Headphone advice

[E63V10_Denny]

Hi guys!

 

I need a new pair of headphones, I want to go mid high end (500 ish Euro budget)

 

I found Sennheiser HD 490 PRO Plus but I've also read about Hifiman.

 

Does anyone have any experience or recommendations? (Other brands are more than welcome)

 

I also want a JDS Labs AMP+DAC again I'm totally new to expensive headphones and amps+dacs so please feel free to educate me I really need it.

 

I also don't want to waste my money on something that's bad for it's price.

 

Thank you all so much!

 

 

[PDifolco]

At that budget there's Audeze Maxwell, they are real good at everything , but a bit heavy (due to the 80h+ battery..)

I use them since 1 year, pretty happy with it

[E63V10_Denny]

2 hours ago, PDifolco said:

At that budget there's Audeze Maxwell, they are real good at everything , but a bit heavy (due to the 80h+ battery..)

I use them since 1 year, pretty happy with it

Do you know the exact weight per chance?  I really don't mind it being a bit heavy, but I do want superb sound quality :))

[PDifolco]

25 minutes ago, E63V10_Denny said:

Do you know the exact weight per chance?  I really don't mind it being a bit heavy, but I don't want superb sound quality :))

575g on the scales, with replacement thicker pads that may weigh 25g more than the stock ones

[Tigerleon]

1 hour ago, PDifolco said:

At that budget there's Audeze Maxwell, they are real good at everything , but a bit heavy (due to the 80h+ battery..)

I use them since 1 year, pretty happy with it

I agree with this recommendation. These are the best on the market for wireless headsets, especially for build and sound quality.

[E63V10_Denny]

6 minutes ago, PDifolco said:

575g on the scales, with replacement thicker pads that may weigh 25g more than the stock ones

Honestly ain't bad, my G935s weigh about 380-390g, I'm willing to deal with weight for 80hr battery life geez ahhahaha

[E63V10_Denny]

3 minutes ago, Tigerleon said:

I agree with this recommendation. These are the best on the market for wireless headsets, especially for build and sound quality.

Do you have a recommendation for a good mic for audio recording? (voice overs etc.)

But in a more normal price bracket like 100 ish euros

[Cocococo]

Depends on what you're wanting, there's a lot of use cases, sound preferences and regional pricing to think about. Since you mentioned HD490 i'm guessing you're interested in open backs, but equally something like the Audeze Maxwell is an easy recommend for closed backs, wireless and headset uses. JDS and similar AMP/ DAC's aren't necessary for most headphones, onboard audio is more than good enough (plus good AMP/ DAC's have gotten really cheap) 

 

In no particular order here are some headphones that are very worth looking into

Hifiman Ananda Stealth

FiiO FT3

Sennheiser HD600/ HD580 

Focal Hadenys

Hifiman Edition XS

Meze 109 Pro

Moondrop Para

Focal Clear (the original one, not MG) 

Focal Azurys

Audeze Maxwell

Focal Elear 

 

As for AMP/DAC's for headphones you really don't need to go expensive, a Qudelix 5k is more than good enough for thousand euro headphones and is basically all i recommend, but if you're wanting a setup with a decent mic then a Schiit Fulla might be a good idea (i just use a USB mic but i'm not doing anything like voice overs) or maybe an XLR interface (this gets expensive fast, a USB Audio Technica AT2020 should be good enough) 

 

[podkall]

57 minutes ago, E63V10_Denny said:

but I don't want superb sound quality :))

buy 100$ headphones then, there's a reason you're spending up to 500$ and asking for advice

 

2 minutes ago, Cocococo said:

Depends on what you're wanting,

good point, if you want headphones that don't need AMP, or if it's fine with AMP requirememt for better sound

[podkall]

1 minute ago, podkall said:

good point, if you want headphones that don't need AMP, or if it's fine with AMP requirememt for better sound

also goal, if you're gaming or just listening to music,

 

if you need closed back or if you can go open back

[E63V10_Denny]

15 minutes ago, podkall said:

buy 100$ headphones then, there's a reason you're spending up to 500$ and asking for advice

 

good point, if you want headphones that don't need AMP, or if it's fine with AMP requirememt for better sound

Sorry it was a typing mistake I meant to say "But I do want superb quality" haha

[E63V10_Denny]

21 minutes ago, Cocococo said:

