Doesn't anyone have a Type-C DAC? I have IEMs, so I want lossless audio and want to enjoy the full potential of my drivers.

They just sound fun, not as clinical as some other brands but i don't want that! I want to feel and enjoy my music collection, and the 109 pro gives exactly that and the comfort is just awesome, it is like a warm pillow after 8 houes in your bed

Initially I thought they sounded a bit dark, had them at 3 on each side, lacking highs, then I extended the headband to 5 on each side, now they hanging pretty low for me, the bottoms on the back of my jawline (is this too low? but the highs sound right to me now... also had to move it back and forth till I hit the right spot

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMfPqeZjc

use white noise to test, extend your band down lower then you had before (dont cuff the cups it alters the sound) I grab the sides with my fingers, put a slight pressure so it's still sealed, and move the headphone down/up you can see it gets darker / brighter, but stabilizes in the middle where you hear the ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss noise lol

might have to push down on headband too for a tighter fit

but uh, is this right or wrong? I think the high freqs improved for me, before they felt a bit too "dull" / "smooth"

how many lines do you wear it on? (note the black part of the headphone is covering the current line, so add that to your count)

My Apple earphones(wired) type C does not work with my Xiaomi 11 Lite NE. When I checked online, it looks like I can make it work using a DAC. But I could not find any type C to type C DAC. Any suggestions for a cheap type C to type DAC in India?

I am admittedly an Audio-Technical fanboy and now have listened to their entire ADX line except for the 5000. I do not have experience with the original R70x, but decided to give the new version a try. I listened to all three on my Khadas Tone Pro 2 and IFI Zen Can V2 for about three hours straight total on Tidal using only “MAX” files. I’m leaving them to burn-in for the next day or two (it can’t really hurt anything), but wanted to make a quick post while it’s still fresh in my mind.

R50x: Pretty damn good for the money. It has nearly the exact same performance in the mids and bass that the R70xa has but loses quite a bit in soundstage, clarity, and treble. Great bass for an open back at sub 200, super comfy pads, and the cable is nice and detachable. I’d say it’s great for instrumental, hip-hop, and EDM. Acoustic would work well, too, but once you start getting into classic rock and pop, the vocals can seem quite recessed. I haven’t messed with EQ but it might work well for these. With that being said, I brought my ADX500 out for a comparison and it was no contest (ADX500 won on everything but bass). Mind you, my head is large and I like the “wing” system of the old ADX line—many do not.

R70xa: I know this one has a different design than the original, but I understand the hype. It just sounds good—on everything and with all genres. I have like 60+ headphones at this point and this might just have the best sub bass in an open back dynamic that I’ve ever heard. There were one or two hip hop songs where I thought a good notch down on bass on an equalizer would be helpful and I don’t think I’ve had that experience with an open back before. Soundstage is excellent! It’s not dethroning the HD 800, but it’s up there in the top 10 with other heavy hitters like the 702, Ananda, etc. Great bass and soundstage in an open back dynamic is what I need in my life. Detachable cable system is nice, and although I surprisingly find the pads on the R50x to be nicer and not as hot, the R70xa pads were still comfortable for the entire session. Also surprisingly, I liked the R50’s Sennheiser-esque nuggets on the headband over the suspension strap of the R70xa, but, again, reminder: I have a giant head (XL-XXL hat size). Both are ridiculously light to somewhat of a worrying degree. The build quality looks nice but both feel like Fisher-Price toys. Seriously though: think of the Koss Porta Pro. They feel that damn light while still being full-sizes headphones. It’s just confusing and kind of disconcerting, but yeah, you’re not going to have any weight issues with either set. I kind of get why some people compared the R70 to the Sennheiser 650 in some ways. The R70xa reminds me a bit of one of my new favorites in the Sennheiser line: 560s. Similar but wider soundstage, similar handling of vocals (not too bright with somewhat of a “near the stage” perception), lush mids, but with a nice bump in the bass. Are they worth $350? I think so. The only problem is that this price point is a war zone right now and there are a lot of good cans for that kind of money that can be better than these depending on what you want.

