Suggestions for first open backs

[GreatBlueHeron]

I spend about 2-4 hours a day listening to music. My old house was soundproof enough that I could do this with near field speakers at low volumes. My new house in not so soundproof, so I'm now using headphones. I currently have some Sony WH-1000XM3 and KZ ZSN.

I love the KZ but find that they irritate my left ear after a while. I've tried some different tips (Not many - just what I found in my drawer supplied with other cheap sets. All silicone I think) and the only ones that don't irritate are small and don't seal well - I lose all the bass. I don't think I can resolve this with different tips as I have the same issue with foam earplugs used for hearing protection.

The Sony are great for noisy environments (I can't fly without them!) but I find the sound a little lacking - just somehow not as well defined as the KZ. The bass in particular is "there", but not accurate - it often just sounds like a generic low frequency thud rather than a double bass or whatever it actually is.

I'm interested in trying some open back over ears. I've been scrolling through the Head Gear section and every time I find something I like it's way over budget. I'm looking for similar sound to the KZ ZSN, open back, over ear, lightweight with a nice long cord that is 6.5mm native with a 3.5mm adapter. Budget is around $300 Canadian. I know I'm asking a lot, but it can't hurt to try.

While I'm curious to try open backs because I've read that they can be crisper than closed backs, and I'm hoping to improve on the slightly muffled sound of the Sony, I am open to suggestions for closed backs that meet my other criteria.

 

[pbui44]

Check these out:

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/193757579870

Also, if you already have a decent headphone amplifier somewhere, then this is the lowest price that I have seen new:

https://headphonebar.com/collections/headphones/products/audio-technica-ath-r70x

 

[WILLJS]

anybody going to say HE400? I feel like i should just because I feel lost in threads like this without it.

 

[GreatBlueHeron]

Also, if you already have a decent headphone amplifier somewhere, then this is the lowest price that I have seen new:

I use vintage HiFi amps - a JVC A-X1 and a Pioneer SA-8500 II. My understanding is that the design of these older amps, where the headphone out is a step-down from the speaker out, means they can drive pretty much any headphones. They do look interesting - thanks.

 

[earmonger]

Like @pbui44, I am a huge fan of the ATH-R70X -- hours of use every day -- but they are still slightly above your budget.

Just days ago, Audio-Technica introduced a new version around the same price -- ATH-R70xa -- but ALSO a similar open-back around $169 US, the ATH-R50X. It's supposed to be just as lightweight and comfortable and similar sounding, but less power hungry. If you can find a seller with an easy return policy, I'd say they are worth a try -- and I would love to know what you think of them if you do.

Your Sonys and KZ's probably pump up the bass more than any of the Audio Technica, which does not exaggerate any register; they give you almost exactly what's in the recording. But the A-Ts claim to go down to 5 Hz and your stereo amps probably have tone controls, so you can crank up the bass to whatever you prefer -- they can handle it.

 

[GreatBlueHeron]

but ALSO a similar open-back around $169 US, the ATH-R50X

That's very tempting. I've actually just started researching and won't be ready to buy until mid-late Feb. I'll see what the pricing is like then - the link @pbui44 posted for the 70 is not a lot more than the full retail for the 50 so at current pricing I'd probably go for the 70.

anybody going to say HE400?

I just read the ASR review of these - definitely on my shortlist. Thanks.

 

[GreatBlueHeron]

Edit - the post/user I'm replying to here has been deleted. I can't figure out how to delete my post..

Um, budget is 300 CAD. 2,000 USD is close enough to 10x budget. Are you offering to pay the difference? With such a way-off suggestion as your very first post on this site you're going to have a hard time convincing me that you're not a bot.

 

[Monsterzero]

I use vintage HiFi amps - a JVC A-X1 and a Pioneer SA-8500 II. My understanding is that the design of these older amps, where the headphone out is a step-down from the speaker out, means they can drive pretty much any headphones. They do look interesting - thanks.

