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

[fidgeraldo]

It also depends on what I'm doing

I got your story and example as a message that people should do sports, maintain their bodies, and care for them, especially at a young age.
Not about whether some headphones are heavy or not.

Cheers!

 

[Vruksha]

If 500 grams on your head creates a problems i think it's time to see a doctor. Or do something about your necks health.

It’s not that I can’t handle 500 grams on my head. I do wear motorcycle helmets so used to the weight but at home or while traveling I prefer a lighter headphone in general for prolonged listening sessions. My tonal preference leans towards LCD2.2 pre fazor or Denon D7200 but both have issues with comfort for prolonged use due to weight or head band issues.
PS - Skinny people also exist in this hobby.
From whatever little I’ve tried, Sony MDR M1 is so far the best balance btw weight and my preferred sound target. The only thing it lacks imo is better soundstage.

 

[Dalmonegrig]

I do wear motorcycle helmets so used to the weight but at home or while traveling I prefer a lighter headphone in general for prolonged listening sessions. My tonal preference leans towards LCD2.2 pre fazor or Denon D7200 but both have issues with comfort for prolonged use due to weight or head band issues.

Take a closer look at the Dali iO-12 (listen to them if possible), they may fulfill all your wishes. The Dali iO-12 have very good sound quality and are very comfortable for long listening. And this is only part of their advantages!

 

[Vruksha]

Take a closer look at the Dali iO-12 (listen to them if possible), they may fulfill all your wishes. The Dali iO-12 have very good sound quality and are very comfortable for long listening. And this is only part of their advantages!

Thanks. I looked them up and found out they are wireless, I am sticking with wired options only. Appreciate the suggestion. Cheers

 

[Dalmonegrig]

I am sticking with wired options only.

Sorry, but I'm curious.
Why only wired options?

 

[Waddiewadkins]

Sorry, but I'm curious.
Why only wired options?

The SQ baby. The SQ....

 

[Dalmonegrig]

The SQ baby. The SQ....

How do you determine this (what is the main method of this scientific research)?
Do you carry out precise measurements using special equipment that allows you to measure this and show these measurements (measurement graphs, criteria, indicators)?

 

[Blindranger]

How do you determine this (what is the main method of this scientific research)?
Do you carry out precise measurements using special equipment that allows you to measure this and show these measurements (measurement graphs, criteria, indicators)?

Follow your ears, and seek the emotional connection to the music.

 

[fidgeraldo]

PS - Skinny people also exist in this hobby.

Skinny is not equal to weak!

Cheers!

 

[Dalmonegrig]

I looked them up and found out they are wireless, I am sticking with wired options only.

Well, this is also not a problem for Dali iO-12.
Above, I drew your attention to the fact that Dali iO-12 has other advantages.
Do you care about wired connection?

Dali iO-12 have three options for wired connection:

1) This is a passive connection mode via a 3.5 mm jack.
Dali iO-12 are in the off state. Like your usual wired headphones LCD2.2 pre fazor or Denon D7200, a 3.5 mm jack is used. Dali iO-12 do not activate the internal electronics. You get in Dali iO-12, only what your audio system transmits.

2) Active connection mode via a 3.5 mm jack.
A 3.5 mm jack is also used. Dali iO-12 already activates its internal electronics. In this connection mode, the processing of the internal electronics of Dali iO-12 is already added to your audio system.

3) Active connection mode via USB connector.
In this connection mode, you can connect Dali iO-12 to any USB output of audio equipment and get bit-perfect accuracy of transmitted data. This can be a DAC, streamer, PC, mobile phone.
In this connection option, the internal electronics of Dali iO-12 are also involved.

See the screenshot below.


And finally.
Recently, I have sold the following full-size closed headphones (from my personal collection): HIFIMAN HE-R10 Planar Version-Stealth Magnet, Denon AH-D9200, Sony MDR-Z1R.
Beyerdynamic T5 (3rd Generation) will be put up for sale soon.

I am well acquainted with the sound signature of the following excellent closed full-size headphones, which I did not buy because the sound signature did not suit me or the comfort of using them. These are headphones such as: Dan Clark Audio Stealth, Focal Stellia, Dan Clark Audio E3, Meze Liric II, Sennheiser HD 820, Fostex TH-900 MK2, Audeze LCD-XC Carbon.

