I bought the Grado SR80e but I was not too happy with it. After a month, I was hardly ever using it. I also own the Sennheiser HD600 and HD700, Beyerdynamic DT990 and T51i, Massdrop HifiMan HE4xx, and Philips Fidelio X2. All my other headphones sounded better than the Grado. I use the Schitt Asgard 2 for my amp and a Marantz CD5005 as the source. The problem is the Grado was way too bright and it only had a hint of bass. I normally listen to headphones at low to moderate volumes but the Grado only sounds good when it is played loud. When I...

Besides the Massdrop X Hifiman HE 4XX, my other headphones are the Sennheiser HD600 and HD700, Beyerdynamic dt990, and Philips Fidelio X2. Each of these headphones could be considered my favorite on any given day. I swap headphones to match with specific recordings. I use the Schitt Asgard 2 for the headphone amp and the Marantz CD5005 as the source. I listen mostly to classical and opera. The Hifiman HE 4XX is my second headphone purchase from Hifiman. I previously owned the HE 400S but I returned it (and paid a hefty restocking fee) because...

Introduction The Audio Technica ATH-MSR7 is a bright sounding headphone that will not appeal to people who want a warm or neutral sound. Sound Signature The SR stands for Sound Reality but the sound is not realistic at all if you ever go to classical music concerts. I have been to hundreds of concerts and every time I am impressed at how big and warm the sound is. The sound in every concert hall I have been in has a huge bass that cannot be reproduced accurately by any speaker and headphone. The Audio Technica ATH-MSR7 does not even try...

Introduction The Sennheiser HD700 is a controversial headphone. It is the most expensive headphone I own and in many ways, it is my favorite. Others do not like it at all. The main problem for me is the sound changes depending on how it is situated on my head. When I bought the HD700, it sounded muddy. After 3 weeks of trying to burn it in I was on verge of returning it for a refund. I decided to give it one last try and found that if I removed my glasses and moved the ear cups back and pressed them inward, the sound dramatically changed...

Introduction The Sennheiser HD600 is generally considered the reference headphone for Classical music and opera. I have owned mine for 17 years. I have purchased 5 other headphones since then but I still use my HD600 on a weekly basis and it is still one of my favorites. The Sennheiser HD600 is considered a neutral headphone. It will sound like whatever your recordings sound like; for better or for worse. The reason that I have 5 other headphones is that not all recordings sound perfect and many recordings benefit from bass and treble boost...

There are several versions of this headphone.  I am reviewing the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro, 250 ohm version.  This is one of 3 headphones I currently own.  I also have the Sennheiser HD700 and Sennheiser HD600.  My HD600 is 20 years old and might sound different from more recently manufactured units.  I listen exclusively to classical music and opera, so my opinions should be taken in that context.    I have to say I originally purchased the DT 990 because it was selling at a discount from a marketplace reseller (not an authorized reseller) for a...