[SlothRock]

1. Sony IER M9
2. Sennheiser HD660s
3. Sennheiser IE 80 S
4. Bose NC 700

Got my ZMF Verite Closed on order and should arrive in a few weeks. Just starting my Hifi journey so this list will change a lot a lot soon, I'm sure

 

[robo24]

I had the ZMF Auteur / Verite for over 7 days and I am honestly disappointed with their performance, especially for the price point. I genuinely think they're way over hyped on the internet.

New with 100+ hours on each or used and already burned in? Which pads? What amp? Low output impedance amps aren't great matches, aside from the Chord lineup. I didn't love either one in the first week either. My main amp being a THX 789 at the time was part of the problem. Once I got the pads which were ideal for me, Universe suede on the Verite, and Eikon suede on the Auteur, along with different amps and they're both jumbled at the top of my list with the Verite Closed and a few others. Even with everything ideal, no headphone is for everyone and perhaps the ZMF house sound isn't for you.

I think the "hype" aspect is that people like me who love ZMFs really love them, and like contributing to a small business with amazing customer service and enjoy what are largely one of a kind works of art. For me, if they were ugly, plastic, and from some faceless huge corporation but sounded the same I'd still love them for that, but wouldn't gush like many of us do.

 

[jonathan c]

1. Sony IER M9
2. Sennheiser HD660s
3. Sennheiser IE 80 S
4. Bose NC 700

Got my ZMF Verite Closed on order and should arrive in a few weeks. Just starting my Hifi journey so this list will change a lot a lot soon, I'm sure

…and, hopefully , not frequently …

 

[SlothRock]

…and, hopefully , not frequently …

Hahaha yes the goal for me is to have one perfect (for me) closed and open back headphone + IEM so hopefully this list doesn’t go beyond 3-4

 

[jonathan c]

Hahaha yes the goal for me is to have one perfect (for me) closed and open back headphone + IEM so hopefully this list doesn’t go beyond 3-4

That’s just headphones/IEMs….there is also the potential headphone/IEM amplifier proliferation to address……before cable upgrades……

 

[Terriero]

That’s just headphones/IEMs….there is also the potential headphone/IEM amplifier proliferation to address……before cable upgrades……

Don't get him into the rabbit hole... Better lead him to "Sound Science" sub-forum. He will forget about DACs and AMPS, even cables, and just enjoy his headphones

 

[mainguy]

1. Bowers & Wilkins P9/Focal Elegia (if you fiddle with the Elegia bit anyway, stock they're 2nd)
2. Campfire Solaris
3. Sennheiser Momentum 2
4. Bowers & Wilkins PI7

 

[jonathan c]

Don't get him into the rabbit hole... Better lead him to "Sound Science" sub-forum. He will forget about DACs and AMPS, even cables, and just enjoy his headphones

Think of ALL the $,€,£,¥…that would be saved if a flat FR, 0.0000005% IMD+THD, (S+N)/N = 100dB meant that all gear sounded alike…

 

[battermoose11]

1)HifiMan 400i, 2) Yamaha HP2, 3)Koss Porta pro ( 2 sets) Originals about 5 Years old, New Rythem Beige Still in Box. 4) Koss Pro 4AA, 5) Koss dj200w, 6) Koss SST/10, 6 more sets of Headphones. Next to obtain HifiMan Susvaras Maybe early next year.

 

[battermoose11]

1. Etymotic ER-4P
2. Sennheiser HD580
3. Sennheiser PX100
4. AKG 271S

...need to try some Grados!

Need to try HifiMan Susvaras

 

[Jose Hidalgo]

With EQ only (I only focus on EQed sound) :

1. Audioquest Nighthawk AND Sennheiser HD 600 : both very different and complementary, even after EQ.
   - Nighthawk for deep velvet bass, low distortion and insane comfort
   - HD 600 for naturalness (guitars, strings, voices...) and lack of resonances
   - One can dislike the Nighthawk before EQ, but after EQ it's really something else. Still colored, but definitely charming.
   - The HD600 is definitely closer to the "naked truth", but the Nighthawk wraps the truth in sexy, luxurious clothing. It still feels like "the truth" (we're talking about EQed headphones), it's not "naked" anymore, but it's just as appealing.
   
   
2. Hifiman Sundara (2020 Revised Earpads) : close second to the HD 600. More versatile (if you wanted only ONE headphone it could be it), but a bit heavy and not as comfortable for me. Some people will prefer it over the Sennheisers. Good for them.
3. Meze 99 Classics : doesn't make the cut, the stock earpads feel a bit like toys, but it's closed (so travel-compliant) and hey, it's pretty.
   
4. Bose QC15 : I use it for DJing because of ANR, but not for Hi-Fi purposes.

 

[battermoose11]

Need to try HifiMan Susvaras

Make that Sundara, More reasonable price IMO.

 

[IzzyAxel]

This'll be based off enjoyment:

1: Stax SR-Lambda Signature
2: Stax SR-Gamma
3: Rotel RH-930
4: Stax SR-Lambda Professional
5: Stax SR-207 (507 pads)
6: Stax SR-5NB
7: Beyerdynamic Tesla T1 v2
8: Sennheiser HD540 Reference Gold (600 ohm drivers)
9: AKG K1000 BH
10: Stax SR-Sigma Professional
11: Sennheiser Unipolar 2002
12: Sansui SS-100
13: Stax SR-X mk3 (old pads)
14: Sennheiser HD560S
15: Sony MDR-F1
16: Sony PFR-V1 (Japan domestic version)
17: Timeless 7Hz
18: Beyerdynamic ET1000
19: AKG K702 65th Anniversary
20: Pioneer SE-700 (early production version)
21: Stax SR-1
22: Stax SR-404 Limited
23: Etymotic ER-4S
24: Kaldas RR-1
25: Jecklin Float (dynamic driver version)
26: Jecklin Float (electrostatic driver, all old versions)
27: Stax SR-001 mk2
28: Stax SR-002
29: Koss Pro 4AAA
30: Sennheiser HD650
31: Blon BL-30
32: Sony MDR-V6

 

[BobG55]

HD600
HD650
T1.1
GS1000i
PS1000 (original)
DT880/ 600 ohm
AKG K701

 

[Ndumagr9]

I personally think the Elex is a better performer than the T1.2 (for me), it is more punchy and has a great sound character. But, for me the Focal headphones never quite sit right on my head which has caused me to sell them all after a while. I personally prefer the T1.1 sound to the T1.2.

Thanks bro for answering...now I've gotta wait until I find a good deal on a pair of used Elex or wait for the Drop offer where they sell them for a discount at $540.