[Oliver189]

I've owned HE-400i (and s briefly) and have currently been using Edition XX that I purchased from Massdrop Jan 2020. I loved both of them, especially the Edition XX which sounds better tham a lot of headphones over $1000 that I've had. But you get what you pay for, and the build quality sucks.

I take good care of the headphones and they don't leave my desk. Despite that my 400i has had a broken headband for a while and my second pair of Edition XX just had a right driver failure. The first pair failed less than 10 hours after I received them.

The second pair is out of warranty and I might fix them but I can't really feel confident in giving Hifiman more money at this point.

My budget is flexible. I could go to $1000 potentially but I would prefer to buy something closer to $600.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Audeze LCD-2C is a really great set of headphones. Sounds great, good build, comfortable fake-leather earpads.

 

[silent-circuit]

GoldPlanar is the current flavor of the month. You can find used double magnets around $400-450. I am curious about them and will probably get a pair at some point.

Love my Sendy AIVA. Get the SIVGA version if you're feeling cheap, the Acoustic Research version of you wanna be fancy. Same drivers, slightly different damping and headband / cup design.

If you aren't a basshead get some Koss electrosats - they do everything better than planars except bass. Nothing touches electrosats for detail.

And for something completely out of left field... Consider the TCA x AAW Project 4+2. My current favorite IEM by a large margin.

 

[539465]

M1570 + Zen CAN will likely outperform the $800-1000 clones from Audeze and add bass boost + 3D to your current headphone arsenal.
M1570 is sometimes $300 Open Box new a good price is around $400.
Zen Can is $150 and performs better with the $50 iPower wall plug which comes with the launch edition for $20 more if you can find one.

 

[silent-circuit]

Audeze isn't making clones, Monoprice is. What the heck are you saying @ToniChopper ? The above post is nonsense.

 

[539465]

Audeze isn't making clones, Monoprice is. What the heck are you saying @ToniChopper ? The above post is nonsense.

yeah I think it's pretty obvious so at this point I won't even edit my post those with a brain understand what a typo is and that the more expensive item would have a less expensive clone but thanks for that unnecessary call out fam, blocked don't have time to educate the masses

 

[silent-circuit]

yeah I think it's pretty obvious so at this point I won't even edit my post those with a brain understand what a typo is and that the more expensive item would have a less expensive clone but thanks for that unnecessary call out fam, blocked don't have time to educate the masses

... Blocked over a "typo"... And nothing of value was lost. Weirdly aggressive response.

 

[PopZeus]

My preference for a planar roughly in your price range is for the LCD-GX. New it costs more but can be bought used for under $800.

 

[Chris Kaoss]

Didn't listen to a Hifiman Headphone by now, but i guess these have an orientation to more details, eg. a bit more treble energy?

My take on this is very obvious and biased. ^^
I'd recommend the Quad Era-1 for music enjoyment.
Large ear cup openings and medium weight, besides the excellent sound presentation, is still a winner for me.

Well, there're a lot of good choices in the price range b/t $300 and $1000.

Verum 1 mk2 would be a great choice too for the called price, i think.

 

[someguyontheinternet]

Dan Clark's Aeon RT might be worth a try

 

[ThanatosVI]

Audeze LCD-2C
Great planar all around and my favourite headphone up to 1,5k

 

[gimmeheadroom]

.

 

[Strayngs]

Quad Era 1 in that price range all day!

 

[chef8489]

I love Audeze line of planar. If OPPO was still making cans I'd also choose them. They were what opened my eyes to planar.

 

[Strayngs]

I wasnt in love with the LCDX but loved the LCD3 and 4. I cannot comment on the LCD2, LCD-2C or the LCD2CB as I have never heard them or had very little time with them.