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

[Xero the Banana]

Quick! Delete your Head-Fi account! Enjoy the heck out of your AH-D9200; it's truly end-game-level, IMO.

However, the horizon always beckons. Thankfully, apart from the Hifiman HE-R10 (planar), and a possible MDR-Z1R successor, nothing appears ready to challenge the status quo. Maybe it's time to relax and just enjoy my music? The obsession with gear can be a little draining at times.

I will be honest; I’ve considered deleting or just ignoring head-fi for the better part of the next few months. I am content with what I have and I will admit that the iSine10 is my daily driver for gaming and music production, and recently I only pull out the Ananda or Aeon 2 when I just want to have a long music listening session or hear the finer details. Which brings me to the main reason I still stick around:

I'm honestly glad that we've crafted a friendly corner in the (sometimes) raucous world of the audiophile community. Like you, I've seen far too many elitist opinions flying about; it can be very taxing to follow, and I might imagine, even more exhausting if you were to be engaged in such a debate.

In here, we're all just audiophiles / melophiles looking for a little slice of perfection (with our music).

However, did I forget to mention the one cardinal rule in this thread? Thou shalt not proclaim the superiority of an open-back over a closed headphone.

This thread just is very friendly and positive, to the point that I stick around for all of the happy campers despite closed-backs being my least used in my collection. Positive vibes (and headphone impressions) are contagious

 

[plakat]

I will be honest; I’ve considered deleting or just ignoring head-fi for the better part of the next few months. I am content with what I have and I will admit that the iSine10 is my daily driver for gaming and music production, and recently I only pull out the Ananda or Aeon 2 when I just want to have a long music listening session or hear the finer details. Which brings me to the main reason I still stick around:

This thread just is very friendly and positive, to the point that I stick around for all of the happy campers despite closed-backs being my least used in my collection. Positive vibes (and headphone impressions) are contagious

My feelings are about the same, although closed back is my primary category of headphones actually used. Thinking about it I do not even own many open back models...

I also value the transgression into music, i.e. read what people are actually listening to. For me, I'm back to some Deep House (at the moment a compilation called "Tiefseetaucher") using my Crossfade 2 Wireless after listening to Bill Evans Trio on my speakers during breakfast.

 

[dadracer2]

Very salient points, my friend.

On this very topic, one of the misconceptions that I've heard being bandied about - and this came from an audiophile acquaintance of mine - was that EDM isn't as complex, in harmonic arrangement, as "live" music, such as Rock and Pop. I'm (also) a hobbyist DJ, and as someone who's been listening to dance music for most of my life, I couldn't disagree more. I think EDM, as an umbrella term, consists of a multitude of incredibly complex and layered varieties of dance music. The arrangement of beats, melodies, synths, samples, et al within a single track can be excessive, but impressively so.

Daft Punk was and is a class act, but their older productions were certainly of a higher caliber. Around The World remains one of my favorite tracks to bop your head to.


Again, I'm in agreement. The HD 800 (and its 'S' variant) are surgeons with a scalpel; they are precise to a fault. It's a shame that they don't see the lighter side of life.

Of course ultimately it is your choice, but let me just say that you have not heard the HD800S really work unless you have paired it with a DHT amp and set to 300 ohm. It will sing in a way you cannot believe. It is not a coloured headphone so it will never sound like the majority of planars do, but you should not expect it to. Some folks like this sound (I do) but it is personal preference but if you get the chance then try it with a DHT amp.......

 

[FullBright1]

Thankfully, whilst being endowed with excellent resolving capabilities, the LCD-XC falls short of being labelled a detail monster

THe XC is created to be a detail monster.
It's not a reference headphone, and its not created to be "lets have a glass of wine and sit back and mellow out with the sweet lush warm sounding, LCD-XC".

In fact, there is no Closed Set of Headphones that are as analytical or as clinical as the XC, including the HD820, or any Grado, or Beyer T1- T3 through T50.

What is remarkable about the XC, is......not only are they precision sonic microscopes, but they are LISTENABLE, and that is their wonder.
They dissect the music, yet, they dont ONLY do this......... they actually provide a very pleasant sound.

 

[Malevolent]

I will be honest; I’ve considered deleting or just ignoring head-fi for the better part of the next few months. I am content with what I have and I will admit that the iSine10 is my daily driver for gaming and music production, and recently I only pull out the Ananda or Aeon 2 when I just want to have a long music listening session or hear the finer details. Which brings me to the main reason I still stick around:

That's an enviable position, really. If you're content with what you have, and you've satisfied that itch, well, that's a wonderful feeling.

I've had those rare (lucid) moments in my audiophile journey where I take stock of my situation, and tell myself, "Hey, you've got a good collection going, you should be satisfied!"

Sadly, these calm, soothing moments never seem to last. My desire to want to hear more / discover more is unabating. Thankfully, that FOMO feeling isn't as strong as it was in the past, though. At present, I'm simply enjoying what I have, but also (constantly) looking to the horizon. Oh, well.

Enjoy your music, buddy!

