what headphones do you own thread - i own dt150's :)

[Raymond Lin]

I have. Helped a bit, but I still find the headband too short unfortunately. It's not terrible, but I definitely find it hard to forget I'm wearing them.

Does the Sundara have a really short headband?

I am looking into these but I have either a big head or really low position ears, or both! I found the Philips Fidelio's headband too short too. It's also why I sold the Xbox Series X official headphones. That one is also about 2 clicks too short.

I've found for BIG pads over ear headphones where the ears goes inside the pads, Sennheisers are the ones that fits for me.

So....does the Sundara really have too short a headband?

 

[Things change I've changed]

Testing out the Topping A70 Pro, not a bad amp, bags of power, 12.6w @ 32 Ohms!, but sadly it comes with a few typical Topping niggles from having an early revision, I still prefer the violectric overall but that is just a straight headphone amp plain and simple, no pre-outs etc, the A70 Pro offers tons of features which is a temping proposition for the price and power.

 

[Raymond Lin]

Testing out the Topping A70 Pro, not a bad amp, bags of power, 12.6w @ 32 Ohms!, but sadly it comes with a few typical Topping niggles from having an early revision, I still prefer the violectric overall but that is just a straight headphone amp plain and simple, no pre-outs etc, the A70 Pro offers tons of features which is a temping proposition for the price and power.

I still can't decide on an amp/dac....I saw a review of the A70Pro and felt whilst it is very good, the Xduoo TA-22 might be a better amp for me, or the DX3+. The reviewer (Joshua Valour) said it has 17w of power? which could blow out both the headphones and ears if accidentally knocked the volume control?

 

[Things change I've changed]

I still can't decide on an amp/dac....I saw a review of the A70Pro and felt whilst it is very good, the Xduoo TA-22 might be a better amp for me, or the DX3+. The reviewer (Joshua Valour) said it has 17w of power? which could blow out both the headphones and ears if accidentally knocked the volume control?

I couldn't advise on the TA-22 as I've not listened to it, might grab one to have a play after Christmas, the A70 Pro is very good outside of the issues I've had, random relay clicks, loud distortion burst, and just recently found that the unit factory resets if you twiddle the volume knob while in standby, other than that it's fuller sounding than I'm used to with previous Topping amps, a good bit of mid bass slam, put it this way, it's not 'analytical sounding' thats for sure, neutral with a touch of bass, I think that's a good move from Topping as the timbre has improved imo which is very important for me.

The one thing to consider with the TA-22 is that it's an AMP/DAC combo so makes for a neater, and a cheaper solution with the ability to still drive higher Ohm rated headphones, you can still add a better DAC at a later date and you have tube rolling fun if that's your thing, and probably more reliable to boot.

 

[King4aDay]

Does the Sundara have a really short headband?

I am looking into these but I have either a big head or really low position ears, or both! I found the Philips Fidelio's headband too short too. It's also why I sold the Xbox Series X official headphones. That one is also about 2 clicks too short.

I've found for BIG pads over ear headphones where the ears goes inside the pads, Sennheisers are the ones that fits for me.

So....does the Sundara really have too short a headband?

It's a different design to the Fidelio X2HR which are the only Philips I've tried... With the Sundaras the headband is fixed to the frame, unlike the Fidelios where there's a sort of suspension arrangement so that the band can move a bit.

The upshot of this is that for large heads, the band sits pretty flat across the top of the head rather than curving around it, which I personally find uncomfortable. The earpads are also rather shallow. I've found that using larger pads helps a bit but it always takes me a while to stop being aware of the pressure on top of my head. There's loads of length adjustment on the sides though.

 

[Akagi]

Replaced the earpads on my X2HR because the suede was coming apart on the originals.

Used Brainwavs XL hybrid memory foam pads. No complaints. Mild modification required to fit them, just little snips so the attaching posts can poke through.

Removing the old pads from the frames is sadly a semi destructive process as it is all glued together. The new pads have slightly changed the sound though, so I'm not throwing away the remnants just yet.

They aren't filthy, the finish is wearing off or corroding or something - very heavy usage! The mesh is even going very slightly rusty... But I quite like patina so, heh.

 

[Reppyboyo]

So my Drop / Hifiman HE4XX appear to be on the way out, the left ear is getting quieter and quieter whilst the right remains fine.
Real shame as these are my first planars and they have been great up until now.

Looking for a replacement in the £300 range, any recommendations for open backs?
Used for just about everything, would prefer planars again but not against dynamics if they are worth it.

 

[King4aDay]

So my Drop / Hifiman HE4XX appear to be on the way out, the left ear is getting quieter and quieter whilst the right remains fine.
Real shame as these are my first planars and they have been great up until now.

Looking for a replacement in the £300 range, any recommendations for open backs?
Used for just about everything, would prefer planars again but not against dynamics if they are worth it.

Sundara for £240ish or stretch a bit for the Edition XS would be the obvious options.

