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

[bluenight]

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).

Yes i think i noticed that to the other day. I think its that plastic part that is alittle sharp that feels after a while.

 

[Gweeds]

Damn the DCA Noire X are really something special. Hard to believe these are closed back. Beautifully resolving, perfect treble and real punch. These would have been great value at £1500 let alone £999.

 

[bluenight]

Damn the DCA Noire X are really something special. Hard to believe these are closed back. Beautifully resolving, perfect treble and real punch. These would have been great value at £1500 let alone £999.

Sometimes i do still see people say they feel nothing from some DCA headphones emotionally. I think that was a comment on E3 latest i saw. I know in the past they was said to lack dynamics but seem to have gotten better with the latest releases.

 

[Waddiewadkins]

Sometimes i do still see people say they feel nothing from some DCA headphones emotionally. I think that was a comment on E3 latest i saw. I know in the past they was said to lack dynamics but seem to have gotten better with the latest releases.

For me, as a researcher, the numbers of testimonies recommending, Noire X , are overwhelming.

 

[JAnonymous5150]

Sometimes i do still see people say they feel nothing from some DCA headphones emotionally. I think that was a comment on E3 latest i saw. I know in the past they was said to lack dynamics but seem to have gotten better with the latest releases.

I just got a pair of the Noire X, I have owned everything from the Aeon Closed X to the Aeon 2 Closed and the E3s and I currently own the Expanse, Stealth, and Corinas. In the past I have owned their earlier generation Aeons and I have also owned a couple Ether models. Point being, I have owned a lot of DCAs from different eras and places on their pricing spectrum and I understood the argument regarding a lack of dynamics on the original generation of the Aeons and the early Ethers, but since they first updated those designs that issue went away and I've never understood the continued criticism.

The only thing I can think is that DCA does tend to have a drier tuning than many other companies and perhaps people are mistaking that drier sound for a lack or dynamics. Unfortunately, many people use terms in this hobby that they are regurgitating from others and/or that they don't fully understand and I think many people that say that DCA headphones lack dynamics don't enjoy the drier tuning style rather than there actually being a lack in contrast between different volumes in audio, the actual definition of dynamics. To my ears anyways, DCA headphones render dynamic contrast quite well.

Regardless, I'm excited to give the Noire X a try once my wife gets home and I don't need to be able to hear my surroundings for bit. @Gweeds post just kicked up my level of stokedness a couple notches. Happy listening!

 

[bluenight]

Regardless, I'm excited to give the Noire X a try once my wife gets home and I don't need to be able to hear my surroundings for bit. @Gweeds post just kicked up my level of stokedness a couple notches.

Have fun
I would love to try E3 or Noire X but the only reason i dont is they dont offer them in vegan options.
But thats a personal thing for me.

 

[JAnonymous5150]

Have fun
I would love to try E3 or Noire X but the only reason i dont is they dont offer them in vegan options.
But thats a personal thing for me.

I admire you for sticking to your convictions.

 

[plakat]

Coming back home to closed headphones again after some interesting adventures and exciting experiences mostly in Grado land, I initially purchased the AT AWAS (lovely headphone, though it could do with a little more padding on the headband...), rather recently added the Beyer DT1770mk2 (to me, nice progress has been made over the mk1, taming down the sometimes a bit hot treble while also loosing a bit fat in the midbass, making lower bass more prominent, increasing comfort and making it more versatile with a lower impedance) and now purchased a ZMF Caldera Closed.

The last one came as a surprise I have to admit. I could not really warm up to older ZMF models, with the Bokeh being the first one I quite liked and intended to add to my collection. The order took longer than anticipated (still within the time frame given by ZMF though), and I started to re-evaluate the available ZMF options. Which lead me to the CC... my local shop was nice enough to let me take them home for a week. Well, nice gesture... but not so nice for my wallet. Last Friday I collected my own CC, and I have to say I'm enjoying it a lot. During my testing I mostly used it on my Lyr+ and my Beyer A2, but now added the SP3000m -- surprisingly that works quite well. The AK doesn't offer the same full bass as the desktop amps, but that's no surprise -- it sounds like that with every headphone I used. Older AK models I used to have had similar sonic traits.

In direct comparison the Bokeh sounds a bit off in the mids... but I still like its laid back nature and its subwoofer-like bass presentation. I might still get one after all...

 

[bluenight]

Last Friday I collected my own CC, and I have to say I'm enjoying it a lot.

Great. I have one on order to.

 

[officeboy20]

What's a good upgrade to the Focal Stellias? Thanks

 

[Waddiewadkins]

What's a good upgrade to the Focal Stellias? Thanks

FT1 apparently!

 

[fidgeraldo]

FT1 apparently!

Good one!!!

Cheers!

 

[erics75]

What's a good upgrade to the Focal Stellias? Thanks

what are you looking for sonically? what about the Stellia makes you want to switch? and what gear are you running? without some good background info about yourself all you'll get is random suggestions without context.

 

[Redwingnine]

what are you looking for sonically? what about the Stellia makes you want to switch? and what gear are you running? without some good background info about yourself all you'll get is random suggestions without context.

I had the Stellia. Whilst they did a lot well, they were just too bright. The Dan Clark E3 is more to my liking. Also, the Ultrasone Edition 15 Veritas has a excellent tonal balance.

 

[erics75]

I had the Stellia. Whilst they did a lot well, they were just too bright. The Dan Clark E3 is more to my liking. Also, the Ultrasone Edition 15 Veritas has a excellent tonal balance.

I'm not familiar with those headphones, sorry. But I did have a Stellia briefly on demo. I too found it a bit too intense up top, i'm very treble sensitive. The bass was nice, but it often made my tinnitus flare up, and ears ring. I'm a big dynamic driver fan, especially high impedance dynamic drivers like the 300ohm ZMFs, which is my preferred brand. If you're not too worried about top of the line resolution, i'd suggest trying a ZMF Bokeh closed. They are moderately resolving, but with a highly musical and engaging tuning. They're for those who put musicality above technical prowess. That being said they're still very good technically, just not as capable as some planar models out there at similar prices.They are fun, which is what they bring to the table in spades. Wonderful warm, full tuning with smooth treble, and a large open soundstage. They are an excellent intro into the ZMF house sound. And they can be found pretty cheap on the used market, an added bonus.

EDIT, sorry Redwingnine I just realized you're not the OP. Think before you speak is not one of my strong points...