Headphone survey

[Marco]

A pair of Oppo PM3 which are very good, also a pair of Sony WH-1000XM3 Bluetooth phones which I also find very good, and no faff with cables...

...aye, just the faff instead if the Bluetooth fails or the Wi-Fi goes down!

Plus I'm not keen on most modern headphones, certainly nothing less than £300, as I find them all a bit 'tinny'. I like BASS! Or more accurately, an accurate and realistic sounding low-end response from headphones, so dislike the thin (or at the other extreme boomy) treble-forward sound of most modern designs, *in comparison* with the best vintage ones.

Also, I've never understood the 'beef' with cables... Either ensure that your headphone amp (or main amp) is near your seating area [and if it isn't, then you haven't properly thought out your room], or just use an extension cable - and you're not 'tethered' either, if you simply remove the headphones from yer bonce when you need to walk about

Nah, I get why you like cordless cans with Bluetooth, but I'm more old-fashioned that way, in that I prefer being the one in control of things, not the network!

Marco.

[struth]

bluetooth isnt over the network, and most have a cable option. (just for Clarity)

[Marco]

Oh I see lol, shows you how much I know (or care about) these things

You're still relying on a piece of technology to work though, in order to hear music. Nothing to beat the old-fashioned 'hardwired' way for reliability - and it usually sounds better, too!

Marco.

[struth]

Oh I see lol, shows you how much I know (or care about) these things

You're still relying on a piece of technology to work though, in order to hear music. Nothing to beat the old-fashioned 'hardwired' way for reliability - and it usually sounds better, too!

Marco.

well thats why you can plug in a cord to use through the headphone amp too.. also the do require charging when using wirelessly.
Was just giving options as some and especially the nuras, are stunning in comparison to what older ones. Most older folk dont have perfect hearing so these adjust to suit. Not for everyone tho, and you have to get used to the inserts,(which doesnt take long really)

[southall-1998_mk2]

Vintage Koss PRO-4AAAs [Well I bought them yesterday and they're on their way]:





Why? Because I like the 'voicing'/tone of high-quality vintage speakers, and so headphones come into that category! Therefore, I generally prefer how they present music, compared with modern speakers or headphones.

Plus, I've always wanted an original pair of Koss PRO-4AAA, as back in the day they were used in top recording and broadcast studios around the world. For me Koss were the definitive headphone company (the original American one) and their designs had a unique sound, which was always unfailingly musical, and also transparent to the recording, giving voices and instruments a vibrancy and realism that was always very addictive

Grado headphones are a bit like that too, and also possess that 'buttery' mellifluous midrange, but without the visceral low-end punch and attack of the Koss. I guess that I just love how American 'cans' sound.

And, as a diehard 'SPPV' guy, I like owning gear that delivers maximum 'bang for your buck'.

I paid £210 for the above (near-mint condition) examples, which isn't an insignificant amount for a pair of 40 year-old headphones, but I know that with the build quality, design prowess and materials used, it will allow them to compete with many of today's designs, at least up to the £500 mark, and likely well beyond.

Plus, if you like retro [count me in], they look cool!

If I was buying brand new, high-end headphones, but still at a 'sensible price', then I'd go for these Audio Technicas:



Details here: https://www.audio-technica.com/en-gb...ed/ath-ad2000x

A) Because I love the 'airy' and very natural sound of high-quality open-backed headphones, and B) because AT have the experience, technical prowess and wherewithal to design some of the very best headphones on the market, whilst still charging 'sane' prices, and I think that the ATH-AD2000X, on the end of a top-notch headphone amp, would be capable of true greatness!

Marco.

Hello Marco,

Have you tried the more affordable Audio Technica Headphones? If yes, which one?

S.

[Clive197]

It’s OPPO PM1’s for me. Purchased after dealer insisted I have a listen, rest is history. Also a pr of B&W C5’s for mobile, travelling & Gym (not that I’ve being doing any of that for the last 6 months)

[Sherwood]

HifiMan 400i headphones. In general I do not like headphones as I find them uncomfortable. However, a serious health problem meant I was spending more time away from my hifi. I wanted something that sounded similar to my Magneplanar 1.7 speakers, so I went for planar magnetic headphones. The 400i's did not disappoint with their lightning fast transient response, smooth but extended treble, and open and airy sound. However, they were hugely improved when I replaced the standard cable with a 4.4mm balanced cable. Using the balanced output on my modest Ifi Zen DAC, the bass has improved beyond belief, due no doubt to the much higher output of this port.

I noticed that HifiMan have recently launched a high sensitivity version of of this headphone claimed to work well with portable devices.

[User211]

...aye, just the faff instead if the Bluetooth fails or the Wi-Fi goes down!

Plus I'm not keen on most modern headphones, certainly nothing less than £300, as I find them all a bit 'tinny'. I like BASS! Or more accurately, an accurate and realistic sounding low-end response from headphones, so dislike the thin (or at the other extreme boomy) treble-forward sound of most modern designs, *in comparison* with the best vintage ones.

Also, I've never understood the 'beef' with cables... Either ensure that your headphone amp (or main amp) is near your seating area [and if it isn't, then you haven't properly thought out your room], or just use an extension cable - and you're not 'tethered' either, if you simply remove the headphones from yer bonce when you need to walk about

Nah, I get why you like cordless cans with Bluetooth, but I'm more old-fashioned that way, in that I prefer being the one in control of things, not the network!

Marco.

Well, Ali, here's a post from a man who hasn't got a clue how good the Sony's are

[AJSki2fly]

...aye, just the faff instead if the Bluetooth fails or the Wi-Fi goes down!

Plus I'm not keen on most modern headphones, certainly nothing less than £300, as I find them all a bit 'tinny'. I like BASS! Or more accurately, an accurate and realistic sounding low-end response from headphones, so dislike the thin (or at the other extreme boomy) treble-forward sound of most modern designs, *in comparison* with the best vintage ones.

Marco.

Sounds like a bit of audiophile snobbery going on here.

[Ali Tait]

Well, Ali, here's a post from a man who hasn't got a clue how good the Sony's are

Lol aye, the Sonys are great cans. The Oppos have been sitting unused for quite some time tbh. You’d like them Marco, they have very decent bass.