Having the two hosts pointing towards each other with their face feels so nice from a flow perspective, actually feels like y’all are having a conversation with each other instead of just talking to a camera.
I think they have a bias towards boutique American brands like ZMF, DCA, and Abyss. The latter is the best snake-oil salesman in the industry. But they're fine with that kind of stuff
Thanks for doing this. Quite revealing, especially when you include price as a consideration. I only wish you could have included the Aune SR7000. Hopefully one or both of you will review that one soon.
I've had it for about a month now and it's very well tuned. As soon as I put on a random well recorded video or podcast I noticed that there wasn't much that deviated form what I consider "neutral" sounding - that's a good sign. The midsbass Is a bit bloaty just like all the Fostex/Denon/EMU headphones but it's easy to fix with EQ. The treble? it has a bump somewhere around 5-6k like Resolve said and that can be pinpointed rather easily as well. Overall it sounds very good and surprisingly open for a closed back. With a few filters it sounds pretty much spot on I would say.
Just when I was about to pull the trigger on a MDR-Z1r as a sidegrade (to my Arya Stealth, Focal Clear MG, Celestee), this comes out and claims a $150-200 Fiio sounds better than a headphone 10 times the price...
I've owned 3 Aeons of different variants. They all had channel imbalances and Dan Clark Audio refuses to fix it without an exorbitant fee. Even when new.
i own a meze 99neo and while it has been reviewed extremely poorly, i enjoy it so much more that many other headphones i have owned and tried, open or closed 😭
regardless of what objective results measurements can give us, our own preferences dictate what we should or shouldn't to. Bananas are the most boring fruit for me, yet I'm not going to tell others to not eat them. take all reviews with a grain of salt, enjoy the entertainment and the gear we might not have heard of. I have 880s and 770s and a 58x, for example, and I enjoy both. Highs will bother me faster depending on albums or tracks than any can I've heard so far. And yet, they hate most beyers. and ps, I could still hear up to 18.5k till a couple of years ago.
I just bought it for my dad and I opened it, tried it, looked up EQs for it. At first I wasn't impressed but one EQ made all the difference: Unheardlab's. It's actually insanely good, and weirdly, the simplest of all the EQs I tried. I just gotta install Peace on his laptop and import the EQ.
@Simku Merry Christmas to you as well, kind Sir/Madam! OK so these are by FAR the best over-ears I own. They perform excellently with hiphop, acoustic music, a capella music, everything. I also got the FiiO FP3, FiiO's first planar IEM! These surprised me because of their shallow fit. They are also amazing with a touch of EQ. What about you? Do you own any of these?
@@theonewhostonks Thanks for the reply! I don't own any Fiio products. I'm looking for my first good over the ears headphone to accompany my Sony Walkman A45 that I use to listen to all my lossless albums that I rip from CDs. I'm currently hesitating between the Fiio FT1 and the FT1 Pro model! I know the first is closed and the other is open back. I'm looking for detailed sound. My genres go from symphonic soundtracks to progressive rock to heavy metal with the occasional electro like Daft Punk.
I have the E3 and Arya Organic, so I bought FT1 due to the hype and it's unbelievable how good the bass is. Destroys my E3 and Arya in bass quality and quantity, bass is closest thing to speakers I've heard. With a bit of eq, I prefer it over the E3 too, but still love my Arya for its massive soundstage and sparkle. Also super comfortable for 5+ hours easily.
@@PKAPE004 Depends on your needs and preferences. For me, especially price considered, I'd choose Organic for its more wow factor sound ie. superior soundstage, air and dynamics. E3 is perfect if you prefer a neutral signature, it sounds big for a closed back, better build quality than Organic, great sound isolation and the best imaging i've heard on a headphone for gaming. Both are equally comfortable.
Got an FT1 for Christmas! I absolutely love it. Insanely impressive closed back. I had my mom demo it and she absolutely lit up. The only other time I've seen someone respond so euphorically to a headphone demo was when a friend of mine tried my EQ'd Audeze LCD-2. The value proposition on the FT1 makes it a must-own in my opinion, even if you aren't much of a closed-back fan.
"C" Tier for the LCD-XC seems a bit harsh! With proper EQ, I think it beats the S-Tier DCA E3 in terms of sound quality. Prominent reviewer "WaveTheory" said it best when he said in his DCA-E3 review comparisons... "The LCD X closed can sound amazing and probably comes pretty close to what the E3 can do in terms of resolution - it can out do it (the E3) in terms of dynamics and impact." The LCD-XC is also $700 less expensive than the DCA-E3. $700 less with better dynamics and impact than the E3... yes please! Neither weight or comfort has ever been an issue for me with the LCD-XC. It makes no difference to me that it needs EQ to sound its best given how easy, and free, it is to add EQ to just about any method of playback. Most people don't pick TV's on the basis of picture quality that looks best "out of the box" - they buy based on picture quality after optimizing all available picture settings. Headphones shouldn't be any different. EQ is just adjusting your settings and nothing more. It's also worth mentioning that there are few headphones which can take EQ as well as the LCD-XC. I have owned and returned or resold both the DCA E3 and the ZMF Vertie Closed. For me, the LCD-XC beats them both in terms of sound quality and certainly in price.
Thanks for this truly helpful ranking of closed-back headphones. As you noted, Dan Clark Audio models rated especially well. The biggest surprise among the DCA 'phones was the "B" grade for the Stealth (but now I know I don't need to spend $3,000 to $4,000 for top-tier headphones...) However, I admit I'm still suffering from analysis paralysis when choosing between the Drop + Dan Clark Audio Aeon Closed X and the new DCA Noire X. Maybe the most sensible solution is to opt for the value-leading Fiio FT1 and save some cash.
Love my FT1. Bought it out of curiosity (and because I was missing a closed back) and now it's one of my favorites. The fact that I don't miss much coming from a Mest says how good it is.
Guys..take all of this with a HUGE grain of salt. Preferences between these two have more to do with their perceived ranking than anything else. Shape of head, comfort, pads, amps...all of these factors change depending on the gear or the person using it. Also...one major factor is taste. Some people prefer less peaky, more mid bass, others the oposit... also one important thing to consider EQ goes a long way. Just rush to see other reviews of some of the headphones listed here...and you will see that they all differ somewhat.
I have the 840a a year before I got the FT1s, nice balanced detailed headphones I was worried that I was going to vastly underwhelmed by a tiny improvement. But I was delighted that the FT1 are miles better.
It's obvious that they really, really hate those headphones with bright treble. AWAS listens very well to slow songs with female vocals, but I don't think they listen to that kind of music.
I have Denon 7200 as I got an extremely good offer on Amazon for 369e for used in very good condition (I am guessing somebody tried them, didn't like it and returned it. About 2 years I have used them as my man headphones for everything , music, gaming etc and I love them especially since I am using EQ. I also always thought they are quite comfortable till I got FT1 a month ago. FT2 simply became my favourite closed back, more comfortable with Amazon sound quality and fun to listen. Bass is extremely good and for 169e it's like a steal. I also owbe meze 109pro and Meze 105 aer (these 2 I am listening more often now, but when I need closed back I back to FT1 with joy. FT1 is a must have for everyone who are building a small headphones collection and like to listening different kind of music.
That was interesting. Resolve knows his headphones but not ANC ones (XM5 lover here). I found the Fiio FT1 ranking interesting. Did not consider it before. I currently have the Focal Elegia and Sony XM5 as closed backs. I think I'll add the Fiio to my collection. Happy holidays and great work in 2024.
I wish you would talk more about the isolation and sound leakage on these closed back rankings. After all those two factors are probably why most people look at a closed back headphone (apart maybe from bass reproduction)
I’m missing the OG Shure SR840, I like it as much as the M50X, but it’s huge, I look like Doc Brown wearing it, it’s not as comfortable as the M50x. I have heard that the Sony CD900st and fhe Shure 840 were made by the same engineer and sound the same, although obviously built differently, can anyone confirm?
