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

[dougms3]

Been using the Z7 for a couple days now on first listen there's an immediate lack of detail compared to Z1R, shimmer are still there, it just feels more blunted up high, certainly doesn't reach up as high, bass has less punch doesn't reach as deep, the Bass is defjnitely the one characteristic of the Z1R that jumps at you in first listen to the end man surprisingly, I kinda missed it's bass more than treble.
But then I listened to it the morning after it and all feels normal again.
Yeah, honestly, if you're not a critical listener and just enjoy the music they definitely aren't that different, its just whether you want to get more or not.

This is a bit disappointing to hear since I just placed an order for a Z7m2. But good to know.

I think we all want more but if it weren't for rent and this urge to eat that kennerton flagship would be on my head right now.

 

[Terriero]

This is a bit disappointing to hear since I just placed an order for a Z7m2. But good to know.

I think we all want more but if it weren't for rent and this urge to eat that kennerton flagship would be on my head right now.

If we could eat music and live outside... But it´s cold...

 

[Sp12er3]

This is a bit disappointing to hear since I just placed an order for a Z7m2. But good to know.

I think we all want more but if it weren't for rent and this urge to eat that kennerton flagship would be on my head right now.

yeah it's my impression with the OG Z7 away from my Topping connected to the Bal out of my Shanling M3s so definitely condition isn't as optimal as my home setup, but here I'm thinking more on what use case I can enjoy my Z7 still soo, so far its managing, tho isolation of the Z7 isn't as good as Z1R that's also one thing I kinda miss especially as here with my family bustling around it's hard to find a quiet place.

From what I'm hearing the Z7M2 is gonna be a bit different so really what's matters is your own impressions, your own feelings, your own music.
I love both the Z7 and Z1R, so I'm positively hoping you gonna like your Z7M2 too

I can probably still sell the Z7 and swap it for an iSine hmmm still am curious about those planar IEMs.

 

[dougms3]

yeah it's my impression with the OG Z7, from what I'm hearing the Z7M2 is gonna be a bit different so really what's matters is your own impressions, your own feelings, your own music.
I love both the Z7 and Z1R, so I'm positively hoping you gonna like your Z7M2 too

I hope I like it too.

There aren't many reliable reviews of the Z7m2 and quite alot of conflicting info on the bass. Most of the comparisons are vs the Z1R which is $1200 more which is not really a fair comparison.

 

[ADUHF]

@ADUHF - I actually picked up an older K551 about 2 months ago and I was a little surprised how well it stacked up against some of my favourite headphones.
Unfortunately due to the pandemic, I've been waiting over a month for a replacement set of pads to arrive in the post, so I've been using then with aftermarket Ori pads instead... which aren't horrible... but not perfect either.

The most noticeable thing is the lack of energy between 100-2000Hz... which makes it sound a bit more v-shaped and 'hollow' than stock... vocals and instruments don't sound as full-bodied as they should. (squeezing the pads against my head making them shallower like stock pads immediately remedies this).

Also that sub-bass boost on the graph doesn't translate to the listening experience... it sounds more neutral there than it looks.
The extension of both ends of the scale are exceptional for a headphone at this price point... I've seen measurements of headphones costing 5-10 times the price with treble that cliff-dives above 10kHz.

(Graph is measured with miniDSP EARS, so the usual dips around 4kHz are an artefact of this device and are not to be trusted.)

Thank you for posting this, GREQ.

If I get another pair of the K553's, then I'd definitely like to try to make my own pads for them. As you've probably already figured out, the closer your ears are to the drivers, the fuller and warmer the sound tends to be with these. Since these headphones are closed though, you can compensate for changes in the sound with different pads by using an EQ.

 

[limaaa]

Hi guys,

Is there any place in Europe to buy Dan Clark Aeon Flow RT (closed)?

Thanks!

 

[someguyontheinternet]

Hi guys,

Is there any place in Europe to buy Dan Clark Aeon Flow RT (closed)?

Thanks!

I don't know of any, but I had a very pleasant experience ordering from Dan Clark Audio directly to Germany.
With the current exchange rates of USD-EUR it could also be cheaper even with shipping, tax and import fees aded.

 

[limaaa]

Can anyone maybe compare Aeon Flow RT (closed) and E-MU Teak?

 

[Malevolent]

@Malevolent and myself... salivating...

Well, hopefully, they'll be available for auditioning at my local store (soon). I'm so tempted to get one, but the cost ain't cheap!

For now, we can enjoy these lovely beauties. The folks at Kennerton are churning out a lot of mighty-fine-looking headphones!

 

[Malevolent]

Can anyone maybe compare Aeon Flow RT (closed) and E-MU Teak?

I haven't heard the AEON Flow RT, but I own the AEON 2 Closed, which is an (apparent) improvement over the Flow RT.

If you're looking at an angle that emphasizes the bass, the AEON 2 Closed will not stand toe-to-toe with the Teak. The latter has a distinctly well-tuned bass presentation that is chock-full of texture with just the right amount of decay. In contrast to the E-MU headphone, Dan Clark's cans are typically planar in identity, with faster transients in the lows.

The Teak is an all-around good headphone that has just the right amount of "fun" to complement its generally good technical chops.

 

[arielext]

LSA HP-2 aka Kennerton Gjallarhorn

No impressions yet, it's too soon. These need some time to wake up.

 

[dougms3]

Received the Sony Z7m2 today from UPS.

First impressions.

Its quite interesting, this sounds like an open back headphone. There is very little isolation from outside noises and it bleeds quite a bit of sound. There is alot of venting around the headphone.

Immediately, I can tell the signature is very similar to the MDR1am2. It has good stage width and depth like an open back compared to the MDR1am2 which has almost no soundstage, less peaky and smoother treble but still a bit of sparkle, bass doesn't have as much impact but is cleaner, it has deeper low end extension. V shaped but the mids aren't as recessed as in the MDR1am2.

The bass could be a bit tighter and theres a touch of graininess in the upper mids / lower treble which is a concern. Maybe they need a little break in time but so far I like it.

The Z1Rs must be something out of this world...

Best part is the plug layout is the same as my Pioneer SE-Monitor5 so I can use all my existing cables with this headphone.

 

[shampoosuicide]

Newest addition to my collection: Klipsch Heritage HP-3 ebony.

An informal ranking of all closed-backs I've owned or *auditioned (in brackets):

Updated 24 May 2021

Klipsch HP-3 > Fostex TH900 MK1 >> E-MU Teak = ZMF Ori Cherry = (Audio-Technica W1000X) > Beyerdynamic DT 770 250 ohm > Beyerdynamic T5p 2nd Gen > Sony MDR-1AM2 > Beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro > Audio-Technica A900XLTD = Fostex TH-X00 Mahogany = Shure SRH1540 >>> Audio-Technica M50x >> V-MODA M100

Auditioned or owned, unranked:

Beyerdynamic DT 150
Sony Z7M2
ZMF Eikon

 

[enomiss]

So what are generally speaking the top 3 closed backs according to headfiers?

I had a Neumann NDH20 but I need something more comfortable, does anyone know how the Noire compares? Especially curious about bass and if the listing experience is fatiguing?

 

[P007]

So what are generally speaking the top 3 closed backs according to headfiers?

I had a Neumann NDH20 but I need something more comfortable, does anyone know how the Noire compares? Especially curious about bass and if the listing experience is fatiguing?

I can't speak to the Neumann, but I received my pair of A2C Noire last week, and they are not fatiguing at all - as is well discussed in forum posts. Not only that, but they are physically extremely comfortable.