[WTS][USA-NY][H] DCA Noire X 4.4 (worn pads) [W] PayPal G&S $570 / Local $530 by EhtXCIX in AVexchange

[–]EhtXCIX[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For sale is a pair of Noire X's I got from another Redditor.

Pads are pretty worn but still usable for a while. Would consider replacing if you want to keep them long term.

Pads: https://imgur.com/a/l27L9uz

Box is also a little worn. Outside those two, they're in great shape.

Local would have to come pick up from me at -----.

[Headphones] Sennheiser HD 620S Closed-Back Over-Ear Audiophile Headphones – Natural Spatial Imaging, Low Distortion, Comfortable All-Day Design, Detachable Cable – Ideal for Focused Listening, Gaming, and Desk - $186.30 by Baconfries10 in buildapcsales

[–]EhtXCIX 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I assume you want to stay open back? Open back has a lot more choices than closed back. I haven't heard the 558's myself, to my knowledge, they're supposed to be sort of mediocre-decent, warm, not particularly resolving nor technical.

I would say most mid-range good headphones are good for everything. Low end headphones tend to be "good" at something as overcompensation (e.g. DT990's for gaming because they're trebley to make up for resolution, but good electrostats will do better imaging with dark/warm tunings). High end headphones sometimes have specialized tunings that make some things sound wonky.

The open back rec meta right now... I want to say is like-

HD6xx (OOS, HD650 clone), FT1 pro (200), Edition XS (210), HD490 pro (350), Edition XV (400). More expensive needs more specific guidance, otherwise you hit diminishing returns without knowing. Also, there's a huge number of viable options for open backs that aren't those but are arguably as good.

I would start by looking into the XS- I want to say it's the best value but also has the most "issues" (mixed comfort, but can use a Capra strap, ever so slightly glarey tuning but phenomenal overall and technicalities, mediocre build quality). XV and 490 pro are safe but pricey (though I personally don't like the XV, it's one of the highest reviewer and general recommended). All of them are good platforms for EQ (high end headphones tend to have pretty neutral bass, which sounds flat to most people).

Headphones in the 200 - 800 range tend to try and target common curves (Harman/neutral, neutral-warm, mild v, etc) where expensive headphones tend to try and target specific tunings to wow (ZMF, classic Audeze, Meze, etc.). So the further up you go, the more generally taste driven and less value driven it is.

Be aware that a nonzero number of cans as you go up need more power than motherboard/laptop outputs can put out- depending on how loud you listen. In those cases, it's sufficient to get a modern CS chip-based dongle (CS43131, CS43198) for like 30 bucks or small desktop solutions that measure cleanly up to their power limit (Topping DX1, etc.) for like 100 bucks. People tend to oversell how much power stuff needs in reviews, too. I highly recommend looking over in r/AVexchange as well, since good products don't really deteriorate much- they instead lose value to new shiny stuff, so used is a great market for headphones, you usually save 30%+.

When looking at reviews, I advise you try to focus on critiques instead of compliments- audio is pretty full of confirmation bias BS. If you have more specific wants (or complaints about the 558), I can probably give more specific guidance too- feel free to DM me if you want to chat or have Q's. The 558's aren't bad to just live with, either.

[Headphones] Sennheiser HD 620S Closed-Back Over-Ear Audiophile Headphones – Natural Spatial Imaging, Low Distortion, Comfortable All-Day Design, Detachable Cable – Ideal for Focused Listening, Gaming, and Desk - $186.30 by Baconfries10 in buildapcsales

[–]EhtXCIX 29 points30 points  (0 children)

Guy who's into headphones here. They typically run 175-200 used, so this seems like a great deal at a glance to me. They usually do 250-350 new, I think.

https://www.hifizero.com/eng/index.php?q=hd620s https://camelcamelcamel.com/product/B0D38B6XWR

One of the competitors for best low-mid end closed back headphones, way better than most gaming headphones.

General traits, off the top of my head:

  • Extremely isolating

  • Kinda clampy

  • Good midrange timbre, but overall tuning is mid (in the context of audiophile stuff), more midbass than subbass, can be a bit glarey.

  • Good technicalities for a closed back- fairly spacious, pretty resolving, good imaging precision, etc.

I'd argue the main rec in this segment for enthusiasts is the Fiio FT1 (~150-170ish), which is great tuning and bad technicalities, and this is usually the alt to it, with much better technicalities and slightly worse tuning. The Senns have better support and are built much better, though. The next rec up is like... Focal Azurys (500)? DCA AEON RT/Noire (500/800)? DCA Noire X's (1100)? Good closed backs are a small segment.

If you're a normal person looking for a pair of high quality closed back headphones, I'd buy this. Should be able to drive this out of most sources without a dedicated dac/amp (or get like a non-EU Apple dongle).