DCA E3 most overrated thing I've ever purchased in my life. I am a music producer and audio engineer, and these are not "fun" nor are they really "revealing" or "critical" like so many audiophiles and reviewers claimed. It made me realize my ears and brain are sensitive to much different things than most audiophiles. I also found them HIGHLY uncomfortable, the pads never fit quite right, the top headband sucks and hurts my head (why is there hard embroidery being pushed onto my skull??), and they are nearly 500g or something similar, making me not want to wear them all day while working, listening to music or gaming.
Glad to see the FIIOs in A Tier thinking their design choices will take the coveted spot in S Tier. Wow I have seen DCA at former Circuit Citys and older electronics store maybe Frys Electronics having DCA closed backs available to listen too but never cave in to learn that their the GOAT in the making. Im blown away that even the FT-1 couldnt compete because of the treble performance and cheap built although their cups are offered in American Walnut and also featuring an expanded 60mm drivers. Anyways the DCA E3 at $2000 is a splurge that i never knew was that Bugatti or Koenigsegg Hyper Car type experience that impresses and delivers
We (ZMF) have asked many times not to be reviewed or included in these videos due to the implicit bias at play with a retail (sales) funded headphone review channel. Not saying that is or isn't present here, but I do wish we were left completely out of this, and I believe resolve only has heard most of our headphones only at shows and has not used the tuning kits or alternate pads for most of them. It'd be nice to have more context for the audience when these blanket statements are made.
@@zach915m I actually discovered ZMF through a review channel (Passion for Sound), that’s what led me to the Atrium Closed. Possibly the best purchase I’ve made since entering the Audiophile world.
I own both the Atrium Closed (hey Zach👋) and the MDR-Z1R and I can comfortably state that _both_ are S-tier after hearing ~80% of the high-end closed backs on this list. Sure, the Z1R may not have the last word on technicalities, but as a complete package, it’s hard to beat. Atrium Closed is in the same boat, just cranked to 11. It’s all so subjective, though, as everyone’s HRTF is different. I don’t hear zingy treble in the Z1R for whatever reason, but the HD 800 S was too much for me.🤷 People need to remember that these lists are for entertainment purposes only.
I love closed back headphones. My favorite in my collection are the D7200 (D9200 is hyper-detailed), Sony Z1R (love everything about them), Radiance (very similar to Celestee but looks like Batman headphones and I think that's cool), Aeon2 Noire (fav planar closed in my collection, the Audeze are too bright) and I love the Sundara closed with Dekoni solid sheepskin pads (you almost lose my respect with your hate for them). I loved when I heard Caldara and Verite closed. The FT1 is too exaggerated of a V shape and can be fatiguing (I didn't even try pad swapping because I knew I liked all my others more). I also love my T60RP but only with Brainwavz hybrid angled pads (great bass and great image separation). So many more I want to try. (DACs [Topping E50, SMSL SU9, K11 R-2R] amps [SMSL SH9, xDuoo TA-20, Woo WA6, Aune S17, Topping A70 Pro) portable [BTR5 and Gryphon]).
I think shure srh1540 should at least B, probably A compared to the rest of the list. It has more midbass than usual but not bad. It's good bass and rest of the frequency response is exceptional.
i highly highly recommend the ether cx over the aeon closed x/aeon rt, I'm surprised ether cx is not mentioned on the list. its incredibly smooth/non-peaky in its extension compared to the aeon models, and you can hear the benefits of this in its detail/resolution retrieval, and it doesn't have the inherent pad/channel-balance issues of all the aeon models. it only needs a very simple low and high shelf filter to sound perfect, no need for complex eqing to address any narrow peaks/dips
I had E3 on loan: I wanted to love it, but something about over timbre just sounded so off to me and I could never get past it even with some brain burn-in. It is really well-tuned though, so I'm not surprised to see it so high on the list.
I tried it as Canjam London this year and the response is just whack for my ears, then again I find all DCAs to be so weird, anaemic and can't cope with bass well.
SRH1540 is terribly underrated here. I own them along with the Azurys, HD620S, FT1, D9200 and several other closed backs. In terms of sound quality, the Shures are mostly up there with the HD620S and Azurys. They are a bit heavy on the bass, so some EQ is needed to make them sound balanced. Once you bring down the bass though, they are fantastic and easily B-tier IMO. D9200 may be wonky out of the box, but with some EQ. it's easily an A-tier headphone IMO.
I've tried Fiio FT-1. They are great in terms of sound. But there's a construction weak point. Phones are connected to the headband with little unreliable screws, which can easily rotate and get loose. Be aware of that if you're considering to buy these headphones.
What are you talking about? These are great reliable torx screws. It's the same way headphones for pilots have been constructed for decades! ft1 build quality is top notch really! Doubt you're going to find something better at this price point. Also if you really are worried about the screws just put some blue loctite on them. They will never get lose.
Nah I have the Celeste and the Stella no way the Stella’s are under the Celeste, that just goes to show you that you determine if your headphones are good or not, not RUclips audiophiles
@@DuranInternational I mean some of the takes here are outrageously bad like putting Azurys over Stella, Radience and Celestee is just mind-blowing to me. Like that is just so wrong on so many levels.
to me the dt770 pro is a little higher on the list. it's great sound has lasted how long? 80% of the can on the list will be in the secondary markets in 3-4 years. They are cheap, fun and with any tone control, will be with you for a long time. I have DC Ether's now that I saved up but damn, those dt770's were fun for nearly a decade!
I hope you guys can review the upcoming Kaldas Research Inox, it's not every day you'll see an estat closedback on the market. And widely speaking i'd like to see more estat coverage in the channel. 🙏
Was so hoping you guys would have gotten a chance to review or evaluate the new Adam Audio H200 closed backs. You know, for my buyer's confirmation bias when I chose them for studio tracking and rough mixing double duty over the AKG K371 after only demoing the AKGs in person first. Justin Colletti at SonicScoop likes them as being his most neutral closed backs for mixing if you are not able to use open backs.
I compared them, also threw the DT 770 Pro X LE into the mix. And I also preferred the DT 770 Pro (80 Ohms) over both Pro X models. Even over the K-361. But I heard that there might be quite some unit variation with Beyerdynamics. Maybe I was just lucky with my DT 770 Pro.
@@VeitLehmann Tunning of the DT 700 pro is better than the DT770 imo, but the DT 700 Pro uses a thick felt piece in front of the driver which does blunt the sound somewhat.
I can't speak for the 700's, but i own the DT770(250ohm) and 'had' the DT900 Pro X. The latter, sounded as if there was a veil masking the clarity. It sounded blunted and muffled, and barely that much more open than my DT770's. I'd nail the 900's with a D. They were a total disappointment. Went back to the DT770's and everything sounded more detailed and clearer, but not quite as warm. I wonder how the new DT770 Pro X Limited Editions sound when stacked up against the DT770's. I don't think these guys have reviewed or graded them yet.
Is it possible to create a list of the headphones that most accept EQ adjustment and classification based on the significant change in sound when changing the EQ, and that the quality remains good if you raise the middle or BASS, for example, and it does not become bad?
take the words they said as wind...it's just their opinion. I'm a sound enginner, and there are too much factors to consider to give an honest opinion.
I think the crap that the Sundara Closed and the Audivina get is a bit unwarranted. I have listened to both and enjoyed both. But they aren't really the best. Far from shameful, though. The R9 was also a fun headphone. I appreciate the nice ranking of the HD 620S. That's the one I have tried and kept. It's really good and I enjoy it more than I enjoyed any other Sennheiser. Interestingly, I am also using the Sennheiser Momentum 4 while watching this which it appears Resolve is wearing here so it's fun to see those guys actually using two of my favorite headphones!
