I agree. I think the high price has people on the anti-hype train.

I got my pair this week and have listened to a handful of albums with them. I find that they are the perfect contrast to the HD800S in my collection. They're just fun and detailed, without sounding dark, veiled, or mid-starved. Similarly, I usually EQ things, but I've been enjoying these default.

I would say they do need a reasonably beefy amp. I tried them direct from my universal interface and through ifi go blu, and they both sounded thin and empty. Ifi black micro sounds fantastic though.

haven't heard HE6se v2 yet, how does the bass compare? I've heard that one is easily Hifiman's best for bass

Great write up and very informative.

Unless fake wood somehow has better sonic characteristics?

I highly doubt that's the case, but speculating a possible explanation why

Skullcandy Hesh Evo, Soundcore Q30, or JBL Live 500BT?

I recently returned my JBL Tune 710BT because it had a defect with it's headband, as well the right ear cup being loose whenever you hold it by the headband. The build quality was okay but I wasn't really satisfied with the bass although the sound of the headphones were really clean and even. Unfortunately, I bought a case for the headphones but since I returned them, I'm stuck with a case that was only used for a short amount of time. Basically, I'm interested in a pair of headphones that has atleast more than 30hrs of battery and multipoint pairing however it's alright if it doesn't have those features. I'm also not really particular about ANC.

So, I researched a bit on headphones that were budget friendly or atleast mid-range ones. I was able to come to a conclusion with these headphones.

Skullcandy Hesh Evo, Soundcore Q30, JBL Live 500BT (I would put the Sony WH-CH720n here but they aren't out yet so I don't know much about the model)

However, I am also quite interested with the Sony XB-910n and Skullcandy Crusher Evo's however they are out of my budget.

I'm currently into metal at the moment and I'm also a bit of a bass head so I do want to find a pair of headphones that has decent bass and mids/treble. I also wear glasses so good/decent earpads are a must for me. I don't mind a tight clamping force although it can't be too tight because of my glasses and at the same time it can't be too loose since I move around a lot.

I've heard a lot of pros and cons with the headphones mentioned above however I will just point out my concerns for each model.

Skullcandy Hesh Evo: I heard that it had connectivity issues as well as charging issues, along with the concern about it's build quality.

Soundcore Q30: I heard that it had less clamping force and that there was a specific area at it's headband that is prone to snapping.

JBL Live 500BT: I heard that it had issues with it's earpads crumbling/breaking easily, although I wasn't able to research more about the issues of this model.

I'm not in a rush really, I'm still waiting to receive my money back from the refund, however I do want to have a choice in mind in case I plan to buy a pair of headphones soon.

TL;DR: Should I buy the Skullcandy Hesh Evo, Soundcore Q30, or JBL Live 500BT?

If it's loud enough while still having headroom (at, say, 80% volume or lower), you won't benefit from an amp.

The Sierra Cosworth of headphones

My first thought was underwear where you’ll never have to sweat again… my fashion friend’s first thought was mattress cooling.

The Hip Dac is one phenomenal piece of kit. It takes my iems to new levels. Just an amazing piece of technology.

Of course Hifiman is awesome. Enjoy!

It's cheap TPE overmolding. It degrades quickly.
https://www.reddit.com/r/razer/comments/jlo7iu/any_idea_how_to_clean_off_the_rubber_coating_that/
I had some things that now are completely shiny. WD40 and something to scrub it.

Using mine with a dragonfly cobalt. Coming from momentum 2 over-ears and loving every second. Next step will probably be the cable as I had good experience with an aftermarket cable for my momentums.

*in your opinion.

Hello. I have a problem where my headphones switches to mono when connected to audio interface through 6, 3mm jack. It works fine when I use 3, 5mm jack with 6, 5mm adapter. But for some reason when I use 6, 5mm wire, ?which was included with headphones, it doesn't work in stereo. I have: Sennheiser hd 569 headphones, Behringer UMC202HD interface, OS linux

Just using mine with a Schiit Fulla 3, probably not the expected pairing but hey it gets the job done

Sony WF-C500, the left earbud when removed from the case loops on the startup phase. It goes “Power o-“ and then starts to loop and shuts down. Then it starts and happens again, until I put it back in the case. Do I need to change them or a repair could be sufficient?

