[Waddiewadkins]

How do you compare the Z1R and Stellia?

Which of the two have more isolation?

The major trade between the two would be less mids in Z1R and less soundstage in Stellia?

Thanks.

I've also never heard any of thr headphones I've typed about

 

[erics75]

Hi everyone, first time poster here. I’m looking to create a shortlist of closed back headphone options in anticipation of Black Friday this year.

I currently own the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro open backs however, my wife complains about hearing my music/meetings during the work day in our office.

My budget is between $500-700. Was hoping to find something comparable if not better than the HD 490 Pro’s. Would be using these for fairly long WFH sessions. Appreciate any recommendations you can provide.

Similar to the 490....(brain slowly computing).... HD620, DT 700 Pro X, and Austrian Audio Hi-X60 (or any of their other closed backs, all sound similar). Those are the ones I've heard myself and would say they're close enough to warrant consideration. Of the bunch the HD620 is my personal favorite by a wide margin. It has a bit more warmth and musicality than the other two, which are tuned for studio work (ie very neutral). The 620 isn't super warm or colored, just not quite as neutral as the others. And when I heard the 490 I found it also to have a touch of warmth a truly neutral studio monitor would not have. Just my useless 2c though.

 

[AudioDuck]

I'm thinking Radiance now... but hardish to get..well just have to make a bit more effort to get it on Ebay etc..

Having owned the Radiance, I’ll say it’s a wonderful headphone. It’s supremely comfortable and feels luxurious. It has a warmer sound signature than other Focals (likely due to the Naim influence)- not a bad thing at all, just different.

While in my case it wasn’t ideal with my amp situation (OTL tube amp and I didn’t realize the impedance mismatch was a factor as I was still learning about my amp), I would probably greatly enjoy them with my solid state amp now.

I always loved the Radiance with my DAP, and if I were made of money, I’d use a Radance as my closed-back option for travel where I have space for large headphones.

 

[Waddiewadkins]

Having owned the Radiance, I’ll say it’s a wonderful headphone. It’s supremely comfortable and feels luxurious. It has a warmer sound signature than other Focals (likely due to the Naim influence)- not a bad thing at all, just different.

While in my case it wasn’t ideal with my amp situation (OTL tube amp and I didn’t realize the impedance mismatch was a factor as I was still learning about my amp), I would probably greatly enjoy them with my solid state amp now.

I always loved the Radiance with my DAP, and if I were made of money, I’d use a Radance as my closed-back option for travel where I have space for large headphones.

Thanks
The easy driveability is strongly alluring. And tester guy called Wavetheory's backing of them is nice too.
Would they be OK around neck when not using walking into some place you don't want to have them on? They don't flatten out right?

 

[AudioDuck]

Thanks
The easy driveability is strongly alluring. And tester guy called Wavetheory's backing of them is nice too.
Would they be OK around neck when not using walking into some place you don't want to have them on? They don't flatten out right?

Correct, the earcups do NOT swivel and flatten.

I’ve honestly thought hard about/been tempted by the Campfire Audio Cascades as well (more compact, they DO flatten, metal body/arguably more durable)… it has some similarities in sound signature (warm, more bass-heavy than neutrally-tuned headphones). It’s a shame Campfire doesn’t make them anymore.

But that said, I’ve gone down the IEM rabbit hole a bit, and will likely spend my money there.

 

[Waddiewadkins]

Correct, the earcups do NOT swivel and flatten.

I’ve honestly thought hard about/been tempted by the Campfire Audio Cascades as well (more compact, they DO flatten, metal body/arguably more durable)… it has some similarities in sound signature (warm, more bass-heavy than neutrally-tuned headphones). It’s a shame Campfire doesn’t make them anymore.

But that said, I’ve gone down the IEM rabbit hole a bit, and will likely spend my money there.

Man yeah the Cascades,, that's very research memories from 2 years ago,, Aeon Noires too,,almost got Elegias 2 years ago too as they had the last few in Richer Sounds in Northern Ireland.. There were Audio Technicas, WP900,,too.. probably the most portable audiophile headphones. Know them?.. After all that research on overears , I discovered IEMs!
And after about a month I settled on IE 600...

 

[blochsidisco]

Currently don’t own a pair of wired closed backs, and debating what to go for.
On my list so far are the HD620s, DT1770 Pro MkII, NDH 20 and MDR-M1.

