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Auditioning headphones (ethically)?

I've had some good headphones and I want to move up to some very good headphones. I'm thinking about the obvious ones in the $1500 range: 800s, Clear MG, Arya. 

Given that one needs to live with headphones for a while for both sound quality and comfort, how do people audition two or three pairs at once? Do you buy them from the same site and return what you don't want to keep? Do you buy them from different sources and return what you want? Are there any concerns about doing this, ethical or financial? I've read the policies on Headphones.com, the Cable Co., AudioAdvisor, etc--most have generous return policies but they seem to be centered on one-at-a-time purchases.

Anyway, all this is obvious. I'm sure many of you have faced this question. What do you guys do? 
northman

Showing 3 responses by larryi

larryi
3,722 posts
 
I agree with tonykay about going to a show. I think an audio show is the only way to really hear and compare phones.  I love the venues with the giant ballroom full of exhibitors.  Everyone is helpful, and most are willing to permit you to take the phone to another table to hear the phones on a different set of electronics. 

It may be a while before I am comfortable sharing phones like this, but, one day, the pandemic will be in the past.
larryi
3,722 posts
 
I own a pair of the the older version of 007 phones and a Headamp Blue Hawaii SE amplifier.  I considered the 009 phones, but, overall, I prefer the less bright sound of the 007 phones.  I have heard the Dan Clark phones on this amp, and I like these a lot—a warmer sound (more prominent lower midrange) with a tonal quality a bit more like Audeze phones than the Stax phones.

Comfort is important.  I find the Stax and Dan Clark phones to be quite comfortable.  The Audeze phones are very good too, except for the added weight which can be tough on one’s neck during a long listening session.  
I am now interested in the new Audeze electrostatic phone —the CRBN.  It is quite expensive, but it already has a following.
larryi
3,722 posts
 
Yes, you can audition reasonably well at a show.  The noise levels are not so high as to make it impossible to hear what a phone is capable of delivering.  Unlike auditioning speakers, you don't have to be concerned about how the room is affecting the sound, so, by comparison, phone auditions give a fair representation of the sound you can expect to hear in your own system.  You still have to deal with the differences in upstream components, but, at most of these shows, you are allowed to move the phones to a different table to listen on another system.

To me, a show is the best way to hear a variety of phones and make a reasonable pick based on what you hear.
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