No, I do not buy pads all the time.
Anyway, open to hear other recommendations from others.
What does the hd598 sound like?
Second the Elegia as a great mid forward option
Vocals/mids are my favourite thing and my favourite headphones are Grado GH2, HiFiman Sundara and Focal Elex. Grado’s were my favourite, but I think it is the Elex’s now. And I Really enjoy the Sundara’s.
Any of these can give you a full day of pleasure, although I did have to change the pads on the Grado’s.
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Maybe. Maybe calling out hipsters is the new hipster. It’s certainly nothing that applies to my recommendation.
I absolutely loved the Sundaras but between the pads(there too small!), the issues with quality control I faced(two breaks consecutive), and the rather bass lite I just couldn’t face keeping them in my collection. Hearing the elegia a few times was already planning to try that… Guess I will definitely have to try the grado while I am there
Bass lite yet detailed with good extension and sub bass, soundstage and seperation on par with the helios, mids are very forward and detailed and sound pretty nice with some warm tones to the vocals, highs are smooth yet balanced they do have a dip in their frequency and it’s noticeable but doesn’t sound too bad though I would prefer a little brighter on the treble not by much though. 599 was brighter
@wagstaff I would disregard the comment. lets keep this thread on topic please? Appreciate the recommendation.
Have Senn 6XX which are great, just got HIFIMan Sundara which I love, more detail, better sound stage.
I had the pleasure to try the 660 S which sounds really good but I like more soundstage… was told the 6xx has a similar soundstage which will probably lead to me not appreciating it as much as I should
I thought I did. I like the mids on the Rs1 and Rs2. No other considerations about looks or image come into it. Unfortunately the Grados can’t be auditioned in Singapore, and I would recommend against a blind buy. There are some nice recommendations on this thread which the OP is likely to be able to audition. Joy is restored.
-is the OP- lmfao joy is definitely restored. Yeah, they do carry grado there so I do plan to see if I can try them.
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I am awaiting my HD660’s. Too bad you had HiFiman troubles. Great sound at a great price.
The Elex’s are really a knockout, but of course you can’t test them first. I hear the Clears are better, but very pricey.
You are lucky to have a quality headphone shop locally. They are a dying breed.
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I had 4 hifiman break on me… my 400i broke after a couple weeks of use… both sundaras within around a month period. The last straw was the break of my anandas you can imagine I was pretty pissed off at that point. After that point I swore off Hifiman completely. Demanded a refund never looked back.
I did notice the price on them… the shop carries them but they are definitely to high for my blood doesn’t hurt to try them though I guess.
agreed but its still quite a drive for me. It’s sweetwater as well as a few other shops.
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Right. Got 2 guys mixed up with location. I started to wonder about Sweetwater in Singapore for a second, too. I’m better now. Sorry.
I haven’t heard the Clears either… though with all the talk of which amps make them really sing, I may not be ready. Elex are my favorite headphones of those I have heard so far. I tend to use DT1990s l with a DIY—Audioheaven filter , and love them but… they’re not so much about the mids.
Focal Clears are on my “want to hear, bad” list!
Fitting it gave you a W for the pfp then with the elex’s W sound signature.
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looking at the frequency that still looks like a neutral bright headphone to me…
Compared to the 58x the 600 especially the 650 are going to have that more neutral bass it sounds like you’re looking for but no real gain in soundstage. Depending on the amp I’d push you in a certain direction there.
To me the clears are a neutral bright sound sig and the elegia and much more neutral proper. Only negative I can see here for you is the soundstage, albeit a tad wider than the senns, still isn’t very wide. Definitely worth a listen to find out imo.
I read what you’re saying about hifiman… qc yes sundara pads too small yes… buuut if you’re at a place and there’s an ananda sitting there … I mean it can’t hurt to try right lol
Might wanna reread that one chief. I already owned the Anandas and Sundaras. They broke hence I no longer go by the company which is irritating cause the headphones sound great their quality control just sucks ass lol.
hmm in your opinion outside of hifiman what set of cans would have the most soundstage in this particular type of headphone sound?
My bad I have a habit of skimming
I’d highly recommend the Sony mdr-ma900 but you’d have to buy those used. Other than that my experience is limited but I’d go with your initial hunch and try as many focals as possible.
HD650s/6XX, Nad HP50.