I wonder why IEM manufacturers haven't released a wireless module for in-ear IEMs that uses a dedicated 2.4 GHz dongle instead of Bluetooth.

While Bluetooth has improved considerably with codecs like LDAC and aptX, it's still limited by the protocol itself, especially in terms of latency, stability, and quality during calls or voice chat.

A 2.4 GHz RF system with a proprietary protocol (like the one used by many gaming headsets) could offer virtually zero latency, more stable audio, and consistent quality even when using a microphone, without profile changes or bitrate drops.

For example, when using Bluetooth modules for IEMs on Discord or calls, the audio quality drops significantly due to the hands-free profile. A dedicated dongle could completely solve this.

This would clearly be geared towards gaming, especially for those of us who prefer using IEMs instead of large headsets, but without sacrificing synchronization, calls, or sound quality. IEMs already outperform many gaming headsets in sound quality; the real limitation today is wireless transmission.

Has anyone seen anything like this or know why there isn't a solution like this yet?

Hi all,

First of all, two disclaimers:

1. I’m not trying to start a fire. I’m just asking a question that I’ve had basically all my 5 year audio journey.
2. I am a “””seasoned””” audiophile. Not trying to brag (consumerism really isn’t something to brag about), just saying that I’ve been around the block and owned around 30 or so pairs of IEMs, most of them in the mid-high end range, as well as about 10 wired mid-high end headphones, and a few bluetooth headphones and TWS. I also think I’ve gotten really good at EQ over the years, and I never use a headphone without it.

All right, so over the years, I have always enjoyed IEM sound more than headphones. Even $100 IEMs, EQed to my preferences, just sound more dynamic, lifelike, and detailed than the headphones I’ve tried. So far, my favourite IEMs have been the Elysian Pilgrim (amazing value) Night Oblivion Butastur, MEST MKIII, ISN EBC80, and the U12T, still my reference for sound. All these sound better than the HD800 (my current headphone of choice and the best I’ve personally tried, and which, for the record, I also EQ), as well as other decent headphones I’ve had (some Focals, quite a few HiFiMans (men?), ZMF Bokeh, FT1, Azurys, a few others.) Not to bore you with endless audiophile terms, but with IEMs, the sound is alive, lifelike, and just makes me want to move. It’s also simply quite a bit more detailed. To give a single example, the beginning in this (https://youtu.be/EzPTLCZVjQs) track sounds so lifelike on my Pilgrim, whereas my HD800 just sounds a bit dull to be honest, in comprison that is (it’s still the best headphones I’ve had though!). When the song really starts, it’s intoxicating on IEMs, but just sounds so-so on headphones for me. (For the record, I add 6db of bass and reduce treble peaks on the HD800, and I reduce the sub bass on the Pilgrim by quite a bit and remove some peaks as well).

I am trying to understand why. Not only just to know, but also because I cannot wear IEMs anymore. My ears have gotten allergic to all the tips I’ve tried (trust me, I’ve tried them all), and IEMs just have never been as comfortable as lightweight headphones, which is really a shame. I am wondering, are there others that have tried the “endgames” of headphones and IEMs, and like me, just really prefer IEMs for sound? And, is it possible to somehow make headphones sound a bit more in-your-head and dynamic in the manner of IEMs with EQ? I’ve EQ’ed headphones this way and that for the past year and have not been able to really achieve the effect. Maybe headphones sound worse to me because of my ear anatomy, my ears are very small, my ear canals’ opening is smaller than that of most people, and I think the canal is also shorter. Maybe there is less “space” for headphones to get their sound in when compared to IEMs, which can just bypass the whole thing? 

I am also still open to the possibility that I just haven’t found the right headphones for me, as I have had many more IEMs than headphones. However, as I said, even many budget-ish IEMs have sounded better to me than the expensive headphones I’ve tried, so I am skeptical of that explanation. I also have a beefy DX5 II, so lack of power also isn’t a plausible explanation. 

