What's Your Headphone Upgrade Path!?

What's Your Headphone Upgrade Path!? It can be daunting to find it, but, here are some recommendations. Get out and start listening!
MIDRANGE

BASS

NUETRAL-ish

SOUNDSTAGING

STUDIO

TOP 3 FAVORITE BUDGET HEADPHONES

Favorite headphones

TOP 3 FAVORITE CLOSED BACK HEADPHONES

BEST Amplifiers -

IEMS

SPEAKERS

ACCESSORIES

My Filming Equipment

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SOCIAL MEDIA

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#Sennheiser​​​ #Headphones #Upgrades

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[austintea]

That opening made me think I wasn't wearing my glasses for a second

[YoZasuke]

My "upgrade" path was all over the place with upgrades, sidegrades and downgrades. Somewhat in this timeline DT770 > Sundara > HD6XX > DT1990 > Focal Elegia > Focal Celestee > Focal Clear MG > Aoen Noire 2 > Focal Clear MG > LCD X 2021 > 109 Pro. All that in a timespan around 5 years.

And I think that with the 109 Pro I found my jam. Although Im still interested in the Arya Stealth. But the journey will probably end with the 109 pro for now.

I noticed the following:
- There are tons of good sounding headphones
- There isnt really the "best" and
- I kinda always want the one I dont have
- Comfort is hella important
- Deminishing returns begin quite early
- I get used to the soundquality of my headphone. Which means after a few weeks or months even a +1000$ headphone sounds "normal" to me. A Focal Clear MG or LCD X sound as good to me nowadays as my DT 770 sounded to me when I was a teenager.

[soupistasty]

Such an interesting video idea - following upgrade paths for headphones, within certain notable sound characteristics, aka Bass, Sound Staging, etc. Really enjoyed this one, Josh!

[nate]

Was waiting to see how the 109 Pro fit into the upgrade path from the thumbnail and it never was mentioned, that's odd.

[DroidRagePsycho]

DT770 > HD 6XX > Beyer Custom One > Sundara > HD800S. This is my list as far as wired goes during my 13 year journey. I still use most of these, but I couldn't justify the cost of the HD800S for how often I would use them. If I had an EQ at the time, I probably would have kept them. I would love to try the Focal Clear next!

[RickPfeister]

Great video topic! You helped me get started with the HD6XX about 18 months ago. This past Christmas, I bought HE-5XX on a Black Friday deal through Drop and recently purchased the Edition XS. The HD6XX (as you mention) is a great intro HP, but as you learn more about what others can do, you get the itch to see what those other cans sound like. That prompted the sidegrade to the HE5XX to see what planar magnetics had to offer wrt sound staging, which I enjoy. That pushed me down the HIFIMAN path with the Edition XS, which I absolutely love. The XS has scratched my itch for now. I enjoy them thoroughly and don't want other cans at the moment. This newfound level of sound quality has pushed me into speakers, as I want to create what I have on my head in my room for others to enjoy. Thanks for the high quality and informative videos.

[mimofi]

So my path has been chasing resolution and my music is variety, but my fav tends to lean acoustic with lots of Jazz small ensemble but also orchestral / classical. My first significant headphone purchase I qualify as my pre-audiophile journey and it was a pair of Sony MDR SA3000 cans. At the time, like 15 - 20 years ago I bought from my Sony store guy on a super sale at $200 vs. MSRP of $500. I was OMG blown away by the sound, couldn't believe a headphone could sound like this. Years later, soon after purchasing my first true HiFi stereo (a McIntosh SACD and 200Wx2 Integrated), I upgraded to the Sony MDR SA5000, the big hifi brother of the MDR SA300. No plastic, all magnesium build, it was a big step up from the previous MDR AS3000. A few years ago I bought my previous end-game plan Sennheiser HD800S. For many years prior I'd lusted fore the original HD800 and finally took the plunge. I was in heaven. After this I upgraded amplification, initially with a used older Burson that immediately took my HD800S to new heights. Over the last 2 years I added a pair of HD660S and some iEMS as well as a Questyle CMA Fifteen HP DAC AMP and a Burson Soloist GT reference HP amp. I now have upgraded my stereo chain and as part of this have a Holo Audio May KTE and a Serene KTE preamp that also has class A discrete HP amplification. I have taken my HD800S as far as it can go now and although every amp step up took them further, I think that when using the Serene or Burson Soloist GT (and even the Questyle), this is it so.... I ordered and am awaiting this week my new Hifiman HE1000SE headphones. I know you are thinking, this guy is a clean-freak resolution junkie, and you're probably right but I do intend two other additions over the next few years: a high end tube HP amp (a Feliks or maybe McIntosh MHA200) and an electrostatic setup (likely the Bravura and Sonoma combo by Warwick acoustics). So that is my past, current and future journey plan! Also interested in a closed back to compliment for certain scenarios, Lyric maybe? HD820S? We'll see. Thanks for this video, a great idea!

