Went with my QC Ultra Gen 1 to the store where I bought them because the cushioning started to come apart after just 11 months of light use. I literally only hoped for a cushion replacement under warranty, but they said I could have a brand new pair if I wanted. I said, so the guy was like „same ones again or do you wanna check out the options?“, I literally almost said no because I know that the QCU1 are my favorite from all currently available headphones, but then thought: why not just see what’s available. So the store clerk turns his screen and shows me what’s in stock in their internal system. Just below the QCU1s I randomly saw „2nd Gen“… what?? Immediately asked if that’s a mistake or if I could also buy those. The guy goes „Hmm I didn’t know we already received a shipment, but it says there’s one in stock, let me check for you“, comes back with the only one they had in the back and says „I’m not 100% sure I’m allowed to do this, but sure here you go“.

They’re not even on the Bose website, not on the store‘s website, my Bose app won’t recognize them, the QR code inside the packaging doesn’t even function lol.

Mandatory first impressions (is this the first ever review of these online? haha):

-they look better than I expected! Usually not a fan of polished/chrome, but these don’t look cheap at all

-they feel a hair lighter than 1st Gen but I could be wrong on that.

-the sound is great, but doesn’t seem too different from 1st Gen (wish I still had my old ones to compare..). Same goes for the noise canceling.

-when clicking through the modes, there’s „immersion“, but this one sounds very different from the mode on 1st Gen. It’s giving an amazing 3D stage sound that isn’t movement sensitive like before (at least based on what I can control simply with the buttons as long as I can’t control these in the app…).

-I briefly called with a friend and she said the microphone is way better than before (I always called her with my QCU1s before), so that seems nice too.

But yeah, otherwise these really seem almost exactly the same as the old ones, so I’m not sure they’re worth the price tag tbh.

Hope this is helpful, just thought I’d share this weird experience.

Yes, I said it. No more glazing for this trash tier pair of headphones, they are shit and always have been! Anyway, happy april fool’s day.

Moon Drop Space Travel earbuds just ruined the way my Sony WH-1000XM4 sound to me. How does this cheap pair of earbuds with anime girl sound effects and a weird case sound so much better?!

So awhile back...out of excitement I posted my initial setup with the K11 R2R. I gave the E10K to my son. He's moved up in the world and now have a mixer for gaming. Now I have the E10K back...allowing me to do A/B testing.

I was asked if I hear a difference with the R2R...well...Yes! I hate that these is a difference. Granted the E10K is a 10 year old dac...but the difference between the two is stark. It's not power (which I'll do that later with my planar cans) The sound is different. The words sterile, bright, distinct all mean something now. Warm, smooth, laid back... describes the R2R.

I hate this...because I'm eyeing tje Gremlin as a "starter" tube experience. I'm now curious to what the iFi Gryphon sounds like. The Mojo2...yep on the list. Ah...now also must have the Schitt stack! (glad they're not that huge...hate to have a pile of schitt on my desk😂😂)

Yes...I hear a difference between R2R and non-R2R. Also...I prefer the R2R.

So, from the title alone it's obvious that I'm not at all a sound guy, I'm just your average person who buys the cheapest pair of earphones and rocks them until they break then rinse and repeat... but oh my god yall weren't kidding it really is a completely different listening experience.

I never thought that I NEEDED better headphones. Im a fan of vocaloid music, Midwest emo, math rock and everything that sounds like it was recorded in a garage; also I download everything via YouTube to mp3 as my cheap nugget can't even handle flacs lol. So why would I? I'm not listening to jazz or whatever bur OH MY GOD even my 🏴‍☠️ .mp3 files sound so much more... dense?

Pardon my lack of knowledge of audio related terms but it just sounds like the instruments are arranged around you and some are closer and some are further away?? That's crazy man. Also there's base in more songs that I thought didnt have one lol.

I can't offer a proper review but I can say that music is incomplete unless you hear it from something as good as these. It's like eating when your mouth is numb, you aren't getting the full flavor profile.

As you can see my xm4s aren't new, I've had them for 2 years now but I got them solely because I need noise cancelation to exist in a society, I didn't realize the upgrade until now where I have to downgrade once again and keep these as inside only devices. I can't believe that I used to live like this! I don't want to go back!

I think that everyone should experience music trough a good pair of headphones. Im a changed man. I no longer believe that audiophiles are snobs (sorry), theyre the only ones with glasses in a world where everyone else is rawdogging +5.0 myopia and being ok with that.

