jafnvaegi
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xiph.org is a great resource, lots of informative data there! This is super nice and convenient aggregate! I have seen some of these but there are others I'll definitely be checking out...kudos!
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Yeah, I saw the commentary in your sig The HE400i was one of the more brief demos I had with only a few songs, but I did get to try it side-by-side with my HE500 on my own setup. At least for me, it had the characteristic textured and solid bass response but perhaps not quite as thumpy or present in the lower bass, a bit more midbass. The midrange is just lusher and without compromise on the HE500, it doesn't quite get there on the HE400i. Treble is more pleasant and detailed on the HE500 too...better imaging. I'd have to hear the HE400i again really. I do recall the general presentation/frequency response to be rather similar, though they have subjective differences in practice. I think this is what makes the HE500 special, is there's essentially no substitute...even a headphone that was purpose built by the same company to 'succeed' it so to speak. Hifiman is going in a different direction I guess. Technically the Audezes do have more linear and tighter bass and even lusher mids, but it's definitely more relaxed and less engaging as a result...super smooth. A friend of mine still owns a pair of 2.2 but he's really big into vocals and classic rock so that makes sense. It's definitely too relaxed for my tastes, though it's something that can grow on you and you can adapt to over time I suspect. I still prefer the HE500 as it's actually engaging but still never fatigues. I hope to hear the ETHER soon, I really like the design choices and aesthetics...less dry sounding is always desirable anyway for me. Gear philosophy can be a rabbit-hole but I can respect a variety of preferences. I personally am a tube guy first but I do have/use solid state gear as well, it's all relative and I enjoy both for various reasons. I'm also into higher sensitivity speakers so it's more apparent there regarding tubes, but I have heard headphones sound different (slightly different) on different setups at events. The WA7 (or Woo amps) are not particularly prime specimens if you ask me but I have owned the O2/ODAC combo before and would still choose that over the WA7. I've not heard the W1000X but it's a beautiful looking headphone, as it's described in reviews I'd like to hear it...and some more Audio Technica cans for that. I have owned the ESW9 before but I found that on-ears are not for me though it sounded good for what it is. The TH900 is among the better closed cans for sure, it does have a U curve, definitely fun and not overly bassy but the lower mids do suffer a bit as a result of that elevation but it's still reasonably full and has a euphony to it. The price is definitely excessive, especially considering what the D7000 used to cost new but I guess it is a new driver and updated build quality. Honestly, I really like the D7000 though that may be because I have more time with it....I'm not sure what they go for used these days, but it could be a reasonable option. Easily one my favorite (semi) closed headphone despite inherent weaknesses with imaging, but very musical and engaging. Not neutral, lacks some mid/upper treble but it's still got a pretty full sound overall. Another good vocal or rock headphone. TH900 has better positional imaging, soundstage and dynamics capability...technically better with more genres.
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Second vote for Carbo Tenore, and I can also recommend the Hifiman RE400 as well...and they come in variants that have android/iphone remotes. Read up on both of those :lol: I'd give the RE400 the upper hand if you listen to vocals or music with acoustic/wind instruments.
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Yes, yes....yes. Literally the best bang for your buck IEM, and on Amazon Prime currently. Just try not to beat the hell out of them, the cables are supple and relatively non-microphonic but if you pull on them too hard the sheathing may pull away near the strain relief (which is already kinda short) and expose the wire, risking it to break easier. It can be reinserted though, I think they just use some glue to hold it in place so you can always add a tiny bit more if that happens...at this price it's hard to argue though. Otherwise, the housing is made of aluminum and a carbon fiber cylinder and are very sturdy. Nice, small size too. Basically, be cautious if you use these while doing alot of physical activity not to tug on the cable, like by wearing them with the cable over your ear.
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As someone with lengthy experience using the HE500 on many systems...your options are very limited outside another HE-500 TBH. The HE-400i does come quite close depending on the setup/gear it's on from a purely signature and relative driver standpoint, it's *almost* there in terms of ultimate technical ability. That'd be my only recommendation... long term comfort is better with the newer headband design and lighter weight so that is a plus. Planars in general have specific characteristics that pretty much any dynamic driver can't achieve, and vice versa (and same can be said about electrostatics as well) as you know I'm sure. My experience is on the right respective setups an HE500 and HD600 can be equals, but for different musical focuses or purposes...and the HE500 has the edge in being more of a 'jack of all trades' with any genre or application and is slightly less setup dependent. It's just hard to best in many ways. Pretty much everything recommended so far is mostly not like the HE500, sans the Alpha Prime maybe for using a planar driver. Still, it is IMO apparent that it is a closed headphone and (again, IMO) a lesser driver technically speaking (midrange distortion at louder levels?), the signature is less musical to me...not cocaine levels of excitement. I've met Dan of MrSpeakers and he has certainly done wonders with that driver, don't get me wrong...it's one of the better closed headphones out there...but it has it's limitations and just isn't the same as an open (planar) headphone. Still, report back when you receive it, I'm curious what you think. The ETHER could be another story based on initial impressions (not heard this one yet) but price doesn't automatically equal better. Case in point, the LCD3 (non-fazer) has a bit more treble energy than the LCD2/2.2 but still has all the same 'Audeze characteristics' since you've heard the LCD2 before, you know what I mean...IMO prohibitively expensive, aaannndd wild variances in sound signature...I can't recommend it considering the performance of the HE500 on the same rig even if it were in your budget. I'd not bother with the OPPOs either but definitely demo them if you have the opportunity. If you like the HE500 (and your ears) the T1 is an enthusiastic 'NO' ...peaky/harsh/grainy treble (fatigue), midrange recession and thinness, subbass distortion tendencies (it's all heavily amp/gear dependent)...it's tonality is decent but just not as good, kind of an anti-HD500 in some ways lol. Fatiguing is a good description, the HE500 is not that. Maybe I'm being overcritical but it's not my cup of tea personally, like the HD800...they're just more studio monitor-esque, engineering tools which I totally respect and they deserve the fan-base. It's like they are prefect to use in conjunction with some good studio monitor speakers, swapping in for when a sound engineer needs ultimate detail retrieval and critical fine tuning. I'm sorry to hear about the customs taxes tho, I've shipped and received from the Philippines before. What is your current audio setup like?
