Open-back recommendations at $350 or less

Headphones Headphone Discussion / Help
1

Hi all:

Like George and Louise Jefferson (sorry for 1970s TV reference), I’m movin’ on up when it comes to open-back headphones. I have owned Philips SHP9500’s, but I want to move into upper low-end or low mid-range open-back, wired cans.

Here are my music preferences. I like indie rock, classic rock, alt-country, Americana, progressive house EDM and a touch of classic jazz.

Here is my preferred sound signature: Adequate bass. Detailed mids and treble, but I cannot stand harsh or sibilant treble. I have pretty serious tinnitus, so I’m REALLY sensitive to sharp or grainy treble. So, I guess my preferred sound signature can be described as fairly neutral, detailed warmth, if that’s not an oxymoron?

I don’t have an amp but am planning to buy one. These will be driven wired from laptops and an iPhone playing Spotify at 320 kbps and eventually its hi-fi service – no DAP here.

My budget is $350 or less. I’m open to planar or dynamic. A bit curious about planar, as I’ve never owned any.

So, what are good choices within those parameters? Thanks!

2

if you want a planar avoid the 4xx,
generally a lower range planar have a bright sound signature,
plus they have a very harsh sound without a proper amp,

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3

I’ll be the first person to say Sundara, cause that’s pretty much the best option, and given your preferences… right on

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4

I’ll throw the 660s out for an option. Really enjoying this headphone, but you’ll have to look used / open box to get it at that price.

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5

honestly,
I really recommend an earphone,

  • Fiio BTR5
  • Fiio FH3
  • Tri Through cable
  • Azla Sedna & Final type E eartips,
    total cost less than $300,
    will sound better than any headphone under $1000 without an amp,
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6

I haven’t heard the FH3, but that is a bold statement, sir.

7

Hifiman Deva (bluetooth edition) and a dongle dac/amp when you plug in. IMO, the best way to get started with planars.

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8

Thanks. But I already have Moondrop Starfields in the $100-150 price range for IEMs.

I really want open-backs, as I already own a closed-back and an IEM.

9

Thanks to all for the advice. Keep it coming! :slight_smile:

10

Came to recommend HD58x. Get yourself a dongle dac/amp that will be compatible with both your phone and laptop though please.

Planar is an option, but even more critical to give them power.
The fit of the 5xx should feel familiar to SHP9500 users. Very loose clamp, quite light, clothy type touch-point on the hybrid earpads.
The Sundara is great, but there’s no cash left for your supply side - which is quite important to fuel cans of this level.

The sound signature that you describe desiring and being opposed to sound a lot like the SHP9500 would NOT be a good recommendation. How do you feel about them??

I think both the Sennheiser 600-series (including the 58x my top recommendation to you) and this level of Hifiman tuning is perfect, flat mids focussed-ish. Solid bass, more than SHP, not bass-monsters.

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11

Sennheiser HD 560S or HarmonicDyne Zeus are both great!

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12

The SHP9500s? I loved the soundstage and imaging, but the treble felt like a chain saw ripping through my skull. Simply awful. More grain than a loaf of wheat bread.

Plus the SHP9500s had an incredibly loose headband, the loosest I’ve ever worn on any headphone. They would start to slide off anytime I looked down or moved my head quickly to one side, and I have a big head.

So, no, I don’t want a treble signature anything like the SHPs.

Thanks.

13

yeh it definitely sounds like you want the 6xx, the 58x is already what you want too but the 6xx will feel like more of an upgrade over the shps

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14

Unless they want more low-end output, save money and be easier to power.

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15

The strong clamp of Sennheisers will provide very stable on your melon and their is some adjustability of that clamp force. Don’t get Hifiman 5xx, they’re as loose and floppy as can be. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Just, would remind you of SHP fit.

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16

I’d go sundara, very smooth delivery with big scale sound. The base is super clean. If it gets to bright, they respond well to EQ or you do what I do: some etrxa foam or toilet paper behind the pads.

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17

Driving directly from iPhone and laptop, planar is probably not the best option in general. They just require more current than those sources can provide to sound their best. Sure, they might get loud enough, but likely won’t sound great. Sundara especially out of what’s been mentioned wouldn’t be a good match for your sources. 58X is more forgiving of source, though, and not terribly hard to drive, but would benefit from being amped. You could possibly do something like a 58X and Lotoo Paw S1 ad still come in under budget and have a dongle DAC/Amp that would work with either of your existing sources and sound better than either on its own.

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18

I’m by no means an expert here, but definitely have a look at the HD58X, HD6XX or the HD560s. All of which are pretty close to the sound you’re looking for, with the 560s being a bit brighter than the others but from what I have read people say, isn’t sibilant. I also believe that both the 560s and 58X will work quite well without an amp.

I can highly recommend the 6XX, I have the HD600 which is quite similar to the 6XX, fantastic headphones, although do need a decent amp to power properly, for reference my Fiio K5 Pro seems to work very well with the HD600. I believe the 560s has the largest soundstage of the bunch, something to keep in mind.

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19

True, I agree. An amp is important for Sundaras.
When at my phone I run HD 660s. They are very fine, so 58x (If I remember correctly them also beeing only 150 ohms) probably do well too.

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20

I’d say Sundara. It’s the benchmark under $500, and responds to eq really well.

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