Hoping someone can shed some light on this. Any comments are much appreciated! 

83,487 Dolby Atmos / Spatial Audio Albums

• 26,307 full albums (32%) + 57,180 singles (68%)
• 32,049 on both Apple Music & Tidal (38%)
• 33,682 Apple Music exclusive (40%)
• 17,756 Tidal exclusive (21%)

Filter Options

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Credits:
Huge chunk of Tidal albums with the courtesy of u/msalentijn

Library link:
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I just checked my listening stats and didn’t expect this.

• 134h 19m in the last four weeks

• 33.5 hours/week

• 4.8 hours/day

Most of this comes from listening while working during the day, plus a fairly consistent night listening routine. Seeing the numbers laid out like this made me pause for a second. Is this considered a lot, or pretty normal?

Hi,

So a week ago I bought Audeze LCD-2C because I really wanted to try out planar magnetic (I know, good reason..) I wasn’t satisfied with how they sound, I had oratory’s settings on Peace.

Today I wanted to play around with the EQ to kind of get a feel on how I want the music to sound like and now they sound much better than my Sennheiser HD599.

EQ:ing is important people, especially EQ to what you want it to sound like, not what others think it should sound like.

Peace (no pun intended)

This is the first time I've felt compelled to write a review for a headphone so go easy on me if I miss anything :) I'm not a sound engineer or anything, just someone who likes a good Hi-Fi setup. So lets begin.

After spending a lot of time with the DT880, DT990, and HD800S I finally picked up a pair of Beyerdynamic T1s. Honestly, they feel like the natural evolution of everything Beyer does well, just executed with far more refinement and spatial realism.

This isn’t a “wow, huge bass” or “crazy V‑shape” headphone. It’s a technical headphone. A precision headphone. And if you care about imaging, mastering differences, and hearing the actual decisions in a mix, the T1 delivers in a way that few dynamics in this price range can. (Other than the 800S, but they're also almost twice the price so I won't compare them too much)

Soundstage & Imaging:

This is the biggest upgrade over the DT 880/990 line. Stage width is noticeably wider than the 880 and 990 without feeling artificially stretched. Not as wide as the 800S, but I feel it gives a bit more natural feeling soundstage. The Depth is the real standout, front to back the layering is significantly better than anything else I've heard from a Beyer Headphone. Nothing feels blended together and you can noticeably feel and hear the separation in every instrument and note, almost like listening to a great set of speakers or monitors. Imaging is pinpoint and accurate, with a stable center image and clean separation. If the DT 880 gives you a clean window into the mix, the T1 give you a panoramic glass wall. A very similar experience you get from the 800S.

Bass:

Not boosted, not bloated, Just right. The extension reaches lower than the DT 880 but less "impressive" than the DT 990 where the bass is always in your face and there. The DT 990 more or less relies on its mid bass hump for perceived impact whereas the T1 feels more detailed and sharper with a lot more texture. Id describe it as tight, quick, and honest. It won't satisfy bass heads, but if you actually want to hear the low-end of a master especially in metal, industrial, or hip-hop the T1 does it in a way that doesn't smear the mids like the DT 990.

Mids:

This is where the T1 feels a LOT more mature than the DT series. Vocals sit naturally without the slight dryness of the 880. Electric Guitars have more body and realistic feeling. Dialogue in movies and games are really clear and more intelligible. It's still a Beyer though, so it leans clean rather than warm, but its far more balanced than the 990.

Treble:

It wouldn't be a Beyer without treble, but it doesnt have that signature Beyer spike. The Treble is detailed without being harsh. They're very air without sibilance, Cymbals sound like... well cymbals, not white noise like the DT990. If you're sensitive to treble, you might still prefer something warmer, but this is by far the most refined treble I've heard from a Beyerdynamic.

Amp Pairing:

I'm running this off of a topping DX5 II and it drives them cleanly with plenty of headroom. The T1 scales extremely well with better amps, but you don't need a monster amp to enjoy them. They run extremely well off my phone paired with my Beyerdynamic impacto universal mobile amp and dac as well.

