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How many headphones are too many?

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I'm currently at 16 total for cans (7) and IEMs (9). Randomly started thinking about this as I'm going through my current collection for old, barely used sets to sell off. Is there a limit to how many one should own or is collecting in this hobby reasonable? Even though I want to sell stuff off, there's that part of me that's saying, "Keep em'. You'll listen to them in the future. Maybe."
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This will depend greatly on your living space and budget. If you want to keep buying new headphones, it can help to sell off some of the older ones to subsidize. Similarly, especially if you are accumulating gear, the space headphones take up can quickly run out. I enjoy collecting headphones, so they have to be particularly dissatisfying or boring to be sold off. Having examples of different transducers and enclosures on hand is wonderful. Our memory for sound really only lasts seconds. . . being able to bust out a Senn 650 just for reference comparison is really useful, even if I don't actually listen to the 650 particularly often these days. I also enjoy the historicity from brands like Koss, Beyerdynamic and of course Sennheiser. I am fortunate to have the spare space, time and money to collect headphones for their own sake; I see no reason to feel bad about the resulting accumulation.
Josepfe
49
Jan 19, 2019
hifiman 4xx beyerdynamic dt770 pro sony MDR-1000x noise cancelling grado Sr80e ATH-MSR7 currently decidong whether to join the drop for HD58x or for 6xxs....not sure what to do. Is it worth to pay 100$ for the 6xxs? Moreover because I could get the HD 650 for about 30$ more than the 6xxs (and with 2 years guarantee). Do you think that the 6xx/650 are worth the extra 100$??. Hint/ I like detailed headphones but I don’t mind a good bass either. Thanks.
MidFiGuy
5
Mar 22, 2021
JosepfeAs a 6XX owner, I'd suggest saving your money and getting the HD58X, at least for casual use. Don't get me wrong, the 6XX's are great headphones, but there are times where I want a little more of a "fun" sound. That said, I don't EQ at all, and it's possible that with a little EQ I could achieve that. Between the 6XX and 650's (which I don't own), by all accounts you'd be hard pressed to notice a difference.
Josepfe
49
Apr 19, 2021
MidFiGuyThanks for replying. I finally got the 6xxs and I’m very happy with them, specially since I paired them with the fantastic tube amplifier Feliks Echo. The Echo made the 6xxs transform from being vocal-focused HP into all-rounders that sound excellent with all genres. There is a noticeable increase of the bass punch and treble while keeping the clarity of the voices. kind regards
Louiee
9
Oct 6, 2018
i got few the Q35, Q25, M50, Q20, shure215 and i add hd6xx and hd58x which I'm very happy with it....i use emotive a-100 with jumper to drive my hd6xx and hd58x...
Ho1y
62
Sep 17, 2018
This question isn't about how many headphones are too many really. Its how many <insert tool here> you need for the <job>. Its like how some music producers have like 25 different machines, instruments and secret tech they use to produce the music they make. Same thing with headphones and you answered your question yourself pretty well. Your job in your mind is to enjoy the music, the many different genres of music you listen to, so you need all these different headphones. It becomes "too many" when you start listening to people outside of your frame who are jelly of your passion and cool toys.
I only own 2 headphones and 1 headset for gaming that I don't use anymore. All Sennheiser and the collection will grow and grow over time. My first Sennheisers lasted like 10 years till sound went out on the left ear. I could fix and mod these (HD 280 Pro) but too lazy, they sound really nice tho I loved them.
Calv
21
Jul 19, 2018
I guess it really depends on how much time you have with them. Recently, i thin down my collections from 19 to 8. I kept more IEM/In Ear as i use them more and have lesser time for full size headphones. If you ain't using or enjoying them, they are just being wasted.. Right now i'm left with..
AKG K702 Sennheiser Momentum Wireless AKG N60NC Wireless
Sennheiser IE80 AKG N40 Nuforce Primo 8 Jaybird Freedom 2 SOUL ST-XS
Sold M220 Pro and a couple of IEM like Momentum In ear, AKG N20U, FiiO FH1, Nuforce EDC, Sony XB75, Sony XBA-300.. Can't possibly listen to all
jaydunndiddit
3262
Jul 19, 2018
CalvThe interesting thing is I have everything in a rotation. My Shure 846 are my EDC and I usually bring either 2 other IEMs or a closed back with me to work (they change out depending on my mood for the day). At home, I have certain cans I use through my AVR for gaming or watching movies and others through my desktop amps. Truthfully for me, there isn't a headphone I own that doesn't get some ear time a few times a week. I have a very eclectic taste in music and depending on the genre and source, some headphones are just better than others. My one exception is my Focal Elex as I will always find an excuse to listen to those daily no matter the circumstance (usually right before bed). Those are my absolute favorite and just demand me to jam out to something at the end of my day.
