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Headphones Headphones/ Earphones Recomendation Corner V10, ask options here

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power911
post Nov 13 2020, 03:00 PM

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Hey guys, just wanted to ask around to see what options I have. Trying to get a goal to achieve on.
I've asked this in reddit but wanted to see what your opinions are.

I'm an Alessandro MS-1i user with Behringer UMC22 interface as my headphone source. I like the MS-1i fast and open sound with raw overtone distortion great for electric guitar. But personally I wanna explore into something more wider spectrum.

I'm eyeing some sparkly highs with sub bass which has been lacking in my MS-1i for years. Call it cold tone U shape? I've also been real happy with my Koss Portapro for sounding pretty similar to my MS-1i but with a load more warm bass with rolled off trebles.

I wanted to explore into Planar world since they're known to be crazy fast but unsure if my UMC22 is sufficient to power it or not

No particular budget but these are 3 of my range I've been eyeing
-HE400i for the most budget planar?
-Beyerdynamic DT880 for a non-planar equivalent? I heard of it only once in Jaben and I like how warm and thick vocal mids sounding it is when paired with proper amp despite many saying Beyers are treble ear piercing kings
-Sundara for a more expensive approach? Breaking the RM1k range is definitely new to me for sure

One redditor recommended me Sennheiser HD560S instead for my taste in fast sound and also the ease of driving without amp.

What are your thoughts? Should I also invest on an amp for these choices?
power911
post Nov 13 2020, 11:39 PM

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QUOTE(xxboxx @ Nov 13 2020, 10:48 PM)
For guitar picking sound, example is Kent Nishimura version of Careless Whisper at Youtube, I prefer listening even with HE-4XX than the almighty HD 650. I like the fast attack and no decay sound from planar driver, it sound super clear. Actually if it's only instrumental music I will only use planar so as to get the clarity. Only when there's vocal that sound better with reverb/echoes, I will use HD 650.

I heard that HE400i sounds very similar to HE-4XX, if so then it will be very good in treble, might be too good as some also complain it's too piercing. I also used to feel the same with it, but now already used to it. Only complain with it is it's too strong on treble and weak on bass, if bass heavy music it's not so satisfying.

There's so many headphones out there. It's hard for anyone to say which is better as I doubt they have listen to all of it and can clearly remember each headphone sound signature. Some more everyone sound preference is different. I would suggest you to go to those shops that have the headphone to test that's in your list. Then you can compare which headphone sounds best for you. I been to Starpicker before and impressed with their choices of headphone to test. You can order drink and slowly listen to some headphone of your choice, I think they don't mind as that what I done last time. tongue.gif

On whether planar need amp, actually most planar are very power efficient. Even my phone can get the headphone to ear piercing loud. But I still like having NX4DSD to power my headphone when I'm not in front of my desktop, my heart feel more assure by using it. laugh.gif
You can get a portable DAC-AMP first so there's still use for it if you found out the sound is exactly same with UMC22
*
oh? Starpickers is a cafe?? I totally forgot about starpickers existence laugh.gif laugh.gif laugh.gif Time to find one day to visit there since now less restriction d.

Hey, piercing treble due to too clean trebles is definitely something I'm interested as long as it doesn't sound like poor low budget PA speaker compression tweeters on a bluetooth 3.0 sbc treble puke.gif

About planar headphone being power efficient, I've been getting mixed opinions honestly. Some say difficult and not worthy with phone but some say even phone is overpowered. sweat.gif
You think that starpicker would be okay with me bringing a laptop with interface rig to test? laugh.gif
power911
post Aug 3 2021, 09:26 AM

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QUOTE(clivengu @ Aug 2 2021, 12:58 AM)
Looking for a headphone with budget RM1000 below. Hope to get some advice, & suggestion.

» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «

I apologize for this super long msg and not sure if anyone even reads them. But I think it gives myself a better breakdown of the headphone I want in the end. Can anyone advice or give suggestion of other headphones I should try? or maybe I am more suitable with more consumer friendly headphone like sony XM4?

Thank you.
*
I see like no one suggest this but I'll do it. It's not much of a big upgrade for you but it should be something you are comfortable with since you use portapro.

