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Headphone Reviews & Comparisons

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  1. Headphone Reviews & Comparisons (You Are Here)
  2. Microphone Reviews & Comparisons
  3. Amps, DACs, and Audio Interfaces
  4. The Budget Kings Series
  5. Studio Monitors
  6. Beats, Production, & Turntables
  7. Gaming, Movies, & Pop Culture
  8. Build a Home Studio Guide
  9. Best Of
  10. Resources

Stories w/ Stu or “The Rabbit Hole Redefined”

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  1. *Is Sony’s MDR-7506 Still Relevant Today? (2010)
  2. The M50X: Still A Gem After All These Years (2013)
  3. *Sennheiser HD 280 Pro Review: The Audio Blunder You Can’t Ignore (2015)
  4. *Sennheiser’s HD600: The Gift That Keeps On Giving? (2016)
  5. *Philips SHP9500 Review: Will It Change YOUR Life? (2017)
  6. *Sennheiser HD25 Review: Your Gateway To Sonic Bliss? (2017)
  7. HIFIMAN’s 400i And The Moment Everything Changed (2017)
  8. The Audeze LCD-3: A Visceral Odyssey Into The Unknown (2017)
  9. Focal’s Utopia And The Loss Of Innocence (2018)
  10. Dan Clark Audio ÆON Flow: Total Recall (2018)
  11. The Great Focal Elegia Experiment of 2019 (2019)
  12. AKG K702: Still A Gold Standard In Mid-Fi? (2019)

More Coming Soon!

Headphone Guides

  1. The Best Audiophile Headphones (Complete Buyers Guide)
  2. Best Under $100 (Budget Kings Series)
  3. Best Under $500 (Popular)
  4. Best For Gaming (Popular)
  5. Best For Mixing (Popular)
  6. Best For Comfort (New)

Company Rankings

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  1. 7 AKG Headphones Ranked From Worst To First
  2. 8 Audeze Headphones Ranked Worst To First
  3. *The Best Beats Headphones
  4. 7 Focal Headphones Ranked Worst To First
  5. 10 Grado Headphones Ranked Worst To Best
  6. 10 HIFIMAN Headphones Ranked Worst To First
  7. The 3 Best Sony Headphones In 2024
  8. The 5 Best Sennheiser Headphones In 2024

Genre Series

(Updated)

  1. The Best Headphones for Jazz
  2. The Best Headphones for Classical
  3. The Best Headphones for Rock
  4. The Best Headphones for Metal
  5. The Best Headphones for Pop
  6. The Best Headphones for Hip-Hop
  7. The Best Headphones for Bass
  8. The Best Headphones For Folk

Koss Mini-Series

  1. Before You Buy A Koss KSC75, READ THIS!!
  2. The Koss KPH30i Will Change YOUR Life!!
  3. Before You Buy A Koss Porta Pro, READ THIS!!
  4. Koss KSC75 vs. KPH30i vs. Porta Pro (Final Shootout)

Current # of Headphones & IEMs owned or demoed: 136

* + Bold = Demoing but haven’t added to the list yet. This means it will be added once the article is complete.

  • Currently own: Sennheiser HD600, AKG K702, Philips SHP9500, HIFIMAN DEVA, AKG K240M (600 Ohm), Sony MDR-V6, Sony MDR-7506.
  • Currently demoing: TBD.
  • Currently listening: HIFIMAN HE400se, HIFIMAN Arya, Sennheiser HD600, Sony MDR-V6, Sony MDR-7506, Sony MDR-CD900ST, AKG K702.
  • Currently mixing beats: AKG K702, OneOdio Monitor 80, HIFIMAN Arya.
  • Click here to go to my YouTube channel for some great video reviews!
  • Contact me if you would like to send something for a demo. I’m always looking to test new products out!

