Recommendation for more analytical experience relative to Oppo PM3

[Eric Scheffel]

Hi there,

I am currently using the following portable set up to listen to various genres of music. I use the Fiio X3-3 as a cheap digital source, the iBasso "Bushmaster" D14 as my DAC+AMP(that Sabre sound!) and an Oppo PM3 as my headphones. The combination works like a charm, especially for Jazz music with creamy female vocals (think Norah Jones).

However, because the PM3s have a bit of a reputation for a "sedate" upper frequency range, sometimes I am missing out in terms of more exciting treble and a wider sound stage. This is particularly apparent when listening to classical music, such as one of my favorite symphonies, Bruckner's 7th. I generally agree that the PM3s are great for long listening sessions as they never exhausts, but also never fully "excite" either.

I am therefore looking to spend anywhere between 300-1000 dollars on open-back "for-at-home" headphones, which will give me a completely different listening experience from the Oppo PM3 and work better in the upper range (less rolled off). I will probably continue to drive them with the D14 Bushmaster, so while impedance can be high, it should probably not be too high.

I have been casting my eye to candidates such as the Beyerdynamic 1990Pro, the Shure 1840, Hifiman HE-560 maybe one of the Grados and a couple of other. I know in the suggested price range I could have also added one of the Sennheisers, such as 600,650 or even 800s. But the Sennheisers appear to have a reputation for a more dark/warm tonality, and I am looking for something more analytical. Finally, I do not care for the 3D-wing headband of the more recent Audiotechnicas and I am not a big fan of the general build quality of the AKGs, hence my decision not to consider these(I do find the ATs interesting though...)

What I care about is a pair of headphones which are:
1) Only for listening at home in arm chair when I am alone
2) Wide soundstage with clear and analytical separation
3) Open-back and may leak sound as hell, I don't care
4) A high-quality construction, i.e. headphones which will be a "keeper" for a long time
5) An analytical and high resolution listening experience mostly for classical music
6) The low end or bass is perfectly okay to be on the weak side
7) Generally a listening experience which will be "orthogonal" to my Oppo PM3

Thanks!

 

[Hedonism]

You've certainly done your research. A few things:
1) Instead of Hifiman HE-560, you might want to wait for the Sundara to come out (I think it should be soon). I think I recall seeing Hifiman saying that it would be better than both HE400i and HE560 at a lower price point?
2) Senn HD800 definitely fits your requirements to a tee. Among the best in terms of soundstage and separation, with a bright thinner tonality. The problem is that I'm not sure your set-up can drive the HD800. You could find one used for ~700 usd and use the remaining 300 on an upgrade amp and/or dac for the HD800.