Brian. Brother. Take this as a wakeup call!... challenge your assumptions. There is a reason you are where you are. I promise you! Small changes can make big differences in your circumstance. I went from making 28k a year in 2012 to making 98k a year in 2015. The biggest "Ahah" moments for me were: "you get what you accept" and "never allow yourself to be a victim of circumstances". How's that for real-talk on a friday?? lol Much Love.
Edition xs + modded strap (~20$ online) is by far the best setup for 300 if your goal is just pure sound quality bliss, coming from someone who owns the sundara, r70x (not refine, I wish tho), edition XS + straps, and now currently the ananda Nano. Pair the edition XS with a good dac/amp, and honestly I think that’ll be end game for most people- I just love the tuning of the nanos, this why I kept them. The Arya’s I had issues with.
@@subrezon Have you bought the XS yet? If you haven't already, try it first, personally I've tried a lot of headphones and the XS is the most comfortable for me in stock, I haven't changed anything, I sometimes forget they're on my head and I have a normal medium sized head and a medium amount of hair, I'm not bald but I'm not an overgrown punk either.
@@subrezon Then all the more likely you'll like them a lot. Bald people mostly don't like them, they chafe. And as for the size many complaints are from people with small heads, I usually adjust my headphones about midway with my average head but these XS's are huge and I have enough low adjustment almost a minimum.
I've been using the R70X with a Schiit stack for quite a while now and I think your positioning as a audiophile/gamer combo is spot on. I'm still regularly blown away by how clearly and accurately I can hear people in games, in 2042 I'm very clearly able to discern exact direction and distance of footsteps, it's honestly amazing. It's also comfortable and light enough it's very much in the "forget you're wearing it" camp. The lack of bass is a non factor for me even as a basshead, the simple fact being that cans are just never going to beat an actual sound system for bass. Half the enjoyment is feeling the rumble in my chest, so I just never use it for that kind of music, I already own a sound system for that. However for basically anything else in my library (especially rock and jazz) it's just fantastic.
When talking about gaming you should distinguish between good for competive games and good for singleplayer because some recommendations have a fairly light bass response or smaller soundstage that won't be as satisfying or immersive for singleplayer.
Technically it's not a brand new, but a refurbished version. HOWEVER, considering Hifiman QC, I'd actually take refurbished to news. And that's not even considering the big discount EDIT: Oh, now the brand new goes for 270 and now 500. Still, the refurbished might still have better QC
They sound like 500 headphone they feel like 100 or less. Don't get me wrong I love them they had amazing sound I had the First Gen and also the new onea with the new pads. Both of them had many problem's , Cable , mismatched Land R sound, Crackling sound from the L Channel, Sound keep changing when they moved on my head, both pads destroyed the one open up with no glue and the other the fake leather open up.Hifiman do fix them all under warranty. But i sell them because I don't want to have a headphone with soany problems
@@Tripokaridos22 the only problem ive had with my sundara 2020 is the leather of the pads starting to cut after less than 2y of usage... must buy some dakoni or other pads. ive changed the cable with a longher one and ive never had a problem
@@Tripokaridos22 Crackling isnt normal, your unit was likely defective. Hifiman's QC is hit or miss, its better than it used to be, but not where it should be yet.
@@ponchopyro3314 Both my Sundara had many problems the first pair i sold it , the Second pair Hifiman replace it and i also sold it . I prefer Hifiman sell these Headphones 50 euros more and have better QC .
Loving my HD600 paired with my Schiit stack. Unreal the difference when listening to lossless audio when compared to my other (also quite good) Bluetooth cans.
@@ColinCreighton Mainly for single player games. Sometimes when I do a long session, the top leather band tends to press really tight on the top of your head. Some people recommend to get a wicked cushion band since they're essentially rubber and can stretch. If I play competitive games or single player games on hard mode like in the last of us where they turn off the xray vision feature, I use the PC38X. Those are really great for imaging and finding out which direction the sound is coming from. I use the maxwells for cinematic games like FF7 rebirth and god of war. But like i said before, I have had them for 6 months now and i just recharged it for the first time last week and keep in mid that i charged it when the person in the headphones said "low battery" so there might still be 3-5 hours left in it.
@@ColinCreighton The weight isn't that bad, I got mine back in March and I was surprised cause everyone was saying it was cumbersome at 500g, but it's comfortable enough on your head. You could experience a bit of discomfort but that's only about like 6-7 hours or something wearing the headset. I use mine for mostly music which this headset sounds excellent in (I highly recommend enabling dolby atmos and finding custom EQs from reddit as the default bass is a little less for my liking, but you can tune it up to your liking in the EQ software). It also sounds fantastic for single player games like Elden Ring, RDR2, and the positionality is good enough too for FPS games. I haven't had any issues with the build quality of mine and it feels excellent in hand, mic quality is good too and the battery life is superb, I barely have to ever charge mine at all. I think it was a really good purchase decision
Thank you both! I am glad to hear two good personal accounts of them. I already have a pair of B&O headphones that do a very good job, but I might get the Mazwells and have the B&O be my travel headphones.