Headphone Reviews

1More

  • 1More Triple Driver (Demoed, but not going to review)

AKG

  1. AKG K550/553 Review (Demoed)
  2. AKG K52 Review (Coming soon!) (Demoed)
  3. AKG K240 Studio Review (Owned & Sold)
  4. AKG K240M 600 Ohm Headphone Review + 850 Comparison (Own K240M, Sold SR850)
  5. AKG K612 Review (Owned & Sold)
  6. AKG K702 Review (Own)
  7. AKG K371 Review (Demoed)
  8. AKG K712 Review (Demoed)

Apos Audio

  1. Apos Caspian Review (Demoed)

Audeze

  1. Audeze LCD-1 Review (Demoed)
  2. Audeze LCD-2 Review (Demoed)
  3. Audeze LCD-3 Review (Demoed)
  4. Audeze LCD-4 Review (Demoed)
  5. Audeze LCD-X Review (Demoed)
  6. Audeze LCD-XC Review (Demoed)
  7. Audeze EL-8 Open Review (Demoed)
  8. Audeze EL-8 Closed Review (Coming Soon!) (Demoed)
  9. Audeze Sine Review (Demoed)

Audio Technica

  1. Audio Technica ATH-M50 Review (Owned & Given Away)
  2. Audio Technica ATH-M50x Review (Demoed) (May or may not review in the future)
  3. Audio Technica ATH-M40x Review (Owned & Sold)
  4. Audio Technica ATH-AD900x (Demoed)

Audioquest

  1. AudioQuest NightOwl Review (Demoed)
  2. AudioQuest NightHawk Review (Demoed)

Beats

  1. Beats Solo 2 Review (Demoed)
  2. Beats Solo 3 Review (Demoed)
  3. Beats Studio 2.0 Wireless Review (Demoed)
  4. Beats Studio 3.0 Wireless Review (Coming Soon!) (Demoed)
  5. Beats Pro Review (Demoed)
  6. Beats EP Review (Coming Soon!) (Demoed)

Beyerdynamic

  1. Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 250 Ohm (Coming soon!) (Demoed)
  2. Beyerdynamic DT 990 Premium 600 Ohm headphones
  3. Beyerdynamic DT 770 Review (Demoed)
  4. Mage Audio’s DT770 “Black Mage” Review (Demoed). This is a mod from a nice fella named Craig Boyles of Mage Audio.

Bluedio

Bose

  1. Bose Quiet Comfort 35 Review (Demoed)
  2. Bose Sound True Around-Ear II Review (Demoed)

Bowers & Wilkins

  1. Bowers & Wilkins P7 Review (Demoed)
  2. Bowers & Wilkins P9 Review (Demoed)

Creative

Dan Clark Audio

Emu

  • Massdrop x E-MU Purple Heart (Demoed)

Focal

  1. Focal Elear Review (Demoed)
  2. Focal Clear Review (Demoed)
  3. Focal Listen Review (Demoed)
  4. Focal Utopia Review (Demoed)
  5. Focal Elegia Review (Demoed)
  6. Focal Stellia Review (Demoed)
  7. Focal Celestee Review (Demoed)
  8. Focal Clear MG Review (Demoed)

Fostex

  1. Fostex TH-X00 Ebony – Drop version (Demoed)

Gold Planar

  1. Gold Planar GL2000 Review (Demoed)

Grado

Original

  1. Grado RS2i Review (Demoed)

e series line

  1. Grado SR60e Review (Demoed)
  2. Grado SR80e Review (Demoed)
  3. Grado SR125e Review (Demoed)
  4. Grado SR225e Review (Demoed)
  5. Grado SR325e Review (Demoed)
  6. Grado RS1e Review (Demoed)
  7. Grado PS500e Review (Demoed)
  8. Grado GS1000e Review (Demoed)
  9. Grado PS1000e Review (Coming Soon!)

Wireless Bluetooth

  1. Grado GW100 Review (Coming Soon!) (Demoed)

HarmonicDyne

  1. HarmonicDyne G200 Review

HIFIMAN

  1. HIFIMAN HE400i Review (Demoed)
  2. HIFIMAN HE400S Review (Demoed)
  3. HIFIMAN HE-4XX Review (Demoed)
  4. HIFIMAN HE400se Review (Demoed)
  5. HIFIMAN Sundara Review (Demoed)
  6. HIFIMAN DEVA Review (Demoed)
  7. HIFIMAN Edition X Review (Demoed)
  8. HIFIMAN Edition XS Review (Demoed)
  9. HIFIMAN Ananda Review (Demoed)
  10. HIFIMAN Arya Review (Demoed)

