You might wanna try the Helios. I consider it a upgrade to the 6XX. It has more detail than the 6xx and has a lively U shape to it. nice bass and treble extension. its a brighter headphone to the 6xx. but not too bright. and has a nice big open presentation. which might be nice after the 6xx. Its 180$
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I guess it would really be a preference, bright airy and detail in the Sundara, or soundstage and bass in the Argons.
thanks, on oh no, not another choice, lol. AND just when I had it narrowed down…
Sundara is still wide sounding. It’s a incredibly open sounding headphone with that “concert like” sound to it. Argons are just super wide as well though despite being closed. Both are great choices and will like you said boil down to preference. I do not recommend Helios it gets 50/50 reviews and is still in prototype stages. I would sooner recommend a DT 990 before I recommended something like that helios at the moment, don’t go the dt 990 less you know for sure you can handle a ton of treble. @cheinrich1
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thanks!, might get the Sundara and order the Argons (12 week lead time). To have an arsenal of varying flavors…
This is the final version. there are no prototypes. I dont know about the reviews but its a definite upgrade from the 6xx and a i would think the Argon as well. You should try it. I know what im talking about
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Just checked, huh yeah I guess it did finally go into full production. Still wouldn’t recommend such a headphone to someone who isn’t so knowledgable in the brighter headphones and I would 100% encourage a Sundara over it due to that.
Please do keep in mind that while Argons and Sundaras are great there is so many other headphones out there… Sennheisers are great for their detail and balanced sound meanwhile you also have Beyerdynamic for their bright headphones, Philips seems to be stuck making Warm headphones, Hifiman is kind of all over the place but they make planar driver headphones, Dan Clark is more expensive and the planar company I swear by over Hifiman, AKG offers some unique sounding headphones like those with mids and highs pushed forward with recessed bass. Tons and tons to choose from.
I know so many choices. Frankly I should chill but want to see what you guys think, and what direction/s I should be looking.
I would say aim a bit low and find a way to audition the different sounds. If you can find a audio store or a good return policy and pick out headphones from the different styles of sound find what you really enjoy. I personally love bright headphones but I understand theres a lot of people who are very sensitive to treble much like I am to a bass thats far too heavy as it causes me to get a bit of a headache. Be patient with it. It’s a bit of a journey with headphones, not a race.
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Well put!!, and thanks for that.
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just a thought, you could try a pad swap or like you said, a tube amp. It will make a big difference, as if its a totally new headphone.
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This may be way outside your price point, but I’ve heard Aurorus Audio started with the goal of making headphones that sound as good as the Sennheiser 58x/6xx in mids and tonality but add dynamics and base response and detail. They’re very well reviewed by folks who love Sennheiser sound
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I would recommend the Sundaras. I believe there was som site selling open-box for around $260. Does anyone remember where that was at?
They will not sound like your 6XX - I feel the Sundara offers more clarity pretty much across the board, wider, brighter.
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Those Borealis look badass, but our of my $$ range at least for now.
Just make sure you opt for the balanced mod if you order the Argons to take advantage of that extra power and sound quality from the 789. They don’t automatically come with balanced capability.
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Most in this hobby have likely rushed a bit at some point in our journey…it’s hard not to when you love music and start to realize what’s possible after listening to your first set of quality cans. Just try to take your time to really explore what you like or dislike about what you currently have (may be the gear itself, source, genre, or even song specific) and try to fill the gap with something that better meets your overall preference or complements what you already have and plan to keep. Lots of helpful folks here, but at the end of the day it comes down to your ears.
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I get it, I had Sony CD999 way back and I thought they were good, got Grado SR80 back in like '00~01, though ok really good. Then got Shure e4 and that was ages ago…04~06? Great with an iPod. Thought well fine…I. am set. Got a new gig last year, a dude had some Sony blutooth on ears, so I said wow ok, and have been using the Sony WH-H900N h.ear on 2 with the phone to commute, shuttle van into city…noise cancelling sound really good for around the house etc. I was fine.
Enter covis 19, the wife is always here and I need to rip tunes…need head phones on par with my stereo set up. Then I saw the HD6XX on sale ($190)!! (When I was looking at the Grado’s the Senn HD600 where the sh@t) also got the amp because of the ohm and wanted to go balanced.
So have had the THX 789/HD6xx thing about a month, it’s the best headphone I’ve heard. But now know there is better and want to take the next step up.
The Sundara or the Argons seem logical…do I want light or heavy is the question I. have to answer. The reason I posted was to see if the Sundara were redundant after having the HD6xx and well maybe there was a better move…seems like Sundara might be the move.
If you don’t mind the wait, I can’t recommend the verum 1 enough. Fantastic headphone easily competing with some significantly more expensive options. One of the best all-rounders I have heard with excellent timbre and tonality, similarly smooth midrange to the hd600 but much better bass extension and impact. Tons to read about them in forums and Z has a review for them.
Otherwise, a popular step up from the 6xx is the focal elex but I have not heard those myself.
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Just wanted to throw this out there, but you could also try a tube amp for the 6xx. That might be fun.
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Yes, this. Even an inexpensive tube amp is worth a try. All of the 600 series have good synergy with tube amps.
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