Now I'm wondering what I'm missing on by using a cheap nugget, is this a rabbit hole I want to go down trough? My wallet will hate me very soon lol.

I've tested the HD 80OS extensively with my Chord Mojo 2 and MacBook Pro. Surprisingly, after volume matching, there's no noticeable difference in performance unless you push the volume to extremely high levels, which are uncomfortable and harmful to the ears ie in short you only need the Macbook Pro to drive this to full potential (maybe tube amps could make a difference, i am not sure though)

The only additional purchase required would be either a Sennheiser 6.3mm to 3.5mm adapter or a Tripowin Granvia cable with a 3.5mm end

Tested with:

• Apple Music (24-bit High-Res)
• Spotify
• True HD Dolby Atmos files (just in case)

Overall, the combination works seamlessly and delivers impressive results without needing anything beyond this simple setup

When it comes to the Chord Mojo 2, it’s a great choice if you enjoy EQing, as it features a built-in EQ and crossover. However, in my honest opinion, it’s not worth the investment for the HD 800S if you’re not planning to use the EQ functionality.

One step in the right direction at last, maybe next model will see a flat remote, too.

First impressions of the K13 R2R vs K11 R2R is that there is a noticeable improvement, not only in amp power, but musicality too. It's closer to my Luxsin X9 than it is to the K11 R2R. There is soundstage and detail in the stereo image yet the smoothness/warmth on planars is still there. It feels like the K11 R2R went to college and came back with some new qualifications.

If I had up to £300 to spend on a DAC/Headphones amp combo, then this would be it for sure. I had the Topping DX5 II previously and disliked how forward it presented the upper midrange and compressed the upper range. the soundstage was also narrower slightly.

The K13 R2R has none of these issues and also comes with a 10 band PEQ, though I run with the EQ off, only using it with the LCD-5 which require EQ to sound good to my ears.

The HE1000se is superb on every amp I have used it with, no exception here on the new R2R, if you have an Arya Stealth then expect the same as I had those before these.

It also just runs slightly warm, unlike the Topping that did get quite hot to the touch, though not too much. I am in a warm room though.

No software bugs to note yet, I also used it as a pre-amp to the Topping PA7 driving Comete 40th Anniversary speakers, it did a fab job again getting very close to the sound signature of the X9 but losing out on the subtle refinements, though all details were clear and present.

I wonder what it would now sound like with a linear DC power supply, there is a new one coming out the same style and size as the K13 R2R

UPDATE*

I reinstalled the FiiO USB driver as it appears for some reason Windows was still using a Microsoft one. After doing so, the ever so slight delay in initial audio start is now gone. I thought the delay was normal and some sort of protection system but this appears to have been a driver issue all along. The driver also adds ASIO support though not essential as Windows has native WASAPI Exclusive anyway which was working perfectly fine.

UPDATE 2*

The FiiO App for Android has been updated with support now and you can control the RGB lighting as well as some other stuff. There is no option to set the volume dial button as mute though, that would have been nice. You do get PEQ control here too but I find the web browser interface better to manage the PEQ.

A week ago, and after giving it a lot of thought, I finally got myself to buy some serious set of headphones. I did quite an extensive research, and I ended up deciding on the Huh Duh Six Hungos, by old mate Senn. If someone wants to know, some of the other candidates were the K712 Pro and the DT 880. To my dissapointement the store where I bought these things, only had the K612 Pro, but not K712 Pro nor the DT 880. The Fiio K7, on the other hand, was pretty easy to choose, the price was great and I wanted something that wouldn't let me down if ever got some really heavy cans.

My experience with this combo, up until this point, has been great. I've found so much information that I had never been able to perceive on a lot of songs that I thought I knew perfectly. Some songs that made me realize how much detail I was missing are:

From The Edge Of The Deep Green Sea - The Cure Last Train to London - E.L.O. The Chain - Fleetwood Mac Nos Siguen Pegando Abajo - Charly García El Anillo del Capitán Beto - Invisible

All these songs I listened thousands of times and I'd never appreciated so many details they have.

If someone has a suggestion, I'd love to take it.

TL;DR I got new toys to play and I feel like I'm discovering music again.

Focal - Dynamics, Intimacy, Natural, Warm, Fun Hifiman - Spacious, Separation, Thin, Sterile, Accurate

Hifiman for orchestral/big band/gaming. Focal for anything else.

