Choosing Headphones up to 1700 USD
I’ve been going back and forth between reviews of different headphones of up to 1700 USD price range.
I currently have the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro and I like them a lot, both the punch and slam that they provide, and the detail they have across the range. I know that the treble of those headphones is notoriously sharp, but I just EQ it out when listening to music (and leave it un-EQed when mixing).
I only have a USB audio interface (Focusrite Scarlett), so if the headphones require an amp that would have to be part of the budget).
I mainly listen to electronic music, but also some jazz and rock.
I would like to upgrade to something higher end and the main headphones I checked out are Audeze LCD-X, Hifiman Arya, Ananda (which are much cheaper) and Focal clear.
I might be wrong but from what I picked up from the reviews, there seems to be a compromise between soundstage and dynamics.
I was mainly focused on the LCD X but encountered many complaints about serious reliability issues with Audeze headphones so I decided to drop them.
The Arya looks awesome about everything except the dynamics, and this worries me as I like the punch and slam of my current headphones (the DT1990).
I understand that the focal clear has very good dynamics but no soundstage at all.
Now soundstage is something that I’m really curious about, as I never heard a really good soundstage headphones. I know that the DT 1990 are supposed to have some mid range soundstage but frankly I don’t notice it at all (perhaps it has to do more with the music I’m listening to?).
To sum up:
I’d love to hear about what other headphones I should check out in that price range, and how they compare with each other and what to expect comparing to my current DT1990.
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- 18 posts total
Curious about the "reliability issues" with Audeze headphones. I have three pair (LCD-XC, LCD-4, and LCD-2). They are all very well made and I have had zero issues with any of them. For electronic music, consider closed back headphones (LCD-XC instead of X). I suggest adding the Sony MDR-Z1R to your list of options. And a decent headphone amp. You may find that you get better sound quality and more enjoyment by adding a good headphone amp to your existing headphones. I'm not familiar with your headphones, but if you like them, you'll like them a lot more with a good amp. A little above your budget, but the Sony TZ-ZH1ES is excellent. |
Thanks for the suggestions, I might indeed include a headphone amp in this budget. @big_greg I heard it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fikx0so3Z2U several people seemed to agree in the comments of the video. and also here: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/audeze-lcd-2-reliability-issues.947835/ But I don't know, maybe it's just rare cases that made some noise. Why are closed backs better for electronic music? |
Generally speaking, closed back headphones dig lower, similar to sealed subs, speakers, etc. There are of course exceptions. Both my LCD-XC and the Sony MDR-Z1R reproduce bass really well. It's a weird sensation when you feel your head being "pressurized" by the bass! It looked like there were 2 people in the head-fi thread that said their Audeze headphones had failed, and one thought it may have been his fault? I didn't watch the youtube video. |
I am really into headphones now. I have the following amps for headphones: - Benchmark HPA4 (incredible for both 2 channel and headphones) - Topping A90 (very good overall and great for $500) - CODA Csib integrated amp (being shipped and to be used with RAAL SR1a headphones) I think the Topping A90 is a great amp and should drive most $1700 headphones. You may want to look at the under the UnderwoodHiFi of the rebranded Russsian headphones + Topping A90 = $1700 https://www.underwoodhifi.com/products/lsa-headphones My other headphone is the Meze Empy. A much different sound than the RAAL SR1a. Enjoy both a lot. |
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