Mid tier headphones with Urbanite tier bass response?

[AudioThief]

Hello. I am looking to upgrade my Sennheiser Urbanites to an over ear design and just a different price class and hopefully much better sound. I think the urbanites are a marvelous pair of headphones, and the bass response seriously impressed me. It doesn't get in the way of my "normal" music, and kicks in huge on the tracks they're supposed to. My big fear with upgrading is getting a pair of open back headphones and it being useless for my trap/uk dubstep etc music. 
 
I've been looking at:
 
- Hifiman 400i
- Fostex TH610
- Fidelio X2
 
What other recommendations? I just want some headphones that can compete with the urbanites bass, but does mids and highs better, soundstage would be awesome too but if thats impossible considering my bass requirements, so be it. 

 

[serman005]

  Hello. I am looking to upgrade my Sennheiser Urbanites to an over ear design and just a different price class and hopefully much better sound. I think the urbanites are a marvelous pair of headphones, and the bass response seriously impressed me. It doesn't get in the way of my "normal" music, and kicks in huge on the tracks they're supposed to. My big fear with upgrading is getting a pair of open back headphones and it being useless for my trap/uk dubstep etc music. 
 
I've been looking at:
 
- Hifiman 400i
- Fostex TH610
- Fidelio X2
 
What other recommendations? I just want some headphones that can compete with the urbanites bass, but does mids and highs better, soundstage would be awesome too but if thats impossible considering my bass requirements, so be it. 

The X2 has both a wide, spacious soundstage and vigorous bass. Now, that said, some people have complained that the X2 bass is a wee bit muddy. The only way to know if you agree with that is to listen to one. If you can order from amazon, you can return anything you don't like. Maybe order the 400i and the X2, then send the one you don't want back. Not sure if the 400i will have enough bass for you. Again, you'd have to listen to one. It is a good headphone, though.

 

[AudioThief]

Thanks for your reply! I have the option of testing an X2 at a local shop, but would have to order the 400i's. 

 

[serman005]

  Thanks for your reply! I have the option of testing an X2 at a local shop, but would have to order the 400i's. 

That simplifies things for you. Go listen to the X2 and see if you want them or not. If you don't then you could order the 400i.

 

[AudioThief]

Do you reckon they are similar headphones? Any special shapes to them? I'll try to get a test on the X2s tomorrow, and hopefully try to test some other headphones like the PM3s and HD 600s for comparison purposes.

 

[serman005]

  Do you reckon they are similar headphones? Any special shapes to them? I'll try to get a test on the X2s tomorrow, and hopefully try to test some other headphones like the PM3s and HD 600s for comparison purposes.

No, they are not very similar. The HE400i is much more neutral and balanced than the X2, which is bass-emphasized and has a bigger stage.The PM-3 and HD600 are both good--the 600 is open, obviously. It is really, really  good.

 

[AudioThief]

Thanks.
 
I'm wondering, the X2s and a headphone like the Sony MDR-1A being a lot cheaper than for instance the Hifimans HE-400s or Fostex', how big really are the differences? Considering I am somewhat of a basshead at times, and I enjoy the bass in my Urbanites, how would you compare the Urbanites vs the MDR-1A for instance? And would you recommend having two seperate headphones i.e one neutral headphone, perhaps a bit n-shaped, and another more U-shaped headphone for my inner basshead? 

 

[serman005]

  Thanks.
 
I'm wondering, the X2s and a headphone like the Sony MDR-1A being a lot cheaper than for instance the Hifimans HE-400s or Fostex', how big really are the differences? Considering I am somewhat of a basshead at times, and I enjoy the bass in my Urbanites, how would you compare the Urbanites vs the MDR-1A for instance? And would you recommend having two seperate headphones i.e one neutral headphone, perhaps a bit n-shaped, and another more U-shaped headphone for my inner basshead? 

Well, if they are well-chosen, it is probably better to have two than one--if you can pull it off. You can cover more bases that way. That is, in fact, why a number of us have so many headphones. They are all for a distinct purpose, generally speaking. So, you might consider that.
 
A headphone like the HD600, for example, is really in a different zip code from the MDR-1A--which is a good headphone, but it can't really compete with the 600--in my opinion. Ditto the HE400i. Just my opinion. Not dissing the sony, I just don't think it is as good as the HiFiMAN or the Senn.

 

[AudioThief]

Yeah, I assumed price ranges matter most of the time. My thinking is basically that I could cover my basshead fantasies with the Sony's IF they are good headphones and worth my money considering I already have the Urbanites, and then get a more high end, clearer headphone like the Senns or Hifimans given that oftentimes open back headphones will not be as bass-heavy as closed back, and that most high end headphones in general are more neutral / non bass-heady.

