General Headphone Audio

[mrk]

Seems geared toward those specifically who didn't like existing models because of brightness, though not all Hifimans are the same level of brightness having now owned or auditioned them all the way from the entry level to the flagships.

I thought the Susvara and HE1000se brightness were the most in control, with the 1000se being even more controlled even without a pad swap though still a must as Hifiman pads are trash even on Susvara.

So for me the HE1000se won't ever need to be upgraded as the areas from Arya Stealth that I wished were better (construction) are solved on the HE.

To me vocal timbre has been more than fine since Arya Stealth, helped obviously by the memory foam velour pads handling the brightness peaks.

Now it's just down to specific amplifier nuances going forward.

The headband upgrades look welcome but I don't like the yoke arms being so thin like on the Ananda, it looks and feels a bit basic compared to the thicker smoother and rounded yokes on models after the Ananda style bands.

 

[Timber]

Watched the video. Not sure about the format, but I think that's my take on Headphone Show's video reviews. Feels like the Edition XV and HE600 are the stars of the show. Maybe more so the latter. That said planars on not on my radar atm.

 

[Angst]

If the he-600 can take eq as well as the he6se then the only issue I see with them is the price. I much preferred their sound to the arya organic etc when I tried them at CanJam. The XV was my second preference, it sounded much more natural in vocals than the arya/ananda etc and its price point was much easier on the wallet.

 

[mrk]

Round cups with round pad though touching the ears when on, that's a bit no no. I only tolerate the LCD-5 because the leather is so exquisitely soft and gets even softer with body heat, hifiman pads do not have that luxury. He even mentioned that annoyance in the video.

 

[Angst]

Yea im not the biggest fan but with a bit of adjustment to get it to sit right and taking my earrings off and I'm happy enough with it that I can sit with them on all day at work.

 

[Ayahuasca]

The XV was my second preference

I've seen a few reviews from Asia, where lots of people already have them and these are getting a lot of hype. A few had them sitting at the top of the new hifiman stack.

 

[Angst]

I've seen a few reviews from Asia, where lots of people already have them and these are getting a lot of hype. A few had them sitting at the top of the new hifiman stack.

I think we will see them becoming very popular, they tone down the treble compared to a lot of Hifiman's recent stuff, they just sounded more natural and less shouty/aggressive.

 

[Rroff]

could be a potential HD600/650 upgrade.

I've tried a lot of headphones which claim to be. And I've always gone back to my HD600s or had no reason to pursue any interest in the potential competitor.

Only headphone I've any itch to try at the moment is the Fiio FF5 as I prefer flathead earbuds for general indefinite usage sessions and the imaging on the FF1 is quite enjoyable and they have just enough detail and treble/bass extension for the lack of it to not be noticeable, but they could do with a wider airier soundstage which the FF5 supposedly have. As I touched on before while I won't call them mini-HD800s whoever tuned the FF1s is obviously a HD800 fan as there is definitely an influence from them on the tuning.

EDIT: Interestingly I see people say the FF5 seems closest to the HD6x0 series in tuning, which to be honest isn't really what I'm looking for as I have the HD600 for that and I like the FF1s as they offer something a bit different as well as being easy to wear.

 

[Things change I've changed]

I've tried a lot of headphones which claim to be. And I've always gone back to my HD600s or had no reason to pursue any interest in the potential competitor.

As have I, but I live and hope!, my HD800S is left on the table for the HD600 the majority of the time, even Sennheiser seem to struggle besting it.

 

[Raymond Lin]

I just flip between my i5 and HD600....currently back to HD580 though as HD600 is back in the box.

 

[mrk]

There's no escaping the HD6?? series mid-frequency sound, I know it as I did just that going back to them for ~12 years, even the HD660S2 couldn't beat my modded HD650.

It wasn't until I heard the soundstage and bass of planars where that all changed and now I could never go back to any dynamic driver.

 

[Rroff]

It wasn't until I heard the soundstage and bass of planars where that all changed and now I could never go back to any dynamic driver.

That is something I'm looking for, but not as a replacement for the HD6xx sound.

Though personally I'm trying to find some approximation of that using flathead earbuds, as I'm wanting something more open with good extension while endlessly comfortable to wear as a contrast to the HD600s - I don't find any on or over ear headphones invisible comfort wise even those that are light weight and cool on the ears.

 

[Josh]

My Bose QC35II have pretty much deteriorated and considering I've had them since long before COVID I think the time has come to replace them.

I need ANC, wireless & durable, able to be connected to x2 devices and have okay phone call quality; I'm open to any brand as long as they are USB C.

I'd say price point cap is around £500, can someone recommend me something worthwhile please?

 

[Rroff]

My Bose QC35II have pretty much deteriorated and considering I've had them since long before COVID I think the time has come to replace them.

I need ANC, wireless & durable, able to be connected to x2 devices and have okay phone call quality; I'm open to any brand as long as they are USB C.

I'd say price point cap is around £500, can someone recommend me something worthwhile please?

Not an area I've a lot of experience but from everything I know it is a corner of the market Bose largely has stitched up with the main competitor the Sony WH-1000 line and the Sennheiser Momentum 4 largely considered 3rd best.

 

[Josh]

Cheers Rroff, I thought that would be the case.

I might wait for reviews on the Bose QC Ultra Gen2 and then have a ganders at the Sony XM6 and Sennheisers.

 

[kona786]

Cheers Rroff, I thought that would be the case.

I might wait for reviews on the Bose QC Ultra Gen2 and then have a ganders at the Sony XM6 and Sennheisers.

order them, test and return the naff one.

 

[kona786]

order them, test and return the naff one.

From Bose themselves...

90-day return policy
Take some time, make sure that it’s the right product for you.

¹The 90-day return policy refers to the 90-day trial only, and requires product purchase directly from Bose. Call us to return the product within 90 days of receipt. We’ll arrange to pick it up from your home address – at our expense – and you will receive a full refund. Not available for collaborations.

 

[mid_gen]

My Bose QC35II have pretty much deteriorated and considering I've had them since long before COVID I think the time has come to replace them.

I need ANC, wireless & durable, able to be connected to x2 devices and have okay phone call quality; I'm open to any brand as long as they are USB C.

I'd say price point cap is around £500, can someone recommend me something worthwhile please?

XM6 tick all your boxes.

 

[Josh]

XM6 tick all your boxes.

Have you used the Bose before? Curious to see how they compare as I do fancy a change.

 

[mid_gen]

Have you used the Bose before? Curious to see how they compare as I do fancy a change.

I did try some a long time ago, but I don't really like the Bose sound. I upgraded from XM3 to XM6 recently, as a lightweight, comfortable headphone with great ANC I think they are tough to beat. I did try some B&W PX years ago but they weighted a ton, clamped your head like a vice, and had no bass at all unless they have a vacuum seal around your ear, so no wearing hats or sunglasses, they were truly awful.