You kept listening to louder and louder music and never stopped. Now you gotta live with those choices. Pretty damn simple. It’s not your equipment, it’s not purely on your lack of headphone knowledge, it’s all on your self control to turn down the volume. Change headphones all you want, but tinnitus doesn’t go away and it’s completely in your control to mitigate further damage to your ears.

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The PS Audio Stellar is infamously one of the worst DACs ever measured at ASR. It miraculously scored a SINAD of 58 which is 41dB lower than an Apple USB-C dongle which achieved 99dB at a price point of 9$. The performance is so bad, it is within human audibility in the details (or loss of details) which is really saying something.

I recommend not paying attention to price as any indicator at all about quality. In fact, I wonder if there's even a reverse correlation between price and performance in the audiophile space. For example check out the TotalDac d16. It is also one of the worst performing DACs measured at a cool 14,000$.

Meanwhile, at the time it was measured, the Topping E50 achieved a SINAD of 121dB, the 6th best measuring DAC in the database and is undoubtably one of the best performing DACs in the world. It can be purchased now for around 200$.

If you really want to get a DAC that has many features and looks fancy, get an RME ADI2. At least that DAC has built-in EQ, perfectly digitally matched volume, a remote, crossfeed, firmware updates, and more. It measures excellently and it integrated perfectly in a speaker/headphone dual use system. RME's products have been time tested for decades and are used in professional mixing and mastering studios around the world. It costs around 1000-1300$ but at least you'd know you're getting your money's worth.

Or if you really want to prioritize aesthetics and have a budget to spend, get a Schiit Ragnarok for 1500$ and it can power speakers as well as send full speaker power through the headphone jacks. Pair it with one of the best performing DACs in the world, the Schiit Modius, for 230$ and call it a day.

Same

Ive got the h8ts and damn they are good

Depends on why you don’t like the 560s. But the 770 pro has more bass and is more V shaped so a bit more „fun“ sounding. I personally really like the 770 and it’s a good entry into the Hi-Fi world because it’s V shape

😂😂 yes

Woo bang olufsen

These were one of the worst things I've heard at canjam so far.

I use Equalizer APO on my computer, and Qudelix 5K for mobile. I also have a second Qudelix 5K connected to my bedside amp for Bluetooth input and EQ.

I don't tend to need to listen to all my headphones everywhere though anyway. I have quite a lot of different headphones, and some are better for some scenarios than others.

The LCD-X I bought knowing it needed EQ, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone unless they are going to EQ it. It's pretty heavy and one of the headphones I wouldn't pick so much for lying in bed, I tend to use IEMs in bed as they are a lot easier for that. I do have another headphone amp by the bed with the Qudelix so I can use whatever if I wanted to... but usually IEMs. If I am using an over-ear it's usually something smaller/lighter, like the R70X or HD650. But usually IEMs.

Most IEMs I don't EQ anyway, as they tend to be better tuned stock and I tend to just use them stock. There are a few that do need EQ, the Shure KSE1500 has an EQ built in to its DAC/energizer and I use that, the Audeze Euclid, I use the Qudelix. But the vast majority of my IEMs, I don't EQ at all.

There certainly are things that don't need EQ. I don't usually EQ the HD650, it's one of the few overears that is tonally near perfect stock and doesn't need it. I sometimes use that on a tube amp where the high output impedance adds bass/warmth. I'm certainly not EQ absolutely everything. But I would not have bought the LCD-X if I couldn't EQ it, because it sounds crap to me without EQ, and I could tell that from the reviews/graph before I got it, it sounds like it graphs, with muffled recessed upper mids.