Since a serious loss of treble and bass in my right ear, my treasured NAIM/ATC system is no longer listenable for anything other than background entertainment and an improved TV SQ, despite an expensive hearing aid that of course, increases volume, but doesn’t replace lost frequency response.
I’ve now become dependent for my audio kicks on my beautiful Sennheiser Mo’ 4’s, an astonishing level of performance for wireless 'phones.
Given my irretrievable “in the room” situation, I’m considering splashing out on an upgrade and I’m considering the BathysMG, B&W PX8’s or the Levinson’s.
This is all dependent on the quality gain offered by the Sennheiser with next year’s Mo’ 5’s.
I really like the way they combine musical PRAT with wide sound staging, mimicking the “in the room” experience I used to get before my right eardrum went on permanent holiday.
As you like the momentums, perhaps look at others from Sennheiser.
I use Sennheiser hd800s with my Atom HE. Being open backed and with the way they are designed lends itself to a larger than average.
Headphones are such a personal buy as comfort should be a major part of the decision process. If you don’t find them comfortable from the start, there is a chance that they will sit unused.
Budget? Are you sure you want wireless? Cuts your choice a great deal.
There is a huge ‘Show us your headphones’ thread. I will summarise it
Headphones are very personal and vary a great deal. Open/closed for example. Huge range of budgets and sound characters. Comfort is crucial, and not a given even with expensive models. Choose carefully and if at all possible demo!
Brands to consider obviously Sennheiser, Focal, Audeze, Meze, Grado, ZMF. I could continue… Not all make wireless models.
Are you sure about the wireless? I like my Hifiman planar magnetic headphones very much. But these are all wired. I also use Sennheiser HD800S and Focal Elear. Also wired.
At the moment, after some brief research, it’s looking like either the BathysMG or the Mo’ 5’s, but that’s going to have to wait until next year when the Sennheiser come on to market.
I know the Focals are, at the moment, three times the price of my Sennheiser and I’d expect the price to be reflected in the SQ and presentation.
Until then, my Mo’ 4’s will carry me happily along.
The comfort of headphones based on we all have different size heads is pretty important so I would pop to a local dealer and have a good listen both for comfort and sound quality.
I have headphones but don’t use them too often - for wired open back I use Hifiman Arya organic (suited me better than all the other brands at that price point) and I have some wireless Sony XM5 for mobile.
The Sony’s are very comfortable and for the money are a great deal.
The Focals are cool and look the biz but I always found they were outperformed by other brands at slightly lower price points…. (Wired that is)
Headphones are like speakers a good demo is king and if you are wedded to wireless probably not a huge choice but I wouldn’t make the assumption the Focals being more expensive are materially better….
Yes. Thank you. I’m aware of the usefulness of demos. I used use them myself when I was younger and had dealers within reach.
Where I am don’t have a dealer for miles around.
For the Senns, I did online research with reviews both written and video’s. Darko’s review was the decider last time round, and turned out to be exactly right and that’s the method I’ll use next time around.
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