[phthora]

That's a hot take but interesting point of view. Unfortunately i can't audition headphones. I have a limited experience. From my limited experience, Ananda isn't that impressive in my opinion. I like it's sub bass articulation but the headphone lacks a lot of dynamics in full spectrum. It almost sounds like compressed. Soundstage and imaging isn't great either. DT 1990 destroys this in terms of dynamics and imaging in my opinion. 1990 also has a more definitive, faster sound. Ananda has a different type of detail. I think Ananda resolves individual instruments better. Makes them sound more real, 3d. 1990 resolves the complex music better you get more resolution, definition, contrast. So different strengths and weaknesses. I feel like you favour planars a bit more.

I do favor planars more, but I think that's a result of the core issue: I value resolution, transient speed, and instrument separation more highly that soundstage width, dynamic impact, or imaging, and for some reason hadn't given those last three enough credit as "technical" aspects of sound. What you said about the Ananda is spot on, and I certainly would not say it's a better headphone than the HD800S, not even close. I would never buy the former, and I would never sell the latter. Given this more expansive view of technicals, I can definitely see how the HD800S beats out the Ananda and LCD-2, and I would consider it roughly on the level of the Arya and LCD-X '21. Or the Focal Clear OG, to add another one.

 

[VanHai]

Here is my old friend, still sound decent. I think I may part with it. If anybody is interest, just let me know.

 

[yeboyi]

I do favor planars more, but I think that's a result of the core issue: I value resolution, transient speed, and instrument separation more highly that soundstage width, dynamic impact, or imaging, and for some reason hadn't given those last three enough credit as "technical" aspects of sound. What you said about the Ananda is spot on, and I certainly would not say it's a better headphone than the HD800S, not even close. I would never buy the former, and I would never sell the latter. Given this more expansive view of technicals, I can definitely see how the HD800S beats out the Ananda and LCD-2, and I would consider it roughly on the level of the Arya and LCD-X '21. Or the Focal Clear OG, to add another one.

I love both. My dream setup right now HD800S as a main headphone and LCD X as a complementary headphone. The 4 high end headphone have this nice synergy. You can either have Arya+Clear or HD800S+LCD X. They will cover most grounds. The economy in my country is really f'ed right now so i can't really buy anything but i'm dying to get one.

 

[akatsuki]

I was kind of heading towards a Focal Clear Mg... but that spike in the treble bothers me a bit. I could EQ I suppose.

 

[Pharmaboy]

I was kind of heading towards a Focal Clear Mg... but that spike in the treble bothers me a bit. I could EQ I suppose.

I heard the Clear MG at some length in my system. I also own an original Fidelio X2 that is ~5 yrs old but has very low hours and is in perfect condition.

The CMG was a mixed bag for me:

• On the one hand, it was the first Focal HP I heard that didn't hurt my ears. It was actually listenable, rather nice overall, some real depth and space in the sound, unlike 2 other Focals:
  • I heard an Elear at length IMS on several occasions. Even w/mods + different/better earpads, it had an insistent, pushy tone that I couldn't live with. A slow but sure headache HP for me
  • I heard a Clear just once at a show. It was by a long shot the brightest sound I ever heard (unendurable). If this is what "resolution" sounds like, no mas, por favor.
  • (yes, I'm averse to edgy/pushy upper mids & treble)
• On the other hand, the Clear MG has a noticeable spike in the upper mid or low treble. Its effect varied by genre of music, but it was always there. To live with that HP I'd have to invest in EQ of some kind. Nope.

Meanwhile, the humble, inexpensive X2s just percolate along, giving me the same ear-friendly, pleasing, open/resonant sound I first fell in love with 5 years ago. It was my first "serious" headphone and it still sounds great to me. Does it have the resolution and build quality of the Clear MG? No, and not quite are the answers. Still, I can live with the X2s all day long.

One of those cases where the far cheaper HP actually beats all hell out of the more expensive one.

 

[Rozzko]

Hi
What the difference between x2 and x2hr?

 

[Mr Trev]

Hi
What the difference between x2 and x2hr?

As best I can tell, just the "hr"
IIRC there were some small changes to the headband/earpad material, but supposedly nothing that effects the sound

 

[phthora]

Hi
What the difference between x2 and x2hr?

Here is my take, coming from when I just bought the X2HR to replace my X2/27. I still stand by it.

I think the X2/27 and X2HR sound slightly different almost assuredly because of the change to the pads. The X2HR has a tighter, cleaner sound to both treble and bass. Nothing major, just this side of noticeable, and it may be a difference that disappears as the pads wear in. That said, the X2HR pads are much more comfortable, making that the version to shoot for.

A year and a half later, those differences don't seem to have disappeared, however I am no longer able to A/B them. The X2HR just sounds the same to me as it always has.

 

[tplus]

I received my ebay-earpads today and it's definitely an improvement over the Brainwavz. The ear-space is oval, not round as with Brainwavz, therefore larger and I guess that's the reason they sound much better now, not muffled any more. More comfortable, too.

Very satisfied.

 

[MisterMudd]

Any current recommendations for a non-microphonic cable? I have ordered two new cables recently and both were stiff and loud. Any help is very appreciated. Thanks

 

[JKDJedi]

Any current recommendations for a non-microphonic cable? I have ordered two new cables recently and both were stiff and loud. Any help is very appreciated. Thanks

oh man...get ready for an avolanche of recommendations.. https://periaptcables.com/collections/frontpage

 

[Pharmaboy]

Any current recommendations for a non-microphonic cable? I have ordered two new cables recently and both were stiff and loud. Any help is very appreciated. Thanks

I'm very happy with the cables I got from Ghent Audio. Very inexpensive and relatively non-microphonic.

I have 3 of these. They sounded somewhat better than the stock cable and were far less microphonic. In each case, I asked Ghent Xu to change the jack on one end to 3.5mm (1/8th"), which he did for no add'l cost:

http://www.ghentaudio.com/part/d05.html

 

[MisterMudd]

I'm very happy with the cables I got from Ghent Audio. Very inexpensive and relatively non-microphonic.

I have 3 of these. They sounded somewhat better than the stock cable and were far less microphonic. In each case, I asked Ghent Xu to change the jack on one end to 3.5mm (1/8th"), which he did for no add'l cost:

http://www.ghentaudio.com/part/d05.html

Thanks. Is it reasonably flexible? The last two I have bought have been stiff as rebar.

 

[Pharmaboy]

Thanks. Is it reasonably flexible? The last two I have bought have been stiff as rebar.

Well, it's not as floppy as multi-strand woven cables, which basically can lay across a desktop then go 90 degrees to hang over one side.

But it coils quite readily and it's springy or stiff.

 

[iFi audio]

Any current recommendations for a non-microphonic cable? I have ordered two new cables recently and both were stiff and loud. Any help is very appreciated. Thanks

If you're willing to spend extra, Forza AudioWorks Noir is dead silent, super slinky and feels great all in all. It's a boutique product made to order (just as everything FAW's owner Matt does), but worth the expense.