Sooo many good (not) closed backs on the market...! And moreover many cans that are expensive, but two cost almost 100$ and are two of the best! Headphones companies I think face a confusion and we as listeners can see that sometimes price is not the only criterion so as to enjoy good sound
It would be great if these lists would include more “consumer products”(for lack of better wording) that allow also some kind of wired mode (Maxwell, Bathys,…) and the reason for these placements. In my opinion it makes the tier list more accessible for the average Joe.
Barely related to the video, but kind of: I discovered something crazy today. You know equal loudness curves? Where you need proportionally more treble and (especially) more bass to hear them as "loud," when the overall SPL is low? Yeah. I listen at super low volumes. (Sensitive ears). I tried cranking volume a bit, and HOLY BASS. Like a completely different EQ (bass boost sound) on Resolve's voice. I turned my volume back down a bit (not even by very much) and NO rumble, no low-end. Turns out I pretty much haven't been hearing any bass in my headphones/IEMs this past year or so I've been trying to get into the hobby. Changes my perspective on headphones quite a bit. Even more tangential: I totally recommend also people mess around with tone generator / manual sine sweep (such as you can do in many EQ apps, including squig link sites) if they want a better understanding of what frequency numbers correspond to what sounds. It's kinda eye-opening, and NOT what I thought it would be. So, as much as people are talking about bass in closed-backs, if people listen at really low SPL like I've been doing, you're not gonna get much bass I think, no matter what the actual headphone model. Something to look out for, I guess. And damn, kinda wish my ears weren't so sensitive. Especially when it's headphones/IEMs, I can tolerate it better on speakers, somehow. I am not sure if seal/fit has also been an issue with the models I'm using, but this IEM "gains" SO MUCH BASS (subjectively) just by raising volume from 8 to 12 in Windows. It's nuts, I hope other people aren't as blindsided by this as I am, but sharing just in case.
Back on topic: Thanks for the video. As a noob, EVERY headphone on the tier list is now on my radar, so I know which ones audiophiles "in the loop" are looking at. I take personal rankings with a huge grain of salt, more like a big ol' sprinkling of salt. BUT. The things you said about the models you like are enough to pique interest and look into them further. And I know enough people like the Beyers that I hope to eventually demo them and give them their fair shake, even if this channel is not a fan of the gigatreble and other stated issues. Watch this tier list to stave off scurvy this holiday season!!!
I still love my eq'd Denon d5200 and I prefer them a little bit over the FT1. Yeah, maybe the bass is not as good as in FT1's (it's terrible, actually) but the treble in them is just magical, every high midrange - treble instrument is very textured, detailed and has a good sense of presence. I have never tried the d9200, but from the graphs I've seen on the internet, d5200 should be a little more interesting and a little less wonky
I've owned 5200 and then switched to 9200 - last better in all possible ways. It hac more resolution, separetion, bass has more impact and textures. No regrets selling 5200 and getting 9200
I've seen both of y'all talk about replacing the pads on the FT1.... What pads would you recommend? I love my FT1s, but for me the pads are just a touch shallow.
Did any of the Shures really catch on besides the 440? I had the 840 and 940 and couldn't get on with their tuning, the 840 was like a V shape with all the sub bass surgically removed, and the 940 was actually pretty good and much more balanced but had a massive treble spike. Never had the urge to check out their lineup again.
ok guys, i bought the FT-1s after listening to them at CanJam SoCal this year and after my refund on the Eris which I wanted to sound great. they have deep bass but the phat needed to be trimmed, perhaps eq was the answer but I am FT-1 happy. i am Sofa King happy. ;^) I would be interested to know more about the mods that were "Resolved" on theFT-1s as unnamed pads and unspecified other mods were mentioned. after having our convo at CJ/SC Mr.DMS, I feel comfortable having you'ns talk to me in your reviews etc. Later.
I own both versions of the sundara headphones. The difference is black and white. Open backs lack bottom end, closed is mid bass heavy with weird highs.
the tier-list actually pissed off a lot of people because DMS ranks things a lot based on frequency tuning, meanwhile most headphone manufacturers making pricey closed backs with good technical performance but esoteric tunings😂😂
@@TheHEADPHONEShow I kinda get it BUT when you start to eq things you can make a pair of LCDs really good but you can’t make the k371 have soundstage😂😂
@@Ryan_3gRi You can though. That's just a skill issue. Okay for real though it's just more challenging to do, because you may need in-ear mics, and understand your own HRTF... and also how you interpret sound at your eardrum as 'soundstage'. Because soundstage is also just an effect.
@ Oh I shouldn’t have used soundstage as an example. You are absolutely right that soundstage is just an effect. Example would be the VSX software(models sound in different environments for mixing) with the Slate VSX headphone can absolutely enhance the soundstage. However when i ran the plugin in Plugin Doctor to check how the software changes the sound in terms of eq, dynamics, harmonics stuffs the result is really complex. I guess I should’ve said that it is harder for people to improve the “detail” of the headphone than the tuning then.
I just got the Senn 620S, glad they made it to B tier. I got them for sound isolation even with the 822 headphones Rtings tested, it’s rated best for it too.
Stellia in C tier!? Give over. I own & love the Celestee as well, but the Stellia absolutely smashes it. As for the MDR... a lot of people LOVE it - I don't think these guys have a clue how to review objectively... and I absolutely believe they're the kind who use music to listen to their gear, rather than the other - correct - way around. Gimps.
Rather than EQ, a pad-swap does wonders... since the Elegia is significantly hindered by its absolutely terrible, shallow, synthetic material earpads that mask how truly amazing it was engineered, including its metal drivers. I recommend deep, angled (real) leather earpads which result in jaw-dropping results, especially with music genres that benefit from a minor increase bass and reduction in treble. (Most do.) My pad-swapped Elegia delivers detail, speed, and dynamics in spades. In fact, I've never heard better. Just get some mounting rings and wrap the aftermarket pads around. I salvaged the rings from my stock pads and never looked back. Want less bass? Get leather pads with inner-surface perforations.
SR7000 is a better version of FT-1, but with less bass. But if you crank up the bass, then it has FT1 beat on all front except price($599). SR7000 also has a hard slippery leather strap that keep sliding off your head. Luckily the stock tuning for the bass is really weak so you don't notice any losses when it slips out not of position on your head. K371 beats both. Mo bass than both SR7000 and FT1, superior richer more weight to the mids than the Sr7000. Slightly cheaper price than FT1 by $20. Not sure why these 2 keep complaining about built quality. It's been 5yrs, AKG already fixed all those issues. Mine is perfect, super light and comfy. Does get Slightly sweaty on ling listening due to the leather pads.
I've heard four units of Aeon X Closed. Two with unusable channel imbalance and two with barely acceptable. The bass is also ass even with EQ. For non-bassy music great.
(Not so) Hot take: HE-R9 wired, if you're not scared of EQ and for current price are a really nice deal now. But out of the box for their asking price at $600? Yeah..... likely F.
I appreciate different voices on the internet. For example I have completely different taste from DMS, I will never rank any DCA headphones above c tier and to me ft1 is also at most a low b or high c. So I guess use this tier list to guide my judgment or decision towards headphones I haven’t tried.
Thanks, I think this was a really needed video, I was trying to swallow the 2 hours one from last year, but it was impossible, now pls do this for open back headphones, is way more comprehensible.
Compared to other internet opinions, you guys always rate Beyerdynamic less positive. Is it just a love it or hate it treble equation. As they are known for their treble "signature". DT 770 pro limited edition, with the different driver, wasn't included. Any thoughts?