HIFIMAN x Dekoni

Koss

Meze

OneOdio

Oppo

  1. Oppo PM-3 Review (Owned and Sold)

Philips

  1. Philips SHP9500 Review (Own)
  2. Philips SHP9600 Review (Owned and Sold)

PSB

  1. PSB M4U Review (Demoed)
  2. PSB M4U 2 Review (Demoed)

Samson

  1. Samson SR850 Review (Owned & Sold)

Sennheiser

  1. Sennheiser HD280 Review (Owned & Given Away)
  2. Sennheiser HD201 Review (Owned, Given Away, Owned Again, Sold)
  3. Sennheiser HD202 Review (Owned & Given Away)
  4. Sennheiser HD25 Review (Owned & Sold)
  5. Sennheiser HD558 Review (Owned & Sold)
  6. Sennheiser HD598 Review (Demoed)
  7. Sennheiser HD560S Review (Demoed)
  8. Sennheiser HD58X Review (Owned & Given Away)
  9. Sennheiser HD600 Review (Own)
  10. Sennheiser HD650 Review (Demoed)
  11. Sennheiser HD6XX Review (Demoed)
  12. Sennheiser HD6 Review (Coming soon!) (Demoed)
  13. Sennheiser HD200 Review (Coming soon!) (Demoed)

Shure

  1. Shure SRH440 Review (Demoed)

Sivga

  1. Sivga Audio P2 Pro Review (Demoed)

Skull Candy

  1. Skull Candy Uproar Wireless (Own)

Sony

  1. Sony MDR-CD900ST Review (Own)
  2. Sony MDR-7506 Review (Own)
  3. Sony MDR-V6 Review (Own)
  4. Sony MDR-V150 Monitor Series Headphones (Owned a long time ago :D)
  5. Sony MDR-ZX100 Review (Demoed)
  6. Sony MDR-Z1R Review (Demoed)
  7. Sony MDR-1A Review (Demoed)
  8. Sony MDR-XB950N1 (Demoed)
  9. Sony WH1000X M2 Headphone Review (Demoed)
  10. Sony MDR-101 (Demoed)

SuperEQ

  1. SuperEQ S1 Review

Superlux

  1. Superlux HD330 Review (Demoed)

Supsoo

Status Audio

  1. Status Audio CB-1 Review! (Owned & Sold)

V-Moda

  1. V-Moda Crossfade M100 Review (Own)
  2. V-Moda Crossfade LP Review (Demoed)

IEMs…

IEMs/BT Wireless Earbuds

  1. Creative Aurvana Ace 2 Review (Demoed)
  2. Shure SE215 Review (Bought as a gift for mom, stolen at her job)
  3. Tin Audio T2 Review (Demoed and bought as a replacement for ^)
  4. HIFIMAN TWS600 Review (Demoed)
  5. HIFIMAN RE-600S Review (With RE-400 Comparison) (Demoed)
  6. Hidizs MD4 Review (Demoed)
  7. SuperEQ Q2 Pro Review (Demoed)
  8. Mifo S S&O Review (Demoed)
  9. FiiTii HiFiDots Review (Demoed)

Headphone Comparison Reviews


Headphone Comparisons

Extensive and In-Depth

  1. AKG K702 vs. Sennheiser HD600 (Updated)
  2. AKG K240M 600 Ohm vs. K240S 55 Ohm
  3. Audeze LCD-2 vs. LCD-3
  4. Grado SR60e vs. SR80e (Popular)
  5. HIFIMAN Ananda vs. Edition X
  6. HIFIMAN Ananda vs. Sundara
  7. Philips SHP9500 vs. Sennheiser HD600 (Popular)
  8. Sennheiser HD800 vs. HD650

Most Popular/In-Depth

  1. AKG K240 vs. Samson SR850 (Popular)
  2. Philips SHP9500 vs. 9600 (Popular)
  3. Sennheiser HD600 vs. HD650 (Popular)
  4. Sennheiser HD600 vs. HD6XX [Definitive Guide] (Popular)
  5. Sennheiser HD600 vs. HIFIMAN HE400i
  6. Sennheiser HD598 vs. HD599 (Popular)