ADX3000: I’ve wanted an ADX5000 for the longest time but it tops out way past what I am comfortable spending (even in the used market). Once I heard Audio-Technica was basically doing a paired down version, I had to try it. I love this headphone. Other reviewers talking about it being spicy in the treble are not lying, but the vocals on these bad boys are special. It’s a weird ass mix of sounding intimate and expansive at the same time. Instruments and the bass line all sound like they are outside of your head with great imaging while the vocals sound extremely close and real. It’s like sitting on stage next to the singer while the rest of the band plays in a circle around you. I know that’s not terribly technical but that’s what I hear. The bass is not as good or as deep as the R70xa—you hear it more than feel it—but the bass you get is still nice and is close to the great category for an open back. I did turn on my Xbass through the IFI amp and it was more than enough for me. The build quality is nice and feels premium and there’s definitely more weight than its barely there siblings. I like the complete lack of straps and pads on this headphone: it’s just felt lined metal that sits on your head. I don’t know why this is actually still comfortable, but it is. The A2DC cable is still annoying as hell and a little too tight in the headphones connectors, but I’m glad it’s removable and it’s easy to find replacements online. Is it worth $1000? That’s up to the listener. I have a handful of cans in that price range and all of them do something unique (e.g., 800 has soundstage, electrostats have speed, AMT drivers have great presence and imaging, and planets got that special planar sound that we all dig). Does the ADX3000 have that unique something? I’m not sure yet. I know the vocals hit the spot more than I can remember any headphone I own doing so, but I plan on doing head-to-head with the other heavy hitters over the next week.

Anyway, just some food for thought for those considering getting some of the new products. R50x is a good budget headphone but there’s much better (including their own ADX line). The R70xa is stellar but probably still a bit overpriced (it would murder most of the field if it was $250), and the ADX3000 is definitely too expensive but damn does it sound good. It’s likely going to be the one I keep out of the three but for an overall winner, you can do a lot worse than the R70xa. Just the fact that it has great bass and great soundstage together with great mids/vocals in an extreme open back is enough to sing its praises.

I've always been against EQ because I more or less didn't really understand it. It seemed too complicated and more of a hassle than anything especially since I have multiple headphones and multiple devices. Man was I wrong.

I followed Resolves guide and it was pretty straightforward. It was super simple and easy to follow. I only wanted to set an EQ for my HD8XX, (sticker modded so the HD800s eq suited it a bit better). I entered the EQ from here.

Long Story short, after setup, this was 10000% worth it. It made these headphones sound absolutely fantastic and gave them the bass they were missing and took out the thin sound they had. And I'm able to just toggle it on and off with a Hot key is another nice feature. I might have to try it on my other cans, but damn, this was a nice free upgrade I wasn't expecting!

I wanted to replace my aging SHP9500 that i used with my PC. After thoroughly falling into the rabbit hole, ended up really liking the HD490 Pro after trying it out at my local headphone store. Next thing i know i was looking at my used marketplace for a dac/amp and got the schitt stack. So i guess thanks r/headphones

https://preview.redd.it/xhnir78r0qge1.jpg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8d9662cedc4ec2a21402ec8bdc40a527cde3d9f8

https://preview.redd.it/75mshyj0ypge1.png?width=1025&format=png&auto=webp&s=94f11b315445276a337f6c37ba3c6134250f97b4

China

'China' is actually the main word of 2024 in the audio discourse. All the most interesting developments, all new technologies, and all the best models belong to Chinese brands with very, very few exceptions. This trend did not appear yesterday, but around 2010, when a giant manufacturing hub was formed and started operating, located in the area, or better to say, the 'agglomeration' of Shenzhen.

Why are Chinese manufacturers' headphones the best? Well, it's because Chinese engineers have acquired the knack of reverse engineering others' products and then producing their own. Labor in China is cheap, production capacities are huge, and marketing costs are low – it's mostly about word-of-mouth marketing. China can afford to produce a lot of relatively cheap and infinitely diverse headphones, and in the last few years, their quality and consistency (in terms of the difference between copies) have shaped up, too.

