Best compact headphone listening solution?

[Richardhall]

Have a look at Matrix Audio. I picked up a lovely Headphone amp/dac second hand for £200 recently. Wireless AirPlay 2 from your iPhone or else plug in an Ethernet cable and stream away. Amazing sound quality

 

[RTHerringbone]

Too late to change course now! Plus I don't know if Matrix Audio stuff is iOS only, but I'm strictly a non-Apple guy because I can't stand the usability and inflated prices of their products. I had an iPhone once and a MacBook. Never again.

Now I'm looking into the important matter of headphone stands 🤔

EDIT: Ordered ✔️🙂

 

[Jasonovich]

Thanks. I think my overriding logic in the end was: "I can't be sure that I'll even hear the difference, but I can be certain that I will have to look at the combination".

I'm sure it'll sound great anyway, but there's no doubt it'll look good. Now I need to figure out how to rejig the office desk space.....

Totally agree, never under value the power of aesthetics. It adds to the good feel factor.
I'm taking car to garage on Monday for some repair work, hopefully if it isn't too brutal.
I may have some funds for Elac DS-A101-G integrated amp. This would be replacing my D-Class SMSL A300 but not counting my chickens just yet. 😊



ELAC DS-A101-G Discovery Integrated Amplifier at AV.com https://share.google/PtOuj994jmBku6q1Q

 

[RTHerringbone]

And that took maybe ten minutes to get it up and running with my old pair of headphones. Such a simple setup process. Now to wait for the FiiO.....

 

[RTHerringbone]

Thoughts already turning to a modest priced pair of over-ear, open-backed dynamic driver headphones, just to give myself options.

I'll have PEQ and a bit of warmth with the K13 R2R, so I can easily elect for Sennheiser HD600 or suchlike. Meze 105 AER if they appear with a Black Friday price that appeals could also be one for the list.

 

[Shrek]

Too late to change course now! Plus I don't know if Matrix Audio stuff is iOS only, but I'm strictly a non-Apple guy because I can't stand the usability and inflated prices of their products. I had an iPhone once and a MacBook. Never again.

Now I'm looking into the important matter of headphone stands 🤔

EDIT: Ordered ✔️🙂

What Stands did you order RT? Ive been looking for some for my new B & WS

 

[Shrek]

I dont think i would buy anything i didnt like the look of even if it sounded amazing nice to admire a new purchase 😄

 

[RTHerringbone]

What Stands did you order RT? Ive been looking for some for my new B & WS

It actually arrived about five minutes ago. It was this one.

The limited research I did suggests that these curved designs are potentially less likely to risk damaging the headband than the "hook" equivalents.

 

[Shrek]

It actually arrived about five minutes ago. It was this one.

The limited research I did suggests that these curved designs are potentially less likely to risk damaging the headband than the "hook" equivalents.

View attachment 10139

Exact style i had my eye on the WiiM looks nice to 🥳

 

[RTHerringbone]

Exact style i had my eye on the WiiM looks nice to 🥳

Seems fine to me. Little rubber feet to give it some stickability, and the edges aren't unreasonably rough given it's basically curved plywood with a finish on the outer layer.

 

[RTHerringbone]

@Shrek Your signature says you have some HD600s. They're obviously very highly regarded and fit my "second pair" requirements of being over ear, dynamic drivers, on budget and neutral. Have you any feedback about using them - any pros and cons? Reviews imply the bass is pretty weak and they offer a narrow soundstage.

I like the idea of a neutral set of headphones so I can experiment with PEQ when my DAC/amp arrives, and these seem to be a perfect fit for my needs.