General Headphone Advice

Pop and rock listener who wants great mids and isn't super sensitive to high?

Everyone knows what I'm going to say...

 

Looking forward to it. Feel free to throw in your personal ranking of the HFM headphones if you have the time, which one is your personal preference or you think is a good value etc. I moved from HE-500 to HD800 (EQ'd) because of comfort, build quality and soundstage but other than that I really enjoyed the HE-500 sound in general. Less technically excellent than the HD800 by all means but also more forgiving. And faster and more extended than HD6X0.

 

+1 for this. Focuspad-A are probably mandatory, and a good pairing suggested.

Having heard two separate units and seen various measurements, I haven't seen much evidence of notable product variation.

 

Damn, I sold my HE 500 3 years ago and have been regretting it. I did not have any good DAC/Amp at that time..... now with the Yggdrasil and BW1, time to reconsider. IMO, the HE4 is seriously underrated at times. Its got a clean sound quality that few can match.

 

I agree they sounded bright, but I hard a really hard time with these. They felt like they had an overall dark tone, but there was something about the treble that just stuck out like a sore thumb and I found irritating. Total upgrade in comfort though.

IMO not in the same category as Grado bright.

 

Thank you all for weighting in, but i will address these particular posts:

thanks.

I wont be able to, not only does it costs more then 1000, where im from i can only buy from within the European Union, the taxes for "outside the EU" is aproximately 30% of the cost of the equipment.


About that HFM list, like i said im not really that into bass, more into mids, so i'll try to (from your description) find something that might be considered an upgrade and not just "something different" from this list, at least for now i dont think any of them willl do from what u've written. So right now it seems i just should focus on a good non-sabre DAC, but tbh im unconfortable paying more than 1000€, so i guess ill have to review my position on the matter and probably just stay where i am and try some further crack upgrades.

I didnt do extensive tube rolling but i had some experience with it, i got some good deals and currently im very happy with them, at least with the HD600.
About the Crack upgrades i guess that is a good place to start, the volume pot is not the stock is a alps stepped attenuator, but the rest is stock. I dont really feel confortable with changing, but i could try to change the output caps for a start.

Also from where im from there are not meets, at least to my knowledge. I'll try to be on the next one in London though.

 

I think what others have said about you're system being on the edge of what is possible with "affordable audio" is absolutely true. From here on out marked and clear upgrades are going to get more expensive. And if you're happy with what you have it's not a bad place to be.

I would also personally probably advise against spending more money on a new DAC as it is now. My own order of things which influence the sound would be as follows: Headphones > AMP > DAC > Cables. The "AMP > DAC" can be debated but arguably *a syrupy tube amp vs solid state* will sound more different than any two DAC's ever will. I'd make the argument that the differences between high-end DAC's is smaller than you think in the grand scheme of things, and anything with a sabre chip is arguably a high-end DAC in my book.

With not so transparent headphones (like the HD6X0) it will be hard to tell any real difference between DAC's, few people can blind test them reliably. With more transparent headphones (HD800 for instance) the DAC does become more important. But I would probably advise against spending more money on a new DAC until you perceive the DAC to actually be a problem. And a good tube amp with the right tubes will cure a lot of the problems with the sabre chip while keeping its strengths.

Long story short (again) I would keep your rig as it is and if you want to try what the next level is about try getting a pair of HD800 (or maybe LCD-X) from the second hand market. Remember... if you don't like them you can always sell them again.

 

I agree with the Crack upgrades, try some nice film in oil caps. Doesn't have to be crazy expensive i paid €100 for some Obligato's that definately gave an improvement. They were f'ing huge though so i couldn't put them inside. We have our own thread where you can get some nice ideas: http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/bottlehead-crack.120/page-8#post-41638 Also the Bottlehead forums are a great resource. Get crackin

 

I guess you (and others) are right @TwoEars so i have to either save or enjoy what i have. I've tried my dac with different amps so i know i like it, but ofc maybe i just havent tried "a better one for me".

I thank you for your opinion, im taking everyones opinions in account and will decide whats the best way to go, for the meantime i know more or less what i need to go to "another level" and like @purrin said a Amp would be also a gr8 difference, unfortunately his suggestion is impossible, not only very expensive to buy, but it manages to get even more because of customs (in my country 30% outside of EU).

I guess ill keep saving and keep checking the EU used gear and maybe one of the suggestions will appear in the future.

Thanks @Riotvan when i get home i will save that link and will read it carefully then ask for further help .

 

I really do like the HEX. Tonality is a strong suit and comfort is great. The fact that it's incredibly efficient and can be used with a DAP is a setback for me. I don't even own a DAP right now. My primary setup is Questyle cma800r dual mono, which is WAYYYY to much for HeX. So I found myself frustrated with not getting any swing on the volume pot, channel imbalanc, gain and that sort of thing.

Who uses a headphone this large for a portable. There are some really nice options out there for portable/phone use that cost way less and sound just fine.

Build quality remains an issue with HFM. I actually don't completely balk at the sticker price, but the build quality MUST reflect the sticker price. HFM gets it ass handed to it from Oppo on build quality across the board. Hell, the 6x0 takes HFM lunch money on build quality at a 10th the price. Even the 400s, is better IMO.

While the HEX sounds very nice, under the right conditions, there is still another iteration or two to go before it has a permanent spot on my desk.

 

I've had the hd600 and it is a great headphone. I've got a couple 1k phones also. I'd recommend the Fostex Th-x00. They only sell through Massdrop for roughly 400. They are super enjoyable to listen to. Much more fun than the hd800( which I own). Probably the best tuned headphone I've ever heard in my short journey. If your not happy with it you can sell it very quickly. Dropping big buy doesn't always get better results. I've made that move a few times.

 

I identify strongly with this statement. I have a Gungnir Multibit and mjo2 now, but the crux is the same. I sold my 500 and upgraded to the HE560, which I thought had better technical skills (and more real bass), but never really fell in love with. After I got into HD800 and modded 650, I haven't bothered with orthos. Now, I think back to how frequently I was excited to just listen on my HE500, and I am left wondering.

 

Seems the HE500 is indeed something most enjoy but do they compare to HD600/HD800? Arent they too heavy? I dont want to be like my brother listening layind down because he cant listen for a long time with his audeze.
Do they benefit from SS or Tubes and what is this FR u guys talked about? Sorry for further noobing the topic, just learning a little bit more.

Im more curious then interested.

 

@Hands

Is that what passes for matched drivers these days? Holy f**k.

 

Looks pretty consistent to me, at least for a pair of planars. The change from 20hz down probably has to do with differing seal.

 

Oh... well then. Guess that'll do it. Tbh, it sounded worse though. Almost ringing style like the t1.

In general i try not to look at fr graphs until i get to listen to a pair of headphones.