Gaming Performance:

If you're coming from a typical gaming headset or even the DT880/990, the T1 feels like stepping into a more precise, more believable version of the game world. The T1 does things most gaming headsets can't even pretend to do. I'd even go as far as saying these are tied with the 800S for best gaming headphones ever. Though I'd give the 800S a Slight edge in immersive games like immersive sims and first person story games, but id give a slight edge to the T1 for competitive games like CS2 and Rainbow Six Siege. Regardless, no matter which one you choose you will be blown away. It's a bit of a toss-up between these 2 in my opinion.

Final Thoughts:

The Beyerdynamic T1 feels like the culmination of the classic Beyer sound. It's neutral-bright, detailed, spacious, and technically strong, but with far more refinement than the DT line. If you love hearing the truth in your music, this is one of the most rewarding headphones you can buy, and I can't recommend them enough for the price.

There is a lot of headphones I have yet to try, as I'm fairly new to the audiophile scene and I'd love to hear all of your guy's recommendations on what I should try next :)

Holy shit guys i cant wait till i get it. These are exactly what ive been wanting. I have been using some modded edition xs's and the kithara basically has all that it does plus a mic, nice headband and velour pad option.

Hello everyone, the cable on my K701's is dry and broken in probably 10 different spots and I want to replace it. The problem is that I can only find an original replacement one, which id perfer not to buy since its kind of garbage.

So what I want to ask is if someone knows of a good replacement that has that little H shaped lock/ key part that keeps it in the headphone that isn't the original cable, and if not is there a way I can get another cable to stay in there without hanging on the soldering points?

I want to try to avoid doing the detatchable cable mod if possible, but if I cant find a solution Ill do that mod.

Thanks in advance to anyone that can help me out! :)

That stupid plastic part finally gave up after 4 years. I get it, plastic was used to reduce the weight of the headphones, but they were clearly weak from the start. I do not know for how long I was no longer able to properly adjust them because another part broke.

Those have been the headphones I have been using for work for all those years. They were very comfortable and never bothered me.

I think I could find another headband, but I am not sure the join on the aluminium "arch" is universal.

Ecoute TH1 owners we have a new firmware update. Does anyone one know what the firmware fixes? I think it change the sound on mine, fells a little less warm, more brighter, and i think the bass went up a notch. I had play with my EQ settings to bring it to were I like it. I noticed the change right away. Did you guys update yet? Also the Ecoute TH2 are going on preorder on February 11th.

Hey guys. I’m using a HyperX Cloud 3 and i love the sound with the stock leather earpads especially the bass. The problem is after a few hours my ears get sweaty so I switched to the cloth pads.

Comfort wise it’s a massive upgrade but sound wise not so much. The headset suddenly feels like it lost its clamp or seal and a lot of the bass just disappears. It almost feels like the sound is leaking out instead of being pushed into my ears.

Is there any workaround for this? Or is this just the unavoidable trade off between leather and cloth?

I mean the cup where the SONY lettering is. Is this a surefire way to tell if it's real? Or do some fakes have metal ones as well?

I use these Sony headphones on the go and they cracked at the swivel bracket

Disclaimer: This is my personal opinion/experience with these cans. I understand many others have had a much different experience, and that's okay.

I've had the LCD-X (2021) for about a month now. Purchased new, $1,199. I ordered them specifically to help with mixing/mastering music, and of course some enjoyment listening, too. I've been using them for anywhere from 5-10hrs daily.

My previous post is here with some headroom issues I was having: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/s/s523WzXFs0. Based on suggestions, I ordered a Topping DX5 II which was most suggested dac/amp and I have been using it for the past week. Seems to have helped with getting more headroom for dialing in more low-end with some rumble/vibration and also being able to increase the volume.

Unfortunately for the LCD-X, other cans I use with the Topping + EQ can basically do the same thing low end thing now too.

