Nice headphones at a nice price
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Color: Midnight blue
Transducer principle: Open, dynamic
Frequency response: 10 Hz – 41 kHz
THD: < 0.05%
Nominal impedance: 300 ohm
Cable length: 6 ft (1.8 m)
Connector: ⅛ in (3.5 mm)
Weight without cable: 9.2 oz (260 g)
Made in Ireland
⅛–¼ in (3.5–6.35 mm) adapter
2-year manufacturer’s warranty
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I would argue that it’s rampant consumerism and misinformation that is the problem, not the whole concept of “audiophile” itself. I get what you mean tho, the fact that the hobby is based around critique can really dampen your music enjoyment. I don’t think it’s black and white, you can be a reasonable audiophile. I consider myself one - I’m extremely deep in the hobby but also use $30 headphones 80% of the time and only use Spotify… it’s just about balance and not letting yourself get swept away in the next new shiny thing. It’s about supplementing your experience, not BEING the experience.
Yep agree
Yeah, it gets to a certain point where it's no longer just about enjoying the music. Sometimes it's also a dick measuring competition.
Yep social media toxicity is a big factor in any enthusiast group. I don't follow any for this reason. Most ppl are cool, but 90% of the ones commenting are not.
Yeah you gotta know when you have been pulled down the hole too deep and get back to basics. These are supposed to be things that give us joy to listen to the music we love, instead they have become scientific instruments of measurement. There is always another horizon to cross and reach audio Nirvana it never ends.. no matter what you have some (profanity) will talk about how it lacks something, I just enjoy what I have and don't care "audiophiles" think.
HD 6XX aren't true audiophile fare, they are just good quality headphones
HD 6XX aren't true audiophile fare
That’s debatable. HD6XX/650 and HD600 are beloved by plenty of audiophiles.
That's not even debatable is just wrong. The HD6XX is definitely an audiophile headphone. Is the best? Nope. But it is one.
"oh but the HD800S and bla bla bla" that's what the person in the first comment is talking about. 99% of the people would never chose a HD800S over a HD6XX because the law of diminishing returns hits waaaaaaaay to hard on the one. Not to mention the price itself.
I don't care how many years you've trained your ears and how much money you've spent on amps/DACs/balanced cables/Tidal and whatnot. There's no way anyone can sanely justify the price difference between them. The HD800s and the likes are not 10+ times better. Not even remotely close to that.
Do they have their place? Sure. People can choose to spend their money as their wish and so companies will make products to fulfill that need and charge accordingly. But this gives no reason to discount the amazing products at the other end of the price scale.
@educalifa: Of course they are up to audiophile headphone standards. The detail, clarity, nice mids, instrument separation are things to look for vs cheapo headphones. $300-500 gets you fantastic sound, there is no need to spend more. Audiophiles may choose to but it's up to them what they want to spend their money on and chasing perfection (albeit for very/marginal gains).
Anyway @Pacify, I'm not stopping you getting some AUDEZE LCD's for $1700-7600, do it!
@educalifa: I was trying to be diplomatic, but you've typed out almost exactly what I was thinking :)
@skittlebrau: Why even bother being diplomatic- Pacify was just being some sort of blatant gatekeeping snob.
@rumblytangara: Lmao, totally misunderstanding my comment. HD 6XX are only real headphones I own.
Audiophile fare is usually wanky, overpriced stuff that 99% of people aren't actually going to be able to hear the difference for.
These are just really good headphones aimed at general consumer base, not the tiny audiophile hobby group. Which is why they are so good, and almost impossible to go wrong with unless open back is an issue
Audiophile fare is usually wanky, overpriced stuff that 99% of people aren't actually going to be able to hear the difference for.
Then you have an understanding of the word "audiophile" which matches nobody else.
@educalifa: My argument was that audiophile stuff is usually niche and overpriced, while the HD6xx in specific is aimed at more a general user base. They aren't just for audiophiles, they are for anyone that just want a really good sounding and comfortable pair of headphones.
I've had mine for years, and they are fantastic.
HD 6XX aren't true audiophile fare, they are just good quality headphones
This is some dumbass edgelord comment right here.
