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I have recently been diagnosed with Central Auditory Processing Disorder which makes it pretty much impossible for me to distinguish sound location/ direction coming from my speakers (even in the near field). However, headphone listening works well for me. I currently have an ancient (vintage) pair of Sennheiser HD 424's run through either my Leben or my Macintosh integrated amps. This setup sounds good but I am interested in upgrading my headphones. "The rub," as Shakespeare once said, is that I don't know what I should be listening for as I audition 'phones because I don't know what a good set is capable of achieving given the right front-end.
I've read quite a few reviews on audio sites. Some reviewers mention tone/ timber, tactile experience, and spaciousness (sound staging?). But aside from these reviewers (who may or may not have their own agendas), what should I expect regarding the sound qualities of a very good to excellent pair of headphones?
Thanks,
Randy
Follow Ups:
Thank you all for the headphone advice and discussion.
I chose the Focal Clear. They are quite good. I did try a SPl Phonitor 2 for a brief period, but it didn't work well for me (I sometimes require a dedicated balance control).
Again, thank you all.
Randy
What types of music is your preference?
Which speakers are your preference?
Will you be sticking with your current rig or are you going to add a headphone amp into the mix at some point?
And finally, what is your budget?
If you want more info than you ever thought possible about headphone listening, also check out head-fi.org
"Man, that mouse is Awesome." - Kaemon (referring to Jerry, of Tom and Jerry fame)
You owe it to yourself to audition a set of planar magnetic cans and a set of electrostatic headphones.
There are lots of dynamic headphones around but until you try the planar magnetic and electrostatic models you will not really know what you like. And you will not know what to spend your money on.
Also do not miss the addition of a good headphone amp. If you select a set of dynamic headphones or end up with planar magnetic headphones, you won't get the best from them until you drive them with a good quality headphone amp.
Some integrated, pre-amps and receivers have a decent headphone section but you won't know what a good set of headphones can do until you drive them with a quality amp. It an analogous to using a set of speakers with a cheap amp. It just doesn't turn out very well.
If you go with electrostatic headphones you need a driver for those phones. That piece of gear is sometimes sold along with the headphones but there are exceptions.
A warning should go here. Once you start down the planar magnetic and/or electrostatic headphone path you will find yourself looking at some pretty expensive gear. There are high end dynamic headphones but the planar magnetic and electrostatic models are sometimes expensive.
It is up to you but you should at least audition some of these higher end stuff. You may find something that you are willing to go the extra dollars for.
Serious headphones are in their heyday now. There are lots of really good headphones on the market. Not all of them are really expensive and there are some models that perform way above their asking price.
See if you can find a dealer that carries some of these headphones so you can see which models suits your tastes. Things have changed over the last 10 years and there are lots of really good models to choose from.
Ed
We don't shush around here!
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof
If you are serious about headphone listening, get yourself a headphone amplifier that will be worthy of your investment in headphones. The better the amp, the better your headphones will sound. It doesn't work that well, the other way around.
I did not mean to say that dynamic headphones were somehow bad compared to planar or estats. I meant to say that you will not know what the sound options are until you try them out.I own all of these different types and the best dynamic headphones I own are a set of Focal Clears. They are very good but there are some advantages to planar and estats headphones.
My personal preference is Stax electrostatic headphones but that is my personal preference. Stax headphones can be very expensive but there are dynamic and planar that are also very expensive and some people prefer these types.
That is their personal preference and you will not realize your preference until you try these options out. All of these options have their advantages and some have their drawbacks.
Dynamic headphones are more likely to be compatible with gear you already own. There are some planar magnetic models that will work with your existing gear but many of these models will require a better headphone amp with the output capable to drive these models. Electrostatic headphones will not work with normal headphone gear and will require a driver especially suited for these models.
None of the above makes the sound quality of these models better or worse than the others. They are all just different technological approaches to providing the best possible sound.
Let you ears and wallet be the deciding factors. My point was to try these different models out so you will spend your money on the best possible sound you can afford.
Ed
PS. For the record I own 4 different sets of Dynamic headphones, 1 set of planar magnetic headphones and 1 set of full electrostatic headphones.
We don't shush around here!
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof
Edits: 10/15/19
Have you tried FiiO earbud headphones? I own two different models and I just ordered their newest offering, the FiiO FH7 . I currently own the FiiO FH5 and the FiiO F9 . The F9 is kind of bass heavy but the FH5 sounds as good as just about any other headphone I've heard. That's why I decided to buy their new FH7.
