proud owner of two of the f tier headphones, m50x and dt990. i have to say it's fun rotating between these two. when im tired of m50x inplanting a subwoofer in my head, i'll just switch to dt990 for the mellow banshee noise. perfectly balanced, as all things should be.
dont worry, its just his personal opinion, i have a Sundaras, a tier A, and i love them... and i still love my m50xs too (I sold them to buy something more expensive).. so... dont worry, in adition, i have an argons and in certain cases (for fun listening) i prefer them over the sundaras by far... DMS have a tier with Joshua, i think thats a better tier list because those are two opinions of "experts" contrasting in a final result, sorry for my english
0:53 "it doesnt' have any reason to exist. It's built like it's from the 1970s, it smells like it's from the 1970s, and it sounds like hearing loss" omg xD this is poetry right here
@@Michalos86 I've got a pair of 1990 Pros and I'm finding them to be fantastic so far. I guess that's the thing with headphones and music; everyone's different.
@@TheKazragoreMost peoples ears are actually quite similar in blind test it was found that most of the time people prefer the most neutral device which the 1990 pro certainly arent because of the boost in treble as Jakub obviously heard.
@@TheKazragore I am aware that some people like this headphone. I like M50x for Tool and similar music. Some instruments sounded really natural (drums). As some reviewers said, I'm also sure it's a great hp for pros.
It really shocked me when Clear was put in S tier but HD800S just B. I switched between them and finally found HD800S much more comfortable, detailed, clear (lol), and open. Yes, my pair's frequency response also sounds unacceptable, but with a proper equalizer, it is just amazing.
Was not surprised cause i know he doesnt like the x2's then again lts his opinion.... I think the x2's are awsome and are one of the most comfortable headphones that exist to me very very weird he put them in f tier ...!!!!
PR3T I found him recently so I’m still don’t really know his taste yet. Yeah true they are very comfortable and for my use case they also sound good to me. Manufacturing is also quite good for the price, some times you can finden them under 100. But oh well sound is so objective.
I picked up a pair for 66 bucks back in November and for that price I see no issue with them. I enjoy them for gaming mostly however I have issues with the material on the pads. They're scratchy imo. I hand washed them with conditioners and sun dried them to mellow them out a bit. Also tried swapping pads but the default ones sound best. It's a boomy headset with great sound staging. If someone bought them for detail I could definitely see the disappointment factor.
Good video; however, I have to strongly disagree with DT 990 Pro being in the 'F' category/tier. I own the 80 Ohm version of the DT 990's and they are great, not bright like alot of reviews have said about the 250 Ohm version and need very little EQ to smooth the frequency response out. If you were dropping the DT 990's to the F tier based on your time spent with the 250 Ohm version only, they you may be right; but, I can't comment on how the 250 Ohm version sounds as I haven't heard them myself. You should probably get your hands on an 80 Ohm version of the DT 990's and post a review :).
When i bought the Fidelio X2 about 7 years ago it was by far the most expensive headphone i ever got, the KOSS porta pro being the next most expensive in my collection. I like the X2 a lot, it's good with everything you throw at it, music, gaming, movies, anything really. I can't say how it stacks today with all the Sundaras and whatnot but i learned to appreciate a good all rounder. I even use my Porta pros just fine today because of the ease of use and the fact that these buggers refuse to die no matter what i do to them. I would not put it in the dumpster fire category though.
I agree with a lot of this but to say the X2's are a dumpster fire ?..... Especially for the price and how easy they are to drive. Any chance you could elaborate?
@I will do the fortnite dance on u those headphones are entirely different... and id rather listen to the Beats marketing team than to r/headphones for audio advice.
I have the X2s and I hate them like DMS. Really heavy/uncomfortable and a sharp, unpleasnt tone to them. Not necessarily too much treble, it just sounds harsh and grating to me, not splahy/ sizzley like bright headphones are
Currently in tears after watching this video on DT990 Pros which are IMO C tier. After EQ they sound near perfect to me. you can really get that bass extension out of them without them distorting which is rare in lower priced open headphones. If EQ isn't an option and you are treble sensitive, I can absolutely understand why you would F tier them as the ear fatigue would negate how incredibly comfortable these headphones are.
I also have the Dt990 Pros and I nearly choked when I saw him putting it in F. I have not experienced a single headphone under 250€, which are better than those. And I tested a lot of them over the last years. HD560s, K712 Pro, Hifiman HE 400i (which is pretty good tho, if you like vocal and acoustic music), Dt770, even better than the Aduioquest Nighthawks and HD660S (which both were a dissapointment to me) The Dt990 has a great soundstage and also manages to fill it! Those are also the most realistic and immersive sounding headphone that I tested under 250. It has a little bit more bass and treble than truly neutral headphones like HD650 for example, but never that much that is actually bothered me in any way. I use them for my piano (VST) and as a 2nd option for some audio work and they never dissapointed me. The only reason why I am not using them saily as PC / music headphones is because I can't wear them longer than an hour, when they start to hurt. But this might be because the pads are already quite flats and my ears touch stuff on the inside, that they probably aren't supposed to ;) I have HD560S for this purpose rn. But only because of their superb Sennheiser comfort. They sound noticably worse than my Dt990s every time I compare them. If someone wants a headphone under 200€ and is able to power them, I'd always recommend the Dt990 Pros. And I have never experienced someone, who was actually dissapointed.
@@juicy_oranges5529 okay when you start saying 990s>560s...you start losing a bit of credibility here. It's clearly some special love for the 990.. In no world is the 990 close to the 560.. 880? Maybe..990? No! Lol
@@rajeebdas1724 He doesn't. I have both right next to me, the Sennheiser HD560s (2023) and DT 990 (edition). I run both with an external Analog Amp + EQ (if needed). The Sennheiser HD560s doesn't even come close to a DT990, once both are EQ, the DT990 destroys in that price range. Bass is really good and doesn't distort (unlike the trash DT900 Pro X, which I had too), Mids are neutral and the Treble peak gone, wonderful headphone. The Sennheiser HD560s? You can throw em away. You want Bass? Too bad, because once you amplify it, the headphone just distorts or the housing rattles, letting Sound loose, making everything sound just insanely muddy and bad. Clarity? Well it's very good on these, but it got SO GOOD, that it hurts. You hear every detail in a song and this isn't meant in a GOOD way, you hear bad recordings etc. too, which means Music is insanely unjoyable. Also because lack of existing BASS and maybe troublesome Treble at times these sound boring and get on your nerve more often than ever. When I had them, I couldn't listen to ROCK anymore, EDM Genre was definitely gone for good, so for what is it good? Mozart? Funny Story. I wanted a Headset, when I go somewhere and stay at a friends house, so got myself the Logitech Pro X for 60$. I was curious, so I EQ'd them and hooked them up to my Pioneer Analog AMP. It's safe to say after 2 days worth of listening the Sennheiser HD560s are WORSE than some "rubbish" 60$ "Gaming Headphones" After my DT990 Died, I just took the Logitech Pro X and it is currently my daily Driver. I will repair the DT990 again, since they are just incredible, the DT900 Pro X I got rid for good (Trash, 4/10 rating) and the Sennheiser HD560s I will get rid now, since 200$ for this crap is just laughable. If you are too naive to think that a Cheap "Gaming" headset can be better, just check the Frequency response on both. Never Trash talk the DT990 again if you don't own any of em. EDIT: The Sennheiser 560s Clamp worse is the worst I have felt in a long time and makes wearing them impossible for me, atleast longer than 1 hour. Uncomfortable, makes Music sound horrible, really dumb connector (2.5), Bass is non-existent and can't be amplified, insane price, FULL PLASTIC (even the headband), low amount of replacement parts once things break, it's plastic so it's gonna break someday.
Nice vid! Glad to see you put the LCD-X in A. I will never forget the sound of that thing. Pure butter. Unpopular opinion: I hated the P7 and thought it was a muddy bloaty mess, but actually really liked the P9 and I think I've commented this somewhere on your vids. It's been awhile since I've heard one (2-3 years) but I thought it was done really well. Worth the price? Nah. Too spensive. It would be interesting to hear it again and see if my thoughts have changed. Thought the Ananda should have been bumped up to A, but I can maybe see why you didn't because of the treble. I too thought it was a tad funky, but it's like such a minor thing for me I guess. Like if I were to EQ it, it would be like 1dB down, mayybe 2 at 8-9k. It's pretty much a perfect sound. Definitely better than a 4XX treble (and should be). As long as you get one with cables that don't cut out on the right or left side, A tier. If not, then B.