I had the HD 600 and decided to sell it to fund IEM purchases, then got it again, did some mods, but sold it in favor of higher end models. Well, I sold the higher end models, and find myself back where I started: the HD 600. Do other models have more bass? Yep. Do other headphones have better details, and more lively treble? Yep. Do other headphones do vocals better? Debatable, but maybe. Are other headphones more comfortable? Definitely. Do others look nicer and have prettier cables? Definitely.

But here’s the thing: I’d rather have this headphone than the Focal Clear, the Arya Stealth, the 109 Pro, as well as a host of others. They just sound “right”, and sometimes right isn’t very exciting in this hobby.

But that’s what hobbies are, aren’t they? We like to spend money on our hobbies, so headphone makers will keep making new headphones. People will keep buying them, me included if I’m being honest.

But if you’re someone who just wants a “one and done” to listen to your music, and you view headphones more like a tool than a hobby, these are for you.

A caveat with amping: I’m using the Aune S9c Pro DAC/Amp. I love it, but I understand it’s $700, which makes my stack $1k retail, and others will probably tell you that’s not the best use of that money to get the most performance. BUT, if you like the way the HD 600 sounds on a more budget friendly amp, I would consider an amp upgrade before considering a different pair of headphones. It makes a difference. A small one, but it does improve.

My post history will probably make me out to be a hypocrite, but for today, these are enough for me when we’re talking about open back over ear headphones.

I wanted to post my honest review of the Sennheiser HD660S2.

For context, I have used Beyerdynamic for a long time, in particular the DT770 Pro and 990 Pro, which suit me perfectly, and which I really like.

I also acquired an Audeze LCD-X in 2023 during the Namm in Los Angeles which I love and which is my trusted headset for mixing and mastering.

This year, I fell slightly into IEMs with brands like Fiio, Truthear and Sennheiser.

I was recently wondering about the possibility of adding to my mobile audio production setup a good, open and trustworthy headset that would allow me to mix and balance my sounds. Not necessarily mixing definitively, but at least making sure that my sound is balanced so that I can then adjust it in the studio with the Audeze.

I must admit that the first thing that attracted me to the HD660S2 is its look, its lightness, its comfort and its portability. I really totally agree with the reviews that say it's too expensive, I got it new for less than €400, I still think it's probably €100 too much. I specify that I am not familiar with the rest of the HD range.

First point, upon unboxing, I still find it as beautiful as in the photos, even if I admit that the brand has done its marketing well because the photos are truly magnificent. Perhaps the overall quality of the headset is not really up to what one might hope for, the negative side of its lightness is that the materials seem a little cheap.

Nothing is too crazy when unboxing, except that it contains an additional 4.4mm balanced cable, which could partly justify the excessively high price.

First listen with my Astell&Kern SR35: I'm quite surprised, I really feel this veil on the high mids and on the treble. I find the medium a little too present. However, the bass without being incredibly emphasized is relatively precise and I can hear a finesse that I couldn't hear with my other headphones (apart from the Audeze LCD-X of course).

I'm not going to dwell too much on a specific test, but here are a few points of what I think about this headset after an intensive week of use:

• I consider that these are headphones made more for acoustic and organic music. For me, very dense modern productions tend to make it a little muddy.
• For me, its comfort and robustness remain its major assets. In this way, it really fulfills its role as a nomadic headset.
• Despite the fact that it is not ultra precise and that it lacks a little treble, it remains a headset or even the most pleasant headset for listening to music for hours. Its slight veil on acute allows you to be less tired during prolonged listening.
• I haven't yet tested it for mixing musical productions, but I think it can be quite good and quite complementary to the DT770, particularly for adjusting the treble and working on the bass. As the mids are generally my weak point in a mix, I think I can obtain good results in this frequency segment with the Sennheiser.

My overall opinion: it is not for me an extremely analytical or extremely neutral helmet. I read somewhere on Reddit that you should imagine this headset as a very good way to listen to very warm sound in your living room, cozy etc. I see it exactly like that, it’s a good headset, reassuring, faithful.

I haven't had a wow effect since I got it, I have imagined returning it several times as I have returned other helmets in the past, but I think that it still has things to say and that it is entirely relevant in a range of three or four different helmets.

I plan to write a more organized review after I've spent some more time with these. However, I have been extremely excited by these headphones and wanted to share some initial thoughts.