Of course they are. They are probably the most commonly owned audiophile headphone in the world.
This is just elitist nonsense. Are they headphones? Yes. The end.
Lol. Don't listen to this guy
Why?
They are probably the best ~$300 headphones you can buy, and you don't have to be an "audiophile" to enjoy them
Sounds like more to do with general consumerism and shopping to me. What headphones have you currently got? There is nothing excessive about a $300 pair of quality headphones and a single DAC and headphones amp. Can easily get a bundle for under and grand and it would do you for life. You don't even need multiple or more expensive pairs with something like these.
I think you'd be best staying away from audiophile forums more the point - a lot of those guys are anal retentive and will never be happy, splitting hairs in search of audiophile nirvana.
PS. Good price, I got hit up with tax and delivery when I got mine.
Even a DAC is not exactly necessary here… if you can get one, sure. Go ahead. But I doubt many would actually notice enough difference between the same headphones with a good amp (not even an expensive one, just a good $100usd one) if they added a DAC to even care.
Yeah, they shouldn't be buy $300 'cans' either then if they can't hear a difference or willing to drive them properly. Eg if they are playing MP3s from phone then there is no point.
You can treat this as a hobby - a proper set of headphones first will make the most difference (compared to anything cheaper you are used to), then can improve the other parts of the audio chain over time & as you wish. No rules mate!
Honestly..
Headphones hit a point where..once you buy a good set of 300 dollar cans like these,there isn't a LOT better you can get withouth havin to go full bonkers with some Focals and an AMP,and DAC and all that shit
ditto
The problem with the 6XX is that you can't really buy these without having at least a headphone amp. DAC is of course a good idea as well. The Sennheiser HD560S on the other hand runs really well without an amp. I have both and personally I actually prefer the 560S in most cases.
Yeah, there are extremists in all communities. Have you thought about leaving the motorist community because of some guy talking about crazy car mods? Or, maybe, leaving the PC community because of some deals on overpriced ITX components?
Like any community, it's your choice how deep you want to go into it. HD6XX plus a modest amp is pretty much a one and done combo that will last pretty much forever of you don't want to go deeper. It's at a pretty good point in terms of features/diminishing returns.
I will add from my side as being someone with super detailed musical hearing (and musical education too), there's very little benefit going beyond "comfortable" zone
a good pair of wireless cans that can also do decent noise cancelling and you could take anywhere is where anyone can stop. once you get into the open back territory and everything that requires an amp, quiet room, special cable etcetera you are spending $$$ for minimal improvement
yes I can hear the difference, and yes some of those headphones I had will blow wireless closed back out of the water, but seriously, will it stop me from enjoying my music? it won't. I just want great sound I can take anywhere. I don't care if there is some setup that will let me hear more - but I can't take it with me on a work trip
so I totally agree there: everyone should stop at where they feel benefit for buck spent starts declining, and things become too involved for your liking.
Agree to some extent, but one pair of headphones isn't the best choice in all situations so it's acceptable and good to have more than one pair.
Bluetooth with ANC are a no brainer for portables, travel and listening in noisy environments. I would definitely recommend open back wired headphones for home listening, where you can appreciate the extra detail and sound quality. Improving your source files (bitrate to lossless and or hires) is a good starting point, and the choice in headphones will dictate use of an amp. If you're using your PC as source then it's a no brainer to add a DAC as onboard sound isn't anything good, as well as introduced noise etc.
Like i said, you don't need to spend a fortune, you can even get good cheap USB C->3.5mm DAC cables from AliExpress.
yep been down that path. I have a lossless library I started collecting about 16y ago
have an amp, had a good pair of cans. but I also have kids, so it's easier to enjoy music on the go as opposed to at home. but even when I lived alone it was a bit of a chore to sit down and listen to music with intent. yes I could hear more, but I hardly found it more enjoyable than going out and about with a decent wireless setup (Aptx HD etc) as music is for life, you know, not for listening in vacuum.
but that's my 5c, other people may have other preference.
the main point still stands, everyone should stop when benefit per buck spent starts flatlining. honestly I have a few "audiophile" friends who dump loads of money on equipment they can't even distinguish between, just throw around some lingo they picked up on forums and pretend it makes them happy (which it doesn't, they still go to stores and try things on) when really something basic with high impedance and half decent amp is all they will ever need.