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro X fan here. Such an awesome all-rounder, especially for movies (don't game). Came from the Audio Technica MSR7, which I also loved, but this Beyer has the sub bass the MSR7 was lacking. I appear to be in the minority here, but I like my highs more than most people do (it's almost like people don't like the sound of cymbals?!), so I have no criticism of the Beyer's sound signature. Plus there's the comfort (super comfy!) and great build quality too. For less than £200? No brainer to me.
@@quiky9065 I love my DTs 779 Pro (though not an X), but I agree. My comfort level went drastically up when I changed the default earpads to a version with memory foam (Dekoni if I remember correctly, was a few years ago). Can also add they are great for gaming.
Setting the sidetone to about 65% also turns your Maxwell into a semi-open as far as hearing the world around you. Maybe the best value headphone I own. Also, I love those chapter titles... AKG AR5000, Standard HD600, Sennheiser Sindara, and the Aukey Maxwell. Sennheiser Sindara is actually a killer name.
HD600 is meh. The Edition XS is on sale for $260, that's the best headphone you can get, undeniably. Edition XS > Sundara > HD560S > HD6xx . I've had them all and tested them with friends as well. My daily driver is the HD560S because of comfort. The XS is for dedicated music listening.
I'm Waiting to receive those in a day or two. Watched so many reviews and some aren't agreeing even saying opposites.. about bass mid range and even treble. Which is weird as it doesn't seem to be much affected by source
The Aune is odd in that it both has a loudness compensation so mids get quieter at low volume to compensate for our raised mids sensitivity at low volume, plus it also is very position sensitive depending if you push it forwards, pull it back or center your ears in it. The Aune is basically HD600 but fixed up the treble and bass, but without the mids scoop imo, and if there's any it's very subtle even less than the Sundara which has the least of any hifiman. The Sundara smokes both of them for technical prowess no matter how you EQ them, it doesn't dirty up in busy tracks or complicated square wave bass stuff.
I had HD400 Pro (560S) and K702 and wanted to upgrade and have just one pair for gaming and music. Having owned the HD650 in the past, I already knew that the 6-series 'Sennheiser sound' wasn’t quite what I was looking for. I watched/read a bunch of reviews, and went with Aune AR5000. For music, it's amazing for my taste. In my experience, in (competitive FPS-) gaming the HD400 Pro (or the 560S) is way better for positional audio. I hear "more" with Aune, but in my opinion distances and such are more difficult to pinpoint. When I put on the Dolby Atmos from Windows, the experience with Aune is on a relatively good level for comp FPS and I can live with that. Comfort is also really nice with Aune. Also been using the EQ-settings from ASR's AR5000 review, which I felt brought a good extra something for the out-of-the-box sound. I have Topping DX3 Pro+, even though these probably wouldn't need anything. Haven't tried without the dac/amp. But anyway, I'm pleased with the sound and comfort of Aune AR5000 and happy with my upgrade. Music is way better than before, which is the way it sould be, since these are way pricier than my previous headphones. Thanks for the videos Joshua :)
I bought the M1060 back when you first reviewed it, and I loved it for years. I'm sure there's better options today so I trust your recommendations. Today I'm rocking the Arya Organic and don't regret the upgrade. Love your videos and channel, keep up the good work!
i've been lucky with my sundara, no issues after several years of use. even the earpads are doing great with routine care. this is endgame headphones for me along with dx3 pro+
I'm between the Aune AR5000 and the *Linsoul HarmonicDyne Zeus Elite,* but there is no direct comparison on TH-cam, I wish you could compare them to decide which would be the best option. Yo estoy entre los Aune AR5000 y los *Linsoul HarmonicDyne Zeus Elite,* pero no hay comparación directa en youtube, ojala los pudieras comparar tu para decidir cual seria la mejor opción.
ive been thinking of getting the aune ar5000, but the sundaras always have been tempting. idk now. i currently have the sennheiser ie300s that i mostly use. i have the hifiman he-x4 but i dont really use it that often anymore. especially now that i have the ie300s and its summer
Most people aren't talking about this, might be a me issue, but both pairs of sundaras I've had, have some odd resonance at certain frequencies, and I'm almost certain it's because I vape. If you have planar headphones, make sure you use them regularly if you vape around them, or keep them away from vapors. 😅
I own the sundaras since 1 1/2 Years and the Beyerdynamic dt1990pro since half a year more less. While the sundaras and the 1990s each shine in different categories, I can say that the sundaras are a very solid jack of all trades for the price, definitely worth the price :)
Looking for a better pair of gaming headphones. I went from Skullcandy evo, to anc 2 (I actually liked the evo better), and then the Maxwell (it comes Wednesday, at $199). I am returning the other two, could not dial in the bass enough to make it enjoyable.
Unlike what most people say I find HD600 excellent for gaming aka CS. Once you get used to how it images you have no problem hearing where the steps, sound are coming from. Excellent detail.
@@JagsP95 The QC stuff was an issue in the early days of Hifiman. The last few years it has improved considerably. It might seem like a big deal if you visit a lot of headphone online forums, but its just perception bias and also its become a hobby for some ppl to shit on Hifiman.
