The All Purpose Advice Thread

My reference is the HD650 and is my favorite headphone. I compare new headphones to the HD650 for some reason.The HD650 sounds right to me in some way. I also have an HD600, a K712, and a DT1990.

I see the K712 as very good with good bass (perhaps not enough for me at times but its good). Its not a replacement of the HD650 but its a good compliment due to the K712 sound stage that I like to hear at times. See the K712 thread under measurements for a brief summary of my K712.

I like the DT1990 quite a bit but I have not had the DT1990 long enough to make a critical analysis of it yet.

So far, using the analytical EDT1990A pads (the ones with fewer holes in them), some first impressions are that Its brighter than the HD650 with a nice clean bass that extends well. It seems to beat the HD650 bass due to better bass clarity and punch. So far, I put the bass about 3dB up starting at about 60Hz because I like bass. Others may not want do this, I have no idea.

The brightness in the DT1990 is not at all annoying to me and it comes off as very well executed. I can't yet say that the DT1990 provides more/less detail than my HD650 but it seems brighter than the HD650 starting somewhere about 9kHz or so. I EQ-ed the DT1990 about 3dB down starting about there. The treble is nicely done and it is clean so far.

The mids are excellent on the HD650 if you ask me. The DT1990 is great but its brightness seems to put the upper mids back a bit in the mix for me. Right now I see it as less mid-forward than the HD650. I may take this comment back later but this is my first impression.

The DT1990 sound stage seems wider than the HD650 but its not really very wide. Right now, I like this effect better than the K712 overall. Recently, the K712 has been distracting to me at times with a sound stage that comes off as almost overdone, even if it is great fun. The DT1990 is easier to handle for critical listening due to the lack of this distraction. I checked out the new Arcade Fire album with the DT1990 last night. This is an excellent record. Get a copy.

I was also listening to some post-punk style of music (Savages) last night on my HD600 and the DT1990. The DT1990 seems to present certain cymbal splashes and similar sounds more clearly than the HD600. At first pass vs the HD600, this seems to make the image better than what the HD600 provides. This may be a placebo effect since I was enjoying this record quite a bit. I picked up the HD600 briefly to compare but this was quick.

Overall, I would recommend the DT1990 so far. It comes off as an upgrade over the HD650 due to the bass I hear and the nice clarity. So far the DT1990 is not enough for me to drop the HD650 I have had for years for a few reasons including the mids I like form the HD650, but the DT1990 is excellent.

 

HD650, HD800S, Utopia, LCD-2.2c, ATH-M50x, DT770 Pro LE ... same story with all of them. It's not a synergy thing, it's just bleh. Didn't even bother trying the LCD-4 or Abyss as it was hopeless as it was.

"Tried" might be a strong word. I've heard it, but not at length. It's inoffensive. Pretty typical, basic, WM8740, which I generally find quite agreeable, even in data-sheet implementations. I'd take it over the Marantz (which I thought was uninteresting long before I knew what made it tick) - but there isn't much I won't take over literally everything I've ever heard that's based on the CS4398.

...

Both units were owned by a chap I used to work with. He went through a rash of low-end DAC and DAC/amp units in very short order. Unless he's changed things since he left, he was running a Modi MB -> Saga -> Jotunheim combination with HD650 and those cheap, modded, Monoprice planars at the end.

 

Thanks. I appreciate your comments greatly. This rash sort of thing is what I am trying to avoid myself.

I did OK relative to my head-amp purchase a few years ago with the GS-1. its holding up well enough. It took a few months of pondering to make that decision. I am going through the same thing with a DAC now. Help in this is appreciated.

For me the reviews are often difficult to wade through due to the focus on the marketing message vs. a real impression. This is why I am asking in general.

 

Thanks for the input. Never been in to tubes an only listened tubes on speakers. Good thing is the best guy in DIY tube amps in my country lives in the next town so these days i will contact him and see what he can do. But that means using nfb 11 as a DAC and am not sure how this combo will work.