Calv
21
Jul 19, 2018
jaydunndidditThat's good! As long as they aren't collecting dust at one corner, you needn't worry about having too many. I thin down my collections cause i only use a particular few. Just like people owning few shoes for different purposes, Work. Weekends. Trekking. Running. I guess it the same for headphones. They each serve a different purpose.
MXRC
261
Jul 18, 2018
I'm about to hit 50 different units. I plan on minimizing my collection down to the top 10 pretty soon.
I shared the number here's the list:
Beyerdynamic T1 Focal Elex HiFiMan HE-500 Sennheiser HD650 Ultrasone Pro 900 Fostex TH-X00 (MH) Phillips Fidelio X2 Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro SoundMagic HP-150 Sennheiser HD555 (the one that started me down this rabbit hole)
Sony MDR-1000X Sennheiser Urbanite XL Wireless
Audeze Sine Beyerdynamic DT1350 Grado SR325e Sennheiser PX200-II
Noble x MD K10u Sennheiser IE800 HiFiMan RE-600 Sony MDR-7550 UE Triple-Fi 10 Pro Audio-Technica CKR9 RHA MA750 Vsonic GR07 Vsonic VSD5 MEE M-Duo MEE A151 (2nd gen) Zero Audio Carbo Tenore Fostex TE-02WP Xiaomi Piston III Baldoor/Mrice E100
Sold: Beyerdynamic DT880 - replaced by T1 HiFiMan HE300 v2 - replaced by X2
All get use a few times a year at the minimum. Haven't really touched the Urbanite's nor the Baldoor's in a real long time but one I'm trying to sell and the other is there to remind me that the Hype Train is real.
Brummel68
0
Jul 16, 2018
40 something ..but don't worry, they are all under 50 Euro / Dollar. Had the stupid idea to find the needle in the straw. End of year I will buy my fist more expensive ones ...any recommendations ?
Brummel68
0
Jul 17, 2018
Well, to hear Musik in a completely different way. An entry drug for beginners. Also equipment if needed. For sure I would not spend 50 000, but let's say from 200 to 500 !? Or do I need 2000 for this experience ? I am a user, not audiophile in the classic way. I am 50. I use to listen to a lot of live music, guitar and singing...neo folk like Counting crows but also a little jazz, pop, even dub ...a wide spectrum. I like a wide stage, clear voice and a warm sound. Any suggestion s or a link to learn the basics of being a " high fidelity person" Sorry for writing this here. Thank you
shimage
228
Jul 19, 2018
Brummel68https://diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com/tutorials/ Does that budget include source/amp?
An important thing to note is that there is no accounting for personal taste. Without knowing what sort of frequency response you like, it is very difficult to give useful advice (easy to give advice that simply appears to be useful, however). Personally, I don't buy anything anymore without first auditioning it, but I realize that's not possible for everyone.
I have auditioned pretty much everything at the Source AV under $3k, which covers most of the usual suspects, including MrSpeakers, ZMF, Sony, Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, Focal, Hifiman, Audeze ... might even be missing some. My hands down favorite is the Focal Clear. Some people don't like it, though, and I have to say I'm not really a fan of the Elear for some reason. In your stated price range, my favorites are the TH-x00 and the now-discontinued PM-3, depending on how much bass you want. If you like a brighter headphone, I would go with something from Beyerdynamic; if less bright, then Sennheiser.
1BadJAD
14
Jul 16, 2018
20 headphones is too many. I say that because I have 19. That number is subject to change as I acquire more. :-)
RayF
22214
Jul 13, 2018
"No man should own two headphones, until everyman owns one!" --Comrade Lenin
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jaydunndiddit
3262
Jul 14, 2018
Weird. The hat finally makes sense to me...
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RayF
22214
Jul 14, 2018
jaydunndidditWell "sharing" is better, but you know how stingy these one-percenters can be!
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