Hello! Recently I’ve bought a pair of LetShuoer S12s and absolutely loved them! They’re by far the best set of IEMs/headphones I’ve ever had. For reference the only “headphones” I’ve ever used were gaming headsets and a KZ ZSX that serves me very well until now.
These, for now, are my absolute favorite IEMs/Headphones of all time, just bought a cx31993 and a pair of Spinfit W1s to use with the S12s since they’re on sale on AliExpress and am planning on getting either a HD600 or a DT1990 Pro next.
So I ask you guys, which headphones are your favorites? Which headphones just make you go “Yeah, this is it.”
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This is weird af, but I enjoy the AKG K240 Studios. The mids are too in-your-face for many people (and the bass took a vacation) but I love the details. Overall, I’m enjoying the Sundaras the most. My next target is either Focal Clear, Edition XS, or R70x.
When I was first buying a headphone for PC use about 3-4 years ago, I was considering the AKG240s, but in the end, being the dunce I am, I bought a pair of HyperX Cloud Alpha IIs, I kinda regret it now because they’re nowhere near as good as my S12s or my friend’s SHP9500, but I feel that, in the end, it’s a good(bad) thing I bought them because it started my headphone addiction. But I’d still like to have a pair of K240s :(
I was actually considering going for either the Sundaras or the Edition XS for my next pair of headphones, but I got scared away by the infamous HiFiMan QC. For now I’m waiting to see if I’ll be able to purchase the AudezeMM100 here in Brasil or not, if I’m not able to, I’m probably sticking with the HD600s or the DT1990 Pro, altough I’m aware that the treble can be a bit too sharp on Beyers, but that shouldn’t be a problem since, if it’s really that sharp, I can just use eq to tone a bit the treble.
I’m probably sticking with the HD600s or the DT1990 Pro
You can never go wrong with these, tbh. Specially the Sennheisers. I haven’t checked the AudezeMM100 reviews yet so I can’t comment on them. Just make sure you audition them first just to make sure they fit your taste.
I got scared away by the infamous HiFiMan QC.
Definitely valid concern. I have 3 hifimans and I’m lucky they don’t have issues yet. But I’ve seen a lot of people having issues with theirs. I hope Hifiman fixes their QC.
Don’t worry about the K240 - I haven’t met anyone who likes them lmao.
You can never go wrong with these, tbh. Specially the Sennheisers. I haven’t checked the AudezeMM100 reviews yet so I can’t comment on them. Just make sure you audition them first just to make sure they fit your taste
Unfortunately testing them isn’t really possible for me, so I’m mostly going off waht I’ve read online. As t the moment in pretty much set on getting the Beyers, because I’ve read that they have a better soundstage and I like treble.
The MM100s by audeze, as far as I know, are set to start shipping this month, if they’re any good, I’ll consider getting them if I’m able to, but, again, I’ll most likely go with the Beyers since I’ve dreamed about having them since I was in my first year of highlschool.
Definitely valid concern. I have 3 hifimans and I’m lucky they don’t have issues yet. But I’ve seen a lot of people having issues with theirs. I hope Hifiman fixes their QC.
Honestly, I’d buy a HiFiMan if I lived in either europe or the USA, but since I live in Brasil and I, most of the times anyways, buy my headphones through AliExpress, buying anything HiFiMan is a huge gamble since I can’t RMA them easily.
Don’t worry about the K240 - I haven’t met anyone who likes them lmao.
At least you like it, I think… Unless you’re some kind of masochist - and maybe you are given that you also spend, what I assume is, a lot of money on headphones, dacs and amps for the definitely real difference in sound that isn’t in our minds and totally justifies the amount of money we’ve sunk into this hobby.
I also love my K240s, though I mainly use some Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pros nowadays because they’re more comfortable to have on my head all day.
I always wanted to try the k240s but ended up with the newer version k245 that’s since been discontinued. I’ve got 3 pairs of overear AKGs so it’d be overkill getting the k240s as well.
My daily driver at work is the Aftershokz Aeropex. They are bone conductive and allow me to leave my ears open Incase someone needs to talk to me.