Yes, sometimes the approach to developing new models is based on the good old 'hit-and-miss' principle, but the number of models is so large that, statistically, every manufacturer will manage to release at least one really good model of headphones. To put it bluntly (and just metaphorically), the number of galley slaves is so high that sometimes 'War and Peace' can really be written by happenstance.

Moreover, there are also other Chinese companies that approach design and tuning utterly consciously and don't create endless lines of countless models, Truthear, for instance.

Role of measurements

It makes perfect sense from China's technical and manufacturing leadership that the measurements of headphones have become more important than ever: there are plentier than plenty of various models, and it's impossible to listen to all of them just physically, even if you live in this very China and have physical access to them all. Therefore, we have to choose remotely. And how do we do it? Only by measurements. Feedback and reviews still play a part, but more as an addition: talking heads on YouTube have become interpreters explaining the favors and disadvantages of curves on the graphs if the viewer is not able to evaluate the latter on their own and adding a couple of words about kits and cables, of course.

The new normal now is the publication of measurements by the manufacturer itself, and some companies keep their model measurement databases right on their websites, while the lack of measurements immediately raises the question, "Aren't you trying to hide something from the buyer?"

A picture on the box of CKLVX CK-D62 IEMs

I assume that 'old' brands will either no longer be able to 'win back' the generation of consumers who grew up with this approach or will have to change their approach and start showing their measurements, too, rather than highlighting past achievements, counting the years since the company was founded, etc.

Headphone frequency response measurement standard

In a nutshell, as there'll be a separate post about it, the trend in 2024 is the transition from measuring rigs of the IEC711 standard to ones of Brüel & Kjær 5128 (4620). The new equipment is fabulously expensive, but it has undeniable advantages over the old one: much more reliable measurements in the range of 20 Hz – 20 kHz (in IEC711 – from 100 to 10,000 Hz). New target curves appeared, and even Sean Olive began finding out what the Harman curve would look like at the B&K 5128 rig (YouTube).

The rigs of the old standard became more accessible: on AliExpress, you can buy a secondhand E610A branded coupler (IEC60318-4), ears and a power supply unit (B&K 1704-C-102) for some $750 and measure to the gills.

Sound sources

The sound source market is experiencing the same trends because it plays by the same rules: Chinese brands completely dominate there, especially as the difference between the sound sources is already poorly discernible even on measurements – this is how well they're being made.

Everything you need to know about the topic is the results of the last year's study by Amir (YouTube, AES), the owner of audiosciencereview.com. The study included about 450 sound sources. Based on the results of the study, the devices were divided into 4 categories: Excellent, Very good, Fair and Poor. Here is the distribution of devices by country of origin in the Excellent category:

https://preview.redd.it/0919t6lyypge1.png?width=800&format=png&auto=webp&s=cf09495ed599b0f5def03006fe775b4c2e737941

Here is the distribution of devices by SINAD (signal-to-noise and distortion ratio) within the categories:

https://preview.redd.it/q9q0l8zzypge1.png?width=800&format=png&auto=webp&s=c069e2e8bc4271ca6128f406f48997ba6c3af653

Main conclusions:

https://preview.redd.it/o0v0qre1zpge1.png?width=800&format=png&auto=webp&s=1645cf4bb616b6401aa0c8dbde90bb42abe0408d

Excellent performance is doable for devices priced around $100, while devices priced from $500 to $900 sound remarkably, incredibly well.

And, like with headphones, it's now considered good form to show measurements right away rather than pouring out words like 'transparency', 'tunableness', 'legibility' and other bullshit.

In-ear and over-ear headphones

Over-ear headphones are losing the battle for the buyer to in-ear models. Again, everything is completely logical: IEMs are cheaper to produce, they are suitable for more use cases, they are simpler, and, therefore, innovations can be implemented faster. Finally, they are physically smaller, which means they are cheaper to store and deliver.

In other words, the sound that the consumer gets in an over-ear model for $2,000 will come out for some $500, if not cheaper, in an IEM-format. Besides, IEMs partly act as an answer to the unsolved question, "What decent closed-back headphones should I buy?". If we talk about over-ear headphones, there are only two really convincing answers so far: DCA E3 and Kennerton Arkona, for $2,000 each.

