New cans

[djisas]

Been looking for an upgrade for a long while, mostly near the 100€ price range.
Im coming from a Sony MDR-1A and they are the best I ever had and listened to, warm and detailed sound...

So stuff I've been looking at are Sennheiser hd 599 currently going for 80€, I'm not Sennheiser's greatest fan, but all I ever tried where some cheapo stuff and wireless ones.
Philips Phidelio X2HR, they promise warm, detailed and spacious sound, as well as comfortable design. Same price as Sennheiser.
Austrian audio Hi-X15, a newcomer in the busyness and they often show up on what hifi charts.
AKG K702, always loved the design of akg cans, i have a pair of K240's I bought for the classic design alone, although they are far less enjoyable than the sony's.

I'd love to read some advice if anyone has any, the sennheiser deal might look like a no brainer but i might enjoy the sound signature of the Philips more for ex, and even the Austrian audio looks like a solid option

​

 

[Easy Rhino]

You probably won't be able to upgrade for just 100 bucks considering how nice the Sony MDR-1A are. An upgrade would be more in line with 400-500 bucks. That is where you will actually notice the difference in audio quality.

 

[faye]

If you like Sony's house sound I doubt you'll care for the Hi-X15, they're much thinner sounding. The K702 might be interesting, especially if you're willing to EQ.

The X2HR are exactly as you described - warm and relaxed, comfortable, reasonably detailed. The K702 are more detailed, the X2HR more pleasant and forgiving.

 

[Deleted member 229121]

If you're in the US I've seen Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pros (32 and 80 ohm) drop as low as $115.
I have the 250 ohm ones but have used all 3x and for that price those are great deals.

 

[mechtech]

I got a set of these a month or 2 ago. Used them about an hour, like your head is in a vise lol I should put them over a helmet or something to stretch them out.

Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX | Top Rated Open-Back Headphones | Drop

Our all-time best selling open-back audiophile headphones, the Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX is a replacement to the original HD 650 with a refreshed aesthetic & improved utility.

drop.com

Still using my senn game ones as the daily driver.

 

[Space Lynx]

alright i just deleted both of my posts. you fired up my passion for a love of a old hobby so I did a deep dive for you.

if you can increase your budget get this at $189: https://drop.com/buy/drop-hifiman-he5xx

if you MUST stick to $99 get this: https://drop.com/buy/drop-hifiman-he-x4-planar-magnetic-headphones

if you don't mind spending a little more, but don't want to drop $189, get this:

Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 58X Jubilee Headphones | Open-Back Audiophile Headphones | Drop

Headphones with history. The HD 58X uses Sennheiser’s new 150-ohm drivers, has a glossy black headband and gray metal grilles. These open-back headphones continue to please many ears at an unbeatable price.

drop.com

ok I'm done now, this is all I can offer you. you must never tell me what you picked. I am unwatching thread. my passion for this hobby is too strong and I must leave now before it sucks me back in. farewell!

you can also get $10 off all three of those of you sign up as a new customer. you should get a pop up when browsing those pages.

 

[faye]

I got a set of these a month or 2 ago. Used them about an hour, like your head is in a vise lol I should put them over a helmet or something to stretch them out.

Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX | Top Rated Open-Back Headphones | Drop

Our all-time best selling open-back audiophile headphones, the Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX is a replacement to the original HD 650 with a refreshed aesthetic & improved utility.

drop.com

Still using my senn game ones as the daily driver.

They're notorious for that. Great value if you're just getting in to higher end headphones, very hard to beat under $200 new, to the point it's often difficult to find anything substantially better used for the same price.

If you want to experience "HD600 but good" check out the Audio Technica ATH-R70x. I sold my pair a little while back, just too much gear so they weren't getting much time, but they're among the most comfortable headphones I've tried, and the sound signature is near neutral with enough bass that they never feel quite as clinical as the HD6XX. Basically a more carefully tuned, technically capable, even more comfortable (much lighter) X2HR. Not as easy to drive, but the trade off is more than worth it if you have an amp that will drive them properly.

 

[Space Lynx]

They're notorious for that. Great value if you're just getting in to higher end headphones, very hard to beat under $200 new, to the point it's often difficult to find anything substantially better used for the same price.

If you want to experience "HD600 but good" check out the Audio Technica ATH-R70x. I sold my pair a little while back, just too much gear so they weren't getting much time, but they're among the most comfortable headphones I've tried, and the sound signature is near neutral with enough bass that they never feel quite as clinical as the HD6XX. Basically a more carefully tuned, technically capable, even more comfortable (much lighter) X2HR. Not as easy to drive, but the trade off is more than worth it if you have an amp that will drive them properly.