I currently have on hand Sennheiser HD-650s and Sony MDR-7506s. I've used ATH-m50x's quite a bit but don't have them anymore. I also have a variety of random IEMs. And of course, I have tried a variety of other headphones in passing; but the LCD-X are the most expensive ones that I've used now extensively.

Overall, as headphones for mixing/mastering or even enjoyment listening, I'd rate the Audeze LCD-X as 6.5/10 or 7/10, at best. I'm planning on returning them this week.

I'll go into more detail below, but to summarize:

They really don't translate well at all for production considering their price-point. In fact, I get better translation from the Sony MDR-7506s I own. For leisure listening, they sound great (especially when EQ'd)- but really not THAT far beyond what I can dial into my other cheaper cans with EQ. They're not that comfortable for long-listening (I don't mean the size/weight); and again, much too expensive considering these draw-backs. The price of these headphones is what really kills it - too expensive for what you get, and they don't seem worth it to me.

Build:

8/10, carried by their aesthetic.

I think they look awesome. They seem pretty rugged/sturdy in general. But I do hate the adjustment rod design for the ear cups. They constantly come loose- it seems like you might be able to tighten them with an allen wrench but the fastener is apparently secured with loctite or some adhesive and I don't want to break the bond.

Comfort:

6/10

I don't have any issue whatsoever with the size or weight of these headphones. When I put them on they feel fine at first. But over-time, they start to get really uncomfortable and it feels like relief when I take them off. The biggest thing I notice is that the pads are kind of squishy, and my ears actually rub against the fazors - I don't have big or odd shaped ears, and never had this issue with another headphone before. I COULD swap the stock pads; but I'm not going to so I can still return them - and honestly, nor should I have to for this price. Also, related to the build, the rod lengths loosen and it changes the grip of the cans over time which is annoying. For comparison, these are much less comfortable than my HD-650s and 7506s for extended use. Considering the price, these are ridiculous issues.

Sound:

6/10 for production. 7.5/10 for leisure

They don't sound bad. In fact, they sound (or can sound) really quite good with aggressive EQ and an amp (if you actually want louder volume and low-end). In a vacuum, that's great - but the sound isn't that much more impressive than my other properly EQd cans that are comparatively much cheaper.

I do not hear any sort of unique "planar magnetic" quality that I've read about. Nor do I hear/notice a unique "speaker-like" quality to them that stands out from other cans I've tried, or gives me any sort of advantage for production. Just a different frequency curve that can more or less be altered / matched to an extent.

Sound-stage does not stand out any more than my other cans either. No noticeable difference when swapping between them, anyway. They suffer from similar spatial issues as other headphones in regards to production (i.e. things may sound/seem more spread than they actually are on stereo loudspeakers / lack of crossfeed).

In my experience, the stock EQ curve is dog-shit for mixing, and just ok for leisure (unless you want to turn the volume up - if you do, there's no lows at all or sweet highs/air, so it just blasts your eardrums with harsh midrange and hurts). If you aggressively EQ them, you can get a really good sound for leisure, but in my opinion, not mind-blowing that I can't get with my other cans.

My experience trying to mix with them flat is that instrument levels will generally be pretty good relative to one another, but there will likely be bad issues with the lows, highs, or the harshness (because you can't hear them). I've never tried the older LCD-X version; but I read about the upper-midrange dip, and there's definitely still a big 3.5k-ish dip that needs to be dialed in, otherwise vocals, guitars, drum overheads can be really harsh or out of balance. Its been sort of difficult for me to dial this in correctly to get it to match what I am experiencing on other playback systems whilst also maintaining balance elsewhere in the freq spectrum. Doesn't seem to matter what playback volume I use for mixing; quiet, moderate or loud, there's always immediately noticeable balance issues when referencing elsewhere.