I also own Grado HP-1's and RS-2's in addition to Koss ESP/950 electrostatic headphones. They all have their attributes and the Koss ESP/950's are definitely impressive, but I think I like the FiiO FH5 as well or perhaps more than all the others. I find the FiiO FH5 earphones to be very comfortable because they fit inside the ear canal rather than wedging into the outer ear like many other earbuds. They also block outside noise more effectively than any of my other headphones.
Incidentally, I did own a pair of Stax Lambda Pro's many years ago and they were superb. However, when Grado came out with the HP-1's I felt they sounded even better than my Stax. I'd love to try the top-of-the-line Stax headphones, but they cost a bit more than I'm willing to spend at the moment.
I became interested in FiiO earbuds after first becoming interested in FiiO DSD portable players . I own the FiiO M9, M11, and their newest M11 Pro DSD player. These little DSD players are simply phenomenal. I think they sound as good or better than many component size DACs and streamers.
Anyway, I'm just curious if you've tried any of the FiiO earphones because I'm really impressed with their sound quality and performance.
Thanks,
John Elison
Are very interesting. I am a big fan of estat headphones and owned the Stax Lambda Pros since I was given them as a Christmas present in 1990. God, how time flies!
Anyway I am extremely interested in probably the same model you are talking about, the Stax SR-009S. I recently got out of paying alimony and find myself in a position where I might be able to save up for a set of the SR-009S plus driver.
Yeah, I know its crazy but we are nuts to be in this hobby to begin with.
The driver for my Lambda Pros needs work again and I am looking at my next TOTL headphone solution. I bought Focal Clears last year and they are impressive for dynamic cans but there is something about the lightning speed of estats. I am sure you know exactly what I am talking about.
Even the best dynamic cans sound a bit slow next to estats and miss that extreme reality that estats can provide. They are just crazy expensive.
Ed
We don't shush around here!
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof
Since you didn't answer my question, I interpret that to mean you have not tried the FiiO FH5 earphones. You might want to take a listen before assuming that the best dynamic cans sound a bit slow next to electrostatics. Of course, I'm sure the top-of-the-line Stax sound better than just about any other headphone, but it takes more than ten thousand dollars to find out. I could write a check today, but I just can't imagine the sound of any headphone justifying that kind of money. Anyway, for $260 you can have some very special earphones in the FiiO FH5's. And, for $450 you can have the best FiiO has to offer, the FH7's.
Incidentally, my FH7's are scheduled to arrive tomorrow. I'll let you know how they compare to my FH5's and my Koss ESP/950's.
Best regards,
John Elison
I have not tried the Fiio FH5s. The only IEMs I own are a set of HiFi Man RE-400s. Those are very good for a cheap IEM but the FH5 is in another league. Let me know how the FH7s sound.
To tell the truth I don't really care for IEMs. It is a thing I have about sticking something in my ears. The IEMs have an advantage to sealing out ambient noise and a surprising good low end. That plus they are compatible with most players makes for a nice product.
I tried the HiFi Man RE-400 because they were very cheap and I wanted to try something for a portable player I have. It is an old classic IPod w/160MB storage. I bought it long ago and never used it. The headphones available at the time were not that great or you had to drop thousands for a custom set of IEMs which I was not about to do. The fact that the iPod is a low res player only is also a checkbox against it.
I don't have any real driving needs for a portable player so IEMs have taken a back seat to other types of headphones. The good news is there are so many quality headphones to choose from now. Not only is it a time of resurgent vinyl but we have so many headphones to choose from it is difficult to keep up with everything. I am sure there are some headphones out there that I would really love but how do you keep up with all of them?
There are few to no brick and mortar stores where we can try out many of these new headphone models (at least in my immediate area) and thats a shame. I miss the heyday of stereo stores where we could go try out things before we buy. That was nice.
Anyhow, the Stax SR-009S goes for $4500 MSRP (available for around $4400) but requires a very good driver to get them to sing like they should so $10k is a pretty accurate number. That is a crazy number but I keep on thinking about the SR-009S and the Headamp Blue Hawaii driver. I might do it one day but I also have a bug to get back into RTR after all of these years.
