Best <$200 headphones for treble sensitive ears?

smoketreez · February 17, 2020, 4:27pm

I currently have the SHP9500s which are great, but at high volumes hihats sound ear-piercing and voices and guitar sounds very sibilant, and I tried the KZ ZS10 Pros and found them unusably sibilant. (Also, if it matters, i’m using the Schiit Fulla 3)

I’d like to stress how warm/dark/relaxed I need these headphones to be. I will take a loss of detail in exchange for confidence that I can listen loudly without having to EQ. So, if you think the treble in a headphone is too recessed, it may be perfect for me lmao.

The options I am currently considering (i would prefer a closed-back only slightly more than open-back) are the:
Sennheiser 58X Jubilee
Meze 99 Noir
Sennheiser HD6XX
Fostex T20rp mkIII
Hifiman HE4XX
Philips Fidelio X2HR

Also I do like the price range of <$200 if possible (hence all the Drop listings), but I would just like confidence in whatever headphone I buy (because I have no patience for returns).

Thanks!
<3

M0N · February 17, 2020, 4:28pm

Hmmmm, I would say the 58x or 6xx would be what you would want to aim for, specifically the 6xx

If you can stretch a bit the audioquest nighthawk carbons sound up your alley as well for sure

db_Cooper · February 17, 2020, 4:28pm

58X and call it quits. It’s fantastic for the price and certainly not harsh for treble sensitive ears like ours.

smoketreez · February 17, 2020, 4:42pm

Glad to hear it!

Thanks much

smoketreez · February 17, 2020, 4:43pm

Awesome, thanks! :3

donjklassen · February 17, 2020, 4:48pm

+1 for 6xx … I’m pretty treble sensitive myself and can confidently recommend these to you

I’ve heard good things about these so if you really wanted a more closed set (these are semi open I believe) these could be nice

M0N · February 17, 2020, 4:50pm

I would say the carbons might actually be darker than the 6xx with more impact, soundstage, and more interesting presentation. They are less refined than the 6xx but a fair bit more fun imo. The 6xx is more reference where the hawks are more just wow sounding (I like both lol)

headphonehabit · February 17, 2020, 4:51pm

I concur with other here, the Sennheisers would be hard to beat given your treble sensitivities.

Hazi59 · February 17, 2020, 4:52pm

I agree with HD58x or HD6xx/HD650. Solid choices for sure.

donjklassen · February 17, 2020, 4:54pm

Open box fits the budget too

https://www.musicdirect.com/headphones/AudioQuest-NightHawk-Carbon-Headphones-OPEN-BOX

Hazi59 · February 17, 2020, 4:55pm

That price is a steal considering these used to retail at $700.

headphonehabit · February 17, 2020, 4:56pm

FYI, the HD660s definitely have more treble. Not Beyer/Grado peaks, but more for sure. Demo those before you spend the money on an upgrade in the future.

M0N · February 17, 2020, 4:56pm

New they are 250 so it’s pretty good. I would say they would only be worth it at 400 new or under

Hazi59 · February 17, 2020, 5:01pm

It’s pretty close between the hd650 and hd660s

smoketreez · February 17, 2020, 5:07pm

I have tried a friend’s 6xx and liked the treble sound, but at $50 less I get the impression that the 58x’s are comparable?

M0N · February 17, 2020, 5:08pm

The presentation differs, and that ends up causing them to sound a bit different. The 660s has more apparent detail and more apparent better extension, but lacks the mid range definition and timbre and closeness that the 6xx brings. The 660s is more energetic and the 650 is more relaxed. I would say the 660s is a more complete sounding headphone but also kinda lost the magic of the 600 and 650. Also the 660s is easier to drive off of solid state, as the 6xx and 600 sound the best off of tubes imo.

smoketreez · February 17, 2020, 5:11pm

Would the more relaxed sound of the 650’s translate to less fatigue for prolonged listening at loud volumes?

M0N · February 17, 2020, 5:11pm

So personally I think the 58x would be easier to drive for you off of the fulla so that might be better. If you went with the 6xx you could grab a tube amp down the line and watch them come alive too

M0N · February 17, 2020, 5:11pm

I would say so yes. How loud are we talkin? I would just be worried that with the fulla it might actually be harsher because of the amp (the fulla is somewhat unrefined, compressed, and harsher compared to other amps in the price range) for the 6xx. The 58x is less picky about amps

Hazi59 · February 17, 2020, 5:21pm

I agree. The higher impedance of the 600 and 650 makes them ideal for tubes. 58x is way easier to drive.