@shabaka: Yeah that's fair mate, still got all my FLAC ripped CDs from the late 2000's all tagged properly etc - still nice to have on hand.
Streaming has come a long way since then anyway and so has bluetooth headphones.
Good not to dig to much into that either - my XM5 and Android phone plays well together with DLAC, but apple and aptX still isn't truly lossless on most equipment, but again for portables doesn't really matter (Darko has been doing a few videos on all that).
Agree with you - it's definitely marginal returns, like anything else! so it just depends what you want to spend your hard earned on. Personally I've got pretty good bang for buck gear and haven't found myself pressured to upgrade for a long time and it does the job nicely. When I WFH at the desk and some light gaming finds me sitting at the desk. Pretty versatile setup and lasts for years.
Desktop: PC - iFi Zen Dac - 4.4 balanced - THX AAA 789 - headphones; can also steam to
Volumio - RPi4 - RME Adi2 FS - Yamaha HS80M monitors.
Very simple, versatile and affordable setup without going bonkers. Wasn't happy with the non-gapless using a Chomecast Audio, and the Pi was a good projcet with great results for cheap. Even better now with Tidal Connect and Volumio can now cast FLAC hi-res so it all works very well.
I also cast to Rpi4 - DAC -
@shabaka: My experience at home is if I put my HD6xx's on during the day, within 30secs someone will want to talk to me. It's so annyoing!
I generally wear them in bed, or when everyone else is in bed, or I just put music onto the stereo. And I don't even bother with noise cancelling. For some reason I just get angry when the song is getting good and then someone is looking at me, opening their mouth but I can't hear a thing So I have to completely take them off. It's just not worth it.
Perfect for the bus though.
@Sxio: "My experience at home is if I put my HD6xx's on during the day, within 30secs someone will want to talk to me." Or your phone/doorbell will ring haha
Jokes aside, I have a tiny amp I use to power them when doing housework and that's been an amazing thing. I usually dread doing house chores but knowing I'll get to use them and listen to good music makes it all the more bearable. I also use them in the garage when I'm tinkering on my bikes.
I have a XM4 I could use for those tasks as well but I prefer the HD6XX. They're also really good if you have kids (I don't) as they won't fully isolate you from what's happening around you.
I still like the XM4s though especially on a plane! And since my PC set has died on me I have found myself using them when I need to concentrate on something.
Wearing ANC headphones at home is uncomfortable, impractical and anti-social.
If you like music and headphones you absolutely should have open-back headphones for use at home and the 6XX is a perfect candidate for something that is good enough to not have to upgrade ever but also not cost too much.
it's very practical when you WFH
Or you could just get above pair of these, a $20 dongle and enjoy flac lossless from your mobile anywhere you go.
You get to decide where to stop. Yes you can spend 10 grand on a system, or you can spend less than $500 and still really, really enjoy your tunes.
I have the HD6xx's. Have also owned several AKG's and Sony's but sold them all. I have 2 dongle's in case I lose one. One was $100. One was $18 on alibaba.
I also have the Momentum 3 for public transport
And a topping e30ii and Audioengine 5s on my computer.
I love them all, I appreciate them so much and I didn't even spend $1500 grand for 3 distinct setups.
I thought the momentums would end my obsession with the hd6xx's but they are so comfortable and it's such a nice, easy sound, I listen to them almost everyday. Usually in bed for about 15mins before I go to sleep. No regrets!
I got this adapter for under $10 a while ago, leave it at work and use with phone if i want wired headphones (Yuin PK1 buds).
https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005003255834940.html
May take in the HD6xx to test sometime, no doubt the phone vol would have to be cranked pretty high up, but may sound alright (not as good as my PC setup though, I can guarantee that).
Don't always feel like using XM5 and ANC at work, but good when you want to block out all the talking.
Yuin PK1's wow. Had a pair like 15 years ago and absoloutely loved them.
I dunno man, high end audio these days is accessible to the mainstream, where as 10 years ago you had to pay 2-3x more to get the same sound.