About Amiron. Are you sure you mean 990 and not 1990. Amiron and 1990 should be with tesla drivers and somewhere between flagship models and 990.

 

Thanks for the great explanation ! This sounds exactly like a better version of 990 !

 

@daka242

I would personally urge you to look a little beyond Beyerdynamics. This is probably going to piss some people off, yourself included, but I think Beyerdynamics is one of the most overrated headphone companies in the world. Nearly all of their headphones have wobbly frequency curves with recessed mids and prickly highs. In some of their models they've tamed the highs by simply putting large pieces of foam in front of the driver... come on, that's not the way to build a headphone.

I have some reservations about how Hifiman conducts business, and build quality can be iffy in places, but the soundquality of the HE-500 and HE-560 shits all over every headphone that beyerdynamic has ever made. That's my opinion and one thing you'll learn on sbaf is that people speak their minds and have strong opinions... for better or worse.

So essentially I would recommend that you look a little beyond your Beyer obsession and try something new, there are far better headphones brands out there.

 

Not pissed at all In fact i like honest opinions - way better then this specialized sites where every product they test is good or very good - come on
You are right - i will try something different first . Hifiman and Focal for starters. It seems that one of the "high end" shops in the capital sells Focal. Hifiman it seems i need to buy to listen and in Europe its pain in the ass but will see...

 

@daka242

Nice. The TH-900 that Marv mentioned might be good for you as well if you want a closed headphone. Lots and lots of bass.

 

Okay, i hope i am not bsing.What is the World's best Headphone?It's an opinionated question, i want to know what the majority of people think. Electrostats like Stax SR 009 or any other electrostatic headphone can be included but not Orpheus(He 90/He-1) or shangrila.Price range=1$ to 6000$.

 

No such thing exist. There's a number of great headphones out there and it's more about your own personal preference what's the best for you. For me Susvara has it all, but I'd be perfectly happy with Utopias and for many years I was with HD 800.

 

Thank you for the answer, i hope i get more answers from more members.I may give Susvara a try,I know that you haven't heard 007/009 with high end amplification i haven't heard them with High end amplication as well but have you compared it Abyss phi (Similar technology or pricing)?

 

I use HE500 in my main setup and with a neutral amp like Bryston BHA-1 they sound sublime.
But if, scary thought, I would have to do with only one pair of headphones in the price range of $1000 it would be T5p.2. Very versatile in terms of amplification, responds to pads rolling very well if you prefer more or less, or just tighter bass, great amount of details, good sound stage and imaging.
In higher price range it could be a different story.

 

Joined and introduced myself ealier today. So here it goes..(hope the length of the post doesnt offend)
As mentioned in my intro, got into headphones before knowing there were such things as special amps and dac's. So I've been playing catch-up to say the least. I'm trying to see if I have a generally good grasp of where I can go from here so I can, if I want, upgrade and not stay in side-grade purgatory.
Also no DIY – I have no idea. So I'm not excited about mods

Current setup Tidal or Pioneer PD-30AE—SPDIF -- Modi Multibit –RNHP – headphones

My headphones are the Elear and TH-X00 (Mahagony) – got them based on reviews here (at least early reviews of the Elear, seems as if many are deserting them) and other sites.

Got them also because both cans were generally well received and said to be driven easily, and since I had no amp or dac at the time, that is also what I wanted. I am generally pleased with both – I think they are better than the ATH 50, Beyer 990DT, Fidelio X2 I owned earlier. I've tried many Senns & Beyers, nothing from Audeze, Hifiman, Mr speakers, AKG. I'm in Switzerland and can get my hands on most well known brands & models; used market doesnt have much to offer.