Sorry to wander off topic but all of these things keep on finding their way into my mind. I believe I mentioned that I just got done with alimony payments, plus I am still working, collecting Social Security and have few bills. I find myself with more disposable money than I have known in my life.
I have just finished rebuilding my main stereo rig so it is a little hard to figure out what to do with my one and only hobby. A friend and owner of one of the local stereo stores suggests things from time to time but the suggestions are now wandering into higher levels...like ARC gear.
Their phono preamp is drop dead beautiful and based on the 6H30Pi super tube. I just upgraded to the Rogue Audio PH-9 line preamp and it is based on the same tubes. It it drop dead quiet. You simply cannot tell it is on no matter how high you turn up the volume...very nice. And its very neutral and has all of the nice stuff we audiophiles gab about.
OK...enough gabbing on my end. I hope you enjoy the PH7s. Let me know how they sound after they break in.
Take care,
Ed
We don't shush around here!
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof
Hi Ed,My FiiO FH7 earphones arrived today and they sound great right out of the box. Perhaps they'll improve with break-in, but I'm perfectly happy with their sound quality right now. They sound slightly better than the FH5 earphones with more robust bass and slightly extended highs. I really couldn't ask for more in a $450 headphone.
Last night I compared my Koss ESP/950 electrostatics with my FiiO FH5's and although the two definitely sounded different, I found the FH5's just as enjoyable for extended listening. The Koss electrostatics definitely had more sparkle in the highs but they lacked adequate bass response. The FH5's had more natural and robust bass with highs that were perfectly acceptable so I really preferred the FH5's for extended listening. Consequently, I definitely prefer the FH7's over both of them although I'm sure the Koss have a bit more sparkle in the highs. If they only had a bit more bass the Koss electrostatics would be just about perfect.
My guess is that the top-of-the-line Stax might just be perfect. However, they should be very close to perfect for their price. I would really love to own them but I just can't justify their price. Regardless of how accurate and perfect they might sound, they're still headphones and I've never heard a pair of headphones that I preferred over high-quality speakers for extended listening. Still, I would love to own the new Stax. Check out the link below if you want to drool. ;-)
> To tell the truth I don't really care for IEMs. It is a thing I have about sticking something in my ears.
I've never enjoyed the kind of earbuds that wedge into the outer ear but for some odd reason I find the ones that fit into the ear canal quite comfortable. The cable on FiiO earphones wrap around the top of the ear to support the weight of the earphone and the part that fits into the ear canal doesn't bother me at all. I think they're actually more comfortable than any full-size headphone I've tried including the Stax Lambda Pro's I owned some years ago.
> I might... [buy Stax SR-009S headphones] ...one day but I also have a bug to get back into RTR after all of these years.
I know what you mean. I loved reel-to-reel back in the day. I owned two Revox A77 tape decks and I knew them inside and out. I aligned their heads and made all internal adjustments to achieve perfect performance. I was a PMEL technician in the Air Force with access to a fully equipped electronic precision measurement equipment laboratory. I bought a brand new Revox A77 at the audio club on Bitburg Air Base and took it directly to the PMEL. I started with head alignment and went through all the electronic adjustments -- bias, bias traps, equalization and frequency response, etc. I set it up for Scotch 207, which I believed was the very best tape at the time.
Nowadays, open reel tape is just way too expensive. It costs between $50 and $100 for a 10.5" reel of top quality quarter inch 1-mil blank tape that provides only 48-minutes of music in half-track stereo at 15-ips. New prerecorded tapes cost between $200 and $400 each. It's just not worth it. If you could get over your prejudice against digital I think you'd find that DSD sounds as good or better than the best reel-to-reel tape available.
I have a very good friend who might just be the foremost authority for the repair and restoration of Studer tape recorders in the Northwestern United States. He wants me to get involved with reel-to-reel again and he's even offered to give me a fully restored Studer tape recorder. However, it's just not feasible for me considering the price of media. He also owns a TASCAM DA-3000 in addition to a Korg DSD recorder and when he makes a digital copy of a high-speed analog master tape, he can't hear the difference. Unless you're rich, and my friend definitely has some money, it's just not economically feasible to get involved with reel-to-reel these days.
Best regards,
John Elison
Edits: 10/17/19
A restored A77 still makes a great recording to this day. There are a lot of people who still look for techs who can restore A77s. If you ever want to pick up some spare change you might want to look into restoring A77s. It may not be as big a thing as it once was but it has a healthy following.