Moral of the story, a lot of this comes down to personal preference. DMS likes one thing, I like other things. At the end of the day this is fine and this was a good video.
Underrated comment. I disagree with some of his rankings, but that's just my opinion. However, the XM3s should never be in a tier below the QC35s, period.
He calls the Fidelio a "dumpster fire" when objective measurements from the headphone show it to be amazingly neutral. People need to stop taking what he says as informed analysis and take it for what it is--wholly subjective opinion.
@@dqniel1755 Yeah, was disappointed to hear that since I have the X2s and like them. He puts them in the same class as a "hearing loss simulator." Just wrong.
@@dqniel1755 It is an informed analysis from the perspective of his ear. That's why people (should) go to reviews, particularly the reviews of those who share their taste. If one is looking for some form of objectivity in well.... just about anything, they should just learn to read graphs or study fundamentals and look up the products themselves. A reviewer isn't going to tell you anything you can't find on your own, if that's what youre looking for.
@@edwinbeta2806 "A review isn't going to tell you anything you can't find on your own". That's not even remotely true. A good reviewer, to me, will have testing equipment to analyze things like frequency response (to test against manufacture claims), noise isolation, and so forth. This reviewer has no formal sound engineering listening training, that he has specified, and so his reviews neither come from an "informed analysis" nor do they have any testing data to verify his opinions. So, that's where my criticism comes into play. Either provide quantifiable testing data or have an opinion that comes from formal training within the field. Otherwise, it's just another opinion... and in this case, one that doesn't line up with the test data or the ears of people who have formal training.
Heard them recently. They need the 1 notch white filter from the Aeon 1 and the new thin foam from the 2 on top of that to be great, but oh man they’re fun. Bass response is outstanding, vocals are a little bit pulled back but really detailed, treble is loads better than the OG or massdrop version.
@@lunarnoctis5924 Fun closed headphone always be Fostex TH based headphone. I meant there is something special about it and even though my headphone are planar.
I've had the Aeon 2 closed for the last 2 months: really comfortable, especially the headband - can listen with them on for hours. Sound stage is slightly better than the original Aeon, bass is still slightly underwhelming but overall very fun pair of headphones. At the current EU market price (~EUR950) I feel they're a bit overpriced - especially since I'm not going to get the value from them as a portable pair of headphones (I prefer my QC35's or XM3's) which makes the slinky design and small carry bag a bit moot. Then again, there are really limited options for closed planars, and even more so for decent headphones which can easily drop in your suitcase to have over a weekend away, or on an extended business trip.
Sometimes because someone makes has reviewed bunch of headphones or works for a company that makes headphones, this person may like completely something else. However if the X2 or x2hr are in that low tier makes me wonder if this guy's actually knows what's he is yapping about(I own both models)The only thing that I agree it's with the Focal clear 😁 the rest is wishy-washy at best.
I'm going to have to watch your take on the X2s. I have a set of X2HRs and I adore them with Dekoni pads. Genuinely curious as to why you consider them an F tier headphone.
@@theSWBFman I own the M50s and X2. Would say they're both really good headphones but both r over-hyped by youtubers that don't know audio. These headphones r built like tanks, dac/amp not needed, much cheaper at the $90-150 range. Great entry points for getting into "hi-fi" audio imo, Even though they're not true hi-fi they don't break the bank Biggest reason I prefer X2's over my M50s is the M50s have really strong highs, it gets fatiguing to listen to and i end up turning the volume down after some time. If you're a audio noob like me, you won't regret purchasing either I guarantee.
@@theSWBFman Its got boosted bass and the treble is not what you would call neutral either. You can tell when a song has been made on them because theirs usually not much low end in comparison to the rest due to the creator hearing more bass on the m50x. This is the old model here and the x isnt as bad but apparently still has boosted low end diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com/headphones/measurements/audio-technica/ath-m50/
Ah, thanks for the explanation guys. I already have an HD6XX but I was just curious about the M50x. It's weird cause a lot of musicians and artists use the M50x as monitors, and V shaped headphones are not good for that
I don’t like neutral, V Shape, or bass forward. I like mid & high forward, bass recessed I own ATH AD700X, SHP9500, S80e, SR850, Melomania 1+, and HD25 (my least favorite, V shape). I plan on buying Jubilee 58X next
It's very weird that the HD6XX outclassed the HD 800 according to him because the price difference is staggering. You can build a whole gaming setup using that price difference. I'm very interested in what you think about the Orpheus headphones from Sennheiser
I have listened to a HD600, HD650 and HD800 and honestly I would agree - HD800 to me was ear piercingly harsh and just not pleasant at all. I would rate HD650>HD600>HD800
@@pinoyxbox it's definitely an endgame headphone in every way. We all wish the pads were cheaper, but they're very high quality, so they shouldn't need to be replaced often as long as you give em a hand wash once in a while. If it helps convince you they were one of the headphones Tyll absolutely loved, and one of the only ones he took with him into retirement.
@@catgirlrancher7240 ey no worries I'm still alive. From all the research I've done it seems the best way is to just take care of it with a microfiber cloth after wearing to wipe out some of the oil and sweat or whatever. Then to actually wash, just use water and normal soap and hand wash them. I'd probably just fill a container with warm (not hot) water and soap and then submerge and squeeze the pads in the water, swish em around etc. Then put them in front of a fan to air dry for a while. Foam can take a while to dry so it'd probably be better to let them dry for a couple days. Just avoid rubbing the material too much. An official post from Focal said to use water and normal soap (like hand soap I guess)
All in all really liking your videos, mainly for entertaining value! Sound is SO subjective, it's amazing how different everyone's hearing and taste, of what it should sound like, is. Some thoughts of owning and listening to these cans by myself (mostly even in direct comparison): X2 only in f tier is quite strange. It's measured to be a really balanced sounding can and so it is, - in a fun way. I have an X2HR in my collection and to my knowledge its tuning and technical abilities are identical to the first X2 revision. DT1990, besides being technically great, especially for the price, is painfully unbalanced in the treble range. Wasn't able to enjoy listening to music with these for longer than a few minutes. Also sundara is never on the same level as the ananda. The Ananda does everything the sundara can but better. Treble wonky on the ananda? Most would say it has one of the best tunings, especially in the treble range out there, of any headphone and i fully agree on this. This is how treble should sound for enjoyment in a balanced way, just like the focal clears, not ear pearcing as it is on the dt1990. Besides the 1990 being technically superior, i'd easily recommend a pair of dt880 600ohm out of all the beyers. It's the most balanced and non fatiguing sounding of all of them. Tygr's are ok, but not as musical as dt880 and too V-Shaped to be called balanced.
When you put the Phillips in the F tier and the Bose above the Sony XM4's I checked out. I thought you knew what you were doing but obviously, I was wrong.
And with that: the sony XM4 is extremely overhyped. I can’t get past the harsh peaky treble. Bose sucks for detail but it wins on comfort and the treble doesn’t feel like it’s going to kill me.
I own the HD650, HE4XX, HD58X, HD1, and the X2. The HD650 is without a doubt my favorite of them all. I wouldn't call the X2 an F tier headphone though. I would say it's more of C tier headphone. I like the way it sounds. I respect your opinion though and understand that everyone has a preference as to what type of sound they like in a headphone.
I believe the Senn hd660s is pound for pound the best headphone ever made , no peaks ,no dips , balanced sound, not piercing , nice bass, nice sub bass in the background , not to hard to drive , decent price
I don't own one, but I listened to one once a long time ago. From what I remember, the comfort was between meh and terrible, mainly because of the pads. The build was decent for the price and the full folding thing was pretty cool, but the lack of detail combined with the harsh harsh, Siberian winter harsh treble was the final straw for me. I don't really remember all that much about the mids and bass so I won't say anything about that, but I do remember hating the treble
Yeah i was gonna say, I don't like M50X for mixing, but they're def my go to for casual listening when I need closed backs, and I'd recommend them to most consumers.
