[KaliKot]

1. HD650 + Zu Mobius
2. ATH ES10 + Denko Cables
3. Grado HF2
4. Westone UM3x
5. Monster Turbine Copper
6. Sennheiser IE8
7. VSonic GR07
8. Aiaiai Tracks
9. Yuin PK3
 

 

[s043uf]

1. Sennheiser HD650 + Balanced stock cable
2. Denon AH-D5000
3. Sennheiser HD595
4. Sony Ericsson Walkman In Ears
5. Beyerdynamic DT770Pro 80ohm
6. Sennheiser CX400-II Precision
 

 

[Focker]

Here's where I'm at after about 3 months with headphones...this will look much different 6-12 mo from now.
 
1) Grado SR80is
2) Atrio Futuresonics M5
3) Ultrasone HFI 15g
4) Etymotic MC5
5) Sennheiser 518 (sold)
6) MEElectronics HT-21
7) AKG K-430 minis
 
**Newly arrived, waiting for evaluation: Beyerdynamic DT880/600.
 
 
 
 

 

[noxa]

1. FX-700
2. DT-990
3. IE8
4. W3
5. Ultrasone DJ1
6. SM2
7. SM3

 

[tdockweiler]

Quote:

I'm guessing you modded these/ are using good amplification...? Because I don't see how these headphones are so incredible lol...

 
As for your question about the DJ100. No mods, but M50 pads.
 
Yes, requires a good amp/dac and lots of burn in. It's my opinion and preferences. It's not a headphone for everyone.
 
Maybe you should review them if you don't like them. IMO it sounds much better than any other $80 headphone.
 
For me this isn't simply a list of what sounds technically the best, but a combination of everything.
 
The DJ100 is my "fun" headphone for when I need a little extra bass and some forward mids.

 

[ericfarrell85]

Don't really know how you guys rank with such apparent ease, but on technical proficiency alone: 
 
1. LCD 2 (rev. 2) 
2 - 5 (tie) UM Miracles, Westone ES5, Ultimate Ears Reference 
6. Grado RS1i 
7. HD650 
8. Sony EX1000
9. SM3
10. CK10 11. RE262/DBA 02/TF10 
Last - Fisher Eterna/Koss KSC 75 

 

[Lurkumaural]

Oh, it's not easy.  For some of us it's like ranking our kids.
 
Quote:

Don't really know how you guys rank with such apparent ease, but on technical proficiency alone: 
 
1. LCD 2 (rev. 2) 
2 - 5 (tie) UM Miracles, Westone ES5, Ultimate Ears Reference 
6. Grado RS1i 
7. HD650 
8. Sony EX1000
9. SM3
10. RE262/DBA 02/TF10 
Last - Fisher Eterna/Koss KSC 75 

 

 

[ericfarrell85]

 ah, so nice to feel understood. 

 

[koonhua90]

Based on preference.
1. Stax 507
2. LCD-3
3. JH-16 >= Etymotic HF5
5. FX-700
6. Earsonics SM3
7. Sennheiser IE8
8. Sennheiser CX-300.

 

[obobskivich]

And don't take the rankings to be set in stone or to imply huge differences; I consider my #1 more of a "first among equals" than a "clear-cut best." 
Quote:

Oh, it's not easy.  For some of us it's like ranking our kids.
 


 

 

 

[Dennito]

1) Denon AH D5000
2) Sony MDR XB1000
3) Audio Technica ATH M 50s
4) Beats Solo
5) Sony MDR XB700
6) JVC HARX 700
 
There is a lot of room between 1 and 2. The Denons are excellent. I should have saved the money I spent on all of the others and bought the Denons at the beginning. But that is not how this hobby works. The Beats have a slight edge the XB 700s because they travel well, and that is the sole use of them. The JVC was a terrific value at under $40.

 

[vese]

1) Sennheiser HD598
2) HiFiMAN He-300
3) Monster Turbines
4) AKG K271
5) Sennheiser CX-400II

 

[shimbibby]

1. DT 990 32ohm
2. UE tripleFi 10
3. Monster Turbines
4. AKG K240s (barely better than the A30's when it comes to gaming)
5. Astro A30

 

[slwiser]

Presently this is my ranking, all are very good.
 
Senn HD800
 
Beyer DT1350 balanced
Senn HD25-1 balanced
 
I don't listen to the ATH-ESW10JPN enough to put it into the mix of the last two above but it to is very good.

 

[Bill-P]

Well, I got some new additions, so now my ranking goes as follow:
 
1) ATH-M50S Limited Edition
2) Pioneer SE-50 ($10 value!)
3) ATH-M50 (coiled cord)
4) ATH-FC700A
5) AKG K414P
6) Apple In-Ear Headphones (rev. B)
7) Altec Lansing Muzx Wood
8) V-Moda BassFreq Metal
9) ATH-ES7
10) Monster Dr. Dre Beats Solo
11) Koss KSC75
12) Apple Packed-In Earbuds
 
The top 3 are not too different, but from there, the distance to 4th is very long. I hope I'll be able to move up from the M50S with reasonable cost.