My first post on this forum. I just want to tell you about my experience with a pair of TOTL headphones.
I started quite late (46 years) to listen to music the "right way" Previously it was to listen with cheaper IEMs but the more I wanted to listen qualitatively and I ended up with the Philips X2HR, Massdrop HE4XX and the last 2 years with the HD600.
For several weeks I have felt that it is time for something better. A pair of headphones with which you can listen to the music relaxed and hear a lot of detail.
All said and done, I was at several stores and tested the following headphones; Denon D9200, LCD-X, HD800S, Arya, 660s2, Clear MG. I'm writing about my experience and how I experienced all those different headphones.
Denon D9200
For a closed back headphone it is ok. I don't have much to say about it..
LCD-X
Liked them to a point. Tested 3 times.. What I didn't like was the dark sound (tested with EQ) The weight was ok for 10min but it was quite noticeable if I moved my head, say to pick up the coffee cup or something else.
20-30 minutes later, despite good weight distribution, the weight was still felt.
Arya
Sound is quite ok and in the direction of HD800s but rather cheap feeling. The ear pads felt uncomfortable. Cable that came with it felt like it was 3euro.
660s2
Yes, many people write on the internet not to buy them because they are HD600 blah, blah...
Sometimes I wonder from all the posts if people have even tried headphones at all or listen to YT channels where so-called experts at home decide what is good sound or not . I'll say this, this headphone is in a different league compared to the HD600.
If you want to have fun where it swings and a warmer sound, buy the 660s2. If you want sterile, muffled sound, buy the HD600.
Clear MG
Good headphone. I really liked them but they were pretty much bling, bling which I don't like. They sounded good but I didn't like it.
My choice was the a couple brand new HD800s (made in Ireland).
You can read that a lot about they lack bass, they sound so and so. Unfortunately, you cannot get a premium headphone with a lot of bass if it is to sound right and if they are to be detailed
(this is my opinion). If you want such headphones, you can buy a pair on Alibaba from China for 30euros.
HD800s will give you as much bass as you want. Then don´t forget that the HD800s have bass, "the right amount of bass" that's my feeling.
To buy expensive headphones or not? Or tune the engine in your old car and say it's unnecessary with a Ferrari because your Volvo is just as fast :-/ Sure, it might be just as fast but it's not a Ferrari and never will be. For me it's the same with headphones.
I could sit here with my X2HR, HD600 or some others and write around on forums that you are stupid or something because more expensive headphones are just nonsense.
If you ask me, I think like this: are you happy in your bubble? continue to be...
Finally, I know...
If you have the money to buy an expensive pair of headphones, you should have a really good amp. No, unfortunately I'm not made of money and my HD800s sound sooooo good with the Fiio K5
Right now Fiio The K5 will do for a while but the next amp I'm aiming for is the Burson Audio Conductor 3X with Bluesound Node.
English is not my native language and I apologize if there are misspellings somewhere and if my construction is weird.