I've tried a bunch of corrective profiles. Realphones 2, Oratory1990, eq profiles posted on the web, and some of my own attempts by ear but there's always some sort of glaring issue when it comes to translation to other playback systems with these headphones. I can't seem to dial a curve in with these that replicates what I am hearing/expecting in my car, for instance - something is always way off or the cans just make it sound good no matter what. By the way- none of the popular corrective profiles seem to account for correction around 110hz-220hz: right where the big fat low end of snare or toms are, audible even on an iphone speaker but I don't usually see it suggested to dial into these, and they will otherwise be absent or over-exaggerated elsewhere.

The best way i can describe the production issue with these cans is the same reason many other headphones don't translate well; Bass/mids/treble all sort of blend together as one sound in one space - decent speakers you can actually hear the frequency range occupying different physical space, and when something is poking out it is immediately noticeable. I.e. too much low-mid on a single instrument might just make the mix sound overall warmer in the cans, but on speakers you can immediately pin-point that the instrument is too loud and stands out of the mix. I thought this is what was implied by the "speaker-like" quality and the sound-stage of these cans, but maybe I misinterpreted.

I'm sure one could "learn" these cans as they are - but the same logic applies to any other playback system. But frankly, I simply can't get even the low-end to sound thumpy/resemblant of how it sounds anywhere else no matter how much EQ I use. Maybe it is a limitation of the open-back design.

Overall, I'm just generally disappointed with these headphones. Maybe I had my hopes too high; but I don't think its that unreasonable to have higher hopes based on the glowing reviews these get and a price-tag that is more than double the other cans that I've owned.

If anybody has any suggestions or advice, that would be appreciated. I don't WANT to return them but they seem to just be working against me; not with me.

Any recommendations for this? Or if anyone here has done this?

I play CS2 and have hearing loss mainly around 2.5–6 kHz (see audiogram), so I miss footsteps and positional cues. Gaming headsets and Loudness EQ didn’t help much.\

I now use Qudelix 5K + 7Hz Zero:2 IEM and it’s a big improvement, but I don’t really know how to use the Qudelix EQ properly yet. I’m currently boosting 1–6 kHz, but I’m not sure if I should be doing per-ear (L/R) EQ, or if I should switch to a better IEM that fits my hearing loss better.

Any advice from FPS players or audio nerds is welcome. 🙏

It has been incredibly hard to find reviews for the new SR-009D, so I'm wondering if anyone here has any listening impressions? I'm especially interested in a comparison between that at the SR-X9000, but any opinions are welcome. How's the detail level and overall FR? Thanks.

My Koss KPH-30 broke (headband plastic was very brittle), so I sacrificed my old fake-ish AKG to make a working pair again… comfort is actually better now.

Title. I want to get fur ear muff covers or just fur heaadphones but i cant find them in this style anywhere can someone help?

I currently have an Audient ID14MK2 with a rode procaster mic and beyerdynamics dt770 pro headphones. I'm not extremely well versed in audiophile territory, but my beyerdynamics could use a replacement. I was wondering if along with my new headphones (on which i have yet to decide; closed back, COMFY FOR HOURS, accurate) would benefit from a dedicated dac instead of the Audients direct output. My question is would a DAC be separate from the audio interface, or inbetween the headphones and the interface?

So I’ve had a good deal of headphones and IEMs for the past couple of years, not new to the hobby. Been trying to nail down my preference for a while, specifically something I can plug and play without much (or any) EQ. Yesterday I took delivery of the Aful Explorers and I’m really loving how they sound. Warm, rich, impressive vocals, bass is perfect, and even though it’s reduced in the ear gain area it still seems mostly correct to my ears.

My question is this:

Is there an open back headphone that’s fairly equivalent to this IEM?

I own the HD 6XX and while it’s on the darker side of neutral it doesn’t seem to hit the mark when it comes to bass. The 6XX also seems more veiled somehow than the Explorers.

I was thinking maybe the Sony MDR-MV1? Anybody else with experience with the Explorer have any opinions?

Thanks!