Submitted by gr4474 t3_z7w1t2 in headphones
I have been on the hunt for headphones, trying a few recently. I bought the Fidelio X2hr, and they were nice and full sounding, but just to way dark in the treble for me. I realized want a bassy neutral sound. I think it's unrealistic to have anemic bass. I then bought the HE6se and really liked them. I thought $500 headphones would be end game for me. It has more detail than I'm used to, and sparkle, but not what I was imagining. It also has decent bass, but I was still wanting better, and wondering what else was out there. I then bought the Sivga Phoenix, to hold me over. I seriously considered the Denon line, and Emu teaks I was looking at for years. Those are known for bass, but quality. Everything seemed to have a compromise somewhere though even around $1000.
I decided I was going to sell an ebike that I lost interest in, and commit to spending $2000 on headphones. I was tired of compromising, and want to experience end game level, so I started looking at anything in that price range. I was listening to a random youtuber that made the comment that Gjallarhorn's had the best bass from the Kennerton's he heard. That didn't agree with what I was hearing, but who knows. I checked them out and on the Kennerton website, I found this JM Edition modded version of the Gjallarhorn's. That got my attention...and led me to John Massaria with JM Audio Editions.
His website had several modded headphones, and some custom ones also. He has some patented mesh that he uses, to manipulate the sound without losing the treble or anything.
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I think this guy can tell me what brand and model would be best for me better than reading forums for hours and hours every day, just to be disappointed when I buy something. I started thinking of buying something, and just having him mod it. He said his $700 creation could compete with anything, and if I don't like them I could just send them back. By the time we were finished talking, I was excited, so I bought them.
These are dynamic closed back with biocellulose drivers. I got them a week or so ago, and am powering them with an 80's Technic vintage receiver, and an ASUS Xonar Xfinity STX sound card with upgraded op amps. (I need to overhaul the dac/amp situation) The first song I listened to with them just for 30 seconds, I could immediately hear detail and spaciousness that I've never heard before. I heard this reverb effect coming in so sparkly, but not bright. They are layered and airy. I'm not good with describing sound, but they sound amazing. I handed them to my wife, and she noticed the same thing, but she described it better. She said it was a choir! I listened and realized the choir sounded like a cool reverb. Anyway she agreed that the choir was "less muffled and louder". It's like it went from the background to closer with the female lead singer, but in a really good way. After letting them burn in and using them for a week or so, they have come more alive. I'm now waiting for an SMSL SU-10 to arrive in a couple days. I'm also thinking of getting a Soloist 3Xp soon.
I've never heard end game headphones. If there is anyone in the Dallas or surrounding area, I would be willing to drive to compare these to something nicer. Call it a headphones challenge! Are mine equal or better than yours? I'm honestly curious.
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GrimTurtle666 t1_iy9dygg wrote
I don't have much to contribute to this conversation but I just wanted to say that those headphones look beautiful! I'm glad you were able to find something that really resonates with you :D