David Howland
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2016
- Posts
- 16
- Likes
- 10
Hello,
I'm hoping you guys will help me out. I'm new here but I'm looking at breaking out of the intro audiophile market and getting closer to the high end market. So far I've stuck around the $150-$200 range. I didn't see a sticky with instructions so I made my own list.
Budget: <$350 (Preferably closer to $300)
Source: PC with Original Schiit Modi/ Magni, possibly mobile LG G4 Occasionally. Listening to 16-bit FLAC from CDs.
Isolation: Minimal to none
Portability/ Privacy: Not Important, would be mostly for home use
Type: Open
Music:
I have a Schiit Stack and would like to grow out of that with this new headphone. Currently, I have Sennheiser HD555s, Sennheiser HD380s, and Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pros. My HD555s are very worn out, but after having experience with Closed Headphones for so long I cleaned up the old trusty 555s and I was immediately floored by the soundstage and positional audio in games I'd been missing out on in the years they were ratty and collecting dust in my drawer. I love the closed sound of my DT-770s because they isolate most of the noise while still having a nice detailed sound. Honestly, I kinda hate my HD380s at this point because they are not the most comfortable and don't really provide a lot of punch. They sound very close to the head and can sometimes give me a headache.
Currently, I'm looking at the Fidelio X2, the HD600 and 650 and the HiFiman HE-400S and HE-400I (used ~$300). What I'm looking for is neutral sound (maybe a bit biased toward mids/ highs) and wide soundstage. Although I like a lot of Bassy music, I don't listen at high volume and I HATE when the vocals and highs get distorted so I can't hear them. I really like the comfort Sennheiser offers but I am really disappointed in their build quality. The logo is wearing off on the headband of my 555s and the pad underneath the band is falling off. The hinges on each earcup have cracked and they just look hideous.I'm hoping that has changed in the 600s and 650. I heard the build quality on the X2s was superb but it has a very deep sound signature. HiFiman HE-400s build quality is cheap, while the 400I is very good but is too expensive for me to justify new. I hope this helps you help me. Thanks! I'm really grateful for any help I get as I've been getting nowhere in my own head the past few days!
Edit
Sorry for the quick Edit. Not sure if this might change any recommendation, but the upgrade to my setup will be an Amp/ DAC setup in about two years will be around $400-$500 (probably the Magni/ Modi 2 or Jotenheim), followed next in a year or two will be a $500-$750 Headphone. That seems to be my 'upgrade pattern' so to speak.
I'm hoping you guys will help me out. I'm new here but I'm looking at breaking out of the intro audiophile market and getting closer to the high end market. So far I've stuck around the $150-$200 range. I didn't see a sticky with instructions so I made my own list.
Budget: <$350 (Preferably closer to $300)
Source: PC with Original Schiit Modi/ Magni, possibly mobile LG G4 Occasionally. Listening to 16-bit FLAC from CDs.
Isolation: Minimal to none
Portability/ Privacy: Not Important, would be mostly for home use
Type: Open
Music:
- Classic Rock (Pink Floyd, Rush, The Doors, David Bowie, The Police)
- Progressive Rock (Muse, QotSA, Tool, Dream Theater, Woodkid)
- Electronic (Daft Punk, DeadMau5, Skream!, Benga, Amon Tobin)
- Blues (Arctic Monkeys, The Black Keys)
- Classical
I have a Schiit Stack and would like to grow out of that with this new headphone. Currently, I have Sennheiser HD555s, Sennheiser HD380s, and Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pros. My HD555s are very worn out, but after having experience with Closed Headphones for so long I cleaned up the old trusty 555s and I was immediately floored by the soundstage and positional audio in games I'd been missing out on in the years they were ratty and collecting dust in my drawer. I love the closed sound of my DT-770s because they isolate most of the noise while still having a nice detailed sound. Honestly, I kinda hate my HD380s at this point because they are not the most comfortable and don't really provide a lot of punch. They sound very close to the head and can sometimes give me a headache.
Currently, I'm looking at the Fidelio X2, the HD600 and 650 and the HiFiman HE-400S and HE-400I (used ~$300). What I'm looking for is neutral sound (maybe a bit biased toward mids/ highs) and wide soundstage. Although I like a lot of Bassy music, I don't listen at high volume and I HATE when the vocals and highs get distorted so I can't hear them. I really like the comfort Sennheiser offers but I am really disappointed in their build quality. The logo is wearing off on the headband of my 555s and the pad underneath the band is falling off. The hinges on each earcup have cracked and they just look hideous.I'm hoping that has changed in the 600s and 650. I heard the build quality on the X2s was superb but it has a very deep sound signature. HiFiman HE-400s build quality is cheap, while the 400I is very good but is too expensive for me to justify new. I hope this helps you help me. Thanks! I'm really grateful for any help I get as I've been getting nowhere in my own head the past few days!
Edit
Sorry for the quick Edit. Not sure if this might change any recommendation, but the upgrade to my setup will be an Amp/ DAC setup in about two years will be around $400-$500 (probably the Magni/ Modi 2 or Jotenheim), followed next in a year or two will be a $500-$750 Headphone. That seems to be my 'upgrade pattern' so to speak.