2. headphones
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What are the best bang for the buck on higher end headphones?

In the last year, after solidifying my main system I have moved on to establishing my headphone system which is in our home office/game room, as this system has grown I am now at the end of the game and have just pulled the trigger on a Dennis Had Inspire headphone amp from Moon Audio that will replace my Yamamoto HA-3 amp & will sell it as well as the extra headphones that my Hifiman XV2 have beat out, with that said I want to purchase one more set of cans to go with the XV2s and have my mind on the Hifiman HE1000v1, HE1000v2 or the Focal Utopia and have found really good deals on all these mentioned as demos from dealers. I am partial to the Hifiman house sound versus Audeze but is there some cans in this league that I am missing. Have not heard the Utopia but am willing to take a chance at the great price I have been offered. What say you?
tooblue

Showing 2 responses by big_greg

big_greg
6,554 posts
 
One of the cool things about headphones for me is that it's like having a bunch of different sounding speakers that do different things well.  When I want to hear a lot of detail, I get out the HD800.  When I want to hear some bass and midrange, I get out the Audeze LCD-4.  When I want something more neutral, I get out my Hifiman HE-560 or Focal Elex.  

The reason I say all that is that there are two ways you can go if you want to get more cans - stay with a certain sound signature you like or get some headphones that have a completely different sound so you can change up.  

If you like the HifiMan sound, move up the food chain to the HE1000 or Susvarra.  I have no experience with either, but from what I've read, they will give you more of that house sound you like.  

I listened to some Utopias and there was something magical about them, but also "artificial".  I only listened for a few minutes, kind of hard to describe.  I can see why people like them.  I have the Massdrop Focal Elex and think they are wonderful.  Much more affordable, super comfortable, very detailed, but a more natural and neutral sound to me.

Try to audition the Sony MDR-Z1R.  Lots of bass, great detail, very comfortable.

There are lots of other great headphones out there.
big_greg
6,554 posts
 
@tooblue The LCD-4 are the best headphones I've ever heard. I haven't listened to all the uber expensive cans out there though.

I own LCD-2 (I think mine are non fazor), LCD-XC, Sony MDR-Z1R, Focal Elex, Sennheiser HD-800 and a few others. I spent some time this morning listening to the LCD-4 and the Sonys and Focals. The LCD-4 are really easy to listen to and provide visceral bass that the others can't with slightly warm but incredibly detailed mids and highs. If you like Steely Dan, Black Cow on The LCD-4s is pure bliss.

The only negatives to the LCD-4 are their weight (really heavy!) and they need a lot of power (and their price). I love the Focals, they are really detailed without being bright. The Sony's are really nice and produce a lot of bass, but it's not as tight as the LCD-4.  If I had to get rid of all my headphones but one set it would probably come down to the Focals and the LCD-4. The LCD-4 win on sound quality, the Focals on comfort. 
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