This video is proof how subjective this hobby is. Some people think that these reviewers are better at analyzing objective qualities in headphones and that objective qualities matter as much as subjective qualities. So why two reviewers have completely difference assessments about frequency response? Is the Aune V shaped or mid forward like Resolve says?
earshape, head shape (seal) there are way too many things to consider, for example I once just put my hd560s further back to basically touch the front of my ear, and I got a lot less bass and a brighter headphones with much more intimate mids, and otherwise it became very warm when I made it go basically a bit behind my ear edit: (maybe even v a slight v shape when they are behind my ears)
For 300, I pick my refurbished Ananda Stealth. Came out to 297€ when ordered on a "sale" (still ongoing so might just be the real price lol), using a cupon code and split shipping because the same order had another pair for a friend. Insane price for the sound these have👌 Closer to 350 if you order just for yourself I think.
Agree on the aune for sure. Feels about as good as the Sundara with slightly less technicality but very tuning and better soundstage, which is wild coming from the sundara. Alternatively better bass and way better soundstage HD600. Super comfy
I have the Aune AR5000, and my biggest gripe is that the paper over the driver isn't protected by mesh. I know one day I will accidently punch a hole in it.. The paper was also damp when I used it during the hotter months, which made me want to take breaks before they dissolve like toilet paper.
The Aunes are fantastic for me. Used also for gaming, with the Meze Boom Mic, connected via either a Schiit Hel 2 or Qudelix 5k - just helps that they sound great with music also.
My top 5 under U$300: Edition XS HD600 Sundara Fiio FT3 350 ohms(not try AR5000 yet) HD560s or DT880 600 ohms Honorable mention to Sennheiser Momentum 3 for a pair of bluetooth cans
I bought the Maxwells on this channels recommendation for gaming and I like them a lot, although I'm not an audiophile and can't hear differences very well. I have the Drop Pandas for music but I'm wondering if I should ditch them and just stick with the Maxwells for music too. My setup requires wireless so thats why I've gone with these. Any thoughts on this or if there is another wireless capable headphone that I should consider for music?
hey! I'm interested in getting the Apos R70X Refine, but was wondering if you could give a bit of a more direct comparison to the sennheiser 490 pros. I've been eyeing both and will mostly use them to game - thanks!
I tried the Sundara, there's a significant peak in the high mids to my ears that I strongly disliked, I'm keeping my DT1990 combined with the Dekoni elite velours. I don't know if it's the "new headphones" effect but I really disliked the sundaras. I once tried and bought the AKG K702 that I fond sounded really natural, a friend of mine still has his. I just disliked the build quality.
I don't see many reviews about the Focal Elegia, I got them a year ago for only 320 euros and I think they are great for that price, I think anyone who finds them for that price should definitely consider them
I agree with you, specifically with the HD600's and the Hifiman Sundara's, which have been my daily's for about 2 years now. My son recently bought the Maxwell's and I was really curious about them. I tried them the day he got them and I was really disappointed. Were they not broke in? He has had them for about 3 months now and maybe I should try them again, but I was really confused on why they didn't sound even decent to me.
I actually think the Grado SR325x has them all beat. I had to return a pair of HD600's because they couldn't hold a candle to the Grados. I know they aren't for anyone but holy shit do they sound good. Anything significantly superior to that headphone is 4 figures.
I just bought the Hifiman Edition XS on Amazon. It was only $270 brand new. Was looking for something with a bit wider soundstage than the Sundara. I hope it delivers. If I like it, I'll probably sell my Sundara.
@ainzsama769 They sounded a lot better than the Sundara, but they were way too uncomfortable. I returned them and got an Arya Organic with Dekoni Fenestrated Sheepskin ear pads. These sound a lot better than the Edition XS and are way more comfortable, but they are over three times as expensive.
I had the audeze maxwells and they broke on me, from what I can understand its because they get condensation inside the earcup, presumably from sweat as they were wet on the inside - its not a me problem as a friend had the exact same issue - long gaming sessions cause issues. I got a full refund on them and got the Sundara's and a mod mic, honestly I'm glad they broke.
@thewisePLAGUEIS hands down the sundara's win in every aspect except convenience of wireless. Sound stage is much more open, sounds are cleaner and i can only assume it has something to do with frequency response but they feel snappier?? . I'm really glad my maxwells broke. Also the sundaras are so light to wear, but not in a way where they fall off.
I have the DX3 pro+ and the hd560s and i want to upgrade for something in the range of ~500euro. I love everything about the headphone I may could ask for a little more bass but that's about it any recommendations ? Thanks in advance!
Brother man I have the 660s and it is one of my low key favorites, but it's not so good for gaming. I can tell you from the headphones he mentioned 600 and Sundara are not upgrades for gaming either. He mentions he likes the Apos x AT refine for gaming, I haven't heard it, but there are upgrades for 660s FOR GAMING that are much cheaper, like $100 range if you don't want to spend $300.