I compared all three: DT 770 Pro 80 Ohms, DT 700 Pro X, and DT 770 Pro X LE. The Pro X models are considerably louder/easier to drive. But they have a less balanced bass and treble. Bass on the Pro X models has strong sub bass (very strong on the DT 770 Pro X LE), and some dip in the upper bass. The DT 700 Pro X is a less aggressive in the treble response, almost veiled in comparison. The DT 770 Pro X LE, at least my unit, was very V-shaped, with recessed mids and more aggressive treble compared to the DT 770 Pro. The DT 770 Pro was the most balanced, only the mids were slightly cleaner to my ears on the DT 700 Pro X.
@VeitLehmann Thanks for your elaborate reply! Appreciate it. I have multiple Sennheiser and Hifiman headphones, and I'm purposely looking for something different in my next headphone. Would you recommend the LE or skip Beyerdynamic all together? Only considering the once with detachable cable.
Sony MDR Z7 Mark II: 1:50
Denon AHD 9200: 2:21
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro: 3:49
Rode NTH-100: 3:57
Audeze LCD-2 Closed: 4:11
Audeze LCD-X Closed: 4:16
AKG K361 and K371: 4:38
Dan Clark Audio Aeon X Closed: 5:30
Dan Clark Audio Aeon Noir X: 6:15
Sony MDR Z1R: 7:35
Hifiman R9 and R10: 8:02
Meze 99 Classics: 9:12
Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X: 9:28
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro: 10:45
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x: 11:39
Sennheiser HD 569: 11:44
Sennheiser HD 820: 12:24
Sennheiser HD 620s: 11:59
Hifiman Sundara Closed: 12:50
Focal Stellia: 13:04
Focal Celestee: 13:26
Focal Radiance: 13:37
DCA Stealth: 13:52
ZMF Atrium Closed: 14:29
ZMF Caldera Closed: 14:40
ZMF Verite Closed: 15:12
ZMF Auteur Closed: 15:59
Fostex TH610: 16:05
Audio-Technica W2022: 16:20
Beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro: 17:26
Fostex TH900: 17:57
Focal Utopia: 18:31
DCA E3: 19:21
FT1: 19:53
Timestamps were generated using AI. I did not verify these times but they should be close.
My hero
Thank you!
Not sure if you're looking to edit the list, but 18:31 is Focal Azurys, not Utopia
you are the best
14:02 Hifiman Isvarna
Waiting for a full size video on this one, seems like an interesting can.
S-tier:
Dan Clark Audio E3
A-tier:
Dan Clark Audio Aeon X Closed
Dan Clark Audio Aeon Noir X
ZMF Caldera Closed
ZMF Verite Closed
Focal Azurys
Fiio FT1
B-tier:
AKG K361 and K371
Meze Liric 2
Sony MDR-M1
Sennheiser HD 620S
Focal Celestee
Focal Radiance
Dan Clark Audio Stealth
ZMF Atrium Closed
ZMF Bokeh Closed
AudioTechnica ATH-W2022
C-tier:
Sony MDR Z7 Mark II
Denon AHD 9200
Rode NTH-100
Audeze LCD-X Closed
Sony MDR Z1R
Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X
Neumann NDH20
Sony MDR7506
Sony CD900ST
Beyerdynamic DT 770
Sennheiser HD569
Focal Stellia
D-tier:
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
Audeze LCD-2 Closed
Fostex T60RP
Meze 99 Classics
AudioTechnica ATH-M50X
Hifiman Isvarna
Fostex TH610
Beyerdynamic DT-1770 MKII
Fostex TH900
F-tier:
Hifiman R9
Hifiman R10
Fostex T50RP
Beyerdynamic T5P
Shure 1540
Sennheiser HD820
AudioTechnica ATH-AWAS
AudioTechnica ATH-AWKT
Fostex TH1000RP
Shame-tier:
Hifiman Audivina
Hifiman Sundara Closed
AudioTechnica ATH-AP2000Ti
Having the two hosts pointing towards each other with their face feels so nice from a flow perspective, actually feels like y’all are having a conversation with each other instead of just talking to a camera.
Please do an open back tier list, I've been waiting for an update since the big headphone tier list video.
They said in a live podcast or a video that they think the list is still up to date because the releases this year are mostly not that good.
@@colorrr34 the Tungsten isn't even there, I don't think the Sierra is either, 490 pro isn't there, hifiman unveileds aren't there.
And i want one that considers pad swaps and eq and comfort
@@JohnnyADi they're not going to make a tier list with headphones that they don't sell...
I think they have a bias towards boutique American brands like ZMF, DCA, and Abyss. The latter is the best snake-oil salesman in the industry. But they're fine with that kind of stuff
Thanks for doing this. Quite revealing, especially when you include price as a consideration. I only wish you could have included the Aune SR7000. Hopefully one or both of you will review that one soon.
It's crazy how the FT -1 is such great value while making it to the A tier!
I've had it for about a month now and it's very well tuned. As soon as I put on a random well recorded video or podcast I noticed that there wasn't much that deviated form what I consider "neutral" sounding - that's a good sign. The midsbass Is a bit bloaty just like all the Fostex/Denon/EMU headphones but it's easy to fix with EQ.
The treble? it has a bump somewhere around 5-6k like Resolve said and that can be pinpointed rather easily as well.
Overall it sounds very good and surprisingly open for a closed back. With a few filters it sounds pretty much spot on I would say.
Just when I was about to pull the trigger on a MDR-Z1r as a sidegrade (to my Arya Stealth, Focal Clear MG, Celestee), this comes out and claims a $150-200 Fiio sounds better than a headphone 10 times the price...
@@energiam880I own both, and the Z1R still takes the crown (not surprisingly), but boy is the FT1 a great value.
@@Ca11mero It's neutral? I heard it has a warm V-shaped sound, which is why I'm planning on buying it... So, it doesn't?
@vijeykumar7429 ahh yes, another v shaped headphone to add to what im guessing is a mountain of others collecting dust. I agree. MUST OWN!!!!!!!!!!!!
How do you morally justify that mustache?
dude lost a bet maybe?
High f low d.
Free will
We need to get mustaches back in style
by growing more.
I've owned 3 Aeons of different variants. They all had channel imbalances and Dan Clark Audio refuses to fix it without an exorbitant fee. Even when new.
i own a meze 99neo and while it has been reviewed extremely poorly, i enjoy it so much more that many other headphones i have owned and tried, open or closed 😭
regardless of what objective results measurements can give us, our own preferences dictate what we should or shouldn't to.
Bananas are the most boring fruit for me, yet I'm not going to tell others to not eat them.
take all reviews with a grain of salt, enjoy the entertainment and the gear we might not have heard of.
I have 880s and 770s and a 58x, for example, and I enjoy both. Highs will bother me faster depending on albums or tracks than any can I've heard so far. And yet, they hate most beyers. and ps, I could still hear up to 18.5k till a couple of years ago.
good for you then! reviews are simply just another guy's perspective, use what works for you
You just live playing in the mud
@@En_Joshi-Godrez what some people call mud, other call mid-bass.
@@JohnClarkW people not worthy of respect.
I'm ecstatic because I'm getting the FiiO FT1 for Christmas! Really can't wait, got my amp ready and everything...
I just bought it for my dad and I opened it, tried it, looked up EQs for it. At first I wasn't impressed but one EQ made all the difference: Unheardlab's. It's actually insanely good, and weirdly, the simplest of all the EQs I tried. I just gotta install Peace on his laptop and import the EQ.
Merry Christmas! And? Are you satisfied? Which genre do you listen to?
@Simku Merry Christmas to you as well, kind Sir/Madam! OK so these are by FAR the best over-ears I own. They perform excellently with hiphop, acoustic music, a capella music, everything. I also got the FiiO FP3, FiiO's first planar IEM! These surprised me because of their shallow fit. They are also amazing with a touch of EQ. What about you? Do you own any of these?
