I come from the time ok Klipsch Image S4’s, Monster Turbines, Denon headphones… I think the Philips Fidelios were in there… I don’t remember the others…
But none of those are made anymore. What are the current offerings? Also amps or DAP’s? Do Sony’s still have their Clear Bass? I remember it being amazing on an MP3 player but is pretty Meh in the app for my XM5’s
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Abyss 1266
Modhouse T50RP MkIII Argons can be ordered (although there is a lead time) for under $500.
Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 Noire (with EQ) scratches my itch.
EMU Teaks have great slam but don’t extend as low into the sub-bass as the planars mentioned above.
I’m still trying to decide what’s next on my basshead journey. I’m leaning towards the LCD-XC because EQ is not a problem and I’ve worn motorcycle helmets 3x as heavy so their weight shouldn’t be an issue but always interested to hear what people recommend.
Kennerton Gjallarhorn GH50 JM - https://kennerton.org/shop/gjallarhorn-jm-edition-2023/
Fidelio x1’s are most likely the most bassy open headphone you can find. Our lord and saviour Tyll from inner fidelity reviewed them on YT years ago.
They are also still quite balanced which is kinda insane with the amount of bass they can reproduce.
But they are mid fi headphones so don’t expect greatness. They are good overall though and still have that wide soundstage of the later models.
I would suggest a small dac/amp with a bass enhance button/switch.
Kronos hi lo extended edition with my x1’s and bass enhancer button on my fiio e10k Olympus is basically a psychedelic experience. It really is insane. Also great bassy sound for cheap. I’ve had this setup for gaming for years. Might even come up on a decade if I bothered to check.
Planar IEMs have the best textured bass, they’re deeper but less impactful, very separated. Best for music. Otherwise DD IEMs slam with EQ.
Hifiman edition xs for planar open back headphone for sound quality+bass at a somewhat budget of $500 USD.
The jvc sz2000 is known as the bassiest headphone in the world. It needs EQ to have max output. They’re discontinued but you can find one or two used on like eBay.
Thx900 headphone because closed back.
I recommend the ms1 galaxy IEM with EQ for budget ($16) bass. I use +12db at 31hz with -3 gain. I also have a truthear zero: red and it has really good sub bass but at $55 USD and there’s almost no difference between it and the ms1 but the red is quieter by 6db.
The Hifiman HE-R9 is the deepest, bassist headphones I’ve ever tried. It’s pretty punchy! I’m about to sell the pair I have, but I really did enjoy the bass on those!
Fostex TH900 (Mk I and II, they’re the same, but Mk II has a detachable cable) are so far the best I’ve found and one of the two pairs along the TH909 that has scratched the bass itch. Yes, they’re pretty up there in price if you buy retail, but you can get them either used (specifically the Mk I) for about $600 or on a sale (now is the time if that’s the case). The lower tier models weren’t it, so you can’t really save by buying a cheaper Fostex. No idea about the most recent release though, haven’t had a chance to listen to it yet.
How are the TH909s compared to the TH900 MKII? Any benefits or detriments from being an open back?
They’re different. Much wider soundstage and better imaging, more natural, less harsh of a V, more balanced overall. The best way I can describe the sound signature is “larger than life”. It’s definitely the sound that will make an unprepared person go “Holy shit!” when listening to it for the first time. The 900 excites you with the bass and gives you a brainquake with that impact, the 909 excites you with the whole range and gives you goosebumps because you never thought your favorite track could sound that great. However, due to the open-back nature, some of the bass impact is lost — only the impact, not its quantity or quality, or depth for that matter, it’s still very articulated and precise with no mud whatsoever. It sounds amazing. Granted, there will be some sound bleed, you’ll definitely hear it if someone’s listening to it next to you — but if you’re like me (and I have a smaller head) the 900 will bleed a lot, too.
The t50rp have amazing bass when modded. I have maybe $20 in materials for the mods, and another $50 in earpads. They make a significant difference in how they sound. With the right earpads and porting, the bass extends low and is quite impactful.
Unfortunately, I haven’t had a chance to listen to them modded, but I do know that quite a few of current basshead recs are just officially modded Fostex models, with the T50RP being a rather popular choice. Would be an interesting experience for sure! Unfortunately, not many people have the desire and/or skill to mod an already pricey headphone, but from what I’ve heard, Fostex are pretty user-friendly in that regard.
My TH900 also has original TH610 pads on it, and sounds much more to my liking like that.
The t50rp was a steal before it became popular. I picked up my pair of mkii for $45. All in, ive spent less on them then the cost of a new pair of mkiii. The price to performance is still there, but not what it used to be. At $250ish you got a lot of options that are very good that dont require any modding. It was never an easy recommendation, but the higher price makes it even harder.
Fatfreq Scarlet Mini
Over the Maestro?
THX00 go hard, as do my modded TH610’s.
How’d you mod the TH610’s?
Looking into getting a set so I’m trying to do my research.
Audeze LCD 4 or Abyss AB1266
Sony IER-Z1R easily the best bass-head IEMs IMHO
Are these better than headphones? How would they compare to the Audeze LCD-X?
fatfreq scarlet mini a contender
$$$$$ 😭😭😭😭😭
You literally asked for the best
This is one of those hilarious moments that happen ever-so-often here where someone ignorant comes along and asks something to the tune “I want THE BEST headphones, no limits budget!!!” and immediately to a 180 when they get pointed at the ab1266 or the he1.
Those recommendations are abit of a meme. The most hilarious is when they are recommended stuff that’s reasonably common around here, like HD800, Arya, LCD-X, etc. and then OP is surprised pikachu face. Can’t blame them tho, if you are coming from a different hobby like gaming, where an RTX 4080 costs like 1200, you’re probably coming here totally not expecting relatively common headphones like the HD800 to cost literally as much as a 4090.
Wait, really?
Listening to Dawn FM by The Weeknd on them is an experience.
JVC HA-SZ2000, Taction Kannon(Now Corsair HS60)
((( Skullcandy Crusher Evo )))
They would make some $$$ if they actually made a good product like Beats…
Etymotic ER4XR with EQ.
Really? I know they have a slight bass boost but didn’t seem like anything crazy
E-MU Teaks