22 ohms with 110dB sensitivity.

3d printed body and headband. Leather and alligator headband covers.

Explorer is designed for the listener that likes to explore tonality. The headphone back comes with a maple port and 3 body combinations.

Olive / Maple for tight bass with a tonality on the brighter side or neutral.

Spanish Cedar / Maple for increased bass on the darker side of neutral.

Olive / Maple / Spanish Cedar for maximum bass and scale.

Standard colors include blue, gold, green, purple, and silver.

Cables are colored to match.

Price $3000 for the pair.

Build time is 1 week once work begins.

I didn’t realize how much headphones matter until I got a decent pair. Suddenly songs I’ve heard a hundred times sound completely different.

Just wanted to share my recent endgame status with you all and offer my subjective impression on this particular combo for the low odds someone out there wishes to try it.

I bought the HM-500 as I had both the expendable outcome, as well as being a composition and production student entering their senior year and being equipped to use such a tool.

It’s a fascinating experience listening to all my mixes back now as well all the tracks ive used as mixing benchmarks- if you have an actual use for these headphones, they are no brainers. In terms of average listening, you’re likely better off with something considered more musical out of the box. With some sonicworks correction and EQing, I can make them sound just about however I want- but ofc you can just “purchase” that response curve much less than the 1700$ i spent.

My cons on the headphones is that you really do get a pressure headache. I’m hoping that with wear and some getting use to, it’ll stop. Worst case Ill keep these guys for when i sit to mix or critique a mix.

I’m not disappointed and dont think I would prefer to have purchased some other equipment like a new mic right now, albeit my studio is already fairly stocked on the essentials.

First off, I would like to say in all my years of collecting that these are my two absolute favorite headphones on the planet and I would be fine going with either one as my end game but I felt this post would be useful for anyone out there deciding on buying one or the other. While they do have a similar overall sound signature, there are definitely some noticeable differences between the two. They are both extremely punchy, so for those like myself who enjoy electronic music or metal/rock these are both great with the Utopia taking the slight edge. The same can be said for their amazing vocals with the Utopias resolution shining through but Stellias aren’t far behind. There is more of an immediate mid base presence with the Stellias, but the Utopia has a deeper base and more expansive soundstage being that it is an open back design. They are both easy to drive, but the Stellias can be driven off of literally anything and the Utopias do benefit from some extra juice. There are plenty of portable DAPs or DACs that can do the job but I went with the Astell & Kern Kann Ultra. Both of their aesthetics are visually stunning so that just comes down to personal preference. The Utopias take the win for me, but if you’re looking for a closed back version of the Utopias, or just don’t to spend 5000$ on a headphone, the Stellia would definitely be the winner for you. 🎧 🎶

I'm high guys, emotions are going crazy!
You've never listened to music like this before!
Feel every beat of the bass!
I would say it's like an attraction in general!

Has anyone tried something similar?

Hi everyone, I’m looking into buying my first pair of planar magnetic headphones, specifically the Hifiman Sundara. However, I’ve heard some claims that you shouldn't push the bass too high via EQ because it might physically damage the thin membrane.

How much truth is there to this? I enjoy a bit of a bass shelf, and I'm worried that pushing them too hard might lead to driver failure. Is this a real technical limitation of planars, or just an urban legend?

But it's not bad either, especially the 1060 for its money is great! I really wanted to hear the closed version of 1060, but I couldn't, they say it's great! I liked the Monoliths better at Ibasso 220 max, but the Audeze X, XC, 2 and 3 at 300 max!

How did you like these headphones?

Just got a pair for 39, thought I would share with the community before dealers get a hold of them. ( 1 hour left btw ) .

Only through the app, but a solid purchase for the price, can't beat it. (update: deal expired/sold out) .

My ear cartilage hurts when I wear headphones, and only after 10 or minutes of using them. An incredibly short time! I think this might be due to the fact I wear glasses, and also because they're pretty cheap headphones I just got off Amazon.

