I don’t find the Elex to be particularly sharp/bright, and I find most Beyers like being stabbed in the ear with a pencil.
I’m not a big T50 fan, but it’s certainly influenced a lot of the movement towards bespoke headphones like the ZMF’s
I’ll vote for a headphone I don’t own, the 58X, just because it’s been the gateway for so many into the hobby.
I think the most important headphone was the 58x. It introduced a lot of people to high quality audio who would otherwise have been quite happy with their Logitechs and their Razers
For me, it isn’t about how much the treble is elevated, but about how big and steep the peaks are and where in the frequency range they exist. Beyers always have that 8khz peak and it is something a lot of people either love or despise.
If it’s just the headphone not modded I think the Sennheiser HD 650. It’s probably The Beatles of headphones in that aside from the occasional edgy “they’re overrated” people all agree they’re fantastic and are most people’s first real hifi pair.
They have stood the test of time for sure, awesome on a tube and great for just enjoying music
I have only been in the headphone game for less than five years but, without a doubt, my favourite is the Grado GH2’s.
My favourite “economical” headphones would be the Meze 99 Classic’s.
One of the best from grado, with a unique sound signature in the grado portfolio.
And the cocobolo cups are drop dead gorgeous.
MON would now say: There are two old men talking with less hearing ability
Lol it’s not really about ability, moreso experience, I know some people who can only hear up to like 10k but have insane listening ability and can pick apart everything
Speaking of my HD 650 have em on listening to Moving Pictures, RIP Neil.
Neil Peart died! Oh man, that is my favorite band. Neil actually inspired me to learn to play drums. I’m actually in tears right now.
I cried earlier. Last time was when Prince died. I found out from Vernon Reid (Of Living Colour) on Twitter.
Rush was like one of the digital pioneers. No analog tonight!!! lol I kid.
I would say the Sennheiser HD600. The only reason the 650 is so popular is cause Drop came out with the 6XX. The HD600 sound way better IMO. Drop should have named it the HD65X now if they want to do the HD600 what are they gonna call it?
The 650 has been a fair bit popular before drop. The 600 sounds close tbh, it’s really not that far off. I will say I prefer the 600 but only on a tube
Yeah the HD600 and 650 are both very famous headphones with audiophiles. benchmarks so to speak from what ive heard. But the 600 is generally accepted to better. from what ive heard.
I’ve seen Rush 4 times in person and they were amazing each time. I was at the Live in Cleveland show they recorded for the live 2011 album. That was the first show they ever played my 2 favorite songs, Vital Signs and Different Strings. This is so sad.
I would vote for the HD650/6XX. I know many people would pick the HD600, but I’ve actually never heard a pair. I went from the HD598 to the 6XX. I have since picked up the 58X and 660s. (this week in fact). I plan on picking up a pair of 600s soon though.
I also prefer the HD650. The mids at 3500 khz are way too elevated on the HD 600 and create shoutiness. On a tube though, HD 600 are great.
First I have to say that I am actually quite sensitive when it comes to high frequency ranges in musical reproduction.
Therefore, one thing is really beyond me, here it is often said that GRADO tunes its headphones too brightly (which definitely does not apply to every model).
Likewise, there would be a lack of bass volume, hmmm, and the build quality would be old-fashioned.
On the other hand, a Beyerdynamic DT1990pro is advertised as a suitable HiFi headphone so that you can listen to it for a long time without any problems.
The Beyer is a really good studio headphone for mixing and mastering, but in my eyes not even suitable to listen to music comfortably and for a longer time.
In my opinion it is clearly too bright and flat in tonality and the bass does not move into the deepest cellar.
The heights bother me in the long run with the Beyer, while with one or the other GRADO they find the limit to create very good details and a sense of space without killing your nerves.
The comfort of GRADO’s is actually much better in the long run.
I would personally only use the DT1990 for work, because it is clearly superior to the GRADO,
for the pure enjoyment of music I would always prefer the American.
Which does not mean that there are no better headphones on the market.
PS .: If you turn down the peaks in the highs, and you Turn up the bass a bit, via EQ’ing at the Beyer’s, the whole tonal tuning actually only sounds unnatural to me.