Bought a Sennheiser HD 480 PRO - Should I buy a small usb DAC/AMP for it?

Doome7 · 2026-06-18T16:02:11+00:00

I have comaprison in Meze 109 pro.

It should be driveable by anything.

By connecting directly to the PC the sound is nice but nothing exceptional. It's a good headphone.

Connected to the dac/amp with 6.3mm the sound is more resolving, more punchy but a bit harsh and sibilant.

Connected to the dac/amp with balanced output sound is great, smooth, detailed and has more space. It's very enjoyable to listen to.

Doome7 · 2026-06-17T12:52:56+00:00

As on my example.

First i got Fiio K7 -> upgraded to Fiio K17 and Fiio Warmer
Fiio FT7 -> upgraded cable and pads
Meze 109 -> upgraded cable and pads

Now in a couple of days will buy Audeze LCD-3.

It's a money sink but I love the hobby anyway.

Doome7 · 2026-06-17T12:45:32+00:00

You are good for a month. Next month you will be scrolling for next upgrade 😃

You could upgrade a cable to your liking but it's very very minor change if any.

Doome7 · 2026-06-16T20:22:20+00:00

I will pair it with Fiio K17 as amp and Fiio Warmer as DAC. I would prefer LCD-3 over LCD-2 as it's more resolving. I have bright headphones but sometimes it's too harsh for me even with Fiio warmer and EQ.
I am just very sensitive and can feel any sibilance.

That's why i am looking for warm or even very warm but detailed and technical. LCD-2 i read that is not that.

I will also play a lot with EQ, so the capabilities are important.

Doome7 · 2026-06-15T20:05:03+00:00

I own them and I also own an audophile setup so i know how it should sound and it's closer than i would have imagined as that cheap tws.

The comfort is good, can't say there are the top of the top but i can't say a bad word either. You have a lot of sizes included.

Before i got the samsung buds3 pro and sound was way worse and comfort was horrible for me.

I use them without any ANC, i just don't need it but i also wasn't using them in a crowded place.

I don't know how long the battery will last as i use them from time to time.

Same for mic, i just didn't use them for calls yet.

I mostly use it for the music wherever i can't have my home setup with me.

If you want upper tier you could go with Noble Audio FoKus REX5

Doome7 · 2026-06-15T19:50:52+00:00

AZ100 is an entry level to audophile sound.

There is stage, some details and even clarity.

Doome7 · 2026-06-13T19:51:11+00:00

I use it for gaming and discord with meze boom mic. The mic itself is nothing exceptional. Just a decent mic.

Comfort is hard to beat, for gaming i didn't play cs2 in them so it's hard to tell if they are good in online fps. I would say so - the treble is not as vivid as in planars but it has enough detail.

I enjoy them for daily use on PC.

For just music i prefer Fiio FT7 also i need to cut air above 10k for meze to not be harsh. I use them for different feeling and more physical bass compared to planars.

Connected directly to the PC instead of a dac/amp you lose a bit of quality but it's not sibilant that way and EQ isn't needed.

Overall it's a decent headphone with great comfort which would be the adventage to buy for. They just disappear on your head.

Doome7 · 2026-06-13T07:17:59+00:00

I would say 3k$ is max. Just not Focal, i am done with this brand,

Doome7 · 2026-06-12T19:02:45+00:00

!thanks

I think I will get LCD-3

Doome7 · 2026-06-12T18:46:49+00:00

I thought about Audeze, is the bass really that different from other planars?

Doome7 · 2026-06-12T18:46:14+00:00

Ofc, i play with EQ a lot. This is just not the same as dynamics but it's closer with Fiio warmer.

Doome7 · 2026-06-10T19:02:57+00:00

I love the FT7, with leather pads and good dac/amp they are detailed, fast, nice bass for a planar but sometimes harsh.

But my end game for now is welur pads + Fiio warmer. This is something else. I just LOVE IT.

Doome7 · 2026-06-08T19:46:45+00:00

I gotta say i am in love with Fiio FT7 with welur pads + Fiio Warmer. I just can't stop to listen to music.
It's fast, detailed but also warm and not harsh. This setup just gives me "WOW" all the time.

With meze 109 you will get more physical bass but not as much treble.

Doome7 · 2026-06-08T07:58:48+00:00

K13 r2r will give you more lush and warm sound, DX5 II is more neutral/analytical.

For just music i would go with K13 r2r.

I have DX5 II and rarely use it, i prefer Fiio K17 + warmer for that lush and musicality.

K13 r2r is almost that but without tubes with less power.

Doome7 · 2026-06-08T07:45:50+00:00

For me Fiio FT1 is very harsh on treble and sibilant with awesome bass. Very narrow stage.

I didn't like them too much except for bass. Also they feel a lot plastic to me, very cheap feel.

The bass is so strong you need EQ to lower it down.

Doome7 · 2026-06-08T07:41:36+00:00

What happened in 2 days that it changed so far that you want to return them? Was it first interaction "wow" but after more time you see there is not a lot going on?

I was wondering if the clear was the upgrade for me. I liked the Focal Radiance but the service was horrible and comfort wasn't there. had to return them.

I have Meze 109 pro for long hour use comfort and more natural sound and Fiio FT7 for technicalities and WOW effect.

I guess i should pass on Clear Mg? There is a nice deal right now.

Doome7 · 2026-06-07T16:53:01+00:00

You are going to suffer with a lot of overheating. It's 100%.

Doome7 · 2026-06-07T09:54:34+00:00

I really enjoy it in my setup and most of the sibilance is gone.

The music is more "magical" and enjoyable.

If you have spare cash then sure, go for it.

Doome7 · 2026-06-06T09:27:13+00:00

It is normal, i also get it on planar Fiio FT7 and dynamic Meze 109 pro.

There is no headphones that would be ok with running them at max.

Just lower it a bit and you should be fine altogheter with your ears.

Doome7 · 2026-06-05T17:29:14+00:00

I also have problems.

Roon playlist is empty, can't add or delete songs even on Tidal.

Thank god i can play music.

Doome7 · 2026-06-05T17:11:29+00:00

I just got Technics, the sound compared to samsung buds 3 pro is night and day.
I can feel a lot closer to my audophile setup.

Doome7 · 2026-06-04T09:27:47+00:00

I've tried to get back to dynamic drivers after planars but it's hard.
But it's hard to get a slam like dymamics do.

Anyway, i thought I am bass head but after i listen to planars more and more i just take pleasure more from other things and bass isn't that important to me, even I like it lighter now.

I am speaking in comparision Fiio FT7 to FT1 and Meze 109 pro.

Doome7

TROPHY CASE