@@theonewhostonks Thanks for the reply! I don't own any Fiio products. I'm looking for my first good over the ears headphone to accompany my Sony Walkman A45 that I use to listen to all my lossless albums that I rip from CDs. I'm currently hesitating between the Fiio FT1 and the FT1 Pro model! I know the first is closed and the other is open back. I'm looking for detailed sound. My genres go from symphonic soundtracks to progressive rock to heavy metal with the occasional electro like Daft Punk.
@Simku If you just want sheer detail, the pro may be better for ya. But the regular is NO slouch.
I have the E3 and Arya Organic, so I bought FT1 due to the hype and it's unbelievable how good the bass is. Destroys my E3 and Arya in bass quality and quantity, bass is closest thing to speakers I've heard. With a bit of eq, I prefer it over the E3 too, but still love my Arya for its massive soundstage and sparkle. Also super comfortable for 5+ hours easily.
How do you compare the organic to the e3. If you are forced to have only one, which one would you pick?
@@PKAPE004 Depends on your needs and preferences. For me, especially price considered, I'd choose Organic for its more wow factor sound ie. superior soundstage, air and dynamics.
E3 is perfect if you prefer a neutral signature, it sounds big for a closed back, better build quality than Organic, great sound isolation and the best imaging i've heard on a headphone for gaming.
Both are equally comfortable.
ฉันมี hifiman e xs ฉันอยากอัพเกรดเป็น arya og พี่ชายคิดว่าฉันจะได้รับเสียงที่ดีขึ้นคุ้มค่ากับราคาหรือไม่ 😊
Resolve please tell us what pads you use for the Fiio FT1?
#rez
My FT1s broke after two weeks. Great sound, horrible build quality
Some sort of Yaxi pad for comfort reason, and with eq
Got an FT1 for Christmas! I absolutely love it. Insanely impressive closed back. I had my mom demo it and she absolutely lit up. The only other time I've seen someone respond so euphorically to a headphone demo was when a friend of mine tried my EQ'd Audeze LCD-2. The value proposition on the FT1 makes it a must-own in my opinion, even if you aren't much of a closed-back fan.
"C" Tier for the LCD-XC seems a bit harsh! With proper EQ, I think it beats the S-Tier DCA E3 in terms of sound quality. Prominent reviewer "WaveTheory" said it best when he said in his DCA-E3 review comparisons... "The LCD X closed can sound amazing and probably comes pretty close to what the E3 can do in terms of resolution - it can out do it (the E3) in terms of dynamics and impact." The LCD-XC is also $700 less expensive than the DCA-E3. $700 less with better dynamics and impact than the E3... yes please!
Neither weight or comfort has ever been an issue for me with the LCD-XC.
It makes no difference to me that it needs EQ to sound its best given how easy, and free, it is to add EQ to just about any method of playback. Most people don't pick TV's on the basis of picture quality that looks best "out of the box" - they buy based on picture quality after optimizing all available picture settings. Headphones shouldn't be any different. EQ is just adjusting your settings and nothing more. It's also worth mentioning that there are few headphones which can take EQ as well as the LCD-XC.
I have owned and returned or resold both the DCA E3 and the ZMF Vertie Closed. For me, the LCD-XC beats them both in terms of sound quality and certainly in price.
Audeze Maxwell...? Great review/presentation...!!! Very enjoyable episode...!!!
Thanks for this truly helpful ranking of closed-back headphones. As you noted, Dan Clark Audio models rated especially well. The biggest surprise among the DCA 'phones was the "B" grade for the Stealth (but now I know I don't need to spend $3,000 to $4,000 for top-tier headphones...) However, I admit I'm still suffering from analysis paralysis when choosing between the Drop + Dan Clark Audio Aeon Closed X and the new DCA Noire X. Maybe the most sensible solution is to opt for the value-leading Fiio FT1 and save some cash.
Always a fun watch! Hurts to see Sony Z1R in the middle though. Still one of my favorites! And what happened to ZMF's beautiful Bokeh?!
honestly surprised it's so high. But with EQ it is an epic headphone. One of my favorites if not my favorite.
Can't believe I own an A-Tier headphone featured on this channel. 🤯👍(FiiO FT1 with Capra strap and Dekoni Elite Velour pads)
Which Capra strap fits on the FT1's? I assume the velour pads from Dekoni are the ones for the Fostex TH series?
@@The-Crypt the Sony MDR7506 one is now "Sony MDR7506/FiiO FT1 Comfort Strap"
I hope you are being sarcastic lol
Which ones fit the FT1?
@@Makaveli6103 see my reply
Love my FT1. Bought it out of curiosity (and because I was missing a closed back) and now it's one of my favorites. The fact that I don't miss much coming from a Mest says how good it is.
Guys..take all of this with a HUGE grain of salt. Preferences between these two have more to do with their perceived ranking than anything else. Shape of head, comfort, pads, amps...all of these factors change depending on the gear or the person using it. Also...one major factor is taste. Some people prefer less peaky, more mid bass, others the oposit... also one important thing to consider EQ goes a long way. Just rush to see other reviews of some of the headphones listed here...and you will see that they all differ somewhat.
Missing the Shure SRH840A. Would be interesting where it would have been sorted.
I have the 840a a year before I got the FT1s, nice balanced detailed headphones I was worried that I was going to vastly underwhelmed by a tiny improvement. But I was delighted that the FT1 are miles better.
Audio-technica AWAS/AWKT are crimimally underrated, to place it in F category while Z1R and Stellia are in C is pure nonsense.
It's obvious that they really, really hate those headphones with bright treble. AWAS listens very well to slow songs with female vocals, but I don't think they listen to that kind of music.
Finally, now I have a good and quick overview of closed-backs. Thanks a lot!
Bought the Denon 7200 and LCD 2 Closed and I love them. Sold the AKG K371, sounded terrible...
I have Denon 7200 as I got an extremely good offer on Amazon for 369e for used in very good condition (I am guessing somebody tried them, didn't like it and returned it. About 2 years I have used them as my man headphones for everything , music, gaming etc and I love them especially since I am using EQ. I also always thought they are quite comfortable till I got FT1 a month ago. FT2 simply became my favourite closed back, more comfortable with Amazon sound quality and fun to listen. Bass is extremely good and for 169e it's like a steal. I also owbe meze 109pro and Meze 105 aer (these 2 I am listening more often now, but when I need closed back I back to FT1 with joy. FT1 is a must have for everyone who are building a small headphones collection and like to listening different kind of music.
That was interesting. Resolve knows his headphones but not ANC ones (XM5 lover here). I found the Fiio FT1 ranking interesting. Did not consider it before. I currently have the Focal Elegia and Sony XM5 as closed backs. I think I'll add the Fiio to my collection. Happy holidays and great work in 2024.
I wish you would talk more about the isolation and sound leakage on these closed back rankings. After all those two factors are probably why most people look at a closed back headphone (apart maybe from bass reproduction)
Fiio FT-1 in A-tier. Guess I'll have to try it!
Just remember it have a Sharp peak in 15Khz! I am treble sensitive, but it you are not then go ahead
I’m missing the OG Shure SR840, I like it as much as the M50X, but it’s huge, I look like Doc Brown wearing it, it’s not as comfortable as the M50x.
I have heard that the Sony CD900st and fhe Shure 840 were made by the same engineer and sound the same, although obviously built differently, can anyone confirm?
Yeap, I guess you'll HAVE TO!!!!!!!!!! Gotta keep that collection going
DCA E3 most overrated thing I've ever purchased in my life. I am a music producer and audio engineer, and these are not "fun" nor are they really "revealing" or "critical" like so many audiophiles and reviewers claimed. It made me realize my ears and brain are sensitive to much different things than most audiophiles.