Hey Josh, great video! Just checking, since the Edition XS is now less than 300, do they potentially blow these away? Specially since they were sub 500 and were praised by many? Edit: I feel as if bro listened to me personally and dropped another banger of a video confirming that the XS is the best deal in all of audio! Thanks a ton!
I own both the Sundara's (for fiance) and edition XS, with the updated pricing on the XS I'm surprised I didnt see them on the list. IMO they beat out the Sundara's on everything but the low end bass you mentioned. Either way always enjoy your content!
Edition XS >≈ 6XX > Maxwell > (>>>) Sundara (owned and used all for a year or more), after hearing the 6XX and Edition XS I just would not take a Sundara for any reason over them. Maxwell is also excellent for the price and the build quality is very nice I just prefer pads with more breathability during the warmer months. Sundara imaging for gaming is also the worst I have heard among headphones that are supposed to be good. Would take a 6XX or just about anything else over Sundara for gaming any day of the week and prefer the imaging/accuracy several times over.
Great video as always, thanks a lot. A question, im wanting to move up from my SHP9600 and my HE4XX, considering i dont do any gaming wich one would u recomend as a move up or an addition? Thanks again from Colombia
I’m sticking with the FiiO FT3 300 Ohm version at the $300 level. I much prefer them over the Sennheiser. Also, no limited run headphone should be on this list!
Why am I even watching this Im too damn broke
It’s called window shopping. Never stop dreaming!
Lmao, just get the 6XX, 100 less than the 600
Agree 😂😂😂
Window shopping 👌
Brian. Brother. Take this as a wakeup call!... challenge your assumptions. There is a reason you are where you are. I promise you! Small changes can make big differences in your circumstance. I went from making 28k a year in 2012 to making 98k a year in 2015. The biggest "Ahah" moments for me were: "you get what you accept" and "never allow yourself to be a victim of circumstances". How's that for real-talk on a friday?? lol Much Love.
Edition xs + modded strap (~20$ online) is by far the best setup for 300 if your goal is just pure sound quality bliss, coming from someone who owns the sundara, r70x (not refine, I wish tho), edition XS + straps, and now currently the ananda Nano.
Pair the edition XS with a good dac/amp, and honestly I think that’ll be end game for most people- I just love the tuning of the nanos, this why I kept them. The Arya’s I had issues with.
Is there a particular strap you'd recommend?
@@subrezon Have you bought the XS yet? If you haven't already, try it first, personally I've tried a lot of headphones and the XS is the most comfortable for me in stock, I haven't changed anything, I sometimes forget they're on my head and I have a normal medium sized head and a medium amount of hair, I'm not bald but I'm not an overgrown punk either.
@@VamIy no haven't gotten it yet, but planning to. I'll try it out first, but I got a big head and a lot of hair.
@@subrezon Then all the more likely you'll like them a lot. Bald people mostly don't like them, they chafe. And as for the size many complaints are from people with small heads, I usually adjust my headphones about midway with my average head but these XS's are huge and I have enough low adjustment almost a minimum.
but those things are huge, once the pad touches my neck im out
I've been using the R70X with a Schiit stack for quite a while now and I think your positioning as a audiophile/gamer combo is spot on. I'm still regularly blown away by how clearly and accurately I can hear people in games, in 2042 I'm very clearly able to discern exact direction and distance of footsteps, it's honestly amazing. It's also comfortable and light enough it's very much in the "forget you're wearing it" camp.
The lack of bass is a non factor for me even as a basshead, the simple fact being that cans are just never going to beat an actual sound system for bass. Half the enjoyment is feeling the rumble in my chest, so I just never use it for that kind of music, I already own a sound system for that. However for basically anything else in my library (especially rock and jazz) it's just fantastic.
When talking about gaming you should distinguish between good for competive games and good for singleplayer because some recommendations have a fairly light bass response or smaller soundstage that won't be as satisfying or immersive for singleplayer.
What about edition xs
Now $279
Technically it's not a brand new, but a refurbished version. HOWEVER, considering Hifiman QC, I'd actually take refurbished to news. And that's not even considering the big discount
EDIT: Oh, now the brand new goes for 270 and now 500. Still, the refurbished might still have better QC
@@JoaoBarbosa1996 Refurb is only $240 on the edition XS
This price won't last long
@@4epa1012 that's the new permanent price lol
@@JoaoBarbosa1996 279$ are brand new, not refurbished.
Absolutely agree on the Sundaras. They feel like 500$ headphones.
They sound like 500 headphone they feel like 100 or less. Don't get me wrong I love them they had amazing sound I had the First Gen and also the new onea with the new pads. Both of them had many problem's , Cable , mismatched Land R sound, Crackling sound from the L Channel, Sound keep changing when they moved on my head, both pads destroyed the one open up with no glue and the other the fake leather open up.Hifiman do fix them all under warranty. But i sell them because I don't want to have a headphone with soany problems
@@Tripokaridos22 the only problem ive had with my sundara 2020 is the leather of the pads starting to cut after less than 2y of usage... must buy some dakoni or other pads. ive changed the cable with a longher one and ive never had a problem
@@bugsbunny3400 u didn't have any crackling noise from drivers at louder Volume?
