For me having grown up listening to speakers, I had to switch to a headphone system when I moved to an apartment for my studies, because no matter how much you treat the room leaving the cost out, I could not listen to music late at night, as I could back at home, without disturbing the neighbours. So I would like to add not only you solve the room problem but you also can listen to at whatever time you like at any volume and that's a big advantage if you live in an apartment.

@Personalinfo404

Жыл бұрын

@@BrentLeVasseur if you're roommate is complaining about noise bleed through a pair of open backs, you need to get a new roommate. That's some cry baby level sensitivity.

For the DT 990, as the DT880 and DT770 etc, you can buy a new cable as well as about all other parts from Beyerdynamic... It's not as easily replaceable as for other headphones, but you don't need to throw the headphone away when something of that headphone breaks.

Thanks for the Max Cooper tip!

Finally someone who matches headphones with dacs/amps and talks from experience, and not just repeats what everyone else says on the forums...also very nice editing and very understandable. Thank God I found this channel! :) Could you please make videos like this with higher price points too? 750 USD, 1000 USD, 1500 USD, 2000 USD, etc.

This is literally my bedroom budget listening set up - Topping DX3pro +, AGK closed and Wiim. It's an awesome little system. Office set up Pre Box S2 Digital, ifi CAN Air, HD 58X Jubilee

Best video ever made, I don't know why more material isn't made on this same topic. Every single person thinking of getting into audio equipment needs to watch this and save themselves £££. So few have the space but also environment to really get into the classic hi-fi system. I have both types of systems and the speakers mostly lay dormant now except for the occasional vinyl listening outing as a treat because I enjoy the experience of using that format. Again, great, great video.

Thanks for returning to headphones once again.I wouldn't mind, if you visited headphone territory more often. With your recent pursuit of the all-in-one speaker system (which I basically like) I wonder how you can combine it with headphone listening without building two separate systems?

Since the early 1980's I have always maintained that a good pair of headphones will be comparable with loudspeakers at 10 times the price. I still feels this hold true to this day.

3D Reworks 001 by Max Cooper 2020 You can find this on Tidal. Really awesome stereo imaging. It's a joy to listen to with good headphones 👍🏻.

At $300 the hifi man sundara is great. I also have the 6xx and now that they are at $280 I much prefer the sundara. Great soundstage and well balanced if you love bass then they aren’t the best choice. I good amp DAC will realize the full potential of the sundara but I have also been able to run them off my iPhone with an Apple dongle and they are still fantastic.

For about the same budget i got me: -a used 660S for about 350€ -a ifi zen dac V2 150€ The result is great !

@monotag

Жыл бұрын

Same system here, sounds great!

@fist003

Жыл бұрын

currently using the ifi Zen Dac v1 with the 660S and Dt 1990 Pro

I went with this: Atom Amp > $100 Atom DAC+ > $120 Sennheiser Jubilee > $140 Wiim Mini > $80 Same idea with the sub $500. Really enjoyed this video. Thanks for doing it.

I have the DT770 Pro (closed back version of DT 990 Pro) you nailed it they were bright to start with, after a few months they mellowed out and are very detailed. I use them with either a tube amp or Technics SU-G700M2 - they are excellent.

The audio presentation of these videos always delights. Thanks for minding the details.

Hello, i got the topping amp and i feel the opposite way about the volume knob😅! I really preciate that the hole front and the knob is aluminium. And i also love the klick feedback and the fact that it has a knob instead of buttons. But that is how different everyone is about personal preference. Thanks for covering the topic, interesting to see your take on a budget headfi system.

Great video. I totally agree. I think you should have included the Hifiman Sundara in this group of headphones. I also think most people would prefer the DT770 more than the 990

I have the Beyer Dynamic DT880, and i love them. I got them used from a video editing studio over 25 years ago. Day to day, i use Bluetooth buds, but for real enjoyment i put on the cans. Great episode.