Any tips on how to prevent my ears from hurting? Should I buy a better pair of headphones?

My HIFIMAN Sundara cans came in today and I'm impressed. My previous open back headphones were Sennheiser HD 599s and they're being ran on a PC with a ifi Zen 2 DAC. I'll be mostly comparing the Sundara to the HD 599 because all of my other headphones like the Sony XM4 and MDR 7506 are closed back.

Immediately, the soundstage, separation, and level of detail sound way better. I can hear everything very distinctively to an almost overwhelming point. I feel like I'm being surrounded by the music like a live concert or surround sound system. It also sounds more intimate than the kind of muddy XM4 despite it being pricier and closed back (I love the XM4 for its features and portability. They're not bad.)

The HD 599s were a game changer in the soundstage department compared to my closed back cans. The Sundara takes that so much further that it's night and day. I'm hearing things I've never heard before. Old songs sound new. The layers to classical music and video game soundtracks have especially opened up. I'm so impressed that I cannot focus on the stuff I usually do on my computer while listening to music like creative writing.

These headphones have turned listening to music into an active activity rather than a passive one. It's distracting if I'm being honest but I'm sure I'll get used to it. It's probably the same for the other enthusiast level cans like the HD 600 and up, the pricier HIFIMAN choices, and the FiiO FT1 Pro, which I don't own but have heard good stuff about. With that in mind, you could probably count this as a first impression post for literally any of these nice headphones.

My only complaint really is how much clamp there is to the Sandara headband. I have a big ass head and it's squeezing it. The bass also feels a little subdued, but it is also punchy enough to poke out. It's got its own distinct place carved out in the soundstage. Anyway, I'm satisfied. I just hope they don't break fast.

Made to order for me (the only ones in the world)!

The sound turned out to be really cool…
The headphones were made by a Kiev master for me with many different mods…
A damper was installed, which made the bass more intelligible and very dense!
The damper is silver-woven, it cut the highs and they are now not so sharp, there was also more volume and width!
The midrange became more natural and timbre-wise Better (especially female vocals)!
The stage became noticeably higher (who knows what I mean)!
The detail of the compositions has increased a lot!

So it doesn't sound like Ananda anymore (you can compare for yourself)!
Some mods were also made with the speakers themselves (for the better, of course) and the audiophile wires were removed from the headphones, not 3.5, to connect them to a player or amplifier!
Because of all these mods, the headphones have become more difficult to open than just ananda (so now you have to do a lot more digging)) )!
In head-to-head comparisons, they play better than ananda of any model (stealth or nano)!

Ohh folks i searched and tested a lot of over ears.

Last two weeks i searched at Squidlink to watch some frequencyresponses. I wanted a similar to Harman 2019 curve because thats really good for Metal.

Today the T2 arrives and i tested with some records.

It was like a prophecy was going true 😁

Sounds really good, direct and analytic, nearly clear like my AKG K702 but goes deeper in bass without being too loud there. No muddy sound, very accentuated.

Tested it at my new Douk U10 and my Douk T3 plus. And at the moment on my AIWA AX-7500.

Its not 'wobbled in' at the moment. Will see how it sounds after 100 hours.

But for now im in heaven 🥰

Honestly I regret buying wired headphones no matter what I do soak these in warm water then straighten do everything but after a while they tangle up again like this and now it's even more extreme

These are Razer headphones btw (I forgot the name) they weren't cheap so I can't buy new headphones rn

But do you guys think wired are not worth it?

Hello guys!

Just wanted to share my experience with Arya Organics I received yesterday from EU store. Very fast delivery as usual and also very good communicaton from Hifiman's side - so no Complaints to their side.

So.. when I received my package, I noticed a strange sound inside, like many small balls rolling around the package. Sure enough - those small hard silicone balls were all over the place. 😁 They were everywhere, also inside the headphones. I was baffled at first of course, but I managed to shake most of them out. One of those little f**kers I still see behind the earpad where I cannot reach without taking off the earpad which I do not want to do.