@@Tripokaridos22 Crackling isnt normal, your unit was likely defective. Hifiman's QC is hit or miss, its better than it used to be, but not where it should be yet.
@@ponchopyro3314 Both my Sundara had many problems the first pair i sold it , the Second pair Hifiman replace it and i also sold it . I prefer Hifiman sell these Headphones 50 euros more and have better QC .
Loving my HD600 paired with my Schiit stack. Unreal the difference when listening to lossless audio when compared to my other (also quite good) Bluetooth cans.
I'm Beyerdynamic dt 700/900 Pro X fan.
Own 900 and several sennheisers
Got the Maxwells back in Feb. Its really great with battery.
What do you primarily use the Maxwells for? They look really good to me, but I am slightly concerned about their weight.
@@ColinCreighton Mainly for single player games. Sometimes when I do a long session, the top leather band tends to press really tight on the top of your head. Some people recommend to get a wicked cushion band since they're essentially rubber and can stretch. If I play competitive games or single player games on hard mode like in the last of us where they turn off the xray vision feature, I use the PC38X. Those are really great for imaging and finding out which direction the sound is coming from. I use the maxwells for cinematic games like FF7 rebirth and god of war. But like i said before, I have had them for 6 months now and i just recharged it for the first time last week and keep in mid that i charged it when the person in the headphones said "low battery" so there might still be 3-5 hours left in it.
@@ColinCreighton The weight isn't that bad, I got mine back in March and I was surprised cause everyone was saying it was cumbersome at 500g, but it's comfortable enough on your head. You could experience a bit of discomfort but that's only about like 6-7 hours or something wearing the headset. I use mine for mostly music which this headset sounds excellent in (I highly recommend enabling dolby atmos and finding custom EQs from reddit as the default bass is a little less for my liking, but you can tune it up to your liking in the EQ software). It also sounds fantastic for single player games like Elden Ring, RDR2, and the positionality is good enough too for FPS games. I haven't had any issues with the build quality of mine and it feels excellent in hand, mic quality is good too and the battery life is superb, I barely have to ever charge mine at all. I think it was a really good purchase decision
Thank you both! I am glad to hear two good personal accounts of them. I already have a pair of B&O headphones that do a very good job, but I might get the Mazwells and have the B&O be my travel headphones.
Have you had any issues with driver flex?
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro X fan here. Such an awesome all-rounder, especially for movies (don't game). Came from the Audio Technica MSR7, which I also loved, but this Beyer has the sub bass the MSR7 was lacking. I appear to be in the minority here, but I like my highs more than most people do (it's almost like people don't like the sound of cymbals?!), so I have no criticism of the Beyer's sound signature. Plus there's the comfort (super comfy!) and great build quality too. For less than £200? No brainer to me.
beyers clamping force is quite scary.
@@quiky9065 I love my DTs 779 Pro (though not an X), but I agree. My comfort level went drastically up when I changed the default earpads to a version with memory foam (Dekoni if I remember correctly, was a few years ago). Can also add they are great for gaming.
Setting the sidetone to about 65% also turns your Maxwell into a semi-open as far as hearing the world around you. Maybe the best value headphone I own.
Also, I love those chapter titles... AKG AR5000, Standard HD600, Sennheiser Sindara, and the Aukey Maxwell.
Sennheiser Sindara is actually a killer name.
HD600 is meh. The Edition XS is on sale for $260, that's the best headphone you can get, undeniably.
Edition XS > Sundara > HD560S > HD6xx . I've had them all and tested them with friends as well.
My daily driver is the HD560S because of comfort. The XS is for dedicated music listening.
edition xs is so nice ...
dayum that's like almost half price
HD600 meh? That’s a hot take. It sets the benchmark for realistic midrange up to $1500 and even above that.
@@divinecurrent9053HD600 is the most overrated headphone in this hobby. It’s ok but not that great. No soundstage, no bass, treble rolled off & clampy
do you need dac amp to run Edition XS or Sundara, i only have 40$ chinese type C dac amp and afraid it can't handle them
Aune AR5000 is so good! I even like it more than my Edition XS.
Excellent. Love my AR5000. Would love to try the Apos.
Why the Sundara when it's about the same price as the Edition XS?
Wait the Aune V-Shaped? Resolve says it's mid-range focused. So, which one is it?
I'm Waiting to receive those in a day or two. Watched so many reviews and some aren't agreeing even saying opposites.. about bass mid range and even treble. Which is weird as it doesn't seem to be much affected by source
Yes, I think we should call the sound signature of AR5000 as more of an A-shaped.
The Aune is odd in that it both has a loudness compensation so mids get quieter at low volume to compensate for our raised mids sensitivity at low volume, plus it also is very position sensitive depending if you push it forwards, pull it back or center your ears in it. The Aune is basically HD600 but fixed up the treble and bass, but without the mids scoop imo, and if there's any it's very subtle even less than the Sundara which has the least of any hifiman. The Sundara smokes both of them for technical prowess no matter how you EQ them, it doesn't dirty up in busy tracks or complicated square wave bass stuff.
