It’s not see this discussion get some replies after a year!
Crazy to think how many headphones I’ve bought, sold, tried, and traded since then.
DAPs and or DAC/amps I’ve tried:
FiiO M11 (returned, bad screen), M11 Pro (returned, bad screen again), M9 (did not like), M6 (terrible), BTR5 (wonderful, kept), Q5s (just okay, sold), Q3 (great if you can look past the noise from cell phone interference), iFi Hip DAC (all time favorite), Sony ZX507 (wonderful for IEMs but not great for full-sized headphones - battery life sucks if you’re using Tidal), and HiBy R5s (honestly loved this DAP despite its somewhat slow interface, but it literally just bricked on me a couple days ago). All in all my go-to’s are (was) the HiBy R5s for full-sized headphones, ZX507 for IEMs, BTR5 for the gym, and iFi Hip DAC whenever I want that XBass wonder. I still have the Q3 and it doesn’t get much use - but honestly everything else has been returned or sold which is how I continue to try new things (I really wish I had a shop near me to demo stuff).
Headphones:
K371 (liked them for a time, but after I tried a few other cans, I just couldn’t justify keeping them - returned).
K553 (did really enjoy these because of their unique mid-focus, but gave to a friend who needed a good set of cans).
HE4XX (love and still have these, HE4XXs on the iFi Hip DAC w/XBass and high gain might be my all time favorite combo),
HD6XX (really like and still have these, as my tastes have changed, these have sounded progressively darker to my ears so they’ve fallen somewhat out of favor. I still keep them though because I’m hoping to eventually get more into desk setups).
Meze 99 Noir (thought these were fun at first, but eventually got tired of the emphasized bass - sold).
Sony MDR7506 (staple for recording for me and use them all the time for mixing).
MDR1AM2 (fantastic sale on these where I live and couldn’t pass them up, did end up selling them though because they couldn’t compete with the Z7M2s).
Z7M2 (I did end up getting the Z7M2s as a gift and they are an acquired taste. I have to be in the mood to listen to the Z7M2s. They sound phenomenal with certain things and quite terrible with others. Ultimately though, I am very grateful that they are in my collection. Plus, they’re extreme comfort and non-fatiguing sound signature means I can listen to these almost anywhere indefinitely).
Austrian Audio HI-X55 (these were... weird. Funky sound signature, but man did I love them for classical music. Unfortunately, I think Austrian Audio has some quality control issues because I went through 3 defective pairs before I finally decided to give it up).
Beyerdynamic DT880 (another sale I couldn’t pass up, these are another pair of cans that I find myself using time and time again and appreciate more and more).
DT770 32ohm (These are the newest addition and perhaps the most well known - really enjoy them. Not sure if the 32ohm was worth it, BUT they are durable, easy to drive now, closed back, and have a short cord which makes them better for portable use than any of my others).
Koss KPH30i (I jumped onto the hype train with these. Don’t regret it because they are only $20, but they are also way more hyped up than they should be. But, then again, they are dirt cheap and punch above their weight). I’ve also tried a lot of sub-$200 studio headphones, but most of those were so bad and I returned them so quick they aren’t even worth mentioning. Of the ones I’ve mentioned here, I still own the DT880s, DT770s, Z7M2s, HE4XXs, and HD6XXs - my all time favorite open back might be tied between the DT880s and HE4XXs (depending on the source), and my closed back at the moment might be the Z7M2s. Love the DT770s for their accuracy and neutral sound signature, but the unique and somewhat odd signature of the Z7M2s keeps bringing me back. Of course, I don’t bring the Z7M2s anywhere so the DT770s get a lot more use.
IEMs:
I’m odd in that I actually almost prefer IEMs to headphones. Reasons being - they’re cheaper (for $100 I can get a bomb pair of IEMs or an okay pair of headphones), they’re more portable and easy to drive, and they’re so much easier to mod between switching cables and ear tips. So, in the order that I got them (I think) - AKG N40s (spontaneous buy, normally $400 supposedly but AKG had a blow out on their website and was selling them for $80), KZ ZS10 Pros, ZSXs, iKKO OH1s, KBear Diamonds, Moondrop Starfields, KZ ZAX, FiiO FH3s, and the well hyped Tin T2s. My favorite IEMs might be the Starfields with a 4.4mm cable and Xelastec tips. The Tin T2s are a very very close second because they punch wayyy above their belt - BUT, the T2s leave something to be desired for male vocalists. The Starfields have that single dynamic driver goodness and I love everything I throw at them. That said - KZ ZAX are where I go for detail; 1DD and 7BAs help make that happen. AKG N40s are where I go for a more airy presentation - they have a brighter sound signature without sound sibilant or being fatiguing. The FH3s probably get the most use because I do really like the sound signature and they’re just the most durable. I can’t wear the Starfields around because they get chipped and what not. The iKKO OH1s have been making a comeback for me - they really profited from the HiBy R5s clean sound signature. The KBear Diamonds are just dead - I don’t even know what happened but they just stopped working. The ZS10 Pros and ZSXs are sort of my loaner pairs if someone in a band needs some IEMs - or if I’m going to be landscaping and don’t want to risk ruining one of my nicer pairs.
There you have it - though no one asked for it; my exploits in the audiophile game over the last year
ish. My girlfriend says I have problem. Oddly enough, not with acquiring audio gear, but with keeping it. I’m always either selling or returning things. 2020 was a rough year - but I’d like to thank the government for the multiple stimulus checks - you made 2020 a great year in audio for me
