this post was submitted on 17 Nov 2023
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Headphones

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Why can’t companies make headphones without significant drawbacks? (alien.top)
submitted 11 months ago by PetrichorAndNapalm@alien.top to c/headphones@hi-fi.community
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I get that different headphones are geared toward different types of music or tastes. But I don’t understand why there isn’t a generic set of headphones with “normal” everything that is just all around realistic, has enough base, has sound stage. I feel every headphone I read about is good but has significant drawbacks that you have to look past? Like why can’t the HD 800s have a version that isn’t cripplingly low on bass? That’s just one example but it seems every time I get excited about a pair of headphones there is some massive red flag whether it’s wierd trebel, bass, tone, being unrealistic, etc.

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[–] Cook2211@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Well for me all those drawbacks are the spice in it. I do want those drawbacks. How boring would it be if all the companies would bring headphones with all the same perfect sound? For me it‘s exciting to try out new headphones. How do they sound in general? How are treble, bass an soundstage? Each headphone should have its own character. And for me even amps should have their own character.

Nowadays audiophiles are aiming for absolute neutrality. Neutral amps, neutral headphones. For me? Boring! I have the HD800S. Great headphones with the right amount of bass. I use them for example if I want to hear every little sample snippet of a Depeche Mode song. HD800S is great for analytical listening. But my everday headphones are the T1 3rd gen. They have character. Warm sound, crispy bass, relaxed. Absolutely great. I‘ve got the Fiio K9. Great amp with quite a neutral sound. But I also have the Hifiman Ef400 with its slight hint of warmth and its analogue and natural sound. It‘s not the most neutral amp but I really love it.

For me the companies should all should different sounding headphones withe their drawbacks. Because that makes them interesting.