That reddit list is full of Chi-Fi garbage and head-fi and reddit are poison. Its just other peoples opinions waving their wallets and e-penises in your face about how much something better sounds or costs….then next week they have a new favourite headphone.
The hobby isn't for everyone and you can go down the rabbit hole and I agree its crap. To me, higher end headphones are like OLED TV's they display the same content as a normal TV, and most people can't tell the difference, then there are people who get a massive amount of enjoyment out of a fantastic image. Same is with music.
My journey stopped when I spent up on Focal Clear and Focal Arche and its sounds perfect to my ears that I'll never need another set of headphones unless these break.
Other people might buy these and spend $100 on a topping amp and be happy for life, because just 10 - 15 years ago to get the same sound would have cost $1000's
Exactly.. people spend thousands on the latest tv or GPU and don't get scrutinised.. ridiculous if it sets people off by spending $300 on some great headphones and the same again on a topping amp/DAC.
Amazing the amount of people that go nuts about 4k picture (and spend a heap on gaming for good fps) but don't care about quality sound to match. Some people just don't like music either.
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From my own experience, being late to the audiophile territory, what I learned is that to enjoy the journey, you have to pace yourself and start with budget equipment even if you can afford the mid to high end stuff. I rushed into mid-tier too fast and had to take a long pause, to get back to enjoying the music, not the equipment. HDD 6 series is not a bad way to get into the space, then pick an amp that cost the same ballpark (could be a hybrid tube amp). Then just enjoy the music from the pairing.
I've found that you dont choose "audiophilia" (think i just made up a word) - it chooses you. And further and further down the rabbit hole you go. I spent a small, well not even small, big fortune on all kinds of headphones up to around $500, until last year finally plunging for a higher-end in Focal Clears and realising, I just had to buy this one set and be done with it, but who was to tell? As I said, it chooses you and before you know it you've spent far more than you'd ever planned or wanted to in the beginning.
I don’t really understand why people suggest using an amplifier with these headphones when I can drive them just fine with my mobile devices and PC at 60% loudness. People must be using their headphones turned up really loud…
Besides, an amplifier theoretically shouldn’t improve audio quality, all it does is boost the signal. It doesn’t and shouldn’t process or enhance the signal in any way.
Basically, the audiophile community is occasionally a bit ‘snake oil’ to me.
that's what i've gotten the gist of when i somewhat did a bit of searching on audiophile stuff, majority of it is snake oil. especially the extremely higher price tag stuff, it's literally just gouging those poor souls who think they're getting "the best" audio experience. But hey if they want to waste money on some pair of "elite" cans assembled in some by a wagie in some factory so be it.
It's arguably not a waste in the sense that they genuinely do believe that the expensive equipment sounds better. Whether or not that's actually true is irrelevant; there's some kind of value that's gained just by having something that sounds better to you. We all occasionally spend money to get peace of mind or to make ourselves feel better mentally.
It's not as egregious of an example as, say, spending $100 on a premium HDMI cable because our ears are easier to "trick" with this sort of stuff.
Where we get a problem is when people start asserting these beliefs as objective truth.
I don’t really understand why people suggest using an amplifier with these headphones
either:
1. they saw someone else recommend one (see 2. and 3.),
2. it's audiophile elitism, or
3. some salesperson is trying to upsell someone on a $$$ amp.
The average consumer wouldn't even be able to tell the difference sound-wise between this and a pair of DT 990s or Sundaras or something like that. So how many of those are going to be able to tell the difference between the same headphones where one amp is slightly more powerful than the other?
Unfortunately a very large proportion of audiophile discourse is placebo. People will make claims along the lines of "this setup sounds better than this other setup" without anything to back it up with. And they get away with it because it's really hard to call it out. That's because they genuinely do believe the claims they make (our brains are really good at tricking us sometimes) and disproving the objectivity of the claim requires a level of scientific rigour that's inaccessible even to most knowledgable people.
The two biggest considerations most people should make when buying an amp are loudness (power delivery) and feature set (e.g. balanced connections, I/O, gain modes).
It's recommended for a reason and they'll sound full of life how they are intended with an amp. Check the ohms, they aren't the easiest to drive. If you want to use without an amp get some 32 ohm headphones.
