It’s been awhile since my last review mainly due to work and trying to cut down on spending so much. I’m starting to save now for a mortgage and down deposit for the end of the year and I’m having to make some hard decisions because every little bit helps.
Up until recently, my setup has been Topping Dx3 Pro (in dac only mode) > Schiit Asgard 2 > Beyerdynamic 880 (600 ohm). I would absolutely reccomend this setup to anyone as a budget end game setup. Dx3 provides a good, clean source while the Asgard 2 brings the power. 880’s with oratory1990’s EQ (old pad) bringing out the amazing bass, warmth, and intimacy of the 880’s. They are simply amazing for gaming, multiple genres of music, and simply the most comfortable headphones I have ever worn.
After watching Z’s and BGGAR review of the Gold Planar GL2000 I ordered those to see what the hype was all about. Sadly, I had nothing but issues between the merchant and Amazon with the shipping and ended up cancelling it. Just then, I saw the Hifiman He6se on sale from Audorama for $800 (usually around 1800). I have tried them before but I did not have a setup nearly as I do now and instead had to use the little Hifiman converter box. I am pleased to say that these were way better than I even remembered. They had everything I was looking for in a sound signature. Quite frankly with EQ, they were perfect and were my go to music and movies cans. Sometimes gaming too but I didnt want to stick a modmic on the grill so I used the 880’s still for that. And so it was the 880 and He6se were my endgame.
But, I kept spending…I was now on the hunt for something more portable. Something I could use for console gaming, work meetings, and just general portable with Fiio BTR5. Started with the Blon B03 then Urbanfun ybf-iss014 then ThieAudio Legacy 3. BGGAR gave a raving review for Unique Melody MEST and against my better judgement bought those. They were great, just not sure if $1400 great but going back and forth between that and the L3 and I couldn’t deny MEST was just flat out better in every way except a couple of things that just kept nagging at me…
L3 were the most comfortable IEM I’ve used. They fit my ear shape so well and were extremely light where the MEST would just slowly slide out especially when its hot and my ears start to sweat. The housing on the MEST also would cause some soreness as well. The bone conduction I felt was a bit gimmicky as I was not really getting a good sense that it was doing anything for me. Then I saw Z’s review of the Kinera Nanna v2. I had to see what it was all about so I ordered a pair knowing that I would have to choose between them as I could not justify me keeping both. They are just as comfortable as the L3 with a nice warm, bassy presentation, natural timbre, goldy locks soundstage. Quite frankly, they sounded very close to my EQ’d He6se. Highs have not once been irritating at all while on the MEST I could tell when I started getting a little fatigued. I have no doubt that MEST are technically superior, but for me with the comfort and the sound presentation, they have won me over in the last week.
$900 is a hefty price tag for sure, but with these I’m getting an amazingly balanced signature which can do everything I throw at it. Gaming (PC and console), movies, music…Do I really need any other headphones? How much of those could go a long way towards getting that down deposit for a home later this year? I would love to keep the 880 and He6se above all but sadly I don’t see them getting much use. So I guess that’s it…I’m an IEM guy now, who knew? I probably won’t be making any reviews or buying any new stuff for awhile but I thank the community for helping me with equipment choices and all the great opinions here. I keep social media at a distance and its great to know there are good communities still around.
Not sure if this would be against TOS or not but I am putting up a few things on Ebay, if anyone is interested just let me know I’ll throw some of the listings up or message them directly. (Massdrop Sennheiser 6XX, Beyer 880, He6se, MEST, Takstar Pro 82, Shivr- not sure why i still had these, and Beyer Tygr 300 r)
