Side By Side Comparison - AirPods Max, B&O H95, Dali iO-6, B&W PX8, ML 5909, M&D MW75, Focal Bathys and more

[El Jack]

Your thread is more valuable than maybe even you yourself know.

Very few people can comparing so many relevant ANC headphones in a very close to objective way in the way that you doing. Fanboyism AND bad advice is sooooo common in this site and in YouTube, but MANY visitors of this site are not aware of this. Others people receiving money for doing what you're doing and they doing a poor job (!). You don't. And this is making your thread more invaluable.

Long time lurker and occasional audiophile here - chiming in to say thank you for this thread @Maukey - it's a fantastic roundup.

 

[Maukey]

Long time lurker and occasional audiophile here - chiming in to say thank you for this thread @Maukey - it's a fantastic roundup.

Thank you for the kind words. I know many have been waiting on my H100 review. I've had some personal things going on and just haven't had time to get to it yet. I still plan to do it soon. But for those wondering, my impressions are still the same. The best headphone you can get for features, usability, and design. For sound, bass and mids are great, treble will be a matter of taste for many.

 

[Tomas Webber]

Hi Maukey. You did a great job researching the ANC HP, thank you. I'm currently listening to the DCA Ether C with the appropriate DAC. Can anyone in the thread suggest which headphones will sound closest to the Ethers? Thank you.

 

[Dalmonegrig]

Can anyone in the thread suggest which headphones will sound closest to the DCA Ether C?

If the question is about Bluetooth headphones, then pay attention to those listed below in the model list, but this will not be a 100% match of the sound signature with DCA Ether C:
Solitaire T
Mark Levinson 5909

 

[Tomas Webber]

If the question is about Bluetooth headphones, then pay attention to those listed below in the model list, but this will not be a 100% match of the sound signature with DCA Ether C:
Solitaire T
Mark Levinson 5909

Thank you. Yes, Bluetooth headphones.

 

[angelom]

If the question is about Bluetooth headphones, then pay attention to those listed below in the model list, but this will not be a 100% match of the sound signature with DCA Ether C:
Solitaire T
Mark Levinson 5909

I never hear the DCA Ether C, but I owning before the Solitaire T and ML 5909 and they have very, very, VERY different sound signatures.

 

[Tomas Webber]

The Ether C is similar to the Audeze XC. The Audeze is a little better but much heavier. That's why I chose the Ether, with the equalizer the difference is not significant for me. I have the Bose 700 and the B&W PX. The Bose are better in noise reduction but not by much, but I like the sound better in the B&W. The sound in neither of them is as good as the Ether in terms of resolution and stage.

 

[Maukey]

I have added the B&O H100 to the comparisons.

 

[book23]

I love plugging these up to my gaming DAC, turning on Immersive Mode, and watching movies or playing games on my PS5 Pro in Dolby Atmos glory. Truly an excellent experience. One I prefer over the AirPods Max simply because the sound quality is better, and because it gets a little louder. A true sleeper feature here in my opinion.

May I know what dac you are using for gaming?
And do you use a 3.5mm to usb-c cable for that dac?

 

[Maukey]

May I know what dac you are using for gaming?
And do you use a 3.5mm to usb-c cable for that dac?

I use the Sound Blaster GC7. I just use the cable that comes with headphones (USB-C to 3.5).

 

[bronco1015]

I have added the B&O H100 to the comparisons.

Nice addition to the write up.
Just curious, did you end up keeping the iO8 and do you plan to add them to this comparison list if so?

 

[Maukey]

Nice addition to the write up.
Just curious, did you end up keeping the iO8 and do you plan to add them to this comparison list if so?

I didn't keep the IO-8, and I didn't plan on adding it to the comparison. In my opinion, it's an upgraded IO-6. If I add it, it will take the place of the IO-6, and the only upgrade will be with sound. It's now in Bathys and H100 territory, but not quite up there with the Apollos, IO-12, or Solitaire T in my opinion.

 

[bronco1015]

I didn't keep the IO-8, and I didn't plan on adding it to the comparison. In my opinion, it's an upgraded IO-6. If I add it, it will take the place of the IO-6, and the only upgrade will be with sound. It's now in Bathys and H100 territory, but not quite up there with the Apollos, IO-12, or Solitaire T in my opinion.

Cool. I am not surprised to hear that. That's not a bad spot to be I'd say, but if I buy another Headphone it has to at least be on par with my iO12.

 

[Maukey]

Cool. I am not surprised to hear that. That's not a bad spot to be I'd say, but if I buy another Headphone it has to at least be on par with my iO12.

That's a tough one to beat when it comes to pure sound quality and comfort.

 

[book23]

I use the Sound Blaster GC7. I just use the cable that comes with headphones (USB-C to 3.5).

I'm glad that at least one person is using the Immersive Mode with a 3.5mm to USB-C type cable connection to an external dac/amp like I am.
I was really sad that not a single person believed that using the h100 with an external dac/amp with a 3.5mm to USB-C cable is good.