I think you messed up a little here - if you bought these on someone’s recommendation - either the advice was old or they haven’t been in the hobby for a while.

I agree with other comments about it being better to consolidate and buy one good headphone rather than buying multiple cheaper ones.

My 2c - return everything but the APP and get a good Senn open back (HD6X0 or HD560s) and get a different IEM - something like a Hexa is like endgame for most people for $80)

You don't need a standalone Amp... Your Mac won't break a sweat powering these to deafening volumes... But unless you want the fancy physical volume knob... It's a waste of money, u/iSaithh

I think that I felt similarly too really and why I didn't go out of my way to find the Element III. Whilst the EF400 seems to have a more divided opinion, it is, to me a logical addition to the Zen Stack which I own. I do not tend to prefer to the more sterile and analytical sound of say the Topping or SMSL equipment, so I am very happy with my choice.

> hmm, while they are dark, it shouldn't be by that much.

This is what I've been thinking since I've got them... Etymotics are usually described as very natural-sounding, but there's nothing natural with the sound I'm getting, unless you're listening to someone talk with a pillow over their face. I'm barely exaggerating...

I don't get it. I've tried all the included tips, and also gave CP100+ with inserts a try, but as long as they fit and seal, they all sound pretty much the same. Bass and lower midrange are fine, but at some point the upper frequencies just took a vacation and never came back. It sucks the life out of every song I listen to. EQ helps somewhat, but they still sound... "muffled"? Even my old Yamaha EPH-100 which have a big dip in the upper mid-range sound much clearer than that.

I'm honestly starting to think I got a dud...

Ones I can keep for more than a few months

Get rid of all of it except the Airpods

What I have >>>>

Headphones : M40x, M60x, PM3, Nightowl Carbon, Aeon, DT990, 1More Triple, Porta Pro, KPH30iClear, SR80e, HE400imodded...maybe I forgot 1 or 2

Iems : too many !

-----------------

What I would keep >>>>

Headphones : Oppo PM3

IEM : Senfer DT6...or Zero Audio Zirco Pezzo I hesitate...

Nice variety, but you could have used the money to get one much better headphone or iem instead. Then again i feel like quantity > quality is a good place to start. This way you find out what sound, etc you like before investing.

Essentially not responding to the knob turning. And like you said, it happens after my PC goes to sleep and a restart of the system is all it needs.

It depends. Personally i prefer Spinfit tips .

[deleted]

Arya stealth. Sounds good on any genre. Especially on classical. End game for me.

Welcome to the money well

Give the 660s A try sometime if you can

Qudelix 5K is all you need in most cases. It has decent DAC performance and power, can do both USB and bluetooth and the parametric EQ is simply awesome. It's also portable with decent battery life.

The measurements doesn't look as good as the Topping or JDS gear but I can't tell the difference between the Qudelix and the headphone output of my MOTU M4.

Sony MDR-Z1R. Never been a big fan of open back headphones.

Stax L700 mk2 It's scary good..

A good combined amp/dac can be quite good, but depends on the product of course. The K5 Pro served me well, but it was a much better amp than it was a DAC haha. Definitely benefited from a better standalone DAC later, but I don't regret it as an entry-level unit for my HD 650. A combined unit is mostly for convenience and might be cheaper than separate units.

​

>would you say r/AVexchange is a good place to look for used ones to pick up ?

Not sure, never visited that sub. I usually buy my audio stuff from Amazon or another site with a good return policy, in case I don't like it or it doesn't work as well as I thought it would. Have found good deals before on refurbished units. You could check a manufacturer's website for b-stock (items others bought but returned), for example.

What's something better for gaming at that price point?

What was this unresponsive behavior you're talking about? Did the whole thing not respond to the knob turning or was it just the sound not working, or both? I ask because I only had this happen to me once, where the Element III was plugged in, my PC went to sleep, and after it woke up it no sound came out. Restarting it fixed it.

Slow down and buy quality over quantity.

Even I used to feel that the sound was thin, So I actually boosted the 150-1000Hz range and I feel they are at their best now. The sound is near perfect and tight now

To me they are. For the value they are great but 660s could be my fav headphone next to grado rs2e. 660s have a fuller sound with way better instrument separation and imaging, maybe the soundstage is smaller. Timbre is better. 560s are still amazing for the price tho and I enjoy them too but they sound thinner. Also 660s to my ears have faster and tighter bass. You have to try them out for yourself and see what I’m talking about.

Get a topping dx1 and call it a day

Ananada because it’s what I’ve got and I’m happy enough with them.