Looking for a more "fun" open headphone than the K702

[rowett]

Hi guys. I've been using AKG 702s (Austrian made version!) for a decade now. They're great for analytical studio work and they CAN be "fun" to listen to music on but there's no getting around the fact that they don't slam and the bass rolls off hilariously. I'm looking for a new pair of open cans somewhere in the £300-£700 range (400 - 800 USD i guess?)

i'm not bothered about flat response, i'd like them to be fun with a bit more warmth and bass, especially for electronic music (not so much highly compressed EDM, rather stuff with space + detail + lots of low-end) and a bit of Nils Frahm.

can anyone recommend anything? i'm sort of intrigued by the Grado range, but also i've never tried any of the Sennheiser 600/650/660 range so maybe i should go there? or something more exotic like the Sundaras?

my amp is a Vali 3, which i percieve as already being a little bright.

any tips warmly appreciated.

 

[xeizo]

If you wants bass slam you should go planar, those type of cans has much less bass distortion than dynamic cans meaning you can EQ to desired level without destroying SQ.

Hifiman is the usual suspect as they have several models in your price range. You could even try the cheapest HE400SE for ~150€ to get a taste. Sundara which you mention is the next step, but is often described as brighter than the HE400SE, so maybe not a upgrade for everyone, anyway you can EQ down the treble on Sundara if you need.

edit. If you want a K702 type of sound but with bass you should try the Neumann NDH-30, but maybe they are a bit too neutral in your search for fun, but they slam good for being a dynamic can and has no harshness/brightness whatsoever.

 

[rowett]

thanks. planars aren't something i know much about. my source chain doesn't have any EQ capability but i am thinking of adding a Loki.

aside: the K702s are just weird. the bass is generally anaemic and then all of a sudden with a certain song they will absolutely rumble right down to the depths. no idea why. when they are at their best, they're fabulous.

 

[xeizo]

thanks. planars aren't something i know much about. my source chain doesn't have any EQ capability but i am thinking of adding a Loki.

aside: the K702s are just weird. the bass is generally anaemic and then all of a sudden with a certain song they will absolutely rumble right down to the depths. no idea why. when they are at their best, they're fabulous.

As I edited above, Neumann NDH-30 same ballpark but with bass.

But I think you should try open planar if you're out for fun, they really sounds more "live" than dynamic cans. They leak an awful lot of sound though which has to be considered.

 

[rowett]

yeah the Neumann's have been on my radar for a while, but i'm thinking of shying away from analytical "flat" studio tool cans and exploring something that trades purity for enjoyment, if you know what i mean

 

[HWB3]

I have most of the gear that you've mentioned. I inadvertently did an A-B comparison between my K702's and Grado RS2x's. I made the mistake of listening to the same song back-to-back. The Grado's blew the K702's away. I was surprised because I expected the sound to be closer. With the RS2x's being the better headphone, I shouldn't have expected that. It made the music sound alive while the K702's made it sound flat. If you don't care to spend the money on the Grado's you can get good results with the 6XX's and Sundara's. The Vali 3 is a fun little amp, isn't it?

 

[rowett]

loving the Vali 3 so far! i've only had it a couple of days. gone down a tube rabbithole today and ordered a couple of the recommended ones (but not the 396A lol).

 

[Nirvana Woman]

Idk I'd probably give the 660S2 a try, seems like the sort of fun headphone that might do it for you. I have the 58x which has a very similar tuning and they're very fun to listen to, extremely addictive. Nice bass as well, I have no issue following basslines and getting a nice punch for edm.

 

[Kerry56]

The JM Audio XTC open back headphones are near the top of your price range, depending on the model and options you choose, and they are getting excellent reviews.

They can be tuned to suit your tastes, and a popular tuning that might fit what you are looking for is "warm with detail". Here is the rather active thread about them.