May I suggest the Sennheiser HD560s in addition to the other options? Not, because it‘s the exact system I endet up with (Topping, Wiim; recently upgraded to the Hifiman Edition XS though). But I think all things considered it‘s a great sounding headphone. Very good all around, especially for 149 euros/dollars: soundstage, bass and treble extension, clarity, detail… Just a terrific combination for the price. Gets more exciting with the Hifiman ;)

@muhammadmahdirezapour7844

Жыл бұрын

That was exactly what I thought in the middle of video. 560s is really a good starter

@RC-qc2nz

Жыл бұрын

Yes I have the 560s and I have some high end headphones. I love it. It's a super Allrounder

@nickthegun

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, I have the 6xx and the 560s and I think the latter would be the better headphone. It feels less premium but it performs a bit better, is less thirsty and leaves a bit more of your budget left. Like John always says, he can’t test everything but some idiot in the comments will always have too many similar headphones.

I always look forward to Darko Audio's content. As always, excellent!

Mr Darko, thank you for another great video. I’ve just purchased the AKGs. Thinking of adding the Helm Bolt to my laptop for late night listening. I’ve been enjoying the KEF LSX for the last year again thanks to your videos. Keep up the good work. I’m enjoying this audiophile journey.

Thank you John for another great video. You findings are also an answer to Steve Gutenberg's latest video because it's much easier to play loud on a headfi system than a speaker system. In other words, it's easier to create the atmosphere of the recording.

More headphone content please!

If you're patient or frugal the Drop HD6XX goes on sale once or twice a year ($180-200). Another great headphone option in this range is the Meze 99 Noir - closed back, easy to drive/mobile phone friendly, can listen forever/really comfortable. My biggest niggle with the Meze 99 is that if you take them out in the street and want to listen to music as you walk the spring mechanism in the headband tends to squeek like an old steel spring mattress! And yeah, as others have commented Schiit make amazing gear for this type of setup.

Being a shift worker, and my wife being a dayshifter, I find myself getting deeper and deeper into the headphone realm. And you really can't beat the bang for the buck. Great video, keep up the awesome work.

Just wanted to say; I really enjoy your videos. Making high quality audio accessible and understandable without pretension, from a music lovers perspective. Cheers!

And thank you so much for putting this video on youtube! I am an (old style) audio engineer and I strive to have my audio gear as professionally sounding as possible: flat as a table (when possible), not coloring the sound I listen with marvelous good sounding speakers/headphones/dacs and still get the most realistic, tru-to-the-really original sound possible. I discovered your channel a few days back and I have enjoyed every video I watched. You strike me as a very knowledgeable audiophile that knows many audio fundamentals that pros respect and use in our everyday listening experience, yet keep an open eye on what it really means to listen to a wonderful sound that allows you to really have an out of this world listening experience. A seemingly perfect combination of an academic and an empirical knowledge blend together just right. I will continue to listen to your videos with great delight.!

Love the headphone content John. Totally agree with your comments on Hd650s and it’s refreshing to hear you comment on the difference between gain and power. I run mine with a Lehman linear amp which has the effortless fullness of ample power. Keep up the good work!

Great vid John. It's a realm i no noting about, so it's good to see what options there are out there to get started with a headphone set-up. BTW didn't take you as a Ministry fan. Loved that album back in the day.

As a Head-Fi man with a wife and three kids, this video speaks to me. Thank you so much John!

That was really useful. I wish more reviewers would suggest pairings like this. It’s makes for a really good place to start. For both speakers and headphone setups.

I'm a total newbie to all this; looking for a head-fi system in this price range. This was SO GOOD...I appreciate your knowledge and the G-rated commentary...hope this doesn't hit you wrong; I just get so tired of profanity-laced commentary that makes it hard to sort out the true meat of the video. WELL DONE from a new subscriber. Jim in FL

Great video, John! Love the way you describe sound!

I have these Sennheiser and this DAC on order. Good to hear it drives them well. I love the display on my e30 to confirm bit perfect output in my desktop PC Qobuz Sundara/ thx789 office setup but need this for my coffee table setup to also feed my amp and tower speakers Qobuz from my laptop. Props to your professional production and interesting reviews!

