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

[HipHopScribe]

I've never really given much thought into Final Audio headphones. Not sure why. Can someone provide a breakdown of all their cans that retailed at a grand or less? Which ones do people recommend? The Pandora Hope as mentioned above?

I can solidly recommend you steer well clear of the Sonorous III.

The headphone cups wobble around and the plastic cups rattle cheaply against the metal headband.
The fit/comfort/ergonomics are terrible. Worse than some old 70's headphones with vinyl ear pads.
Ear pads are small and cups don't articulate enough to fit all head shapes.

Tonal balance doesn't have any big glaring issues, but the timbre is completely off. It sounds very artificial and plasticky.
They're easily among the worst headphones I've ever heard in the price bracket.

(edit: spelling)

I have never tried the Sonorous III and looks like I should probably avoid them.

Personally I found the VI to have too much articulation since the cups are attached at one ball join spot they can move in any direction. With the thin stock pads they can be difficult and painful to keep on you head. Which is why you have to replace the pads on them. I found that the Shure 1540 pads were a great replacement for the stock pads.

As far as sound goes I prefer the Hope VI over the Type 2 Full Lawton Upgraded E-MU Teak, Mrspeakers Ether CX, Stock Fostex TH900, LSA HP-1, and Gajallerhorn GH 40. I don't know if the Sonorous VI have a new tuning or not but from what I've read they should be the same.

Again it really comes down to personal preference. I'm really bad at describing sound so I won't be much help in that department.

I have the Sonorous IV (which I understand use the same drivers as the VI, just with a plastic enclosure VS metal). I agree the stock earpads are best replaced. I didn't hate them but they're small and shallow. They're super easy to drive so I use them when I'm up and about with my Xperia 1 ii and its weak headphone out (even my Nightowls need full volume to be barely loud enough and they're pretty easy to drive). Some people might find the highs and upper mids a bit peaky on the Sonorous IV, it's got a little zing and unevenness there, but it's not an issue for me.

I agree on avoiding the Sonorous III. I suspect the driver is capable enough (probably the same as the dynamic driver on the IV and VI, just in a non-hybrid config), but the plastic feels cheaper on the III and is probably responsible for some undesirable reflections and/or resonance. Someone in the Sonorous III thread did some mods to improve this, so might be worth it if you like to tinker.

I think fit on all 3 will be largely down to headshape. They work fine for me, but need a little adjustment from time to time since the cups tend to slide around on the adjustments

 

[Malevolent]

Thanks that helps to atleast dial the treble peaks down. My guess on those peaks was already very close. However i trust Oratorys measurements more plus he supplies great EQ adjustments if you are into the Harman Target (i am very much and i'm not ashamed of it ). For the Club One, i need a passive measurement using the cable. Tonality is very different wired.



Technicalities and Harman Target don't need to contradict each other. See DCA Stealth. It just makes sense for JBL to follow up on their parent's company research and use it in their products. Being mass market products for the average consumer i would never expect more than average technical chops. This goes for Bluetooth headphones from all companies.

By the way, this is a question to everyone participating in this thread. Would it make sense to open a seperate thread just for Over-Ear/Full-Size Bluetooth Headphones? Or is it ok to discuss here? Most people seem to be interested in the higher-end spectrum of closed headphones. There are some threads on specific models but i think it would be great to have a thread covering all kinds of talk about maybe lesser known headphones and general comparisons.

Hey, whatever floats your boat.

This thread doesn't only cater to discussions of closed-back cans with more zeros in their MSRP; it's open to closed headphones of all shapes and sizes (and open ones, too).

With that being said, it appears that the most appealing options are those that cost over $500. I think the market for closed, wired headphones below that price threshold isn't very convincing or appealing. This is from someone who actually enjoys a "budget" venerable classic, the ATH-M50x.

 

[Malevolent]

Hi all,
Been reading this thread with pleasure
I need your advice
Was looking for a closed-back... Bought an AKG K371 and did not like it (clean with some sub bass but not much fun IMO)... Then i received a Focal Radiance a few days ago... Love the bass but there is something in the FR that sounds too bright to my ears (upper mids too forward?)... Strange cause i don't hear this with my Sundara who is generally considered brighter... But as always YMMV...
So i'm looking for a closed-back with good bass in quality and quantity, detailed and lush vocals and crisp treble with some air... But without the "brightness" i'm hearing in the Radiance...
What will u recommend me ?
Thanks for your help

You could try the Audeze LCD-XC, at least, the pre-2021 version.

This headphone is relatively balanced, blending good technical chops with a well-defined, yet punchy, bass section, and a distinctly-clear treble region that is strident-free. The Audeze has a slightly warm presentation that adds a touch of body to its tone; thankfully, this doesn't mask its ability to handily resolve finer specks of detail.

I don't think the Radiance is a treble-intensive headphone per se; with that being said, neither is the LCD-XC, IMO.