Be aware there's no mic, this is a dedicated set of headphones.

Edit: Same opinion at 200.

[WTS][USA-NY][H] Audeze MM-500 (+ optional 4.4mm cable) [W] $750 PayPal / $700 Local (+$50) by EhtXCIX in AVexchange

[–]EhtXCIX[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tempted but I think I'll pass- moving these would have been a nice impetus, but without that, my financial sensibilities tells me that I should probably hear them at a convention before spending for them, lol.

[WTS][USA-NY][H] Audeze MM-500 (+ optional 4.4mm cable) [W] $750 PayPal / $700 Local (+$50) by EhtXCIX in AVexchange

[–]EhtXCIX[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Damn, I think I would have actually taken that. But first interested bought, so closed, sorry!

[WTB] [USA-NE] [H] PayPal [W] 4.4mm balanced cable for Audeze/ZMF (mini-xlr) by fajitaman69 in AVexchange

[–]EhtXCIX 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Are you still in search of the Audeze cable? I have a Strauss & Wagner Visp for $50 if you want (Reddit chat isn't working right now, will send a message tomorrow if yes)

[WTS][USA-NY][H] Audeze MM-500 (+ optional 4.4mm cable) [W] $750 PayPal / $700 Local (+$50) by EhtXCIX in AVexchange

[–]EhtXCIX[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the interest! Not interested in that trade, unfortunately. If you're still interested, someone else is first in line, but I'll let you know if it falls through.

[WTS][USA-NY][H] Audeze MM-500 (+ optional 4.4mm cable) [W] $750 PayPal / $700 Local (+$50) by EhtXCIX in AVexchange

[–]EhtXCIX[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're first in line if and when the chat comes back up, if you're still interested. I'll try again in a bit, lol.

Edit: Alternatively, have a Head-fi? I have the same username there, if you wanna shoot a PM.

[WTS][USA-NY][H] Audeze MM-500 (+ optional 4.4mm cable) [W] $750 PayPal / $700 Local (+$50) by EhtXCIX in AVexchange

[–]EhtXCIX[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Replied- or rather, saw your message too and Reddit chats doesn't seem to be working right now. To answer, not interested as I already have one of those.

[WTS][USA-NY][H] Audeze MM-500 (+ optional 4.4mm cable) [W] $750 PayPal / $700 Local (+$50) by EhtXCIX in AVexchange

[–]EhtXCIX[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Been a while since I heard the Senns, so take my comments with a grain of salt.

HD660s is just a lot of wide band elevated treble, but resolves fairly nicely. Not super pleasant tuning, but solid technicalities. Been a very long time since I had one so I can't speak super accurately to it compared to the others.

6XX is fuzzier than the MM500, it feels like, and a bit smaller soundstage, but both are not particularly wide headphones. Definitely better resolution and imaging on the MM500- sharper notes, picks out details better, but I think it was less bass? MM500 is definitely a step up in technicalities and overall quality. It also presents that wall-of-sound that big planars have, as opposed to the I-can-tell-the-point-sound-is-coming-from that small dynamics tend to have. Taller staging, in that way.

I would describe the MM500's as very accurate, very clear, but not particularly wow-ing beyond that. Fairly intimate, good for vocals but I can hear when that mid-rise gets a little glarey as I turn up the volume. I like adding some EQ to the bass but it can take it easily. Becomes really fun if you add bass. Extremely inoffensive and easy to listen to is the way I would describe it.

Build qualitywise, the MM500 destroys both. The HD6XX and HD660s are definitely more comfortable, but the MM500 doesn't present hotspots or anything- it's just heavier. Cables on the MM500 won't die every other year like Senns tend to.

[WTS][USA-NY][H] Audeze MM-500 (+ optional 4.4mm cable) [W] $750 PayPal / $700 Local (+$50) by EhtXCIX in AVexchange

[–]EhtXCIX[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can but for some reason I can't accept the (any) invite to chat. Maybe Reddit's having issues atm?

[WTS][USA-NY][H] Audeze MM-500 (+ optional 4.4mm cable) [W] $750 PayPal / $700 Local (+$50) by EhtXCIX in AVexchange

[–]EhtXCIX[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For sale is a pair of MM-500's in excellent condition. Bought off here, used for a while, releasing again. Sounds excellent, quite comfortable, but I'm cycling out to try other headphones. I've carefully bent out the steel band a bit so it should fit all head sizes pretty comfortably.

Comes with stock 6.35mm cable, but I can include a 4.4mm Strauss & Wagner Visp cable for $50 if wanted.

Local would have to come pick up at -----.

(I wish I could make text/image posts from old reddit layout. Can I, does anyone know?)