I also found them HIGHLY uncomfortable, the pads never fit quite right, the top headband sucks and hurts my head (why is there hard embroidery being pushed onto my skull??), and they are nearly 500g or something similar, making me not want to wear them all day while working, listening to music or gaming.
No it's because your physical head interacts with it differently. Trying to be pretend you hear things people don't is incredibly childish.
Have you tried the Beyerdynamic T5? I’d recommend you give them a chance.
Resolve committed treason by putting Audeze Xc C tier)
I use mine with the Schiit Nistch, it's not a perfect neutral setup, but that's why I like it. It's got a different flavor from my other setup(s)
I would love a tier list of all "easy to drive" headphones. Open, closed, iems. Basically, best options to run without an amp.
Interesting seeing the 1540s so low, I quite liked them in their pillowy mid-bassy glory. Felt like pajamas.
Glad to see the FIIOs in A Tier thinking their design choices will take the coveted spot in S Tier. Wow I have seen DCA at former Circuit Citys and older electronics store maybe Frys Electronics having DCA closed backs available to listen too but never cave in to learn that their the GOAT in the making. Im blown away that even the FT-1 couldnt compete because of the treble performance and cheap built although their cups are offered in American Walnut and also featuring an expanded 60mm drivers. Anyways the DCA E3 at $2000 is a splurge that i never knew was that Bugatti or Koenigsegg Hyper Car type experience that impresses and delivers
Weird to see Atrium Closed casually listed B when so many people call it S tier
It’s widely considered one of the best closed backs of all time.
We (ZMF) have asked many times not to be reviewed or included in these videos due to the implicit bias at play with a retail (sales) funded headphone review channel. Not saying that is or isn't present here, but I do wish we were left completely out of this, and I believe resolve only has heard most of our headphones only at shows and has not used the tuning kits or alternate pads for most of them. It'd be nice to have more context for the audience when these blanket statements are made.
@@zach915m I actually discovered ZMF through a review channel (Passion for Sound), that’s what led me to the Atrium Closed. Possibly the best purchase I’ve made since entering the Audiophile world.
I own both the Atrium Closed (hey Zach👋) and the MDR-Z1R and I can comfortably state that _both_ are S-tier after hearing ~80% of the high-end closed backs on this list. Sure, the Z1R may not have the last word on technicalities, but as a complete package, it’s hard to beat. Atrium Closed is in the same boat, just cranked to 11.
It’s all so subjective, though, as everyone’s HRTF is different. I don’t hear zingy treble in the Z1R for whatever reason, but the HD 800 S was too much for me.🤷
People need to remember that these lists are for entertainment purposes only.
I love closed back headphones. My favorite in my collection are the D7200 (D9200 is hyper-detailed), Sony Z1R (love everything about them), Radiance (very similar to Celestee but looks like Batman headphones and I think that's cool), Aeon2 Noire (fav planar closed in my collection, the Audeze are too bright) and I love the Sundara closed with Dekoni solid sheepskin pads (you almost lose my respect with your hate for them). I loved when I heard Caldara and Verite closed. The FT1 is too exaggerated of a V shape and can be fatiguing (I didn't even try pad swapping because I knew I liked all my others more). I also love my T60RP but only with Brainwavz hybrid angled pads (great bass and great image separation). So many more I want to try. (DACs [Topping E50, SMSL SU9, K11 R-2R] amps [SMSL SH9, xDuoo TA-20, Woo WA6, Aune S17, Topping A70 Pro) portable [BTR5 and Gryphon]).
I think shure srh1540 should at least B, probably A compared to the rest of the list. It has more midbass than usual but not bad. It's good bass and rest of the frequency response is exceptional.
Can we we all just acknowledge D's incredible glow up over the past few years?
@@ConsecDesign simp lol
Clearly you have a soft spot for DCA headphones. So much so that your definition of musicality is anchored too much in harman curve.
Exactly. Thank God there are other reviewers and everyone has a different preference.
Thanks God we have our own ears and we can like whatever we want
Thank GOD I NEED another headphone just incase the 1000 others i own break (ahem Hifimen) 😂😂😂😂😂
i highly highly recommend the ether cx over the aeon closed x/aeon rt, I'm surprised ether cx is not mentioned on the list. its incredibly smooth/non-peaky in its extension compared to the aeon models, and you can hear the benefits of this in its detail/resolution retrieval, and it doesn't have the inherent pad/channel-balance issues of all the aeon models. it only needs a very simple low and high shelf filter to sound perfect, no need for complex eqing to address any narrow peaks/dips
I had E3 on loan: I wanted to love it, but something about over timbre just sounded so off to me and I could never get past it even with some brain burn-in. It is really well-tuned though, so I'm not surprised to see it so high on the list.
I tried it as Canjam London this year and the response is just whack for my ears, then again I find all DCAs to be so weird, anaemic and can't cope with bass well.
ALL of the 80’s cop shows called. They want their ’stache back.
SRH1540 is terribly underrated here. I own them along with the Azurys, HD620S, FT1, D9200 and several other closed backs. In terms of sound quality, the Shures are mostly up there with the HD620S and Azurys. They are a bit heavy on the bass, so some EQ is needed to make them sound balanced. Once you bring down the bass though, they are fantastic and easily B-tier IMO.
D9200 may be wonky out of the box, but with some EQ. it's easily an A-tier headphone IMO.
I've tried Fiio FT-1. They are great in terms of sound. But there's a construction weak point. Phones are connected to the headband with little unreliable screws, which can easily rotate and get loose. Be aware of that if you're considering to buy these headphones.
Yup. Those screws come off easily. You can put them back on easily but it’s a pain to get the parts if you lose them.
What are you talking about? These are great reliable torx screws. It's the same way headphones for pilots have been constructed for decades! ft1 build quality is top notch really! Doubt you're going to find something better at this price point. Also if you really are worried about the screws just put some blue loctite on them. They will never get lose.
@@svenvanderzwaag1012 I am not the only one that this has happened to. Some people have it even worse in that the screws were stripped.
Would love to see an IEM tier list
Nah I have the Celeste and the Stella no way the Stella’s are under the Celeste, that just goes to show you that you determine if your headphones are good or not, not RUclips audiophiles
@@DuranInternational I mean some of the takes here are outrageously bad like putting Azurys over Stella, Radience and Celestee is just mind-blowing to me. Like that is just so wrong on so many levels.
Lost respect seeing that atrocious take.
Whats the point of owning both of those? Other than mental illness 😂
@ that’s true lol, I guess I like collecting lol
This is the hd820 guy. Mental illness indeed.
to me the dt770 pro is a little higher on the list. it's great sound has lasted how long? 80% of the can on the list will be in the secondary markets in 3-4 years. They are cheap, fun and with any tone control, will be with you for a long time. I have DC Ether's now that I saved up but damn, those dt770's were fun for nearly a decade!
Are you going to do an open back tier list? I’d like that.
Thanks fellas. Never heard about the FT1, but it's an easy blind buy for me now.
@@hemispherecompensation gadgetrytech has a good review on the FT1
"Easy blind buy" is pretty dumb, no? Another MidFi Chi Fi bang for buck to add to the 80 others
@@MrAhuraMazda A tier for 150. Ya it's an easy blind buy
It's Okay for the price...but not a top level as these 2 say. It's a cheapo mid chi fi headphone. Treble is not great...it's meh.
@@hemispherecompensation It's a solid C-
I hope you guys can review the upcoming Kaldas Research Inox, it's not every day you'll see an estat closedback on the market. And widely speaking i'd like to see more estat coverage in the channel. 🙏
Was so hoping you guys would have gotten a chance to review or evaluate the new Adam Audio H200 closed backs. You know, for my buyer's confirmation bias when I chose them for studio tracking and rough mixing double duty over the AKG K371 after only demoing the AKGs in person first.