Many thanks for your insights and perspectives about a reasonably priced headphone setup. Great review.

Thank you! This video was very helpful and purchased this amp/dac with the Sennheiser, subscribed, and became a patron, all to show my thanks. Take care!

@LukeHarkonnen

7 ай бұрын

What do you think? Are they much better than the likes of Sony or Bose Bluetooth headphones?

Thankyou for this video John , I took the Dac plunge for my Xmas present, matched the hardware with the Meze 99 classics and I am very happy with this set up using only Spotify connect.All the best for the NY.

Thank you for yet another great video. Even though I'm not into speakers I find the videos and the podcast so entertaining that I continue to watch/listen to them. I'd love some more IEM coverage from time to time when you get a chance. Keep up the great work, cheers.

Very nice seeing your talk about headphones. Amazing job

Thanks for the recommendation John. My first proper foray into the dedicated headphone hi-fi market and I’ve just picked up the Wiim Mini, DX3 Pro and AKG K371’s for a total of £385! Absolute steal when you consider the quality of sound they can collectively produce 👍

I think you will find a brighter headphone or speaker setup will give you more width in the soundstage. This is because the spatial information relies on the phase information between the transducers, and that phase information is more perceptible in the high frequencies, simply because of the wavelength of the sound waves.

I enjoy your thought process in these reviews

For the DT 990's, I agree about the Tube amp. It really benefits from the warmth and open sound

You need the Beyerdynamic dt1990, kick as imaging.

Great recommendations, Thanks!

Love to see more of this series at different price ranges

Great video, John. Thank you.

Great video, as always. I have the AKG headphones, use them for commuting and they are a blast!!

Thanks for the video as always John. I like that you cover most of the audio spectrum from affordable to more expensive gear. I think this is a good starting point for someone to get into HiFi

As always, fantastic content and I hope your health is improving John. Merry Xmas to you and family.

I would love to see more headphone videos. I moved to Tokyo 13 years ago and the walls are typically very thin, so I quickly got into the headphone market and fell in love. These headphones were kind of entry level cans IMO. I would love to see some more of the high end headphones, DACs, and amps reviewed. My current setup is a JDS Labs O2/ODAC to AKG K712 Pro headphones.

Please do a video on more expensive headphone systems, like 1000-2000 usd range perhaps(perhaps a segment with even more high end for those that would want that) - Would be very interested to hear your takes and recommendations. Thanks for a very nice video

Love the Senn Mom 4. Will look into this setup. Thx.

Thanks for your WiiM/Topping recommendation, which I've adopted, although I haven't received the 6xx headphones yet. Yes, a significant improvement already. using different Seenheiser headphones. A nice surprise with the WiiM is the 10-band EQ in the app. One can customize or make use of the many presets provided. This provides the ability to tweak the output - very effective & useful, and well-done WiiM.

Great vid John, I have the old Topping VX1 dac amp and it’s great.

As a Beyer fan that daily’s a pair of 990 600ohm, I would like to recommend everyone the Fidelio X3. Incredible soundstage and tonality that I think any Beyer fan would love. Doesn’t have the same level of detail retrieval but a more buttery midrange and wider soundstage with excellent bass and localization. My refurbished EXS are on the way, my first planar cans. Hoping to find the next level.

Thank you ever so much, John!

Love these budget system videos

I built such a headphone system a couple months ago! I bought the Mezze 99 Classics (because looks does matter!) and connected them through the Audioquest Dragonfly Black to my Mac Mini, which is also my Roon Core. Quite an experience comparing to my speaker system :)

I have both. I only put them on when my neighbors are asleep during the night time and during day time its all speakers. Best of both worlds. The plus on headphones is i can crank them up as loud as i want.

Very balanced as always. Thank you.

Great review, thank you.

