Some of these are hard to rank right for me as some are very close. The top 5 I rate quite a bit above the other headphones. How I rank the top 4 sound quality wise depends on the system, none are driven to their full potential so impressions are subject to change in the future.
1.) Beyerdynamic T1 Gen 3: This is my favorite headphone, unique tuning but oddly sounds the most natural to me, great timbre, and that bass. Number 1 due to the overall package of comfort, tuning, practicality, versatility, and technicalities.
2.) Kaldas RR 1 Conquest (Nighthawk microsuede pads): The only estat I own, great timbre, detail, clarity, great extension, and wonderful imaging and soundstage. Bright/neutral sound sig and comfortable but a little heavy.
3.) Beyerdynamic DT 480 - 25 Ohm (modded): Very detailed, very fast, top tier imaging, best clarity of all my headphones, and best dynamic body in the midrange and vocals. Seal sensitivity, power hungriness, and heaviness are its main drawbacks.
4.) Beyerdynamic T1 Gen 2 Black: Previous number 1 but displaced by the Gen 3. Brighter/ leaner sounding and less clampy than the gen 3 but shares some traits.
5.) Audioquest Nighthawk Carbon: Nice relaxing sound but there seems to be some cup reverb, dynamically more laid-back than the 4 above and doesn’t scale as much but is very comfortable.
These headphones are ranked notably lower due to sound quality and/or comfort.
6.) Sennheiser HD 560 S: Very comfortable and a brighter/neutral smooth sound. Not bad but problem is it lacks some actual detail, imaging/soundstage is just okay, decay is bit too short, and it lacks some body and dynamic impact.
7.) AKG K245: Tonality, tuning, and timbre is great, but slightly flabby low-end is main sonic drawback. Uncomfortable.
8.) AKG K275: More forward mids and leaner bass than the K245. Addictive midrange. Doesn’t scale as much and comfort is the same as the K245.
