Intro:
Alright, it's the end of the year. Time to rank my favorite headphones for 2022
This list is for my preference and opinion. I will only list headphones I own/use to owned in 2022. If I didn't own them in 2022, it doesn't count for me. What I look for in a headphone is Natural Vocal Reproduction > Instrumental Timbre > Sweet Sounding (not a big fan of analytical sounds) > Music Weight (Don't want the music to sound thin) > Sub-bass > Clarity > Soundstage (I only want soundstage in classical music). I think I might be the weirdo when it comes to soundstage, I like small and intimate soundstage. I don't like it when the soundstage is too huge. I also own the Polk Reserve R200 speakers if I really want soundstage.
I used to listen to everything, but for the last 4 years, I have been exclusively listening to Jrock/Jmusic and classical music for some reason. I also like live symphony movie tracks. Any other music genre has to be before the 2000s for me.
***Headphones I owned currently in 2022***
AKG K240 Sextett EP
AKG K340 (Red Driver Version)
Audio Technica L3000
Audio Technica W10VTG (my travel headphone)
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 250 Ω
Mezes 99 Classics Walnut Gold (my travel headphone)
Onkyo A800 using mod (let me replace the cable with any cable) LQI Silver 3.5mm Cable
Sennheiser HD580 Jubilee
ZMF Caldera Kingwood LTD
***My Ex-Headphones I sold in 2022***
Audeze MM-500
Focal Clear OG
Hifiman Edition XS
Hifiman HE-R9 JM Stealth Mod
Meze 109 Pro
Sennheiser HD600 (2019 or later version)
Sony MDR-Z1R
Here is my ranking:
1. Onkyo A800 (Favorite headphones of all time. It does everything right for me, has the most natural vocal reproduction, the best acoustic guitar sound, and sub-bass sounds and feels like an IMAX Movie theater to me, clarity is not the best, but good enough, and small but intimate soundstage. Its an all-around great headphone and I hope everyone at least try it if they get the chance. I know its not for everyone, but its still the funnest/best sounding headphone for me.)
*Current Source: Roon > Mojo Audio Mystique EVO (Basic) > Nitsch Magni Piety
*Old Source: Foobar2000 > Musician Audio Pegasus R2R > Cayin HA-3A (Stock RCA 22DE4) (Pair of Phillips SQ - E80CC / 6085 - Holland - 1960 -) and (Pair of Mazda 6V6GT Grey Glass - 1953 -)
2. Audio Technica L3000 (If Onkyo A800 is for natural sounds, let me get that rock n roll distortion with the L3000! An extremely fun-sounding headphone and looks great. Decent size soundstage for a close back, but with excellent imaging. Got that good old warm AT tuning and its addicting.)
*Current Source: Roon > Mojo Audio Mystique EVO (Basic) > Nitsch Magni Piety
*Old Source: Foobar2000 > Musician Audio Pegasus R2R > Cayin HA-3A (Stock RCA 22DE4) (Pair of Phillips SQ - E80CC / 6085 - Holland - 1960 -) and (Pair of Mazda 6V6GT Grey Glass - 1953 -)
3. Audio Technica W10VTG ( I think I like this headphone because its the most use headphone for me. I use this headphone 5 days a week when I am not in the house. A warm seductive vocals headphone that I love. It also got that good old warm AT tuning.)
*Current Source: Roon > Mojo Audio Mystique EVO (Basic) > Nitsch Magni Piety
*On The Go Source: Lotoo Paw Gold Touch
4. ZMF Caldera Kingwood LTD (Very solid headphones, but I feel like its solid for everything. It has great clarity, great soundstage, but I feel like it doesn't give any particular spotlight. Like for example, the when using the W10VTG, I'm looking for vocals. When using the Caldera, I am not too sure what I'm looking for, everything just sound good. I heard the Caldera is like a chameleon, so if your source is good, the Caldera could soar. Currently finding a good amp for it. I still think the Caldera is the best headphone I owned, just not made for me at the moment.)
*Current Source: Roon > Mojo Audio Mystique EVO (Basic) > Nitsch Magni Piety
*Old Source: Foobar2000 > Musician Audio Pegasus R2R > Cayin HA-3A (Stock RCA 22DE4) (Pair of Phillips SQ - E80CC / 6085 - Holland - 1960 -) and (Pair of Mazda 6V6GT Grey Glass - 1953 -)
5. Sennheiser HD580 Jubilee (Loved the HD600. The HD580 Jubilee version is smoother, but less clarity than the 2019 HD600. I prefer the smoothness over the bright 2019 HD600)
*Current Source: Roon > Mojo Audio Mystique EVO (Basic) > Nitsch Magni Piety
*Old Source: Foobar2000 > Musician Audio Pegasus R2R > Cayin HA-3A (Stock RCA 22DE4) (Pair of Phillips SQ - E80CC / 6085 - Holland - 1960 -) and (Pair of Mazda 6V6GT Grey Glass - 1953 -)
6. Audeze MM-500 (Even though I sold it, I like the MM-500 a lot. It had the best clarity for vocals from memory, everything else sounded pretty good, not amazing. Very clean sub-bass sound. I sold it because I wanted to funds to try more headphones. I would buy this back, but I think I might wait for them to make a sequel for this headphone if Audeze ever makes one.)
*Old Source: Foobar2000 > Musician Audio Pegasus R2R > Cayin HA-3A (Stock RCA 22DE4) (Pair of Phillips SQ - E80CC / 6085 - Holland - 1960 -) and (Pair of Mazda 6V6GT Grey Glass - 1953 -)
7. AKG K240 Sextett EP / AKG K340 (Red Driver Version) (Both great headphones especially for the value you get them. My biggest issue is comfort, especially on the K340).
*Current Source: Roon > Mojo Audio Mystique EVO (Basic) > Nitsch Magni Piety
*Old Source: Foobar2000 > Musician Audio Pegasus R2R > Cayin HA-3A (Stock RCA 22DE4) (Pair of Phillips SQ - E80CC / 6085 - Holland - 1960 -) and (Pair of Mazda 6V6GT Grey Glass - 1953 -)