How about following zeos idea of Koss KPH30i ultra modded with Grado G-Cush pad? KPH30i is like your portapro but with the grado pads it's a different experience. And if you got spare money maybe you can send your new KPH30i to someone for MMCX detachable wire mod
power911
post Aug 5 2021, 03:23 PM

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QUOTE(clivengu @ Aug 5 2021, 12:14 AM)
I'll look into this set up. probably can save me a lot of money for something else.. but it is using the exact same driver as the porta pro
right?
*
I'm not a Koss staff so I wouldn't know if they're really same or not. Many call it same same but different le. Since they're in a different housing and different clamp pressure so the sound also change.
As far as I know Koss only got the basic driver and titanium coated driver. Others are just changes in outlook.
power911
post Sep 3 2021, 08:34 PM

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QUOTE(danny_sp15 @ Sep 3 2021, 06:20 PM)
You mentioned comfort as one of your main concern last time. In that case, I dont think Grado should be considered. Grado users please correct me if I'm wrong, but Grados are known to be uncomfortable.
*
G-Cush is amazing biggrin.gif But not many likes butchering their ears with the increased trebles when changing to this
power911
post Sep 4 2021, 02:52 PM

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QUOTE(clivengu @ Sep 4 2021, 12:39 AM)
Which model are you using? I am thinking at least with Grado I can work around with the pad to figure out between comfort /sound.
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I'm using the sister company Alessandro MS-1I from Grado Labs with Misodiko G-Cups.
Honestly, with Grado, you can buy all the fake copies of their earpads to find your favorite comfort fit.
I'd even recommend going with the newer X series because their SR range finally getting the "padded" headband.

Sound idk la since I'm happy with my MS-1i but it shouldn't be that different since I couldn't differentiate my MS1i with G cup with the PS1000i when I go AB side by side HAHAHA laugh.gif
power911
post Sep 5 2021, 12:08 PM

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QUOTE(clivengu @ Sep 5 2021, 12:58 AM)
Oh.. I didnt know they have a sister company. I'll look into them as well.. So do you find using different pad, making these headphone actually bearable to wear long hours?
*
The Alessandro series is long gone already. It was the "tamer" version of Grados with fewer characteristics sound.

Only with the G-Cush I can wear the entire day editing videos. The stock pancake S-Cush and the donut L-Cush gives a different sound which I like but they physically hurt my ears in less than 5 minutes of wearing. Stinging pain is not something I enjoy.

The original S-Cush and maybe the yaxi variant is very soft which felt extremely comfortable on my first try but they slowly sink in and the sharp plastic pokes you. L-Cush is just shaped weird to begin with and I didn't enjoy it.

G-Cush is the only one that is hard and rarely compresses compared to other fluffy foam but it is so big it basically evens out the pressure. Unless you have giant elephant ears, these are basically over-ear headphones for grado. Considering Malaysia's hot and humid weather, the big foam does get warm over time but not as bad as leather/pleather type.

Happy headphone hunting thumbsup.gif
power911
post Sep 6 2021, 08:38 AM

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QUOTE(clivengu @ Sep 6 2021, 12:46 AM)
I see. Thanks for sharing. I know any kind of on ear cushion will eventually give way. My old Porta Pro changed the cushion at least 3 times over the 2 years period of ownership. But that one is extremely light weight, in comparison to Grados. After consideration, I decided to just look for used old gr80e just to give it a try, and not directly jump in and buy the expensive gr325x (which also worried me because of the extra weight).

I really thought I bought the X2HR, and I'll stick with it... didnt intend to buy more headphones.. but now it feels like I could end up with 2-3 headphones at the same time just to look for the ONE.
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Yeah. Start small first le. Grado is some of the headphone I find upgrading doesn't really do much. Maybe if I own them for a month then I'll notice the difference le but even with the MS1i I bought I already lurk in Jaben damn long before deciding on this.

And it's normal le to own multiple headphones when trying to achieve perfect sound. Cuz none of them can do it all and if they can do it all they don't excel well in sound laugh.gif
The higher you go the more specific that headphone gets sweat.gif

 

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