 

[Raymond Lin]

So my Drop / Hifiman HE4XX appear to be on the way out, the left ear is getting quieter and quieter whilst the right remains fine.
Real shame as these are my first planars and they have been great up until now.

Looking for a replacement in the £300 range, any recommendations for open backs?
Used for just about everything, would prefer planars again but not against dynamics if they are worth it.

Edition XS is £390 on Amazon but £369 on Thomann's

I replaced the perished headband on my HD600 today, 3rd party one and it is a little more thicker than the genuine one installed on the HD580.

 

[Timber]

I replaced the perished headband on my HD600 today, 3rd party one and it is a little more thicker than the genuine one installed on the HD580.

Out of interest, and apologies if you've said this elsewhere; how long did it take for the HD 600s headband to perish, roughly?

I assume we are taking years here, particularly as they look like the marbled grey variant.

 

[Raymond Lin]

Out of interest, and apologies if you've said this elsewhere; how long did it take for the HD 600s headband to perish, roughly?

I assume we are taking years here, particularly as they look like the marbled grey variant.

I bought them in 2001…and honestly, I don’t use them so they stay in the box. Last time I checked them they were fine…and that was 2015? So they do perish all by themselves without being used. They go completely flat, like all the air has been lost in a balloon.

The HD580 I replaced the pads like 10 years ago now and I actually use those. I picked both up around the same time, within like 2 months of each other. I picked up the Hd580 first so that’s why I never really used the HD600.

So a rough guess..they perish around a decade if used, 15 if not. Definitely 20 even if untouched.

Edit, I replaced the ear pads on the HD580 at the same time but the HD600 ear pads are still like new.

 

[welshdragon]

DT990 Pro's. Absolutely superb with a dedicated soundcard. Replaced the velor pads last year and good as new again

 

[Timber]

I bought them in 2001…and honestly, I don’t use them so they stay in the box. Last time I checked them they were fine…and that was 2015? So they do perish all by themselves without being used. They go completely flat, like all the air has been lost in a balloon.

The HD580 I replaced the pads like 10 years ago now and I actually use those. I picked both up around the same time, within like 2 months of each other. I picked up the Hd580 first so that’s why I never really used the HD600.

So a rough guess..they perish around a decade if used, 15 if not. Definitely 20 even if untouched.

Wow, that's pretty stellar!

I've never owned a pair of headphones that long but thank you, that's useful to know. The HD600 is one of those that I keep looking at wondering if it's for me.

 

[Raymond Lin]

Wow, that's pretty stellar!

I've never owned a pair of headphones that long but thank you, that's useful to know. The HD600 is one of those that I keep looking at wondering if it's for me.

I would say 10 years is a good rough guess for a pair that is used. The HD580 that I replaced with a genuine pads are still functional, they are definitely not like new but I expect it to last a few more years yet.

 

[joelk2]

D770Pro x 2 for my pc, Sony XM4’s on ear for work and then AirPod pro’s for gym.

 

[Raymond Lin]

I just got a pair of these thinking it was for the lolz and it is utterly amazing. Good bass, clear top end, midrange is also brilliant. It makes me question the whole audio space lol

I came across it from this video, where it went up against $2,000 IEMs and it won.

https://youtu.be/eJGwS_I8m4E?si=oQEfMQ4k0WFxXCi1

Only using this with my phone through the £9 Apple dongle DAC thingy.

 

[Timber]

@Raymond Lin interesting. I've added these to my wishlist as a maybe something to look at getting.

It doesn't suprise me the Chinese IEMs are still competing way above their price.

A few years ago I bought a pair of Tin T2s (beautiful packaging and those blue foam tips). Were a nice set headphone and solid for gaming too. Very easy to drive etc. That said I don't like them from a comfort point of view. My ears start hurting after an hour. Not sure of it's just those or becuase I rarely wear IEMs. Maybe something I need to re-look into.

 

[Raymond Lin]

@Raymond Lin interesting. I've added these to my wishlist as a maybe something to look at getting.

It doesn't suprise me the Chinese IEMs are still competing way above their price.

A few years ago I bought a pair of Tin T2s (beautiful packaging and those blue foam tips). Were a nice set headphone and solid for gaming too. Very easy to drive etc. That said I don't like them from a comfort point of view. My ears start hurting after an hour. Not sure of it's just those or becuase I rarely wear IEMs. Maybe something I need to re-look into.

There is no "wrong decision" considering the price of these at £35. Even as a spare pair in the tech bag or travel bag, it justifies it's existence.

 

[mysticsniper]

I have the AKG 712-Pro. Unfortunately, they're falling apart.

 

[Rroff]

Out of interest, and apologies if you've said this elsewhere; how long did it take for the HD 600s headband to perish, roughly?

I assume we are taking years here, particularly as they look like the marbled grey variant.

I've got a much older pair, not sure actual age, and they are still fine but my 2015 ones there is now this kind of limpness where it squashes in a couple of mm before you get the proper firmness - kind of hard to explain.