At home if it’s quiet I use the Sennheiser HD 600. If it’s loud I use the 7Hz Timeless IEMs.
Never heard abouth the Aftershokz before, it sound really cool!
Btw, nice IEM choice :D
I originally got the Aftershokz for running/cycling so my ears were open to listen to traffic. Soundwise they are nothing to write home about, but they are really good for that purpose.
The Timeless are probably the ones I use most at home, and I really dig them.
The Ksc75 with Yaxy earpads and a headband is basically endgame for me. Or at least i tell myself that in order not to spend more on headphones…
Been using my dt990 pros for the last 6 or so years, always been my go to, the top end and soundstage is baller
I have had mine for about 3 years and I’ve loved everything about them except the lack of a removable cable. I ended up modifying mine to have a mini xlr jack last year and it’s been great (though soldering was such a pain with my lack of skills and really cheap soldering iron)
When I was first buying a headphone because my old cheap gaming headset broke, I listed the DT990s in my list of possibilities, but due to me being incredibly dumb, the dt990s not having a detachable cable and the fact that at the time I didn’t have enough disposable income to get them, I decided to get a pair of HyperX Cloud Alpha IIs, I don’t necessarily regret my decision, but I’d rather I had bought an open back headphone instead of a closed gaming headset.
It’s tough.
I like IEMs but these days I mostly use my Porta Pros when outside, they are small, light and cheap and I actually like that I can hear my surroundings. They also have way better sound than they have any right to for the price, especially with the right pads/EQ. Stock they are quite muddy but bringing down the lower midrange really makes them shine. So I have kinda stopped putting too much into IEMs since I know I just grab my Porta Pros most of the time anyway.
The best headphones sound wise I’ve owned so far are the Edition XS. I don’t mind the slightly spicy treble and they just do everything so well, very good tuning, absolutely great detail, excellent imaging and soundstage. They can easily compete with a lot of stuff over $1000. I sold them because they get kinda uncomfortable after wearing them for a few hours and I always worried that they would break, but if all you care is the absolutely best sound for the price you should buy nothing else, seriously.
My favourite headphones I own at the moment are the HD 600. They are just so easy going. They are light, comfortable, fit well, are easy enough to drive that they work for my phone, are incredibly well tuned and easy to listen to. Sure the Edition XS have better soundstage and detail, but the HD 600 is just so easy to throw on and be happy. They simply don’t have any issues in my opinion and the more intimate sound is a nice chance of pace, too.
That said, I’m itching to get the MM-100. Of course we don’t know if they will live up to expectations, but I kinda miss planars, and a reasonably priced and not too heavy Audeze headphone sounds great.
And the DT 1990, I’m selling a pair right now. Honestly I don’t think these are really worth it. They are better tuned than the DT 990 and they are comfortable and nicely build and all, but the tuning is still kinda wonky, if you compare them to the HD 600 you really start to wonder what the hell Beyer is doing. Sure they have detail and soundstage but the detail is not nearly on Edition XS level and overall if detail, imaging and soundstage is important to you I would buy the ATH R70X over these any day. I really don’t get how these are so expensive, buying a pair of DT 990 and throwing EQ on there gets you a headphone that sounds just as good and is way cheaper, only “real” downside is a bit more plastic in the construction and no detachable cable and that’s not worth spending like $500 instead of $150 or so.
imaging and soundstage is important to you I would buy the ATH R70X over these any day.
This may have sown the seeds of doubt in my mind, Soundstage is really important to me since i game a lot and having a good soundstage really enhances the experience for me. I’ll be sure to take a look at the ATH R70x, since it’s way cheaper than the DT1990 Pro here in Brasil, especially after tax (about 250USD of difference)
Yeah, the R70X are underappreciated in my opinion. Only issue is that the cups aren’t super big so if you have large or very protruding ears they won’t fit. I have pretty “normal” ears for a normal man and they fit great, it’s just something to be aware of.
Only issue is that the cups aren’t super big so if you have large or very protruding ears they won’t fit.
