Best sounding headphones you have owned?

Let me first say I am not a huge fan of headphones because I dislike the in your head soundstage. However, I love the RAAL SR1a because it does not sound like headphones. The only traditional headphone that I liked was the RAAL CA-1a. It is saved by the RAAL ribbon. Otherwise, the sound is pretty much in your head. I am selling the CA-1a to raise some cash not because I do not listen to it.

The SR1a is unlike traditional headphones. That is why they are called earphones. It is like having a 2-channel speaker hanging next to your ear. You end up looking like Princess Leia with the SR1a on your head.

A lot of folks who use the SR1a use it for Classical music because the sound stage is projected out of the headspace, and you can visualize the source of the instruments in a similar way as 2-channel.

I know people who have contacted me saying they sold their Magico speakers and went all in with the SR1a. I can see that. No 2-channel speaker I had owned in the past could beat my SR1a at 2-CHANNEL. That is until I got the Yamaha NS5000 speakers with a CODA #16 amp. That beats the best setup of the SR1a I have had. It is not easy to beat the SR1a even with 2-channel gear. With headphones, for my ears, it is not even a contest.

Best place to learn about the RAAL. Alex and Danny from RAAL and Requiste Audio help out with questions.

Raal Ribbon Headphones - SRH1A | Page 483 | Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org

yyzsantabarbara soundqcar

Thanks...

Your impressions help me a lot to understand ...

I dislike headphone...

The only one i enjoy is my modified AKG K340 with which i had all characteristics i dream of...

My question was motivated by the fact that my AKG K340 is old ...

If i lost it tomorrow i buy what ?

My soundfield is out of the head speaker like and any other characteristics is there too...

What can i do if i lost it ?

i am afraid to buy anything else , but your two impressions  give me the assurance that i could buy something rivallling my experience ...

Thanks a lot...

you described what i did not read in other reviews so clearly ... The Raal is my only other headphone solution....

Good day, I have some Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX. I have some Hifiman Sundara. I prefer the Sundara. I had seen a number of comparisons that said they were the same. They are not, not even close.

it is true ONLY if you compared with headphones where the sound STAY in the head...Most headphones ( But not mine )

And most speakers/room are not acoustically optimal, even if yours is by the way... 😁

And if you have a TOP speakers/room anyway have you heard all headphones ?

If i add the BACCH filters i will rival your speakers/room if i did not rival already it with a 100 bucks headphone ( AKG K340 ) ...Not bad ...

By the way the bass is so good i felt it with my feet (bones conduction ) .

Perhaps you go too far here about ALL headphones...

In truth it is up to budget and creativity...

All speakers/room are not equals nor all headphones...

The only factor that rules audio is acoustics not gear choice claimed as  the only meaningful choice for all...

We dont need a pope ... 😊

No offense… best headphones are …. speakers. Listening to headphones is pleasurable and enjoyable, to the extent of jerking off. Compared to actually having sex (speakers). So sorry