@@soulfulfool I picked up the on-ear ATH-Pro7x for $50 down from $199 from audiosavings. Nobody talks about them, but they're comparable to HD25's. Better sound but no swivel. Excellent but neutral bass extension, crisp and punchy, even a bit of a soundstage. They're my new go-to for commuting or DJing, and good for another reference for mixing/mastering. Primarily using DT 990 250ohm which I love. If I needed closed-back over ears for mixing, I'd get the DT 770.
@@joelbny pro 7x in spec looks interesting but anyway I want to try open back headphones, close back like you said I would try beyer 770 pro or something like that
I noticed the Hifiman Arya was missing from the list. I just recently picked up the Sundara and absolutely love them. Ive been really curious to hear more about the Arya. I know it ended up as S tier on the collab video you did with Josh, but i wanted to hear more about why he liked it so much and why you didn't quite agree that it belongs in S. Seems like it is a great headphone that holds its own against some of the others in the price range. Ive honestly been considering taking the plunge and buying either the Arya or Focal Clear... Id love to see a direct comparison between the two.
Not just you dude, same here. That stood out like a sore thumb, and it made me question his opinion on the entire tier list. Even Bose QC35s fanboys I know will admit that the Sony XM3s have far better ANC, even though they hate them for everything else.
@a b I mean if you really want the imaging then sure, but otherwise the headphones you have are already really good, so I think in your shoes I'd just save the money.
not being able to hear sibilance in studio monitors is a terrible idea imo, cuz hwo are you supposed to know if there's wayy to much sibilance and you need to notch it out or something. Having sharper headphones for monitoring is a must for me, this way I know when the final result is too sharp or bright and I can tone it down
Let's get buyers guide video similar to what linus does for his holiday pc buyers guides. Set a few price ranges, and make a video on headphone / amp / dac combos for each price range. Maybe do one of these videos for each use case, such as monitoring, portability, recreation, or you could sort them based on headphones that shine in a particular area especially when paired with certain amps. Love the videos! ❤
He doesn't review anywhere near enough products to make that video informative. Even though zeos is worse as a reviewer, he would be way better suited to that type of video.
@@En_Joshi-Godrez for me personally, I dont care if he's the most informed. Sound is subjective to everyone. It's never about finding the best combo possible because there's an infinite amount of them, it's about having a selection of something that DMS really enjoys, for people that are lost in the oversaturated market that is the headphone industry. It's why I love the videos on watches and tier lists, it's not all scientific, it's all subjective and personal. That's why i come to the channel, it's like chilling with the boi.
Fidelio goes exactly where it belongs. When even a Porta Pro is instantly better, so much yes. I don't understand how DT 990 and 1990 are so worlds apart here though when they both have an extreme amount of treble, and Josh even had to front damp his 1990 with foam lol
wow, not often I see the m50x placed that low. FWIW, I don't dislike mine, though admittedly I don't often listen to them as they don't really do anything better than any of the headphones I CURRENTLY have in rotation (Crossfade W2 for bass, 6XX for best all rounder, and 598 for their more fun and pleasant highs (I often prefer them for that reason over the 6xx tbh). Have a pair of Sundara's on the way as the next addition, curious where they will fall in the stack.
What is the black wall background in your video ? AMAZING ! Wow... you are so smooth in your assessment. Love this format of assessment could be used with DAC's & amps. Thank you so much !
with the sony xm4's coming out in a week or two, would love to see them compared with the qc35s and pandas! I think audio quality is the same, but with improved qol and noise cancelling features. Basically I'm looking to splurge on some nice bluetooth headphones and would love a bluetooth headphone shootout.
The XM4s are essentially a more refined version of the XM3s, with slightly better features and the same sound quality. They're definitely much better than the QC35s now, it's a no contest. The Drop THX Panda has planar drivers, so it's supposed to sound much better. It depends on your budget and what you're looking to get out of a pair of bluetooth headphones.
this list is almost perfect.i know I love some headphones that you hate, but I think I need to have a print of this list just in case someones asks me about purchasing A new headphone and I can confidently Show him this list as a reference. I may disagree with Clear on S tier and some other headphones Rank but overall this list in just on point and you are one of the Only youtubers that I actually care about his opinions. Guess if I am going to purchase something new you will be my only Trusted reviewer to rely on his opinion. great job DMS.
What if they ask what was being used to rank them? If they do, they'll notice that some of these rankings either make no sense or seem quite unfair. Also, this is just DMS' opinion tbh.
@@StardustLegacyFighter course it's his opinion. never said It ain't. but We all have opinions. right? point is I just found DMS's opinion so close to mine. that's why I actually trust a Reviwer at firs place, because I find his opinions match mine. and about the equipments used to Rank these Headphones you are right. it matters. but if that's the case then I guess it's kinda impossible to review and RANK any headphone at all or suggest them to others cause most of Headphones are gonna behave differently with different sources. Thing is anyone with a Good SS amp and a good dac can def benefit from this Rank imo.
No idea you’re working for Abyss now man that’s good for you! Took a few years off this hobby and been getting back into it. Got an LCD-X in a few days ago and it made me smile seeing you debate S and A tier with it hahaha. Happy to know other people like it too.
I dont really understand your placement of the k371, honestly. Sonically speaking in my experience its a slightly darker/warmer 6xx runing off a sdac and atom amp. Ive dragged this thing around countires with me and its build has held up and after its clamp force dies down a bit its easily one of the most comfortable headphone ive ever used. While i dont use it fot finalized mixing its an extreamly useful studio headphone
Hey thank you. Where would you see the arya? I recently bought the focal clear after deciding between the hd800s and the arya. Focal won clearly for me, but despite other reviewers praise the Arya was such a ridiculous let down for me. It sounded so fake. What do you think about the arya ?
AGK K7XX? or the Beyerdynamic MMX 300 2nd gen. I know they are headset, but I compare them with several good headphones and just blow my mind by the sound quality. Just want to know your opinion about them. BTW great channel !
It’s hard to take you seriously when you refuse to give any credit to one of the most popular headphones on your list (the M50x’s). I’m not just referring to this video, because I’ve heard you knock them without sharing any reason for why you don’t like them in another recent video. Sure they might not suit your tastes but if this is supposed to be a well-rounded list, then you would have at least given them credit for being portable, easy to drive, as well having soft pads and an overall solid build. I know many people that love the sound that comes out of these headphones so just because you don’t, that doesn’t mean they are bad.
Thought you would have put more S tier headphones on, but still great list! I was looking forward to this video, and will love more of these tier list videos.
I'd put dt 770 in c tier. If it had a detachable cable I think it could be a C+. The main issue is the FR. With EQ though I'd be happy to put in B. Not many closed headphones have that good a soundstage, comfort, and isolation for 150usd.
DMS you need to try Focal on a Feliks amp. It is crazy good with the Echo, Elise MKII, or Euforia. I run the Elex and Clear off an Echo and it's just magic.
Thanks for the info. I'm considering upgrading from the he400i to the sundara. Not sure how significant difference in sound there is between these 2 headphones? I would like to see a dac, amp dac combo review since I am looking at buying my first dac. Considering the E30 right now.
Loved the video, loved the speed at which you moved through the headphones, didnt spent five minutes on each one. Please do IEMs. Greatly appreciate the content man! Keep it up! :)
Just wondering: what‘s your issue with the MDR-Z1R? You have no review up on it sadly. I‘m running them myself, currently paired with a THX-789 and a SMSL SU8, but I‘m not very happy with the 789, the Z1Rs though are really lovely in my opinion. Would love to see a review from your point of view.
