Looking to finally pick a headphone that is good for hip-hop as well as classical

[Reformist2002]

Hello everyone!

I'm looking for help with picking out a headphone that will be my endgame for a few years at least. I listen to both hip-hop and classical music, which makes picking one very difficult.

I've narrowed it down to a few contenders:

- Meze 99 classics
- AKG K712 PRO
- Hifiman Sundara (or edition XS, if it's worth spending quite a bit more)
- ATH-R70X

Which one would you pick and why? I would also be happy to receive recommendations in the price range.

 

[PurpleAngel]

I would go for the Edition XS ($270),
Sundara for second choice.
I'm currently using the Sundara/Drop HE5XX and like them

 

[earmonger]

I haven't heard the others in your list. But I love the ATH-R70X. Acoustic instruments sound realistic; fat hip-hop bass doesn't slosh over into higher frequencies. (And if you want to pump up the bass with EQ, the ATH-R70X claim to go down to 5 Hz.) The fact that they are so light and comfortable is a real plus. Protect ya neck!

I think your best strategy is to check return policies, order two -- maybe a HifiMan Edition XS and the ATH-R70X --- and return one. Looking at graphs, the Meze are going to be bassy -- not great for classical -- and the AKG are going to be bass-light, not great for hip-hop.

Do you have an amp? You'll need one or at least a powerful dongle.

 

[dunring]

I just got the ATH-R70X Refined (new version) and they're worth it, as long as don't buy XL sized hats since they're for small to medium heads only. They sound outstanding, but take a lot of power to do it. There's only 1,000 being made, but they're taking preorders for the next batch currently.
I just had the K712 Pro and also a K701 (standard, not the Quincy Jones edition which I don't think sound better) and with Autoeq profile the K701 was so much better it's not funny. I have two more of them coming in and not buying the K712 again (it's really that much nicer sounding).
I use the Hifiman Deva Pro Wired and got them for $119 from Hifiman. If you load the autoeq profile for these they track the Harman curve perfectly. The new stealth magnet drivers are more competent than the HE5xx (which I like also because they're tuned so well, I don't think they need EQ).

 

[earmonger]

I just got the ATH-R70X Refined (new version) and they're worth it, as long as don't buy XL sized hats since they're for small to medium heads only. They sound outstanding, but take a lot of power to do it. There's only 1,000 being made, but they're taking preorders for the next batch currently.

From what Apos has said, the ATH-R70X Refined are the same drivers, only with thicker pads, a shorter cable (6 feet instead of 9) and gold mesh backing the cups instead of black -- cosmetic changes except for the pads. @dunring, have you heard the originals to see how much difference the new pads make? The ad copy says warmer, but if that means muted highs and transients, it's not for me.

 

[Reformist2002]

From what Apos has said, the ATH-R70X Refined are the same drivers, only with thicker pads, a shorter cable (6 feet instead of 9) and gold mesh backing the cups instead of black -- cosmetic changes except for the pads. @dunring, have you heard the originals to see how much difference the new pads make? The ad copy says warmer, but if that means muted highs and transients, it's not for me.

So if I just want to plug it into my laptop they will not function properly? I have no amp, but I don't use a smartphone, just a DAP when I'm on the road (Xduoo X2S). One thing that scared me about the ATH R70X when you initially recommended them to me was the fact they are 470 ohm impedance. Though I could just order a DAC/AMP for cheap off of linsoul during the 11.11 sale...

One more question regarding the R70X - if I plan to use them in an office setting, would they leak sound to the point where it could bother my colleagues?

 

[earmonger]

Open backs leak, yes. Unfortunately the AKG and HiFiMans are also open backs. You should rule out all of them for office use, sorry to say.

The ATH-R70X are for studio use, and a phone -- or my Samsung, at least -- isn't enough to drive them. Post-2021 Apple computers do automatically sense high-impedance headphones, a nice little feature they tucked in without much fanfare; other computers probably don't.

There are affordable dongles under $100 but you would want to do some research get one with a strong amp in it. For instance, the Apple dongle doesn't put out enough power.

I got a $50 VE Megatron some time ago, which is relatively large but also powerful
https://www.veclan.com/engappliance_sel_one?eng_ApplianceVo.eac_id=63

But there are lots of dongles out there.

AKG does make closed backs that get good reviews, and my current closed back -- Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X -- is a good all-rounder that's easy to power. Going by reviews, HiFiMan's closed-back Sundara does not have the original Sundara's virtues. There has also been some Head-fi love lately for the Thieaudio Ghost, though I haven't heard them.

 

[Reformist2002]

Open backs leak, yes. Unfortunately the AKG and HiFiMans are also open backs. You should rule out all of them for office use, sorry to say.

The ATH-R70X are for studio use, and a phone -- or my Samsung, at least -- isn't enough to drive them. Post-2021 Apple computers do automatically sense high-impedance headphones, a nice little feature they tucked in without much fanfare; other computers probably don't.

There are affordable dongles under $100 but you would want to do some research get one with a strong amp in it. For instance, the Apple dongle doesn't put out enough power.

I got a $50 VE Megatron some time ago, which is relatively large but also powerful
https://www.veclan.com/engappliance_sel_one?eng_ApplianceVo.eac_id=63

But there are lots of dongles out there.

AKG does make closed backs that get good reviews, and my current closed back -- Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X -- is a good all-rounder that's easy to power. Going by reviews, HiFiMan's closed-back Sundara does not have the original Sundara's virtues. There has also been some Head-fi love lately for the Thieaudio Ghost, though I haven't heard them.

How have you found the DT 700 Pro X? Unfortunately it would be used in the office for around 6 hours a day so I need durable and closed back. I thought I could get away with open back since it's a big office with a ton of background noise, but I still don't want my colleagues listening in...

 

[CheekerBreeker]

How have you found the DT 700 Pro X? Unfortunately it would be used in the office for around 6 hours a day so I need durable and closed back. I thought I could get away with open back since it's a big office with a ton of background noise, but I still don't want my colleagues listening in...

There are different gradations of open. Something like a open hifiman is OPEN, every sound you hear inside you hear outside almost as loud. But a dt 990/900/1990 is already way better in that regard. But still id say go for a closed dt 700 pro x or dt 770 pro x. Theyre build well and are comfortable AF

 

[earmonger]

I'm pretty happy with the DT 700 Pro X. It will give hip-hop a good thump and the midrange sounds natural for acoustic instruments.
Graphs say the Dt 700 Pro X is smoother, less V-shaped, than the new DT770 Pro X Ltd.

https://sai.squig.link/?share=DT700_proX,DT770_proX_Limited_Edition

It's definitely durable and Beyerdynamic makes a point of having every part (cable, pads, driver, housings) easily replaceable.

But I haven't heard a lot of closed-backs so there may be other good choices. For instance the Thieaudio Ghost looks very similar to my beloved ATH-R70X on a graph.

https://auricularesargentina.squig.link/?share=ath_r70x,ghost

 

[tbogost]

My DT 1990 Pro is pretty versatile. The bright treble and decent soundstage makes it good for classical, but you can EQ the bass very easily for hip hop too