Beyerdynamic DT-150
Beyerdynamic DT-770 32 Ohm
Sony WH-1000X - original version
Stax Basic System SRS-2050 II - comprising SRM-252II energizer and SR-202 phones - my 2nd favorite cans
Hifiman Sundara
Audeze LCD-X
Hifiman HE-6se v2 (Adorama version) - easily my favorite, and everyday headphones
I love using headphones. I prefer them to loudspeakers.
Maybe it's nostalgia. I started listening to music on a Sanyo walkman my dad got in 1985, when i was a boy in communist Poland,
my walkman was the only quality source of music available to me.
In the last few years I wanted to come back to headphones, especially since my living arrangements don't really allow me to enjoy music
on a full blown hi fi system.
I bough DT-770 and DT-150, and whilst at the time I thought they were OK, I was not amazed by either of them.
Many years ago I read about Stax electrostatic headphones, and was really intreagued by the idea. About a year ago,
I was telling a work coleague about the idea of electrostatic speakers and headphones, and was overheard by another chap at work.
He said he owned a Stax system, and offered to lend it to me. He added that if I liked them, I could have them for a 100 quid (£100 or about $140)
I borrowed that set, and was amazed by it! Needles to say I bought it straight away. What a bargain!
Whilst I love that Stax system, it was a bit of a hassle to use whilst working, with it having it's own special energiser an' all. Also, I find its tonality a bit suspect, the sound, while wonderully clear, does not sound all that realistic. Also the bass, which hasa good punch, lacks lower registers.
I bought the Hifiman Sundara to see what planar phones are like. Much better than the above mentioned Beyerdynamic cans, and overall more realistic tonality than Stax, but ultimately lacking clarity and spaciousness of the Stax system.
I still wanted a more detailed open sound (from the Sundaras), and I upgraded to Audeze LCD-X, and shortly after I spoted an open box deal on HE-6SE v2 directly from Hifiman.
The HE-6sev2 are amazing. Definitely my favorite can. They tick all the boxes! The dynamics, the bass, the clarity! Frequently I get goosepimples, and every day they bring a smile to my face.
For now these are my endgame.
I drive all my phones from RME ADI-2 DAC, and I do use moderate eq for all my phones (obviously different settings for each can)
I would be interested if other members had any suggestions regarding an upgrade for the HE-6SE v2. Realistically, is there really anything better?