Hello! Recently I’ve bought a pair of LetShuoer S12s and absolutely loved them! They’re by far the best set of IEMs/headphones I’ve ever had. For reference the only “headphones” I’ve ever used were gaming headsets and a KZ ZSX that serves me very well until now.
These, for now, are my absolute favorite IEMs/Headphones of all time, just bought a cx31993 and a pair of Spinfit W1s to use with the S12s since they’re on sale on AliExpress and am planning on getting either a HD600 or a DT1990 Pro next.
So I ask you guys, which headphones are your favorites? Which headphones just make you go “Yeah, this is it.”
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This is weird af, but I enjoy the AKG K240 Studios. The mids are too in-your-face for many people (and the bass took a vacation) but I love the details. Overall, I’m enjoying the Sundaras the most. My next target is either Focal Clear, Edition XS, or R70x.
I always wanted to try the k240s but ended up with the newer version k245 that’s since been discontinued. I’ve got 3 pairs of overear AKGs so it’d be overkill getting the k240s as well.
When I was first buying a headphone for PC use about 3-4 years ago, I was considering the AKG240s, but in the end, being the dunce I am, I bought a pair of HyperX Cloud Alpha IIs, I kinda regret it now because they’re nowhere near as good as my S12s or my friend’s SHP9500, but I feel that, in the end, it’s a good(bad) thing I bought them because it started my headphone addiction. But I’d still like to have a pair of K240s :(
I was actually considering going for either the Sundaras or the Edition XS for my next pair of headphones, but I got scared away by the infamous HiFiMan QC. For now I’m waiting to see if I’ll be able to purchase the AudezeMM100 here in Brasil or not, if I’m not able to, I’m probably sticking with the HD600s or the DT1990 Pro, altough I’m aware that the treble can be a bit too sharp on Beyers, but that shouldn’t be a problem since, if it’s really that sharp, I can just use eq to tone a bit the treble.
I’m probably sticking with the HD600s or the DT1990 Pro
You can never go wrong with these, tbh. Specially the Sennheisers. I haven’t checked the AudezeMM100 reviews yet so I can’t comment on them. Just make sure you audition them first just to make sure they fit your taste.
I got scared away by the infamous HiFiMan QC.
Definitely valid concern. I have 3 hifimans and I’m lucky they don’t have issues yet. But I’ve seen a lot of people having issues with theirs. I hope Hifiman fixes their QC.
Don’t worry about the K240 - I haven’t met anyone who likes them lmao.
You can never go wrong with these, tbh. Specially the Sennheisers. I haven’t checked the AudezeMM100 reviews yet so I can’t comment on them. Just make sure you audition them first just to make sure they fit your taste
Unfortunately testing them isn’t really possible for me, so I’m mostly going off waht I’ve read online. As t the moment in pretty much set on getting the Beyers, because I’ve read that they have a better soundstage and I like treble.
The MM100s by audeze, as far as I know, are set to start shipping this month, if they’re any good, I’ll consider getting them if I’m able to, but, again, I’ll most likely go with the Beyers since I’ve dreamed about having them since I was in my first year of highlschool.
Definitely valid concern. I have 3 hifimans and I’m lucky they don’t have issues yet. But I’ve seen a lot of people having issues with theirs. I hope Hifiman fixes their QC.
Honestly, I’d buy a HiFiMan if I lived in either europe or the USA, but since I live in Brasil and I, most of the times anyways, buy my headphones through AliExpress, buying anything HiFiMan is a huge gamble since I can’t RMA them easily.
Don’t worry about the K240 - I haven’t met anyone who likes them lmao.
At least you like it, I think… Unless you’re some kind of masochist - and maybe you are given that you also spend, what I assume is, a lot of money on headphones, dacs and amps for the definitely real difference in sound that isn’t in our minds and totally justifies the amount of money we’ve sunk into this hobby.
It’s tough.
I like IEMs but these days I mostly use my Porta Pros when outside, they are small, light and cheap and I actually like that I can hear my surroundings. They also have way better sound than they have any right to for the price, especially with the right pads/EQ. Stock they are quite muddy but bringing down the lower midrange really makes them shine. So I have kinda stopped putting too much into IEMs since I know I just grab my Porta Pros most of the time anyway.
The best headphones sound wise I’ve owned so far are the Edition XS. I don’t mind the slightly spicy treble and they just do everything so well, very good tuning, absolutely great detail, excellent imaging and soundstage. They can easily compete with a lot of stuff over $1000. I sold them because they get kinda uncomfortable after wearing them for a few hours and I always worried that they would break, but if all you care is the absolutely best sound for the price you should buy nothing else, seriously.
My favourite headphones I own at the moment are the HD 600. They are just so easy going. They are light, comfortable, fit well, are easy enough to drive that they work for my phone, are incredibly well tuned and easy to listen to. Sure the Edition XS have better soundstage and detail, but the HD 600 is just so easy to throw on and be happy. They simply don’t have any issues in my opinion and the more intimate sound is a nice chance of pace, too.
That said, I’m itching to get the MM-100. Of course we don’t know if they will live up to expectations, but I kinda miss planars, and a reasonably priced and not too heavy Audeze headphone sounds great.
And the DT 1990, I’m selling a pair right now. Honestly I don’t think these are really worth it. They are better tuned than the DT 990 and they are comfortable and nicely build and all, but the tuning is still kinda wonky, if you compare them to the HD 600 you really start to wonder what the hell Beyer is doing. Sure they have detail and soundstage but the detail is not nearly on Edition XS level and overall if detail, imaging and soundstage is important to you I would buy the ATH R70X over these any day. I really don’t get how these are so expensive, buying a pair of DT 990 and throwing EQ on there gets you a headphone that sounds just as good and is way cheaper, only “real” downside is a bit more plastic in the construction and no detachable cable and that’s not worth spending like $500 instead of $150 or so.
imaging and soundstage is important to you I would buy the ATH R70X over these any day.
This may have sown the seeds of doubt in my mind, Soundstage is really important to me since i game a lot and having a good soundstage really enhances the experience for me. I’ll be sure to take a look at the ATH R70x, since it’s way cheaper than the DT1990 Pro here in Brasil, especially after tax (about 250USD of difference)
Yeah, the R70X are underappreciated in my opinion. Only issue is that the cups aren’t super big so if you have large or very protruding ears they won’t fit. I have pretty “normal” ears for a normal man and they fit great, it’s just something to be aware of.
The Ksc75 with Yaxy earpads and a headband is basically endgame for me. Or at least i tell myself that in order not to spend more on headphones…