Depends on what you're wanting, there's a lot of use cases, sound preferences and regional pricing to think about. Since you mentioned HD490 i'm guessing you're interested in open backs, but equally something like the Audeze Maxwell is an easy recommend for closed backs, wireless and headset uses. JDS and similar AMP/ DAC's aren't necessary for most headphones, onboard audio is more than good enough (plus good AMP/ DAC's have gotten really cheap) 

 

In no particular order here are some headphones that are very worth looking into

Hifiman Ananda Stealth

FiiO FT3

Sennheiser HD600/ HD580 

Focal Hadenys

Hifiman Edition XS

Meze 109 Pro

Moondrop Para

Focal Clear (the original one, not MG) 

Focal Azurys

Audeze Maxwell

Focal Elear 

 

As for AMP/DAC's for headphones you really don't need to go expensive, a Qudelix 5k is more than good enough for thousand euro headphones and is basically all i recommend, but if you're wanting a setup with a decent mic then a Schiit Fulla might be a good idea (i just use a USB mic but i'm not doing anything like voice overs) or maybe an XLR interface (this gets expensive fast, a USB Audio Technica AT2020 should be good enough) 

 

I've only ever had closed backs since I do like my bass, so that might be the breaking point, hence why I mentioned if anyone has any experience with those, but I do prefer closed backs.

[E63V10_Denny]

17 minutes ago, podkall said:

also goal, if you're gaming or just listening to music,

 

if you need closed back or if you can go open back

I game, listen to music and do audio work as in voice overs. And my current setup is bad, hence why I stopped until I upgrade.

[PDifolco]

2 hours ago, E63V10_Denny said:

Honestly ain't bad, my G935s weigh about 380-390g, I'm willing to deal with weight for 80hr battery life geez ahhahaha

I don't really mind it neither, the headphones have a rather strong grip making it not that bad

Coming from Bose NC700 that were uncomfortable to me my head was too big lol, with the Maxwell there's some adjustable band to fit it comfortably 

 

And battery life is really long , the NC700 had like 17hrs , I only use wireless stuff with 80hrs+ battery now

[E63V10_Denny]

1 hour ago, PDifolco said:

I don't really mind it neither, the headphones have a rather strong grip making it not that bad

Coming from Bose NC700 that were uncomfortable to me my head was too big lol, with the Maxwell there's some adjustable band to fit it comfortably 

 

And battery life is really long , the NC700 had like 17hrs , I only use wireless stuff with 80hrs+ battery now

I agree absolutely wireless headphones ftw

[Pawer8]

Do you want open back or closed back?

 

Wired or wireless? You talk about a dac amp but then I see a lot of talk about wireless

 

Headphone or headset?

 

 

Keep in mind a wireless headset will have a worse mic than wired. Also wired just sounds better anyway and won't die when the battery goes.

 

For the dac amp I recommend the topping dx3pro+. Good first dac+amp

 

 

 

[E63V10_Denny]

On 9/9/2024 at 8:06 AM, Pawer8 said:

Do you want open back or closed back?

 

Wired or wireless? You talk about a dac amp but then I see a lot of talk about wireless

 

Headphone or headset?

 

 

Keep in mind a wireless headset will have a worse mic than wired. Also wired just sounds better anyway and won't die when the battery goes.

 

For the dac amp I recommend the topping dx3pro+. Good first dac+amp

 

 

 

Closed back I like a bit more.

 

Wired or Wireless is not that important, but I do like wireless more, but I am open to good wired headphones.

 

I headphones, I do not need or care about a headphone mic.

 

[Cocococo]

1 hour ago, E63V10_Denny said:

Closed back I like a bit more.

 

Wired or Wireless is not that important, but I do like wireless more, but I am open to good wired headphones.

 

I headphones, I do not need or care about a headphone mic.

 

Focal Azurys are AMAZING closed backs, but i can't really say they're better than the Audeze Maxwell, Maxwell are such an exceptional all-round buy that it's hard to recommend anything over them. That being said the Azurys do sound better to my ears, and are lighter than Maxwell. But the Maxwells have the big benefit of being wireless along with them essentially being an all in one solution for mic, headphones and interface (to a lesser extent) the call is yours, as someone who already uses an amp/dac i prefer Azurys, but maxwell is better value for money

[GamerDude]

A pic as proof that I'm a HFM guy:

 

Bear in mind, while both Audeze and HFM make lotsa planar mag cans, they do sound different from my memory of an Audeze 2 I had a long time back. The Audeze had, IIRC, a creamier or thicker bass, while I find the HFM to have greater detail. This was a while back, so Audeze could have tuned their signature sound since then. 

