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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.



roobi
big_greg
6,557 posts
 
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.
roobi OP
3 posts
 
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?
big_greg
6,557 posts
 
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.  
yyzsantabarbara
4,490 posts
 
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.
soix
8,683 posts
 
I think the HIFIMAN ‘phones would really be worth a try given what you’re saying. What I find really striking about them is their expansive “out of the head” soundstage and the very detailed yet not harsh or fatiguing treble. The bass is different in that it has a lot of impact and is also exceedingly quick, but it may not have the lower end depth or heft you may have heard from ‘phones that overemphasize that area or excel at the Stygian depths. But you may find the bass more than sufficient, and when combined with the other considerable strengths the planars offer you may be more than happy with any trade offs.

So, what would I recommend? You can get the Arya open box from HIFIMAN for $1300 as I think that gets you well into the best of what planar technology can deliver. The Aryas will, however, require a decent amp, and I agree with others that you need an amp anyway as I think it’ll also significantly improve what you’re hearing out of the DT1990s. I’m not familiar with your Scarlett at all, but I’d consider something like the Singxer SDA-2 amp/DAC as it’s fully balanced, offers six filters to customize the sound to your liking, has plenty of power, can be had for about $600 and uses one of the top AKM DAC chips that will provide lots of detail but help avoid harshness and glare versus some other options. If the Arya and SDA-2 are too much for your budget the Anandas are on sale for $699 and would also be great, but if you can stretch for the Aryas I think it’s very worth it. Incidentally, I’m not sure the Audeze would be the best choice for you given you’re coming from the very detailed and transparent DT1990s as you may find they skew a bit too far in the other direction of being on the softer/warmer side of things — but I could be wrong.

Sorry to drone on, but hearing a good planar headphone was a revelation for me and thought it might be for you as well given what you value and are looking for. Hope this helps at least a little, and best of luck in your search.
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