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Ohm owners: What headphones do you use?

I am a couple of years out from a downsize that may prevent me from running my much loved Ohm 2000s at a, um, satisfying volume. So, the search for a good pair of cans has begun. I currently have a pair of cheap and cheerful Grado SR60s. They are fine for occasional usage, but not as a main listening headphone.

 

My requirements are:

Over the Ear design only

Open back only

Comfortable for long listening sessions

Nothing that will make my ears sweat

Excellent durability 

Priced under $1200.00

Initially, I intend to use the non balanced headphone output on my McIntosh C220 preamp.

Based on research on the web, my three favorites, pending an audition, are:

Grado Statement GS1000x

Mezze Audio 109Pro

iBasso SR3

 

I am asking this of Ohm owners, because I want to get as close to the Ohm Walsh sound as possible. No fatigue, great detail, wide soundstage, excellent bass extension, good imaging, and the great tactile feel of instruments both human and man-made.

 

Thanks in advance for any comments on the cans listed or any others you think will get me as close as possible to the sound I love.

bondmanp
soix
9,665 posts
 

Although I can’t say if they sound like Ohm speakers, I think these Hifiman Organic ‘phones tick all the boxes you listed and are fairly easy to drive so should be ok initially with your preamp’s headphone output.  Here’s a review that does a nice job describing their sound characteristics, and as they’re available through Amazon you can likely easily return them if they don’t work out.  Just another potential option, and best of luck.

https://soundnews.net/reviews/headphones/hifiman-arya-organic-review-comparison/

https://www.amazon.com/HIFIMAN-Arya-Organic-Full-Size-Audiophiles/dp/B0C5RFXMM5

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,341 posts
 

Hey @bondmanp hope all is well.

I have Sennheiser, Grado, Sony, Audio Technica, and Truth Ear IEMs which are inexpensive and awesome.

I’d say Sennheiser is closest to Ohm Sound. I have original Momentums. They are also very comfortable.

Having said that , I use convolution filters in Roon DSP with them all. They tend to sound more similar than different that way and similar in all those good ways to the Ohms. With this approach, most any good quality headphones might fit the bill.

ghdprentice
7,139 posts
 

My partner had a Walsh system. Not my cup of tea… however, it gives me the experience to try and help.

 

I’m thinking Grado are the only ones that I have heard that strike me as laid back as the Walsh. Probably close to the level you already have, as they get more detailed and impactful as you go up the tiers. I have Focal, Sennheiser, Denon, AKG, UltraSonde, Grado… and several more.

 

 

bondmanp OP
1,820 posts
 

@soix Thanks.  I will add the Hifiman Arya Organic to my audition list

@mapman Thanks.  The 8xx series Senn's are a stretch, price wise.  But I should audition the best of the 6xx series.  Talk about durability: My first headphones were a pair of Sennheiser 424x, they lasted 29 years before a driver failed.

@ghdprentice Interesting.  I have felt that the humble SR60s do have similar voicing to my Ohm Walsh 2000s.  I really need to hear the GS1000x

 

The idea of saving a few hundred bucks by looking at the Meze, the iBasso, and the Sennheiser 6xx series does have some appeal to me, though.

mlsstl
1,440 posts
 

I have Ohm 1000s and have been very pleased with my Hifiman Sundara phones. They are planar design and available in both open and closed-back versions, and the price is reasonable. Hifiman also has higher-end planar models if you want to get fancier.

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