[GoompGoomp]

Hello, I tried out the Philips SPH9500s and they sound great but my left ear doesn't sit right with those so now I'm looking for a new pair of open back headphones to try out and wanted to know if anyone could recommend me one.

For context, I've been bouncing around with different pairs of closed-back headphones and trying out the spectrum to find I like the sound of the ATH-M40X and after using most of them. Plus IEM: Advanced Sound Model 3.

I'm trying to avoid heavy treble and bass. Thank you for your time.

 

[RyteSyde]

sennheiser hd-58x

 

[GoompGoomp]

sennheiser hd-58x

Thanks man, I'll do some more research on those. Have you tried any more sennheiser headphones like the 599 or 598 sr? I've actually been wanting to try some of them but wanted a second opinion if possible.

 

[RyteSyde]

I haven't tried those specifically but just listed something that came to mind that was open, that I've owned and sounds great, and was somewhat in the price range of the SPH9500s, if you consider $160 new in that range

 

[serman005]

HD598 has a bit less bass emphasis than the HD599. Very solid headphone in this range.

 

[PurpleAngel]

sennheiser hd-58x

I like my HD58X

 

[PurpleAngel]

Thanks man, I'll do some more research on those. Have you tried any more Sennheiser headphones like the 599 or 598 sr? I've actually been wanting to try some of them but wanted a second opinion if possible.

The HD598 have a more neutral sound, which i think is great for long term listening, like when you game all night long.

 

[RyteSyde]

I like my HD58X

have you used equalizer apo with the PEACE gui and used Oratory's curves? Really makes the 58x's shine!

 

[RyteSyde]

before and after response curves
https://imgur.com/4ck8DUV

 

[PurpleAngel]

have you used equalizer apo with the PEACE gui and used Oratory's curves? Really makes the 58x's shine!

I use Foobar2000 (w/WASAPI) and a NFB-11.28 or connect my Darkvoice 336SE OTL tube head amp to the line-output on the NFB-11.28.

 

[Kukuk]

I think AKG's K612 Pro is a phenomenal headphone that's worth your consideration.

They're somewhere around neutral, with the bass being down in level just a smidge, but extending very low. Treble is about where it should be, with no serious bumps or dips. Mid range is superb, with a great deal of body and detail to it.

Soundstage and imaging, to me, put them above the Sennheiser HD598. Soundstage is very large without feeling overly distant. Imaging presents a nice sense of a 3d space, with a particularly large center image. This combination of imaging and tonality make them well suited for basically all types of music, with maybe the exception of really bass-heavy stuff.

To me, this headphone is more of a competitor to the HD600 or HD650, despite being significantly cheaper at about $130 new.

 

[RyteSyde]

I use Foobar2000 (w/WASAPI) and a NFB-11.28 or connect my Darkvoice 336SE OTL tube head amp to the line-output on the NFB-11.28.

WASAPI, say no more. I've almost pulled the trigger on the DV so many times but too worried about QC.

 

[GoompGoomp]

I haven't tried those specifically but just listed something that came to mind that was open, that I've owned and sounds great, and was somewhat in the price range of the SPH9500s, if you consider $160 new in that range

Oh yeah, that price range is totally fine

 

[GoompGoomp]

The HD598 have a more neutral sound, which i think is great for long term listening, like when you game all night long.

Nice, that's kinda of the balance I'd like to strike since I do play games and listen to music in the background.

 

[GoompGoomp]

I think AKG's K612 Pro is a phenomenal headphone that's worth your consideration.

They're somewhere around neutral, with the bass being down in level just a smidge, but extending very low. Treble is about where it should be, with no serious bumps or dips. Mid range is superb, with a great deal of body and detail to it.

Soundstage and imaging, to me, put them above the Sennheiser HD598. Soundstage is very large without feeling overly distant. Imaging presents a nice sense of a 3d space, with a particularly large center image. This combination of imaging and tonality make them well suited for basically all types of music, with maybe the exception of really bass-heavy stuff.

To me, this headphone is more of a competitor to the HD600 or HD650, despite being significantly cheaper at about $130 new.

Damn that is very convincing, that's actually something I struggled with my m40x and other headphones I demoed when trying every genre I could find when something wouldn't always sound as good,bass muddied or punched too hard,etc. Also that earcup size looks very attractive, my goddamn ears are picky little sluts, it took ZMF cowhides on my m40x to make it work. Do your ears touch the drivers inside at all?