I have always loved headphones for listening to music ever since I got my first pair back in 1977; a pair of Koss Pro 4AAA "Stereophones" (as Koss used to call them). I still have them, and they work great with new ear pads I recently bought from Koss. I have other 'phones from HiFiman, AKG, Sony, Sviga, Bose, etc........but those Koss were the ones that started it all! Great video, John!

I want to thank you for recommending the AKG K371. I bought it because of your video and I am absolutely blown away by the sound! And I am only using it with my iPhone. A Fiio DAC is on it’s way so it can only get better! Comparing it with my Sony XM3 Bluetooth headphones, the AKG is MUCH better sounding. Again, thank you for recommending them and letting me fall in love with music again!

Excellent...I am likely going to buy this set up...

I love the entry-level headfi space. It was my only way to listen through different sound signatures and learn my own preferences. It’s easy AB listening, the sound quality is quickly on a high level, or resolving enough, allowing more subtle differences to be relevant. I can’t get that with speakers. I’m on an Ifi ZenDac v2 with Hifiman Sundaras. The Grado SR80s, Meze 99 Classic are still around and provide different flavors for those days! Fantastic video and topic… if anyone is on a budget and new to Hifi, this stuff is the best to explore a little.

Thanks for this video. Did not expect the Ministry cover art. Did not see you into that especially that album.

Great video as always. Thanks for the heads up re Max Cooper. I downloaded the tracks and I must say it sounds wonderful. I will confess however that I'm using a Woo Audio WA7 fireflies DAC/Amp into a pair of Audeze LCD-X's. Bliss!

Great as always John! Probably you won‘t read this but it would be great to see a video about a 3k to 5k headphone set. I really enjoy my Sennheiser HD 800S + HDVD 800. Bought it in 2019. Keep going, you‘re awesome!

Congratulations! In this video I feel that you really burn for what you are presenting! Your passion for music and music reproduction is feelable and visible in your eyes! Thank you!

I personally use The Philips FIDELIO 2XHR headphones on my system . They give me a full rich sound .

I have made the experience that the Amp+ EQ makes more of a differnece in my listening experience than the specs or price of the Headphones. I am currently using Philips SHP9500 with a pioneer XDP100R with a very advanced EQ/Dynamic mod called ViperFX. No headphone sound experience in that price range came close to that for me so far :) Nice video, keep it up!

Great video! I love head-fi too and would love to see more videos on it. I'm waiting for a pair of Edifier Stax Spirits to be delivered. First planar magnetic BT headphones. Can't wait to see what the differences between BT and the Fiio BTR7 I picked up recently. These two were $700 Canadian, which qualifies for the under $500 limit.

Thanks John for featuring Max Cooper tracks, gives my Focal Chora a workout

I really enjoyed the talk on headphones in a system context. Keep following the rabbit 😎. Also thanks for introducing me to some great new music!

When my brother needed a cheap recommendation for something for his LSR305P II for use with his AT-LP120XBT, I suggested the slightly more expensive Topping EX5 and I have to say it is a great little unit for his needs at present. Sound is very decent indeed and for the money the feature set is superb.

Hey John, been a while since I last watched one of your videos - no idea why - but that cheeky grin and endless enthusiasm really reminded me what I’d been missing and to see the error of my ways! 😉 Cracking stuff. As a wanna-be audiophile without the financial free reign to actually do it properly, I decided a long time ago that head-Fi was the way to go, or to get somewhere near for a fraction of the cost, and without arguments with the Mrs about what speakers look like, or what can and can’t be done with the room to prevent it spoiling the sound. The secret to a long and happy marriage is learning how to compromise gracefully - same can be said for trying to scratch that audiophile itch if you don’t have the budget or live on your own 👍

I wish I had gotten into headphones sooner. I've moved large speakers in and out of dorm rooms and then small apartments way too many times over the years. It just never occurred to me until after I bought a new tube preamp that happened to have a well reviewed headphone stage. And down the rabbit hole I went. Would love to see more head-fi videos.