@I will do the fortnite dance on u I think i know wjy its so low: 1990: He might have thought its not his cup of tea, but "objectivelly" they are amazing 990: They might be good, but they HURT so its F tier for him, no matter what
Hey mate, I found your channel via Josh. I have two comments. The first one is could everyone please forget the DT 1770 Pro exists and consider the DT 177x GO instead. It's like knowing there's an improved and revised version of the headphone out there, but judging it on the old version anyway. Secondly, S tier should really be for the best headphone. At absolute most, maybe 2 if it's legitimately a dead heat for first, but S tier isn't for all super good headphones, but the Top 1 headphone (in your own opinion of course). I can also tell that you really like analyitcal headphones from your selection, but it'd be great to see some more 'fun' choices in there like the 99 Noir/Classics just because there is a world of difference between a bad/sloppy bass heavy headphone like any of the 1$100 'gaming' headphones out there, and an audiophile grade 'fun' headphone with really punchy or bouncy bass. I also think you should be more ruthless about your D and F tiers. If a headphone has a big flaw, like costing many times as much as a competing product that is just as good, then bin it! Anyway, great video hope to see more.
Do a video for gaming, too. Not gaming headsets, just proper headphones like the ones in this video. BUT, try to leave out the $2000 ones as gamers obviously have a modest budget. I've subbed! Also, I remember you did a video on the Monolith M560. Do you happen to know how and if a V-Modi Boom Mic works with them correctly as these headphones have 2 wires leading up to the cans. Thanks!
Great review! Besides the headphones - question for you DMS - where did you get those back wall polygon squares? Would be of great help if you could provide a name or a link :)
Best bassy (sub bass rumble with some kick) headphone. I’ve been using dt 770 pros for about 2 years now, I wanna upgrade, more rumble, harder kick, good clarity.
@@jasoncorrrigan1920 50pounds? Never see em that low but on amazon right now for $145 usd. Price difference by country maybe. We're talking Phillips Fidelio X2 correct?
I have that Bose headphones and i don't think that should be in there 😅, the sound quality is just okay, maybe the ANC gives the impression of good sound quality, anyway interesting tier list and good video 😁👌
Hey, could you possibly put your description in the same order/tiers as your video? That would really help people who are not as familiar with the various headphones follow along. Thanks.
@@xyzxyzuvwuvw7633 Definitely, they're not very much different than the Clears, I would say that probably 90% of the experience you would have with the Clear you can reach with the Elex especially with a nice amplification, only beware of the QC issues with the drivers.
En Joshi-Godrez I’ve got Aryas and I do very much enjoy them, they’re very good headphones, but if they’re the best on earth then I’m gonna be disappointed.
DMS I’ve got Aryas but have been thinking of trying the Focal Clears or Elex. Based on this list you’d say the Clears are a strong jump over the Arya. At least to your ears?
I own the Dt1990 pros, the 58x, and the Fidelio X2s. I still find myself going to the Fidelios more often than the other 2 which you rated much higher. Maybe you got a bad pair? I heard quality control wasn't great on the Fidelios.
@@Ariaa76 I don't mean to be rude, but there are a lot of forums online that compare various audio equipment much better than I do. Just avoid r/headphones.
@@Yuriyalloween I have them, I do like them, I'm curious as to why he put them there with no explanation whatsoever. Do you have something that goes into more detail?
I'm sorry for asking, but what do you think about the superlux hd 681? I'm using it right now and it's awesome for 20€, but maybe you'll give it a solid 3/10 idk. Your opinion?
proud owner of two of the f tier headphones, m50x and dt990. i have to say it's fun rotating between these two. when im tired of m50x inplanting a subwoofer in my head, i'll just switch to dt990 for the mellow banshee noise. perfectly balanced, as all things should be.
I nearly rolled out of bed laughing reading this 🤣
M50x has it's treble, too! it's flanking from both sides.
dont worry, its just his personal opinion, i have a Sundaras, a tier A, and i love them... and i still love my m50xs too (I sold them to buy something more expensive).. so... dont worry, in adition, i have an argons and in certain cases (for fun listening) i prefer them over the sundaras by far... DMS have a tier with Joshua, i think thats a better tier list because those are two opinions of "experts" contrasting in a final result, sorry for my english
@@kuul-animations2810 can you link it? Would love to contrast it with this list
0:53 "it doesnt' have any reason to exist. It's built like it's from the 1970s, it smells like it's from the 1970s, and it sounds like hearing loss" omg xD this is poetry right here
Hurts because I'm the one who let him borrow it, lol
@@uo1147 oofff
well
de gustibus!
Shyir it's really not a matter of taste even, it really is that bad. It's just rare and interesting so I searched one out
@@uo1147 geez! Really? and it's costly too? wtf
@@uo1147 is that Augustus Omnifather? :)
Get the lists coming, IEM's, AMPS & DACS
@omegaorgun Audio Science Review does dacs and amps, and Crinacle for iems as well
Yes please
Request: can you match the A and S tier headphones to dac-amp combos?
That would be dope. I hope he reads this.
@@ssg2991 Agreed
A -> JDS Atom
S -> THX AMP (789, 887, SP200)
You're welcome
Please do... My sundara ain't easy to drive
Amp dac combo around 100$, under 300, under 600, under 1000 and TOTL.
990 Pro: F
1990 Pro: A
Damn what a jump, lol.
990 pro are just amazing...
Had 1990 pro
Couldn't listen to it. It just hurts your ears.
@@Michalos86 I've got a pair of 1990 Pros and I'm finding them to be fantastic so far. I guess that's the thing with headphones and music; everyone's different.
@@TheKazragoreMost peoples ears are actually quite similar in blind test it was found that most of the time people prefer the most neutral device which the 1990 pro certainly arent because of the boost in treble as Jakub obviously heard.
@@TheKazragore I am aware that some people like this headphone.
I like M50x for Tool and similar music.
Some instruments sounded really natural (drums).
As some reviewers said, I'm also sure it's a great hp for pros.
It really shocked me when Clear was put in S tier but HD800S just B. I switched between them and finally found HD800S much more comfortable, detailed, clear (lol), and open. Yes, my pair's frequency response also sounds unacceptable, but with a proper equalizer, it is just amazing.
LOL, quite funny statement. I have both and to me 800S lacks in bass department. Clear is just more pleasant to listen and have fun with.
@@antonsergeev6064HE1000 Stealth probably makes the Clear and HD 800 S obsolete. I got mine for $1040. The bass is perfect.
Watching this with my loved Fidelio X2 😢
Was surprised, but they got dumped on
I like them too especially for console gaming or other devices that can’t drive much
Was not surprised cause i know he doesnt like the x2's then again lts his opinion.... I think the x2's are awsome and are one of the most comfortable headphones that exist to me very very weird he put them in f tier ...!!!!
PR3T I found him recently so I’m still don’t really know his taste yet. Yeah true they are very comfortable and for my use case they also sound good to me. Manufacturing is also quite good for the price, some times you can finden them under 100. But oh well sound is so objective.
I picked up a pair for 66 bucks back in November and for that price I see no issue with them. I enjoy them for gaming mostly however I have issues with the material on the pads. They're scratchy imo. I hand washed them with conditioners and sun dried them to mellow them out a bit. Also tried swapping pads but the default ones sound best. It's a boomy headset with great sound staging. If someone bought them for detail I could definitely see the disappointment factor.
Your placement of the Edition XX's seems different from how you review them.
I would love to see a tier list purely based on sound quality
Good video; however, I have to strongly disagree with DT 990 Pro being in the 'F' category/tier. I own the 80 Ohm version of the DT 990's and they are great, not bright like alot of reviews have said about the 250 Ohm version and need very little EQ to smooth the frequency response out. If you were dropping the DT 990's to the F tier based on your time spent with the 250 Ohm version only, they you may be right; but, I can't comment on how the 250 Ohm version sounds as I haven't heard them myself. You should probably get your hands on an 80 Ohm version of the DT 990's and post a review :).
Controversial, I like it. As many said below, where would you sit the K712 here?
I wanna know too!
Lol, the Fidelio X2's went from being "grainy" to being a "dumpster fire".
Yeah i dunno about that, its a great headset.
Pretty disappointing imo. I own a pair of X2HR and a pair of DT1990's
Yeah, he's gotta be high on something. Tyll put the X2 on the same level as the HD600 when he reviewed them.
