[John Buchanan]

This has Sennheiser written all over it.

Seeing it is made by Sennheiser and based on a HD650 as a starting block, it's not surprising.

 

[FritzS]

Seeing it is made by Sennheiser and based on a HD650 as a starting block, it's not surprising.

Take a look for Austrian Audio Hi-X55 too.
https://austrian.audio/

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Seeing it is made by Sennheiser and based on a HD650 as a starting block, it's not surprising.

Yes, I'm aware it is made for Sennheiser in China.

Rather, my post was praise of Sennheiser for doing such a great job with tonality, once again.

 

[John Buchanan]

The Neumann design team may have had a bit to do with the final result as well.

 

[FullBright1]

This has Sennheiser written all over it.

The Neumann's posses a much better reference sound then you find with the recent Audeze LCD-1.

I normally dont agree with Z Review's ears, but in this case, he's correct.
They really are a Standard, regarding what they do.

 

[YuzuSorbe7]

Well I just picked up a pair of these, so joined the club. Been comparing them to my Austrian Audio Hi-X55.

 

[enomiss]

Has anyone listened to these with A50s or comparable?

 

[enomiss]

I'm not an audio engineer, I don't make music, and I don't know about audio.
Would I enjoy these headphones for listening to music, watching movies and playing games?

As I don't know crap about audio, I don't know what to look out for regarding headphones. It's a jungle out there and it's giving me a headache. All I know is that I want the best closed back headphone under 650 euro. I have been doing a lot of research for two straight weeks and I am more confused every day. For every headphone opinions differ because it's such a subjective grey area. Most people don't mention what equipment they use with their headphones and what they listen to, so you really can't tell crap from their opinions. Also I believe that we humans are heavily programmed and we just like what we are used to. Something different can take weeks to grow on you or even convince you that it's better, so going to a store and testing 10 headphones in a row for 5 minutes just messes with your brain I think.

Looking for a new headphone is a freakin' nightmare. Reviews and opinions conflict all the time. I wish Head Fi made some guide thingy where you can filter headphone models based on things you find important. Every time I think I have narrowed down my selection of possible headphones, I read another review or opinion and he/she mentions another headphone I've never heard of, and so my search goes on forever and ever.

So conclusion, I don't know what sound I want or like. I have had the AKG 271 Studio for over a decade, I liked them, but I felt they sounded a bit cold and boring, not enough warmth and bass. But don't get me wrong, I do not want a bass monster. I also do not want high pitched sounds killing my ears. I also don't want my ears to get tired from the sound.

So why am I interested in these headphones? This is what matters to me:
- Closed back.
- Honest neutral sound while still being able to enjoy clarity and bass.
- Longevity. So perfect build quality.
- Cable, not wireless.
- I have a small-medium head, so I would prefer not a huge beast of a headphone.
- Availability. I live in the Netherlands. Those freakin' Argons are just impossible to get for example.

The Neumanns seem to tick a lot of boxes but I'm a bit worried I wouldn't enjoy them as a listener only.
Also on my mind is the Focal Elegia, but it's a bit too expensive for my taste I think. I found it for 630 euro somewhere.

Could someone help me decide, or come up with another suggestion?

 

[John Buchanan]

@enomiss you're going to love them - run to your keyboard and order them. Listening to my set now and they have a superlative sound - very nice and deep bottom end and lack of obtrusive brightness at the top end. Detailed, but not with the typically screechy upper midrange to give the impression of "detailed". A phone you could crank if you wanted to, but they sound great also at lower volumes. Great reproduction of piano - Listening now to Chick Corea's "Trilogy" and the Neumann really has you there in with the crowd.
Another thing - the bass drum (in the Jacques Loussier Trio's "Play's Bach" on Telarc CD) literally has the same sort of body impact as listening through speakers - something I haven't heard before in phones. It's not boomy - that bass drum is exactly how it should sound.
http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_400/MI0000/175/MI0000175747.jpg?partner=allrovi.com

 

[enomiss]

@enomiss you're going to love them - run to your keyboard and order them. Listening to my set now and they have a superlative sound - very nice and deep bottom end and lack of obtrusive brightness at the top end. Detailed, but not with the typically screechy upper midrange to give the impression of "detailed". A phone you could crank if you wanted to, but they sound great also at lower volumes. Great reproduction of piano - Listening now to Chick Corea's "Trilogy" and the Neumann really has you there in with the crowd.
Another thing - the bass drum (in the Jacques Loussier Trio's "Play's Bach" on Telarc CD) literally has the same sort of body impact as listening through speakers - something I haven't heard before in phones. It's not boomy - that bass drum is exactly how it should sound.
http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_400/MI0000/175/MI0000175747.jpg?partner=allrovi.com

Thank you for your reply. This sounds very good and like a headphone to my liking. Tomorrow I'll probably decide and let you know. Do you think they will go nicely with Topping E30+L30 or D50s+A50s? Or would you have a suggestion for a DAC+AMP combo that suits these headphones well? A combination with similar matching esthetics and of simular pricing. An all in one device would be even better. I also want to connect two hifi speakers in a later stage. Any advice would be super appreciated.

 

[John Buchanan]

Thank you for your reply. This sounds very good and like a headphone to my liking. Tomorrow I'll probably decide and let you know. Do you think they will go nicely with Topping E30+L30 or D50s+A50s? Or would you have a suggestion for a DAC+AMP combo that suits these headphones well? A combination with similar matching esthetics and of simular pricing. An all in one device would be even better. I also want to connect two hifi speakers in a later stage. Any advice would be super appreciated.

I use the two in my signature (Burson and Fidelice) and both sound great and can be used as preamps.

 

[enomiss]

I use the two in my signature (Burson and Fidelice) and both sound great and can be used as preamps.

I'm afraid that's too expensive for me. Looking for a dac+amp solution with a small footprint that is max 350-400 combined.

 

[John Buchanan]

I'm afraid that's too expensive for me. Looking for a dac+amp solution with a small footprint that is max 350-400 combined.

Try this from Burson.
https://www.bursonaudio.com/product/playmate/

 

[enomiss]

Try this from Burson.
https://www.bursonaudio.com/product/playmate/

Really looking for a small footprint, these are unfortunately to big...

You made me discover this guy: Playmate 2 – Burson Audio
Looks beautiful, just a bit too expensive for me, and hard to get in the Netherlands. Oh man....

Actually thinking about hese ones now: JDS Labs - Element II - Amps + DACs
Would the Element 2 be good for the NDH20 (anyone experience?) and 2 hifi speakers?

 

[enomiss]

Totally different question. Can you easily listen to these with one cup? With my current akg headphones I often put the left cup above/behind my left ear so I can listen and hear people aeound me at the same time.