General Headphone Advice

Their refurbs carry the full normal warranty too, when I called the rep told me there weren't any available at the time but I could get on a waiting list... He estimated it might be like a month (think I was fourth on list) but a week and a half later he called back and took my order, so I saved $80 in exchange for a short wait.

 

First post... ya

Looking for some help on some new headphones.. I still have a good month and a half before I buy but I am seriously stuck..

1. I am in the bad position of living in an area where there are no upcoming meets. (Central IL)
2. Don't have any shops around me to actually travel to and listen to headphones in this price range.

These things concern me as I don't like making a bunch of returns.

I am primarily looking at open headphones atm but have entertained the idea of the Ether C's, until the recent info that is. I do work from home half the week and will be using them probably 4 to 6 hours a day at home (this justifies the cost imho)... So bright and fatiguing headphones need not apply. The other half of the week I work in a quite office with decent distance between me and my office mates. There is also a decent amount of background noise from the data-center next door so sound will not travel to much... I believe open headphones will work, if they don't work out in the office though I will just continue to use my Oppo PM3's at work.

Budget: ~1700

Source: These will be used at work and at home (home office) and at home I like to chill at my recliner and listen to music.. Considering I jump from my desk at home to my desk at work to my recliner at home I need the source and amp to be pretty portable. ATM I have an HA-2 with my S7 Edge and Windows based computers.. Music is Foobar/Flac, Neutron and Goggle Music Player. I plan on keeping this setup and would prefer something that senergizes with the HA-2 if possible.. If not I can always sell the HA-2 and get another portable dac/amp but that would take time.. So I do want them to sound good out of the HA-2...

Music: I mostly listen to folk, singer songwriter, rock etc.. Think from Fleetwood Mac, Jack Johnson, Eagles, Bob Dylan to REM, Muse, LCD Soundsystem, NIN and Depeche Mode.

Sound preference: Looking for a decent soundstage but still want my vocals to be intimate and my imaging to be accurate... I do like bass when it is called for and would prefer something thick and euphoric sounding. Not looking for something that I will spend more time analyzing the music then enjoying it.

From what I have read I think (think is the key here) the LCD-X's would be a great choice for me.. I am also looking at the Ether because it is supposed to be more comfortable and more transportable even if the sound sig is not exactly what I want. I have also read that the PMx2's are supposed to be good but dont think I want to spend that much money on a modified headphone made by another company altogether.

What do you guys think?

 

No to the Ether's @Kejar31 . I actually like them, but they are completely opposed to the sound signature you're going for.

The LCD-X could be a good fit.

All that said, I don't know that you need to spend that much to get the sound you're after. The new Fostex phones from massdrop might fit the bill, and something like the HE-500 (though maybe not with the portable amp) used at a good price might make you happy.

Or, shoot, the tried and true HD650 may be all you need as well.

Just food for thought, since I'm pretty opposed to the prices of headphones these days.

 

Yeah I have owned the 650's in the past.. They are great but looking for something else atm, also worried that the HA-2 wont drive them properly (I know I could get a more powerful amp/dac and the 650's for under 1700 still though ).. May still pick them up on the side again though, if I sell the PM3's after getting this set... Not saying I have to spend 1700 lol that is just my budget... Considered the Fostex, as I used to really love the Dennon ATH-D5000's but they are not shipping until mid Aug :/ ... Will look into the HE-500/560's not sure they fit the bill though (and they would look pretty silly wearing them at the office)

 

Wait, you think the HFM could look silly in public but you were considering Audezes?

 

LOL no I dont think the HD650 would look silly but the newer HFM's look pretty silly on the head. ANd I personally think the LCD-X looks great... Really worried about comfort and weight though.

 

Check out purrin's HFM headphone summary thread. It's around here somewhere and should be easy to find. It'll give you a good rundown.

As for the Fostex, you might be able to grab a used pair especially now that the new version is coming out.

 

Yah that's true, sorry I stealth edited the HD650 out of my post after I re-read yours...

The fit of the newer HFM also looks kinda loose to me, I haven't worn one for any length but I think too loose/fidgety of a fit could be nearly as annoying long term as too heavy/clampy.

 

Should I get meze99 or purpleheart TH-X00 help me decide. Should I get something else. I do feel my HD650 is already end game.

I heard the meze99 at canjam and like the sound. I didn't get a chance to hear the th-x00.

 

The Fostex will have sub bass that the HD650 can not achieve no matter the amp.
Meze99, from what I read is a solid neutral/warm-ish closed back headphone with nice bass. Not the epic bass the Fostex cans can do though.

 

Haven't heard the Meze but I own both the HD650m and TH-X00 and they complement each other very well.

 

In what ways do they complement each other?

 

Everything in the price range of the HD6X0 is a side-grade rather than an upgrade. Sure if you're a basshead go for the fostex but otherwise just stick with the HD650. The HE-500 is the only headphone in that price range which I might consider to be a small upgrade over the HD6X0, and that's probably only because I like lots of rock och electronica. With classical, jazz, acoustic etc I think I prefer the HD600. I would also say that the HE-400S is very, very good. But it's doesn't scale like the HD6X0. The HE-400S is more of a "it is what it is" type of headphone.

 

I could get a used HE-560 for $450 would it be worth?

 

I'm not sure your amps (Crack, TIII) would be suitable for driving HE-560.
Also, it's a fairly different sound signature from most of the other headphones discussed (which are generally mellow in the treble)

 

@Jun Li

I haven't heard it myself but could be. I think it needs mods though, different pads or something. Check the hifiman measurements thread created by purrin here at sbaf.

 

I am on the fence with purchasing something to go with my 650. I just sold my HD600; I want an companion headphone. Was thinking about the TH-X00 since it gots the schlong award. I do like having the bass sometimes. Just wondering how the TH-X00 does the soundstage. I heard the Ether c and felt it had good soundstage for a closed back and was wondering if TH-X00 was comparable to it.

The $450 HE-560 already sold.

The torpedo 3 should drive the efficient planars. Many people say having more headroom on the current side makes them sound better.

 

@Jun Li
If you are thinking about the Meze 99, just wait till an real over-ear design comes out. It seems the manufacturer is aware of the weaknesses of the current on-ear design and working on a version with larger cups.

 

I like how none of you guys are pushing me towards getting an TH-X00 .
I guess I'll just stay with my HD 650M for now maybe I'll try adding dynamat directly on the driver.
I must fight the urge to get the next hype-fi headphone.