I'm going to suggest you try a high impedance headphone since you're using vintage speaker amps to drive headphones. You're correct, the speaker amp is connected to the HP jack via a resistor, however it's been my experience that low impedance headphones+vintage amps/receivers= impedance mismatch= bass bloat, which sounds exactly the way you're describing the bass response in your Sony and KZ, a dull, fat, undefined thud.

I would try to focus on headphones over 200 ohms. The Sennheiser 6xx or Beyer DT series in the 250 or 600 ohm variants would work as would some vintage AKGs. Moving up the price ladder would be most of the ZMF lineup, except for the Calderas and Bokehs.

A few of my vintage receivers....

my Sansui 881 and McIntosh 4100. Above left is my Violectric v550 pro which is for low impedance dynamic driver headphones and planars, which sound like garbage on vintage gear.

My Kenwood Eleven GX...same story as above, low impedance headphones and planars do not sound good, but high impedance HPs sound glorious.

 

[earmonger]

I was distinctly unimpressed with HE400 -- especially if you want bass.

I do love the earnestness and diligence and giant graphs at ASR, but not necessarily their judgment. They couldn't get the ATH-R70X to fit on their measuring rig -- as glancingly mentioned in their review -- and then trashed it because they couldn't get accurate measurements. They're also among the very few who found it uncomfortable. Don't take any single reviewer's word as definitive, mine included.

With the new ATH-R70xa, I wonder if ATH-R70X are going to have a price drop. That would make it an absolute first choice.

 

[GreatBlueHeron]

I finally have my money situation sorted out and am ready to do this. I had a bit of a look around and found the ATH-R70x are currently on sale for CAD389 and I'm thinking that is my best option. I have a weird gut feel that I might prefer the Senheiser HD600 but they are CAD190 more, and I'm already over budget with the ATH-R70x.

Just checking in if anyone has any last minute suggestions at that price point.

 

[pbui44]

Now that the HeadphoneBar ATH-R70X $289 CAD offer is gone, this is your next best option at your budget:

https://baybloorradio.com/headphone...iio-ft1-pro-headphones?sort=p.price&order=ASC

 

[Luckyleo]

I finally have my money situation sorted out and am ready to do this. I had a bit of a look around and found the ATH-R70x are currently on sale for CAD389 and I'm thinking that is my best option. I have a weird gut feel that I might prefer the Senheiser HD600 but they are CAD190 more, and I'm already over budget with the ATH-R70x.

Just checking in if anyone has any last minute suggestions at that price point.

Drop/Sennheiser HD6xx (HD650). Already mentioned in this thread. A tremendous headphone that's a classic having been around for years.

 

[earmonger]

As noted above, I think the ATH-R70X are superb.

That said, since budget is a serious consideration, the Drop HD6XX are over $100 (US) cheaper; I don't know what the price differential is in Canada, since Drop export prices do unpredictable things.
https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-sennheiser-hd6xx

The HD650, same sound in a different build, are over budget. And the ATH-R70X are basically designed to be an improved version of the HD650
https://www.theverge.com/2018/7/6/17535412/audio-technica-r70x-review-professional-headphones

People here often don't take budget seriously but it is a real consideration. Other open-backs to consider are the FiiO FT1 mentioned a few posts above, the Beyerdynamic DT900 Pro X (around $279 US) and maybe even the ATH-R50X at under $200. You can probably find a seller with a good return policy.

 

[kman1211]

The HD 6XX, potentially the R50x (haven't heard them, but plan to soon), and also the Beyer DT 880 250/600 Ohm are all solid choices in your budget. The R70x/xa and the HD 600 may be a bit expensive but do highly suggest those as well.

 

[GreatBlueHeron]

Thanks for all the input. I've just ordered the ATH-R70x. I was seriously tempted by the HD6XX but with the current tariff threat etc. situation I'm avoiding buying from the US. The FiiO FT1 also look interesting but, as per advice from @Monsterzero, I'm going for something with higher impedance to hopefully pair with my vintage amplifiers.