Weird headphone that if I still had probably wouldn't scale at all. Good for portable sources? But it's an open back?... Yea I don't get it
When i bought the Fidelio X2 about 7 years ago it was by far the most expensive headphone i ever got, the KOSS porta pro being the next most expensive in my collection. I like the X2 a lot, it's good with everything you throw at it, music, gaming, movies, anything really. I can't say how it stacks today with all the Sundaras and whatnot but i learned to appreciate a good all rounder. I even use my Porta pros just fine today because of the ease of use and the fact that these buggers refuse to die no matter what i do to them. I would not put it in the dumpster fire category though.
I agree with a lot of this but to say the X2's are a dumpster fire ?..... Especially for the price and how easy they are to drive.
Any chance you could elaborate?
It's hard to elaborate on an opinion that isn't backed by any sort of objective analysis.
@I will do the fortnite dance on u those headphones are entirely different... and id rather listen to the Beats marketing team than to r/headphones for audio advice.
I have the X2s and I hate them like DMS. Really heavy/uncomfortable and a sharp, unpleasnt tone to them. Not necessarily too much treble, it just sounds harsh and grating to me, not splahy/ sizzley like bright headphones are
Damn I really like the x2😭
same, feel like they are underdogs
Currently in tears after watching this video on DT990 Pros which are IMO C tier. After EQ they sound near perfect to me. you can really get that bass extension out of them without them distorting which is rare in lower priced open headphones. If EQ isn't an option and you are treble sensitive, I can absolutely understand why you would F tier them as the ear fatigue would negate how incredibly comfortable these headphones are.
I also have the Dt990 Pros and I nearly choked when I saw him putting it in F.
I have not experienced a single headphone under 250€, which are better than those. And I tested a lot of them over the last years. HD560s, K712 Pro, Hifiman HE 400i (which is pretty good tho, if you like vocal and acoustic music), Dt770, even better than the Aduioquest Nighthawks and HD660S (which both were a dissapointment to me)
The Dt990 has a great soundstage and also manages to fill it! Those are also the most realistic and immersive sounding headphone that I tested under 250.
It has a little bit more bass and treble than truly neutral headphones like HD650 for example, but never that much that is actually bothered me in any way.
I use them for my piano (VST) and as a 2nd option for some audio work and they never dissapointed me.
The only reason why I am not using them saily as PC / music headphones is because I can't wear them longer than an hour, when they start to hurt. But this might be because the pads are already quite flats and my ears touch stuff on the inside, that they probably aren't supposed to ;)
I have HD560S for this purpose rn. But only because of their superb Sennheiser comfort. They sound noticably worse than my Dt990s every time I compare them.
If someone wants a headphone under 200€ and is able to power them, I'd always recommend the Dt990 Pros. And I have never experienced someone, who was actually dissapointed.
@@juicy_oranges5529 okay when you start saying 990s>560s...you start losing a bit of credibility here.
It's clearly some special love for the 990..
In no world is the 990 close to the 560..
880? Maybe..990? No! Lol
@@rajeebdas1724 He doesn't. I have both right next to me, the Sennheiser HD560s (2023) and DT 990 (edition). I run both with an external Analog Amp + EQ (if needed). The Sennheiser HD560s doesn't even come close to a DT990, once both are EQ, the DT990 destroys in that price range. Bass is really good and doesn't distort (unlike the trash DT900 Pro X, which I had too), Mids are neutral and the Treble peak gone, wonderful headphone.
The Sennheiser HD560s? You can throw em away. You want Bass? Too bad, because once you amplify it, the headphone just distorts or the housing rattles, letting Sound loose, making everything sound just insanely muddy and bad.
Clarity? Well it's very good on these, but it got SO GOOD, that it hurts. You hear every detail in a song and this isn't meant in a GOOD way, you hear bad recordings etc. too, which means Music is insanely unjoyable. Also because lack of existing BASS and maybe troublesome Treble at times these sound boring and get on your nerve more often than ever. When I had them, I couldn't listen to ROCK anymore, EDM Genre was definitely gone for good, so for what is it good? Mozart?
Funny Story. I wanted a Headset, when I go somewhere and stay at a friends house, so got myself the Logitech Pro X for 60$. I was curious, so I EQ'd them and hooked them up to my Pioneer Analog AMP. It's safe to say after 2 days worth of listening the Sennheiser HD560s are WORSE than some "rubbish" 60$ "Gaming Headphones" After my DT990 Died, I just took the Logitech Pro X and it is currently my daily Driver. I will repair the DT990 again, since they are just incredible, the DT900 Pro X I got rid for good (Trash, 4/10 rating) and the Sennheiser HD560s I will get rid now, since 200$ for this crap is just laughable.
If you are too naive to think that a Cheap "Gaming" headset can be better, just check the Frequency response on both. Never Trash talk the DT990 again if you don't own any of em.
EDIT: The Sennheiser 560s Clamp worse is the worst I have felt in a long time and makes wearing them impossible for me, atleast longer than 1 hour. Uncomfortable, makes Music sound horrible, really dumb connector (2.5), Bass is non-existent and can't be amplified, insane price, FULL PLASTIC (even the headband), low amount of replacement parts once things break, it's plastic so it's gonna break someday.
Nice vid! Glad to see you put the LCD-X in A. I will never forget the sound of that thing. Pure butter. Unpopular opinion: I hated the P7 and thought it was a muddy bloaty mess, but actually really liked the P9 and I think I've commented this somewhere on your vids. It's been awhile since I've heard one (2-3 years) but I thought it was done really well. Worth the price? Nah. Too spensive. It would be interesting to hear it again and see if my thoughts have changed.
Thought the Ananda should have been bumped up to A, but I can maybe see why you didn't because of the treble. I too thought it was a tad funky, but it's like such a minor thing for me I guess. Like if I were to EQ it, it would be like 1dB down, mayybe 2 at 8-9k. It's pretty much a perfect sound. Definitely better than a 4XX treble (and should be). As long as you get one with cables that don't cut out on the right or left side, A tier. If not, then B.
holy shit this was brutal, definitely an interesting list.
Thanks for pushing my ego with the dt 1990 on A tier
Tier list for IEM's would be awesome
Seeing what he did with the X2HRs, I wouldn't be surprised if he put BL03s in F tier and AirPods in A tier.
Moral of the story, a lot of this comes down to personal preference. DMS likes one thing, I like other things. At the end of the day this is fine and this was a good video.
Underrated comment. I disagree with some of his rankings, but that's just my opinion. However, the XM3s should never be in a tier below the QC35s, period.
He calls the Fidelio a "dumpster fire" when objective measurements from the headphone show it to be amazingly neutral. People need to stop taking what he says as informed analysis and take it for what it is--wholly subjective opinion.
@@dqniel1755
Yeah, was disappointed to hear that since I have the X2s and like them. He puts them in the same class as a "hearing loss simulator." Just wrong.
@@dqniel1755 It is an informed analysis from the perspective of his ear. That's why people (should) go to reviews, particularly the reviews of those who share their taste. If one is looking for some form of objectivity in well.... just about anything, they should just learn to read graphs or study fundamentals and look up the products themselves. A reviewer isn't going to tell you anything you can't find on your own, if that's what youre looking for.
@@edwinbeta2806 "A review isn't going to tell you anything you can't find on your own". That's not even remotely true. A good reviewer, to me, will have testing equipment to analyze things like frequency response (to test against manufacture claims), noise isolation, and so forth. This reviewer has no formal sound engineering listening training, that he has specified, and so his reviews neither come from an "informed analysis" nor do they have any testing data to verify his opinions.
So, that's where my criticism comes into play. Either provide quantifiable testing data or have an opinion that comes from formal training within the field. Otherwise, it's just another opinion... and in this case, one that doesn't line up with the test data or the ears of people who have formal training.
This comments section is about to filled with “what about x headphone?”
That being said... got any hot takes on the Aeon 2 closed?
Heard them recently. They need the 1 notch white filter from the Aeon 1 and the new thin foam from the 2 on top of that to be great, but oh man they’re fun. Bass response is outstanding, vocals are a little bit pulled back but really detailed, treble is loads better than the OG or massdrop version.
@@lunarnoctis5924 Fun closed headphone always be Fostex TH based headphone. I meant there is something special about it and even though my headphone are planar.