I had HD400 Pro (560S) and K702 and wanted to upgrade and have just one pair for gaming and music. Having owned the HD650 in the past, I already knew that the 6-series 'Sennheiser sound' wasn’t quite what I was looking for. I watched/read a bunch of reviews, and went with Aune AR5000.
For music, it's amazing for my taste. In my experience, in (competitive FPS-) gaming the HD400 Pro (or the 560S) is way better for positional audio. I hear "more" with Aune, but in my opinion distances and such are more difficult to pinpoint. When I put on the Dolby Atmos from Windows, the experience with Aune is on a relatively good level for comp FPS and I can live with that. Comfort is also really nice with Aune. Also been using the EQ-settings from ASR's AR5000 review, which I felt brought a good extra something for the out-of-the-box sound. I have Topping DX3 Pro+, even though these probably wouldn't need anything. Haven't tried without the dac/amp.
But anyway, I'm pleased with the sound and comfort of Aune AR5000 and happy with my upgrade. Music is way better than before, which is the way it sould be, since these are way pricier than my previous headphones.
Thanks for the videos Joshua :)
I bought the M1060 back when you first reviewed it, and I loved it for years. I'm sure there's better options today so I trust your recommendations. Today I'm rocking the Arya Organic and don't regret the upgrade. Love your videos and channel, keep up the good work!
Amazing video. Exactly what I was waiting for.
i've been lucky with my sundara, no issues after several years of use. even the earpads are doing great with routine care. this is endgame headphones for me along with dx3 pro+
I'm between the Aune AR5000 and the *Linsoul HarmonicDyne Zeus Elite,* but there is no direct comparison on TH-cam, I wish you could compare them to decide which would be the best option.
Yo estoy entre los Aune AR5000 y los *Linsoul HarmonicDyne Zeus Elite,* pero no hay comparación directa en youtube, ojala los pudieras comparar tu para decidir cual seria la mejor opción.
Hello , what do you think about MOONDROP PARA at this TOP?
great content as usual man!
please consider making it 500 - 750 and 1000$ versions with more updated options in the market :)
ive been thinking of getting the aune ar5000, but the sundaras always have been tempting. idk now. i currently have the sennheiser ie300s that i mostly use. i have the hifiman he-x4 but i dont really use it that often anymore. especially now that i have the ie300s and its summer
Cool! Although you can get the Ananda Stealth and the Edition XS for 300$ and i think they should be on this list.
Yeah, I picked up a stealth with a qudelix for eq/amp on sale and it might be the best combo for around 300$ if you can get them in that range.
Most people aren't talking about this, might be a me issue, but both pairs of sundaras I've had, have some odd resonance at certain frequencies, and I'm almost certain it's because I vape. If you have planar headphones, make sure you use them regularly if you vape around them, or keep them away from vapors. 😅
I own the sundaras since 1 1/2 Years and the Beyerdynamic dt1990pro since half a year more less. While the sundaras and the 1990s each shine in different categories, I can say that the sundaras are a very solid jack of all trades for the price, definitely worth the price :)
Looking for a better pair of gaming headphones. I went from Skullcandy evo, to anc 2 (I actually liked the evo better), and then the Maxwell (it comes Wednesday, at $199). I am returning the other two, could not dial in the bass enough to make it enjoyable.
Unlike what most people say I find HD600 excellent for gaming aka CS. Once you get used to how it images you have no problem hearing where the steps, sound are coming from. Excellent detail.
Bought the sundara, EQ'd it to add bass and remove the peaks and never looked back. Good to know I made the right choice lol
You can get a lot more good headphones for 300$ and less for example: AKG K712 PRO , Meze 99 Classics , HiFiMan Edition XS , AKG K361 , Moondrop Para
just got the Edition XS for 250$ and i simply love them (coming from the HD58x Jubilee) they are better in pretty much every point
k702 is just a cheaper k712
I want go get edition xs but i dont want to deal with the qc issues
@@JagsP95In my experience, the QC thing is over blown. I’ve owned 5 different Hifiman’s & never had an issue
@@JagsP95 The QC stuff was an issue in the early days of Hifiman. The last few years it has improved considerably. It might seem like a big deal if you visit a lot of headphone online forums, but its just perception bias and also its become a hobby for some ppl to shit on Hifiman.
This video is proof how subjective this hobby is. Some people think that these reviewers are better at analyzing objective qualities in headphones and that objective qualities matter as much as subjective qualities. So why two reviewers have completely difference assessments about frequency response? Is the Aune V shaped or mid forward like Resolve says?
earshape, head shape (seal)
there are way too many things to consider, for example I once just put my hd560s further back to basically touch the front of my ear, and I got a lot less bass and a brighter headphones with much more intimate mids, and otherwise it became very warm when I made it go basically a bit behind my ear
edit: (maybe even v a slight v shape when they are behind my ears)
I haven’t seen you review Shure SRH1840. How come?
