Nintendork
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2015
- Posts
- 21
- Likes
- 10
Hey all,
I'm interested in upgrading my setup in the near future, and since this time I'm looking to drop some serious cash, I don't just want generally good, I want great, and the kind of sound that works for me. To start, I'm coming from closed back, portable Audio Technica ESW9s as my main headphones, with Shure SE215s as my daily driver IEMs. I don't plan on replacing these, but instead fill a space that has nothing at the moment: My desk. By this, I mean I want an at home listening set of headphones, so open-back is a go with no requirements for isolation, just serious listening. That being said, I listen to many types of music, from classic rock to current indie to classical, but some of my more eclectic tastes include J-Pop and horn performance (pretty much think of it as classical).
What I've been missing in my current headphones is a certain sense of impact, especially in the highs. The ATs have a nice warm sound but sometimes feel thin, and I feel myself straining to pick up a sort of sparkle that is missing in the treble. My Shures are amazingly fun to listen to out and about, but feel thin when I listen to them more critically. I think switching to open back will help my out a lot with these issues, but I definitely don't want a new headphone that neglects treble or has little impact.
Some of the headphones I'm curious about are the Sennheiser HD 700s (maybe the 800s used but with amp/dac, I'm going over my budget), Audeze EL-8 Open Backs, and even the Sennheiser HD 600s as a lower price point. That being said, there are so many smaller, respected brands that put out good offerings, so I definitely need some recommendations.
I am definitely seriously considering the HD 700s and EL-8. I was considering the Audioquest Nighthawk but it seems it will be too colored for my taste - my Audio Technicas already have a warm signature and I don't think I need more mid and bass. I also was considering Kindsound Electrostatic headphones but they seem pretty new, and I think I'd rather buy a really good dynamic or planar headphone than a cheaper electrostatic. The 700s interest me because of Sennheiser reputation for neutral signature and treble. The El-8s to me are gorgeous and have some of the same things going for it. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Last but not least, I'll need an amp/DAC combo, but I know a Magni/Modi combo is a popular choice. That being said, if you have a particular set of headphones in mind as well as an amp/DAC to pair with, I'd love to know.
Thanks for everything!
I'm interested in upgrading my setup in the near future, and since this time I'm looking to drop some serious cash, I don't just want generally good, I want great, and the kind of sound that works for me. To start, I'm coming from closed back, portable Audio Technica ESW9s as my main headphones, with Shure SE215s as my daily driver IEMs. I don't plan on replacing these, but instead fill a space that has nothing at the moment: My desk. By this, I mean I want an at home listening set of headphones, so open-back is a go with no requirements for isolation, just serious listening. That being said, I listen to many types of music, from classic rock to current indie to classical, but some of my more eclectic tastes include J-Pop and horn performance (pretty much think of it as classical).
What I've been missing in my current headphones is a certain sense of impact, especially in the highs. The ATs have a nice warm sound but sometimes feel thin, and I feel myself straining to pick up a sort of sparkle that is missing in the treble. My Shures are amazingly fun to listen to out and about, but feel thin when I listen to them more critically. I think switching to open back will help my out a lot with these issues, but I definitely don't want a new headphone that neglects treble or has little impact.
Some of the headphones I'm curious about are the Sennheiser HD 700s (maybe the 800s used but with amp/dac, I'm going over my budget), Audeze EL-8 Open Backs, and even the Sennheiser HD 600s as a lower price point. That being said, there are so many smaller, respected brands that put out good offerings, so I definitely need some recommendations.
I am definitely seriously considering the HD 700s and EL-8. I was considering the Audioquest Nighthawk but it seems it will be too colored for my taste - my Audio Technicas already have a warm signature and I don't think I need more mid and bass. I also was considering Kindsound Electrostatic headphones but they seem pretty new, and I think I'd rather buy a really good dynamic or planar headphone than a cheaper electrostatic. The 700s interest me because of Sennheiser reputation for neutral signature and treble. The El-8s to me are gorgeous and have some of the same things going for it. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Last but not least, I'll need an amp/DAC combo, but I know a Magni/Modi combo is a popular choice. That being said, if you have a particular set of headphones in mind as well as an amp/DAC to pair with, I'd love to know.
Thanks for everything!