There are no shortage of good 'cheap' amps and DAC to complete your home or desktop listening setup, especially with all the chi-fi offerings - doesn't mean you have to spend a fortune.
Just Google, do the 6xx require an amp and there will be no shortage of recommendations. The non-believers and flat earthers should stick to Bluetooth. Also no everyone has good ears or would know what good sound is, or care.
they'll sound full of life how they are intended with an amp
This is exactly what I'm talking about. Unquantifiable and unbacked claims, presented as objective truth.
Please explain what it means for an audio signal to sound "full of life".
Check the ohms, they aren't the easiest to drive. If you want to use without an amp get some 32 ohm headphones.
People severely underestimate the capabilities of modern integrated amplifiers. You can push way more than 32 ohms without a dedicated amp.
I've driven 250-ohm DT 990 Pros to sufficient loudness straight from my phone or motherboard audio, with no discernable difference in sound quality when compared to my dedicated amp.
There are no shortage of good 'cheap' amps and DAC to complete your home or desktop listening setup, especially with all the chi-fi offerings - doesn't mean you have to spend a fortune.
That's true, but it also doesn't mean we need to be urging people to buy $100+ amps straight off the bat when they're likely not going to be making a significant difference.
Just Google, do the 6xx require an amp and there will be no shortage of recommendations.
You can find lots of opinions online. Doesn't mean they're true, even if a lot of people think so.
The non-believers and flat earthers should stick to Bluetooth
Again, this is exactly what I'm talking about. Classic audiophile elitism.
Most people would not be able to ABX wired audio vs BT with a decent codec like Spotify or Apple Music.
Also no everyone has good ears or would know what good sound is, or care.
…which is why we should be more careful when recommending audio equipment to people, instead of saying "oh you absolutely need an amp for this, just check Google".
@PKBeam: It's good that some people can't hear a difference, saves you spending anything less than the bare minimum. Doesn't mean no one else can hear any difference :). It's fairly obvious when you add components over time and each time the sound is a bit better. Telling people who have an amp/dac that their sound isn't any good when you don't have one yourself is silly.
Anecdotal reply to match lol. Wasn't getting into the science and technicalities nor saying you have to spend much but I suppose you completely missed the point. My gear selection is at the lower end of the audio snob world if you had any clue at all. it's like you are against good sound or something, weird.
Doesn't mean no one else can hear any difference :)
That's not being disputed. But if there exists a sizeable group of people who can't hear a difference, maybe we shouldn't be so quick to tell them to go out and buy an amp before they've even had a chance to try the headphones without one. As per the original point that was made.
It's fairly obvious when you add components over time and each time the sound is a bit better
It's actually not obvious at all. That's something you need to argue properly instead of expecting us to take it for granted.
Anecdotal reply to match lol
The difference is that I made it clear that this was a subjective experience and I was not asserting that there was no sound quality difference at all - only that I personally could not discern it. Anecdotes don't prove points but they can be used to illustrate an example of an argument.
Wasn't getting into the science and technicalities
And this is the crux of the problem. People asserting claims that require science to prove while simultaneously refusing to "get into the technicalities".
When people make subtle and hard-to-verify claims about things that we hear, they actually do need to get into the science if they want everyone to take their point seriously. Especially since humans are very prone to mental biases and aural illusions.
You're free to forego the science, but that also means people are just as free to dismiss your arguments as unverified.
it's like you are against good sound or something, weird.
I'm against people enforcing their personal definitions of good sound upon others without proper backing.
But if one refuses to acknowledge that their own definition of "good sound" and achievement thereof requires sufficient proof to be credible… then yes, to that person I am most definitely against "good sound".
And lastly…
Telling people who have an amp/dac that their sound isn't any good when you don't have one yourself is silly.
My gear selection is at the lower end of the audio snob world if you had any clue at all
Neither of us knows what audio gear the other has. For all I know you could be using $10 earbuds or an HD 800S. And for all you know I could've been using AirPods all my life, or maybe I've actually got $600 headphones on right now plugged into an equally expensive DAC/amp setup. Who's to say?
That's why I didn't make any assumptions on what you own. So please do me the same courtesy.
@PKBeam: over it buddy, just get what works.
