>Ananda

Thanks, I'll look into it. Quite the jump in price, though! Maybe someday down the line.

Doesn't have to be, but these aren't perfect, and I would assume my hifi journey doesn't end at $200 headphones, but maybe it does?

Yea well didn’t see someone mention anything when I posted my comment. And it’s not unheard of that some people will hear different things with different amps and DACs. There could be an issue with his current setup. Maybe the amp/DAC he used was fried, maybe the headphones themselves were used and have a QC issue. OP didn’t specify whether it was new or used. I stand by my comment, try another amp/DAC bud. If it’s still sounding like shit, well then at least you tried other possible solutions before giving up rather then to just exchange a sub $500 headphone.

I got it bad from my AirPods Pro and my Sony xm3 made me feel like I was back on a plane lol but it eventually went away. You’ll get used to it.. unless you don’t. There’s some people who apparently never get used to it. In that case my condolences

Honestly, of all the subjective aspects of this hobby, value might perhaps be the most subjective.

And it’s certainly possible that you’ve gone beyond your threshold value-wise, which is honestly completely understandable.

Nothing wrong with it, if you were happy with what you had and don’t think the upgrade is worth it, then hey, move on and put those funds towards another hobby for sure.

I went from a 560s to an Ananda and it was quite the upgrade. Though I have to say that I don't think they would be in the same upgrade line if this was a tech tree from a game or something. I find the Ananda much more relaxed with no treble peaks and a huge space where the music happens. The 560s is sharper and a little fatiguing, but I sense a soundstage that seems more faithful with what the mix wants to show. That being said, Ananda all the way. I can't hear the sennheiser for a long time because it's so sharp now.

I definitely want more clamp from my HD800, which practically falls off my head if tilt it in any way.

The Dekoni pads for the HD800 are the most comfortable for me in that regard, but the seal feels a bit weird with their foam choice. The sound also leaves something to be desired - I'm not a big fan of the Dekoni HD800 pads without DSP/EQ.

Seeing the thickness and softness of the HD800 sub pads in ZMF's videos, they seem to have done a really nice job and I'm excited that their fit might be the perfect middle ground for me.

As for sound, ZMF did very well with the 6XX sub pads, another headphone that is hard to get the aftermarket pads "right" on, so that gives me confidence they pulled it off with the HD800. I've been really enjoying the suede version on my 6XX.

All in all, I've ordered both types of pads, and I'm really looking forward to hearing (and feeling) what ZMF has to offer my HD800.

Someone else has already shown his amp is more than enough to drive them.

If he’a blatantly unimpressed by them when properly driven, it’s almost certain something as minuscule as a different amp or dac is not going to change that. The slightest of changes maybe sure, but it certainly won’t be night and day, as it seems it would need to be for OP to find it worth it.

Im also a basic bitch 😭😭 but im happy with it and i dont think ill ever buy another amp. It works.

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testing of my user flair works sorry

I have some t2's and the mmcx connector relegated them to the closet. My bluetooth hooks use 2 pin and my upgrade cable is also 2 pin.

Sadly I can't try a dac/amp. There is no availability near me. And I'm not into EQ. I heard the XS are fine without EQ, it's one of the reasons why i bought them.

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Yeah. Last months i been thinking on it. Had have the m50x for about 3 years. One year later bught the k3 and not the big deal. Almost 2 years with the wh-1000xm4. This year i felt bored of the m50x and started finding them a little sibilant in comparison, so i decide to upgrade.

I mean you've tried them for yourself and given plenty of time for them. Not everything that's more expensive will be better for your subjective preference. I had the M50X for 7 years and loved it until I lost it.

Went from 560s to 660s… no regrets! The 660s slap the heck out of the 560s. No contest. Haven’t touched my 560s since. That would be my suggestion for the next step

Honestly I can’t say. If the model I got is the normal sound, horrendous timbre, and piss poor imaging.

I’m inclined to believe this is a dud unit though because I remember really liking them so I don’t know

What I tried in the past was great

I have the XS, and the only reason I don’t like it, is the headband. Once I get the Ananda, I’m selling mine. But the XS sounds amazing to me. I have 6 pairs of cans and that stands out, biggest being the imaging and detail retrieval, and also bass extension at bass and sub bass levels. I run mine into an SMSL SU8s/SH9 and a Schiit Magni/Modi. Honestly I feel it hits harder on my Schiit Stack. If you can, I’d try For that. Also. Do you do any EQ? Like software or analog tone control? I only ask as that may be the culprit as well. IMO, the XS doesn’t even need to be EQd it sounds so good

Like a week. I almost only use them.

K3 is enough. putting around ~200mW at 16Ohms and... https://imgur.com/a/6KVQGmk

I think it' is just a sad truth about Hifi audio. The difference is noticeable but not significant enough to be considered mind-blowing by mainstream people.

I always tell my non-audiophile friends to just pick the the entry level gear+ dongle and leave. Never come back to this community.

Detail, soundstage and separation, sounds like ananda or edition xs.

Try a different amp/DAC trust me

Beyerdynamic DT1990

I’ve had dozens of headphones over the past 14 years but the K702 still stands out as a special vista to my music — almost exclusively classical and some acoustic jazz. Coupled with a good amp (Marantz DAC1 dac/amp) I listen for hours without fatigue. An exceptional headphone!