Headphone Reviews & Comparisons

 Updates

  • 3/29/19.
  • 11/26/19.
  • 1/10/19.
  • 1/15/19. Replaced Grado headphone image with a Sennheiser HD6XX. I believe the 6XX is a quintessential headphone and a better representation of the hobby as a whole. The Grado was used simply because I designed it for a video at the time. The 6XX is the perfect headphone for someone wanting to get into higher-end audio, and encompasses (more so than any other product), what the audiophile world is all about. Related: The 5 Best Audiophile Headphones For Under $500!!
  • 1/10/21. Added Before you Buy and Audiophile Rabbit Hole Series.

Hey there friend!

Navigate the Site!

  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

Before You Buy Series!

  1. Before YOU Buy An HD600, READ THIS!! (Video included)
  2. Before YOU Buy An HD6XX, READ THIS!! (Video Coming Soon!)
  3. Before YOU Buy An AKG K612, READ THIS!! (Video Coming Soon!)
  4. Before YOU Buy An AKG K702, READ THIS!! (Video Coming Soon!)
  5. Before YOU Buy A Grado Headphone, READ THIS!! (Video included)
  6. Before YOU Buy A Chord Mojo, READ THIS!! (Video included)
  7. Before YOU Buy A DragonFly Cobalt, READ THIS!! (Video included)
  8. Before YOU Buy A K5 Pro, READ THIS!! (Video included)
  9. Before YOU Buy A Philips SHP9500, READ THIS!! (Video Coming Soon!)

More coming soon!

The Audiophile Rabbit Hole Series!

My personal experience with headphones dating back to 2010, in order of when I listened to them. All of the headphones here, and the ones not yet discussed, had a profound impact on me and/or changed my life and thus should be discussed!

These reviews also take on a more conversational, off-the-cuff type of natural style.

Note: I will also probably make a separate article for the 9500 as it pertains to this series.

  1. The Sony MDR7506 Will Change YOUR Life!! (2010-2011)
  2. The Audio Technica ATH-M50/M50X Will Change YOUR Life!! (2012-2013)
  3. The Sennheiser HD600: Still Relevant Today? (2016)
  4. The Sennheiser HD25 Will Change YOUR Life!! (2017)
  5. The HIFIMAN HE400i Will Change YOUR Life!! (2017)
  6. The Audeze LCD-3 Will Change YOUR Life!! (2017)
  7. The Focal Utopia Will Change YOUR Life!! (2018)
  8. The Dan Clark Audio Aeon Flow Will Change YOUR Life!! (2018)
  9. Sennheiser HD6XX Experience (Coming Soon!) (2019)

More coming soon!

Mixing/Mastering/Reference Mini-Series!

Taking a look at some affordable studio options and how they stack up against each other!

  1. Audio Technica ATH M40x vs. Status Audio CB-1 vs. Sony MDR-7506 [Definitive Guide]
  2. Sony MDR-7506 vs. Audio Technica ATH M50x vs. Sennheiser HD280 Pro
  3. Audio Technica ATH M40x vs. AKG K240 vs. Sony MDR-7506

More Coming Soon!

Koss Mini-Series!

  1. Before You Buy A Koss KSC75, READ THIS!!
  2. The Koss KPH30i Will Change YOUR Life!!

More coming soon!

Current # of headphones/IEMs owned or demoed: 108

Currently Own: Sennheiser HD600, AKG K702, AKG K612, Philips SHP9500, Philips SHP9600, Koss KPH30i, Koss KSC75, HIFIMAN DEVA, AKG K240M, AKG K260

  • 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

AKG

  1. AKG K550 Review
  2. AKG K553 Review (Demoed)
  3. AKG K52 Review (Coming soon!) (Demoed)
  4. AKG K240 Studio Review (Owned & Sold)
  5. AKG K240M 600 Ohm Headphone Review + 850 Comparison (Own K240M, Sold SR850)
  6. AKG K612 Review (Own)
  7. AKG K702 Review (Own)
  8. AKG K260 (Coming Soon!) – The right driver on this headphone is dead. I’m going to try and repair it.
  9. AKG K371 Review! (Demoed)
  10. AKG K712 Review! (Demoed)

Audeze

  1. Audeze LCD-1 Review (Coming Soon!) (Demoed)
  2. Audeze LCD-2 Review (Demoed)
  3. Audeze LCD-3 Review (Demoed)
  4. Audeze LCD-4 Review (Coming Soon!) (Demoed)
  5. Audeze LCD-X Review (Demoed)
  6. Audeze LCD-XC Review (Demoed)
  7. Audeze EL8 Open Review (Demoed)
  8. Audeze EL8 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. Check out his website here!