I've already got these so not worried anyway.
fkn arguing about nothing really.
I listed my gear above somewhere.
@PKBeam: I do and I have. It's all subjective to some degree, I can agree on that.
Advice and recommendations is wasted on most people, so won't bother.
Just don't go around telling everyone you don't need this and that if you are buying these headphones.
Neither of us knows what audio gear the other has
Take it easy.. I already mentioned some of my gear above. Also have some dt250 and dt1990.
Desktop: PC - iFi Zen Dac - 4.4 balanced - THX AAA 789 - headphones; can also steam to
Volumio - RPi4 - RME Adi2 FS - Yamaha HS80M monitors & hs8s sub.
Anyway I'm 60% about the music, 40% about the gear. Good not to be obsessive like the pent up audiophiles squabbling online :).
The need for an amplifer is because most device consumer device are designed to drive low impedance device at "line output level" ie the level that a cd player sends to an amplifer.
Many high end headphones have a high impeadance. It won't stop your headphones from working, but only an amplifier can drive the higher impedance and deliver maximum power into them across audible frequency efficiently. Generally this will be heard as a dampened sound profile, the device will try it's hardest to move the speaker cone, but it just won't be able to move the cone, let alone respond quickly enough to the sound with only a fraction of the power being delivered.
Worse case is that speakers or headphone won't be as loud as expected ( much worse for bigger speakers and pa systems) driving from a mismatched source will likely make them loud enough for most people, but at the cost of distortion.
whether you personally can hear this is a different question! :)
That's not how electronics work. As long as there is enough power being provided, the speaker cones will generate the same amplitude or loudness.
As long as you can reach your desired volume without an amplifier, you are providing enough power to the system and operating the headphone cones in the same way. If there isn’t enough power being supplied to move the speaker cones, then there won’t be sound, period. Distortion occurs when there is too much power being supplied to the system and the cones ‘bottom out’ from being pushed too far and if you can achieve this without an amplifier, it means you don’t need one anyway.
In the more extreme case where your source, even when cranked to the maximum volume, is very quiet when plugged into a speaker system and you need to turn the volume on the speakers to maximum - this is when you will experience degradation in sound since the signal-to-noise ratio will be lower and static/imperfections in the source will be greatly amplified along with the sound. However, this is not the same in our case since this headphone is only passively powered and does not amplify the signal itself.
After the headphones, the best thing to do is improve your source (music files and signal).
Up to you if you want or need an amp after that (for desired volume and more authority/depth).
They do take some power to drive and do sound better with an amp so just leave it at that.
Doesn't have to be a really expensive amp either mate.
This is also not really how electronics work, because circuits don't just have power outputs, they have engineering tolerances, voltage and current stability, expected operational temperatures, capacitance and resistance, and that's just the basic analogue components.
In the face of a complex signal and a headphone with varying sound pressure, current demand, and impedance at a given frequency, that complicates amp requirements.
And that's assuming the amp and the DAC involved are even a clean signal in terms of separation and aliasing of tones.
Delta-sigma DACs dominate the low end, but few reach what good 1-bit and R-2R/multi-bit DACs do, and certainly not under $1000 today in the desktop space.
That's extremely audible via the 6XX, as is the bass performance and treble extension of the headphone if an amp doesn't consistently meet its varied signal requirements, and that doesn't happen on most op-amp designs, and few others step beyond a weakened imaging performance and sloppy bass reproduction.
You'd be stunned by the difference, and would identify it in an A/B comparison.
@jasswolf: To easy im just another nerd on the intenet trying to squeeze the last bit of value out of a b.sci! Haha
I'm not to sure i agree, ac power delivery is more complex then more voltage = more power.
I've built speakers, hand turned transformers and audio chokes so i know a little bit about electronic hopefully!🙂
My point is that to deliver active power into a speaker efficiently you need to do more then throw larger and larger amounts of voltage at it. If your headphones or speakers are rated at 10w, and your audio source can deliver 15w, getting the full 10w will only occur when the sources are matched. (But i think you make a good point, an oversized amplifier or audio source would be able to solve this with more power… but with caveats)
Speakers aren't resisitors, they behave like transformers with inductance, saturation and other significant consideration. Resistors are simple, more voltage more power.
