I recommend a Beyerdynamic DT headband. They fit perfectly on the round Hifimans, and Beyer products are known to last a long time.

Probably

Okay I'll try that, if it helps I may cancel my return

Maybe, but I plan on returning either way, I think the iem space is better for me

Love my Sundara. I only bought them because my 6xx got lost in the post and I was sad, and they have been amazing. The 6xx turned up a week later, but I prefer the Sundara. I use the Sundara as my daily driver from my PC with a Magnius/Modius + balanced cable, and its awesome.

Is that APM (Apple Airpods Max) in the background? Blasphemy. Putting that in the same photo as HD660S. Just joking.

I'm listening to my HD660S right now. I normally listen to Alternative and Pop. Right now, listening to this Egyptian Electro-Shaabi or Mahraganat song It is in Arabic, so I don't understand it. The bass really comes thru on HD660S.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_nvzVDZVWI

My personal opinion is yes, the XS is better in every way - but I also don't like warm-sounding things, so don't take my word for it

I tried XS but didn't get a chance to try Sundara. Yea I agree, the soundstage was massive and bass also good. Definitely did have that wow factor to it coming from my DT 770.

I originally wanted to try Sundara but they didn't have it. I guess I would skip the Sundara and go straight for the XS if I was upgrading. Which I can't justify yet as I just recently got the DT 770.

I did try the XS and it was pretty amazing. I originally wanted to try Sumdara but they didn't have it. I guess it's better in all aspects?

Xs has a much bigger Soundstage and a much more impact in the bass. But Sundara sounds more natural to me (flat, consistent sound) and seems to have better imaging.

Demo'ed both but chose to keep the sundara

HE400SE. The Massdrop ones are terrible and the headband is actual garbage.

I own the K702 and it’s almost perfect for me. Of course it’s not invented to be a bass heavy headphone, but it’s very enjoyable the way it is … but:

• Get some nice pads for it. I decided to get Yaxi pads and sound and comfort improved.
• Don’t get the K701 because of the fixed cable. Get the identical K702 and an aftermarket cable (from Beyerdynamic)

The one in the photo is the most recent Hifiman cable and, I dare say, the best one to date.

This is a Drop product, those things are build like garbo.

Modern Hifiman designs are fine, just buy open-box.

AKG is a good base for equalization in my experience. They're less bassy but their bass is lower distortion so they're better to EQ.

A HiFiMan, a Grado Prestige series, a FiiO E10K, a Lenovo apparel

Are you me?

Though my HiFiMan is still pristine as it's only a month old 😬

Get something like this, much cheaper than Hifiman's own bands.

The answer most ppl aren't talking about, is that it adds cost and complexity to do it well. The added complexity is part of why tws only ever last a couple years before croaking.

Also, most tws use anc to compensate for their awful sound isolation. Most quality iems just block the noise passively and call it there.

Seeing a lot more 660S posts lately, glad they're getting more love. Got a refurb for $229 and am loving them so far.

I've heard people say a Planar is just the intermediate between dd and est drivers... but they sound like something else entirely to me. There is something captivating about the dual focus on detail and fun that elevates them above either and I think that is why to audiophiles there is such a small difference between planar and dd headphone popularity. Considering dd is seen as the default, that means a lot

I knew Grado headphones were for dads

Will do. I can't help but think it will be significantly better.

Please post your thoughts on the XS when you get a chance. It's likely my next step from HE400se.

Really good, detailed answer, homie. Looking for a direct upgrade can be really complicated and it feels bad when it's not what you're looking for

Similar to the Sundaras, where it's usually one of the ear cups losing sound due to how the plugs are soldered. Any little bump on the cable can break it.