Headphone Shootouts

  1. Sennheiser HD58X vs. 6XX vs. 600 vs. 650
  2. HIFIMAN Edition X vs. Ananda vs. Arya vs. Edition XS
  3. Sony MDR-7506 vs. Audio Technica ATH M50x vs. Sennheiser HD280 Pro (Popular)
  4. Beyerdynamic DT770 vs. 880 vs. 990 [Definitive Guide] (Popular)
  5. The Sennheiser HD500 Series [Full Guide] (Popular)
  6. AKG K701 vs. K702 vs. Q701 vs. K612 vs. K712 (Popular)
  7. HiFiMan HE4XX vs. 400i vs. 400S vs. Sundara (Popular)
  8. The 4 Best HiFiMan Headphones [Definitive Guide] (Popular)
  9. HIFIMAN Sundara vs. HD650 vs. HD600
  10. Philips SHP9500 vs. AKG K702 vs. HIFIMAN DEVA
  11. Philips SHP9500 vs. AKG K240 vs. Samson SR850 vs. Grado SR60e
  12. Sennheiser HD598 vs. HD650 vs. HD600 (Popular)

Comparisons with videos


AKG K702 vs. Sennheiser HD600

AKG K240 vs. Samson SR850

AKG K612 vs. K702

Grado SR60e vs. 80e

HIFIMAN DEVA vs. Sundara

HIFIMAN Ananda vs. Edition X

HIFIMAN Ananda vs. Sundara

Philips SHP9500 vs. Sennheiser HD600

Philips SHP9500 vs 9600

Sennheiser HD600 vs. HD650

Sennheiser HD6XX vs. HD600

HIFIMAN Sundara vs. HD650 vs. HD600

HiFiMan HE4XX vs. 400i vs. 400S vs. Sundara (Final Shootout)

Philips SHP9500 vs. AKG K702 vs. HIFIMAN DEVA

Audio Technica ATH M40 vs. Status Audio CB-1

Thanks for stopping by!

All the best and God bless,

 

 

-Stu

[Xtr@Ba$eHitZ]

Be sure to check out my Resources page for more helpful and informative articles!

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36 comments

Keith Aldrige December 1, 2019 - 5:25 pm

Hey Stu,
Keith here…I often check your site, and I follow your always on the mark advice but try as I may, I cannot find your review for Philips X2HR Fidelio or a compare to the Philips 9500 series. What gives big guy?

Reply
Stuart Charles Black December 3, 2019 - 1:54 pm

Saw your other comment. Glad you found the comparison Keith! 🙂

Reply
Alex December 5, 2019 - 6:08 am

Hey Stu,
Your site looks decent with a touch of fun, I am sure you are a great addition for the music people, the people who want to see it will find you. I try to give support, yeah I also have things on my mind like everybody nowadays, hey man keep the good stuff going. Greetings from the netherlands alex

Reply
Stuart Charles Black December 5, 2019 - 8:46 pm

Hey Alex! Great to hear from you! Been working on getting a website going/music, etc.?

Reply
Alex December 20, 2019 - 7:59 pm

Hey Stu! Yeah man great to be in contact with you. I do not know about a website. The problem is I prefer to work behind the scenes. Popular behavior (not that I find you guilty of popular behavior do not misunderstand) getting maybe hundreds of thousands fans or visitors is not my thing. I like a small club of people who trust each other. My deal is trust not quantity .Nowadays it is hard to trust people. Getting my face on the internet is not my thing. Maybe I am born to be the mystery music producer although I was and am DJ so some people do know me or know my face. I am DJ in small clubs 200 people max. I am underground person, techno….I do not go to parties anymore but when I go I am dj. So yeah a website is logical, but I know how society is today and that’s my stumbling stone. Even my face is almost nowhere on the internet findable. I however respect your decision to put yourself on the internet. You are on youtube I never never never will do that. I will be on soundcloud you will get the information.
Hey keep on going man with this great respectful website on the www. You are doing a respectful job.

Reply
Stuart Charles Black December 29, 2019 - 8:13 pm

No worries man! Yeah I’ve never been one of those guys I guess. One guy back in college called me “Banksy with a Canvas” because of the way I painted, but I have no clue what Banksy even looks like. Lol. Z Reviews is similar in that he’s never shown his face. I think some people do it for the thrill, and others such as yourself genuinely aren’t comfortable with it. I’m in it less for the fame aspect and more for just traffic, as it’s the life blood of any business. My goal is still to help people first and foremost, but without traffic to the blog and channel it’s not really possible. Thanks for understanding and trust me I didn’t take any offense to it. 🙂 Keep me posted about the happenings!

