You can already choose a planar headphone if you want, there’s nothing in the way.
Just be aware of what I wrote above.
That you have good prerequisites to be able to use them sensibly.
If you take a small hybrid amplifier like the cheapest Xudoo Mt 02 and play with the tubes to your needs, a lot would be done.
You can always invest in an upgrade on the amplifier side later.
If you want something better than the Hd 560 and it should be planar and upgrade, then the Aeon R/T closed.
I’ve never heard Guano Apes so well with these headphones and really enjoyed them, as well as other bands that share this style of music.
I even listened roughly to small blues pieces and found it really wow.
I still have the Lcd 2 C here and it’s mostly hard to say which one is really good.
They both do a lot of things right.
What the other can do, the other can’t do as well and vice versa.
Apart from that, many people have a problem with the Lcd2C because of its weight, which tends to be more for relaxing with the right sitting posture.
The R/T is lighter and offers a little more comfort in terms of freedom of movement.
Since you’ve been thinking about the Lcd2c, my suggestion is if you’re stretching your budget.
R/T with an amplifier if you don’t have one.
The R/T would also sell well if you don’t like it, it is in demand in Europe and sells better than the Aeon 2 on the second hand market.
The Emu is certainly not wrong, but it also comes with customs costs.
Otherwise Beyerdynamic has brought out two new models Dt700 and Dt900 pro which could possibly still be good. one waits still for Review’s concerning this.
Hi there,
So when you have the Singxer Sa1 there is enough power for planar headphones to operate.
There is nothing against trying the Sundara.
The Dt700 and Dt900 Pro X is a new release that Beyerdynamic released recently.
Look here:
The same is available in the 990 variant.
Spontaneously I think of the Sendy Aiva as planar headphones that are still cheap.
Sometimes the Quad Era is still available cheaply.
This shouldn’t be bad either, costs a little more
And the one here as a dynamic driver should have a look at the Z review video.
Allegedly there are occasional quality issues with Gold Planar and Harmonicdyne.
Please check the Forum here of Rewievs from many User who have buy it before you buy one when you are interested.
I haven’t seen a budget listed in here, but it’s a long thread and I may have missed it. Based on your source I agree with those saying check out something with Fostex biodynamic drivers in them (Teaks, X00, TH610, or TH900/909 if you’re OK spending more). The drawback is the biodyna drivers can get sharp in the treble at times.
Another company that will punch/slam the senses out of your noggin at times is Focal. They’re tunings can get wonky, often being midforward in different but odd ways. That can help with drums but to my ear makes vocals shouty and nasally at times. One exception is the Radiance. It has the best tonality in the Focal line I’ve heard so far, and has a fun bass shelf go with it.
The Hifiman He6, as some have pointed out, is also a very physical headphone and is planar. You need an amp that can deliver power very quickly, though, and that’s where amps with shiny looking power specs often fall short. I’d only look at one of these if you’re also on board with upping your amp game.
Don’t overlook a used LCD-2 prefazor, if you find one. They kinda introduced the idea of “planar bass” to the masses. Their not as slammy as Fostex or Focals, but are no slouched. They have pretty linear extension down through the subbass too (which is what planar bass usually means). They also have lush timbre and sound great with drums, at least I think they do. Good luck!
I appreciated the robust response. My budget was sub £500 (if my requirements could be met). I’m in the U.K. too which does seem to limit availability of many of the headphones discussed.
I’ll have a look at all of these recommendations. Hadn’t really considered Fostex past a T50 mod. There’s something about the look of Focals that I don’t like. I wouldn’t let that stop me from buying a set if they were right though. However, things like HE6, HE500 and LCD-2 repeatedly come into focus when I’ve been digging around the internet. LCD-2 and LCD-X should be top of my list from what I’ve read but I couldn’t think of spending that kind of money on headphones without exhausting lower-cost allegedly comparable options, such as M1570. Seems like most of the headphones recommended on this thread sit between £700-£1000; maybe I should get the hint and start saving my pennies!
It’s a magic price point. I felt the lcd-xc was a better headphone than the he6 given the drivability challenges of he6sev2. An XC ended up being cheaper for the full package. It slammed more for me and had a more engaging sound out of the box. But, still, hp-2 out slams them.
Anywho, the important thing is to go try something. And find out for yourself what you like.
Another cheaper option might be the audio quest nighthawk or nighthawk carbon (I haven’t personally heard these but many on this forum have). They are only available used but are around $200-$300 when they pop up for sale. They are a biodynamic like the fostex stuff but a darker and warmer overall sound. Some people really hate the tuning but others love them so much they will never sell them.