Thank you for reopening my ears to the Joy's of detailed listening. After leaving school I worked at the local theatre where I learnt live sound engineering and went on from there into many aspects of live sound production including recording on location and in small studios. As life brings many changes so did work leave the hands on work for more production management. Constantly travelling meant having speakers etc was pointless, however my trusted Sennheiser hd 25's were always with me. Now many years later the HD 25's are still here enabling me to revel in the delights of Spotify. Then I saw this little video pop up and what a difference it has made. In the video I picked up on almost a throwaway line about the ifi go blue.... the what?? Portable dacs.... I ordered the ifi and plugged in my hd 25's 😁🎶💖🎶😁 amazing! The depth and clarity is stunning! But it couldn't end there, KZread and it's algorithms went to work and the world of IEMs opened up😳😁 So now I have a set of LetShouer S12, an ifi go blu and a phone... who could have imagined this level of sound quality in such a small and affordable package twenty years ago.... My music listening has become completely transformed thanks to your little video and the choice you make as you go out the door. The four eq settings on the ifi are perfect and drive the S12's and the HD 25's beautifully. May you, your channel and all who you share with continue to find joy and unity in the diversity of our music choices and the equipment that brings that joy to our hearts. Thank 🕉💖🎶

Glad to see you mentioning dongles again, and would love to see another comparison of some in the $300 range, e.g., iFi, Lotoo, Cayin, Luxury and Precision, etc. I just ordered the Lotoo PAW s2 to go with my final e5000 iem's and hoping to get a very portable kick ass system for about $550 that I can listen to anywhere.

Thank You for the Max Cooper recommendation. Sounds fab on my Sennheiser Massdrop PC37x gaming headset

I love my Bayerdynamic DT990 headphones through a class A integrated amp and Linn front end. Not too bright at all and plenty of detail with a great sound stage. They suit my system very well. Great for late night listening when I don’t want to annoy my family and neighbours.

Excellent video. I have an original DX3 Pro on my desktop and recently added a Topping A50S amp for some extra grunt with my Focal Elegia and Oppo PM2 phones. Excellent result. Topping really do ace the affordable desktop market.

Love the curveball at the end! It's what this whole hobby is about for me. Finding the value in these hidden gems. The ifi go blu bests the amps built into most if not all Bluetooth headphones. And even some desktop amps. I know because I own one. Works great with iems as well. I cannot match the sound out of an ifi go blu and a pair of $50 KZ ZS10 pro to many speaker setups I've owned and listened to costing 10 times more! Maybe a little soundstage is the only area the speakers win out in. Great video Darko.

thanks . i got the AKG . . love it .. combined with LG phone . ( cost $100+ now ) i use LG phones for music .. DAC and DTS .. so convenient and cheap to use . . no more fussing i have found bliss .

I have a old school (pre chip shortage) Schiit modi, heresy and HD560s set up at work…. Man that system sounds great! Very pleasant to listen.

Appreciated this, John. I've been through several configurations (and have several open back, one closed back, IEMs...) and have purchased an array of DACs. Amps, and one DAC/Amp combo (iFi Zen $189.00 kind of designed for the Sennheiser HD6XX), tube amps... I've also configured a few headphone systems for friends who had never gotten into music. Two things I enjoy - that you didn't mention - is an upgrade to balanced (XLR or 4.4mm) cables. Hart, Periapt Cables, et al have very good custom cables but you can also get an inexpensive balanced cable for the Sennheiser. Last, I swapped out the stock Sennheiser pads with the fenestrated lamb pads and they "seem" to give a bit more bass. And if a person wanted to save a bit more, the Sennheiser HD58X from Drop cost less and with the upgraded balanced connections, performs well. Last, a very affordable and very comfortable closed back is the SIVGA SV021 for $149. Add a balanced cable and pair with the iFi Zen, and it's pretty sweet. And still below your $500. That's my 2 cents! Thanks again. And thanks for the "3D Rework 001". A fun diversion.

@stateoftate

Жыл бұрын

I have the HD6XX at me desk as my main computer headphones. I've always wanted to pair it with a dedicated headphone amp and the iFi Zen was at the top of the list. Have you had a chance to A/B that with Darko's recommendation? I'm wondering if you hear much of a real world difference.

