Headphones thread (show us yer cans)!

[simon_pepper]

I have the DCA Aeon 2 Noire, see my earlier post re. my auditioning

Headphones thread (show us yer cans)!

New headphones for 2023 [image] Dan Clark Aeon2 Noire To be driven by a Burson Soloist SL MkI taking input from the Tape-Out of the Sim Audio Moon i5 (which has no headphone output). Had an extensive listen to these, the DCA Aeon2 Closed, Audeze LCD-X, the Audeze LCD-2, Focal Clear MG, Meze 109 Pro (thanks to Hifonix, Birmingham, UK) Through a Burson Amp with a Naim Atom HE streamer (not quite the same as my NDS/555DR streamer but good enough for demo evaluation) The Meze were extremely c…

[dhusky]

Since there’s been a couple of questions about the DCA Aeon Closed, I thought I’d update my earlier post:
Headphones thread (show us yer cans)! - #469 by dhusky

I’ve now used this rig close to every day for more than a year and, FWIW, the combination of the RME ADI-2 and DCA Closed continues to impress me every time I put them on. I did find I preferred them with the thinnest of the tuning pads but otherwise don’t do anything special, aside from some crossfeed and upsampling through Roon.

[Techru (Andrew D. Smith)]

@Saturn94

What do you think of the Dan Clarks?

So, some will consider these high end headphones, and others will consider them mid range. When I bought them, at the time, they were my most expensive headphones, because I hadn’t spent much time using headphones. Now, I probably do a 50/50 split between speakers and headphones. So, at the time, and still to this day, they are my favorite closed back headphones. I think Dan Clark and his team has had so much knowledge that they gained from when the were modifying other headsets and that shows when they went all in and designed their own. The detail retrieval, soundstage and layering is better than most open back headphones. Then you get the “personal” experience with the closed backs that intensifies the experience, and at least for me, allows me to get immersed into listening sessions. Which, when you put all the “characteristics” up against each other, if they have you hooked, they’re worth it.

@simon_pepper

What cables do you have on the Dan Clark Aeon’s?

The cables in the image, and what I use for most of my headphones, at least over the ear styles, are from Hart Audio (no affiliation, just a big fan) due to their adaptable cable connection for their modular sets. I was tired of having two or three cables per headset to swap out to listen on different devices. The link provided there go to their “Multi-Kits” page that shows the various termination connectors that fit their adapter plug end. The cables themselves are soft and flexible, cloth weave wrapped. I have looked a few times on their website to see if they provide any tech info on the cables or core wiring, but they don’t. Fine with me, I’m not a pure numbers guy. Can “better - more audiophiles” cables be bought, maybe, but that’s not their gig. The want to solve the convenience for a fair price problem…and they’ve done that in spades. None of the stock cables I have swapped out from any of the manufacturers sound “better” than the Hart Cables, and a few times the HCs sound better than the stock ones.

[simon_pepper]

Hi, These are my most expensive headphones purchased so far.
Never focused on the Headphone side, just having them for Sport & Travel (Air, Rail, Buses & the bike). But after a brief venture with a Burson Soloist amp, and a decent cable for a pair of B&W P5 Wireless, I was sold (plus a Roon convolution filter), and into a new rabbit hole!

The choice of the DCA Aeon Noire’s was much reading on Open vs Closed, Dynamic vs Planar but nothing was better than a good old fashioned audition or different types listening to the same material through the same source at a dealers.
Not sure the DCA’s have burn-in yet and not sure about the VIVO cabling puchased as an upgrade, but all the fun of rediscovering music via these headphones and then going back to a speaker-based presentation.

[Saturn94]

@simon_pepper

but nothing was better than a good old fashioned audition or different types listening to the same material through the same source at a dealers.

I agree, an audition is best. Unfortunately, no dealers around here anymore.

[Mike_O_Neill]

The million $ question - How do you decide , by mood, genre , time of day . Are some better for Rock , some for Classical etc.

I always wonder with these multi headphone collections esp @Jazzfan_NJ who seems to have hundreds (well not really)

I have essentially one pair of Sennheiser HD800 (SWMBO gets at me when I drool over new ones ) with a BT Backup Sony WH 1000XM4 for power cuts and travelling. So my choice is one . So no decision making .

I have a drawerful of old stuff , cast offs that never comes out . These are old noise cancelling stuff like Sennheiser HD850x (I think) ,Bose 15, Bose 25 etc

I have a grotty pair of JBL BT 450 for the gym

[Mikael_Ollars]

Well, for out and about music entertainment i don’t need much more.
The AirPods Pro (gen2) are a positive surprise, both concerning usability and sound quality.

[Jazzfan_NJ (Listening to JAZZ since 1972!)]

