I’ve been using Philips SHP9500’s through a SMSL M6 for about 4 years. I use them for music (4-6hr) and gaming (1-2hr casual) daily. They sound good. I feel that these are lacking a bit in bass.
Why i’m looking for something new: My setup is in a common room and i’d like to get a new set of headphones with more isolation and less sound leakage. I’m thinking closed or semi-closed will be the answer.
Budget: Flexible, but i’d like to keep it under $500
Music: I listen across many genres. Indie, EDM, and Piano Instrumentals would be my top.
PC Gaming: Hearing footsteps accurately is nice, but not to the insane point of sacrificing music listening quality. I’m play games for fun, not for money.
DAC/AMP: I’d like to stick with the SMSL M6 for now if possible, unless you’ve got a compelling reason for me to replace it.
Look: Don’t care
Comfort: These will become my main set and be on my head for 6ish hours a day. I’d like it if I wasn’t in pain or constantly adjusting during that time.
Portability: If my past 4 years with the SHP9500’s says anything, these will be at my desk with an amp within reach permanently. I don’t need to worry about packing them up and bringing them with me anywhere unless I move.
Sound: It’s hard to describe what sound signature I like when the SHP9500s are the only decent headphones that I’ve had. If I’m ever in a car with the crap 3 slider EQ, I end up with BAS +2, MID +0, and TRE +6 if that helps any. I don’t like bass to cause distortion over what i’m listening to, but I do appreciate the punch when it’s intended.
Modding: I’m not interested in going deeper than a pad-swap at this time.
Purchase: I’d like something that I can go out and buy from Amazon or another retailer now. I don’t want to wait on a drop, custom build with a 14 week backlog, or to hunt through auction sites.
I’ve watched a lot of Z’s reviews and there seem to have been quite a few good options brought to the market in the past 4 years. Hopefully y’all can help point me in the right direction.