[KrazyDiamond]

I have been using Fidelio X2 for 2-3 years now along with a Mayflower ARC, but it's time for an upgrade. Looking at a budget of no more than $1,000 CAD. Seeking a neutral/natural reference sound signature without colouring.

I am not sure what options may be best for my budget. HD600? HD660S? AK Series? Planar options? Sundara? Other?? I'm afraid I have limited knowledge in this but trying to learn.

I am intent to upgrade DAC/AMP in the future, but not right away. More interested in headphones right now.

 

[Murdie]

well I have a range where as you just list a single pair. Question why are looking at open back only?
I have a pair of phillips shp 50mm open (think of these as your fidelio x2 failed spec drivers) I searched rtings and focused on imaging score section and passive soundstage score and openness profiles when comparing products for open cans.
https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/philips/fidelio-x2hr
and hear are your rejects drivers in my cans
https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/philips/shp9500

I would choose closed if you haven't got any or maybe even semi open (if your hard no against closed). I have had couple senns over the years and getting alittle bored of there neutral sound I be looking at bayerdynamic as they have from what I believe more low end base and warm sound. having philips open maybe some more base would be a nice addition instead of another open pair.
https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/beyerdynamic/dt-880 semi open (really shocked to see in the review saying that dt990 have more bass and are full open, id check that off the forums here what actual people think.)
usuall the closed back creates a booming base.
or use the table tool in rtings which is excellent for finding something very diffrent from what you have as you can add columns such as enclosure and and type and even sort via passive score if you wish. then reference those choices back on these boards.

also commuters if you dont have a pair for that maybe even ANC commuters. I miss my fidelios on ear bt commuters but the fidelio brand was sold off a couple years ago by phillips and they havent been quick to bring new stuff to market. I tried bowers on ears years ago and really didnt like the foam muffling the sound but the fidelio on ears where really clear sounding. its the first pair of on ears i actualy ever liked. I was iem for a along time. the new sony 1000mx4 are very lightweight and not super large for an over ear closed back and not too much bigger than fidelio on ears from years ago. but if its a exclusive to the house pair maybe you dont need such a product.

over the years it seems to be the same brands that rise to the top senn, akg, bd, audio tech, hifiman maybe aim to get a pair in each in diffrent types.
I know that the hd800 are meant to be amazing but at $1500 I dunno you have a pretty desent open back as it is. why add the best open back before you add a couple of closed or semi open. at much lower price points. I like my opens at home but there is some music I really prefer via a closed set of cans at home too.

the forum post is old but you may like this https://www.head-fi.org/threads/new-cans-senn-hd600-dt990-vs-dt880.669256/post-9550151

Also the x2 are known for being bass heavy for open phones so expect to loose some of that moving to other open cans in most cases.

I also point you off if your staying in the senn family and closed to momentums 2.0 in wired and newly released momentium 3 in wireless https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/sennheiser-momentum-2-0.20716/reviews. although alot people like the sony 1000xm4 for closed back wireless at moment including me (they lack apt x HD but have ldac).and the reality audio 360 is pure witchcraft that I like (you use a sony phone app to take pictures of your ears, I am not kiding, at it uploads the shape profile to the headphones for 360 tracks playback), a very different listening experience (can only listen via tidal deezer nugs and amazon music hd at the momment and limited content) been listening to miles davis kind of blue and comparing the 24 bit flac 192 vs reality 360 audio very diffrent experience. very significantly different to just headphone construction open closed on the stereo flac, so thats something new and very diffrent. the xm4 are listed a 360 reality on the box I dont know about xm3 via update.

https://www.sony.ca/en/electronics/360-reality-audio

 

[KrazyDiamond]

well I have a range where as you just list a single pair. Question why are looking at open back only?
I have a pair of phillips shp 50mm open (think of these as your fidelio x2 failed spec drivers) I searched rtings and focused on imaging score section and passive soundstage score and openness profiles when comparing products for open cans.
https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/philips/fidelio-x2hr
and hear are your rejects drivers in my cans
https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/philips/shp9500

I would choose closed if you haven't got any or maybe even semi open (if your hard no against closed). I have had couple senns over the years and getting alittle bored of there neutral sound I be looking at bayerdynamic as they have from what I believe more low end base and warm sound. having philips open maybe some more base would be a nice addition instead of another open pair.
https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/beyerdynamic/dt-880 semi open (really shocked to see in the review saying that dt990 have more bass and are full open, id check that off the forums here what actual people think.)
usuall the closed back creates a booming base.
or use the table tool in rtings which is excellent for finding something very diffrent from what you have as you can add columns such as enclosure and and type and even sort via passive score if you wish. then reference those choices back on these boards.

also commuters if you dont have a pair for that maybe even ANC commuters. I miss my fidelios on ear bt commuters but the fidelio brand was sold off a couple years ago by phillips and they havent been quick to bring new stuff to market. I tried bowers on ears years ago and really didnt like the foam muffling the sound but the fidelio on ears where really clear sounding. its the first pair of on ears i actualy ever liked. I was iem for a along time. the new sony 1000mx4 are very lightweight and not super large for an over ear closed back and not too much bigger than fidelio on ears from years ago. but if its a exclusive to the house pair maybe you dont need such a product.

over the years it seems to be the same brands that rise to the top senn, akg, bd, audio tech, hifiman maybe aim to get a pair in each in diffrent types.
I know that the hd800 are meant to be amazing but at $1500 I dunno you have a pretty desent open back as it is. why add the best open back before you add a couple of closed or semi open. at much lower price points. I like my opens at home but there is some music I really prefer via a closed set of cans at home too.

the forum post is old but you may like this https://www.head-fi.org/threads/new-cans-senn-hd600-dt990-vs-dt880.669256/post-9550151

Also the x2 are known for being bass heavy for open phones so expect to loose some of that moving to other open cans in most cases.

I also point you off if your staying in the senn family and closed to momentums 2.0 in wired and newly released momentium 3 in wireless https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/sennheiser-momentum-2-0.20716/reviews. although alot people like the sony 1000xm4 for closed back wireless at moment including me (they lack apt x HD but have ldac).and the reality audio 360 is pure witchcraft that I like (you use a sony phone app to take pictures of your ears, I am not kiding, at it uploads the shape profile to the headphones for 360 tracks playback), a very different listening experience (can only listen via tidal deezer nugs and amazon music hd at the momment and limited content) been listening to miles davis kind of blue and comparing the 24 bit flac 192 vs reality 360 audio very diffrent experience. very significantly different to just headphone construction open closed on the stereo flac, so thats something new and very diffrent. the xm4 are listed a 360 reality on the box I dont know about xm3 via update.


https://www.sony.ca/en/electronics/360-reality-audio

I've had open and closed backs, I prefer open-backed as the sound always seems more natural and less forced or boomy. I also have a pair of in-ears for commutes etc, I'm just looking for over-ears for at-home music and some gaming. I'm also set on a neutral/natural sound signature.

I'm not looking at the HD800S as an option, they're too far over my budget.

I've never really considered the X2 super bass-heavy for an open back but noted.

 

[Mhog55]

Take a look at the Ibasso SR2. It fits your needs and won't cost you a fortune, plus it punches well above its price imo. Currently my favorite cans in the stable.

 

[KrazyDiamond]

Ultimately, I decided on a pair of HD660S while they were on sale.

The Ibasso SR2 was intriguing, and I also was very interested in the Sundara but the HD660S pair well with tube amps too, which I have curiosities about. This pair seems like a more flexible choice that is very neutral and allows me to experience the Senn world. Perhaps the next pair down the line can be something like the Anandas.