Reply
Alex January 5, 2020 - 12:26 am

Hey stu!, I am not a partyday guy myself, also I am a bit late, sorry, all the commercial blablabla lol, but still I want to wish you a fantastic 2020! I hope you make a fantastic year with your website. I promise I will give more support. I have a lot things behind me now. By the way, it is still hard the dt 770 pro or the audio technica m50x. What’s your most used headphone these days?
I will message you soon.

Greetings Alex from the netherlands

Reply
Stuart Charles Black January 8, 2020 - 5:32 pm

NO worries man! We all get busy. Trust me, I’m one of the worst at getting back to people in a timely manner. I suppose part of it is the society we live in. There are simply too many distractions.

I would say the 770 over 50x for comfort. Build is kind of a wash. Both are built very well. The 770 sounds more open than the 50x. If I had to choose, I would go with the 770.

My most used headphone is the K702 which I bought last month! I love it for PC and Console Gaming. I’m going to be doing a comparison video with it and the HD600’s pretty soon so be on the lookout for that!

Glad to hear from you and hope you’re having a fantastic start to the new year!

Keep me posted brother.

Reply
Kevin December 16, 2020 - 9:17 pm

I found out about this website by a Dankpod’s video. This website is great. I recently got the Maono AU-MH601 headphones and I wanted to see if you could do a review of them, just to see an experts angle on these headphones.

Reply
Stuart Charles Black December 17, 2020 - 5:02 pm

Hey man thank you so much! Wow! Which video?? I will def consider that review 🙂

Reply
Neil Mitchell February 18, 2021 - 3:03 pm

Hi Stu!!
It’s been a long time since we chatted brother, hoping all is well with you and family during these strange times!! Last time I had just purchased the HFM HE400S headphone and we were chatting about it. Since then a lot has happened but I’m hanging in there and now own the HFM HE1000V2, and Audeze LCD2C (which I fazored) as well. Between the 3 of them they’ve helped me not to lose my mind during covid!! Just wanted to say hi and mention I still totally enjoy your site and reviews and check out what you’re doing here and on YouTube on a regular basis. Keep up the great work Stu and all the very best!! Your reviews always rock!! Take care,

Reply
Stuart Charles Black February 25, 2021 - 10:23 pm

Hey man! Long time no talk 🙂 Thank you so much for stopping by again and for the kind words. Always love hearing from you. Glad you’re doing well! What a great choice. Did you get the classic or is that closed? The original LCD-2 is def one of my all-time favorites!

Reply
Neil Mitchell March 12, 2021 - 3:36 pm

GOOD to hear from you Stu!!
LCD2C open back are the ones I fazored. Tiny bit less overall “bloom” but I find it more coherent and precise overall while still maintaining the syrupy Audeze sound.
I really enjoyed reading your HFM 400 series shootout, as well as your Audeze LCD2/3 reviews they were spot on, although I’ve never heard the LCD3. I generally hear they’re great but some say a tad trebly at times, which your review touched on. I really enjoyed that comparison because you didn’t just make the 3 better because it was more expensive, you went through the high and lower points of both. Good to see you like the 2 because I sure like mine, there is something smooth and addictive about it!
I still remember you telling me to pull the ear cups of my HFM HE400S forward so the back of the pads touched the back of my ears because it sounded better and you were right, it was like magic but they did sound better!!!
Your site keeps getting better all the time Stu, there’s so much good stuff to see there so keep up the great audiophile work!!!
Take care my friend…..

Reply
Stuart Charles Black March 14, 2021 - 8:41 pm

Hey man! Yeah, it’s funny you mention the LCD-3. I just did a kind of review/look back for my Rabbit Hole series. Is that the one you’re referring to? https://homestudiobasics.com/the-audeze-lcd-3-will-change-your-life/

And thank you so much, Neil! I’m really putting a lot into the site this year so glad you’ve noticed! 🙂

Reply
Neil Mitchell March 16, 2021 - 10:01 pm

You bet, Stu, Rabbit hole series on LCD3 was wicked beyond reprieve, plus I enjoyed your regular review of the LCD2 very much as well. I see your poised to review the LCD4, so I’m waiting to read that one, PLUS, if you ever got a shot at reviewing the Audeze LCD4Z I’d be clawing to the beginning of the line for for first read of that one!!

