[DoomForce]

Hi folks,

I am looking for a headphone to match doom, death, black, heavy, and a bit of progressive metal music, with a budget of up to 600 Euros (700 USD). Does an open can make sense here? I like to have decent bass for depth. As an example, I have a pair of Ultrasone Edition 8's which have always sounded a bit too "thin and clear" for my taste.

So far on my list I have:
Hifiman Sundara
Audeze LCD-2C used
Audeze LCD-X?
Philips Fidelio 2HR (I know, very cheap but surprising VFM?)

Looking forward to your recommendations!

 

[megabigeye]

I don't listen to metal, but some people in the DT 1990 thread said they really like that headphone for metal. I agree that it does well with aggressive music. Fits into your budget.

 

[vonBaron]

Focal Elear/Elex \m/

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Hi folks,

I am looking for a headphone to match doom, death, black, heavy, and a bit of progressive metal music, with a budget of up to 600 Euros (700 USD). Does an open can make sense here? I like to have decent bass for depth. As an example, I have a pair of Ultrasone Edition 8's which have always sounded a bit too "thin and clear" for my taste.

So far on my list I have:
Hifiman Sundara
Audeze LCD-2 used

Looking forward to your recommendations!

My vote goes to the LCD-2 since I use the HD600 with some EQ tweaks that bridge thegap between it and the HD650.

 

[ScornDefeat]

Definitely second the recommendation of Focal Elear

 

[DoomForce]

The DT 1990 PRO seems interesting, however the 250 Ohms impedance sounds like it will be harder to drive.

I'm not sure if the guy in the marketing picture is driving them fine straight from the Macbook...

 

[buke9]

HE-500 .

 

[Mightygrey]

The Grado Hemp, or PS500e are worth auditioning.

 

[megabigeye]

The DT 1990 PRO seems interesting, however the 250 Ohms impedance sounds like it will be harder to drive.

I'm not sure if the guy in the marketing picture is driving them fine straight from the Macbook...

I actually sometimes use them straight out of a 2014 MacBook Air, and it sounds quite good. Despite their high-ish impedance, they're not hard to drive.

Impedance tells you how much power an amplifier can produce, but it's the sensitivity that tells you how loud a headphone can get. The DT 1990 will play at 102dB (which is LOUD!) with only 1mW, and it'll reach 120dB (DEAFENING!) with only 64mW! Lower volume obviously requires even less power. If you want to listen at 85dB, it requires only 0.02mW!!