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 Review (Coming Soon!) (Demoed)

Focal

  1. Focal Elear Review (Demoed)
  2. Focal Clear Review (Coming Soon!) (Demoed)
  3. Focal Listen Review (Demoed)
  4. Focal Utopia Review (Demoed)
  5. Focal Elegia Review (Coming Soon!) (Demoed)
  6. Focal Stellia Review (Coming Soon!) (Demoed)

Fostex

  1. Fostex TH-X00 Ebony – Massdrop version (Coming Soon!) (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)

HIFIMAN

  1. HIFIMAN HE400i Review (Demoed)
  2. HIFIMAN HE400S Review (Demoed)
  3. HIFIMAN Edition X Review (Demoed)
  4. HIFIMAN Sundara Review (Demoed)
  5. HIFIMAN Ananda Review (Demoed)
  6. HIFIMAN HE-4XX Review and Shootout (All 400 Series Final Impressions)
  7. HIFIMAN TWS600 Review (Own)
  8. HIFIMAN DEVA Review (Demoed)

Koss

Oppo

  1. Oppo PM-3 Review (Demoed)

Philips

  1. Philips SHP9500 Review (Own)
  2. Philips SHP9500 vs. 9600

PSB

  1. PSB M4U Review (Demoed)
  2. PSB M4U 2 Review (Coming soon!) (Demoed)

Samson

  1. Samson SR850 Review (Owned & Sold)

Sennheiser

  1. Sennheiser HD 280 Review (Owned & Given Away)
  2. Sennheiser HD 201 Review (Owned, Given Away, Owned Again, Sold)
  3. Sennheiser HD 202 Review (Owned & Given Away)
  4. Sennheiser HD 25 Review (Owned & Sold)
  5. Sennheiser HD 558 Review (Owned & Sold)
  6. Sennheiser HD 598 Review (Demoed)
  7. Sennheiser HD 600 Review (Own)
  8. Sennheiser HD 650 Review (Demoed)
  9. Sennheiser HD 6XX Review + HD 600 Comparison (Demoed)
  10. Sennheiser HD6 Review (Coming soon!) (Demoed)
  11. Sennheiser HD 200 Review (Coming soon!) (Demoed)

Shure

  1. Shure SRH440 Review (Demoed)

Skull Candy

  1. Skull Candy Uproar Wireless (Own)

Sony

  1. Sony MDR 7506 Review (Owned & Sold)
  2. Sony MDR V6 Review (Owned & Sold)
  3. Sony MDR V150 Monitor Series Headphones (Owned a long time ago :D)
  4. Sony MDRZX100 Review (Demoed)
  5. Sony MDR Z1R Review (Demoed)
  6. Sony MDR 1A Review (Demoed)
  7. Sony MDR XB950N1 (Demoed)
  8. Sony WH1000X M2 Headphone Review (Demoed)
  9. Sony MDR-101 Review (Coming Soon!)

Superlux

  1. Superlux HD330 Review (Demoed)

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…

IEM Reviews

  1. Shure SE215 Review
  2. Tin Audio T2 Review
  3. HIFIMAN TWS600 Review (Own)
  4. HIFIMAN RE-600S Review (With RE-400 Comparison) (Demoed)

Headphone Comparison Reviews

Headphone Comparisons

I’ve only included the most noteworthy comparisons here, as well as headphones I’ve actually held in my hands, and/or: Comparisons I did that were over 2,000 words in length and extremely helpful.

AKG K600 & 700 Series

Sennheiser vs. AKG Mini Series

Extensive and In-Depth

  1. AKG K702 vs. Sennheiser HD600
  2. AKG K702 vs. Sennheiser HD650
  3. AKG K240M 600 Ohm vs. K240S 55 Ohm
  4. Audeze LCD-2 vs. LCD-3
  5. Audio Technica ATH M40x vs. Sennheiser HD280 Pro
  6. Grado SR60e vs. SR80e
  7. HIFIMAN HE400S vs. HE400i
  8. HIFIMAN DEVA vs. Sundara
  9. HIFIMAN Ananda vs. Edition X
  10. HIFIMAN Ananda vs. Sundara
  11. Philips SHP9500 vs. Sennheiser HD600
  12. Sennheiser HD 280 Pro vs. Sony MDR 7506
  13. Sennheiser HD 800 vs HD 650

