free-Verwijderbare/dp/B09NDG18CL/ref=sr_1_2

However, if you insist on wanting an IEM for its technicalites, then you can also get a stock Fostex T50rp mk3 and modding it later with a Moondrop Kato with your budget:

https://www.thomannmusic.com/fostex_t50rp_mk3_headphone.htm

https://www.amazon.nl/Moondrop-Oort...hnologie-Dynamische/dp/B09FPX3RDT/ref=sr_1_11

If you don’t want to mod anything, then you can get with your budget a Dekoni Audio Blue and Moondrop Stellaris or Starfield:

https://www.muziker.com/dekoni-audio-fostex-dekoni-blue-planar-magnetic

https://www.amazon.nl/STELLARIS-Min...gma-Oortelefoon/dp/B0BGPRFZ4Y/ref=mp_s_a_1_13

https://www.amazon.nl/Moondrop-Star...sche-oortelefoon/dp/B082NQFW16/ref=mp_s_a_1_7

If you have some patience until the holidays, then you can get a Sennheiser HD600 and be done with over-ear purchases for a very long time and wait until 11.11 on AE for a Moondrop Blessing 2 to be on sale and possibly get in on a multi-purchase for awesome stocking stuffers:

https://www.thomannmusic.com/sennheiser_hd_600_new_version_2019.htm

 

[Livestock110]

You should consider the Hifiman Edition XS - They're a cheaper (but roughly equal) competitor to Anandas! I've heard nothing but great reviews. They punch above their price bracket