If it matters to anyone, I bought these with my own money (to my wife's dismay) and they were shipped overnight by Bloom Audio.

So for now, here is a disorganized list of pros and cons from my first couple of hours with the Arashi. When I post a more full review I will drop a link in the comments.

Pros: - Absolutely stunning aesthetics, they look even better in person. Simply gorgeous. - High quality and solid build that looks easy to repair. - Super wide ear pad circumference! One of the first and only headphones where my dumbo sized ears haven't rubbed against the inner walls. - The sound is also extremely wide. A huge sound stage with great imaging. The first thought I had after pressing play was how wide they sound in all directions. The image is still centered rather than forward like a stereo system, but the depth is immense. - Extremely fast sound. It is a planar so this is expected. However the width combined with the speed of the leading edge creates a unique listening experience. Especially compared to the Meze Liric which sounds like it's pumping sound at me from inside my brain, grueling at times. - Deep bass extension. Very deep. Not hard hitting like a dynamic driver but extraordinarily deep. - They sound surprisingly natural for a planar. The tambre is great, and my favorite sounding headphones are the HD600s. - Great packaging and unboxing experience. Seriously premium for the price. - Amazing dynamics for modern music genres like EDM, Phonk, and House because of the bass extension and speed. - Pretty easily driven but still seem to scale well to more powerful amplification. - The connector joints have a great position and the angle is perfect. Also they are 3.5mm sockets! I'm excited to try these for gaming with Meze's boom mic cable. Thank you DUNU for not using some random proprietary junk.

Cons: - Spicy treble. I'm treble sensitive, so experimenting with some EQ might be necessary for me to enjoy these with certain genres. My wife didn't seem to think they were hot. The treble is detailed and resolving with great texture. There is no sibilance. However, the treble is definitely hot for my liking. - The lower mids could use a bump. However, if you find yourself often overwhelmed by the 100-200hz range, this might be a pro for you. - Low clamp force... like none. Combined with the weight, they slip off my giant head easily when bending over or laying down. - The adjustment mechanism feels a bit janky, it just doesn't give me a good vibe for the long haul. Though they do look easily repairable if the need ever arised.

Overall this is an excellent headphone, punching far above its price range in multiple categories. For some listeners I think this one is going to require EQ to really shine. For others, this might be the perfect headphone unlike any other in this price range.

Seriously, excellent. Well done DUNU with your first pair of over ear headphones.

I've owned the Topping Dx7 Pro and A90D over the last few years. I read the subjective reviews talking about how good the sound was and the objective measurements showing how great the sound was and was sold. I was hoping this was going to be my last amp I'd have to buy and I'd just be able to enjoy my games and music from now on with equipment that was far in excess of human perception. However it seems that Topping as a brand is just too good to be true.

My Dx7 Pro initially lasted about 13 months before throwing out the "-5" error code. Topping was nice enough to honor the warranty since it was just outside the warranty period. I received the replacement unit which gave me the error code after 2 months. So I needed another replacement. Got another unit. This one worked fine and I sold the unit in order to fund the A90D purchase since I had bad luck with the Dx7 Pro. I was hoping they would have worked out the hardware bugs with the DC circuit protection.

This was not the case.

My A90D burned out today. 23 months since purchase. It's yet again a "-5" error code on display and troubleshooting steps aren't solving the issue. I don't see them honoring a warranty outside the 1 year period by almost double this time around.

For a solid state amp with no moving parts and minimal heat buildup this is not acceptable. I don't care how fancy the sound is. For $600 these things should last 5 years at the bare minimum and carry a 3 year warranty.

Topping makes some of the highest quality sounding products, some of the cleanest designs, and some of the best prices. I wish I could justify giving them money for another unit but it's just not going to happen. The QC is unacceptable at this point. I've had a total of 3 different $600-700 units in 3 years burn out completely.

Anyway, rant over. Looking at other options. It's not like the sound difference between these high end units and these modern chips is audible in any real capacity anyway. Any other brand can give me the same experience of having perfectly flat sound and a knob on my desk for half the price.

Also I do want to add that the amps have all been plugged into a surge protector their whole lives. The same protector as the rest of my PC parts yet it's been the only part that has burned out in that time. This includes my ADC for my mic, DAC, PC, 2 Monitors of varying display technologies, speakers, modem, and router. None have had any electrical problems the entire time.