Alright, with Black Friday and the holiday shopping season imminent, I would like everyone’s advice. I want to build my own version if Z’s wall - a collection of headphones that all do something great and unique. I’ll list my headphone-related gear list (both what I have and on the way), and give the suggestions on what should look at next.
Headphone list:
Sennheiser HD6XX
E-mu Teak
Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 Wireless
Koss KPH30i
Hifiman HE-560 (Under RMA)
DACs and Amps:
Yamaha AG03
Monoprice Portable THX Headphone Amplifier
Monoprice Liquid Spark
Drop THX AAA 789 (Ships December 15)
Radstone ES100
Budget wise… I’d up to 500 USD it would be relatively easy to consider. Up to 1000 USD I’d listen to suggestions but it would have to be a really significant upgrade. Anything higher… it would be an ask, but maybe. If really worth it. Both new and used options would be on the table. No Hifimans or similarly unreliable brands please, I’m still a bit annoyed at them.
I’m asking for help because, well, I can’t make up my mind where to go next. Some of the options I’ve looked at, either new or used:
Modhouse Argons
Sennheiser HD660S
Focal Elex
ZMF Aeolus/Auteur
Sennheiser HD800/800S
I look at the HD660S and the Elex as sort of the HD6XX/HD650 sound but taken to the next level. The ZMFs and the HD800/800s… they’re all so hyped that I really want to see if they’re as good as advertised, even if they’re that pricey. That’s kind of the example of what products I’m looking at.
So, any suggestions/recommendatons/violent reactions? What else should I be looking at, if any?
The 58x use the same drive as the 660s if I remember, a lot of people say they sound very similar. I’m sure if you got the 58x and bought better pads and cable, mod them out a touch, you’d be as happy if not more than owning the 660s at a cheaper price.
The 58x has a similar tuning, but the 660s is more detailed and has a different driver. It’s just ahead technicality wise, but if you are looking for something different, then I would just stick with the 58x
it sounds like you have a lot of really nice gear, perhaps you could use that money elsewhere like trying new music formats (vinyl, reel to reel), or put it towards room acoustics? idk, i obviously don’t know anything about your situation/preferences im just trying to throw some ideas out there lol. maybe even some speakers or portable players? stereo system for the living room? a/b “testing center”?
my thought process is you can only listen to one headphone at a time, so why not expand the capabilites of said headphone (keep in mind i am a budget college student who owns way too much audio gear i am once again just trying to share some new perspective, perhaps one i wished i heard when i got into audio more )
I’m not really in a situation where I have the room or the circumstances for the more exotic music formats or acoustics. As for portable players… not something I need, as I drive to and from work. If I need it I’ll sacrifice acoustic fidelity in favor of some noise cancellation (the Momentums).
I already have a decent speaker setup for my PC, though. ELAC B5s (version 1.0) powered by a SMSL Q5 Pro, with a B&W subwoofer (I forget the model number, but it’s a fairly old model).
Also regarding the elex and 660s vs the 600/650 and the 58x, I personally actually think the 650/600s can be more detailed then the 660s with the right amp, and I don’t think the 660s is a direct upgrade from them. The elex is a better extended and more detailed sound that’s still even, so that might be a good upgrade to the 6xx, but you loose some of the mid-range timbre
I’m exhuming my old thread because… I have a clearer feel for what I want and what I have. I kind of feel like that in between my three headphones, I have different niches covered.
HD6XX is the one I’m most familiar with. It does everything reasonably well. Maybe it’s not the best, but it does a good enough job. It’s the utility headphone.
E-mu Teak. This is the “fun” headphone. It’s tuned for more bass than the HD6XX. I don’t feel it’s as precise, but it’s an entertaining tuning.
Hifiman HE-560. This is my detail/analytics can. I don’t quite love it yet. I love what it does to some songs. But I absolutely respect the ability of this headphone and my amplifier to bring out detail.
Since I upgraded to the SMSL SP200 at home, I intend to use my Monoprice Liquid Spark/ES100 for my office setup. The question is now which headphone to bring to the office for that. The way I see it I have two options:
Bring the 6XX to work. That means I want another similar headphone to it for my home usage. A do-everything, neutral to warmish tuning. I’ve been thinking of something like… a used HD660S. Or, if I stretch the budget a little (and depending on my tolerance for risk), a Focal Elex. If I can find something with good soundstage and imaging for gaming, it would be great but not 100% necessary.
A new headphone, probably a closed back for work usage. I listen to a fair bit of podcasts and audiobooks, so something with good vocal clarity is wanted, Again, I want that neutral to mildly warm tuning for musically/enjoyment without being over the top. I’m not as familiar with the closed back market right now, so… Neumann NDH20, maybe? I know that Beyerdynamic makes good closed backs, but their tuning might be too analytic.
So, suggestions from the Hifiguides community on which way I should go and what I should be looking at? Budget wise I’d say up to 500 USD is strongly preferred, I just let the Elex slip because it reviews so well. I’m open to used so long as it’s a brand or model of headphone that’s known to be reliable. So no Hifimans or Audezes, I guess.
Dang, the elex would be great imo lol. I think the 660s is nice but won’t be as neutral as the 6xx, but would be more fun and better extended for sure.
For a closed back, the ndh20 is good, but actually might be a bit uncomfortable for some. I really like the focal elegia (on sale for 500 usd rn), but it does lean more neutral/analytical that is very good imo, but might not be super exciting (but I do enjoy it alot)
I’d be more open to the Elex if it went back down to 600. Because my cargo forwarder is in California that means a sales tax that’s damn near 10%. And I know it’s technically beyond the limit I set, but 660 is a more palatable extension than 770.
The Elegia deal doesn’t seem to be active anymore. I do like the fact that open box NDH 20s seem to be available on eBay if I wanted to save some cash. That said, which do you think is better - a HD6XX upgrade/replacement or the closed back?
Well, I think if you enjoy the 6xx I don’t think you should upgrade it, as I don’t think there are many headphones that I would consider a direct upgrade that maintain the aspects of the 6xx. The 660s is even a bit different from the 6xx and some actually still prefer the 6xx.
How much do you value isolation and silence? If you really don’t mind either, I don’t know if the ndh20 is worthwhile and you may be better off getting an open back if you don’t value isolation and mild noise leak
The main reason for me wanting a closed back is… it’s for office usage. I’ve used the 6XX fairly regularly in the office, so that would be an option, but I’ve never found it to be particularly leaky. Something like the HE 560, that I find to leak a lot. I guess a less leaky open back would be an option too.
If you wanted to try something different, the audioquest nighthawks don’t really leak that much, isolate fairly well, are very comfortable, and have a very interesting sound (but you might love it or hate it)
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