I've had the Aeon 2 closed for the last 2 months: really comfortable, especially the headband - can listen with them on for hours. Sound stage is slightly better than the original Aeon, bass is still slightly underwhelming but overall very fun pair of headphones. At the current EU market price (~EUR950) I feel they're a bit overpriced - especially since I'm not going to get the value from them as a portable pair of headphones (I prefer my QC35's or XM3's) which makes the slinky design and small carry bag a bit moot. Then again, there are really limited options for closed planars, and even more so for decent headphones which can easily drop in your suitcase to have over a weekend away, or on an extended business trip.
"Sibilance simulator 2020"
L-edMAO !
That outro beat sync was SMOOTH
Still loving my Dt 770's 80ohms with Dekoni sheepskin pads!
Did they change sound ? And how?
@phillip martin yeah, he put them in the d tier >_>
@phillip martin No, he didn't.
@@zami8827 That was the 1770 - not the 770. They are very different headphones.
Care to elaborate on the fidelio x2s? I personally love them and I have watched many reviews that have praised them yet you put them in f
Sometimes because someone makes has reviewed bunch of headphones or works for a company that makes headphones, this person may like completely something else. However if the X2 or x2hr are in that low tier makes me wonder if this guy's actually knows what's he is yapping about(I own both models)The only thing that I agree it's with the Focal clear 😁 the rest is wishy-washy at best.
@@valcomaustralia I agree
I'm going to have to watch your take on the X2s. I have a set of X2HRs and I adore them with Dekoni pads. Genuinely curious as to why you consider them an F tier headphone.
I've heard most of these. Agree with nearly everything minus the fidelio. Id definately rate it higher but no where near the top.
Why is the m50x F tier? I haven't tried it but I've heard good things about it, and it's popular for the budget
@@theSWBFman I own the M50s and X2. Would say they're both really good headphones but both r over-hyped by youtubers that don't know audio. These headphones r built like tanks, dac/amp not needed, much cheaper at the $90-150 range. Great entry points for getting into "hi-fi" audio imo, Even though they're not true hi-fi they don't break the bank
Biggest reason I prefer X2's over my M50s is the M50s have really strong highs, it gets fatiguing to listen to and i end up turning the volume down after some time.
If you're a audio noob like me, you won't regret purchasing either I guarantee.
M40x is better
@@theSWBFman Its got boosted bass and the treble is not what you would call neutral either. You can tell when a song has been made on them because theirs usually not much low end in comparison to the rest due to the creator hearing more bass on the m50x. This is the old model here and the x isnt as bad but apparently still has boosted low end
diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com/headphones/measurements/audio-technica/ath-m50/
Ah, thanks for the explanation guys. I already have an HD6XX but I was just curious about the M50x. It's weird cause a lot of musicians and artists use the M50x as monitors, and V shaped headphones are not good for that
I don’t like neutral, V Shape, or bass forward. I like mid & high forward, bass recessed
I own ATH AD700X, SHP9500, S80e, SR850, Melomania 1+, and HD25 (my least favorite, V shape). I plan on buying Jubilee 58X next
It's very weird that the HD6XX outclassed the HD 800 according to him because the price difference is staggering. You can build a whole gaming setup using that price difference. I'm very interested in what you think about the Orpheus headphones from Sennheiser
The price is being considered as a factor
I have listened to a HD600, HD650 and HD800 and honestly I would agree - HD800 to me was ear piercingly harsh and just not pleasant at all. I would rate HD650>HD600>HD800
Omg!!! Thank you for this! im actually thinking of upgrading my hd6xx to focal clear 😁
Definitely do it! For clarity, precision and musicality it cannot be beaten.
@@richardgordon619 thank you!!
@@pinoyxbox it's definitely an endgame headphone in every way. We all wish the pads were cheaper, but they're very high quality, so they shouldn't need to be replaced often as long as you give em a hand wash once in a while.
If it helps convince you they were one of the headphones Tyll absolutely loved, and one of the only ones he took with him into retirement.
@@Wadacup yo i know this is an old comment but how do you wash your pads? scared to ruin the texture
@@catgirlrancher7240 ey no worries I'm still alive. From all the research I've done it seems the best way is to just take care of it with a microfiber cloth after wearing to wipe out some of the oil and sweat or whatever.
Then to actually wash, just use water and normal soap and hand wash them. I'd probably just fill a container with warm (not hot) water and soap and then submerge and squeeze the pads in the water, swish em around etc. Then put them in front of a fan to air dry for a while.
Foam can take a while to dry so it'd probably be better to let them dry for a couple days. Just avoid rubbing the material too much.
An official post from Focal said to use water and normal soap (like hand soap I guess)
I don’t think dt990s should be on f for the price and comfort and sound it deserves to be higher up
Same here.
Bernabaus I tried my mates hd58x which dms put as B tier which sounded grainy and hardly detailed and shouty at some points and dt990 has better bass
his list not yours
@@nomiguda we know
All in all really liking your videos, mainly for entertaining value! Sound is SO subjective, it's amazing how different everyone's hearing and taste, of what it should sound like, is.
Some thoughts of owning and listening to these cans by myself (mostly even in direct comparison):
X2 only in f tier is quite strange. It's measured to be a really balanced sounding can and so it is, - in a fun way. I have an X2HR in my collection and to my knowledge its tuning and technical abilities are identical to the first X2 revision. DT1990, besides being technically great, especially for the price, is painfully unbalanced in the treble range. Wasn't able to enjoy listening to music with these for longer than a few minutes. Also sundara is never on the same level as the ananda. The Ananda does everything the sundara can but better. Treble wonky on the ananda? Most would say it has one of the best tunings, especially in the treble range out there, of any headphone and i fully agree on this. This is how treble should sound for enjoyment in a balanced way, just like the focal clears, not ear pearcing as it is on the dt1990. Besides the 1990 being technically superior, i'd easily recommend a pair of dt880 600ohm out of all the beyers. It's the most balanced and non fatiguing sounding of all of them. Tygr's are ok, but not as musical as dt880 and too V-Shaped to be called balanced.
Nice tier list. You're wrong about the X2s, but nice list ;)
I wonder where the 9500 will fit
When you put the Phillips in the F tier and the Bose above the Sony XM4's I checked out. I thought you knew what you were doing but obviously, I was wrong.
Everything is ranked based on value. Aside from the shp9600 Phillips makes nothing of value.
And with that: the sony XM4 is extremely overhyped. I can’t get past the harsh peaky treble.
Bose sucks for detail but it wins on comfort and the treble doesn’t feel like it’s going to kill me.
I own the HD650, HE4XX, HD58X, HD1, and the X2. The HD650 is without a doubt my favorite of them all. I wouldn't call the X2 an F tier headphone though. I would say it's more of C tier headphone. I like the way it sounds. I respect your opinion though and understand that everyone has a preference as to what type of sound they like in a headphone.
I believe the Senn hd660s is pound for pound the best headphone ever made , no peaks ,no dips , balanced sound, not piercing , nice bass, nice sub bass in the background , not to hard to drive , decent price
Definitely has peaky treble unfortunately. Other than that it’s pretty great I agree.
Genuine question, why was M50X in F-tier?
I don't own one, but I listened to one once a long time ago. From what I remember, the comfort was between meh and terrible, mainly because of the pads. The build was decent for the price and the full folding thing was pretty cool, but the lack of detail combined with the harsh harsh, Siberian winter harsh treble was the final straw for me. I don't really remember all that much about the mids and bass so I won't say anything about that, but I do remember hating the treble
Yeah i was gonna say, I don't like M50X for mixing, but they're def my go to for casual listening when I need closed backs, and I'd recommend them to most consumers.
@@joelbny they r definitely not comfortable for long sessions
@@soulfulfool I picked up the on-ear ATH-Pro7x for $50 down from $199 from audiosavings. Nobody talks about them, but they're comparable to HD25's. Better sound but no swivel. Excellent but neutral bass extension, crisp and punchy, even a bit of a soundstage. They're my new go-to for commuting or DJing, and good for another reference for mixing/mastering. Primarily using DT 990 250ohm which I love. If I needed closed-back over ears for mixing, I'd get the DT 770.
