K612 pro replacement

[stuie]

10 years ago I bought a pair of these as that was the epic go to mid range pair of cans to go for

After many, many hours of use, the elastic on them has failed, ive had to resolder the ear piece cables, and not the 3.5mm plug has failed. Theyve done well, and while I hope to throw a new plug on them if I can work out which way round the red white and yellow cables route, the wife has given me the go ahead to start looking for some replacements and if its got wife aproval ratings its rude not to at least look into it

So what are the current go to cans? I like the 612's but open to try other, 990/770s maybe?

looking in the 100-150 quid area, time to go wireless maybe?

 

[Timber]

Sounds like my old AKG K702's (used to own the K702 and K712) where the elastic broke along with having to re-solder a wire in one of the earcups. I did a post on this forums somewhere about 5/6 years ago about using cheap elastic and looping that around the earcups on the inside to make them good again.

If you still want open-back I think options are going to be:

• Sennheiser HD 560S (c.£99) - bargain, very neutral, but very cold/analytical set of headphones. Very good for online FPS games, not as nice for music in my opinion.
• Beyerdynamic TYGR 300R (£140) - one of my faves, Beyer's V-shaped sound, but with a much reduce treble. And an elevated bass which is OK, but works. Imaging is superb. Great for gaming, again I don't like them as much for music. The are essentially a 'smoother' DT 990 Pro with a lot less treble. Some will prefer the more treble of the 990 Pro. I didn't.
• Audio-Technica R50X (£140) - Very well reviewed, spacious open-back. May have a bit more treble on it.
• EPOS x Drop PC38X (£150) - sod to get hold of in the UK, headset so not removable Mic, but the tuning on these is fantastic. Again another I use for gaming and I would say is probably my favourite tuning for that.

Out of budget:

• Beyerdynamic's DT 900 (£200), or updated DT 990 Pro X (£190) which use the better Stella.45 driver. The former which be more neutral and likely less fatiguing.
• Sennheiser HD 505 (£200 in upcoming sales), or HD 550 (£250). Both review very well and use better tuning than the HD 560S. Indeed at £250 and below the 550 might be the go-to.
• Hifiman Edition XS (£200+?) not the newer XV that might be better, but entry level planar.
• Fiio FT1 Pro (£180) - Probably trade blows with the XS, but one to keep in mind as another entry level planar.

The Beyerdynaamic DT 770 is a closed-back, but is good for gaming. But will have the strengths and weaknesses of a close-back.

In think that's pretty much going to be all of the well reviewed open-backs in that price. If sticking strictly under £150 then I'd take the TYGR or PC38X, but I haven't heard the R50X. Unfortunately AKG got bought out by Samsung in 2016 and never did update any of the older models. Very few new headphones from them.