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Best Headphone under 1k$?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07K2LHB1J/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I had enjoyed using SoundMAGIC E11C while out of town for 3 weeks on May.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077XDWT7X/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

But I also got HIFIMAN SUNDARA from Amazon 10 days ago to compare it with SoundMAGIC E11C .


Although I will keep SoundMAGIC E11C for travel, I enjoy the sound from HIFIMAN SUNDARA much better.
It sound open and balanced.
I use Chord Dave to drive it.


Now my question is whether there is any headphone under 1k$ which will sound significantly better than HIFIMAN SUNDARA.
I wish to get transparent and open sound out of it with just enough tight bass.
Of course, if it provides wide and deep soundstage, it will be better.
I do not wish to get bright sound.


Can anyone recommend best headphone under 1K$?
thanks in advance
Thomas
128x128shkong78
shkong78's avatar
shkong78 OP
1,485 posts
 
I went back to Hifiman Sundara with Cocktail Audio X12 music server and CD player.

It sound much more musical than RE800s earphone with balanced and relaxing sound.

If somebody want to try out planar headphone for the first time, I recommend Sundara.


simonbelgium
13 posts
 
In the IEM space, the SHURE SE846 are amazing. $999, and they come in a few color versions. I have this clear pair myself.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DIUGW6A/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=simonb033-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B00DIUGW6A&linkId=d5a123cc791acdf40d284ed9181d641b 
shkong78's avatar
shkong78 OP
1,485 posts
 
Some reviewer claim that Hifiman RE2000s at 800$ is a bargain for the price.

But it also tend to sound on the bright side although not serious as RE800s.

Thus I had decided to try out Periodic Audio BE which appears to have soft treble.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
It should probably be pointed out that some reviewers are given a free set of headphones or earphones when they write a positive review. For example, the excellent and thorough review of HIFIMAN HE—800S V2 I linked to is such a case. No, I’m not saying it’s payola. However....

I would describe my HIFIMAN HE-600 V2 at this stage with around 50 hours of burn in as sounding distorted, synthetic, wiry, spitty, metallic, amusical and bass shy but detailed and dynamic and airy. Compared to my naked Grado SR60s. We’ll see what happens. 👀
shkong78's avatar
shkong78 OP
1,485 posts
 
Geoff

I agree with your overall opinion about Hifiman RE earphone.

It sound metallic and spitty but with fast and lively dynamics.

But Sundara is very musical which beat Grado SR60 that I tried last month handily.

If you can afford, Sundarda is a real deal at 350$.
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