Really enjoyed this one, the AKG's are on my wish list, p.s. now listening to American Head! Heaven't listened to The Flaming Lips for over a decade!

Great video John. It's hard to beat the bang for the buck offered by HeadFi systems. I'm currently running the DT990 Pro with RME ADI-2 DAC fed by Audirvana and they're a great listen. Loads of detail, great sound stage, comfortable and not remotely fatiguing.

Best review I have ever seen on this subject and I have had experience of some of this kit. Currently using B&W p7 wired with a Chord mojo and very happy. Would highly recommend the sennheiser HD series aka Mass drop for comfort and sound.

John I love your channel because you give real world reviews and not going deep on specs 👍

I bought a Dragonfly Cobalt and Campfire Audio Comet, and It is great listening from my MacBook Pro my music via ROON. I never thought that with such limited budget, I would get so much audio quality. Thanks John, for your past reviews on those "awesome" devices for their price point!

AKG headphones are very underrated people don’t pay too much attention to them until they hear them! I personally own a pair of Slovakian made K712 Pro and I will definitely take them to my grave 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼

Hello..! I like the way you're presenting ! Although relatively long videos, very nice, esthetically pleasing, good opinions and analysis.,,and the fact that you're telling your personal thoughts, with which I agree a lot! If it would possible...to play a little music few minutes, would be perfect ( I mean with the systems reviewd). Thanks for the space and Time!

As always, well done. Mr. Darko. I also own the HD6xx and largely agree with your findings. I am curious whether or not you have ever considered trying the Sennheiser HD560s? I got a really good price on the 560s, so I decided to try them.They have all but supplanted the HD6xx for me. Not as lucious a midrange, but an airier top end, good bass extension and that perceived better clarity you get from brighter treble. Thanks again for an excellent video. Take care.

The 3d reworks was excellent. thank you. Topping pro + audeze lcd 2 classic headphones

John, thanks for that Cooper share and nothing quite like being able to explore & try out different audio systems…..all on your noggin. Your end-points and nod to the industry had me thinking on what I am seeing personally with GenZr’s; who play in bands and love music but who do almost all their listening to music and socializing via headphones. Even I am returning back to the headphone fold and I wonder on your insights regarding this dynamic and the impact on the competitive industry. Thanks for relevant reviews and dig your podcasts through a Schiitstack and some Soviet style Grado 325’s.

When moving to Germany, I sold my existing Hifi system and decided to buy one of the best headphones that existed on the market because I couldn’t afford the loudspeakers and the amplifier that I was planning to buy in the future. So I bought the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro . This was 30 years ago and it’s still my reference for sound clarity and sound stage. The headphones didn’t change much in the last 30 years. Even the impedance is the old school 250ohm that was a standard in old Hifi systems. So if the headphones managed to survive without radical changes for many years, than who am I to complain about a cable that cannot be detached. This cable is still as solid and as flexible as it was the day that I bought it. Tell me one product that survived so many years without replacing most of the interior. Beyerdynamic decision to continue producing this model for over 30 years is a very bold statement. The headphones were amazing at the time and are still worth the conversation today.

@Bernabaus

Жыл бұрын

I don't understand why it gets so much hate, with a good amplifier and just a bit of EQ it is amazing

@clickbaitpro

Жыл бұрын

@@Bernabaus Because people cant power them then tend to complain about the sound and also because many reviewers says these don't need much power and people settle without an amp

If you want to start with tubes, get the xduoo ta26. It's a more affordable, better and sleeker version of the darkvoice. Since it's an otl tube amp you have to use high impedance headphones. I love these with my hd650

The Yamaha YH-L700A is an amazing Bluetooth option in the $500 range, but since they're relatively unknown you can almost always find a perfect second-hand pair for around $300. Add a Creative BT-W4 to the mix for a strong AptX Adaptive connection, and you have something amazing for virtually every application.