[Immortaly007]

Hi all,

I'm relatively new in the world of audiophile headphones, and I'm looking for a nice set of closed-back over-ear headphones for use in an office environment.

I listen to a lot of (progressive) rock and metal, such as Dream Theater, Symphony X, Periphery, TesseracT, Meshuggah, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Alter Bridge, Foo Fighters.

Because I like guitars a lot, I want them to come forward in the mix, so I'm not a bass-head. I'm looking for more of a flat response. I don't mind if it needs an amp (I have a spare O2 amp and AudioEngine D1 DAC), as long as it sounds good.

At home I have a Sennheiser HD600 (with a DarkVoice 336E Tube Amp and AudioQuest DragonFly Red DAC), and I love how that sounds (great warmth and clarity, sounds nice and balanced to me). Unfortunately, for an office situation it leaks too much sounds.

In short, I think what I like best would be a somewhat warm, neutral sound.

The price range I'm looking in is $200-$500

Headphones I've tried (kind of ordered from best to worst option, taking the price and sound into account):

• Audio Technica ATH-MSR7 (borrowed): Quite nice, neutral and very detailed sound. The slightly cold an analytical sound works well for metal, but if there's a slightly warmer alternative, i'd love that. I like them a lot and they are a good contender.
• Audeze Sine (tried in store): love the sound, but with them being on-ear, I'm a bit worried that they'd be uncomfortable when wearing them for a long time, especially since I wear glasses.
  
• Beyerdynamic 1770 Pro (tried in store): Slightly too bass heavy (but not as much as the Meze 99 Classics)
• Sennheiser HD630VB (tried in store): They sounded really clear and detailed, but imo too analytical and cold for "fun" listening. The bass-control is cool tho!
  
• Audio Technica ATH-M50x (owned): Nice bass, but it sounds a bit thin in the mids, drowning out some details.
  
• Meze 99 Classics (tried in store): Too bass heavy for my tastes. These may be amazing for more modern genres tho)
  
• Audeze LCD-2 Closed Back (tried in store): These sounded amazing and were comfortable, but they are above my budget.

Headphones I'm interested in but haven't been able to try (so maybe you can tell me if I should cross them of the list or really try to find them):

• Oppo PM-3: Good reviews, planar magnatic, but hard to find, especially since they're no longer being produced.
• MrSpeakers Alpha Dogs: Good reviews, hard to find.
• Shure SRH-1540: Review say they sound boring and are amazing for monitoring but not for fun, but I'm still curious aboutb them.
• Your suggestions?

I'm looking forward to your suggestions!

Thank you!

 

[serman005]

I would add a SoundMAGIC HP151 to the list, personally. Maybe read about it and see what you think. I also like the 1More Triple Driver Over-ear quite a lot. Some thoughts. FWIW. YMMV, of course.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

In short, I think what I like best would be a somewhat warm, neutral sound.

The price range I'm looking in is $200-$500

Maybe try the Focal Listen Pro.

Audeze LCD-2C Closed Back (tried in store): These sounded amazing and were comfortable, but they are above my budget.

The "C" actually stands for "Classic," because some people preferred the sound of the LCD-2 and LCD-2 Rev 2, ie, the pre-Fazor driver versions. It's open back, and no, even if you had the budget for the LCD-XC, if you're going to use them in an office I wouldn't recommend these. Crank them up and even if little sound escapes Audezes have earcups that visibly vibrate and might freak out people there.

 

[arielext]

They visually vibrate?! I'd like to know more

Me and @Immortaly007 are collegues and I recommended the HD630VB to @Immortaly007 but that didn't work out. I'd also thought of the TH-X00 in that price range but that is neither neutral nor 'closed'. He came back from the store telling the $800,-* audeze's are ok, way off budget. Next time I'll shove my TH900s down his ears > Yes, way to expensive, but they sound good.

* We live in the netherlands mind you

 

[arielext]

The fostex th-60 are highly recommend, but not fully closed, right?

 

[Rhamnetin]

Without a doubt a used ZMF Blackwood (or better yet Ori if you can get it).

 

[ProtegeManiac]

They visually vibrate?! I'd like to know more

As in the earcups are pumping in and out. That wasn't even immediate pain with hearing damage levels.

 

[Zenvota]

Hi all,

I'm relatively new in the world of audiophile headphones, and I'm looking for a nice set of closed-back over-ear headphones for use in an office environment.

I listen to a lot of (progressive) rock and metal, such as Dream Theater, Symphony X, Periphery, TesseracT, Meshuggah, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Alter Bridge, Foo Fighters.

Because I like guitars a lot, I want them to come forward in the mix, so I'm not a bass-head. I'm looking for more of a flat response. I don't mind if it needs an amp (I have a spare O2 amp and AudioEngine D1 DAC), as long as it sounds good.

At home I have a Sennheiser HD600 (with a DarkVoice 336E Tube Amp and AudioQuest DragonFly Red DAC), and I love how that sounds (great warmth and clarity, sounds nice and balanced to me). Unfortunately, for an office situation it leaks too much sounds.

