[headpmaniac]

This is just a curiosity, but I think it could be fun.

What was the headphone you tried that changed everything for you, the pure musical pleasure it gave you (despite not being or still being now your favorite headphones), your perception of how a good an headphone was, the headphone that inspired you to listen to more and more music and not wanting to put it down, like, “this is phenomenal, revealing, I never thought headphones could sound this good”?

Just curious.

 

[Heyyoudvd]

Grado SR60.

Purchasing my SR60 back in 2001 (long before the days of the SR60e or even the SR60i) were my first real audiophile experience that led me into this world.

I still sometimes listen to that same pair nearly 20 years later.

Similarly, my first real ”wow” speakers were a set of Paradigm Titans along with an accompanying subwoofer and center channel. I bought them not long after the SR60s I still use that 5.1 system in my living room.

 

[headpmaniac]

Grado SR60.

Purchasing my SR60 back in 2001 (long before the days of the SR60e or even the SR60i) were my first real audiophile experience that led me into this world.

I still sometimes listen to that same pair nearly 20 years later.

Similarly, my first real ”wow” speakers were a set of Paradigm Titans along with an accompanying subwoofer and center channel. I bought them not long after the SR60s I still use that 5.1 system in my living room.

Awesome! Thanks for the reply and for sharing.

The SR60’s (or SR80’s) are on my list as a must-have headphone to buy and build a decent collection.

It seems, from the reviews, they are great with rock and metal music.

 

[FastAndClean]

Hifiman HE500, my first planar, i was amazed how liquid and resolving it sounded with amazing extension on both ends, still miss it

 

[539465]

Hifiman HE500, my first planar, i was amazed how liquid and resolving it sounded with amazing extension on both ends, still miss it

Wanted to say my modded DT990 but yeah basically my Sundara is just an experience

DT1990 pretty amazing from a technical standpoint but need a muzzle they wild

 

[HipHopScribe]

Grado SR60.

Purchasing my SR60 back in 2001 (long before the days of the SR60e or even the SR60i) were my first real audiophile experience that led me into this world.

I still sometimes listen to that same pair nearly 20 years later.

Similarly, my first real ”wow” speakers were a set of Paradigm Titans along with an accompanying subwoofer and center channel. I bought them not long after the SR60s I still use that 5.1 system in my living room.

Same for me, the Grado SR60, except it was 2004. It was my first year in college and I needed a headphone to listen to while studying and I was blown away by how much detail I could hear compared to my usual $10 headphones

 

[dedminton]

HD800 was pretty ear-boggling the first time I heard it in an audio store. Have had an on-off relationship with them since but currently back in the mood for getting another pair

 

[speCD]

er4p back in the 2000s. At that time many headphones sound muffled at all price ranges. Listening to the er4ps were like watching crystals deflecting lights.

Most recently, the Grado sr225e gave me a wow. Their presentation is just so homogeneous and sophisticated. These are musical cans, not about accuracy, but about touching your soul...

 

[ozz]

Since purchasing the Focal Clears about a year ago I have quite looking and have listened to headphones more this year than i have in my lifetime or so it seems.

 

[Ciggavelli]

Fostex th900mk2. That bass

Abyss TC. The everything. Truly mind bogglingly good

Raal SR1a. The speed and clarity is other worldly

 

[kman1211]

Beyerdynamic DT 480 modified. Otherwordly detail, dynamics, clarity, and imaging. Just leaves me in awe every time I listen to them. Everything sounds so big, full of body, and present yet it's super tight/controlled, probably the clearest headphone I've heard, incredibly dynamic, and detailed.

 

[Mightygrey]

I know it's a bit of a meme, but having been lucky enough to spend some proper time with the Sennheiser HE-1 I can say that they are truly special.

 

[headpmaniac]

Thanks all! That’s great you are sharing your experiences.

 

[478423]

Fostex th900mk2. That bass

Abyss TC. The everything. Truly mind bogglingly good

Raal SR1a. The speed and clarity is other worldly

I have the Fostex th900mk1, but yes the bass is AMAZING on these. I knew speakers had the power for this kind of bass, I never heard headphones do the same until now.

 

[Tanalasta]

Campfire Solstice. Just immediate 'wow' these are quality. Detail, separation, sound ... they were just ... nice. I eventually decided not to go the custom route so that I can share my IEM's with my partner but I was really tempted.

Audeze MX4. Again, first impression. Wow. The holographic soundstage and instrument separation. Lush, warm, fun mid vocals. If not for the huge size, head clamp I would have bought them on the spot. And sounded great out of a headphone jack of my DAP.

Campfire Andromeda. See comments for Solstice except not quite as nice. There are a few minor fault(s) mostly to do with the mids. Not quite as analytical as a well balanced HD800S nor as complete as the other two which are an entire new category.

But back in the day, it was the Etymotic ER4P and Shure 530's ... that gave me hours and hours of listening joy.