I personally think the HD58X sounds better than HD6xx, but everyones tastes are different. As far as the clamp being tight, its easy to adjust that and loosen it safely.

I really want the OP to experience planar magnetic headphones though, because they just have a "unqiue" sound and it will be "different" for him

 

[Chomiq]

I've got both HD 6xx and Fidelio X2HR's. 6xx aren't used because they're uncomfortable. I've spent last 10 years wearing X2's and then X2HR's, they're often on sale and currently on amazon.de for €79. Compared to the original price of X2 - well over €200 it is a steal. You have to get through the clamping force and wear X2HR's in but after 2 weeks or so it's all gone. They're also built like a tank, the only thing that eventually fails after years of wearing them is the headband cushion (in my case it was the strap used for suspending the cushion between the earcups) but it was after something like 6-7 years of X2 use.

 

[Nathaaab]

Been looking for an upgrade for a long while, mostly near the 100€ price range.
Im coming from a Sony MDR-1A and they are the best I ever had and listened to, warm and detailed sound...

So stuff I've been looking at are Sennheiser hd 599 currently going for 80€, I'm not Sennheiser's greatest fan, but all I ever tried where some cheapo stuff and wireless ones.
Philips Phidelio X2HR, they promise warm, detailed and spacious sound, as well as comfortable design. Same price as Sennheiser.
Austrian audio Hi-X15, a newcomer in the busyness and they often show up on what hifi charts.
AKG K702, always loved the design of akg cans, i have a pair of K240's I bought for the classic design alone, although they are far less enjoyable than the sony's.

I'd love to read some advice if anyone has any, the sennheiser deal might look like a no brainer but i might enjoy the sound signature of the Philips more for ex, and even the Austrian audio looks like a solid option

​

The MDR-1As are tuned pretty well, slightly V shaped and fun, I don't think you can really upgrade with just 100€. The X2HRs are pretty good but do not have as much subbass extension, the HD599 are okay with a bigger midbass emphasis, K702s have a LOT of ear gain, K240 MKII is similar but more tame, both lack subbass extension.

I personally do not think any of these would be an upgrade compared to your current headphones, if you don't hear anything 'bad' with your pair.
You can always EQ your MDR-1A to get an idea of how the other cans would sound or your preference and keep them.

 

[Space Lynx]

The MDR-1As are tuned pretty well, slightly V shaped and fun, I don't think you can really upgrade with just 100€. The X2HRs are pretty good but do not have as much subbass extension, the HD599 are okay with a bigger midbass emphasis, K702s have a LOT of ear gain, K240 MKII is similar but more tame, both lack subbass extension.

I personally do not think any of these would be an upgrade compared to your current headphones, if you don't hear anything 'bad' with your pair.
You can always EQ your MDR-1A to get an idea of how the other cans would sound or your preference and keep them.

I think planar magnetic would give him a different tune for sure though, its a very unique sound that planar makes regardless of the tier. Overall though I do agree with you yes.

 

[unwind-protect]

This is what I would buy below $100: Sony MDR7506

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AJIF4E/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_4?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1

 

[Nathaaab]

This is what I would buy below $100: Sony MDR7506

MDR-7506s are slightly different but not really better than MDR-1As when it comes to sound performance.
I think it really is better to just save those $100 towards a more sizable upgrade later.

 

[mechtech]

I personally think the HD58X sounds better than HD6xx, but everyones tastes are different. As far as the clamp being tight, its easy to adjust that and loosen it safely.

I really want the OP to experience planar magnetic headphones though, because they just have a "unqiue" sound and it will be "different" for him

The 58x is adjustable? Is the 6xx??

 

[djisas]

Ty all for all the replies, My a1's getting old and beat up, one cup just sort of blew from the seams (already got a chinese replacement).
The mk240 are thinner than the sony, good but less fun, for ex i tried the MX5 and disliked the sound.
I also have been keeping an eye on Hifiman but i sort of want to stay away from chi-fi.
From what I get the philips are the closest to what I'm used to, what is the general opinion of the X3 compared to the X2?

 

[Space Lynx]

Ty all for all the replies, My a1's getting old and beat up, one cup just sort of blew from the seams (already got a chinese replacement).
The mk240 are thinner than the sony, good but less fun, for ex i tried the MX5 and disliked the sound.
I also have been keeping an eye on Hifiman but i sort of want to stay away from chi-fi.
From what I get the philips are the closest to what I'm used to, what is the general opinion of the X3 compared to the X2?

watch reviews on youtube. joshua valour does good headphone reviews.