The Closed-Back Headphone Thread (Plus Comparisons & Reviews)

[Raketen]

listen on hd600 whilst sitting on a subwoofer and you're golden

 

[gazzington]

th900 is my favorite closed back. edm with all that bass is amazing

 

[Terriero]

Psttt... @Malevolent, you have a big surprise here.

I hope that you have your aproval (you know what I mean), I assure you that if I would have that amount of money right now (with or without an aproval) I would go for them... ... Yes, it's so crazy, just for that incredible aesthetics...

I'm waiting eagerly for impressions. Also, I hope that @ithilienrp will receive his new toy very soon

 

[Telix]

Glad to find this thread! I listen to closed-back headphones at work and for podcast production during recording because I can't have sound leakage. I currently have an old Denon AH-D2000 that I've modded with Dynamat a long while back, and a Shure SRH1540. I'm kind of out of the loop as to what has been happening in the sealed headphone world over the past years. Is there anything legitimately worth checking out over what I have in the sub-$1K USD range?

 

[SQ13]

Psttt... @Malevolent, you have a big surprise here.

I hope that you have your aproval (you know what I mean), I assure you that if I would have that amount of money right now (with or without an aproval) I would go for them... ... Yes, it's so crazy, just for that incredible aesthetics...

I'm waiting eagerly for impressions. Also, I hope that @ithilienrp will receive his new toy very soon

that kennerton looks fantastic. do you know when it is available and would love to hear it, better still own one (if the price is not off the roof)

 

[Terriero]

that kennerton looks fantastic. do you know when it is available and would love to hear it, better still own one (if the price is not off the roof)

They are available here ... But you see, is not cheap... It competes with the few TOTL closed headphones in the planar category, like the new Hifiman HER10 (wich have a 5000 $ price).

 

[AudioDuck]

Glad to find this thread! I listen to closed-back headphones at work and for podcast production during recording because I can't have sound leakage. I currently have an old Denon AH-D2000 that I've modded with Dynamat a long while back, and a Shure SRH1540. I'm kind of out of the loop as to what has been happening in the sealed headphone world over the past years. Is there anything legitimately worth checking out over what I have in the sub-$1K USD range?

The SRH-1540 is a darn good headphone that scales impressively with a good aftermarket cable and good amp.

What are you looking to improve? What music do you listen to? Do you have a preferred sound signature/tone (ie detailed, clear, sparkling treble and fast bass vs more laidback, warmer tone...)

You can get more clarity with an Audeze LCD-XC (but also brutal honesty with poor recordings- beware what you wish for!), for example. It can be found for $900 or so used if you look for a while.

Other options to consider, depending on your needs (based on research only, have not heard these): Denon AH-7200 new or used (laidback sound, great bass), ZMF Atticus used (very hard to find 2nd hand, warm/euphonic tone, great mid bass). Beyerdynamic T1 (semi-open) or T5p (closed) for dynamics.

It is so hard to audition cans right now with the pandemic, so I’d recommend considering lengthy research and consideration of what you like to listen to and the sound signature you enjoy.

Also you may need to be willing to buy/sell some used cans to get what you love, and spend some time and effort/shipping costs/loss of some money along the way- OR buy a new pair from a dealer with a good return policy + do some break-in and serious listening.

 

[ThanatosVI]

Glad to find this thread! I listen to closed-back headphones at work and for podcast production during recording because I can't have sound leakage. I currently have an old Denon AH-D2000 that I've modded with Dynamat a long while back, and a Shure SRH1540. I'm kind of out of the loop as to what has been happening in the sealed headphone world over the past years. Is there anything legitimately worth checking out over what I have in the sub-$1K USD range?

The LCD 2 closed back is @1k and really good imo.
Worth checking out.

And the Kennerton Gjallarhorn does also fit the bill

 

[gazzington]

What would be a great closed back to use portably with a dap for walking to work but also using in the office? I have a wp900 but I don’t want it scratched!

 

[Nostoi]

Just received a pair of JVC HA-SW01 from Japan, which I've been curious about for a while. First impression: very nice build, much better than I anticipated. Plush headband, solid hinges. I replaced the pads with Brainwavz angled leather pads. The clamp is tightish (Beyer 1770 tight), but leakage/isolation is minimal. Comfort is very good. Sound is very interesting. I had read they're kinda muddy/veiled on first listen, which is a little true. They feel like they need burn in. Having said that, the FR is balanced, somewhat neutral, with an elevation in mid-bass. Overall, fairly warm with a very smooth top end. Technically, they're quite strong - not in your face imaging/separation/layering - but more natural presentation of detail. Included cable is pretty good quality, though I'll probably change for silver cable with 4.4mm termination to introduce more sparkle. Probably keepers and definitely good portable cans for out/about, which aren't too ostentatious.

