this post was submitted on 23 Nov 2023
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Headphones

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I come from the time ok Klipsch Image S4’s, Monster Turbines, Denon headphones… I think the Philips Fidelios were in there… I don’t remember the others…

But none of those are made anymore. What are the current offerings? Also amps or DAP’s? Do Sony’s still have their Clear Bass? I remember it being amazing on an MP3 player but is pretty Meh in the app for my XM5’s

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[–] KNUPAC@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

((( Skullcandy Crusher Evo )))

[–] ScaryfatkidGT@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

They would make some $$$ if they actually made a good product like Beats…

[–] Accomplished_Ad1054@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)
[–] ScaryfatkidGT@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Really? I know they have a slight bass boost but didn’t seem like anything crazy

[–] FloopersRetreat@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (5 children)

Sony IER-Z1R easily the best bass-head IEMs IMHO

[–] DisposeAfterPosting@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Are these better than headphones? How would they compare to the Audeze LCD-X?

[–] Pale-Philosopher-943@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

fatfreq scarlet mini a contender

[–] ScaryfatkidGT@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

$$$$$ 😭😭😭😭😭

[–] AngusPicanha@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (2 children)

You literally asked for the best

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[–] KarmicFedex@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Listening to Dawn FM by The Weeknd on them is an experience.

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[–] Pale-Philosopher-943@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)
[–] ScaryfatkidGT@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Over the Maestro?

[–] aznitrous@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (2 children)

Fostex TH900 (Mk I and II, they’re the same, but Mk II has a detachable cable) are so far the best I’ve found and one of the two pairs along the TH909 that has scratched the bass itch. Yes, they’re pretty up there in price if you buy retail, but you can get them either used (specifically the Mk I) for about $600 or on a sale (now is the time if that’s the case). The lower tier models weren’t it, so you can’t really save by buying a cheaper Fostex. No idea about the most recent release though, haven’t had a chance to listen to it yet.

[–] WarHead75@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

How are the TH909s compared to the TH900 MKII? Any benefits or detriments from being an open back?

[–] aznitrous@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

They’re different. Much wider soundstage and better imaging, more natural, less harsh of a V, more balanced overall. The best way I can describe the sound signature is “larger than life”. It’s definitely the sound that will make an unprepared person go “Holy shit!” when listening to it for the first time. The 900 excites you with the bass and gives you a brainquake with that impact, the 909 excites you with the whole range and gives you goosebumps because you never thought your favorite track could sound that great. However, due to the open-back nature, some of the bass impact is lost — only the impact, not its quantity or quality, or depth for that matter, it’s still very articulated and precise with no mud whatsoever. It sounds amazing. Granted, there will be some sound bleed, you’ll definitely hear it if someone’s listening to it next to you — but if you’re like me (and I have a smaller head) the 900 will bleed a lot, too.

[–] ris3nda3mon@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

The t50rp have amazing bass when modded. I have maybe $20 in materials for the mods, and another $50 in earpads. They make a significant difference in how they sound. With the right earpads and porting, the bass extends low and is quite impactful.

[–] aznitrous@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Unfortunately, I haven’t had a chance to listen to them modded, but I do know that quite a few of current basshead recs are just officially modded Fostex models, with the T50RP being a rather popular choice. Would be an interesting experience for sure! Unfortunately, not many people have the desire and/or skill to mod an already pricey headphone, but from what I’ve heard, Fostex are pretty user-friendly in that regard.

My TH900 also has original TH610 pads on it, and sounds much more to my liking like that.

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[–] ej102@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

JVC HA-SZ2000, Taction Kannon(Now Corsair HS60)

[–] QualityAgitated6800@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago
[–] saujamhamm@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

hifiman he-r10d

7-8db boost in the lower bass region. they’re the most bass centric can i’ve ever owned.

[–] AntOk463@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

For basshead headphones, you can still look at open backs. There are a few that do bass pretty good (not extreme basshead levels) but they do bass well and everything else is way better than consumer bass head headphones. My main recommendation include AKG 700 series and Focal headphones. The Focal are known for having increased bass, it doesn't show up on measurements but the bass impact is there. My AKG surprise me every time with how much bass they have, I expect them to have none, but the bass quality is amazing, and with EQ you can add a lot more bass without any distortion.

These have bass but also have detail and overall quality better than closed back headphones.

[–] GooseEntire1705@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Audeze LCD 4 or Abyss AB1266

[–] zerosuneuphoria@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

THX00 go hard, as do my modded TH610's.

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[–] Fiendop@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

ETA O2 has the best bass ive heard from a headphone.

[–] Rockybroo_YT@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Skullcandy crushers. That’s arguably the most bass.

