Best Headphones You've used

[Stefky]

Stax 009, hearing from a 'friend's friend's friend', wide soundstage, solid sound, 3D feeling, as though the vocalist is standing in one point, and 'touchable'. But this is the information I got from mouth to mouth, so dunno how much of the original info changed 1 thing for sure, it needs gigantic power. So along with the purchase, we'll get its special made amp to pair with the headphone. My friend told me the story when he attended a headphone meeting in a cafe. With the press of power on on the amp, the electricity in the cafe went out. Happened twice, until they were politely asked to leave. Would love to audition for one of those someday, though....

 

HE400 weighs 440g without cord, that's almost 1/2 kg. It's indeed heavy, especially because I was coming from the AD700 which weighs only at 280g without cord. Hifiman did a good job in designing though, if the headband is adjusted tightly on top of the skull, the weight is distributed evenly, so it doesn't feel incredibly heavy. Need some time to get adjusted to the weight though.

 

Electrostatic headphones all need a dedicated specialist amp as they operate a totally different principle. The diaphragm is permanently charged at a fixed level, and then the two stators are also permanently charged, but with a varying signal that causes the diaphragm to be more attracted to one side than the other, moving it and creating sound.

 

Within electrostatic headphones, the SR009 do need a more powerful amp than the Lambda models, but it's more efficient than the SR007 family, and a lot more efficient than the old Omegas. For electrostatic headphones of their size they are actually fairly efficient.

[EmoRarity]

Mid-bass needs lots of power...

Just because the impedance jumps doesn't mean that they need more power. 

[MAXXHEW]

Sony MDR-7506 with modded on Beyerdynamic velour earpads for comfort and better bass. Just bought some JBL J88's and I'm liking them so far also.

[ShearMe]

Mid-bass needs lots of power...

 

More impedance = less current, which in turn means less power. Also, since that is the resonant frequency, you don't need more voltage with the rise in impedance because the efficiency rises equally.

[BoredErica]

It's funny to think the O2 was designed and firstly made by 1 mysterious guy (the nwavguy dude), not a group of sound and electronic engineers in a big sophisticated audio lab, and yet the design is being copied anywhere by audio companies. Didn't mean this in a cynical way. On the contrary, I found this story, and the nwavguy dude, to be awesome. 

It shows how ridiculously incompetent some companies are.

[EmoRarity]

It shows how ridiculously incompetent some companies are.

Or you guys don't really understand how a modern business is run. 

[JR1911]

Best one I've heard (and that I also own) is the Sennheiser HD650 with the Cardas replacement cable. Source is Naim CD5i-2 and the amp is Naim Headline with Naim NAPSC psu.

 

Would really love to try some Grados too someday.

[Stefky]

Best one I've heard (and that I also own) is the Sennheiser HD650 with the Cardas replacement cable. Source is Naim CD5i-2 and the amp is Naim Headline with Naim NAPSC psu.

 

Would really love to try some Grados too someday.

I went through a Grado phase, I really don't know what my ears were thinking, I dug a pair out the other day and listened to them and they are fucking awful. The HD650 is vastly superior, stick with it.

[BoredErica]

Or you guys don't really understand how a modern business is run. 

Do tell.

[Aelrikom]

I haven't tried a ton other than my personal cans so I'd have to say HE-500.

 

Really dig the sound signature, but the weight is a problem.

[JR1911]

I went through a Grado phase, I really don't know what my ears were thinking, I dug a pair out the other day and listened to them and they are fucking awful. The HD650 is vastly superior, stick with it.

 

Yeah, Grados seem to be headphones you either love or hate. I once read someone describing the difference between Sennheiser and Grado that with Sennheiser it's like you're listening to a concert in the best seats of the house while with the Grados it's like you're on stage with the band.

 

I'm completely satisfied with the HD650s so I'm in no hurry to replace them, but if I get a chance to test some Grados I'll definitely try them out, if only to satisfy my curiosity

 

[ZacDaMan72]

Just because the impedance jumps doesn't mean that they need more power. 

