So, I made a previous post about liking the HD600 a lot, finding a second pair for my bass heavy (Hip-Hop/R&B/Rap/EDM) music, and having auditioned LCD-X (underwhelming) and stumbling upon Fostex 900.
Online feedback: received -- need to EQ the LCD-X. The community seems to think that Fostex is not value for money. I don't mind EQing but I don't want to buy something without having the ability to audition it and I can't audition the LCD-X with EQ. The search continues. The default Super HD600 seems to be Clear OG (not available for audition locally). I liked the Clear MG enough -- it really is a headphone that gets an A- across the board (except soundstage width), but I have heard that most people think the OG is better.
Since over 50% of my playlist features singers, I don't think I prefer a V-shape curve (if that means recessed vocals) despite I said that I found Fostex to be great sounding (maybe I didn't have it on long enough to notice fatigue).
Per recommendation I have in the last post, I wanted to try the Denon D7200. It wasn't available for demo but only the D9200. The D9200 have plenty of bass clarity (actually good resolution in all frequencies) but overall it didn't excite me (i.e., it didn't hit me in the chest). It's more smooth than exciting.
I think I may add the EU-Teak/Bamboo or Skullrcushes (seriously) as a 3rd pair but I think I want to look for an upgrade over the HD600 and not a sidegrade for now.
Someone mentioned the Arya Organic as truly amazing -- others claim that planars will never give the same "slam" that dynamic drivers would. I preferred the Clear MGs (and even HD600s) over the Edition XS. Arya Organic is out of stock locally so I will need to wait.
Shortlisted: Focal Clear OG | Clear Mg | Arya Organic
Will report back when I hear the Arya Organic.
I think calling V-shape signatures bad for vocals is a bit too broad. It's really all about where that rise is. For example the early rise in the upper mids is part of the characteristic of sparkling female vocals. Also v-shape signatures tend to make percussion really pop which is a big part of hip-hop and EDM.