Are you ever going to review the Modhouse T60 Argon? I think it would be very interesting to hear your thoughts with your wealth experience
So what's up with those timeline chapters names!? AKG AR5000, Standard HD600, Sennheiser Sindara, Aukey Maxwell?
What is going on LOL
I’ve been using Audeze Maxwell, AirPods Pro 2 and sometimes Simgot EM6L for wired IEM. All sound great and serve my usage well
What would you recommend for an upgrade for my 16 yo Sennheisers HD 555? I want something better, but equally comfortable. $300-350 max.
For 300, I pick my refurbished Ananda Stealth. Came out to 297€ when ordered on a "sale" (still ongoing so might just be the real price lol), using a cupon code and split shipping because the same order had another pair for a friend. Insane price for the sound these have👌
Closer to 350 if you order just for yourself I think.
Agree on the aune for sure. Feels about as good as the Sundara with slightly less technicality but very tuning and better soundstage, which is wild coming from the sundara. Alternatively better bass and way better soundstage HD600. Super comfy
Honorable metion to HD490 Pro which are a bit more expensive. They are like HD 600 but with punchier low range. I'm using them and they are amazing!
I have the Aune AR5000, and my biggest gripe is that the paper over the driver isn't protected by mesh. I know one day I will accidently punch a hole in it..
The paper was also damp when I used it during the hotter months, which made me want to take breaks before they dissolve like toilet paper.
Love my Aune's. Feel like they responded better to EQ than the HD 600. Sundaras do sound good, though too bright for me.
The Aunes are fantastic for me. Used also for gaming, with the Meze Boom Mic, connected via either a Schiit Hel 2 or Qudelix 5k - just helps that they sound great with music also.
My top 5 under U$300:
Edition XS
HD600
Sundara
Fiio FT3 350 ohms(not try AR5000 yet)
HD560s or DT880 600 ohms
Honorable mention to Sennheiser Momentum 3 for a pair of bluetooth cans
The hifiman edition XS are 270$ rn. They should be the clear pick imo, I just wish they weren't so damn big.
I bought the Maxwells on this channels recommendation for gaming and I like them a lot, although I'm not an audiophile and can't hear differences very well.
I have the Drop Pandas for music but I'm wondering if I should ditch them and just stick with the Maxwells for music too.
My setup requires wireless so thats why I've gone with these.
Any thoughts on this or if there is another wireless capable headphone that I should consider for music?
Can you make this video but for headphones that are $200 or less
hey! I'm interested in getting the Apos R70X Refine, but was wondering if you could give a bit of a more direct comparison to the sennheiser 490 pros. I've been eyeing both and will mostly use them to game - thanks!
I tried the Sundara, there's a significant peak in the high mids to my ears that I strongly disliked, I'm keeping my DT1990 combined with the Dekoni elite velours. I don't know if it's the "new headphones" effect but I really disliked the sundaras. I once tried and bought the AKG K702 that I fond sounded really natural, a friend of mine still has his. I just disliked the build quality.
youre not alone, same with the Arya too
"DT1990"
It's a studio reference headphone, not a fair comparison.
I don't see many reviews about the Focal Elegia, I got them a year ago for only 320 euros and I think they are great for that price, I think anyone who finds them for that price should definitely consider them
I agree with you, specifically with the HD600's and the Hifiman Sundara's, which have been my daily's for about 2 years now. My son recently bought the Maxwell's and I was really curious about them. I tried them the day he got them and I was really disappointed. Were they not broke in? He has had them for about 3 months now and maybe I should try them again, but I was really confused on why they didn't sound even decent to me.
You also forgot to mention impedances on these headphones. A lot of them require quite beefy amps
btw, the edition XS from hifiman is like 300-310 bucks atm. So just letting you know ;)
Aune AR5000 is a BEAST.
What about the edition xs with the price BELOW the sundara?
where, how, what, that's insane
@@sauce8767amazon
Audio-Technica R70X Refine vs Sennheiser HD 490 Pro? I’m torn on which ones to buy for FPS games (CS2)
Both great r70x is wider space and easier to place. 490pro more accurate but a lot narrower
470 ohms on that Apos R70x? Might have to give that a shot with my tube amps
Shocked to not see the HIFIMAN XS on this list. $269 and the 6XX being under 200 often.
Would the Sundara be your choice for classical?
How does the Edifier stax spirit S3/S5 stack against these? Especially the audeze maxwell
I'm surprised you picked the Sundaras over the Edition XS. I thought the XS was a more refined version of the Sundaras?
did they ever fix the cracking issues with the maxwell
I have HD 600 and HD 6XX, I like them both, I can’t pick which one I like more
HD6xx can be the best for the price; however, HD58x is also good if you do some mod (back foam removed)
I guess no one remembers the AKG K702 anymore. At one time the HD600, K702 and DT990 were some of the best headphones you could buy.
Hd600 + Modi/Magni stack is brilliant
I actually think the Grado SR325x has them all beat. I had to return a pair of HD600's because they couldn't hold a candle to the Grados. I know they aren't for anyone but holy shit do they sound good. Anything significantly superior to that headphone is 4 figures.
I have 600 and 6XX. I’m not sure which one is better. I like them both.