 

[Kordzik]

Hi guys. I've been using AKG 702s (Austrian made version!) for a decade now. They're great for analytical studio work and they CAN be "fun" to listen to music on but there's no getting around the fact that they don't slam and the bass rolls off hilariously. I'm looking for a new pair of open cans somewhere in the £300-£700 range (400 - 800 USD i guess?)

i'm not bothered about flat response, i'd like them to be fun with a bit more warmth and bass, especially for electronic music (not so much highly compressed EDM, rather stuff with space + detail + lots of low-end) and a bit of Nils Frahm.

can anyone recommend anything? i'm sort of intrigued by the Grado range, but also i've never tried any of the Sennheiser 600/650/660 range so maybe i should go there? or something more exotic like the Sundaras?

my amp is a Vali 3, which i percieve as already being a little bright.

any tips warmly appreciated.

I would look into Meze 109 pro or if you want the best value for money JM audio xtc open ....

 

[ruinedx]

Hi guys. I've been using AKG 702s (Austrian made version!) for a decade now. They're great for analytical studio work and they CAN be "fun" to listen to music on but there's no getting around the fact that they don't slam and the bass rolls off hilariously. I'm looking for a new pair of open cans somewhere in the £300-£700 range (400 - 800 USD i guess?)

i'm not bothered about flat response, i'd like them to be fun with a bit more warmth and bass, especially for electronic music (not so much highly compressed EDM, rather stuff with space + detail + lots of low-end) and a bit of Nils Frahm.

can anyone recommend anything? i'm sort of intrigued by the Grado range, but also i've never tried any of the Sennheiser 600/650/660 range so maybe i should go there? or something more exotic like the Sundaras?

my amp is a Vali 3, which i percieve as already being a little bright.

any tips warmly appreciated.

Grell OAE1, best headphone I've heard for electronic to date. I think if you got that one you'd be ultra satisfied, as electronic is my main genre and I can't get enough of electronic on the OAE1 - nicely rendered synths, 3-D soundstage, and big bass.

I also have a Grado RS1X currently (and had a Hemp a while ago) since you mentioned Grado. Neither one of them had the heft for many types electronic music. The RS1X does render synths really nicely, but sounds thin on a lot of electronic content. The Hemp basically sounds muffled for synths, not a great match.

 

[AnamCeoil]

The JM Audio XTC open back headphones are near the top of your price range, depending on the model and options you choose, and they are getting excellent reviews.

They can be tuned to suit your tastes, and a popular tuning that might fit what you are looking for is "warm with detail". Here is the rather active thread about them.

+1
Got my first JM Audio Open back a few months back and it is a really great listen, open and fun to my ears.

Good luck with your quest OP!

 

[rowett]

I also have a Grado RS1X currently (and had a Hemp a while ago) since you mentioned Grado. Neither one of them had the heft for many types electronic music. The RS1X does render synths really nicely, but sounds thin on a lot of electronic content. The Hemp basically sounds muffled for synths, not a great match.

Thanks for steering me off the Grados. I *want* to want them, but the more I read about them, the more I accept they're not going to be right at all. Currently leaning towards something from the Audeze lineup. Auditioning isn't an option where I live, so the decision has to be based off obsessive research instead....

 

[ruinedx]

Thanks for steering me off the Grados. I *want* to want them, but the more I read about them, the more I accept they're not going to be right at all. Currently leaning towards something from the Audeze lineup. Auditioning isn't an option where I live, so the decision has to be based off obsessive research instead....

Audeze has the heft but the soundstage ain't the best especially for genres like trance, synthwave, goa which paint those big sonic landscapes. I am telling ya grell OAE1 is the way to go, it's got everything. Ive never heard electronic better rendered

Grados are definitely cool, just I wouldn't say electronic is their best genre

 

[rowett]

so i went with the LCD-2s and i'm happy with them - they couldn't be more different to the K-702s! very happy to sacrifice clinical detail for fun. they're fantastic. of course now i'm upgrading my amplification - which i don't need to do if i'm honest - just to "make sure" i'm squeezing the most out of them.....