[bertwaffles]

What about the D

It's not that easy...I don't know how demanding you are
HD800S and HD820 are splendid headphones...HD660S2 is worth checking, too.
Another story is John Massaria, he is tuning his headphones at your wishes.
It's best if you ask on the thread directly to John Massaria.
I will order soon his closed back.

I am listening to Monolith 1060C right now...love them.
HE1000 Stealth...great as well...I have plans to get a pair, too.

I love IEMs as well.
I recently bought a Simgot EA2000 ($350), which I am calling a baby Sony IER Z1R.
That good they are to me.

But, instead of just asking here and following our recommendation...
do your homework and read threads about what specific sound these headphones bring.
Then you will know more about what exactly you wish...

Cheers!

The IEM really speak out to me as well. If I am in an office they would be much easier to carry around. The CA Supermoon also seems like it would be good for gaming and music as well. I want a larger pair of headphones but just really nervous it will disturb others.

The HD820 from several reviews and all the complaints feels like it is the sound that I would want.

 

[bertwaffles]

80% of one of those kilobuck 'phones is easy to buy for under $500. The rest of the top-of-the-line price is only that 20% (some say just 10%), fancier materials and hype.

Gaming and music have different needs: boom and sizzle (bass rumble for fun and high frequencies for positioning) for gaming vs. natural timbre and accuracy for music.

I have $350 open-backs (ATH-R70X) and $250 closed-backs (Beyerdynamic DT700 Pro X), with amps that were under $100 each (Monolith Liquid Spark and VE Megatron), and that equipment is immersive enough and musical enough for me.

Something else in those price ranges might be ideal for you; there are lots of boosters here for Sennheiser and HiFiMan. (Note that the Sundara recommended above is probably the open one, since the closed Sundara is very different.) I've been to a few CanJams and heard a lot of luxe equipment -- briefly, I'll admit -- but the relatively slight upgrade was never worth the price for me.

Might be worth trying out some mid-price stuff from Amazon, with returns that are free or only the price of shipping, and see how happy it can make you. Don't be wowed by price or looks alone.

EDIT: Though I gotta say: those JM phones are under $800 and look pretty tempting for custom tuning...

https://www.jmaudioeditions.com/shop

I do like hte look of those jm audio phones.

 

[bertwaffles]

Right now with my budget I have a couple setups I am looking at. I would love to hear some comments.

Setup 1:
HD820
Mojo 2

Setup 1a:
HD820
WA11

Setup 2:
660s2 / DT19980
CA Supermoon
Mojo 2

Setup 2a:
660s2/DT1990
CA Supermoon
WA11

Setup 2b"
660s2/DT1990
CA Supermoon
Gryphon

 

[Ioanast]

You seem determined to spend some money mate, so, if I were you I would go for the set-up No 1 or No 1a.
If you can, listen before you buy. My two cents. Cheers mate!

 

[bertwaffles]

Is the WA11 much better then the mojo 2?

 

[pbui44]

Right now with my budget I have a couple setups I am looking at. I would love to hear some comments.

Setup 1:
HD820
Mojo 2

Setup 1a:
HD820
WA11

Setup 2:
660s2 / DT19980
CA Supermoon
Mojo 2

Setup 2a:
660s2/DT1990
CA Supermoon
WA11

Setup 2b"
660s2/DT1990
CA Supermoon
Gryphon

Depends on how much indoor/outdoor/field work you will be doing in/between projects.

 

[bertwaffles]

Depends on how much indoor/outdoor/field work you will be doing in/between projects.

The hard part right now is Iay be moving and may be in hotels for 60 days. The case with the 820 may take up a lot of room. I have to already pack the legion go, laptop and a tablet.

How close do the 820s sound to Supermoon?

 

[pbui44]

The hard part right now is Iay be moving and may be in hotels for 60 days. The case with the 820 may take up a lot of room. I have to already pack the legion go, laptop and a tablet.

How close do the 820s sound to Supermoon?

I do not know how the CA Supermoon sound, but the HD820 sound amazing with EQ. The only thing is that you will need a pelican case to protect the HD820 gimbals, headband, and glass driver backings. At least this size should work:

https://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-Pelican-Storm-iM2075-Black/dp/B0018NE6GW/ref=asc_df_B0018NE6GW/

If you want a planar magnetic driver with open/semi-closed-closed options, the look at the Sash Tree SE (with 4.4mm cable to guarantee the most power from the iFi Gryphon, then just get a 4.4mm-to-3.5mm adapter later for regular headphone outs) and cover options for 520 Euros with 2 covers:

https://www.sash-audio.com/product-page/headphones-sash-tres-second-edition

https://www.sash-audio.com/product-page/closed-covers

 

[bertwaffles]

Are the HD820s that fragile to travel with? That case is massive and no way I can fit that in my carry on

 

[pbui44]

Are the HD820s that fragile to travel with? That case is massive and no way I can fit that in my carry on

Unfortunately, yes. The HD820 sounds amazing with some EQ, but its entire design is kinda loose and dainty, making it unsuitable for many types of field work. There is a open-back that folds flat, along with cooling gel headband pleather to protect the pleather and add comfort, a compatible flat case, and 4.4mm cable for the most power from a iFi Gryphon:

https://electronics.sony.com/audio/...oUvhcfyqTEN5OAK32Kh7I2WPCp2CXp_TAQ-FGvjPHY7CQ

https://shop.geekria.com/collection...h-bose-beats-jbl-hyperx-sony-headphones-black

https://shop.geekria.com/collection...carrying-case-headset-travel-bag-black-fabric

https://fogcityaudio.com/products/sony-mdr-mv1-headphone-cable-mogami-26awg

 

[bertwaffles]

I am really leaning towards the Supermoon for now and using an IEM until I get settled and have a more sustainable and permanent place. Are the 660s2 more travel ready?

 

[fidgeraldo]

Are the 660s2 more travel ready?

Yup...and if you break them...it's only $650 gone

Cheers

 

[bertwaffles]

Yup...and if you break them...it's only $650 gone

Cheers

That may be a better idea for the next couple months.

 

[fidgeraldo]

That may be a better idea for the next couple months.

Not easy to break at all...and you might even like them so much that you won't need anything else for quite a time
Plus...you can buy great IEMs and you have set yourself...for fire, hmm, whatever that means

In that name...


Cheers!

 

[pbui44]

I am really leaning towards the Supermoon for now and using an IEM until I get settled and have a more sustainable and permanent place.

That may be a better idea for the next couple months.

So if you are keen on getting the CA Supermoon and need something durable for the next several months, then think out pairing the Supermoon with the iFi xDSD (predecessor to the Gryphon) and Philips Fidelio X2HR, just so you have cheaper stuff that better fits your needs:

https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Headphone-Amplifier-Smartphones-Computers/dp/B07C4TLPQN

https://www.amazon.com/PHILIPS-X2HR-Professional-Headphones-Detachable/dp/B01N5VHLUG/