Honestly? The Senn HD820 might be your best bet. Great soundstage and imaging in gaming. The Sony has a ton of bass, but that's about the best part, it's similar to the HD820. The Stellia is probably the closest to neutral I can think of, but I agree with msing539. The XTC-C are really good, but super bassy (you can tune it down.) In fact, most closed back are super bassy. I agree with the IEM option someone mentioned. You can pretty much pick your tuning then and they'll isolate well. You can get a really good IEM with a DAP for the price of the Stellia or MDR-Z1R.I am looking for a closed back headphone to go with my HD800s which I love, but can't use sometimes when it's too loud in the office.
I have Z7M2 and while they are very comfortable and alright-sounding, I need more soundstage. Also Z7M2 suffer from a weird bug - they hiss (I am using Topping A90 + D10B and there is no noise whatsoever in HD800s only in Z7M2, but whatever)..
ing it's
So the shootout is:
1. ZMF Verite Closed. Idk the reviews are all over the place (as far as ~$3k headphones go). I saw quite a few ppl say it's muffled etc etc. Also the build quality is suspect (more than 2 instances of ppl talkign about wood cups getting chipped)
2. Focal Stellia. These don't seem to isolate well, which may be a deal breaker.
3. Sony MDR Z1R. I kinda like Z7M2 - it's the most comfortable big headphone I've ever worn. But I heard it's V-shaped, which isn't really my thing, I'd rather have a balanced headphone.
4. Dan Clark Audio Ether Flow. Idk I read somewhere it's actually not good at all. i am definitely not willing to step up to Stealth for $4k.
Oh the funniest part - my use case is games 60%, but for the other 40% which is music I am not willing to compromise on sound quality whatsoever.
If I was to weigh the features from 0 to 10 in importance:
10 - sound quality (duh)
10 - isolation
8 - comfort (I can mod)
5 - build quality (i hate the repair hassle)
0 - looks
0 - easy to drive (I'll accommodate)
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Stellia vs ZMF VC vs Sony MDR Z1R vs ...?
- Thread starter ZzBOG
- Start date
stellia is neutral with bass boost, DCA aeon 2 closed,audeze lcd-2cb ,beyerdynamyc aventho not bassy.Honestly? The Senn HD820 might be your best bet. Great soundstage and imaging in gaming. The Sony has a ton of bass, but that's about the best part, it's similar to the HD820. The Stellia is probably the closest to neutral I can think of, but I agree with msing539. The XTC-C are really good, but super bassy (you can tune it down.) In fact, most closed back are super bassy. I agree with the IEM option someone mentioned. You can pretty much pick your tuning then and they'll isolate well. You can get a really good IEM with a DAP for the price of the Stellia or MDR-Z1R.
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shaafmasood
100+ Head-Fier
Hey,I've heard the Stellia and DCA, owned a VO not the VC.
The Verite cups can be durable if you don't get a softer wood--the magnesium chassis is more prone to chipping in my experience, but only if you're not careful with them.
The Stellia is an interesting one, but I'd suggest demoing if you can. It's not for everyone. As far as DCA, I find them all to be a little boring, lacking engagement.
Though I haven't tried them for gaming, take a look at the Denon D9200. Not sure how it stacks up against the Sony but I prefer it to the others mentioned above.
How will you compare denon d7200 from the rest?
D7200 is a musical headphone if you prefer a warmer sound. With a bass shelf, it is a beast. Imaging is excellent. Comfort is just ok, I pad mine.Hey,
How will you compare denon d7200 from the rest?
shaafmasood
100+ Head-Fier
How will they compare to sony mdr z1r and meze liric? I have d7200 and im looking for an upgradeD7200 is a musical headphone if you prefer a warmer sound. With a bass shelf, it is a beast. Imaging is excellent. Comfort is just ok, I pad mine.
