[Riverflow]

I am looking to get a new pair off headphones.
My set up is source a 203 oppo (cd and flack)
Amp zen can signature hxx
headphones PM-3(getting tired)
My music tastes are Waterboys,Levellers,Neil Young,stiff little fingers,
I have a budget off £700 to £1800 but for that price they have to look good as well as sound good(got to keep her indoors happy)
I was going to go for the hd6xx but I borrowed pair and they where very good,but not a big enough upgrade.
I fancy a planetary with open back with balanced connection
I like the Audeze LCD-3 or LCD-X but I am looking for suggestions

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[peterinvan]

I am looking to get a new pair off headphones.
My set up is source a 203 oppo (cd and flack)
Amp zen can signature hxx
headphones PM-3(getting tired)
My music tastes are Waterboys,Levellers,Neil Young,stiff little fingers,
I have a budget off £700 to £1800 but for that price they have to look good as well as sound good(got to keep her indoors happy)
I was going to go for the hd6xx but I borrowed pair and they where very good,but not a big enough upgrade.
I fancy a planetary with open back with balanced connection
I like the Audeze LCD-3 or LCD-X but I am looking for suggestions

​

I am stilll enjoying my Oppo PM-3s.

IMHO a significant increase in sound quality (deep and fast bass, clean vocals, imaging etc.) can be found in the Audeze LCD-XC (2019). I got a perfect pair used for $1,000 CDN. The Bubinga wooden cups are a work of art. They are closed, but the wide and accurate soundstage does not feel "cupped" or closed in.

The only downside is the weight. For serious listening, I use them in my recliner so my headrest takes off most of the weight.

 

[msing539]

If you're ok with EQing, those Audezes are good options.

Less money and closer to home for you is the Quad ERA-1 which, to me, has characteristics of both a planar and dynamic.

Less bass but more open sounding is the Hifiman Arya Stealth.

 

[pbui44]

Here is a place in nearby Warrington, so call for a possible demo:

https://dougbradyhifi.com/collections/hifi-headphones

If you can travel to Manchester, then call these guys and see if you can audition the Meze Liric or others and maybe possibly trade in your Oppo PM-3 for store credit:

https://audiot.co.uk/p-30542-meze-liric-isodynamic-hybrid-array-headphones-meze-audio-audio-t.aspx

For what you want, they also have the Quad ERA-1, but they are on back-order ATM, so see if you can audition these in the meantime:

https://audiot.co.uk/p-26697-quad-era-1-planar-headphones-quad-audio-t.aspx

Also, other places in Manchester with Audezes in stock, so call them about demoing as well:

https://www.sevenoakssoundandvision.co.uk/c-3-headphones.aspx

https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/cat/home-tech/technology/headphones/over-ear/

https://www.richersounds.com/headphones/headphones/on-ear-headphones.html

 

[Riverflow]

Thank you all for you replies
Got a couple of days of next week so I go to Manchester.
I will defiantly be listening to Audezes and the Quad ERA-1 I also give the grado a listen just for fun.

 

[Riverflow]

I went to to the hifi shop in warrington today to try the quads took my oppo to compare them..
They did not fit my head.They where quiet big in size so I did not listen them.
They had a pair off Audeze LCD-X quiet heavy but fitted nicely,but to be honest there was very little difference sonically between them and my oppo.
So the search continues Manchester next.

 

[msing539]

Oh yeah, the Quad is big... I use a padded headband, well worth the effort.