Justin Colletti at SonicScoop likes them as being his most neutral closed backs for mixing if you are not able to use open backs.
Both Fiio FT1 and FT1pro are very impressive headphones, I believe many experienced enthusiasts are not aware of this matter.
This is probably best used as what not to even consider and then start researching from there.
Ii prefer Stealth over E3, but you need a great amp to get the most out of it. Also, the glass on E3 makes it heavier than necessary.
Let's try to avoid using the word "wonky" over and over again. Perhaps describe the tuning that makes it so?
Surprised where they put the Verité closed. Typically I hear people put it as their end game for closed back at S tier.
It’s been called end game for years
@@blessedred Closed back evolved pretty fast latest two years.
I’d advise a huge pinch of salt with any tier list from these folks
Focal Stella C tier says it all
All of y0u have purchase validation. Headfi is detrimental to mental health and common reasoning.
"Audiophiles listen with their eyes" is the ASR mantra if there ever was one.
Did I understand this correctly now? You like the dt 770 more than the dt 700? I always thought you saw the 700 as a significant improvement...
That's why you shouldn't consider reviews, because everyone has a opnion
A headphone they love maybe is a headphone you hate
I compared them, also threw the DT 770 Pro X LE into the mix. And I also preferred the DT 770 Pro (80 Ohms) over both Pro X models. Even over the K-361. But I heard that there might be quite some unit variation with Beyerdynamics. Maybe I was just lucky with my DT 770 Pro.
@@VeitLehmann Tunning of the DT 700 pro is better than the DT770 imo, but the DT 700 Pro uses a thick felt piece in front of the driver which does blunt the sound somewhat.
@@wfwlan7654 Resolve also changes his opinion a lot after reviews I think he had more time with it and changed his mind.
I can't speak for the 700's, but i own the DT770(250ohm) and 'had' the DT900 Pro X. The latter, sounded as if there was a veil masking the clarity. It sounded blunted and muffled, and barely that much more open than my DT770's. I'd nail the 900's with a D. They were a total disappointment. Went back to the DT770's and everything sounded more detailed and clearer, but not quite as warm.
I wonder how the new DT770 Pro X Limited Editions sound when stacked up against the DT770's. I don't think these guys have reviewed or graded them yet.
My Focal Stellia just got disrespected so hard 💀
It sounds horrid
@@coardtechPersonally, I think they sound amazing. One of, if not the best closed back headphone imo. What do you not like about it?
Aune sr-7000, Sivga 021 Robin, Austrian Audio Hi-x 20/25/60
Is it possible to create a list of the headphones that most accept EQ adjustment and classification based on the significant change in sound when changing the EQ, and that the quality remains good if you raise the middle or BASS, for example, and it does not become bad?
They really left the Emu-Teak out.
Thanks Guys! Looks like I’m destined to try the FT1 Pro. Resistance is frugal but so is giving in at the price point. 🙂
Aww I love my MDR-Z1R for techno. What other thoughts did you guys have about it besides build quality and the treble?
take the words they said as wind...it's just their opinion. I'm a sound enginner, and there are too much factors to consider to give an honest opinion.
@@Mr.Deeds. Absolutely. There is no way FT1 is better LOL
I think the crap that the Sundara Closed and the Audivina get is a bit unwarranted. I have listened to both and enjoyed both. But they aren't really the best. Far from shameful, though. The R9 was also a fun headphone. I appreciate the nice ranking of the HD 620S. That's the one I have tried and kept. It's really good and I enjoy it more than I enjoyed any other Sennheiser. Interestingly, I am also using the Sennheiser Momentum 4 while watching this which it appears Resolve is wearing here so it's fun to see those guys actually using two of my favorite headphones!
Sooo many good (not) closed backs on the market...! And moreover many cans that are expensive, but two cost almost 100$ and are two of the best!
Headphones companies I think face a confusion and we as listeners can see that sometimes price is not the only criterion so as to enjoy good sound
It would be great if these lists would include more “consumer products”(for lack of better wording) that allow also some kind of wired mode (Maxwell, Bathys,…) and the reason for these placements. In my opinion it makes the tier list more accessible for the average Joe.
1:19 do not skin the cat
Aune SR7000 is solid, would like to hear your opinion on it.
Barely related to the video, but kind of: I discovered something crazy today. You know equal loudness curves? Where you need proportionally more treble and (especially) more bass to hear them as "loud," when the overall SPL is low? Yeah. I listen at super low volumes. (Sensitive ears).
I tried cranking volume a bit, and HOLY BASS. Like a completely different EQ (bass boost sound) on Resolve's voice. I turned my volume back down a bit (not even by very much) and NO rumble, no low-end. Turns out I pretty much haven't been hearing any bass in my headphones/IEMs this past year or so I've been trying to get into the hobby. Changes my perspective on headphones quite a bit. Even more tangential: I totally recommend also people mess around with tone generator / manual sine sweep (such as you can do in many EQ apps, including squig link sites) if they want a better understanding of what frequency numbers correspond to what sounds. It's kinda eye-opening, and NOT what I thought it would be.
So, as much as people are talking about bass in closed-backs, if people listen at really low SPL like I've been doing, you're not gonna get much bass I think, no matter what the actual headphone model. Something to look out for, I guess. And damn, kinda wish my ears weren't so sensitive. Especially when it's headphones/IEMs, I can tolerate it better on speakers, somehow.
I am not sure if seal/fit has also been an issue with the models I'm using, but this IEM "gains" SO MUCH BASS (subjectively) just by raising volume from 8 to 12 in Windows. It's nuts, I hope other people aren't as blindsided by this as I am, but sharing just in case.
Back on topic: Thanks for the video. As a noob, EVERY headphone on the tier list is now on my radar, so I know which ones audiophiles "in the loop" are looking at. I take personal rankings with a huge grain of salt, more like a big ol' sprinkling of salt. BUT. The things you said about the models you like are enough to pique interest and look into them further. And I know enough people like the Beyers that I hope to eventually demo them and give them their fair shake, even if this channel is not a fan of the gigatreble and other stated issues.
Watch this tier list to stave off scurvy this holiday season!!!
I still love my eq'd Denon d5200 and I prefer them a little bit over the FT1. Yeah, maybe the bass is not as good as in FT1's (it's terrible, actually) but the treble in them is just magical, every high midrange - treble instrument is very textured, detailed and has a good sense of presence. I have never tried the d9200, but from the graphs I've seen on the internet, d5200 should be a little more interesting and a little less wonky
I've owned 5200 and then switched to 9200 - last better in all possible ways. It hac more resolution, separetion, bass has more impact and textures. No regrets selling 5200 and getting 9200
I've seen both of y'all talk about replacing the pads on the FT1.... What pads would you recommend? I love my FT1s, but for me the pads are just a touch shallow.
That basically skipped over all the closed back headphones I own
What about:
akg k553,
Shure srh840 or basically all of Shure
Hifi/drop r7dx
?
Did any of the Shures really catch on besides the 440?
I had the 840 and 940 and couldn't get on with their tuning, the 840 was like a V shape with all the sub bass surgically removed, and the 940 was actually pretty good and much more balanced but had a massive treble spike. Never had the urge to check out their lineup again.
I preferred the K553 MKII over the FT1. The last one was really good, but it had a kind of "commercial sound" that I didn´t enjoy that much.
@@octaviodiaz938 "Commercial sound" is pure gibberish. The FT1 is amazing.