Don't misunderstand my attitude towards digital recording. I do have a dedicated digital setup with a dedicated DAW that records up to 24/192 PCM and it makes some dammed fine recordings. My reluctance towards digital is only about absolutes and that is kind of crazy...so consider the source.
I even kind of enjoy editing digital PCM recordings but they are just one step removed from an original. All copies are no matter what the technology.
I wish that someone could come up with an analog technology that does not suffer from degradation on subsequent copies. The DBX disc had promise if they could ever have solved the pumping sound caused by warped or misaligned center holes on LPs. When it worked it was impressive.
There are so many technologies that are like that. How many products seem to get good just before they are discontinued? Redbook CDs are finally getting to the point where they can make the most from 16/44.1 and its better than ever. Just this past year RIAA reported that new LP sales topped CD sales for the first time in decades. CDs are disappearing just as they are starting to deliver closer to their original promise.
Thanks for the Stax link, it is interesting. When it comes to electrostatic drives for the SR-009S I have read there is one that gets recommended as the absolute best...the Headamp Blue Hawaii (see link below).
I don't know if you are familiar with these drivers but they get top marks every time someone rates an estat driver. Maybe Stax developed that new link you sent to me as competition. I would like to read something about these two products compared.
The dream headphone system is the Stax-009S plus the Blue Hawaii...and now the Special Edition ($6900). When you reach this kind of product I am sure it is very small differences between the models. And Woo Audio's 3ES Elite Edition is a new TOTL estat driver. That driver has a $13k asking price. All tubed with every high end passive component, etc, etc. So now we are talking $17k+.
Of course the price tag is multiple thousands of dollars but full sized estats can be a crazy expensive headphones. You have to love that kind of performance. Personally it makes me drool. Yeah...sick, I know.
Anywho, thanks for the Stax link and enjoy those FH7s. I totally agree with you about speakers vs headphones but there are times where a great headphone is so perfect. Late at night or when you are doing critical mastering/recording.
God, this stuff is cool.
Ed
We don't shush around here!
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof
I agree completely with EdA ... "until you hear planar etc., you will not know what you want." the best advice you will read here.The Audeze LCD2C for example are a reasonably priced, ultra high-value target into that end, and are easily sourced used. The second responder opines that, "after planar, dynamic phones kinda blow." This is also true, and an understatement in my view. Right now I am using the equally cost effective Chord Mojo as a source, with an iPad, an Audeze Deckard Class A single ended 4 watt monster, bringing buckets of current, and with it unreal slam on the big stuff, gorgeously sympatico w the Audeze stuff. To reproduce this calibre of sound in a room rig employing reference level open baffle speakers with bass units capable of reaching to 10Hz, ..would cost multiple thousands. All items purchased used, mint, total investment around $1600CAD
Edits: 10/12/19
Hey I hedged my bets because I havent heard all the dynamics out there. One has to sound as good as planars.
Yeah I may get the Audeze stuff. Currently thinking of spending some dough on more headphones. But the audeze stuff seems colored, but in a good way. More looking for neutral. My hafler has a touch of tube gooeyness so a neutral can is best I think.
But yeah planars are such a bargain and do everything pretty well. Bass especially is extended but not bloated. Dynamics have a problem matching this IMHO. Also the driver size is hard for dynamics to match and a big driver, sounds BIG...
Cutting razor sounding violins
I don't find them coloured really. Warm, resolving. --I have tinnitus and can listen to these for 8 hours at a time. Also, with the LCD series, if you feed them current, then you have a head rig that would require bass elements in the order of something like Bag End Infra series 18 inch to get that kind of grunt in a room rig. Use a superb source like Chord anything and they do not appear to be coloured at all in my opinion. To reproduce this level of sonic grandeur in a room rig you would be looking at a > $35,000 investment and the requirement of a large room to load up the bass.
Yep. Dynamic headphones kind of blow...
Cutting razor sounding violins
Ed -
Excellent advice.
"'Cause when love is gone, there's always justice./And when justice is gone, there's always force./And when force is gone, there's always Mom. Hi Mom!" Laurie Anderson, "O Superman (For Massenet)"
Randy -
I have become somewhat of an evangelist for electrostatic headphones, so take my recommendation with that in mind. When I discover something I enjoy, I like to share it.
