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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

Showing 2 responses by big_greg

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.  
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.
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