 

 

More impedance = less current, which in turn means less power. Also, since that is the resonant frequency, you don't need more voltage with the rise in impedance because the efficiency rises equally.

Oh, then s*** better save up! My dad constantly bitches about why do you have a gaming headset then want music headphones, which he DOES have kinda a point but seriously, I can do what I want with my cha-ching...

[creatip123]

Oh, then s*** better save up! My dad constantly bitches about why do you have a gaming headset then want music headphones, which he DOES have kinda a point but seriously, I can do what I want with my cha-ching...

 

Your dad have a point though. Voiding the headset, you can get better headphone (with more budget, redirected from the headset), or save up to get a good amp

[wjdobie]

I had a go with some B&W P7s in the Audiophile shop near me Once - They sounded Amazing!

[mythicalbeast]

beats by dr dre studio

You my dear friend are a brave fellow. Openly saying Beats are the best you've tried, ammong audiophiles that is a dangerous path to walk. May the gods of the internett have mercy for you.

 

The best which I have tried are my Sennheiser momentum over-ears. I know, "fashion headphiones, blah blah blah" but thease are actually really good. And since I use them EVERYWHERE I need something which looks nice when I am walking outside ammongst others. So for me this is the best option. As well as they look SOOOO good

[BoredErica]

I don't really like the look of Momentums or the Beats.

[xjohnny3589]

You my dear friend are a brave fellow. Openly saying Beats are the best you've tried, ammong audiophiles that is a dangerous path to walk. May the gods of the internett have mercy for you.

 

The best which I have tried are my Sennheiser momentum over-ears. I know, "fashion headphiones, blah blah blah" but thease are actually really good. And since I use them EVERYWHERE I need something which looks nice when I am walking outside ammongst others. So for me this is the best option. As well as they look SOOOO good

it was a joke... obviously, it would be my dt 880s

[vyogan]

Sennheiser HD600 and Yamaha EPH-100. I haven't heard many other types of headphones anyway. After listening to a bassy and a warm & veiled headphone, I knew straight away the sound signature that I like, neutral and slightly bassy.

[Homicidium]

Sounds stupid, but my Superlux HD668B's and my Sennheiser CX300II in ears. 

Still have to get a decent pair of high end headphones, but I'm happy for now with my Superlux's

[EmoRarity]

Sounds stupid, but my Superlux HD668B's and my Sennheiser CX300II in ears. 

Still have to get a decent pair of high end headphones, but I'm happy for now with my Superlux's

Just a warning, its not going to get all that much better, if you're happy, stick with it. 

[SSL]

Sounds stupid, but my Superlux HD668B's and my Sennheiser CX300II in ears. 

Still have to get a decent pair of high end headphones, but I'm happy for now with my Superlux's

 

Nah, sounds legit.

[Homicidium]

Just a warning, its not going to get all that much better, if you're happy, stick with it. 

 

This, coming from you? That actually surprises me! 

But yeah, I agree with 100%! The overall sound quality for the price is outstanding and far superior to what I've used since before the Superlux. 

 

Nah, sounds legit.

 

Awesome!  

Yeah, I'm currently checking out some different products from Superlux, seems like they also seem to have some decent in ears. And I'm hoping, that they put out a fully open - back headphone. 

[EmoRarity]

This, coming from you? That actually surprises me! 

But yeah, I agree with 100%! The overall sound quality for the price is outstanding and far superior to what I've used since before the Superlux. 

 

 

Awesome!

Yeah, I'm currently checking out some different products from Superlux, seems like they also seem to have some decent in ears. And I'm hoping, that they put out a fully open - back headphone. 

Why is it surprising, I've never encouraged pointless spending

[NannerBeans]

Why is it surprising, I've never encouraged pointless spending

But whyyy?? How can you resist those colorful tube amps?

[EmoRarity]

But whyyy?? How can you resist those colorful tube amps?

Because ECU remapping and Stage 3.