Up to this point this all hypothetical, unless we know the audio source and speakers its not possible to make any practical recommendations!
I'm not trying to suggest that you neeed an amplifer, heck my ad900 sound pretty good connected to anything!
Name checks out, could be better advice, knowledge ha. Just say you don't want an amp instead of all that
Sound quality discussion aside, I can confirm that these are super comfortable to wear all day long.
I have a pair of Bayerdynamic DT 770 Pro as well and these Sennheiser ones are more comfortable
That's funny I find the beyerdydamic better, and prefer the single sided cable (have had the dt990, dt880 and now dt1990). Depends how big ya head is, mine isn't big but find the Sennheiser clamping pressure a bit much. Have bent the headphones band a bit, it's fine but wouldn't wear them all day. My Sony xm5 are very comfortable.
I had the complete opposite experience and found them very tight and uncomfortable. I have a fairly large head though..
You can fully extend the metal arms, then spend 10 seonds bending them out. Then they become comfortable.
negative, I even had them bent over books for months.
@drprox: Same, can only bend so far before I'd be worried about the plastic breaking but I've heard of people stretching overnight on stuff.
@drprox: That's because bending them with a stack of books is exactly the wrong way to try doing it.
That just places all the force on the plastic headband. Plastic won't give like that, all you will do is snap the headband if you push it too far. Oh, and if you're doing it for months, then you are also destroying your earpads.
You want to isolate the force purely to the metal sliders. Metal can be safely and permanently deformed. Which is why you slide them out, then just bend the metal.
This has been common knowledge for… literally over a decade for the 600/650. I think that Tyll Herstens (the grandfather of headphone reviews) published this method.
My head is average size and I still find the clamp force too strong to use for even a short listening session.
I use these for Single Player PC gaming. Love them.
I previously used the ATH-M50x for about 8 years. The open back of these headphones makes the sounds more real.
I've had these for many years and give them a very strong recomendation. The cable and pads need replacing now though, and oh my are they a bit expensive to replace for what they are. Almost feels like a better idea just to replace them :|
Last I checked, the replacement cables from the official source were ~US20, the pads were maybe ~50. But there are good third party pad sources.
Was $179 via the Halloween code raffles, then $179 marked price a week later.
It should be $179 again via some mechanism next week.
Would you recommend these? I do have the focal elegia closed backs and the ifi zen air dac. Wouldn't mind a pair of open backs to finish off my headphone journey.
Was originally thinking the sundara but these are a better price and have great reviews. ld need to check if the zen dac can power these well enough.
I prefer these over the Sundara for relaxed and critical listening. You won't get further without spending around twice as much (Edition XS, Clear, Ananda Nano).
They're $179USD right now, if you exclude delivery.
same thing i think, delivery ~US$20
Here you go, just saw this on the other thread, good match up for cheaper. Johnny Darko has a vid on it too.
I recently got a set of these and I love them - had Byerdynamic DTs before and these are more comfy and I loveeee the mids. Not the best out there, but super comfortable and easy to listen to, not fatiguing at all. Highly recommended.
True, I got both and growing to love these.
Would probably use the dt1990 for trance but these are a great all rounder too and more laid back.
Bit dirty Drop charged 'tax' back when I ordered, hard to get an answer from them (but seems not when I did a mock order).
This seems to fluctuate between $179 and $199 (excluding delivery) - on the 21st it was $199, on the 22nd it was $179, and on the 23rd (today) it's $199…
The normal price 199 plus shipping (and I got stung for tax too), but as you say they go on sale $20 cheaper sometimes.
After seeing a reddit thread about all the crazy single's day deals I've decided to leave the audiophile community and not buy anymore headphones. In my opinion it's a waste of money especially the further down the audiophile rabbit hole you go. I don't wanna be the guy caring about balanced gold plated cables, electrical interference, texture, "as the artist intended", overanalysing music, etc. I wish I never joined this community tbh and now I can't listen to music without critiquing everything and gaslighting myself that I can actually hear the difference between some audio products/formats/etc.
All my opinion of course, you guys go ahead and enjoy this nice bargain.