In short, I think what I like best would be a somewhat warm, neutral sound.

The price range I'm looking in is $200-$500

Headphones I've tried (kind of ordered from best to worst option, taking the price and sound into account):

• Audio Technica ATH-MSR7 (borrowed): Quite nice, neutral and very detailed sound. The slightly cold an analytical sound works well for metal, but if there's a slightly warmer alternative, i'd love that. I like them a lot and they are a good contender.
• Audeze Sine (tried in store): love the sound, but with them being on-ear, I'm a bit worried that they'd be uncomfortable when wearing them for a long time, especially since I wear glasses.
  
• Beyerdynamic 1770 Pro (tried in store): Slightly too bass heavy (but not as much as the Meze 99 Classics)
• Sennheiser HD630VB (tried in store): They sounded really clear and detailed, but imo too analytical and cold for "fun" listening. The bass-control is cool tho!
  
• Audio Technica ATH-M50x (owned): Nice bass, but it sounds a bit thin in the mids, drowning out some details.
  
• Meze 99 Classics (tried in store): Too bass heavy for my tastes. These may be amazing for more modern genres tho)
  
• Audeze LCD-2 Closed Back (tried in store): These sounded amazing and were comfortable, but they are above my budget.

Headphones I'm interested in but haven't been able to try (so maybe you can tell me if I should cross them of the list or really try to find them):

• Oppo PM-3: Good reviews, planar magnatic, but hard to find, especially since they're no longer being produced.
• MrSpeakers Alpha Dogs: Good reviews, hard to find.
• Shure SRH-1540: Review say they sound boring and are amazing for monitoring but not for fun, but I'm still curious aboutb them.
• Your suggestions?

I'm looking forward to your suggestions!

Thank you!

Maybe Audeze EL-8 closed/titantiums? Metal likes speed.

And some Blotted Science and Spastic Ink while you're at it.

 

[Immortaly007]

I would add a SoundMAGIC HP151 to the list, personally. Maybe read about it and see what you think. I also like the 1More Triple Driver Over-ear quite a lot. Some thoughts. FWIW. YMMV, of course.

Looked at reviews from both. The "1More Triple Driver Over-ear" seems like a decent option. Based on reviews, they may be a bit bass heavy/recessed-mid-y. I will check if there's some place I can try them out.

Maybe try the Focal Listen Pro.

I wasn't even aware Focal has affordable options. I will check if there's some place I can try these out.

The fostex th-60 are highly recommend, but not fully closed, right?

TH-600 or T60RP? The T60RP seems like it's half open.

Without a doubt a used ZMF Blackwood (or better yet Ori if you can get it).

Hmm, finding a used one seems pretty hard down here in the Netherlands (one I can try before buying I mean). How does it stack up to the ZMF Classics? Are they comparable?

Maybe Audeze EL-8 closed/titantiums? Metal likes speed.

And some Blotted Science and Spastic Ink while you're at it.

Audeze EL-8 Closed/titaniums are definitely interesting, but also a bit out of my budget. Is there something you would consider a cheaper but similar alternative? Or should I try to find one used?
Will definitely check out Blotted Science and Spastic Ink!

 

[arielext]

TH-600 or T60RP? The T60RP seems like it's half open.

Sorry I mean T60RP indeed. they are half open but if you need full isolation you should consider either going for noice cancellation or IEM's

 

[Tinnitus Man]

ThinkSound ON2 should be on the list there. Great sound quality, very natural sound and good insulation (both in and out). I can listen at a decent level without annoying my co-workers.

 

[Rhamnetin]

ZMF Classic is great for the price but far from the Blackwood and Ori I'm afraid. The Blackwood and Ori brinf massive improvement in every area as well as a less laid back tonality.

 

[Zenvota]

Audeze EL-8 Closed/titaniums are definitely interesting, but also a bit out of my budget. Is there something you would consider a cheaper but similar alternative? Or should I try to find one used?

Refurbs with a warranty are $340 usd:
https://www.audeze.com/products/el-8-collection/el-8-closed-back
Lots of used on the market:
https://www.hifishark.com/model/audeze-el-8

Will definitely check out Blotted Science and Spastic Ink!

Since you said Meshuggah, you might wanna try some deathy bands like Beyond Creation, Anata - The Conductors Departure, Anabyss - Dehabilitation, etc. xD

 

[ProtegeManiac]

I wasn't even aware Focal has affordable options. I will check if there's some place I can try these out.

The Listen is kind of like the heapdhone equivalent of the Integration (and the older Access) and Chorus 600 series.

 

[Mhog55]

ThinkSound ON2 should be on the list there. Great sound quality, very natural sound and good insulation (both in and out). I can listen at a decent level without annoying my co-workers.

He wants over ear, but yeah, these are great cans. Wouldn't be my 1st choice for metal though. I think the Beoplay H6 fits the bill a little better if he is looking for stylish cans with all day comfort.