 

[drmmr]

Just received an Aeon 2 Closed with Noire pads yesterday, slowly putting it through its paces. It's been awhile since I had a pair of closed cans, but I'm excited about these! So comfy compared to my LCD-GX (that is being replaced by A2C). While they're lacking in width and in some cases slam comparatively, the low end is delightful and I love the way they represent vocals. Plus I can't hear myself typing anymore!

 

[utdeep]

I got a Noire through this thread and I recently got a Meze Liric. I like the Liric but I can't recall how the Denon AH-D9200 sounded and whether they are better cans for the price. Does anyone have both? Can anyone compare speed and bass?

 

[Malevolent]

List of all the closed backs I own: LSA HP-2 Ultra, Final Audio Design Pandora Hope VI, Fostex TH-900 with full Lawton upgrade Type 4 Wood, Eum-Teak With Full Lawton Upgrade Type-2 Wood, Denon 9200, Kennerton Rognir Dynamic, Kernnerton Gajallerhorn GH 40, MrSpeakers Ether CX, Focal Elegia, and ZMF Verite Closed.

In order of how which I find most enjoyable to listen to: TH-900, Rognir, 9200(note these first 3 are all very close to each other in enjoy ability), ZMF VC(Arguably the best over all in the list if you like the tuning and with the right pads and a Tube amp), Pandora VI(still probably my favorite closed back due mostly to nostalgia, being the first expensive headphone I ever bought Plus they sound incredible for there price highly recommend everyone giving them a try), E-mu Teak(Bass canons), GH40(basically a worse Rognir, so still great), HP-2(Like listening to speakers in a large room), CX, Elegia.

None of them are bad headphones and each has its own strengths. Well, Besides maybe the CX and Elegia which I just don't like. They are both kinda boring headphones that run really neutral. I'm sure there are people who really like that but it just isn't for me since I don't EQ.

Also, the ZMF VC's, while being technically the best headphone, sound just isn't for me. As much as I tried to like them I just couldn't enjoy them. I completely understand why people love them cause they are technically brilliant and look incredible but just didn't work for me. But hey, ever person's ears are different.

I hope to write a more in-depth review comparing the 9200, Modded th900, and Rognir. Since those are my 3 favorite new closed back headphones.

Quick comparison would be that the stock TH900 is worse than that the Rognir and 9200 but once the TH900 is modded it becomes an actual competitor against them.

Edit: Spelling

That's an impressive collection of closed-back headphones, my friend. In fact, our tastes actually overlap quite a fair bit.

Thanks for your impressions, too. A lot of people would typically rank the Vérité Closed high on a personal ranking list. For me, whilst it is a technically-competent performer, and it is quite the maestro in conjuring some majestic midrange magic, it still falls a tad short on my list of favorites. In that regard, the TH900 Mk2 and the AH-D9200 grab the podium spots, thanks, in large part, to their seemingly effortless ability at producing a near-perfect blend of bass and treble to afford a dynamic, engaging soundscape for EDM.

 

[Malevolent]

I got a Noire through this thread and I recently got a Meze Liric. I like the Liric but I can't recall how the Denon AH-D9200 sounded and whether they are better cans for the price. Does anyone have both? Can anyone compare speed and bass?

I have compared the 2 headphones here.

I hope it helps.

 

[MatW]

I got a Noire through this thread and I recently got a Meze Liric. I like the Liric but I can't recall how the Denon AH-D9200 sounded and whether they are better cans for the price. Does anyone have both? Can anyone compare speed and bass?

I much prefer the D9200, mainly due to the frequency response, which is pretty balanced. I found the Liric quite aggressive sounding in the upper mids/ lower treble. It's a personal preference of course. If you like forward sounding headphones you may find the D9200 a little boring and the Liric more your style.

The D9200 is one of my favorite closed backs. Great value for money, imho, esp. for the used price below 1k.

 

[utdeep]

@Malevolent - that is the perfect post. I think I'm going to look at more of your reviews because the way you described both headphones "fits" with how I think they compare.

 

[Alien HP]

I much prefer the D9200, mainly due to the frequency response, which is pretty balanced. I found the Liric quite aggressive sounding in the upper mids/ lower treble. It's a personal preference of course. If you like forward sounding headphones you may find the D9200 a little boring and the Liric more your style.

The D9200 is one of my favorite closed backs. Great value for money, imho, esp. for the used price below 1k.

And I thought the D9200 could be treble aggressive.

 

[MatW]

And I thought the D9200 could be treble aggressive.

Upper treble doesn't bother me, I don't have any issues with the treble on the D9200.

 

[Alien HP]

Upper treble doesn't bother me, I don't have any issues with the treble on the D9200.

I must be treble sensitive then.

 

[MatW]

I must be treble sensitive then.

You are probably sensitive to that 5k peak. I am sensitive to elevated upper mids, in the 2-3k area. Hence my issues with the Liric.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

You are probably sensitive to that 5k peak. I am sensitive to elevated upper mids, in the 2-3k area. Hence my issues with the Liric.

So you're saying the D9200 is the closed back version of the Sennheiser 800?

 

[MatW]

So you're saying the D9200 is the closed back version of the Sennheiser 800?

Looking at the FR, they are not dissimilar...