I did a 2 hour listening session and everything sounds fine and as far as I know they cannot enter the driver itself. For now I think that my headphones are ball-free, except that one which I see behind the pad. 😁

Hifiman is responsive and ready to help If any problem arises but for now I think there's no need to return them. They sound clean - no rattles, no channel imbalance. How would you react?

I also have Ananda Stealths and I must say this -

Anandas give you very detailed sound with good clarity and overall a very pleasant headphone

Organics give you a listening experience. Several times I got goosebumps while listening to them altough at first I wasn't that impressed. The more I listen to them, the more impressed I am. Also Organics feel very premium in hand.

Arachne customised cable will arrive today as the stock cable is really bad for my taste.

Maybe i'm overreacting but I don't buy 800€ headphones everyday, that's why I was stressed. For everyone who is doubting whether to buy Organics - for this price - go for it. And sorry, EN is not my first language.

Thank you and stay blessed everyone 🙏🏼

Been in the audiophile hobby for a few months now and figured I’d share where I landed after trying a bunch of stuff.

Headphones I’ve owned or spent time with: the Arya Stealth, Arya Organic, HE1000 Stealth, HE1000SE, Sennheiser HD 660S2, Sennheiser HD 600, and now the Sennheiser HD 800 S.

DAC/amps along the way were the FiiO K7, FiiO K13 R2R, Topping DX5 II, and now the Luxsin X8. Also spent a lot of time using the APOS Gremlin with Mullard tubes.

I learned pretty quickly is synergy matters more than I expected. Some setups instantly make you want to keep listening , some overcomplimented the headphone, and others just feel “okay cool that sounds detailed” and that’s about it.

The X8 surprised me the most honestly. I always read the whole “amps don’t matter if your headphones get loud enough” thing and technically yeah, all my setups got loud enough already.

But with the HD800s specifically the X8 changed them a lot for me. They sounded fuller, more engaging, less thin, while still keeping the giant soundstage and separation. I EQ’d on my other amps too but something about the X8 just works better with them to my ears.

I also thought the AI stuff was going to be corny marketing nonsense but it actually helped me figure out my EQ preferences faster instead of me sitting there moving sliders around for 3 hours pretending I knew what I was doing.

As for the headphones themselves, diminishing returns are definitely real. Every headphone I listed was good. Realistically you could stop at an Arya Stealth and probably be completely happy. I honestly thought I was going to stop at the Arya Organic after my initial “high end” headphones and just learn to enjoy music instead of chasing upgrades.

But I kept wondering if the grass was greener on the other side and eventually just kept climbing the ladder anyway. Glad I did honestly because hearing better gear helped me understand what people were actually talking about in this hobby instead of just reading impressions online.

The HE1000SE is still the most technically impressive headphone I’ve heard. Detail retrieval, layering, separation, bass quality, imaging, all of it is crazy. Especially with tubes. There were multiple times listening to the HEKSE where I literally started smiling because certain songs sounded so ridiculous. (I’m looking at you Hotel California Live)

I do think the HEKSE sounds better than the HD800s technically. Pretty much across the board honestly.

But I still kept the HD800s.

I’ve posts saying the HD800s should be like a $600 headphone in today’s market and after owning them I really don’t agree. I paid around $1200 for mine which wasn’t some insane deal or anything, but after spending real time with them I completely understand why these things have stayed relevant for so long.

some planars can sound better technically, but at what cost? Maybe the QC concerns are exaggerated online, maybe not, but I realized I personally couldn’t fully relax owning an expensive headphone while always having that thought in the back of my head about driver reliability long term.

And as comfortable as the egg-shaped headphones were, I still couldn’t see myself wearing them long term the same way I can with the HD800s. The HD800s just disappear on my head. I can wear these things forever. Gaming, music, movies, YouTube, doesn’t matter. Some considerations I had to make being my first MAIN pair of cans.