And it is IEM models with which manufacturers experiment the most: multi-driver systems, combining different types of radiators, new types of drivers (for example, micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) or bone conduction drivers). None of this is going on in the market of over-ear headphones – there is technological stagnation there.

"Making good sound cheaper"

25 years ago, no one really understood what 'good-sounding headphones' were like. 10 years ago, you had to pay about $4,000-5,000 for them.

Today, incredibly good in-ears cost $400-500, very, very good ones cost already $200, and just good ones cost less than $100. Over-ear headphones are developing within the same paradigm: with the advent of PARA, AR5000, JT1/FT1, we can talk about buying a new decent-sounding 'DAC + headphones' system for $300 and a really presentable one for $1,000, and these will be headphones from a Chinese manufacturer.

The reasons are clear and stated above.

However, the industry still has something to offer those who have deep pockets: Subtonic Storm, Moondrop Solis II, Kinera Imperial Loki, etc.

Gold nuggets

The incredible cheapness and infinite variety of models have created a phenomenon similar, in fact, to sifting river sand in search of gold. Many people can afford to buy 10-15 cheap models of in-ear headphones at once. These will be earphones without measurements and reviews, from manufacturers who don't even have clear names. The interest is simple: what if there is an amazing, unknown model among these earphones? A kind of golden nugget that just needs to be found and brushed down? The mindset here is almost the same as with loot boxes in games: it works flawlessly for many people.

Wireless headphones

The only area where China cannot catch up with the Europeans, Americans and Japanese yet is all kinds of systems that require software development: TWS and over-ear wireless headphones. Even relatively 'big' and well-known manufacturers such as Moondrop and Fiio are unable to create or customize normally functioning software. Just look at the Moondrop Link ratings (3.7 with 270 reviews) or FiiO Control (2.6 with 1,000 reviews). Both applications were not created yesterday, they are updated regularly, but it hasn't produced the desired effect – stable and bug-free operation – yet. And all other manufacturers have even worse results, therefore, the Chinese cannot beat Sony, Sennheiser or Bose in this field yet. I suppose, however, that this won't last.

That's the way the cookie crumbles! If you love in-ears, you can forget about Sennheiser, Audeze, Noble, Beyerdynamic, 64 Audio and other European and American dinosaurs. It's high time to learn new names: Simgot, THIEAUDIO, AFUL Audio, Kefine, QKZ, Shuoer, ZiiGaat and about a hundred or two more crackjaw names – these companies will be the main players in the IEM market in the coming years. Is this good or bad? Well, it's expectable in the context of the capitalist world order. But, as there has never been such competition and such a variety of excellent headphones, it's definitely good for consumers and listeners.

Just got into the hobby with: -Douk u3 mini preamp -phillips shp9600 open back -kef m400 closed back -truthear zero reds

I have never heard music like i have now- this might be the only rewarding hobby i ever do!

I used to tune my Sundara with Equalizer APO Freeware for PC. I took a curve suggestion from jaakkopasanen/AutoEq at Github. But I cant find any curves for the Hifiman Arya Unveiled :(

im using sennheiser hd560s, with a qudelix 5k and im using oratorys eq preset, all hooked up to my ps5 pro. currently playing tlou part 1. when enabling 3d audio, which this game supports, directional audio sounds a bit better and i can hear more details in some certain sounds, like a molotov burning. but it also sounds like the overall general audio quality got worse, a bit muffled like.

when disabling it, the game sounds clearer and cleaner but i lose out on the better directional audio and smaller details in sounds.

anyone here have experience with this? are my ears just out of wack?

I bought some replacement pads for the Hifiman Ananda that arrived today, and I have a question that might seem silly, but I'm not sure if it matters or not. I removed the old pads, which are the ones that came with the headphones, and they don't have a filter on the part that faces the drivers. This filter is already on the drivers themselves and didn't come off with the pads. However, the new pads I bought have this filter built into them. Is there any issue with installing them like this? Would having two filters—one on the driver and one on the pad—affect the sound in any way? To make it easier to understand, I'm attaching photos of the old pad and the new one.

new

old

I've had wireless headphones my entire life, I decided to pull the trigger. Is there anything major I should know about these?