Priorities in ranked order: 1. Sound, 2. isolation, 3. Price, 4. Design

These days I’m daily driving the 660S2s and occassionally the 490s. Thats why the 620s are probably the safest bet sound wise, though I don’t really dig the design and never dound the 560s very comfortable. Apparently, isolation is pretty good with these. I’ve never heard the 1770s but I loved my 1990s and might buy the MKII at some point. No experience with Neumann headphones but they seem to be held in high regard around here. Sony, well I used the 7506s for a while, but ended up selling them.

What do you guys think?

Of course, I could also just keep my money and use my PX7S2s, after all they are a pretty good pair of cans especially when reducing the bass.

 

[Conan1974]

Hm, Focal Celestee, Denon AH D9200.
Very pleasant.

 

[Frabera]

You should have a look at the new AUNE SR 7000 Amazon.com has it at a good price and it seems to be a new reference closed back under € 1'000.-

 

[AudioDuck]

Man yeah the Cascades,, that's very research memories from 2 years ago,, Aeon Noires too,,almost got Elegias 2 years ago too as they had the last few in Richer Sounds in Northern Ireland.. There were Audio Technicas, WP900,,too.. probably the most portable audiophile headphones. Know them?.. After all that research on overears , I discovered IEMs!
And after about a month I settled on IE 600...

Yes, I’ve read about those Audio Technicas, but have never had a chance to try them. I’ve seen they have a fair number of fans on this forum, though.

But IEMs are so practical for travel, as long as they are comfortable.

 

[HeadphonesSearcher]

I've been told that the Austria Audio Hi-X25BT have smaller ear cups (about 50mm) than the Hi-X60 (70mm), but I'm not sure if the info is right.
Anyone has info on the size of the cups of the Hi-X25BT?
Thanks

 

[Kukuk]

My obsession with the Hifiman HE-R9 and R10D lead me down a dark and expensive path.

I've always liked closed-back headphones, but they've always been somewhat compromised in one way or another. Not these: they have a soundstage similar to the HD800S, with bass that no open headphone could hope to compete with. I used to own the Sony MDR-Z1R, and these are better in every way.

My only complaint is they have some sizzly treble regions. I'm really hope those cool down with some break-in.

These will probably end up being my final closed-back headphone. I really don't see any "up" from here.

 

[Spawn300Z]

I have these as part of my travel rotation. Great set of cans. Highly underrated.

 

[Halimj7]

My obsession with the Hifiman HE-R9 and R10D lead me down a dark and expensive path.



I've always liked closed-back headphones, but they've always been somewhat compromised in one way or another. Not these: they have a soundstage similar to the HD800S, with bass that no open headphone could hope to compete with. I used to own the Sony MDR-Z1R, and these are better in every way.

My only complaint is they have some sizzly treble regions. I'm really hope those cool down with some break-in.

These will probably end up being my final closed-back headphone. I really don't see any "up" from here.

For me it’s not the treble but the upper mids that are hot.

 

[bluenight]

I had 4 days where i home demoed Atrium Closed, Caldera Closed, And Verite Closed. Listen both with stock pads and Caldera Suede TP which i found best suede pad.

Atrium Closed was perhaps more musical and it was easy to like what you listen to and it sounded more fullbodied compared to CC. AC had more bass than Caldera closed but more bass bloom and AC sounded more colored. Also AC was a little more dynamic and has harder more impactful bass slam. CC sounded more articulate and fast CC was still fullbodied enough imo. AC was more muddy and grainy and distorted in sound, CC sounded cleaner and more high resolution had a very black background(maybe a planar effect , first planar i have tried). Some songs that were poorly recorded sounded very grainy and sharp on the AC, while the CC handled them better. And overall if you went from CC to AC it sounded more low resolution. I think they were aiming for realism and accuracy with CC. Thought the CC sounded brighter in the tone and treble and maybe had more listening fatigue, felt like I wanted to lower the volume more often after raising it. CC had better seperation and i thought Soundstage size where similar. I liked the sparkle up top perhaps most on AC and CC was maybe a touch to bright in timbre imo.

Verite Closed was more like AC, thought maybe the bass was less bloomy and articulate and less coloured sound. Thought VC had the most sibilance and grain in voices and poor recordings.

All are great sounding well balanced Headphones.

I thought they were too heavy, and I felt them in my neck after a few hours. They say A BBB strap helps and choosing magnesium build and lighter wood and form the headband to distribute weight best.

AWAS in comparison sounds more midcentric and honky in tonality. With not as deep bass. Not as grainy on poor recordings as AC or VC though. Zmf pads where reccomended for AWAS. Dident have the time to try that.