[chicolom]

  I was going to ask this in the recommendation thread but I figured that a you guys would probably be more knowledgeable on getting a headphone / iem with an excellent soundstage. I currently have a v-moda m80 and had a klipsch x10, and while they are/were pretty good clarity wise, their soundstages left something to be desired (especially the v-moda, which has a little difficulty differentiating between front and back noises imo).
 
Anyone have glowing recommendations for headphones and iems in the 200-300 range with excellent sound stages?
 
Also, do I need to get a headphone/amp combo to really get the full experience if I only have a laptop w/ onboard soundcard and an iphone?

 
Some solid choices are the Q701, MA900, AD900x, Senn HD5x8s, and Fidelio X1.
 
A dac/amp upgrade will likely make a worthwhile difference over laptop audio.  It certainly did for me.  Soundstage is actually one of the things that improves the most from that type of upgrade.  If this is for home, I'd recommend going for of the inexpensive desktop amp/dac options (FiiO stack, Schiit Stack, etc.)

 

[mannkind246]

Looking for large sound stage IEM.
Shortlisted below two:

HiFiMan RE400 and Senheizer IE80.
Between them, which has a larger sound stage and separation with depth?

 

[chicolom]

Looking for large sound stage IEM.
Shortlisted below two:

HiFiMan RE400 and Senheizer IE80.
Between them, which has a larger sound stage and separation with depth?

 
FWIR the IE80 may have the bigger soundstage of the two.  However, please take my IEM advice with huge grains of salt as I don't use IEMs. 

 
Maybe someone with IEM experience can chime in though.

 

[RedBull]

Soundstage club, uses headphones. Plebs, real men use speakers. just wandering though, what do you guys use for movies, headphones or speakers?

I use headphone for movies. My top 2 are hd800 and ma900, sometimes ad700, hd650, t50rp.

 

[jonyoo]

Do any of the Noble owners also own a pair of SM64? I am curious to how they compare in soundstage and balance.

 

[Dogfish63]

I use headphone for movies. My top 2 are hd800 and ma900, sometimes ad700, hd650, t50rp.

Audio-technica ATH-AD900   or  my Sony MDR-F1's if I have the sub going

 

[chicolom]

  Audio-technica ATH-AD900   or  my Sony MDR-F1's if I have the sub going

 
 

 

[gopanthersgo1]

What are some nice (C)IEMs to save up for? (good isolation and big soundstage) i guess go from cheaper to more expensive if you have a few for me to look into.

Thanks!

 

[SyCo87]

What could I get for a $100? Want a decent all-a-rounder (music, movie, gaming) that has a exceptional soundstage. This is my first time dipping my toes into this type of sound and I want to hear what it sounds like.

 

[chicolom]

What could I get for a $100? Want a decent all-a-rounder (music, movie, gaming) that has a exceptional soundstage. This is my first time dipping my toes into this type of sound and I want to hear what it sounds like.

 
Maybe a used HD558? 

 

[streetdragon]

   
Maybe a used HD558? 

Was thinking of that too.

 

[62ohm]

Chicolom,
 
You should add the K812 to the top performers list. Its soundstage competes with HD800 and T1, though to my ears the HD800 are still bigger and more spacious.

 

[chicolom]

  Chicolom,
 
You should add the K812 to the top performers list. Its soundstage competes with HD800 and T1, though to my ears the HD800 are still bigger and more spacious.

 
Good point.

 

[JmanOfIsrael]

I'm not surprised it wasn't mentioned earlier but I am very impressed with the Denon AH D600 sound stage. I don't have a lot of experience, but I think they have one of the best sound stages in closed headphones...

 

[chicolom]

Is the D600 soundstage on par with the older Denons (D2k, D5k, D7k)?