xRaptorxPunisher
100+ Head-Fier
Bass roll off is a dynamic driver trait, especially open. Even closed back will have a roll off but retain rumble due to obviously being closed.The Beyerdynamic DT 770 and 990 can both be had for under $150 street right now. What would you suggest as an alternative in the same price range with comparable build and sound quality, and good bass, that's more neutral in the treble, xRaptorxPunisher?
The open-backed Senn HD 600 & 650 you mentioned above are too rolled-off in the bass for my taste, and that can't really be altered much with an EQ. I've tried it on other Senns, like the 518, and they just end up sounding more boomy and distorted in the upper bass and mids. The only way I know to extend an open-back HP is to close the openings... which sort of defeats the whole purpose of getting an open-back headphone.Plus they are generally above my price range new (which I prefer). As are the Audezes you mentioned.
kman1211 has offered one possible alternative, the Beyer DT-150. But I would certainly like to hear some others... if there are any. Something other than the usual AudioTechnica M50X, if possible. I've been lookin for a long time, and so far have come up mostly empty on this question, which is why I've resorted to looking for headphones that I can EQ.
Maybe I should be looking at some of the Monoprice/Monolith HPs? They make some very affordable planar headphones. And even an inexpensive electrostat. And their prices are a little more in line with what I can afford. I wish they had a simple closed-back headphone with a 50mm dynamic driver. But it looks like they only used those in their open-backed HPs. (The closed HR-5C has a 42mm driver, which is respectable. But I like the thump you get with a little larger driver.) No idea if the sound or build quality is any good on any of the above. But that may not matter as much with their lower prices.
Are there any Monoprice/Monolith fans here who are willing to go out on a limb and defend this brand, and offer any helpful recommendations on them?
Closed back if you like a more evenly spread FR the K371 or K361 are decent. A better headphone in terms of timbre is the Creative Auravana live but the old versions, newer ones are too lean, bright with a nerfed bass, sucked the fun right out. You could try the mass drop version with the purple heart wood, they're called EMU purple heart, beautiful timbre, nice wooden character, lush decay, bassy.
M50x sounds like crap in my opinion, don't know why it's even recommended. Would rather an M100 or a used D600. It's hard because there's a lot of bad sounding closed backs and the ones that really perform well are high priced I.e D7200, Eikon.
Open back has so many options. The current HD600 are far from dark infact they're quite bright, I don't like them as the 3k peak and treble are irritating but the overall resolution is good. The HD650 has a 5k peak, treble is smooth, still wouldn't call it dark like say an Audeze due to the upper mid energy, treble is relaxed, depends on your criteria. If you have a good amp, the K612 Pro is a good headphone. Good clean bass, mids good up until about 2k where it peaks then a few rises in the treble. Overall a fairly even response, add some tissue to tame the peaks if needed as the FR doesn't change. That's my recommendation unless you wanna spend more for something like a Focal Clear, 2C or Aeolus.
K612 is really good for the price, it's a headphone that can feel a gap before going up to the big boys but competes with any headphone regardless of price.
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