[audionooby]

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.

Aren’t they releasing the Isvarna soon? It has a suspiciously similar cup shape. I thought it might be the replacement/upgrade.

 

[Terriero]

I had lost all my hope to see @Malevolent again here... But it seems that he recently connected to the forum...

So, like with Half life 3, I still have a little hope... to see our dear friend and his excellent closed-back headphone reviews

 

[bluenight]

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.

So they can make great closed backs after all? Audivina was a laughing stock to many and got bad talk against it.

It would be nice if hifiman had as good close back options as they have open backs in every price range.

 

[Aavitero]

I demoed a bunch of closed backs and perhaps there is someone that could advise something that I could like according to stuff written below. I have issues with dynamic HPs, as all of them sound muddy to me, but none the less I have not given up on them and I hope to find something that changes the view I have.

Aune SR7000 - no isolation otherwise decent for DD, still veiled for me, Lensys did everything better

Focal Lensys - Best of all DD closed backs I tried. Great acoustic guitar performance. well balanced, albeit slightly too muddy for me

Focal Stellia - I could only poke it with a stick. This has been traumatic experience even compared to 15eur "gamer" headsets. It did some parts well, but female vocals made me rip them off my head and whatever was good was overshadowed.

LCD 2 Closed - Best sounding closed back, fantastic isolation and still comparably spacious. Would require some EQ to bring female vocals alive.

Caldera Closed - No isolation, great, very spacious sounding, but bass is lacking in texture as sacrifice.

Meze Lyric - lacks bass impact but good vocals and quite "detailed"

Meze Lyric II - better bass than 1, more airy and detailed, but vocals a but distant. Plays well on High Dynamic Range mastered files, but really lack-luster on loudness wars affected music files.

 

[Frabera]

According to the closed backs mentioned, It seems the ZMF Atrium closed may suit you well.

 

[Aavitero]

According to the closed backs mentioned, It seems the ZMF Atrium closed may suit you well.

Thank You! Will definitely add it to the demo list when I have the chance!

 

[yrstruly]

I demoed a bunch of closed backs and perhaps there is someone that could advise something that I could like according to stuff written below. I have issues with dynamic HPs, as all of them sound muddy to me, but none the less I have not given up on them and I hope to find something that changes the view I have.

Aune SR7000 - no isolation otherwise decent for DD, still veiled for me, Lensys did everything better

Focal Lensys - Best of all DD closed backs I tried. Great acoustic guitar performance. well balanced, albeit slightly too muddy for me

Focal Stellia - I could only poke it with a stick. This has been traumatic experience even compared to 15eur "gamer" headsets. It did some parts well, but female vocals made me rip them off my head and whatever was good was overshadowed.

LCD 2 Closed - Best sounding closed back, fantastic isolation and still comparably spacious. Would require some EQ to bring female vocals alive.

Caldera Closed - No isolation, great, very spacious sounding, but bass is lacking in texture as sacrifice.

Meze Lyric - lacks bass impact but good vocals and quite "detailed"

Meze Lyric II - better bass than 1, more airy and detailed, but vocals a but distant. Plays well on High Dynamic Range mastered files, but really lack-luster on loudness wars affected music files.

Surprised you found the Lensys muddy - it has quite extended treble and open sound. Perhaps you're looking for an even more open soundstage.

I'd try and Atrium Closed or D9200, although the latter might not be isolating enough for you.

 

[Aavitero]

Surprised you found the Lensys muddy - it has quite extended treble and open sound. Perhaps you're looking for an even more open soundstage.

I'd try and Atrium Closed or D9200, although the latter might not be isolating enough for you.

I recently have found that for my ears treble is not as much responsible for the clarity/muddiness as I usually read online. But my ears are quite a deviation from average and when doing molds, doctor was rather surprised of how vertical they are, so that might also play into my dissatisfaction of Dynamic Drivers. I was using DT1990 pro previously and still have it as GF is using them, and trying them from time to time and even attempting to EQ them, I really can't get rid of the muddy feeling. And 1990 pro are almost always noted as quite bright headphones.

 

[yrstruly]

I recently have found that for my ears treble is not as much responsible for the clarity/muddiness as I usually read online. But my ears are quite a deviation from average and when doing molds, doctor was rather surprised of how vertical they are, so that might also play into my dissatisfaction of Dynamic Drivers. I was using DT1990 pro previously and still have it as GF is using them, and trying them from time to time and even attempting to EQ them, I really can't get rid of the muddy feeling. And 1990 pro are almost always noted as quite bright headphones.

Got you. Might be worth you trying the Rognir Planar - it's fairly pricey though!

 

[Spawn300Z]

I demoed a bunch of closed backs and perhaps there is someone that could advise something that I could like according to stuff written below. I have issues with dynamic HPs, as all of them sound muddy to me, but none the less I have not given up on them and I hope to find something that changes the view I have.

Aune SR7000 - no isolation otherwise decent for DD, still veiled for me, Lensys did everything better

Focal Lensys - Best of all DD closed backs I tried. Great acoustic guitar performance. well balanced, albeit slightly too muddy for me

Focal Stellia - I could only poke it with a stick. This has been traumatic experience even compared to 15eur "gamer" headsets. It did some parts well, but female vocals made me rip them off my head and whatever was good was overshadowed.

LCD 2 Closed - Best sounding closed back, fantastic isolation and still comparably spacious. Would require some EQ to bring female vocals alive.

Caldera Closed - No isolation, great, very spacious sounding, but bass is lacking in texture as sacrifice.

Meze Lyric - lacks bass impact but good vocals and quite "detailed"

Meze Lyric II - better bass than 1, more airy and detailed, but vocals a but distant. Plays well on High Dynamic Range mastered files, but really lack-luster on loudness wars affected music files.

What is your current setup?

 

[Aavitero]

What is your current setup?

My main setup right now is no-name DYI R2R dac with Flyinsky board into ibasso PB5 into LCD-X (EQd heavily to my preferences).
Looking for something with isolation, hence closed-back demos

 

[Spawn300Z]

I was curious because of what your findings were for a couple headphones.

Look into the HE-R10P Stealth version. You may find that they will work for you. Hifiman had them on sale on their website last month. Maybe they still due.

 

[Whazzzup]

My closed back, th900, fully Lawton mod to Hawaiian koa. Had it since 2016.

 

[tesarpa]

YES! TH900 with Lawton mod in my case for the win, too. I have just the tuning and leather pads, keeping the original red cups.

 

[MRHiFiReviews]

Post in thread 'Introducing NOIRE X'
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/introducing-noire-x.974973/post-18467533