@@joelbny pro 7x in spec looks interesting but anyway I want to try open back headphones, close back like you said I would try beyer 770 pro or something like that
I noticed the Hifiman Arya was missing from the list. I just recently picked up the Sundara and absolutely love them. Ive been really curious to hear more about the Arya. I know it ended up as S tier on the collab video you did with Josh, but i wanted to hear more about why he liked it so much and why you didn't quite agree that it belongs in S. Seems like it is a great headphone that holds its own against some of the others in the price range. Ive honestly been considering taking the plunge and buying either the Arya or Focal Clear... Id love to see a direct comparison between the two.
did you end up getting it?
I guess he still im the plunge stage.
I find it interesting that he says Bose has Sony beat on ANC, when literally everyone else in the industry says the opposite.
I know Bose use the cheapest crap they can get away with its like beats.
Not just you dude, same here. That stood out like a sore thumb, and it made me question his opinion on the entire tier list. Even Bose QC35s fanboys I know will admit that the Sony XM3s have far better ANC, even though they hate them for everything else.
Damn casuals HD800S is S tier for gaming! The S stands for Soundwhoring edition, all your footsteps be tracked lol
@a b Get the TYGR's if all you are going to use them for is gaming. Spending 600+ on a gaming headphone is just not worth it.
@a b I mean if you really want the imaging then sure, but otherwise the headphones you have are already really good, so I think in your shoes I'd just save the money.
@a b Of course man.
I’d definitely like to see a amp list, but would of like to see where the Autuer places within the main 3 of the ZMF lineup.
not being able to hear sibilance in studio monitors is a terrible idea imo, cuz hwo are you supposed to know if there's wayy to much sibilance and you need to notch it out or something. Having sharper headphones for monitoring is a must for me, this way I know when the final result is too sharp or bright and I can tone it down
Do you have an opinion on the Akg K712s?
he did a vid on them i think
Not a fan of them but I see why some people like them ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Most of AKG’s headphones don’t do much for me.
Let's get buyers guide video similar to what linus does for his holiday pc buyers guides. Set a few price ranges, and make a video on headphone / amp / dac combos for each price range. Maybe do one of these videos for each use case, such as monitoring, portability, recreation, or you could sort them based on headphones that shine in a particular area especially when paired with certain amps. Love the videos! ❤
He doesn't review anywhere near enough products to make that video informative. Even though zeos is worse as a reviewer, he would be way better suited to that type of video.
@@En_Joshi-Godrez for me personally, I dont care if he's the most informed. Sound is subjective to everyone. It's never about finding the best combo possible because there's an infinite amount of them, it's about having a selection of something that DMS really enjoys, for people that are lost in the oversaturated market that is the headphone industry. It's why I love the videos on watches and tier lists, it's not all scientific, it's all subjective and personal. That's why i come to the channel, it's like chilling with the boi.
Fidelio goes exactly where it belongs. When even a Porta Pro is instantly better, so much yes.
I don't understand how DT 990 and 1990 are so worlds apart here though when they both have an extreme amount of treble, and Josh even had to front damp his 1990 with foam lol
I didn’t know Leffen was doing headphone reviews now. His English has really improved during lockdown!
Lol, they do have some similarities
Still love my Focal Utopia. Can't stop listening to it.
wow, not often I see the m50x placed that low. FWIW, I don't dislike mine, though admittedly I don't often listen to them as they don't really do anything better than any of the headphones I CURRENTLY have in rotation (Crossfade W2 for bass, 6XX for best all rounder, and 598 for their more fun and pleasant highs (I often prefer them for that reason over the 6xx tbh). Have a pair of Sundara's on the way as the next addition, curious where they will fall in the stack.
The MDR-1A is my favorite headphone of all time. Sounds amazing and the comfort is unmatched. I'm surprised it ranked so low on this list.
I love mine!
What is the black wall background in your video ? AMAZING ! Wow... you are so smooth in your assessment. Love this format of assessment could be used with DAC's & amps. Thank you so much !
with the sony xm4's coming out in a week or two, would love to see them compared with the qc35s and pandas! I think audio quality is the same, but with improved qol and noise cancelling features. Basically I'm looking to splurge on some nice bluetooth headphones and would love a bluetooth headphone shootout.
The XM4s are essentially a more refined version of the XM3s, with slightly better features and the same sound quality. They're definitely much better than the QC35s now, it's a no contest. The Drop THX Panda has planar drivers, so it's supposed to sound much better.
It depends on your budget and what you're looking to get out of a pair of bluetooth headphones.
this list is almost perfect.i know I love some headphones that you hate, but I think I need to have a print of this list just in case someones asks me about purchasing A new headphone and I can confidently Show him this list as a reference. I may disagree with Clear on S tier and some other headphones Rank but overall this list in just on point and you are one of the Only youtubers that I actually care about his opinions. Guess if I am going to purchase something new you will be my only Trusted reviewer to rely on his opinion. great job DMS.
What if they ask what was being used to rank them? If they do, they'll notice that some of these rankings either make no sense or seem quite unfair. Also, this is just DMS' opinion tbh.
@@StardustLegacyFighter course it's his opinion. never said It ain't. but We all have opinions. right? point is I just found DMS's opinion so close to mine. that's why I actually trust a Reviwer at firs place, because I find his opinions match mine. and about the equipments used to Rank these Headphones you are right. it matters. but if that's the case then I guess it's kinda impossible to review and RANK any headphone at all or suggest them to others cause most of Headphones are gonna behave differently with different sources. Thing is anyone with a Good SS amp and a good dac can def benefit from this Rank imo.
Thanks for the list. IMO, the table colors should be the other way around. But that's all i have to complain about. #firstworldproblems
Last time his list ended at d. Needless to say, I don't think he knows how to format these to well.
This is the default and standard format for tier lists. Just added one tier lower because it was needed.
@@DMS3TV my bad then :) love you man
No idea you’re working for Abyss now man that’s good for you! Took a few years off this hobby and been getting back into it. Got an LCD-X in a few days ago and it made me smile seeing you debate S and A tier with it hahaha. Happy to know other people like it too.
If zeos made a list, "KOSS KPH30I S CLASS WITH FIIO BTR5 AS YOU CAN OBVIOUSLY TELL BY THE ANIME GIRL!!!!"
honestly asking if true though? im looking for a portable dac/amp but something I can use now for desktop.
And also its 4 hours long
Moon Light Films incel?
And that frickin $29 Koss sounds amazing! Had to buy a spare in case i sat on them.
I dont really understand your placement of the k371, honestly. Sonically speaking in my experience its a slightly darker/warmer 6xx runing off a sdac and atom amp. Ive dragged this thing around countires with me and its build has held up and after its clamp force dies down a bit its easily one of the most comfortable headphone ive ever used. While i dont use it fot finalized mixing its an extreamly useful studio headphone
K371 are my favorite close backs. Portable, easy to drive, comfortable, and best of all sound great.
I just ordered the focal clear to go with the astell and kern cube lol. Can't wait.
Hey thank you. Where would you see the arya? I recently bought the focal clear after deciding between the hd800s and the arya. Focal won clearly for me, but despite other reviewers praise the Arya was such a ridiculous let down for me. It sounded so fake. What do you think about the arya ?
Some good takes here. I agree with a lot of this.
What’s your thoughts with the HEDDphone? 😂
@@menachemelkayam153 sounds like he got an old one with the shorter headband. They made it longer since then.
Except that Arya and Ananda are supposed to be S tier and Abyss in F tier
@@metal571 Yeah that.
@@metal571 Lol, that would trigger him big time. Don't forget that insane with he did with Linus about Diana.
AGK K7XX? or the Beyerdynamic MMX 300 2nd gen. I know they are headset, but I compare them with several good headphones and just blow my mind by the sound quality. Just want to know your opinion about them. BTW great channel !
I'm curious to see where the hd660s stands
B tier
My ears say it's better than HD6XX (which is A-tier in this list) so it's probably A or S-tier
I don’t get it, why do the X2’s go into the trash when it’s rated so highly by almost everyone else?
It’s hard to take you seriously when you refuse to give any credit to one of the most popular headphones on your list (the M50x’s). I’m not just referring to this video, because I’ve heard you knock them without sharing any reason for why you don’t like them in another recent video. Sure they might not suit your tastes but if this is supposed to be a well-rounded list, then you would have at least given them credit for being portable, easy to drive, as well having soft pads and an overall solid build. I know many people that love the sound that comes out of these headphones so just because you don’t, that doesn’t mean they are bad.