 

I do use my HFM for gaming, and they do a more than satisfactory job at gaming, but it's music where they shine, I enjoyed the HFM signature sound more than Audeze's (back then), so I dove into HFM and sold off the Audeze. I do have to say that I don't have a fixed sound preference, as long as what I hear pleases me, like good bass/mids/treble, without bass being too boomy, and treble not sounding blanketed, but then, not too sizzly or harsh. Each and every one of us have a sound preference to some degree or other, so it's actually up to TS/OP's own sound preference.

 

But be forewarned, trying out different cans and liking one, then another can be a costly affair.....see below, yes, I'm a Sennheiser man too!:

 

Yep, I got 'em all!

[E63V10_Denny]

12 hours ago, GamerDude said:

A pic as proof that I'm a HFM guy:

 

Bear in mind, while both Audeze and HFM make lotsa planar mag cans, they do sound different from my memory of an Audeze 2 I had a long time back. The Audeze had, IIRC, a creamier or thicker bass, while I find the HFM to have greater detail. This was a while back, so Audeze could have tuned their signature sound since then. 

 

I do use my HFM for gaming, and they do a more than satisfactory job at gaming, but it's music where they shine, I enjoyed the HFM signature sound more than Audeze's (back then), so I dove into HFM and sold off the Audeze. I do have to say that I don't have a fixed sound preference, as long as what I hear pleases me, like good bass/mids/treble, without bass being too boomy, and treble not sounding blanketed, but then, not too sizzly or harsh. Each and every one of us have a sound preference to some degree or other, so it's actually up to TS/OP's own sound preference.

 

But be forewarned, trying out different cans and liking one, then another can be a costly affair.....see below, yes, I'm a Sennheiser man too!:

 

Yep, I got 'em all!

Wow! That's one hell of a collection for sure! I have a kinda broken pair of G935s so theres that

[E63V10_Denny]

16 hours ago, Cocococo said:

Focal Azurys are AMAZING closed backs, but i can't really say they're better than the Audeze Maxwell, Maxwell are such an exceptional all-round buy that it's hard to recommend anything over them. That being said the Azurys do sound better to my ears, and are lighter than Maxwell. But the Maxwells have the big benefit of being wireless along with them essentially being an all in one solution for mic, headphones and interface (to a lesser extent) the call is yours, as someone who already uses an amp/dac i prefer Azurys, but maxwell is better value for money

https://www.hifiklubben.de/stockitem_803_audmaxwellpsbk_20240902143210/?variant=StockItem_803_AUDMAXWELLPSBK_20240902143210%3Futm_source%3Dpricerunner&utm_source=KlarnaSearch&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=KlarnaSearch

 

can you confirm are these the right ones?

[Cocococo]

1 hour ago, E63V10_Denny said:

https://www.hifiklubben.de/stockitem_803_audmaxwellpsbk_20240902143210/?variant=StockItem_803_AUDMAXWELLPSBK_20240902143210%3Futm_source%3Dpricerunner&utm_source=KlarnaSearch&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=KlarnaSearch

 

can you confirm are these the right ones?

Real quick, do you use a playstation or an xbox at all? if you use an xbox at all then get an xbox Maxwell. If you don't use an xbox then playstation is cheaper (the only difference is xbox maxwell has the stupid dolby licence)

[E63V10_Denny]

12 hours ago, Cocococo said:

Real quick, do you use a playstation or an xbox at all? if you use an xbox at all then get an xbox Maxwell. If you don't use an xbox then playstation is cheaper (the only difference is xbox maxwell has the stupid dolby licence)

I'm going to add a ps5 pro to my setup in the future that's why I chose those. But they're the right ones? I will most likely order them today since they're discounted to 319 instead of 349 euros.

[Cocococo]

3 hours ago, E63V10_Denny said:

I'm going to add a ps5 pro to my setup in the future that's why I chose those. But they're the right ones? I will most likely order them today since they're discounted to 319 instead of 349 euros.

Yeah those are the right ones

[Pawer8]

If you are going to use them with PS5 I also say maxwell