Since you asked:

I never chose by type of music since either the headphone plays music well or it doesn’t. Style of music should not matter. I know that others feel differently and that’s okay.

My headphone collection has grown over the years due to a few factors like simply moving up the ladder to better and better headphones or wanting to try different types of headphone designs.

As for what to headphone I chose to use at any given time that depends on my mood and how the headphones will be used. Late night listening means closed back. Traveling means noise canceling and serious listening means one the upper tier sets.

However you didn’t even mention all the various headphone amps and cables. Very messy indeed.

[killdozer (Brutalise me with music)]

This has become my headphone listening setup of choice. Fiio 11M Plus and a pair of Sennheiser 800Ss over a 4mm balanced cable. Sounds sweet and is an ultra-portable Roon Ready rig (even more so with IEMs).

@Jazzfan_NJ

how the headphones will be used.

I follow a similar path to this but I still have “usage gaps”. In particular I’m looking for a good pair of over-ear closed back headphones, planars might be interesting, suggestions welcome

[Jazzfan_NJ (Listening to JAZZ since 1972!)]

You can’t go wrong with the Sennheiser HD820 since you really enjoy the HD800S.

The Focal Radiance is another good choice and at the top of the ladder, as far as the various closed back headphones I have heard, there is the Dan Clark Audio Stealth.

[gTunes]

I’ll share a couple. The first photo is a stationary setup on my home office desk. The second is a FiiO M11Plus. The second is getting the majority of my time. It’s a game changer.

[Torben_Rick (Torben - A Dane living in Hamburg - Roon Lifer)]

@gTunes

The second is a FiiO M11Plus. The second is getting the majority of my time. It’s a game changer.

Are you happy with your 64 Audio U12t? SQ and size?
Meze Rai Penta fits me very well - are the U12t the same size?

Torben

[gTunes]

@Torben_Rick

Are you happy with your 64 Audio U12t? SQ and size?

A very strong “Yes” with respect to both sound quality and size, though it’s the comfort, not the size, that matters to me. I have discomfort issues with IEMs on which the stem is vertical (points straight up). The stems on the U12t are angled forward and that, combined with the angled 2-pin connector, makes for a very comfortable fit. It does mean, though, that if you like the fit but want to use a different cable (e.g., something other than the mediocre included 3.5mm cable), you have to find something with the right angled connectors.

Also took some effort to find the best tips for me but that’s to be expected.

They are quite pricey but I think they’re fantastic.

[Torben_Rick (Torben - A Dane living in Hamburg - Roon Lifer)]

So far no luck

Currently I am “only” using IEM’s do to heat problems. Other headphones that I have tested did give me sweaty ears after a short period.

Would open-back headphones reduce the problem? Or what to look after?

THX

Torben

[killdozer (Brutalise me with music)]

@Torben_Rick

Would open-back headphones reduce the problem

I’ve found the open over-ear headphones much more “breathable” than closed back. For comfort, the open Sennheiser models I’ve used have all been “all-day wearable”. I do suffer from overheating ears when wearing things like Sony noise-cancelling phones. I’m still in the market for a pair of closed-back over-ears all the same

[Traian_Boldea]

@killdozer

open over-ear headphones much more “breathable” than closed back

Thanks, good point. I’ve never thought of that from that pov

@killdozer

I’m still in the market for a pair of closed-back over-ears all the same

Pls share when you find.
I would like an upgrade for my 3h a week when I’m mobile. I use HD 569 but as summer hits I switch to IEMs

[bearFNF]

In my experience, the type of pad material also affects long term comfort. For me at least, velour pads are like sweat generators and get hotter and uncomfortable much faster than leather pads. I much prefer the leather pads for over-ear headphones. YMMV

As far as IEMs go, I prefer custom molded ones over the universal kind. The universal, much like the velour pads get uncomfortable after a period. Whereas with the custom fit IEMs, I can wear them for very long periods of time and mostly don’t have any issues with them.

[Rugby (aka Daniel or Big Dan)]

I’ve been loving my audeze lcd xc. But they are heavy i am told by the spouse, it doesn’t bother me as I gave a large neck and don’t notice the weight.

[killdozer (Brutalise me with music)]

All good points, some of which I’ve barely considered. I may have the same problem as you with velour. I’ve just not attributed the cause.

@bearFNF

I prefer custom molded ones over the universal kind

This I have considered and am yet to do anything about. I got as far as sitting in the Snugs electronic measuring chair in some fancy London store. After 20 minutes, they concluded that my inner ear was too misshapen for the fancy kit, and I needed to go to an audiologist for conventional impressions. Still haven’t got around to that.

@Rugby

I’ve been loving my audeze lcd xc

Audeze, Dan Clark and Focal are my main paths to temptation as things stand…

[gTunes]

What’s pushing you in the direction of closed back? Is it scenarios where leakage is an issue?