[–] RaggaDruida@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

If you allow me to go for quality over quantity, Clear MG.

[–] Mnshine_1@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (2 children)
[–] ScaryfatkidGT@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)
[–] Mnshine_1@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

I have OG, MG should be good as well

Probably the most bass I listen to is like early Skrillex so take that into account

[–] Tman450x@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

As someone with a clear I really disagree. If you are a basshead there are better options.The bass is fine but the clears are 1.) Very fatiguing and 2.) Can't handle bass EQ without the drivers distorting at a certain point.

[–] Mnshine_1@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I heard from multiple reviews and videos that Clear may be fatiguing if you are treble sensitive. I do not consider myself as such, but yeah, they are more fatiguing than my PC38x

And also being an open-back limits their sub-bass/bass perfomance

[–] Tman450x@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Yeah I am treble sensitive so I find them highly fatiguing. Which is a shame because I do think they sound great... For 5 minutes until my ears hurt. EQ helps but I got annoyed fiddling with the settings.

And yeah I really recommend something like EMU Teaks for sub bass. Like you said open backs usually can't extend that low unless you're blasting the volume haha.

[–] Hail_LordHelix@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Depends on your budget.

Modhouse Argon MK3 is up there though for under 500.

Given an unlimited budget though, its probably something like : abyss 1266, Solitaire P, ZMF Caldera, Fostex TH900, ZMF AC

(depending on what it is youre looking for)

[–] IllustriousCourt9351@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Basshead Headphones that can still be found New in box:

torque t402v

Denon AH-D7200

Beats EP

Kenwood KH-KR900

JVC HASR100XB (Elation XX)

Sony MDR-X10

Sony MDR-XB920

V-Moda LP2

Sennheiser HD25

Sony MDR XB500

Ultrasone Signature X

Sony MDR-Z1R

[–] mindxplorer@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Sony MDR-Z1R is the most creamy and delicious bass I’ve heard to date. And my daily driver.

[–] Run-ning@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Campfire Cascades are worth mentioning.

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[–] zinnadean@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Meze 99 classics.

[–] No-Context5479@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago
[–] MrPapis@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Fidelio x1's are most likely the most bassy open headphone you can find. Our lord and saviour Tyll from inner fidelity reviewed them on YT years ago.

They are also still quite balanced which is kinda insane with the amount of bass they can reproduce.

But they are mid fi headphones so don't expect greatness. They are good overall though and still have that wide soundstage of the later models.

I would suggest a small dac/amp with a bass enhance button/switch.

Kronos hi lo extended edition with my x1's and bass enhancer button on my fiio e10k Olympus is basically a psychedelic experience. It really is insane. Also great bassy sound for cheap. I've had this setup for gaming for years. Might even come up on a decade if I bothered to check.

[–] DJGammaRabbit@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Planar IEMs have the best textured bass, they're deeper but less impactful, very separated. Best for music. Otherwise DD IEMs slam with EQ.

Hifiman edition xs for planar open back headphone for sound quality+bass at a somewhat budget of $500 USD.

The jvc sz2000 is known as the bassiest headphone in the world. It needs EQ to have max output. They're discontinued but you can find one or two used on like eBay.

Thx900 headphone because closed back.

I recommend the ms1 galaxy IEM with EQ for budget ($16) bass. I use +12db at 31hz with -3 gain. I also have a truthear zero: red and it has really good sub bass but at $55 USD and there's almost no difference between it and the ms1 but the red is quieter by 6db.

[–] Presence85@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

i just poke my head here and say that for 109 you can have bass head dream in form of hifiman he-r9

[–] 5uperman8atman@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

The Hifiman HE-R9 is the deepest, bassist headphones I've ever tried. It's pretty punchy! I'm about to sell the pair I have, but I really did enjoy the bass on those!

[–] MagicMichealScott@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago
[–] Gizm0Guru@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Depends on your budget and what you mean by “best” (quantity or quality).

My favorite all around bass head headphone is the Audeze LCD-X. It needs EQ to get there, but IMO is beyond compare once EQ applied. The LCD-X is legendary for its bass and its ability to take heavy amounts of EQ without distortion. It brings that deep planar extension and can go insanely hard.

The best “balanced” or neutral bass I have heard is on the Final Audio D8000 Pro. Not super elevated but outstanding extension and dynamics.

IEMs the heavyweight of bass there for me is the Campfire Audio Trifeca. It’s a triple dynamic driver IEM. Pricey though. The Sennheiser IE900 also has outstanding bass. Slightly elevated, excellent quality.

[–] qua2k@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Fostex TH900 without a doubt.

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