Where is the best audio store? I can’t find a place to go listen to headphones home theater etc
I really wanna know if the R70xR is a logical upgrade over an AD900x
I enjoy that headset for gaming a mid focused music
I love watching these. Listening with my QC ultra’s 😊
PC38x vs the R70x refine for gaming mostly and some music if price isn’t much of an issue?
I hope at some point you talk about a dac/amp combo or stack that works well for gaming with the Audio Technica Apos headphones.
Topping are amazing
I just bought the Hifiman Edition XS on Amazon. It was only $270 brand new. Was looking for something with a bit wider soundstage than the Sundara. I hope it delivers. If I like it, I'll probably sell my Sundara.
how did it go?
any better than the sundaras?
@ainzsama769 They sounded a lot better than the Sundara, but they were way too uncomfortable. I returned them and got an Arya Organic with Dekoni Fenestrated Sheepskin ear pads. These sound a lot better than the Edition XS and are way more comfortable, but they are over three times as expensive.
@@jonRock i pussied out and bought the HD600 instead been seeing alot of people complaining about HiFiman's quality control
How does the Sundara's soundstage compare to the r70x? I've heard mixed reprots.
R 70x a lot bigger and more airy. Sundara smaller more accurate imaging
I had the audeze maxwells and they broke on me, from what I can understand its because they get condensation inside the earcup, presumably from sweat as they were wet on the inside - its not a me problem as a friend had the exact same issue - long gaming sessions cause issues. I got a full refund on them and got the Sundara's and a mod mic, honestly I'm glad they broke.
Sound wise how do they compare with each other? Which has better soundstage and sound quality? Be honest, even if the Maxwells broke on you.
@thewisePLAGUEIS hands down the sundara's win in every aspect except convenience of wireless. Sound stage is much more open, sounds are cleaner and i can only assume it has something to do with frequency response but they feel snappier?? . I'm really glad my maxwells broke. Also the sundaras are so light to wear, but not in a way where they fall off.
Are the k712 pros still good or an old buy?
Great review
Dt 900 pro x is a worthy mention under 300 especially for compeitive fps and music
I have the DX3 pro+ and the hd560s and i want to upgrade for something in the range of ~500euro. I love everything about the headphone I may could ask for a little more bass but that's about it any recommendations ?
Thanks in advance!
490 with valour pads
Joshua - do you recommend any of these as an upgrade for gaming over my HD 660s?
Brother man I have the 660s and it is one of my low key favorites, but it's not so good for gaming. I can tell you from the headphones he mentioned 600 and Sundara are not upgrades for gaming either. He mentions he likes the Apos x AT refine for gaming, I haven't heard it, but there are upgrades for 660s FOR GAMING that are much cheaper, like $100 range if you don't want to spend $300.
Hey Josh, great video! Just checking, since the Edition XS is now less than 300, do they potentially blow these away? Specially since they were sub 500 and were praised by many?
Edit: I feel as if bro listened to me personally and dropped another banger of a video confirming that the XS is the best deal in all of audio! Thanks a ton!
Love the time stamp trolling. I bet Josh was just chuckling to himself while writing those. *Editing in dark room*.... *Little chuckle*
I like the HD660S but it's a bit more than $300.
I own both the Sundara's (for fiance) and edition XS, with the updated pricing on the XS I'm surprised I didnt see them on the list. IMO they beat out the Sundara's on everything but the low end bass you mentioned. Either way always enjoy your content!
Edition XS >≈ 6XX > Maxwell > (>>>) Sundara (owned and used all for a year or more), after hearing the 6XX and Edition XS I just would not take a Sundara for any reason over them. Maxwell is also excellent for the price and the build quality is very nice I just prefer pads with more breathability during the warmer months.
Sundara imaging for gaming is also the worst I have heard among headphones that are supposed to be good. Would take a 6XX or just about anything else over Sundara for gaming any day of the week and prefer the imaging/accuracy several times over.
I really love it! Thank you so much.❤
Great video as always, thanks a lot. A question, im wanting to move up from my SHP9600 and my HE4XX, considering i dont do any gaming wich one would u recomend as a move up or an addition?
Thanks again from Colombia
AKG AR5000?
For the list The Maxwell is the winner for me. Sounds amazing, the only con is the weith, you cant use them more than 3 hours, they smash your head
Which one you would prefer between AKG 712, Sennheiser HD 490, R70x Refined?
R70
Why HD600 and not 660s that have way better imaging and Speed , So u can also game on them ?
beyerdynamic dt 770 pro x limited edition please review
Nice list
Please review denon d7200 latest unit
Personally I'd recommend the JBL Tour One M2 over the Bose QC's. Sound 10 times better.
I’m sticking with the FiiO FT3 300 Ohm version at the $300 level. I much prefer them over the Sennheiser.
Also, no limited run headphone should be on this list!
Could you tell me the name of the Amp on the gameing desk @ 1.30 of the video. {anyone}?
Please do a $500 range now.
Can someone tell me pls what is the amp that is visible at 1:30?
Woo Audio Wa7 $1399