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, but those reported downsides are off-putting.

 

[Jasonovich]

@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, but those reported downsides are off-putting.

Don't overlook Meze. They also make mighty fine dynamic headphones, Meze 105 basic or the Silva version are excellent alternatives to HD600s 😊

Meze 105 Silva Over-ear Headphones https://share.google/jkdJ1bb5MTfFkNRbW

 

[Shrek]

They are very good and very well made i wouldn't buy them now they are old and out dated i prefer my new B&W S

they have very little bass and separation .for build yes for sound no .

ive had them a few years now .

i prefer my 75s .

 

[Gray]

I like the idea of a neutral set of headphones so I can experiment with PEQ when my DAC/amp arrives

Sennheiser HD 560S, Open back reference-grade headphones for audio enthusiasts, Over Ear , Black: Amazon.co.uk: Musical Instruments & DJ

Sennheiser HD 560S, Open back reference-grade headphones for audio enthusiasts, Over Ear , Black: Amazon.co.uk: Musical Instruments & DJ

www.amazon.co.uk

Don't be deterred by thinking "Too cheap to be any good".
I've compared my original* HD-560S with MUCH more expensive Sennheisers (including the famous 600), as well as popular models from AKG and Beyer.
I preferred the sound of the 560S in every comparison - best audio bargain I've had, even with only 10% off at £152, direct from Sennheiser.

They can be used 'balanced' too if you want.

* my only slight recommendation hesitation is that (according to Headfi forum members) the sound of the current model may not be the same as my originals.
But, I doubt it will be bad - and for the current price of £99.....

 

[RTHerringbone]

Don't overlook Meze. They also make mighty fine dynamic headphones, Meze 105 basic or the Silva version are excellent alternatives to HD600s 😊

Meze 105 Silva Over-ear Headphones https://share.google/jkdJ1bb5MTfFkNRbW

They're very much on my radar, but as they have a distinctive sound signature I've sort of dismissed them.

My understanding is that the K13 as a R2R will be "imperfect", so I was keen to have a pretty transparent set of headphones to tinker with to understand the influence of PEQ from that coloured base.

The K13 had a bunch of PEQ options and I feel like if I pair it with some distinctive headphones, then I might struggle to separate one thing from the other.

 

[Jasonovich]

They're very much on my radar, but as they have a distinctive sound signature I've sort of dismissed them.

My understanding is that the K13 as a R2R will be "imperfect", so I was keen to have a pretty transparent set of headphones to tinker with to understand the influence of PEQ from that coloured base.

The K13 had a bunch of PEQ options and I feel like if I pair it with some distinctive headphones, then I might struggle to separate one thing from the other.

You're going to get some sugar from K13s, yes true, it makes sense to go with something more neutral.
Yeah HD600s make more sense. I think the Byerdynamic DT1990 will give you more transparency though with a more sterile sound.