The Z1R I have still never heard. The Liric or the Liric II? The original Liric was an ok headphone, I prefer the II personally. But I really wouldn't take either over the D7200, unless I valued comfort and portability more than the warm fun sound the D7200 delivers. Depends what you're looking for in a new headphone.How will they compare to sony mdr z1r and meze liric? I have d7200 and im looking for an upgrade
shaafmasood
100+ Head-Fier
I want lush and musical sound signatureThe Z1R I have still never heard. The Liric or the Liric II? The original Liric was an ok headphone, I prefer the II personally. But I really wouldn't take either over the D7200, unless I valued comfort and portability more than the warm fun sound the D7200 delivers. Depends what you're looking for in a new headphone.
What about zmf headphones, how they stack up with denon in detail retrieval? And is d9200 better than d7200? I heard d9200 have peaky treble
Plus with what amp/dac you drive your d7200?
Sonnet Morpheus and iFi Pro iCan Signature. I think the D9200 is a better headphone, yes, I reach for it much more often than the D7200 because it does do better in detail retrieval. To me, the peaks of the 9200 make it more exciting.I want lush and musical sound signature
What about zmf headphones, how they stack up with denon in detail retrieval? And is d9200 better than d7200? I heard d9200 have peaky treble
Plus with what amp/dac you drive your d7200?
For lush and musical, I do think ZMF headphones are a good option. I just find the Denons to be more fun. For reference, I've heard the Eikon, Aeolus, Auteur OG, VC, VO, Atrium Open, Closed, Caldera Open.
shaafmasood
100+ Head-Fier
What you have choosen for yourself? Mainly for music and watching movies?Sonnet Morpheus and iFi Pro iCan Signature. I think the D9200 is a better headphone, yes, I reach for it much more often than the D7200 because it does do better in detail retrieval. To me, the peaks of the 9200 make it more exciting.
For lush and musical, I do think ZMF headphones are a good option. I just find the Denons to be more fun. For reference, I've heard the Eikon, Aeolus, Auteur OG, VC, VO, Atrium Open, Closed, Caldera Open.
D7200 or Eikon or vc
And the detail retrieval of d9200 is greatly improved over d7200 and what about other aspects?
I have also heard that focal headphones like focal celestee, radiance are more punchy and has better dynamics than denon
When I listen to music, I primarily use the D9200, Meze Elite, Quad ERA-1, or Campfire Trifecta. The other headphones in my signature when I want a different sound. I don't typically watch movies on my computer.What you have choosen for yourself? Mainly for music and watching movies?
D7200 or Eikon or vc
Dynamics are improved and so is bass texture. There is less bass quantity but what's there has much more detail than the 7200.And the detail retrieval of d9200 is greatly improved over d7200 and what about other aspects?
I would agree that Focals have better dynamics but, to me, the Denons sound more natural.I have also heard that focal headphones like focal celestee, radiance are more punchy and has better dynamics than denon
shaafmasood
100+ Head-Fier
Thank you for your responceWhen I listen to music, I primarily use the D9200, Meze Elite, Quad ERA-1, or Campfire Trifecta. The other headphones in my signature when I want a different sound. I don't typically watch movies on my computer.
Dynamics are improved and so is bass texture. There is less bass quantity but what's there has much more detail than the 7200.
I would agree that Focals have better dynamics but, to me, the Denons sound more natural.
I'd recommend D9200, Verite Closed or Atrium Closed as an upgrade to your D7200.I want lush and musical sound signature
What about zmf headphones, how they stack up with denon in detail retrieval? And is d9200 better than d7200? I heard d9200 have peaky treble
Plus with what amp/dac you drive your d7200?
Focal Radiance would probably be more of sidegrade. Focal Stellia worth trying too but the tuning isn't for everyone.
shaafmasood
100+ Head-Fier
Meze empyrean 1st gen is also an option and also sony mdr z1rI'd recommend D9200, Verite Closed or Atrium Closed as an upgrade to your D7200.
Focal Radiance would probably be more of sidegrade. Focal Stellia worth trying too but the tuning isn't for everyone.
Empyrean is open back so completely different experience there.Meze empyrean 1st gen is also an option and also sony mdr z1r
Yes Z1R would be another option too.
shaafmasood
100+ Head-Fier
Thank youEmpyrean is open back so completely different experience there.
Yes Z1R would be another option too.
I will look forward to purchase one of these
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