Hello everyone,
Andre here, from Indonesia. Been a long time reader of this forum for insight re. bass headphones/IEMs.
I consider myself a balanced basshead-audiophile, ie. I want as much accurate slam as possible but still separate from the detailed mids & highs; vocal & instruments play as it's intended to be, and without sibilants/screeches in the highs (which are painful to me).
I want a suggestion to replace my original V-Moda Crossfade Wireless that has been a 5-year company when commuting because their battery is failing.
First, I generally listen to liquid/melodic DnB (love Wilkinson and Pendulum), trap, reggae, female vocals (love Hindi Zahra, Alina Baraz, Marian Hill, and Oh Wonder), blues, and some rock.
My history of using ear/headphones since I understood the word 'audiophile' & 'basshead' is below:
I need a new headphones that really punch (can bring shivers is very welcome), but are still detailed throughout FR and clear throughout different basslines or instruments.
Is there a different pair of closed back headphones that is better than the Crossfade Wireless for me, considering all the data above? I want them to be my last in this search for the best bass headphones. Need to EQ is fine by me, but I'd rather not have to use an amp (or should I?)
In addition, I don't think I will ever gonna buy ZMFs, Fostex TH-x00 series, or the Denon x200 series, as they're very pricey and I am sure there will be diminishing returns along with higher price range. I do think portability also needs to be considered, so no Sony XB1000 or JVC HA-SZx000 series either...? (I listen to speakers at home.) I could be swayed onto buying IEMs/those 'truly wireless' earphones, if there's a pair that really worth it. Being wireless and having ANCs are also welcome.
Throughout the years, I could see that the recommended ones on the threads I read (other than the aforementioned ZMF, Fostex, Denon, Sony, and JVC) are: Audio-Technica ATH-M700Pro Mk2, E-MU Teak, Campfire Cascade, Ultrasone 900 Pro, Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro, and V-Modas (LP and M-100 variants) themselves; but don't let this limit your recommendations. (eg. is Yamaha HPH-Pro500 any good?)
Thanks!
Andre here, from Indonesia. Been a long time reader of this forum for insight re. bass headphones/IEMs.
I consider myself a balanced basshead-audiophile, ie. I want as much accurate slam as possible but still separate from the detailed mids & highs; vocal & instruments play as it's intended to be, and without sibilants/screeches in the highs (which are painful to me).
I want a suggestion to replace my original V-Moda Crossfade Wireless that has been a 5-year company when commuting because their battery is failing.
First, I generally listen to liquid/melodic DnB (love Wilkinson and Pendulum), trap, reggae, female vocals (love Hindi Zahra, Alina Baraz, Marian Hill, and Oh Wonder), blues, and some rock.
My history of using ear/headphones since I understood the word 'audiophile' & 'basshead' is below:
- KOSS PortaPro: too neutral/balanced for me, and sound was 'everywhere'.
- Soundmagic PL (or E)-10: great IEMs. Punched way above its weight (ie. price). Tight/fast, sufficiently detailed bass, without sacrificing the mids/highs too much.
- Soundmagic PL (or E)-30: too neutral/balanced for me. Warm, nice, detailed, but lacked the bass I need.
- Original Sennheiser Momentum: too neutral/balanced for me. Build quality was nice, though.
- Sony XB450: disappointing. Bass (especially when the extrabass switch is on) sounded artificial and boomy and bled to mids. Details, mids, and highs lost a lot.
- A pair of blue SOL Republic IEMs with flat cables (forgot the name and I just realise that SOL Republic's website is already defunct): tight/fast, sufficiently detailed bass, without sacrificing the mids/highs too much. More expensive than Soundmagic PL/E-10; I'd take E-10 anytime if price were an issue.
- V-Moda Crossfade Wireless: tight/fast, detailed across FR. Build quality is decent (plasticky in places; sometimes you hear creaking when handling them). Original earcups were painful to my ears. Needed XL ones. The price range is sweet IIRC. I love these, but maybe I'm a little biased because they've been with me the longest compared to the others listed.
I need a new headphones that really punch (can bring shivers is very welcome), but are still detailed throughout FR and clear throughout different basslines or instruments.
Is there a different pair of closed back headphones that is better than the Crossfade Wireless for me, considering all the data above? I want them to be my last in this search for the best bass headphones. Need to EQ is fine by me, but I'd rather not have to use an amp (or should I?)
In addition, I don't think I will ever gonna buy ZMFs, Fostex TH-x00 series, or the Denon x200 series, as they're very pricey and I am sure there will be diminishing returns along with higher price range. I do think portability also needs to be considered, so no Sony XB1000 or JVC HA-SZx000 series either...? (I listen to speakers at home.) I could be swayed onto buying IEMs/those 'truly wireless' earphones, if there's a pair that really worth it. Being wireless and having ANCs are also welcome.
Throughout the years, I could see that the recommended ones on the threads I read (other than the aforementioned ZMF, Fostex, Denon, Sony, and JVC) are: Audio-Technica ATH-M700Pro Mk2, E-MU Teak, Campfire Cascade, Ultrasone 900 Pro, Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro, and V-Modas (LP and M-100 variants) themselves; but don't let this limit your recommendations. (eg. is Yamaha HPH-Pro500 any good?)
Thanks!
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