Dont worry, I was planning to go for the d9200 myself instead of the d7200, and I wanted to try the stock denons without the lawton for ever now
I emailes mark just to be sure
Also I have a not very popular type of lawton in the type 5 and they had great technical potencial on th 00r
But it might just fit the fostex tuning, after hearinh I knownitll or I could sell the phones and the lawton if I dont like it, hard to sell stuff tho
Anyone had ears on the JM XTC Open?
Hey all, looking for recommendation on a closed back headphone. I think I want to sell my Atrium Closed currently. I got it tune to my preference and do like the sound, but I think it might be the reason for my neck pain. So I’m going to go with a lighter headphone. I am looking for a closed back that is light weight and do well with music like CloZee and Odesza. My budget is under $3000. I also want a closed back headphone that I can wear for 4 hours without any discomfort, but I do not mind getting my ears heated up as I know every closed back make people ears hot after a certain amount of time.
That’s not an easy thing for others to recommend.
You might want to try the Dan Clark headphones, I’ve never been a fan of how they sound, but they are well liked on various forums, and they are among the most comfortable headphones I’ve used.
Outside of that, I’d have suggested ZMF, but weight can be an issue, though there is a significant difference in weight between the woods.
Focal Stellia is well liked, but I’m not sure that’s going to be a comfort win over the ZMF’s.
I liked the lower priced Kennerton closed backs, and they are light, but the Gjallarhorn has a very specific sound signature and I haven’t heard their higher end offerings.
There just aren’t a lot of great closed backs, the only ones I still have are my OG Eikon, and Gjallarhorn.
Might as well go with IEMs and you’ll have a quadrillion more options.
I always kept thinking about the DCA E3. I actually love the sound from the E3 when I demo it at Moon Audio and it was one of the most comfortable headphone I used. But I only remember liking it for vocal focus track and not being too impressed for anything else. I anlso only used it for an hour demo session, but don’t remember any strain on my neck. But that was only an hour, so I am not too sure how it feels on the long run. The E3 honestly felt really light, but looking up the specs online it said it’s about 455 gram (without headphone cable) which is close the ZMF Atrium closed which is near or over 500 gram (without headphone cable). I am not too sure how the E3 would be for me using it for 4 hours. The ZMF Atrium closed to me start making my neck uncomfortable for about 2 hours in (I also should mentioned I usually sit up straight with no neck support. I don’t really lean back sitting down).
I thought about that, but would like to utilize my Allnic HPA-5000XL/midgard amp if I can. I think the Midgard can handle IEM pretty well (at least with the 7th acoustic Supernova).
Comfort is just really hard. I have neck problems, but I sit with my neck unsupported all day, and commonly use a variety of headphones without issues. Doesn’t help you, but I’m just trying to say it’s a personal thing.
It’s not just weight either, it’s how it supported and how secure it feels on your head.
FWIW 100g difference is a lot, the primary reason I kept my Eikon over my Verite Closed was weight, the difference was only about 150g mostly because the Verite was Ironwood.
I haven’t heard the E3, so I can’t comment.
From memory, I felt like the E3 fit my head perfectly. I might experiment more on closed back before settling with the E3. The new Sony M1 seems really light (at least on paper), so that caught my interest. I’m not too sure on the tuning, but $300 bucks ain’t bad to try out.
I might also look up more amp capable for iem and think about the iem route more.
Appreciate the reply Polygon and DB_Cooper!
Fwiw, one of my favorite pairings is with the ie900 + Allnic hpa3000gt. At one point I enjoyed it over my hps… Until I upgraded and it was no longer the case
I didn’t try too hard to travel down the closed back route, but I did end up with IEMs. More portable, both physically and in terms of source gear. The value proposition of some Chi-fi is ridiculous right now. You could just buy a bunch of cheapish IEMs on Amazon to feel it all out to see if you wanna go balls deep. I intended to go deeper with IEMs but found that some of the first ones I got gave me exactly what I wanted, and I barely spent any money!
I’m sorry to hear that you have problems with your neck.
Stupid question but not necessarily stupid.
Have you thought about Iem’s?
I would recommend one thing though.
Go to a good audiologist who will take an impression of your inner ear and then they can usually fit the IEMs to it.
Or you can most likely use the customised impression on any IEM that has the right diameter.
The isolation and comfort could be just as great as a closed headphone, perhaps with some minor compromises.
In general, this can work very well also because the custom moulds offer much more freedom and comfort than different tips.
Alternatively, if you really like the Atrium Closed, you could ask Zach to make you one with a lighter wood and magnesium chassis.
I don’t know if you’d like the Zmf Bokeh, but I thought I’d mention it, and the stupidest alternative would be the closed Sennheiser Hd 820S, which is designed for 300ohms.
I’ll think about iem some more. I have to see if my current setup is good for it as I would like to continue using my main setup. Ideally, I would like something that play along with my tubes if possible. But you did reminded me what I saw at CanJam Chicago where I saw people ears getting scan for a custom iem. I’m not too sure on the cost for it, but it seem something really cool to try once.
I remember trying the stock cherry wood Atrium closed and I don’t think I was a fan of it But it was on stock lambskin pads at the time and I much prefer the Atrium Closed with my current mesh plate and suede pads installed currently. I also remember trying the ZMF Bokeh (it was a prototype at the time) at the last Chicago CanJam and I don’t remember being interested in it. The final tuning might be much better, but I think I want either something a little more special or more technical if I’m coming off of the Atrium Closed.
Yes, I think that was what you saw here from Sennheiser:https://youtu.be/s3waLVcd6Wo
Otherwise have a look at Headfi to see what was presented back then in Chigago.
They made a list of the events.