Stuart Charles Black March 27, 2021 - 4:20 pm

Thanks, Neil! Always great to hear from you, my friend. Yeah, I’m debating on a big LCD shootout. It’s been awhile since I heard the LCD-4 but it made a huge impression on me (not necessarily good or bad). It was just really, really dark sounding. Perhaps too much so for my tastes. Don’t be a stranger! 🙂

Neil Mitchell May 4, 2021 - 10:21 pm

Hi Stu!!
Ya I’d be very interested on your retake of the LCD4’s because it sounds like we have similar opinions of them. I’ve heard them twice now, but I found them a little weird. I spent 30 min each time trying to decide if I really liked them or not, plus I almost needed head and neck surgery afterwards from their weight!! I really wanted to like them more than I did , I guess I found them good but not awe inspiring for their price point. Maybe I need to listen to them 3 times…..

Reply
Stuart Charles Black May 5, 2021 - 2:51 pm

Hey man! Yeah the LCD-4 to me was too veiled; at least in comparison to the Utopia. I demoed them side by side out of a NAIM DAC V-1. I think the LCD-4 is probably the darkest sounding out of the bunch, and I can’t say I really enjoyed it from that standpoint. It still sounded relatively amazing outside of that, but I much prefer a Utopia as it’s still hands down the best headphone I’ve heard to date. I would like to revist the LCD line though. You’re right though, it was a strange experience listening to it, much like my experience with the LCD-3. If I was going to buy one, I’d probably get an LCD-2 or maybe an LCD-X. The XC (Closed) also didn’t impress me and had a weird sound signature.

Reply
Neil Mitchell May 7, 2021 - 7:03 pm

Wicked potatoes Stu, I totally agree and thought the XC closed back sounded weird in some way. I thought I was listening to music while wearing a motorbike helmet or something. What’s even weirder than that is I’m almost positive I’m the only person on earth that doesn’t care for the LCD-X. I’ve heard 3 different units three different times and maybe I need to get in for therapy……one was thin and scratchy, one seemed grainy and un smooth in the treble , and I forgot about the last one. I know almost everybody including yourself like
that headphone. I HAVE heard there can be large variations between units sound wise…..
I totally agree with you on the LCD2, to my ears it sounds great.

Reply
Stuart Charles Black May 7, 2021 - 8:47 pm

Yeah man! Totally agree. The XC was quite a strange experience. Haha, wicked potatoes. Now I’m hungry again lol. No no, you’re right! The first LCD-X I got was awful. I thought I was going crazy in how bad it sounded. Similar to what you said; grainy, thin, scratchy, and just bleh. The second one was much better. I have heard that different models yield quite an array of results.

Yeah, the LCD-2 was probably my favorite.

Reply
Neil Mitchell May 7, 2021 - 9:52 pm

Totally cool Stu!! ( Now you’re hungry again lol . ). Ya maybe just I need to find the right LCD-X. A bummer about the inconsistency between units though. It’s like I buy one with my hard earned cash but then after delivery I find out mine is one of the ones that sounds like crap!!!
I always watch your YouTube stuff and think you’re hilarious. You exhibit almost “Zen” like calmness 98% of time, interspersed with very brief out of control moments of short term lunacy …..It’s awesome!!!!
Keep up the fierce work, Stu!!!!!!

Stuart Charles Black May 16, 2021 - 8:42 pm

Haha thanks man! Yeah, my niece has always said I’m “so chill” but I enjoy those freakouts, almost as if I have Tourettes or something. Always love to hear from you so don’t be a stranger! (I know you won’t). Take care my friend.

Neil Mitchell August 25, 2021 - 5:02 am

Funny stuff Stu, keep up your magical hilarious formula for success!! Strange times I so hope you and your family are keeping well. I’m hanging out listening to my headphones in the basement so I can avoid getting Covid. Have you heard the HFM HE1000SE? It’s a crazy crazy headphone if you get the chance to review it. Keep up the great work Stu, I’m always hovering around your site to see what’s new. Your headphone and equipment reviews are the total boss!!

Reply
Stuart Charles Black August 30, 2021 - 7:33 pm

Hey man great to hear from you! I’m well. 🙂 You should get outside in the fresh air! And thank you. I haven’t heard that one yet, but hopefully soon. I’m supposed to be getting a Caspian and perhaps some other HIFIMANs but I can def inquire about that.