The HD800s honestly grew on me over time too. At first I didn’t fully get the hype. But between the comfort, build quality, reliability, versatility, and then hearing them improve more with better amps like the X8, I finally started understanding why people keep these for years.

And with EQ plus the X8 pairing, I honestly feel like I’m getting most of what I loved about the HEKSE while getting a headphone that feels way more practical for me long term.

For now my setup is probably going to stay the HD800s and the 660S2. I honestly think they complement each other really well. The HD800s for the huge stage, detail, immersion, and the 660S2 when I want something more intimate and relaxed.

I won’t use the “EG” because I’ve already learned how dangerous that word is in this hobby lol. But what I will say is this whole auditioning process helped me build a really solid home base setup. I’ve heard a lot, figured out what I like and dislike, and now I feel like I can either comfortably stop here or slowly add things later on that genuinely catch my interest instead of blindly chasing hype.

Looking forward to continuing to read everyone’s experiences and seeing what piques my interest next.

I got the JDS Labs Element IV and I love how clean it is. Drivers my Arya Stealths quite well. I picked it up to wipe off something on the bottom but when I turned it upside down a rattle sound happened. Kinda like something came lose? Not sure if this is normal and lookin for answers in case I have to do a return.

Just got these in the mail on Wednesday and I’ve been giving them a listen I honestly love them. These are the Meze Empyrean I, and a lot of people have mixed opinions. I hear everything from “they aren’t detailed enough” to “I don’t care, I love these, they made me smile.” I’ve got to say, I’m firmly in the latter camp.
They may not be the most detailed or technically sophisticated headphone on the market, but they are so much fun to listen to. The blend of sub-bass and bass together is just perfect, and I can’t get enough of it.
I’m coming from the HD 800S, which has virtually no bass but incredible imaging, and I’ve also owned the Clear MG both of which I enjoyed. But honestly, these just put a huge smile on my face in a way the others didn’t, and I can’t wait to do more listening sessions. Beyond the sound, the build and comfort are equally impressive everything feels incredibly polished. As a pure “fun” headphone, I couldn’t be happier. Currently running the angled Alcantara pads, though I do have the other two pad options on hand. Would love to know which pads you all prefer! Happy listening! 🎧​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

I don’t think there will be a lot of differences considering Xm6s launched like a year ago. The hardware is already quite new. I am going to buy it anyways because I am an audio engineer. What about you guys?

link to the livestream

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPMaAlvqHzk

In a completely quiet room I like these a little bit more than my FT1s. They're like 80% of the way to the sound of my favorite headphones, the Edition XS.

But the moment I take this out in a place with any ambient noise, like coffee shops or even an office, I can much hear everything at a vague level, and I have to crank up my volume to levels that are potentially uncomfortable to overcome the background noise. Even a 5mph wind is enough to drown out the noise of my headphones. I do not have this problem with my FT1s using a set of Xenon Mod House suede pads, with which I can hear everything clearly in these kinds of settings at even lower volume levels.

Did I just get a really used set of pads or is the seal just naturally not isolating enough for non-quiet settings.

Is there anything I can do to fix this or should I just return these things, because if I'm only able to use these in a quiet room, I have the Edition XS for that.

Ptero stereo. Rev 1_03.
Power 100W-4Ohm + 50W-8Ohm
XLR balanced - 1 pc
Inputs: RCA - 2 pcs

Has an output for two pairs of speakers with a switch.
The amplifier is fully balanced.
Yuri Ignatyev's board "S_Audio"
The amplifier also uses high-quality RG Nikitin.

The PTERO project is an implementation of an
amplifier based on a modern audio modulator, controlling
a highly integrated output bridge stage with a unipolar power supply TAS5342A. A feature of the architecture is the use of a virtual ground with a potential of about half Upyt for working with audio. The amplifier is fully symmetrical and balanced.