I like a wide sound-stage neither Elear or TH-X00 have very wide soundstages.
I like detail/clarity/transparency. I think the Elear checks these boxes well
I like the dynamics of the Elear – sometimes a bit too much: e.g. clapping in certain songs can be agitating
I like bass – this is why I got the TH-X00 – really enjoy it when listening to hip-hop. Elear's bass is nicely controlled
I'm not bothered all that much by treble silibance nor am I too fussy about comfort – yes I do prefer the comfort of Beyer's or Senn's but not very important

I listen to about 30% hip-hop, 30% pop (whatever the genre), 20% classic rock (thanks mom & dad), 10% jazz and classical. Mostly Tidal (70%) CD's 30%

I'm wondering what direction you all might point me for a headphone from what I mentioned above and looking for a: Wider soundstage; detail, clarity, transparency on level of Elear; decent bass (have the th-xoo for bass head mode), better mids (I'd like a good mids can), able to be driven well by Modi Multibit/RNHP

I was wondering about the HEX V2? It seems to be decently reviewed (yes I know about the hifiman compendium) but along the lines of „yeah, it's good“. 1200 is a bit steep for „yeah, it's good“ so if anyone can give some impressions on it/relevent thread



What I gathered from dac's is that Modi Multibit is the consensus for starters, that's why I got it. I noticed more dynamics, as if the music was more forward/lively which I liked. But I understand that the next real step up is something like the Gungnir Multibit; in between there's a multitude of side-steps. Is this a generally correct statement or is there, price & performance-wise, something I missed in between Modi Multibit & Gungnir Multibit? (I've read thru lots of Torq's very helpful reviews/comparisons)



The RNHP I got cheap as it was used at a meet/exhibition. It's said to be neutral & transparent, good detail/resolving. I don't have enough (any..) experience to support/deny these claims or say what I would like in an amp. I think it pairs well with the Modi Multibit & my musical tastes, alas this is my first system so nothing else to go on.
I think to ask what would be a good upgrade in this dept would be folly. But if there is someone who's familiar with the RNHP, my music tastes, go ahead and make a suggestion. Tube amps are not a big thing here. Staying solid state is fine with me.



Next question is source. A new CD player (Pioneer PD 30-AE) got it for very cheap cuz the packaging was opened but brand new. Tidal from a normal computer. Both over a middle of the road optical cable (HAMA). Here I have absolutely no idea what upgrades could/should be made on source. Maybe just point me to a relevant thread.

Thanks for helping a true noob/rando!

 

@zfisch

Have you considered an EQ'd HD800? The HD800 is the king of big soundstage and all day comfort. In stock form it's certainly a bit lean sounding and with an etchy treble. But change to a pure copper cable, do the sbaf mod and sd-mod and bump the bass with a +3dB EQ and you have a very nice headphone. With the right setup the HD800 can have very deep and very tight bass, something which not that many people consider.

I've owned the HEX v1 and it's a really nice headphone with a good soundstage (if a little behind the HD800) which is in a somewhat weird place... it sounds great out of an iphone but is *completely* open so you can't really take it anywhere. And if you use it as a stationary headphone it doesn't scale that much when you upgrade the dac/amp. I like the HEX, in fact it's perfect for someone with an entry level stationary setup since it's not very demanding and tends to smooth things over just a bit. A beefy amp and good dac will make the HEX scale a bit but not like the HD800 or HD6X0 does.

Hard to say what you'd like more. The HEX is better out of the box no doubt, the HD800 is like a race car and has lots of potential but needs setup. I'm not sure if the HEX can be considered an upgrade to an Elear, probably not. It's probably more of a side-grade with a different sound.

 

¸¸¸¸

Cool. Thanks.

 

Thoughts on the HiFiMan EF100? Someone offering a trade for my Micro iDSD (which I'm letting go of because of finances, crap). Will be pairing with an X00, which are about my only cans at this point.

Also, they're about even in SRP, but is the trade a decent one?

 

It may be. I have no idea since I never heard a DT990. The graphs for the older higher-ohm version seems like an older DT990 could be good. You never know for sure until you hear it though.

I read in a few places that the DT880 could be a good value now that the prices are lower given the newer DT1990 is now out. You may want to consider that. I have no direct knowledge of the DT880 either.

 

I would like to hear these as well. The reputation for sound quality seems good.