I've used good to excellent electrodynamics with solid state & OTL amplification. To me, there is no comparison: Stats give the listener speed, transparency, and sound stage that are impossible with traditional phones. Yes, it's expensive, and the choice of gear is limited (this is changing), but I believe it's worth it. eBay is your friend if your a careful shopper. With that in mind, DO NOT BUY directly from Japan through eBay. The warranties are no good outside of the country, and the amps are NOT compatible with US line voltage. There are authorized domestic sellers for new gear that will not burn out when plugged into a US outlet.
There is bias against stats because of the adaptor boxes of decades past & the old Koss cans that were uncomfortable. We're way past all of that.
"'Cause when love is gone, there's always justice./And when justice is gone, there's always force./And when force is gone, there's always Mom. Hi Mom!" Laurie Anderson, "O Superman (For Massenet)"
I avoided electrostatics in favor of planars because of the bass. Is it not true that stats don't have the bass extension of other headphones.
Cutting razor sounding violins
Bass response is what is in the recording. It's a sonic microscope. There is certainly no under-emphasis of bass lines. Unfortunately, this mischaracterization of stats, along with "etched treble", keeps people away from trying the technology, if the price doesn't first.
"'Cause when love is gone, there's always justice./And when justice is gone, there's always force./And when force is gone, there's always Mom. Hi Mom!" Laurie Anderson, "O Superman (For Massenet)"
HMM. That sounds like they lack bass to me. I also am avoiding the HD600/650 for that same reason.
Cutting razor sounding violins
Depends on what "bass" means to you. If it's "bass impact", then, no, stats are not for you. If you want what's in the music as it was recorded, then they are definitely to be considered. It's a matter of preference.
"'Cause when love is gone, there's always justice./And when justice is gone, there's always force./And when force is gone, there's always Mom. Hi Mom!" Laurie Anderson, "O Superman (For Massenet)"
Edits: 10/07/19
I don't get what you are saying. What is an example of bass impact that isnt in the recording??
Cutting razor sounding violins
I meant what the transducer does. Some phones are tipped-up at the bottom.
"'Cause when love is gone, there's always justice./And when justice is gone, there's always force./And when force is gone, there's always Mom. Hi Mom!" Laurie Anderson, "O Superman (For Massenet)"
So, which electrostatic headphone system do you recommend. I own Koss ESP/950 headphones and I'd like to know what you own.
Thanks!
John Elison
That said, I also own the Koss electrostats. The best upgrade for the Koss is to play them through a Stax headphone amp...it definetely opens up the sound.
Between my old antiquated SR-404s and my Koss, I actually prefer the Stax. They are more open, with more detail. That said, both sound much better with an after-market tube headphone amp (I use a McAllister headphone amp).
You can currently get a Stax SR-507 for a good price, I haven't heard these, but some say they aren't as good as the old SR-404 or the current SR-L500 but I haven't heard the SR-L500 or SR-507 myself. The SR-L700 are supposed to be much better but they are a lot more money.
If you want to talk the SR-007 or the SR-009, that is another matter completely. My suggestion is just try a second hand Stax, maybe a SR-407 or similar, with a Stax amp, and if its your liking, you can upgrade headphone or amp one at a time..
Grant
RAAL TRUE RIBBON HEADPHONES !
Intriguing. Have you heard them? I wonder about diaphragm weight. A comparison against various electrostatic headphones (just not Stax) would be in order.
Thanks for the link. Much appreciated.
"'Cause when love is gone, there's always justice./And when justice is gone, there's always force./And when force is gone, there's always Mom. Hi Mom!" Laurie Anderson, "O Superman (For Massenet)"
Grant -
Very, very true. Nothing in my experience beats stats. That said, it's a pretty closed ecosystem. Not a lot of amplification choices, and the two primary players are Stax & Koss. Both situations are slowly changing. The equipment does keep its value.
I do want to try the Koss, using an adaptor cable & my SRM-1/Mk2.
I prefer the 507s, although I'd be intererested in listening to the L-700s. The opinion of some on Head-case.org is that the 507s are awful, the worst compared to others in the product line, that even the intro-line 207s are better. I won't engage in defending my personal preference. I respect one specific person's other opinions on that board, and pissing contests are not for me. This is a hobby, not religion, politics, nor soccer.
