Recent comments in /f/headphones

blorg t1_iycm1c8 wrote

You can install Equalizer APO and use it with any soundcard including the Sound BlasterX G6. Besides that though if you are coming from the Fidelio you probably want to start with a bass boost, the X2HR are quite bassy for an open back.

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GZoST t1_iyclvdd wrote

Bullshit on top of nonsense with a healthy dose of idiocy.

Sources, DACs and amps are solved problems as long as you buy stuff made by engineers who use measurements for validating their designs and not by audiophiles with golden ears.

Headphones and speakers are more problematic, especially since there are the headphone + head or speakers + room interaction. Optimizing this interaction makes sense. However, that's not with audiophile tweaks but EQ and, for speakers, room treatment (e.g. absorbers).

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GZoST t1_iyck46s wrote

What do you consider "serious saving"? If this means eating ramen for months, or otherwise limiting even remotely important things then don't do it. You are enjoying your music and the heavens won't open when using the HD800(s) (I use a HD800, triangulating in regard to the HD560s based on my experience with other headphones that others rate about the same).

Having said that, if you can afford to save without it messing with your life, the HD800 (+ EQ) may well be worth it. There is lots of music where I'm absolutely fine with my work headphones (SHP 9600, because comfort), my out-and-about Galaxy Buds or the trying-out-the-current-low-end Moondrop Chu or Salnotes Zero. But for classical, especially symphonic, music I pretty much always use the best headphones/IEMs available to me and usable in the situation (so most of the time the HD800) because it helps my enjoyment. The technical improvements such as better instrument separation and placement make it easier to understand what is happening and to just get lost in the music.

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Yelov t1_iycfq6j wrote

>to the point where you could never go back to the 560S' under any circumstance once you have listened to the 800S' for a while

I don't think you'd prefer the HD800S for literally everything. For example, HD800(S) is fantastic for orchestral music etc, but it's not that well suited for metal, rap etc. You could however EQ them and probably get a sound where you enjoy them for more genres.

At the same time, HD800 is the most comfortable pair of headphones I've tried and it's the only one that has made me go "wow, this is a different class of audio quality". Specifically the perceived detail and soundstage is amazing. The tonality is hit or miss though, that's why I mentioned EQ. Trying them out yourself is the best thing you could do.

19

hurtyewh t1_iycfo5s wrote

I know there are grainy garbage headphones like the MDR-7506, but when a decent one or an IEM is well EQ'd it can be a ridiculous improvement. Like say EarFun Free Pro 2 with Oluv's firmware EQ vs a Dusk doesn't show me anything more really. That said an LCD-5 impresses the hell out of me compared to the LCD-X's etc that I'm more used to. I don't think it's just about tuning, but when distortion etc are below audible levels then EQ can take you 99% there I'd say.

That said your ears are useless for EQ of that caliber so practically doesn't help much past a measured preset.

2

SirDemonLord t1_iycf2s1 wrote

Not really worth it. They're great headphones, however one Sennheiser is more than enough even for the most demanding listener.

If you're looking for an alternative, check out Beyerdynamic, Audeze, or something else. There's a funny saying going around that "if you've heard one Sennheiser's, you've heard them all" and it doesn't stray that far away from the truth.

I've owned Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro, Sennheiser HD600, Focal Clear Pro, Sennheiser HD800 and Kennerton Vali. I've sold the Beyerdynamic's (they were neat) and returned the Focal's (warranty return due to faulty construction).
From the above, I can tell that the price difference between HD560, HD600, HD650 (the reasonable range) and HD800, HD800S does not justify the purchase. Once again, they're all great headphones on their own.

5

AGuyWhoLikesSocks t1_iycer57 wrote

I have a Topping L30 II coming in the mail because I'm getting real tired of my Herasy's scratchy pot... And with Amazon's extended return policy, I really saw no downside.

Hopefully I'm in the same boat and enjoy it too!

1