@@quackgarage9551 FT1 is a nice headphone, but not amazing, don't be a fan boy
ok guys, i bought the FT-1s after listening to them at CanJam SoCal this year and after my refund on the Eris which I wanted to sound great. they have deep bass but the phat needed to be trimmed, perhaps eq was the answer but I am FT-1 happy. i am Sofa King happy. ;^) I would be interested to know more about the mods that were "Resolved" on theFT-1s as unnamed pads and unspecified other mods were mentioned. after having our convo at CJ/SC Mr.DMS, I feel comfortable having you'ns talk to me in your reviews etc. Later.
No mention of the Focal Lensys? Those have been out for some weeks by now. Curious where those would land
These Tier Lists always confuse me, e.g. why put the 1770 Mk1 almost in B and the 1770 Mk2 in D? 😭
How about Focal lensys professional? And I want to know about Ollo audio X1 in the next tier list. Thanks always.
Focal Stellia C tier lol
I watched this listening on my DCA/Drop Aeon Closed Xs. They needed some EQ for me, but I love them with my Schitt Hel 2 dac/amp
Im trying to get the focal azurys for christmas, this just gave me so much purchase validation😭
I still use the AKG-K553mkII, it is easier to maintain and lasts longer than the 371.
I own both versions of the sundara headphones. The difference is black and white. Open backs lack bottom end, closed is mid bass heavy with weird highs.
Really wanna see where Neumann sit in this rank
the tier-list actually pissed off a lot of people because DMS ranks things a lot based on frequency tuning, meanwhile most headphone manufacturers making pricey closed backs with good technical performance but esoteric tunings😂😂
Technical performance is FR. People just don't understand it correctly.
@@TheHEADPHONEShow I kinda get it BUT when you start to eq things you can make a pair of LCDs really good but you can’t make the k371 have soundstage😂😂
@@Ryan_3gRi You can though. That's just a skill issue. Okay for real though it's just more challenging to do, because you may need in-ear mics, and understand your own HRTF... and also how you interpret sound at your eardrum as 'soundstage'. Because soundstage is also just an effect.
@ Oh I shouldn’t have used soundstage as an example. You are absolutely right that soundstage is just an effect. Example would be the VSX software(models sound in different environments for mixing) with the Slate VSX headphone can absolutely enhance the soundstage. However when i ran the plugin in Plugin Doctor to check how the software changes the sound in terms of eq, dynamics, harmonics stuffs the result is really complex.
I guess I should’ve said that it is harder for people to improve the “detail” of the headphone than the tuning then.
@@Ryan_3gRi Yeah like, I'd agree that it's hard to do, but not impossible!
if you have to EQ it then the results varies by person. This list should be based solely on the factory sound and configuration.
Love that I almost ACCIDENTALLY bought an A tier closed back! I LOVE my FT1s! Seriously considering the FT1 Pros for my first open backs...
FT1 have a sharpy peak in the 15Khz, FT1 Pro have better balanced trebles
@@TheKlangSevenno one cares, Klang
Comfort/Pads are really the only things slightly bothering me with the FT1. Any Pad-Proposals? Cheers
Where do you guys think would sit in this tier list an affordable open back headphone like the sennheiser hd560S?
Love this! Would really like to see maxwell in there too though
Add emu teak to the list? Also like many said, ft1 pad recommendations?
I just got the Senn 620S, glad they made it to B tier.
I got them for sound isolation even with the 822 headphones Rtings tested, it’s rated best for it too.
Note: they don’t have a section for passive noice isolation so I went though all from best to worst and ignored all using active noice cancelling.
What about dca ether c flow?
Stellia in C tier!? Give over. I own & love the Celestee as well, but the Stellia absolutely smashes it.
As for the MDR... a lot of people LOVE it - I don't think these guys have a clue how to review objectively... and I absolutely believe they're the kind who use music to listen to their gear, rather than the other - correct - way around. Gimps.
I listened to a bunch of Focals a few weeks ago, all new, and didn't like a single one. It's just different for different people.
@RavnHood sure & that's fine but reviewers need to be objective. Focal have a lot of fans & putting the Celestee below the Stellia is a joke.
Don't forget the good ol' Elegia. Wonky without EQ, but with EQ, it's better than Azurys IMO.
Rather than EQ, a pad-swap does wonders... since the Elegia is significantly hindered by its absolutely terrible, shallow, synthetic material earpads that mask how truly amazing it was engineered, including its metal drivers. I recommend deep, angled (real) leather earpads which result in jaw-dropping results, especially with music genres that benefit from a minor increase bass and reduction in treble. (Most do.) My pad-swapped Elegia delivers detail, speed, and dynamics in spades. In fact, I've never heard better. Just get some mounting rings and wrap the aftermarket pads around. I salvaged the rings from my stock pads and never looked back. Want less bass? Get leather pads with inner-surface perforations.
Aune SR700?
SR7000 is a better version of FT-1, but with less bass. But if you crank up the bass, then it has FT1 beat on all front except price($599). SR7000 also has a hard slippery leather strap that keep sliding off your head. Luckily the stock tuning for the bass is really weak so you don't notice any losses when it slips out not of position on your head.
K371 beats both. Mo bass than both SR7000 and FT1, superior richer more weight to the mids than the Sr7000. Slightly cheaper price than FT1 by $20.
Not sure why these 2 keep complaining about built quality. It's been 5yrs, AKG already fixed all those issues. Mine is perfect, super light and comfy. Does get Slightly sweaty on ling listening due to the leather pads.
I've heard four units of Aeon X Closed. Two with unusable channel imbalance and two with barely acceptable. The bass is also ass even with EQ. For non-bassy music great.
a bit sterile sounding to me as well
(Not so) Hot take: HE-R9 wired, if you're not scared of EQ and for current price are a really nice deal now. But out of the box for their asking price at $600? Yeah..... likely F.
No denon d7200?
DMS...with that stash, your new name is 'Johnny Stacks' from here on out.
Surprised at the Z1R's ranking
You shouldn’t be look at all the Japanese headphones on the list
They are DCA fans. Not Japanese headphones fans
I appreciate different voices on the internet. For example I have completely different taste from DMS, I will never rank any DCA headphones above c tier and to me ft1 is also at most a low b or high c. So I guess use this tier list to guide my judgment or decision towards headphones I haven’t tried.
@justperson3542 Yes, ATH-AWAS below the Hifimans just hurts.
Thanks, I think this was a really needed video, I was trying to swallow the 2 hours one from last year, but it was impossible, now pls do this for open back headphones, is way more comprehensible.
Compared to other internet opinions, you guys always rate Beyerdynamic less positive. Is it just a love it or hate it treble equation. As they are known for their treble "signature". DT 770 pro limited edition, with the different driver, wasn't included. Any thoughts?
I compared all three: DT 770 Pro 80 Ohms, DT 700 Pro X, and DT 770 Pro X LE. The Pro X models are considerably louder/easier to drive. But they have a less balanced bass and treble. Bass on the Pro X models has strong sub bass (very strong on the DT 770 Pro X LE), and some dip in the upper bass. The DT 700 Pro X is a less aggressive in the treble response, almost veiled in comparison. The DT 770 Pro X LE, at least my unit, was very V-shaped, with recessed mids and more aggressive treble compared to the DT 770 Pro. The DT 770 Pro was the most balanced, only the mids were slightly cleaner to my ears on the DT 700 Pro X.
I loved my beyer until I got my sundara. Now the beyer sound like tin cans on my ears.
@VeitLehmann Thanks for your elaborate reply! Appreciate it. I have multiple Sennheiser and Hifiman headphones, and I'm purposely looking for something different in my next headphone. Would you recommend the LE or skip Beyerdynamic all together? Only considering the once with detachable cable.
@@DhrROMC Just skip Beyerdynamic all together. You are not missing out on anything.
@@kristoffer8740 Crazy take on a century of professional use that suggests otherwise...but sure 🤷♂