 

[Telix]

The SRH-1540 is a darn good headphone that scales impressively with a good aftermarket cable and good amp.

What are you looking to improve? What music do you listen to? Do you have a preferred sound signature/tone (ie detailed, clear, sparkling treble and fast bass vs more laidback, warmer tone...)

You can get more clarity with an Audeze LCD-XC (but also brutal honesty with poor recordings- beware what you wish for!), for example. It can be found for $900 or so used if you look for a while.

Other options to consider, depending on your needs (based on research only, have not heard these): Denon AH-7200 new or used (laidback sound, great bass), ZMF Atticus used (very hard to find 2nd hand, warm/euphonic tone, great mid bass). Beyerdynamic T1 (semi-open) or T5p (closed) for dynamics.

It is so hard to audition cans right now with the pandemic, so I’d recommend considering lengthy research and consideration of what you like to listen to and the sound signature you enjoy.

Also you may need to be willing to buy/sell some used cans to get what you love, and spend some time and effort/shipping costs/loss of some money along the way- OR buy a new pair from a dealer with a good return policy + do some break-in and serious listening.

Thanks for this great reply!

I'm pretty unsure what I could really improve because it's been so long since I've auditioned any better equipment. I think the thing that I like most about some high quality recordings + equipment is the feeling of intimacy that can be gained, but I also love tight big hitting bass for more fun recordings. I listen to a decent amount of electronic music that can benefit from ultra-silent inky blackness combined with quick attacking bass. I think I prefer a more "laid-back" sound at times because I do listen a lot during the day and don't want to get fatigued.

I use a SMSL M500 DAC that I just upgraded from an old Schitt Magni/Modi stack. It sounds great to me!

I've noticed people discuss replacing the cable on the SRH-1540 - why is that? I've never really recabled anything and frankly find the science behind it pretty inconclusive, but I'm willing to research any suggestions.

 

[Sonic Defender]

Thanks for this great reply!

I'm pretty unsure what I could really improve because it's been so long since I've auditioned any better equipment. I think the thing that I like most about some high quality recordings + equipment is the feeling of intimacy that can be gained, but I also love tight big hitting bass for more fun recordings. I listen to a decent amount of electronic music that can benefit from ultra-silent inky blackness combined with quick attacking bass. I think I prefer a more "laid-back" sound at times because I do listen a lot during the day and don't want to get fatigued.

I use a SMSL M500 DAC that I just upgraded from an old Schitt Magni/Modi stack. It sounds great to me!

I've noticed people discuss replacing the cable on the SRH-1540 - why is that? I've never really recabled anything and frankly find the science behind it pretty inconclusive, but I'm willing to research any suggestions.

You find the science inconclusive because there is no science to speak of really. It would be great at a CanJam or at some larger, private head-fi meets if people organized properly done, multiple trial per subject, multiple subject, blind listening, level matched tests to put these claims to the test. That would be refreshing.

 

[P007]

You find the science inconclusive because there is no science to speak of really. It would be great at a CanJam or at some larger, private head-fi meets if people organized properly done, multiple trial per subject, multiple subject, blind listening, level matched tests to put these claims to the test. That would be refreshing.

Very correct.

When it comes to certain things like cables....people are actually insane with the money they are spending for no actual, perceivable benefit. James Randi offered $1 million a looong time ago to anyone who could prove that these uber-cables are any different than decent quality cable. No takers up until he died (more than 10+years). I am very skeptical that Shure, or most decent audio companies, are using sub-par materials for cabling where you might actually notice.

At best, you will pay an extraordinary amount of money for, at best, an imperceptible improvement in signal quality.

This isn't like paying lot of money for an old vintage of wine (price related to rarity, not just quality)...its like paying a lot of extra money for absolutely nothing.

Would be much better if people put all that audio-cable money to a charity or something that actually exists.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

This isn't like paying lot of money for an old vintage of wine (price related to rarity, not just quality)...its like paying a lot of extra money for absolutely nothing.

It is worth paying for cables which are well made of good materials and connectors. But that probably tops out at around 15 euros worth of materials plus whatever reasonable labor cost is to assemble them.

Would be much better if people put all that audio-cable money to a charity or something that actually exists.

Not all charities actually exist

 

[Telix]

I switched from my Denon AH-D2000's back to my SRH-1540's today, and here's my primary complaint: the Shure's are boring. They don't have the bass punch of the Denon's and have a very different character. I feel like they are more "sterile" in a way. I'm sure that is an appealing characteristic for many, but I think for the "music is fun and sounds awesome" person in me the Denon's are what I'm happier with. The major issue with the Denon's is that the earpads are falling apart (although I do have some new ones on order), and the headband is flaking, too. Maybe I can make a fuzzy wrap for it, hahaha.

Are the AH-D7200's just "much better" D2000's? If so I might have to find a way to audition them....