solderdude
Grand Contributor
But brain-in is real
You might like to consider the Sennheiser HD300 Pros. I've had all sorts over the years, and these are the ones that currently get used. They're very well tuned (if you like a neutral presentation) with no glaring sonic flaws, and also offer considerable passive attenuation of external noise (essential for me because my source is a PC). I haven't really explored this because I value my hearing, but I gather they can go despicably loud too if you're into that sort of thing.Good afternoon, audiophiles!
I want to choose full-size headphones. Detailed in priority. Of course, I would like more or less even in the frequency response, low distortions, and that the middle was not swamped (like a V-shaped FR), but the main thing is details and separation. Also I'm not a basshead and not a fan of dark pitch.
I would like the detail to be not less, but preferably more, than my Campfire Andromeda in-ear.
I read reviews, comments and considering the following models:
- Hifiman 400SE
- Hifiman Sundara
- Hifiman HE560
- Hifiman Edition XS
- Hifiman Arya
- Sennheiser HD600
- Sennheiser HD650
- Sennheiser HD660/660V2
- Sennheiser HD560S
Arya for the price - the very ceiling and that, more likely, from the hands. Which of these models or in this price segment would you recommend? Maybe there are models within the price ceiling that I missed?
I just want to understand the difference and make an objective choice.
there is really not that much difference in first place when comparing most of the headphones you mentioned
Spotted AudioGD too....The ONLY way you are going to find out which of your candidates are going to fulfil your own criteria is to audition them.
It's of course interesting to get peoples' (very) subjective opinions and there are plenty here, but none of them, bar none will ultimately mean anything to you in the broader sense of determining what's going to appeal to you.
I own some of those headphones and have auditioned some of the others you have listed and can directly contradict some of the opinions you have listed in this thread. I'm not going to do that as getting into petty subjective arguments isn't going to help you but I hope others will chip in to suggest that you need to audition first and listen to others opinions second!
Being a Sennheiser fan I'd obviously advocate for any/all of those but I'm absolutely NOT going to recommend them above or below each Sennheiser model or some of the others you listed as I simply don't know how they compare.
Yes, it's obviously going to be difficult to find them all in order to audition as well as inconvenient if you don't live near a retailer with a demo version, but it's really the only way if you want to avoid potential disappointment.
Maybe you can put a shout out for someone willing to loan you a set or two? I see that done on that other well-known headphone forum a lot.
Spot the Sennheiser
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It's an interesting rationale but I'd have to respectfully disagree and suggest that it's 'your' rationale.I have owned most of those myself and even without EQ I cannot kid myself to heavily prefer any of those over others, outside of comfort issues. With EQ it becomes even harder.
I still own a few headphones, namely Sennheisers 560 and 600, Focal Clear, DCA Aeon 2 Closed and Ollo S5X. I have one in use and rest are stored away, I might switch every few days if I feel like it, but can I honestly say after a couple of weeks if one of those provided better experience compared to others? No way.
It is possible to condition yourself to think some minor differences in tonality are make or break level stuff, but I don't think that makes much sense. And if one goes there, any recommendations from other people make no sense.
HD600 and HD650. I personally think those two are chalk and cheese in terms of presentation and SS and I would totally accept agreement or disagreement from anyone else. Measurements aside, the perception of the sonic 'differences' are still going to remain resolutely variable from individual to individual.
Similar findings from rtings.com as well:Conclusions
I don't know what is supposed to be different between HD600 and HD650. Based on both objective and subjective testing, these two headphones perform the same.
Or very bad taste in cheese.If you yourself think there are major differences between them it must be because of extraordinary hearing ability
Define 'normal'.For normal people I stick with my recommendations
The lack of bass is at least very noticeable and cannot be completely fixed with EQ. Does it actually bother me? Honestly, not that much.Sonically, the HD600/650s are beyond meaningful improvement in my opinion. The only downside - and the reason they aren't my main cans - is they don't offer any significant isolation.
Rough estimate: people that are in 99,9% of population when it comes to hearing ability and critical listening skills.Define 'normal'.
Can it be pad wear?The lack of bass is at least very noticeable and cannot be completely fixed with EQ. Does it actually bother me? Honestly, not that much.
Beyond ludicrous.Rough estimate: people that are in 99,9% of population when it comes to hearing ability and critical listening skills.