Need reccomendation for open back headphone under $500

[sev7n14]

Hello head-fiers, I need some reccomendations for choosing an open back headphone for under 500$. I'm considering Hifiman Edition XS, Ananda (used) and DT 1990 Pro. Unfortunately, I don't live near any audio store to test out headphones in that range.

From what I read, some say that XS is similar to Ananda but others say they are different. They also say both offer better sound quality than the DT 1990 Pro but Hifiman headphones don't last long compared to Beyer and Senn. What are your thought? I'd like to get a durable headphone that can last long (probably more than 5 years in case I don't plan to upgrade) and gives high quality sound. I have DT 880 600 Ohm and HD600 right now and I'm not really impressed by both but I do prefer HD600 just a little bit more. I am not troubled by bright signature from Beyer too.

Edit: Decided to give Hifiman Ananda Stealth Magnet a try since I found a great deal on it. Thanks everyone.

 

[JamarlMcPooby]

I think the HD 540 600 ohm can be quite a nice headphone with the correct setup. I'd definitely pick it over an HD 6xx, HD 579, HD 560s which is all the Sennheisers I've heard I believe (sadly not heard an HD 600 before). Not an everyday find on the used market but certainly under $500. They can be a bit bright which can be mostly fixed with different pads (and I'm pretty treble sensitive myself). I would check that out as another option.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

If you can get a pair of HE-400i 2020, they're cheap and a nice compliment to your HD 600s, since they have a different sound signature. But you didn't say what kind of music you listen to. For me, the perfect compliment for HD 600s is Audeze LCD-2C (classic) but they cost more than you wanted to spend.

 

[sev7n14]

I think the HD 540 600 ohm can be quite a nice headphone with the correct setup. I'd definitely pick it over an HD 6xx, HD 579, HD 560s which is all the Sennheisers I've heard I believe (sadly not heard an HD 600 before). Not an everyday find on the used market but certainly under $500. They can be a bit bright which can be mostly fixed with different pads (and I'm pretty treble sensitive myself). I would check that out as another option.

Thanks. I'm looking at the reviews right now.

 

[sev7n14]

If you can get a pair of HE-400i 2020, they're cheap and a nice compliment to your HD 600s, since they have a different sound signature. But you didn't say what kind of music you listen to. For me, the perfect compliment for HD 600s is Audeze LCD-2C (classic) but they cost more than you wanted to spend.

Thanks. I could find a used LCD-2C for around $450-$500. I plan to sell both my headphones after I buy a new one.

 

[earmonger]

Not to complicate your poll, but if you're looking for something similar to your Sennheisers but, well, better, you should also look at the Audio-Technica ATH-R70X. They are ultra-light, ultra-comfortable, extremely transparent and natural-sounding. The weird looking wing things actually balance them to suspend them over your head; I think they're antigravity. Sometimes you completely forget they're on your head and you look around to hear a sound that was on your recording.

Here's the best US price (though you also have to pay for shipping); generally they're fixed at $350.
https://www.thomannmusic.com/audio_technica_ath_r70_x.htm
Good return policy too on the infinitesimal chance you won't like them.

This review, which matches my experience with them, says directly that Audio-Technica was trying to improve on the Sennheiser HD600 and HD650.
https://www.theverge.com/2018/7/6/17535412/audio-technica-r70x-review-professional-headphones

I love 'em. They've been around a long time and there's a lot of Head-Fi discussion about them. Including some oddities like claims they have a small soundstage (just not true) and that the earcups are small (2 inches interior space, 3-1/2 inches diameter, minimal clamping force).

They have quirks. The cord is 9 feet long and has nonstandard connectors; you can buy a shorter one (though a bit pricy) or just cable-tie it to your preferred length. Left and right markings are hidden inside -- no big deal, I put a sticker on the outside of the right headphone. And they are 470 ohm, which means they will benefit from an amp (though you already have some high-impedance phones so maybe you have an amp).

I run them from a $50 VE Megatron DAC/Amp, and they sound great.

 

[DenverW]

What are you running the headphones from? Dac and amp?

I have an hd600 and it’s VERY impressive. I’ve also been underwhelmed in the past with it depending on the source.

 

[sev7n14]

What are you running the headphones from? Dac and amp?

I have an hd600 and it’s VERY impressive. I’ve also been underwhelmed in the past with it depending on the source.

JDS Atom stack (not the "+" version). I listen to tracks from Tidal Master. The HD600 is good but not enough to my liking.

 

[sev7n14]

Not to complicate your poll, but if you're looking for something similar to your Sennheisers but, well, better, you should also look at the Audio-Technica ATH-R70X. They are ultra-light, ultra-comfortable, extremely transparent and natural-sounding. The weird looking wing things actually balance them to suspend them over your head; I think they're antigravity. Sometimes you completely forget they're on your head and you look around to hear a sound that was on your recording.

Here's the best US price (though you also have to pay for shipping); generally they're fixed at $350.
https://www.thomannmusic.com/audio_technica_ath_r70_x.htm
Good return policy too on the infinitesimal chance you won't like them.

This review, which matches my experience with them, says directly that Audio-Technica was trying to improve on the Sennheiser HD600 and HD650.
https://www.theverge.com/2018/7/6/17535412/audio-technica-r70x-review-professional-headphones

I love 'em. They've been around a long time and there's a lot of Head-Fi discussion about them. Including some oddities like claims they have a small soundstage (just not true) and that the earcups are small (2 inches interior space, 3-1/2 inches diameter, minimal clamping force).

They have quirks. The cord is 9 feet long and has nonstandard connectors; you can buy a shorter one (though a bit pricy) or just cable-tie it to your preferred length. Left and right markings are hidden inside -- no big deal, I put a sticker on the outside of the right headphone. And they are 470 ohm, which means they will benefit from an amp (though you already have some high-impedance phones so maybe you have an amp).

I run them from a $50 VE Megatron DAC/Amp, and they sound great.

Thanks. I will look up on the reviews. I also plan to get a closed back headphone DT 1770 Pro since there's a good deal on a used one.

 

[DenverW]

JDS Atom stack (not the "+" version). I listen to tracks from Tidal Master. The HD600 is good but not enough to my liking.

I get you! I think a good question is how much gain you’ll get from a different headphone with your current stack vs a different amp such as a Bottlehead crack or other otl amp that pairs excellently with your current headphones. Synergy is an important part of getting great sound, and you already have two good headphones.

An XS is a good sounding headphone, but if I had to pick, I’d go with the hd600 you already have scaled up with a different amp over the XS with your current stack.

 

[sev7n14]

Decided to give Hifiman Ananda Stealth Magnet a try since I found a great deal on it. Thanks everyone.