 

[serman005]

Everything you are saying makes sense to me, if you are comfortable with the MDR-1A, that is. Not sure about your total budget, but another good basshead can is the vmoda m100. You might check it out, too, and see what you think.

 

[buke9]

Thanks.

I'm wondering, the X2s and a headphone like the Sony MDR-1A being a lot cheaper than for instance the Hifimans HE-400s or Fostex', how big really are the differences? Considering I am somewhat of a basshead at times, and I enjoy the bass in my Urbanites, how would you compare the Urbanites vs the MDR-1A for instance? And would you recommend having two seperate headphones i.e one neutral headphone, perhaps a bit n-shaped, and another more U-shaped headphone for my inner basshead? 

There is nothing wrong with having more than one headphone as long as you can afford it. I have several and depending on my mood it makes me pick up one over another. If your looking for basshead phones cross the HiFiMan and HD 600's off that list they are both very good headphones but don't fill that bill to well. Have not heard the Fostex but the Massdrop TH-X00's are very good in the bass department. I myself like the HD-650's over the 600's but that is me and both need a decent amp to bring them to their fullest. A 650 and Bottlehead Crack is just crazy good as are the 600's and DT 880's they sound very good with the Crack. Another to consider not in the basshead vein is the Koss ESP-950 it is just awesome and when paired with a Stax amp is just plain more awesome. These are my opinions and YMMV.

 

[AudioThief]

  Everything you are saying makes sense to me, if you are comfortable with the MDR-1A, that is. Not sure about your total budget, but another good basshead can is the vmoda m100. You might check it out, too, and see what you think.

Thanks for the recommendation. Hopefully the shop I'm going to has the vmoda m100 as well so I can compare. The m100s price are 2.5x that of the Sony's, so might have to delay any future purchases if I go for them. Best case obviously is to try em both and decide if I feel the jump is worth it.
 

There is nothing wrong with having more than one headphone as long as you can afford it. I have several and depending on my mood it makes me pick up one over another. If your looking for basshead phones cross the HiFiMan and HD 600's off that list they are both very good headphones but don't fill that bill to well. Have not heard the Fostex but the Massdrop TH-X00's are very good in the bass department. I myself like the HD-650's over the 600's but that is me and both need a decent amp to bring them to their fullest. A 650 and Bottlehead Crack is just crazy good as are the 600's and DT 880's they sound very good with the Crack. Another to consider not in the basshead vein is the Koss ESP-950 it is just awesome and when paired with a Stax amp is just plain more awesome. These are my opinions and YMMV.

Hi, thanks. Yeah I'm kinda on the fence if I want to just get one headset that is "close enough" to fulfill my desires, or get one bass headset for my bass music (uk dubstep, hip hop, trap, future etc) and then another one for classical, rock, indie, pop what have you, basically everything else. 
 
My biggest issue right now is getting a real idea about what price range I want to jump into right now. A lot of people are saying the Sony's and Phillips Fidelio x2's in many ways can punch above their weight, and if I enjoy their sound I might get more out of purchasing one of each, or an MDR1-A + HD600 etc instead of going for one huge purchase. I figure I just need to get to testing lol

 

[buke9]

Thanks for the recommendation. Hopefully the shop I'm going to has the vmoda m100 as well so I can compare. The m100s price are 2.5x that of the Sony's, so might have to delay any future purchases if I go for them. Best case obviously is to try em both and decide if I feel the jump is worth it.

Hi, thanks. Yeah I'm kinda on the fence if I want to just get one headset that is "close enough" to fulfill my desires, or get one bass headset for my bass music (uk dubstep, hip hop, trap, future etc) and then another one for classical, rock, indie, pop what have you, basically everything else. 

My biggest issue right now is getting a real idea about what price range I want to jump into right now. A lot of people are saying the Sony's and Phillips Fidelio x2's in many ways can punch above their weight, and if I enjoy their sound I might get more out of purchasing one of each, or an MDR1-A + HD600 etc instead of going for one huge purchase. I figure I just need to get to testing lol

You have to go what your comfortable with as in budget wise and what you like. You can always buy others down the road when you have more funds. This hobby can get expensive for sure I know .

 

[AudioThief]

It definitely can LOL. I am looking to buy one pair of headphones now, and then another one in a couple of months. The 500-700$ is probably my end game until I am done with my education!

 

[serman005]

  It definitely can LOL. I am looking to buy one pair of headphones now, and then another one in a couple of months. The 500-700$ is probably my end game until I am done with my education!

Let us know how they work out, whatever you get.