Most Popular/In-Depth

  1. AKG K240 vs. Samson SR850
  2. Audio Technica ATH M40x vs. M50x
  3. Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro vs. Premium
  4. HIFIMAN Sundara vs. HE400i
  5. The 4 Best HiFiMan Headphones [Definitive Guide] (Update/additions to come)
  6. Philips SHP9500 vs. 9600
  7. Sennheiser HD600 vs. HD650
  8. Sennheiser HD600 vs. HD6XX [Definitive Guide]
  9. Sennheiser HD600 vs. HIFIMAN HE400i
  10. Sennheiser HD598 vs. HD599
  11. Sony MDR V6 vs. MDR-7506

Headphone Shootouts

  1. Audio Technica ATH M40x vs. AKG K240 vs. Sony MDR-7506 (New)
  2. Audio Technica ATH M40x vs. Status Audio CB-1 vs. Sony MDR 7506
  3. HIFIMAN Sundara vs. HD650 vs. HD600
  4. HiFiMan HE4XX vs. 400i vs. 400S vs. Sundara (Final Shootout)
  5. Philips SHP9500 vs. AKG K702 vs. HIFIMAN DEVA
  6. Philips SHP9500 vs. AKG K240 vs. Samson SR850 vs. Grado SR60e (New)
  7. Sennheiser HD598 vs. HD650 vs. HD600
  8. Sony MDR-7506 vs. Audio Technica ATH M50x vs. Sennheiser HD280 Pro (New)

Older or Needs Updating

  1. Audio Technica ATH M50x vs. Sony MDR V6
  2. Audio Technica ATH M50x vs. M50
  3. Audeze Sine vs. Oppo PM-3
  4. Audeze Sine vs. Audeze EL8 (Open)
  5. Audio Technica ATH AD900x vs. Audio Technica ATH M50x
  6. Audio Technica ATH AD900x vs. Sennheiser HD598
  7. Audio Technica ATH M50 vs. Sennheiser HD598
  8. Audio Technica ATH M50 vs. Sennheiser HD558
  9. Beyerdynamic DT770 vs. Audio Technica ATH M50x
  10. Beyerdynamic DT770 80 Ohm vs. 250 Ohm
  11. Beyerdynamic DT990 vs. Sennheiser HD600
  12. Bowers and Wilkins P7 vs. Audio Technica ATH M50
  13. Bowers and Wilkins P7 vs. Sennheiser HD650
  14. Grado SR60e vs. SR125e
  15. Grado SR80e vs. SR125e
  16. Grado GS1000e vs. PS500e
  17. Oppo PM3 vs. Bowers & Wilkins P7
  18. Oppo PM3 vs. HIFIMAN HE400i
  19. Sennheiser HD201 vs. HD202
  20. Sennheiser HD 650 vs. HIFIMAN HE400i
  21. Sennheiser HD 280 pro vs. Audio Technica ATH M50
  22. Sennheiser HD558 vs. HD598
  23. Sennheiser HD598 vs HD600
  24. Sennheiser HD600 vs. Audio Technica ATH M50
  25. Sennheiser HD600 vs. Oppo PM3
  26. Sony MDR V6 vs. Audio Technica ATH M50
  27. Sony MDR 7506 vs. Audio Technica ATH M50
  28. Shure SRH440 vs. Audio Technica ATH M40x
  29. Shure SRH440 vs. Sony MDR7506

Upcoming Videos/Articles

  1. Audeze LCD-2 vs. LCD-3 vs. LCD-4 vs. LCD-X
  2. Beyerdynamic DT770 vs. 880 vs. 990
  3. Focal Utopia vs. Stellia vs. Elear vs. Clear
  4. Koss Porta Pro vs. KPH30i vs. KSC75
  5. Philips SHP9500/9600 vs. Fidelio X2HR/X3
  6. Sennheiser HD58X vs. HD6XX vs. HD600 vs. HD650 (Final Shootout)

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!

AKG K612 vs. K712 | WHAT’S THE SCOOP?

16 Comments
  1. Keith Aldrige

    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
  2. Alex

    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

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

      Reply
  3. Alex

    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

      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
  4. Alex

    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

      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
  5. Kevin

    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

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

      Reply
  6. Neil Mitchell

    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

      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

        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

          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

            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

            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! 🙂

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