Hmm. I noticed you said you have the LSA hp-2. What is your take on that one. I have been looking at the Kennerton Gjallarhorn since it’s initial announcement and have been considering setting aside e money for it seeing how unique it is. Seeing as the LSA is supposed to be sonically similar, would you consider that phone interesting enough, price not considered.
This is true, I’ve been looking on eBay for used HD800s, every now and then I get antsy to actually pull the trigger. Need a decent tube before I make that purchase. Or a ZMF Auteur.
That’s probably the closest description of modest endgame I think I’ve ever heard. That’s the type of contentment I’m looking for, but I don’t think I’m quite there yet.
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It is the most precise, accurate headphone that I own. It is, to me, a little bass shy. And very microphonic.
They are the most expensive new headphones I ever bought. I like them a lot, but I don’t love them. I Would like to try their higher end models.
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Is the cable microphonic? Or is the headphone itself just microphonic in nature due to the horn driver?
I am sort of there with you. I don’t think I am done, but mostly in the sense that I enjoy trying out new stuff, but I am pretty happy with things that I am using right now. If I didn’t buy anything for another year, I would be ok.
I spent the better part of a year playing around with cheap gear like KZ which I found lacking. Moondrop avoids being sibilant, but still always seemed to miss the mark on bass. I stumbled onto this site ( I think Z reviews mentioned it ) and learned a bunch more, and Mele was my first “good for me” IEM.
After some experimenting I would say that Mangird Tea, Tripowin Olina, Shuoer S12, 7Hz Timeless, and Tripowin Mele are my favorites. I use a BTR5 as my DAC/Amp, but have an Apple dongle for when I want a more neutral sound.
I do think you are correct that being able to use a combination of things to create different sounds helps a bunch. My guess is that my next step will be to look at another source or two.
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this sub-$1000 contentment really has me thinking…what would be better, a single headphone? two equal value headphones or maybe three? more than three and you really take a nose dive in quality, clarity, etc etc, but I think I would probably go for two myself. one general purpose and one for my orchestral / instrumental.
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I would agree with the assessment of @ShaneD regarding the LSA HP-2. Although he doesn’t “love them” I happen to love mine. They are comfortable to the point where I can wear them as long as I like, and I don’t find them to be overly noisy. I had no issues with the cable, either. Well, for as long as I had it on there, which wasn’t long! I replaced it with a balanced Periapt cable and haven’t looked back. It made me curious about the other models in the Kennerton line, but given the current situation, that is a big “NO”. But for sub $1000.00, the HP-2 is a great headphone. Just wonderful when paired with the SA-1.
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Duly noted!
These are good questions for sure. For me, 1 would not be enough. I have 3 different systems in the house, and as it turns out a set adorns each. I currently have 7, and I use 6 of them regularly. The Senn HD280 Pros are more or less retired now. If I had it to do over again I think I could have skipped the 660S and the Phoenix. Possibly the Sundara as well, but the EDXS did not exist when I bought them. And frankly I like the build of the Sundara better than the XS, but from a performance perspective the XS is superior. The money saved would have gone a long way towards something next level for sure. But hey, no regrets. It’s been a great journey, and as long as they are still in the active rotation, they will all stay.
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That’s a pretty beautiful way to look at it, there are a few headsets I wished I skipped as well, I can think of 5 right off the bat, but going through them was a good part of the journey. Yea I think I’ll end up having atleast 4 at any given time for different performance reasons.
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if used counts… I suspect the Focal Clear og could be my single headphone… if it has to be new, then I’d hope for the chance to demo the Elex and Bentley side by side.
Although I wouldn’t prefer it, I’ll say that used counts. If that helps people factor in better more ideal results, I’m completely fine with that.
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I think it is directly related to the steel headband.
I am hooked on variety. I could own two or more high end headphones, but I much prefer variety. Multiple headphones and multiple amps give you a wide choice in sounds. It almost feels like getting a new set up every weekend. 
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Dt177x and edition XS, good contrast, you get a closed dynamic and a super open big planar… I’d definitely take both of those over a single higher end hp…
I suspect the majority of us are like that…so we make due with what our budgets usually can handle. 
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The great thing is, Mid-Fi is really good today. High end still is what it is, for those that can play in that space. But there is some really fine stuff out there that is attainable. We are kinda blessed in that way. And then, of course, there is that gently used gem.
Overall I’d say the hobby and the industry is in reasonably good shape. Stay tuned…
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yessir, the quality of $400 (looking at you Sundara) headphones is astounding!
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