I don’t think that’ll be a problem for me, my ears are definitely on the small/flat side. I’ll await for the MM100s from Audeze first before deciding, but looking at the price and some graphs, I think the R70x will probably be a better fit for me compared to the DT 1990 PRO, as of now, I don’t think I can justify getting the Beyers since they’re double the price of the R70x for a, what I assume after looking at some reviews and such, not double the price worth difference.
I just wanted to thank you for recommending the ATH R70x, if the MM100s aren’t accessible here on Brasil, I’ll definitely be going for the R70x :D
I know I’m not shaking up any hives with this one, but I’ve gotten Aryas and I haven’t really looked back since.
Had a couple of models before-- the titular starpower Sennys and Beyers, and some Sony commercial models, but ever since I started using Aryas, I…
Stopped. Looking for headphones…
The cable they come with may be pure dogwater and Hifiman QC forever sketch, but nothing else really can buy the feeling of just listening to music without getting all knocked on listening to the headphone.
What IS gonna ruffle some feathers is that my Campfire Cascades are a close second. They’re bassy and wide-sounding and built like a tank, and just their sheer portability + fun sound for EDM make me eat up their more annoying features like their cabling or their silly goddamn headband. Not a lot of headphones gave me the security that I could drop them and they’d live quite like BASScades.
Here’s hoping that your Aryas last a long time! especially since you seem to really like them.
I was kinda shocked to realize this month I haven’t been shopping for headphones at all. I finally have gear that I’m really happy with and it’s stopped the little nagging voice in my head telling me there could be something better out there. Now, I’m sure there is something better out there but still I’m satisfied.
For me it was the U12t and Diana V2 (it was half price in Abyss’ “found in warehouse” sale). Both of those couldn’t possibly sound more different to each other. But they both sound great for just about everything I listen to. The U12t is luxurious sounding, warm-leaning, detailed, stages well (for an iem) and excellent imaging. The Diana V2 is astoundingly clear and detailed, in your face vocals, energetic, fantastic imaging, not super wide sounding overall but still manages to somehow throw sounds way out into the room when a song calls for it (to the point that it’s startling sometimes). Overall very happy with what I have. About to sell off some of my other stuff I no longer use.
I’m glad you’ve got a good thing going with your Diana and your U12T! IEMS were never my favorite space but it’s nice to see a lot of new options for them, both hi-end and chi-fi.
It’s such a special little feeling when the upwards climb of technohoarding stops and you settle into a nice walk of ‘eh, who cares if there’s better? I’m happy with what I’ve got’.
eh, who cares if there’s better?
That’s a great way to put it. When you find something good enough that you stop trying to imagine what “better” sounds like while listening to what you have, that’s a pretty good place to stay for a while.
My favourite headphones are the Sennheiser HDR185 because they are almost the only wireless, over ear, open back headphones I could find that sound good.
Despite getting newer and more expensive IEMs since, I still adore my SeeAudio Yume. I dont think I can listen to anything else for as long as it.
Current favorite is the moondrop aria snow editions, honestly for both sound but also they’re the most comfortable IEMs I have.
I heard amazing things about the Arias, I almost got them, but the S12s we’re almost the same price as the Arias when I bought them, so I decided to go with the S12s, but in the future I might get a pair of Arias to add to my collection.
I need more time to sit down and truly appreciate the cans I have in terms of their technical performance, differences and similarities, but I have a few that I enjoy and rotate every so often.
Right now while I’m away from home, I’m using my Hifiman HE5XX, I like that they’re light and sound great to me with some EQ, and it seems my non-headphone friends enjoy them as well.
I left a Focal Elex and ZMF Eikon back at home, and an HD6XX on indefinite loan to a friend. Haven’t had the itch to buy anything new lately, but those cover a good range of headphones for me, and I like them all separately.
Honestly super hot take but I got a set of Master & Dynamic wired MH-40s on sale for like half off years and years ago and they’re not the most comfortable but they’re still my favorites. I also love that they’re virtually indestructible – everything on them is made of metal or leather. And they just sound fun to me.