Hopefully someone from the #NighthawkGang can give you more info
Agreed the nighthawks are what I would suggest as an owner. They are dark and warm but all the detail is there. The next that has that planar slam in a decent range would be the LCD2CB. They have great detail, sound stage, biggest I’ve heard for a closed back, and you can find them under $1k. Also If you use any eq kind of eq they take it like a champ. The 3rd par I’d recommend is Aeon RTs but they aren’t as fun/dynamic as the other two recommended.
Hope you find exactly what you are looking for but IMO you’ll have to reach deeper into the piggy bank to get everything you really want.
Oh one more thing LCDX trumps all suggestions IMHO. I love mine on my singxer.
For me the line was north of the Rad O…D8000 Pro and Abyss land, and yes a Susvara as well.
For all three the line was at the D8000 Pro door…done with planars for a long while.
I hope!!
lol
So, now having really thought about what I consider most important in my next headphone purchase, I think I’ve narrowed it down to “life-like” drum kit presentation.
I’ve been listening to my various cans and, when I do or don’t like what a headphone is doing to a track, I am making my judgement primarily on drum presentation by a large margin. Part of that is sound stage and imaging, as is obvious, drum kits are typically spread across the sound stage. But my focus is on timbre of the drums. I understand that dynamics are important for conveying the impact of a drum strike too, making the drum presentation seem more real.
I’ve done a good bit more reading since initially posing this question, in part to try and spend less than £500, and there’s two headphones that are currently in my crosshairs second hand on eBay. An Elex and an OG HE500. Those who have heard this two, will they deliver what I’m after? Or deliver the requisite drum presentation more so than my current cans (HD560S, DT990 600 Ohm, GL2000)? By what margin would they be an improvement, if at all?
Hello,
I’m afraid I can’t answer that question about the two headphones.
There is one that is dynamic and the other is planar.
The Elex is okay, but often plagued with a quality problem. Hifiman is no different in that respect.
But you’ve seen and heard less of it in the last six months.
That was different last year.
If you really want to go for the drums like that.
I can again refer you to the Dan Clark Aeon R/T closed.
They are absolutely suitable for rock.
I heard the best Highway to Hell with the Rme Adi 2 Dac I had for a short time and I thought that was not reproducible.
With the Aeon R/T closed and a different Dac, you get there again.
And other rock songs are also very good to listen to with it.
From my personal point of view the best headphones for rock.
Why?
I have never heard the whole drum kit so well with the great cymbal, punch, power and strength that seems predominantly authentic.
Not even the Lcd 2 can do that so well.
And also very clean left-right separation, with Eock I hear the music exactly as you thought it was when you recorded it, at least that’s how it seems to me.
With the Fostex Tr x 00 or Denon D2000 it was already good but with the Aeon R/T I find the whole thing even better.
Just for your information, Massdrop is currently offering the Aeon X for $399, so it won’t get any cheaper than that and should still be able to cover your target budget for the customs costs.
And I would take the closed version instead of the open one, if it convinced you.
The Elex has a surprising amount of bass for an open back. I have been enjoying them very much for a year and a half.
I think the HE500 like a lot of mods. If you are not into mods I would consider that point.
At this price point ($599.00US) I am VERY excited about the HE6se V2’s. But they might be hard to get where you are and they need a serious amp to sound great.
My newest favourite are the LSA HP-2’s. They are sold by an American outfit, but made by Kennerton in Russia. They had a Black Friday sale for $799.00 (595 pounds sterling), that might still be on, shipped anywhere in the world. The company is Underwood HiFi.
Do you have access to any used Kennerton stuff? They have nice closed backs and open backs, dynamic drivers and planars. Maybe you could find some used Magnis for under $500.00. My HP-2’s (based on the Gjallarhorns), have the most clear, detailed drum sound I have ever heard. You can hear every drum strike vs just a bassy boom.
I definitely plan on climbing this family tree, as money permits.
All of the Hifman cans are interesting, I agree they need power to sound good, and can sound great for the right music, under the right conditions. People do seem to mod the heck out of them, and I am probably going to swap the grills on my HE400se at some point, despite not being modder.
They all tend to have a weird recessed section around the 2k area, right where I expect the big portions of rock vocals and guitar at. Because of that, I always view them as a great complimentary headphone, but have a hard time thinking of them as ones you build a collection around.
I was unimpressed with HiFiman through my first three sets (Yes, I am a glutton for punishment), the HE4XX’s, Sundara’s and Edition XX’s.
However, the HE6se V2’s turned me around on the brand. Of course you need a Strong amp to hear their best. My only mods so far have been adding a few Nuggets.
They are not my favourites, but I think I will be keeping them for a long time. They are in my top 5.
