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Showing 1 of 98 conversations about:
MyTechTrip
38
Mar 19, 2019
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StrejleThe previous headphone has pretty bad reviews when I quickly looked it up. Not happy with that. It'd be nice if this was a good $100 choice though. I hope it's vastly improved but the previous products reviews were not great from what I saw through a very quick search.
thesoundapprentice
56
Mar 19, 2019
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MyTechTripThis is certainly improved, but its worth really depends on your musical preferences, budget, and current headphone inventory.
MyTechTrip
38
Mar 20, 2019
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thesoundapprenticeI own zero open back headphones.
This looked interesting but the reviews for the original were not too great.
This looks interesting but if I'm better off waiting and saving up I might as well then.
I'm currently waiting on the thx amplifier first anyway.
Coming from home audio, I prefer to have an amplifier. Even in cases where it's not needed, and I don't doubt I'd lose an a/b test, I prefer to know that that part of the chain is 100% never going to be the issue barring a hardware failure.
I hope to hear some rave reviews and get in on a subsequent drop. Don't want to spend any money until I've either gotten the thx amp, or the jds atom if I decide to stop waiting, but I like the fact the thx is an "end game" amp.
thesoundapprentice
56
Mar 20, 2019
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MyTechTripI know the guys at JDS and they make a good product for a reasonable price. The OL/O2 combo has been a mainstay for my reviews because they are so popular and pretty darn good. I also enjoyed the Element quite a bit.
I would not reflect too much on the HE-350 reviews and instead focus on what the reviewers are saying about the HE-35X. It is different enough and improved enough that they should not be written off as being the same product. It would have been better if they came up with a different name for this headphone to avoid the stigma of the 350. That said, this is a tough price point to work in, because for a little bit more money, generally speaking, you can get the AKG K7XX, Beyerdynamic DT990PRO, Sennheiser HD6XX, etc...
Spartacus09
17
Apr 22, 2019
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thesoundapprenticeBy a little more do you mean over 2x the cost for all the ones you listed? :P (at least at the $90 launch price)
I do agree that at the $120 mark they're not the best deal, I grabbed them as a starter can to see where it takes me.
From the reviews its promising they fix all/most of the issues with them from the last version and I dont have the burned stigma feeling from the 350.
The sub-$100 mark was the selling point for me where I can wet my whistle, but not break the bank till I get a feel for good sound (same for the $60 SMSL M3 amp I snagged).
thesoundapprentice
56
Apr 23, 2019
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Spartacus09I understand that "a little more" in relation to $90 does come off as a poor statement, but I was mainly referring to the price when it hits $120. I also don't feel like stretch to $180 or $200 is hard to swallow for someone that's interested in this hobby, because I truly believe spending more to buy something better upfront saves you more in the long run. Also consider the state of headphones today. Finding "good sound" below $150-200 is hard to do, IMO. $1,000-1,500 headphones used to be the endgame, and now that's more like $2,500+. Manufacturers keep pushing consumers to spend more, which is why the HD6XX is such a value today. I've owned a laundry list of headphones at this point, and I still think the HD650 or AKG K701/712 are benchmark headphones for establishing an ear for good sound and where to start or refer back to when stepping up in high fidelity audio. Audio is super subjective though, so you'll likely have a different opinion and hear many others.
Spartacus09
17
Apr 23, 2019
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thesoundapprenticeUnderstandable, I'm just saying someone with a limited budget for an amp/dac and headphones this was/is a solid starting option.
The HD6XX by itself is priced above what I wanted to spend for an amp/dac plus cans much less just for the headphones.
I'm looking at this from an alcohol comparative perspective.
I'm gonna start with the boxed wine, because if I start with the 86' Chateau I'm gonna be spoiled and be unable to drink anything except that :P and maybe end up and audioholic. (I also have 2 kids so gotta stay in allowance budget)
thesoundapprentice
56
Apr 23, 2019
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Spartacus09I can empathize, but I'd still save the allowance a few more weeks and get the better cans to start. I don't know what kind of amp/dac you are looking at, but there again, I would advise waiting to afford something you'll keep rather than buying something that you'll soon grow tired of or need to upgrade. Unless you keep your gear mint, resale on used audio equipment is a crap shoot, plus you have to own something that is in enough demand to warrant a sale. Going used on a good amp/dac should save you enough to buy better new cans. Used headphone are always an option too, just be sure to buy from someone with a good reputation and that takes care of their equipment. I've had good transactions through Head-Fi and USAudioMart.
To be clear, I'm not saying don't buy the HE-35X. I'm just offering my perspective that if the other recommendations are attainable, then they're likely better longer term choices. The HE-35X is a solid budget headphone, but it's not really an audiophile's headphone.
Without knowing more about your musical tastes, intended uses, and type of setup you have or want to have, it's hard for me to offer any other guidance.
(Edited)
Spartacus09
17
Apr 23, 2019
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thesoundapprenticeI appreciate the offer on guidance at this point I'm committed I'm just waiting on item arrival.
I mentioned earlier I snagged the SMSL M3, which same way seems like a solid entry level dac/amp and able to take advantage of the 192kHz.
I had my eye on the Modi/Magni combo, but just couldn't justify it in the end at the top end of my total budget in the same fashion as the 4XX or 6XX.
My current use is solely at my desktop with an optical out for gaming/movies, and a touch of 192 flac D&B/electronic music.
I tend not to buy or resell hygienic items like headsets/phones and keyboard/mice just a personal preference even if I can replace the ear pads. (i'd be open to the used amp aspect though, just not to that point yet)
Cheers
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