But it is not a must to scan the ear if an impression is sufficient.
I think it was presented by Sennheiser, but I don’t know if it would apply to any usable IEM or only specifically to their products.
I also think you only have to go to certain shops to get the scan and I don’t know if it’s available in the US.
The old method would still be a hearing care professional, they have made a lot of progress now, even for hearing protection in the workplace.
You also learn a lot about your ear after a few tests.
Seeking advice could help.
IEM for tube amplifiers is roughly a house number but not impossible.
2 things IEM’s now have 32 ohms or more depending on the amplifier, the second thing if the amplifier is quiet in the sound floor is no problem, can work.
Finding headphones that are closed and light at the same time could be a bit difficult if they also go in the same direction.
The 820 S certainly goes in the direction where it can also be technical, there are certainly others that I can’t think of right now.
Denon D9200 could perhaps also be mentioned, as well as the new Fostex models could perhaps even be interesting off the top of my head.
Otherwise, what do you think of the Atrium open?
It would be generally lighter but technically the same except for the supposed sub-bass, which the closed seems to handle very well.
It could possibly work well with a light wood.
The lowest I ever went with my tube amp is 12 ohm with 104db sensitivity which is the Sony MDR MA-900. Plugging a iem just doesn’t put my mind at ease as it looks more fragile and smaller than headphone and I don’t really want to risk repair especially if the company is overseas.
I appreciate the recommendation. The main goal is a closed back comfort and light weight, but I want something that sounds a little above regular. Iems is the best route, but I can’t let go of the fact that I like tube amps and just don’t feel comfortable plugging a iem to my Allnic HPA-5000XL tube amp even though it is pretty quiet with the Sony MDR-MA900. I think doing process and elimination in my head, the DCA E3 is most likely my next candidate to buy. The DCA E3 sounded nice when I audition it my with tube amp and it was really comfy to wear from memory. Even though the Atrium Closed to me outperform the E3 in areas I cared about like soundstage, imaging, dynamics, and bass, but the E3 comfort for me felt more pleasant to wear vs the Atrium Closed from memory. Ideally if comfort and weight is my main priority, something like the Sennheiser HD580 Jubilee is my ideal headphone. That headphone is really light and I sometimes switch from the Atrium Closed to the HD580 Jubilee because that headphone feels weightless on my head. My only issue on comfort on the HD580 Jubilee is that it’s a little tight on my head, but that’s about it. If I could get the same sound and comfort of the HD580 Jubilee, but in closed back form, that will be very ideal. I know Sennheiser made a bunch of closed back, but the newer Sennheiser products never rubbed me the right way compare to the vintage Sennheiser sound I much prefer. I think studio closed back would be nice to own because I assume it was made in mind for long session wear, so the newer products like the Sony MDR-M1 closed back seem nice to own as on paper seem weightless and comfy. The tuning is something I do want to figure out before buying or I could try to buy it from Amazon and return it if I don’t like it. It comes out October I think, so it’s not really an option for now. But the Atrium closed I am selling looks like it might be a slow sale, so I guess I am not in any rush.
I just realized I own several closed back designs. The ATH AWKT and AWAS are both very comfortable and light and the Kennerton Headstraps are also wonderful as far as comfort goes.
The E3 might be a good option but… I really liked nicks AWAS and AWKT idea.
They are light and comfortable
But audio technica also released a third pair along with those 2, a bit lighter and just a bit more portable.
To me this is the most “neutral” tunned ATH I have heard, many call it neutral bright but for someone used to ATH its really quite neutral, it sounds very good in every frequency.
Btw @NickMimi have you ever tried the ap2000TI? I always compare them to the AWAS and they are shockingly similar in a way thata AWAS have a tad more color and wooden tuned resonance, while the TI feels a bit less resonant, smaller, and a tad more closed (back) but in exchange its a bit more neutral, faster, revealing and clearer
The ath-ap2000ti, I can weat that one all day (it is leather padded and I very rarely sweat so I dont know if that would work for you)
If you are interested feel free to look up some reviews or just ask me about its sound! I have a ton of gear for comparison.
Thanks for the suggestion, but I got my heart set on the DCA Stealth. Used pricing on it seem lower than I ever seen it before right now and there seem to be a couple of them in the used market right now. Sound quality wise, I’m not too sure, but I’m willing to try it on my home setup. The only thing I’m waiting for is for the Atrium Closed to get sold…
Thats a very nice choice but be VERY aware
The stealth is almost completely specialized in microdynamics and microdetail, if you expect the macrodynamics that closed backs around that price usually have theyre not going to deliver that. Not even close.
In exchange you get a big holographic and rather analytical presentation, with tons of detail, great separation and the superb build quality of DCA.
If you are looking for physicality and a more well rounded punch/slam which is what most people are after; thats why so many people were reccomending the E3, it is more well rounded an cheaper, however the choice is yours only and the stealth does look sexy, as well as sounding very unique.
I read so many mix opinions on the Stealth. Apparently it’s supposed to be really hard to drive, maybe even harder to drive than the Susvara. I wonder if the mixed review might be because their amp couldn’t really drive it well. Either way, I think trying it out will be pretty fun.
Pretty much tried all the older headphones already, so looking for some good, fresh options(up to ~$500) I may not be aware of, to include in my next headphone shootout with DT700 and HD660s2(both I liked enough to possibly be keepers). I would love a clean, detailed and meaty, studio-ish flavor of sound, that’s both fun and technical enough, without obvious treble peaks(Beyer, HiFiMaN). Like a K553 with thicker bass and slightly smoother treble, or a less strangely tuned Edition XS with no treble peak.
Some commercially available options I’ve found so far:
Sounds I love:
Sounds I like:
Sounds I dislike:
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