[hartyewh]

I would recommend spending time with different tunings since most will like whatever they've listened to a lot and an objectively and with subjectively better tuning can sound boring, dull etc to begin with. I took 4 years to realize how good the HD650 really is for example, but after properly testing over a 100 headphones I now know that I will love it forever.

I'd recommend getting something you like, EQ it to Harman and see what you can improve by ear. This way you can find border conditions about bass extension, macrodynamics etc, but soundstage is a thing of it's own that requires different headphones.

[bilalrasool]

I bought the AKG Q701 as my first audiophile headphone and absolutely loved it. Then I got the DT 770 as a closed back pair and the Sundara as a planar pair. Now I'm looking at selling the Sundara and getting the Arya Stealth as an endgame headphone and will not purchase any high end headphones after that. The Arya are loved by basically everyone in this community, and I haven't tried them, but all the descriptions and comparisons I've heard of them is the sound I am after.

[geoffreykelly]

Very interesting outlay of the various uses and characteristics. Under the "Studio" section, including a couple of closed back options for tracking, is probably a worthwhile extension of what you have laid out. It also partly explains the popularity of the Audio Technica M50x and the Beyerdynamic DT 770 pro. Both extremely durable and reliable for tracking purposes.

[thelordgyoza]

Mine is pretty interesting.
1. Phillips Fidelio X2-HR
2. Senn HD600
3. Audeze LCD 2-C
4. Meze Empyreans
I'm happy where I ended.

[mark]

As somebody that listens relatively exclusively to classical music, I'm absolutely in love with my Focal Clear OGs after not getting on with the HD660s. Something about the Focal house sound clicks for me for the music I enjoy listening to.

[GamesApe]

I bought Beige hd598's at the beginning of college, 8 years later i bought hd600's and they were too quiet for my headphone jack, then last year i discovered this whole rabbithole, now i'm rocking a modi magni stack with nice little collection of cans including the LCD-x 2021 and focal elegia. I like having different options, really want to get a nice electrostat at some point, but there are ZERO hifi stores within 3 hours drive of me where i could sample some.

[wolvern]

from HD595 to DT770 to AKG 701 and now DT1990. Im happy with the DT1990 but after 2 years i start to ask my self what is the next step. i use them on a creative AE-7, so i ask my self isn't an upgrade a waste of money on a gaming soundcard. Is there something like the DT1990 pro just better?

[BartoszBielecki]

I am at the very beginning of the journey, so the list goes:
HD-555 plugged into front panel of PC -> Edition XS + E50/L50 stack.
Change was soooo obvious that *I* could notice the improved details, positioning, wide sound stage, more refined lows, crystal clear highs.

I wish I could spend a bit more money for (or at least try) Focal Clears, Meze 109 pros, Arya and Aeon Noire 2.

[cannyx]

A couple of years ago I got a pair of 80ohm DT770s (on your advise actually). Then mid way through last year I got a pair of Phillips SHP9600s (also on your advice). I like both of these headsets but I was considering upgrades. Honestly the first 'upgrade' I thought I might try is the Hifiman HE400SEs. Just because I've never tried any Planar Magnetic headphones. And I was also interested in some HD6XXs or a pair of DT 1990s.

Still, I fall into the catagory of listeners who is challenged. I'm 65 and, years of working around various machinery (jet engines for example), have left me somewhat hearing impaired. So I'm hesitant to go too far down this rabbit hole. I love what I have. I love various music (its actually like a drug for me). So I appreciate your insight and advise. Please keep doing what you're doing.

[mariovillalobos]

I really enjoyed this format of video. I have had my HD 6XX for about 4 years now and have been looking for a new pair of headphones but I really wasn't sure which direction to go in. One thing that would be a great add on video or to build on this topic would be how upgrading your headphones could influence your decision to upgrade amps and dacs. Going over when it makes sense to upgrade headphones vs upgrading other gear could help people in deciding what will actually help them get the sound they want.

[electroelysium]

I did so many mistakes along the way since entering this hobby, I wish I had these types of videos back then... I've had at least 40 different headphones and 90% of them are either sold or on the shelves never having any listening time... Great video.

[nrs_]

You quoted $400-500 for the HD660S, but they’re pretty consistently $300 on Amazon these days.

I grabbed them for $300 when they first dropped. I also grabbed the LCD-X for $700 through Audeze’s B stock sale in November. I’m trying to decide if I should keep the HD660S. I might just end up using them for gaming. Solid imaging and so lightweight. The LCD-X are my go-to for basically any music, especially with some EQ

[skayhitdalotto]

I started off my adventure into the audio world this year! I gave it a try and went with the SHP9600 as you recommended and its been a joy so far. Listening to all my old music was super satisfying. I think i will continue the Open-Back Route aswell. So far its looking like SHP9600 -> into either HD660s or HD6XX & a decent dac/amp and im set!