some people but because they have a collection and want some headphones to rotate

here

Yeah totally. I stopped right around the time where the 1-2k iems became the craze. Found that for 800$-1k was the cut- off. Bought a couple of 1-2k and thought they were ok.

"Technicalities" can be "perceived" in the 2k gear, but felt that midfi gear (or sub 1k) reached a fine balance between that and sweetly tuned goodies. Heck a Sundara and the 660s is enough to keep me smiling.

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Yup. Settled down after getting the ZMF Aeolus with a selection of pads. Started selling off most of the rest of my collection soon after.

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In 2022 I bought the HD650 paired with Mt602, then upgrade to Ta26. Later I bought a used Denon D5200, both suits my taste very well and I can swap whenever I feel tired with ones. So yeah people stop on spending more on audio gear once they find their likes

I tried IE200 IE300 IE600 and like 200 the most, 600 in general is the best but in some track the treble got too hot/too much sparkle it sounds weird to me. 300 got too much bass/ sounds muddy for my taste. 200 feels like 600 but more relaxed/sterile signature with less technical prowess. 200 also very small and when paired with relaxed sound signature, I can see myself using it 9to5 everyday without hurting my ear.

It might not sound like a high end headphone, but the sound can be incredibly improved by EQ. Even to a point that "audiophiles" would tell you that sounds like crap to justify their super expensive headphones.

I was caught by the trap for a little while, but after getting 560s, 280 Pros and PR-1 Pros I realized I don't need anything else. I hear pretty much every detail in any given song and am satisfied with the frequency response of each headphone I have. One is open-back, the other is a closed-back and the third one is an IEM for when I'm outside. I don't really see any point in getting anything else since the hobby should not be about the gear, but about enjoying your music. And I'm glad I discovered the hobby, because now I enjoy music like never before.

So in headphones, yes frequency response at your eardrum (not what is seen on a FR graph), is in theory everything that matters. Given that distortion is below the audible threshold, and the headphones are operating in minimum phase.

The frequency response of a headphone affects the sound waves that are generated, and how they are shaped when combined. When it comes to "Technicalities", yes it can be linked back to FR, but not simply as something that you can point to one area and pick out. More how different frequencies are emphasized and what is affected by auditory masking.

That aside, there are a lot of outside factors that can affect what we hear or perceive, such as how the headphones feel, how spacious the cups are or how isolating they are.

Our senses are a mix of "simple" systems, that are filtered through our brain and can be changed by other senses, or interpretation

I swore I wouldn't buy hifiman because of the talks of QC but i took the dive on Sundaras and here I am 2 years later with them as my dailies. They feel way better built then I expected. The pads die quick but I picked up Dekoni hybrids and they are new again. The dekoni pads still feel great even after 18 months use.

The treble measurements are inaccurate as they are highly related to your own HRTF.

I have been using my Moondrop S8 for more than a year. Thankfully I still haven’t gotten the upgrade itch.

that depends. if you easily attracted to newest or hottest audio device then its mostly about buying new gear. but if you take your time, learn your own setup strength or weakness and just enjoy your music collection then it can be fun. newest headphones will always come every now and then, its up to you how to take it.

remember theres Endgame and there are DLCs lol

CSD will change with EQ in headphones. Since they are (most often) minimum phase. CSD is good for room measurements with loudspeakers, but for headphones it will tell you the same information as FR.

On a headphone CSD graph, if you see what could be interpreted as a "ringing," when you EQ the peak down, the "ringing" disappears as well

I don’t see myself ever buying new headphones again. I have Anandas and they do everything I need them to. I might eventually buy a pair of HD 650s just to the heavenly mids and female vocals that can’t seem to be reproduced elsewhere.

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I've had my headphones for almost four years & don't forsee myself upgrading anytime soon. One thing to note is for me, chasing music > chasing gear.

HD800S: All arounders. Games, movies, Zoom calls, low volume music while working, & dedicated music listening sessions. Comfort king.

LCD-MX4: Dedicated music headphones. Takes me to musical Lala Land.

Burson Conductor 3XP: amp/dac combo I've had for ~3 years. Opamps = 2 vivids and 2 classics.

I got to the point where there were no more wishes/wants, which I had when I was trying to find the right pieces in midfi for ~10yrs. I.E. I wish these were less shouty, less fatiguing, more clarity, less heavy, less pinching, etc. etc.

However, it doesn't mean I'm not curious about some of the newer headphones and would like to hear the ZMF Caldera, Atrium. Audeze LCD5, LCDMM, Maxwell. I'd also like to hear the Susvara.

I stand corrected, but both are MUCH better than the ALC892 or that toy Dell audio

Tbh nah. Something interesting pops up boom cash gone

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I’ve reached a comfortable spot. I’m certainly less interested in the hobby now, which bodes well for my wallet.

But for me, it’s:

HD560s, IE200 w/ Springtips and Airpods Pro Gen 2.

I have tonnes more. Countless chi-fi IEMs, open-back audiophile headphones, the latest TWS pairs and ANC headphones… but at the end of the day, these are the only units I use anymore. I value comfort equal or just above sound quality and consider myself a FR cultist.

IE200 was the final piece of the puzzle for me. The comfortable isolation and form factor really elevate them above my Moondrops, Truthears etc. I also like that they’re priced sensibly - meaning they are what the average person would consider premium, but if I ever lose them or damage them, I can replace them without much fuss.

There is a significant difference in bass and treble definition when jumping from onboard audio to a dedicated dac/amp combo unless you are using a modern audio codec like the ALC1200. Most dedicated USB dac/amp combos will sound very similar of not the same after that, with exception to valve amps.