Do you know which model? Also they are very amp picky
Generally the imaging performance tends to be not a precise with most audeze imo, more 3 blob performance
No, I would take it on a case by case basis
The 400i can take most planars well, but might struggle with the really hard to drive stuff, dynamics it does pretty well for the most part
It could be in the used market
Generally at that price point I would still suggest the lcd 2 pre fazor (or even current fazor model) over the gx, the gx is more clean and neutral, but imo the lcd 2 is more refined and also sometimes more capable
So I have been looking into the Beyerdynamic line, is there a consensus that the t1.2 is the best Beyer dynamic for gaming? Should I be looking at the 880 600ohm or 1990 600ohm?
I think the t1.2 is probably the highest preforming Beyer overall, but probably the best for purely competitive gaming might be the 1990 ohm because of its brighter neutral signature and very sharp imaging and soundstage, pretty forward. In comparison the t1.2 is a bit warmer more full bodied, while also having upgraded technicalities. In your case to get the most out of the questyle personally I think the t1.2 makes more sense because it can be balanced so better suited to your amp
That makes perfect sense, will keep researching a bit, thanks!
@M0N alright, done some research, only other option I have seen compared to a lot of the headphones we have discussed here is the Focal Clear. Used it seems to be in a similar price bracket (close enough) to the t1.2 and/or LCD-X. Thoughts on the Focal Clear for what I am looking for?
That’s a pretty great headphone, personally my preference over the LCD x for a neutral can, very open sounding, very revealing, but still sweeter and enjoyable. Spatial recreation and presentation is really interesting and engaging, and it has great dynamics as well. Pairs really well with the questyle. For gaming it can be really nice as long as the presentation doesn’t sound off depending on the game engine
Compared to the t1.2, the 1.2 is going to be a bit smoother and warmer, not as resolving as the clear, the t1.2 is going to be wider and more spacious but the clear will have more depth and a more interesting stage imo, the Beyer might have more body but the clear is pretty neutral here. The 1.2 has more organic timbre but the clear isn’t that bad in regards to organicness. The clear is easily quicker and more speedy sounding. Generally I think it comes down to preference but with a questyle I might prefer the clear tbh
@M0N okay, time for some updates! I have decided to sell the E-MU’s, going to a good guy in California, so now I am not as worried about “overlapping” with the E-MU’s. Do the HP-3’s come back into play now that the E-MU’s are gone? Based on what I am looking for I feel like I am torn between the following, any thoughts on helping me narrow these down? Maybe comparing them against each other?
Sure, if you liked what the emu had to offer but wanted more, the hp3 might make good sense
So in general, the hp3 is going for a more fun, warmer, impactful tuning, pretty exciting while sounding organic
The aeon 2 closed is a more neutral slightly v shaped sound, sounds more linear in general, with a refined sound that’s pretty competent. Good detail and speed, resolution without harshness, the right amount of impact, well extending, stage width average and imaging is good. It might not impress immediately as in something really stand out, but it’s a pretty complete sounding package that’s very refined, and also very comfy
The clears are on another tier from the headphones mentioned imo, very neutral, very resolving, spatially impressive, but pretty enjoyable still. This also pairs very well with your cma400i imo.
The aeolus is nice but personally I’m not a fan, I think it sacrifices technicalities and capability for a smoother unoffensive signature. Personally for what you are after I would highly suggest the auteur/eikon over the aeolus/atticus
Also if you want a specific comparison I can go deeper on that one
@M0N I trust your judgment, let’s knock off the ZMF. Now down to the three below… Let me run through a series of questions and you can provide your thoughts. Which of the following would provide the best imaging for gaming? If footsteps are happening around me in a first person shooter, would any of the following three standout in terms of placing the enemy?
Most likely the clear depending on the game
Most likely the clear again, although the aeon closed would be better if you have a noisy environment
I second that as an Aeolus owner. Maybe put the Eikon on your list to add a ZMF.
@M0N If the following three albums are my three most listened to albums this year, which headphones would be best suited for my musical tastes? I would also add that beyond these albums I generally listen to rap/hip-hop and singer song writer/acoustic. I rarely listen to classical.
I would totally say eliminate the HP-3 if gaming is in the mix. They’re alright but imaging is garbage. The HP-3 excel in “I want to sit back enjoy the sound.” That is, assuming you use them long enough or they have been burned in so you don’t confuse them with Koss kph30.
Lemme them a re listen (pretty sure I have all those), and I’ll get back to you, although I’ll have to make some substitutions, in place of the clear I have the utopia, and in place of the hp-3, I’ll just use some modded th900 mk2 and make some adjustments amp wise. But I do have an aeon 2 closed on hand
Thanks for that feedback, it is an important component to me.
So for the maggie rogers album, the utopia sounded the most organic and revealed the most nuances, also had the most holographic spatial recreation, although on some tracks treble did reveal sibilance or unneeded sharpness which the other headphones smoothed out. I will say though that the bass impact was the most enjoyable on the th900 so personally for this album I would lean towards the clear for more accurate or the hp3 for the most fun, the aeon 2 was solid but didn’t stand out in comparison (after adjusting for what I was supposed to be demoing lol)
For allen stone I generally thought the utopia was pretty easily my pick here too, it’s speed and clarity, and also the great depth that kept vocals intimate while instruments spaced properly, was very nice. The th900 mk2 had engaging punch but felt a bit too forward or muffled in comparison. The aeon 2 actually struck a nice balance here, was generally overall correct sounding and pretty easy listen
For anderson paak hmmm, I really liked the utopia in terms of spatial recreation and separation, but the th900 had more engaging bass and more organic timbre. Aeon 2 was competent but nothing really jumped out to me
I think if you aren’t worried about the most bass impact and quantity, the clear is a good match here, the hp3 is going to be a more have fun headphone but it’s just not going to be as impressive as the clear. And the aeon 2 is pretty immersive if you need closed and comfy, but I don’t think it can really stack up to the clear tbh
Welp that settles it, Focal Clear will likely be my next choice! Your knowledge is genuinely invaluable, I appreciate all of your help on this.
One other thing I have been thinking about, I know myself well enough to know that I won’t be satisfied until I one day have “the best”. So here is the loaded question, what are “the best” headphones in your opinion, and why? I have been looking into some of the true flag-ship/end game headphones this last couple of days for fun and here is what I have determined for myself. Any flagships that you think may best suit my criteria?
They need to sound incredible.
I refuse to settle on build quality, craftsmanship, and comfort if I am going to spend over $3,000 on headphones.
I would want something I would truly be able to listen to all day, whether it is podcasts, twitch streams, youtube, my music, or gaming.
It would need to be “worth it”. I define being worth it as being unquestionably and undeniably better than something that costs half as much.
Congrats! Also, let’s not jump the gun haha. I know you want to plan on your future, but let’s enjoy the crap out of your Clears first. Figure out what you love about them and which aspects you would want different, then we can get a better idea for your flagship purchase.
Enjoy!
Definitely will be enjoying the Clears, it may satisfy everything I am looking for and I won’t feel the need for anything else, time will tell! I am more curious to understand what the criteria for others looks like in selecting their “top” headphone. How do people ultimately make that decision? All flagships are probably “great”, so how do you distinguish? Just a fascinating topic. Cheers!