[Karloff]

Hi,

Turned out that I have two issues
1. Closed back feels like a sweaty cave (and I hate not hearing my surroundings)
2. Even medium clamp force makes me feel like I am having an "interview" with the Spanish Inquisition

Without being picky about sound signatures, which one of these is the winner in terms of comfort?

• Philips Fidelio X2HR
• Sennheiser HD-599
• Sennheiser HD 560S
• AKG K240 MKII
• Beyerdynamic DT990
• Shure SRH1440 (high end of price range)

Dac/amp is planned for a later time to get rid of those nasty noises that come with a laptop output

I had:

• Audio-Technica ATH-M50x -> Pure nightmare, exploding brain after 10min
• Meze 99 Neo -> Clamp a bit too much and feeling sweaty. Max wear time 40min

Thank you!

 

[pbui44]

If you want new within your budget:

https://www.amazon.com/Technica-ATH...d=1648926237&sprefix=ath+ad900,aps,339&sr=8-1

If you can buy used within your budget (offer $70 and go from there):

https://www.ebay.com/itm/125209069895?epid=166797710&hash=item1d270ac947:g:5JQAAOSwzkpiM9qS

If you want the preferred model by many and willing to take a chance at shipping (use paypal only):

https://lptunes.com/products/audio-technica-ath-ad900-headphones

If you can buy used for the next model up with extra ear pads (offer $180 and go from there):

https://www.ebay.com/itm/403557227058?hash=item5df5e29a32:g:TuUAAOSwRKRiOQgP

Hope this helps!

 

[someguyontheinternet]

Did you try to adjust the clamp at all? The Meze are pretty adjustable.
Sennheiser stuff comes with strong clamp out of the box, but can also be adjusted.

 

[dunring]

The Fidelio X2HR and dt990 are the most comfortable on the list. The silver beyerdynamic factory pads are a must, don't buy used if it has aftermarket pads. The 990 treble can be bright, the x2hr is a little safer if it bothers you. Personally I like the DT880 250ohm the best, and the black edition has a little more bass if you want it, silver pads are more comfortable than the black ones though.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

DT880/990 have basically a piece of plastic covering two pieces of spring steel as the headband. Painful to wear. Earpads are good, but the headband needs to be changed or wrapped with something. Out of the box, not anywhere on the list of most comfortable, at least for me. YHMV..

 

[Karloff]

@pbui44 I was shying away from the audio-technica because of the non-removable cable

@someguyontheinternet I did try to bend the headband, but no success. Also, the closed back would remain an issue for me

I’d love to hear more opinions about the Fidelios and the dt990s. My guess is that the dt880 feel the same as close back, but also it seems that the issue that @gimmeheadroom has is not the clamp force, but the band pressing on the top of the head?

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Right, the clamp on the Beyers is nothing after a pair of HD 600s. But the top strap hurts my head. A lot. I have a pair of DT 1770s, they're much better in all ways, but cost a lot more. I think it ought to be easy enough to fix the DT880/990 if you don't mind a rustic look.

 

[pbui44]

@pbui44 I was shying away from the audio-technica because of the non-removable cable

Well, if you think that an extra $150 is worth it for a removable cable:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...chnica_ath_r70x_pro_reference_headphones.html

Also, a used one with free shipping to the US for $250, but is currently in the UAE (you can try to talk them down to $180 and possibly add from there):

https://www.ebay.com/itm/393996731640?hash=item5bbc0904f8:g:d6AAAOSw7GViBlE4

 

[earmonger]

Thomann has a better price than B&H or Amazon on the ATH-R70X (which is SO comfortable and sounds great). They add shipping, but it's probably still closer to $300.

https://www.thomannmusic.com/audio_technica_ath_r70_x.htm

The cable is long, about 9 feet. The connection is nonstandard, and there are only a few aftermarket sellers, but you can find some on Amazon.

 

[Karloff]

Oh my ... I was really hoping not to spend so much, especially since it delays getting a DAC. Need a bit to consider the options. Thanks for chipping in!

 

[pbui44]

Also check out the B-Stock Dekoni Blue as well, which is a modded T50rp:

https://dekoniaudio.com/product/b-s...ni-hifi-audiophile-planar-magnetic-headphone/

 

[bibbs]

DT-990 Edition (not Pro) are tuned and designed for home use. the clamping force is reduced but one still needs to bend the headband to suit their head. just pick your ohms flavour depending on your amplification. i personally preferred the DT-880 Edition (not Pro) as i found the sound "smoother".

the newer DT-700/900 clamp like a vice and the headband must be bent to suit.

i have never put a pair of Beyerdynamic headphones on and thought they were uncomfortable but i have hair so baldies MMV. only time i have found Beyer headphones (closed or open) to be sweaty is when using them with pleather pads but i stay in a cool climate.

 

[Karloff]

After some back-and-forth, I think that I'll go for the cheaper options. Spending $150 for a DAC/Amp should add a lot more quality than $100 extra for headphones. I am talking about listening on a "dirty" laptop line out.

Final choices:
- Beyerdynamic DT990 Edition (250Ohm)
- ..umh maybe the 880s too, but I am afraid that they feel more close than open back
- Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X

Feeling indecisive about the Dekoni/Fostex

Is there anything else to say that could help me speeding up my decision?
DAC will likely be the "iFi Hipdac"

 

[pbui44]

Considering how you feel with over-ear clamping: I still stand by the ATH-AD900(X) being the best choices. Also, if you can go desktop, then get this amp and dac combo:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/334347126384?hash=item4dd8a44670:g:WcYAAOSwSlBiHVuH

https://www.ebay.com/itm/115317030003?epid=691151660&hash=item1ad96e3c73:g:0cYAAOSw9MhiQne7&LH_BIN=1

Otherwise, a FiiO K3 used will do just fine:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/194958412144?hash=item2d646d4970:g:RQQAAOSwggtiTIAX

 

[sssssam]

Most comfortable I've ever tried : Sony MDR-F1 and Sennheiser HD540, but they're long discontinued.