 

[Malevolent]

My feelings are about the same, although closed back is my primary category of headphones actually used. Thinking about it I do not even own many open back models...

I also value the transgression into music, i.e. read what people are actually listening to. For me, I'm back to some Deep House (at the moment a compilation called "Tiefseetaucher") using my Crossfade 2 Wireless after listening to Bill Evans Trio on my speakers during breakfast.

Truth be told, I don't have a single open-back headphone in my collection.

The closest that I've ever come to one is an Audeze, though. The LCD-3 and LCD-4 are quite exceptional beasts. In fact, I did toy with the idea of purchasing an LCD-3 once, but I ended up getting (yet another) closed can instead.

Speaking of music, I'm enjoying some old-school Masterboy right now. Their 90s hits are jewels in the Eurodance scene, IMO.

 

[Malevolent]

Of course ultimately it is your choice, but let me just say that you have not heard the HD800S really work unless you have paired it with a DHT amp and set to 300 ohm. It will sing in a way you cannot believe. It is not a coloured headphone so it will never sound like the majority of planars do, but you should not expect it to. Some folks like this sound (I do) but it is personal preference but if you get the chance then try it with a DHT amp.......

Oh, don't get me wrong - I don't think that the HD 800 S is bad per se; it is not. It's a technical wizard, actually, and it's one of the first names that come to mind when you think of a revealing, detailed headphone. Its staging capabilities is also immensely impressive; it's hard to beat in this aspect, too.

My major issue with the HD 800 S is with its inherent tonality; it's the opposite of what I seek - I like a lusher, thicker sound, with a beefier low-end presence, and a controlled yet sparkling treble response. In my book, neutrality and sheer resolution take a back seat to musicality and engagement. The music I love (EDM, especially) doesn't sound very impressive on the HD 800 S.

 

[Terriero]

That's an enviable position, really. If you're content with what you have, and you've satisfied that itch, well, that's a wonderful feeling.

I've had those rare (lucid) moments in my audiophile journey where I take stock of my situation, and tell myself, "Hey, you've got a good collection going, you should be satisfied!"

Sadly, these calm, soothing moments never seem to last. My desire to want to hear more / discover more is unabating. Thankfully, that FOMO feeling isn't as strong as it was in the past, though. At present, I'm simply enjoying what I have, but also (constantly) looking to the horizon. Oh, well.

Enjoy your music, buddy!

That is because is a marvellous experience when you rediscover your own playlist from different genres with a different savor (new headphones) and this experience is so engaging...

I'm waiting for a "Wifimedia" final reply (from Netherland, AH-D9200 at 1199 €) to do the payment... If on Friday I don't have an email from them I will pull the trigger in a spanish shop... You see, I seem to be very patient but internally I'm desesperated (and that sensation grows more when I see 9200 impressions in the forum )

 

[Terriero]

Truth be told, I don't have a single open-back headphone in my collection.

The closest that I've ever come to one is an Audeze, though. The LCD-3 and LCD-4 are quite exceptional beasts. In fact, I did toy with the idea of purchasing an LCD-3 once, but I ended up getting (yet another) closed can instead.

Speaking of music, I'm enjoying some old-school Masterboy right now. Their 90s hits are jewels in the Eurodance scene, IMO.

I imagine that mytical "A Clockwork Orange" sequence, but instead of forcing to open your eyes, tie up your hands and put on an HD800 or something similar to you

 

[Kelt0912]

The AWKT is on Drop for 1,899 USD.

 

[immortalsoul]

Hi, I got a really nice pair of closed headphones in a trade but unfortunately they are not my preferred sound signature, hence I would like to sell or trade. The headphones are Pioneer SE-Monitor 5. Here is the link for the sale
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/pioneer-se-monitor-5.949282/
Thank you!

 

[dadracer2]

Oh, don't get me wrong - I don't think that the HD 800 S is bad per se; it is not. It's a technical wizard, actually, and it's one of the first names that come to mind when you think of a revealing, detailed headphone. Its staging capabilities is also immensely impressive; it's hard to beat in this aspect, too.

My major issue with the HD 800 S is with its inherent tonality; it's the opposite of what I seek - I like a lusher, thicker sound, with a beefier low-end presence, and a controlled yet sparkling treble response. In my book, neutrality and sheer resolution take a back seat to musicality and engagement. The music I love (EDM, especially) doesn't sound very impressive on the HD 800 S.

I think we prefer different paths to sound nirvana. Neither path is right or wrong, in fact it is just the right or wrong path for the individual.

 

[Terriero]

Good (or bad for your wallet) news for you, @Malevolent

 

[ThanatosVI]

Good (or bad for your wallet) news for you, @Malevolent

I got high hopes for these

 

[Malevolent]

I imagine that mytical "A Clockwork Orange" sequence, but instead of forcing to open your eyes, tie up your hands and put on an HD800 or something similar to you

Yikes, that would be a form of aural torture.

Imagine listening to EDM on repeat with the HD 800. Hmm, maybe after 1000 hours, I might even hate the music but love the headphone?