For me, Bass definition is better in the 507s compared to the 207s. Drums sound more saturated. Presentation may also be a bit quicker. The 507s have a thinner diaphragm, which means less mass to move. Ergonomically, they fit my head more comfortably. The pads are leather, and the cable is detachable. The cable itself & the plug are quite durable.
"'Cause when love is gone, there's always justice./And when justice is gone, there's always force./And when force is gone, there's always Mom. Hi Mom!" Laurie Anderson, "O Superman (For Massenet)"
Thanks for the info! I know that Stax are the best; I just wish I could find a reputable discount seller. Apparently, Stax has excellent control over price. ;-)
Best regards,
John Elison
I don't know about US pricing, but here in Toronto they are still selling the now discontinued SR-507s for a lot less...about 800 CDN$ they were originally more like 1100-1200. Some say the SR-507s aren't Stax's best effort, I haven't heard them myself.
I own the Koss, but I have only used the Koss amp once or twice; they sound much better with the Stax 006t amp.
cheers
Grant
Grant -
When were the 507s discontinued? I wonder whether the Lambda series is intended to take over for the upper end of the x07 series earspeakers.
I'd like to try the L-700 & the SR-007. For amplification, the SRM-353X is attractive & barely affordable. As I mentioned to John, the ESP/950 would be neat to try. I believe the diaphragm is larger than on the Stax offerings, but I have no idea re diaphragm thickness. I think that is key.
"'Cause when love is gone, there's always justice./And when justice is gone, there's always force./And when force is gone, there's always Mom. Hi Mom!" Laurie Anderson, "O Superman (For Massenet)"
John -
How do you like the Koss stats? There are adaptor cables to enable ESPs to be used with a Pro Bias Stax energizer. The bias voltage of the Koss box is 600V, while Stax Pro Bias is 580V, so compatibility is not an issue. My understanding is that the Koss energizer is the weak point. The 950s are on my list to try.
"'Cause when love is gone, there's always justice./And when justice is gone, there's always force./And when force is gone, there's always Mom. Hi Mom!" Laurie Anderson, "O Superman (For Massenet)"
The Koss ESP/950 headphones sound pretty nice. I would think they are probably not as good as Stax, though. Unfortunately, Stax are a bit expensive for me. I like FiiO earbud headphones as well as any I've tried recently. They also block outside noise significantly because they fit into the ear canal.
I owned a pair of Stax Lambda Pros many years ago and I really liked them. When Grado came out with his first headphones, the HP-1, they bested my Stax so I gave the Stax to my son. He ruined them after a while.
I'd love to own another pair of Stax, but I just don't want to spend the money and I don't want to buy a used pair. If I could ever find a discount on a new pair I might try Stax again.
Best regards,
John Elison
John -
I use a Stax SRM-1/Mk2 energizer & Stax SR-507 earspeakers. I also have 207s, but I prefer the bass definition of the 507s. I'm not done with the shootout between the two, but the 507s seem to be the winner. The build quality & comfort are much better on the 507s. The leather pads on the latter make a big difference.
I have an exceedingly poor room, so cans are a necessity. I'm also a detail junkie, so the Stax really do it for me, especially coupled with SACDs. I honestly never knew what "soundstage" meant until I used head stats.
"'Cause when love is gone, there's always justice./And when justice is gone, there's always force./And when force is gone, there's always Mom. Hi Mom!" Laurie Anderson, "O Superman (For Massenet)"
I am sorry to learn of your hearing difficulties. What you ask is a hard question to answer. What you hear, of course, is not only subject to the headphone itself but also the source driving it.
I do not know much about the headphone output on either Leben or Macintosh amps. However even some quite prestigious brands still implement headphone output by attenuating the main output drive. This can result in odd impedance characteristics , at least for driving practical headphones.
If you are now to be dedicated to headphone listening only then ( subject to the Leben and Macintosh performance) I would consider a dedicated headphone amp along with the headphones. I have two friends also dealing with recent hearing difficulties and one has now totally abandoned loudspeaker listening together with his Spectral amplification and uses electrostatic 'phones with their dedicated electronics as well as dynamic types again with a dedicated headphone amp.
Incidentally, considering your condition, I use what is basically a piece of studio gear for headphone listening, an SPL Phonitor 2 headphone amp. This incorporates a very sophisticated crossfeed system with the ability to manipulate the soundstage ( locations) which may possibly be of interest to you.