Hey I own the tangzu waner sg iem I need the perfect wavelet EQ settings for it can someone pls suggest me a good setting for it

Will a 4 pole female socket work just as good as a 3 pole? Does it matter at all

I have an awesome recommendation for any Chord Mojo/Poly users and the silly Bot on r/headphones keeps deleting it. Can you please discipline your bot.

It's a perfect little case for £10 from Muji.

Check it out!!!!!

https://preview.redd.it/tnplec6hnlge1.png?width=2772&format=png&auto=webp&s=f5304add410552c4452fc48b3596ad8b1ecdb94c

Issue typically happens with piano pieces. Is this normal, or is it an issue with the recording? It was 24bit/96kHz on qobuz.

Song used: Chopin Etude op. 25 no6 in g sharp minor

Setup: Ferrum Wandla and OOR Eversolo DMP-A6

Just got the openmove. Thought these are prettt good for the price. Sharp highs. Usable lows. Speech as in podcasts sounds great. As good as a midrange earbud

Got the openrun thinking it may be better as it’s more expensive but man the sound overall is more hollow. Speech content seems further away if that makes sense. Bass isn’t any better really. Only upside is it’s a mini so fit and weight slightly better. A bit disappointed

Wondering if I should get the openrun pro. Will that’s sound better. Or to get better you have to get to openrun 2

How much gear have you tried?

Out of them, what was your favourite? What did you end up buying?

Perhaps one item from each category (eg headphone, iem, amp, etc)

View Poll

I know audio latency under Windows has been a sore spot for years, but I'm curious about how the whole thing is dealt with by specific anti-lag "game" modes.

I have a set of Blitzwolf HP6 headphones with game mode and it completely eliminates lag.

Funnily enough, when game mode isn't active their lag is awful - easily the worst of all BT phones I have. But activate it and... poof, gone. Needless to say, I use them in gaming mode at all times.

I've just received a set of Sony headphones and their native lag is much lower than the Blitzwolfs without game mode - not that it takes much - but it's somewhat noticeable in games. However, these don't have a game mode, so I'm stuck with the lag.

Unless I reboot in Linux, or connect the 'phones to my Android phone. Then, lag is greatly reduced: at a practical level it's not noticeable on the Sonys, and on the Blitzwolfs it's mildly annoying but a lot less than before.

I'm curious about how this whole thing works. Obviously the latency has to be some issue with Windows drivers, given different performance under different OSes, but there's got to be more than that because when game mode is enabled the battery on the Blitzwolfs lasts a fair bit less, so there's different protocols or different hardware coming into play.

I've googled but have failed to find a technical explanation - every page and post I can find takes for granted that the user is computer-illiterate and explains things in ultra-basic.

I also experimented with this alternative driver. It made no difference on my system.

Ive been using my sony MDR 7506's for almost 2 decades(4th set of earpads lol) are the Audio Technica ATH-M50x's a worthwhile upgrade? will mostly be using them on my pc with the amp built into my asus xonar STX soundcard or Audioengine D1P if im on the go go. Used mostly for music listning with some audio work/mixing on my own guitar tracks as im learning to play guitar.

I dont mind the trruthful studio monitor sound with music if anything it helps me notice flaws and helps me with learning guitar.

I have a large music library with some high res audio(24 bit 192khz)

I’ve noticed that with one of my earbuds, I understand people talking much better—especially when learning a new language. Does such a category of headphones exist, or am I just imagining it? What characteristics should I look for in headphones that would help with understanding speech, particularly for language learning?

I have this old pair of MDR7509HD that has a failing wire. I want to mod it to a detachable cord - ideally I'd like to have a locking connector on the headphones side.

Not sure where to buy the supplies and this is feasible given the space available. If there is no way I could fit a female connector inside, anybody knows if there are any external options?