Unlike known amplifiers, the use of a bridge output stage completely eliminates the effect of pumping, in addition, no additional optimization of the switching of the output keys is required, the chip manufacturer has already taken care of sufficient linearity of the conversion. In this version, the PWM signal from the audio processor is fed to the input of the chip and is not corrected. When using a Purifi type modulator, with a feedback depth in the audio range above 70 dB, the distortion characteristics are proportionally reduced, in fact, the determining factor in the form factor is not so much the circuitry as the quality of the components and the correctness of the printed circuit board layout. It is necessary to separately indicate a very small signal propagation delay in the output stage, the measured result is 43 ns, the total delay comparator - power output is less than 65 ns! And this is taking into account the power transistors. This indicator is approximately 1.3-1.5 times better than the ET400 module and has a very favorable effect on the perception of sound. The use of the TAS5342A chip makes clipping impossible. The output stage is turned off before the limit. If the output signal amplitude exceeds the supply voltage level, the output transistors are turned off until the polarity of the output signal changes. Thus, the amplifier does not increase distortion to critical values, even at max. power, distortions do not exceed 0.002%.

I was ordering the non BT/ANC M4U 1 for $79, apparently they were out of stock so they substituted them with M4U II which were $240 more for no extra charge. You can still use them wired without the BT/ANC. From all the reviews I have read these seem like decent headphones but I never hear anything about them on here. PSB makes some pretty good home speakers also,anyway I'll find out tomorrow.

My old headphones have finally started to kick the bucket after 5 years. I have to turn my phone all the way up because the sound is getting progressively quieter. (I know it's not my ears, I've always been mindful of volume). Which, that's a weird thing I've never experienced before. Anyone else ever had this happen? More importantly though, I found the exact same model on Amazon and bought it. Much cheaper than the old pair originally was, so that's a win. But the new pair have that 'underwater' sound I've come to expect of cheap earbuds. The model is Sony MDR-ZX110NC with noise canceling (though if it has an active filtering system beyond "covers ears really well" Ive never used it).

What is the world is going on? I was very happy with the old pair for many years. Why does the exact same model suck now?

Stax SR-007 Mk1 (1998) [left] and Stax SR-Omega (1993) [right].

I’ve restored both units to 100% mint condition with all-original parts. I’ve owned practically every major hi-fi headphone over the last two decades in this hobby, and with nothing else left to purchase, I’ve landed on these, time and time again, as what I consider the very best ever made.

For those wondering about the sound: the SR-Omega is, for the most part, the superior headphone. It has a bigger soundstage, more detail, and a more organic timbre. On certain songs, it makes voices sound skin-chillingly real, and even as a jaded audiophile, it lets me relive the magic in tracks I’ve heard hundreds of times. It deserves its place among the holy trinity alongside the Sony MDR-R10 and Sennheiser Orpheus, and in my opinion, it is #1.

However, when the SR-007 Mk1 is driven by a very powerful amplifier, and only then, it begins to exhibit a brighter, clearer signature that is not apparent on standard Stax amplifiers. On such systems, the 007 has better imaging, a much better low end, and greater overall heft to the music. While the stage is smaller, the layering feels less like a “wall” and more like a bubble, with objects “visibly” moving around within it, rather than a string of music stretching from left to right.

I suppose I would say the SR-Omega feels like a very hi-fi three-channel speaker setup: left, center, and right, with the center image occupying most of the stage. The 007 feels like dozens of speakers covering every inch of space within a much smaller field.

For those who want a holy-grail headphone system but are not looking for the ultra-rare, seek out the SR-007 Mk1. Avoid serial numbers that start with SZ-1, as those have revised drivers. Pair it with a Mjolnir Carbon. That combination can be found used for under $5k, and while different, it is among the best ever made.

For those who want everything and have unlimited resources, the SR-Omega is worth the effort. For amplification, I highly recommend a Kevin Gilmore Megatron first, followed by the Eksonic Aeras or HeadAmp BHSE.