Worst headphones I’ve ever owned. So uncomfortable and sound like grainy garbage.
As long as you like them
Thought you would have put more S tier headphones on, but still great list! I was looking forward to this video, and will love more of these tier list videos.
How can you include the HEDDPhone if you haven't even listened to it?? Weird.
Because so many people asked me to. I’ll give it another shot when it fits human-sized heads.
@@DMS3TV fits my head perfect. You might not be from earth
And i have a LARGE head. Believe me dude
Would def like an iem and amp list, this helped me narrow down some of my next choices, more of this insight please
Where would you put hd660, k712 and dt770?
I'd put dt 770 in c tier. If it had a detachable cable I think it could be a C+.
The main issue is the FR. With EQ though I'd be happy to put in B. Not many closed headphones have that good a soundstage, comfort, and isolation for 150usd.
He's not reviewed the K712, but they are fantastic.
@@SWANNwillSUFFICE Yeah I know I own all of them I was just curious about DMS's opinion
@@totinospizzarolls4737 I tried EQ but it just didn't sound right, I think it's better to get used to that color and take it for what it does the best
Really appreciate the vid! Makes me a lot more confident in my options for entry headsets. Really would love to see the dac amp tier list as well.
I like the fidelio X2
Yeh I have seen so much good reviews about these ones, not sure what he doesn't like about them
DMS you need to try Focal on a Feliks amp. It is crazy good with the Echo, Elise MKII, or Euforia. I run the Elex and Clear off an Echo and it's just magic.
Interesting list. Much appreciated!
Thanks for the info. I'm considering upgrading from the he400i to the sundara. Not sure how significant difference in sound there is between these 2 headphones? I would like to see a dac, amp dac combo review since I am looking at buying my first dac. Considering the E30 right now.
Great job! Great video! Keep em coming!
Loved the video, loved the speed at which you moved through the headphones, didnt spent five minutes on each one. Please do IEMs. Greatly appreciate the content man! Keep it up! :)
i would love one for DAC/AMP :D
Just wondering: what‘s your issue with the MDR-Z1R? You have no review up on it sadly.
I‘m running them myself, currently paired with a THX-789 and a SMSL SU8, but I‘m not very happy with the 789, the Z1Rs though are really lovely in my opinion. Would love to see a review from your point of view.
You putting the X2s in the F tier sickens me, sir.
could have stopped the video right there
Well, Its his opinion, id say the dt990pros are fine, not my cup of tea, but definetly not F tier in my opinion.
@I will do the fortnite dance on u
I think i know wjy its so low:
1990: He might have thought its not his cup of tea, but "objectivelly" they are amazing
990: They might be good, but they HURT so its F tier for him, no matter what
Hey mate, I found your channel via Josh. I have two comments. The first one is could everyone please forget the DT 1770 Pro exists and consider the DT 177x GO instead. It's like knowing there's an improved and revised version of the headphone out there, but judging it on the old version anyway. Secondly, S tier should really be for the best headphone. At absolute most, maybe 2 if it's legitimately a dead heat for first, but S tier isn't for all super good headphones, but the Top 1 headphone (in your own opinion of course). I can also tell that you really like analyitcal headphones from your selection, but it'd be great to see some more 'fun' choices in there like the 99 Noir/Classics just because there is a world of difference between a bad/sloppy bass heavy headphone like any of the 1$100 'gaming' headphones out there, and an audiophile grade 'fun' headphone with really punchy or bouncy bass.
I also think you should be more ruthless about your D and F tiers. If a headphone has a big flaw, like costing many times as much as a competing product that is just as good, then bin it!
Anyway, great video hope to see more.
LCD X is still my Headphone standard and king!
Do a video for gaming, too. Not gaming headsets, just proper headphones like the ones in this video. BUT, try to leave out the $2000 ones as gamers obviously have a modest budget. I've subbed! Also, I remember you did a video on the Monolith M560. Do you happen to know how and if a V-Modi Boom Mic works with them correctly as these headphones have 2 wires leading up to the cans. Thanks!
I'd sacrifice a goat for an AMP and DAC tier list separately
Great review! Besides the headphones - question for you DMS - where did you get those back wall polygon squares? Would be of great help if you could provide a name or a link :)
Best bassy (sub bass rumble with some kick) headphone. I’ve been using dt 770 pros for about 2 years now, I wanna upgrade, more rumble, harder kick, good clarity.
Excellent list and presentation format. Meze Empyrean? Recommendation on a closed version of the Focal Clear? Elegia looks like it’s discontinued...
Oh dear. The fidelio X2 crew is going to be mad again 😂
We mad
GRRR THEY'RE GOOD HEADPHONES! Heavy duty, $150, no amp/dac needed, easy to hook up a vmoda mic, big sound stage, super comfy
@@LuLzezRoflcopter 150!?!?!?! I got my ones for like £50 wtf
@@jasoncorrrigan1920 50pounds? Never see em that low but on amazon right now for $145 usd. Price difference by country maybe. We're talking Phillips Fidelio X2 correct?
@@LuLzezRoflcopter yes I. Might have just got lucky
I have that Bose headphones and i don't think that should be in there 😅, the sound quality is just okay, maybe the ANC gives the impression of good sound quality, anyway interesting tier list and good video 😁👌
Agree, they’re practical and perfect for calls/Teams meetings but for listening to music they’re a bloated muddy mess
Where would the hd660s fit in I'm guessing A tier
id say B since the sundaras cost 150 dollars less and sound better
Hey, could you possibly put your description in the same order/tiers as your video? That would really help people who are not as familiar with the various headphones follow along. Thanks.
I guess I'm buying beyerdynamic 1990 pro next :)
What's the cheapest from A tier?
8:36 that’s actually dope af
Where are the AKGs?
"it sounds like hearing loss" lmao
Yo DMS, thanks a lot for the reviews and suggestions. Where would you rank the elegia, considering that you can get one for $399 now?
Listening to this from the Focal Clear :)
Do you know how they compare to the Meze 99 with a good pad swap?
hypothetically i can only afford elex, should i buy them?
@@xyzxyzuvwuvw7633 Definitely, they're not very much different than the Clears, I would say that probably 90% of the experience you would have with the Clear you can reach with the Elex especially with a nice amplification, only beware of the QC issues with the drivers.
Awesome work bro!
What about the meze empyrean?! And my beloved arya?
I forgot about Arya. B tier. I don’t have much of an opinion on empyrean. It’s okay.
Imagine putting on of the best headphones on earth in the same category as a pair of bose. Biggest L energy.
En Joshi-Godrez I hope you don’t mean Arya lol. It’s not that good.
En Joshi-Godrez I’ve got Aryas and I do very much enjoy them, they’re very good headphones, but if they’re the best on earth then I’m gonna be disappointed.
DMS I’ve got Aryas but have been thinking of trying the Focal Clears or Elex. Based on this list you’d say the Clears are a strong jump over the Arya. At least to your ears?
I own the Dt1990 pros, the 58x, and the Fidelio X2s. I still find myself going to the Fidelios more often than the other 2 which you rated much higher. Maybe you got a bad pair? I heard quality control wasn't great on the Fidelios.
I love how he just puts M50x in F tier and doesn't even say anything about it. It really is that bad.
Is it?
I never tried any other hifi headphones 🤔
How different are the ATH compared to other headphones mentioned?
@@Ariaa76
I don't mean to be rude, but there are a lot of forums online that compare various audio equipment much better than I do. Just avoid r/headphones.
@@Yuriyalloween I have them, I do like them, I'm curious as to why he put them there with no explanation whatsoever. Do you have something that goes into more detail?
Tyll at Innerfidelity recommended them though.
I guess this is a good example to the fact that audio is subjective.
M50X sounds very metallic. I hated the sound of them personally, I can see why it's in F.
I'm sorry for asking, but what do you think about the superlux hd 681? I'm using it right now and it's awesome for 20€, but maybe you'll give it a solid 3/10 idk. Your opinion?