In regard to your main question, what you should be looking for in headphones is going to largely depend upon budget and taste in music. Prices these days can range from a few dollars to $55K ( the Sennheiser Orpheus).
If your interest is in classical rather than rock music IMO the choice is more limited as many headphones have a deliberately engineered "smile" response which exaggerates bass and treble that apparently being the preference of many rock/pop fans. It is not so acceptable for classical music. However I am leaping ahead here being unaware of your musical tastes.
The last few years have shown some advances in headphone engineering and there are a number of new technologies on the horizon. Much research has been undertaken ( for example by Harman) into the preferred ear transfer characteristics of headphones compared to speakers and the result is not a flat response as that doesn't actually sound flat! So looking at response graphs can mislead.
If you can give some idea of music preference and budget then I am sure that inmates here may have some recommendations
"We need less, but better" - Dieter Rams
PAR: I have heard of the SPL Phonitor 2; it looks cool. I have an old Head-fi headphone amp that has the same type of crossfeed feature. For the moment I listen to vinyl and analog FM (rock, blues, jazz, and some classical). I would like to keep my budget within the $1K range (and that will include my Christmas and Birthday presents).
rjan: my "actual" hearing is still very good; no problems with my eardrums, just the insides of my head. ;)
FenderLover: Thank you for the suggestion. I will look at the Sennheisers.
Randy
I think the first thing for you to think about and in order to eliminate some contenders is whether your circumstances are such that you prefer closed back or open back 'phones.
Closed back provide the best isolation fro the surroundings (and it from you) but are often held to sound less clear and open or even natural than open 'phones. However I have heard some great closed back 'phones so I am not that biased. However the majority of best regarded cans from a hifi standpoint currently are open backed ( though not exclusively).
If you want to keep under $1K then I would continue using your existing main amplifier headphone outputs. However do take account of your amp headphone connection's tech specs in relation to the impedance and sensitivity of the headphones you are considering.
Unfortunately an SPL Phonitor 2 plus suitable headphones would easily exceed your budget. BTW the SPL crossfeed is very sophisticated compared to the Head-Fi implementation (I used to have one too), allowing adjustment of crossfeed level, centre positioning and angle. It is subtle (SPL point out in the manual that it is not an "effect") but is really convincing once you become accustomed to it.
If I were you I would be considering Focal Elears (open) or Elegias (closed) or Mr. Speakers Aeon Flow (closed). The former are normal dynamic designs the latter a planar magnetic. Note that planars can sound great but all that I have heard tend to droop in the treble. Great bass though.
So far Sennheiser 600s or 6xx have been mentioned. I have used 600s as my main pair of cans since their introduction 30 or longer years ago. One great thing about Senns is that each part is replaceable so worn earpads, headband etc. are no problem. To me they still sound the best of the 6xx range and I recommend them. However they come with the same connecting wire as 30 years ago. A great improvement is to buy a pair plus a spare connecting wire for the HD650 (all parts in the 6xx range are interchangeable). A small additional cost but worth it. You can also swap the stock cable for the 650 balanced one if you have the facility to use it. I have done so with great satisfaction.
Of course , as with most audio, the proof is in the pudding and this brings me to one difficulty in buying cans. Unless you are very fortunate it is hard to find dealers that will demonstrate ( we have some specialists here in the UK but I haven't seen anything similar in the US though they may exist). So it can be buy and try not try and buy which I would not like if I was spending a grand. If you can get along to an audio show or to a CanJam then you will at least have a chance to get an idea of what is out there and where your preferences lie.
I hope this is of some help.
"We need less, but better" - Dieter Rams
FWIW the matrix option on the Hafler HA-75 is EXCELLENT if you want a more speaker like image.
Cutting razor sounding violins
Many thanks for the good advice.
Yes, source is important as well. There is nice RME ADI-2 DAC with remote available which beside reference audio quality has digital parametric equalizers separate for each channel, so this feature can help if somebody ears start to go south.
It forms nice combo with Sennheiser 600 (or any other dynamic headphone)
Then, I'd go for the HD600.
I have the Audio-Technica AD 2000X open back phones. I really like these. Lightweight. Very efficient. Neutral sound.
Which is a special issue of the HD650 made for MassDrop at $220.
Cheap!
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