Reply
Neil Mitchell August 31, 2021 - 8:36 pm

Cool Stu, I’m still glad you are well!! I may even get out of the basement one of these days. I better put some sunglasses on first though.
The Caspian, ya, looks not bad for around $500! I’ll be looking forward to checking your review out on that one for sure. I’m steeped with anticipation waiting for a brand new cordon bleu Stu review on any new HFM’s OR the fabled Audeze LCD-4. Supposed to be a new 2021 version of LCD-X out too with thinner pads or something. No wonder I peruse your site Stu, I need to keep up with the very latest!!! Take care my friend!!

Reply
Stuart Charles Black September 1, 2021 - 3:28 pm

Yeah, and get a tan! 😛 LOL Cordon Bleu Stu Review. Wow, that has a yummy ring to it! xD So great to hear from you, Neil! I may be getting a 400se soon. 🙂

Reply
Neil Mitchell September 17, 2021 - 4:44 am

I’m working on that tan, Stu!! The 400SE, that’s awesome man, I’ll be interested to know what you think! HFM just came out with a “Stealth” magnet version of the Arya too, evidently!!
It was about 5 years ago I first discovered you and your site and I had just bought my first planar, the HFM HE400S, older brother of the SE. I’ll never forget how kind you were to me, as I soon found out the huge amount of headphones you had reviewed, most of them far more expensive than my lowly 400S, but you still made me feel like I’d made the right purchase plus I really enjoyed your review of the 400S and I’ve been a Stu fan ever since……Looking forward to hearing what you think of the SE, my friend.
Keep rockin it, Stu!!

Reply
Stuart Charles Black September 19, 2021 - 8:25 pm

That’s so cool man and glad to have you onboard for so long! Really means a lot when we go back and forth like this from time to time. Honestly, I can’t believe it’s been that long. Where does the time go?! Yeah I think it will be fun to see/hear how it stacks up vs. the DEVA.

Reply
Taylor July 11, 2023 - 3:04 am

Hope you’re doing well! Have you considered a “best for electronic” category?

Reply
Stuart Charles Black July 24, 2023 - 4:42 pm

Hey Taylor!

So you mean as in the genre of electronic music?

Reply
Taylor July 25, 2023 - 11:54 pm

Yup, sorry for not clarifying! Feel no need to, just love the way you approach those genre-specific reviews.

Reply
Stuart Charles Black July 26, 2023 - 12:23 pm

Thank you so much! I will definitely jot that down. Perhaps I can add it in with the “Best headphones for Pop” or make a separate one. I think pop and electronic do go hand in hand in some ways. For instance, Electro-pop, Indie-Pop (which uses a lot of electronic stuff), etc.

Reply
Allan January 29, 2024 - 12:17 pm

Hi Stuart!
I have had the Audio Technica M50x almost since I started listening to music seriously, and I really liked them. But lately, I have been using a pair of DT880 for some time, and I don’t really like the Audio Technica anymore. I read your review of the AKG K371, and I think they are a good option as I am only interested in closed-backs and some bass sounds good. The thing is, I’m not sure if it’s a good idea to switch to slightly better headphones, or if I should upgrade to some fancy and definitive ones.
What do you recommend?

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Stuart Charles Black January 31, 2024 - 6:12 pm

Allan,

Thank you for stopping by! Yeah, you may just find the K371 to be a side-grade of sorts to the 50x. The bass also can border on sloppy depending on the track, so I may not run out and buy one or anything. I know it’s appealing, but I may hold off. I do enjoy the 371 for the most part, but I still wouldn’t consider it demonstrably better than a 50x. Are you looking for the DT880 type sound in a closed back?

-Stu

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Allan February 28, 2024 - 3:06 pm

Hi Stu, I’m back
Yes, although they were a little too bright . I prefer the opened-back sound but I need closed backs. My budget is around 300-400. I have recently tried the Dt770, they have slightly better soundstage and maybe overall sound, but it is a really small difference.
What do you recommend?

Allan

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Stuart Charles Black February 29, 2024 - 8:11 pm

Allan,

Great to hear from you again. What about the K553? That’s a super open sound in a closed configuration. Excellent sound, not overly bright, very spacious and pretty neutral across the board.

-Stu

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