ZMF Caldera clos, here's a pause for now.
Surprisingly, circumstances do not allow me to listen to them under normal conditions before a possible purchase.

Dali iO-12, I bought in 2023 and they essentially outlived all of these wonderful headphones I listed above.
As of today, Dali iO-12 are positioned for me as the main closed full-size headphones with various options for their use (almost every day use). I am very pleased with the Dali iO-12, they are worth every penny I spent.

If you like the sound signature of the Dali iO-12, you get a unique closed full-size headphone with good sound quality and comfort when using them (this is just a Hi-Fi pearl).

Good luck!

 

[KaiFi]

PS - Skinny people also exist in this hobby.

So true

Any time I hear the "guess you just have a weak pencil neck" comment about 600g headphones, I'm just like "sorry my head isn't directly attached to my chest".

 

[Vruksha]

Sorry, but I'm curious.
Why only wired options?

I have never gotten used to the idea of Bluetooth/ANC headphones. Tried AirPods for a week but they didn’t excite me. It is convenient for pretty much everyone in the world but to start I never found having wires inconvenient infact I like to have a wire dangling around lol when am out and about. This is just my own personal preference that’s all. Not writing off wireless tech. They work for pretty much 90% of the population and that’s why they are literally on every single human being’s ears. I still play my cassettes and use a film camera. Do they give the highest quality photos or audio? No they don’t but I just like them that’s all. They bring me some kind of happiness.
I do have a Fiio BTR15 that I bought out of curiosity and it’s a good lil dac/amp but it hardly gets any use as a wireless device.

About Dali iO-12, they sound like a great headphone. I am glad it works for you. I was just looking for closed back option that’s warm and dark in tonality which doesn’t weigh much that’s all. If you notice the headphones I gave as an example for my tonal preference (D7200 and LCD2.2Pre fazor) they are both considerably darker than the Z1R, D9200 or the Hifiman that you previously owned in-fact I consider these particular headphones too bright and fatiguing for my taste. I am looking for a complete different tonality. There are hardly much options in the market when it comes to darker headphones these days. Anyways sorry for the rant. Have a great day. Cheers

 

[fidgeraldo]

I was just looking for closed back option that’s warm and dark in tonality which doesn’t weigh much that’s all.

I can recommend the Final D8000, but its weight would be too much for you.
I have another pair, and it's a warm-sounding GRADO SR80x.
They are incredibly light as well. They are cheap but excellent-sounding headphones.
Perhaps you could try these.
I can't think of any other. Maybe it's the Sony MDR M1?
Good luck!

Cheers!

 

[Dalmonegrig]

I like to have a wire dangling around lol when am out and about. This is just my own personal preference that’s all.
I still play my cassettes and use a film camera. Do they give the highest quality photos or audio? No they don’t but I just like them that’s all. They bring me some kind of happiness.

I know all this very well!
It's a hobby, I started with tube radios, record players and reel-to-reel tape recorders,,, And for me, in that distant period of my life, it sounded very good. And I, like you, was happy in my own way. So, I understand you perfectly, just take my word for it.

I was just looking for closed back option that’s warm and dark in tonality which doesn’t weigh much that’s all. If you notice the headphones I gave as an example for my tonal preference (D7200 and LCD2.2Pre fazor) they are both considerably darker than the Z1R, D9200 or the Hifiman that you previously owned in-fact I consider these particular headphones too bright and fatiguing for my taste. I am looking for a complete different tonality.

At one time, I liked and had them in my collection Denon AH-D7000 and Meze Empyrean OG, these headphones had a dark tonality.
Regarding the tonality of Dali iO-12, they have a neutral setting with a slight warm bias.
If you are interested, you can look at the information here..

Cheers!

 

[prinzpudding]

Hows your neck posture usually when you listen? Upright or leaned down? It dosent matter to you?

I did start to find HD800S today started to have a hotspot on top of head that was more troubleing than weight. But then it dissapered by maybe having it on different position.

For me, placing the HD800S' headband a bit more forward, closer to my forehead makes it a bit more comfortable (not that it isn't very already).