how does using a TOTL iem as your main ear/headphone with TT2 appeal as a good idea to everyone? the iem port on the TT2 gets little attention.
I know MK has asked a few times about headphones, and I think I understand why.
I am in the same situation where I would like to buy some quality headphones. The problem is that there is no 'reference performance' models. In terms of reference performance DACs, Chord are the thing to buy at the relevant price point. Their DACs are always nice and neutral.
Yet try to find a neutral pair of high-end headphones, and it's a brick wall. I have been trying to make my mind up on headphones for ages; maybe two years. I am still not one millimetre closer to deciding.
At this point I need to declare apologies if I have misunderstood headphones. The following impressions that I get are mostly not from personal listening, but rather from what folk and reviewers say.
Like e.g. the Utopia some say is a bit bright. I know some folk have the Utopia and don't find them bright. However what stops me in my tracks every time is almost every graph of the Utopia shows high frequency boost. Then the Focal Stellia is surprisingly meaty and warm, but questionably so to me. Both headphones appear to need tempering with the right cable choice. … Then there is speculation about Focals, because on the Utopia thread, 24% have needed warranty work.
Mr Speakers are anyone's guess. There seems to be no house sound as some are warm and some brighter and tizzy. Some reviews say one thing about a set, and another reviewer something totally different.
I just wish there was one manufacturer that made a headphone that all reviewers could get behind. A nice neutral set of quality headphones. Then all we have to do was pick out price in the range. .... I mean that's what Chord Electronics do. I suppose we should be thankful to Chord for at least making the source neutral. It would be even harder to choose headphones if their DACs were not flat neutral. Can you imagine having to pair bright headphones against warm source, or vice-versa.
Sometimes I think the best idea is not invest heavily in headphones, and buy Focal Clear. Then leave my higher quality transducers with my speakers. I mean my speakers are on my TT2 anyway, so am getting the best from them. If manufacturers can make near as damn-it neutral, solid, detailed sounding speakers, then why can't headphones manufacturers.
It's probably fair to say that Chord DAC users are possibly the best folk to ask though. Since their source is neutral. …….. Sorry I mean no offence to any headphone user. I think I am just a bit more stressed today than I should be. It's just to me, there is not one headphone company that you can point to and say the following. Yes you'll be OK with them.