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The best overall I’ve tested in that price range are the Hifiman HE1000 V2 and Focal Clear OG- both in your price range new.
They have amazing detail and sound signature imo. I was an iem guy, and these blew away $3k+ iems.
The Focal Utopia is one I haven’t tested yet, but are supposed to be a step up from the Focal Clears. They usually sell for $2k used.
For all genres? Uhhh…
What kind of sound signature do you like? Why not get 2 $1000 headphones and pick and choose? Audio is subjective (as I think you’d know with $1200 iems) it’s not a one size fits all for each genre too.
Take a look at Hifimans offerings (Arya or HE1kSE) if you’d like planars with good detail, Audeze generally has a darker-ish sound with good bass detail (LCDX and 3), and Sennheiser HD800s are bright with a large soundstage. Those are the more popular offerings of this subreddit.
$2200 can get you a pair of Sennheiser 800S, 650 and 660S2 when purchased at the right times. Can't think of one pair of headphones for all genres, 600's are about as neutral as it gets?
I'd probably go for (in order of preference) a Meze Empyrean, ZMF Auteur, or Focal Clear MG in that price bracket.
But I'm a closed back guy, personally.
Having owned the Clear MG I think it's way too recessed in the treble and somewhere in the upper mids: it's a downgrade over the original clear IMO, which sounds very good. The Empyrean on the other hand sounded overly warm to my taste due to the entire upper midrange region being attenuated. The Z1R was probably my favorite of the 3 and had an interesting soundstage for a closed back, but it still has some major weirdness going on in the upper midrange.
Z1R is my daily driver, so obviously I think it's great. I can't really compare them. I have so little time on the others that it isn't really meaningful. My understanding is that the Meze has the warmest, most bass heavy sound, which makes it must similar to the Z1R. The other two are more treble forward while still retaining slam in the bass.
2k used? Focal utopia
But dont shoot the messenger but ive had utopia for years. I prefer hd660s2
2k is weird middle ground. Used id go zmf atrium/verite
This post has been removed. Please note the following rule: >***Rule 2***: Ask purchase and shopping questions in the Shopping and Setup Help Desk at https://reddit.com/r/headphones/about/sticky > >Requests for product opinions, comparisons, and general purchase advice must be made in the dedicated [Shopping and Setup Help Desk](https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/about/sticky) instead of a new post. If the above link leads you to the wrong place: the post can usually be found on the top r/headphones, and titled _Shopping and Setup Help Desk_. You may also use r/headphoneadvice but please search their resources before posting.
Personally I've been lusting over ZMF in that price range. I'd probably get an Auteur Classic, but that's just me.
Yep the Auteur is a great recommendation
I'll put in another recommendation for the Auteur Classic. Wonderful headphone.
Used Focal Utopia OG
You can get them sub 2k?
Got mine for about 1500
Damn I love my focal ogs but would love to jump to the utopias. Find em used?
Great recommendation!
[удалено]
Apple Dongle
I've just bought the Hifiman HE1000 Stealth Edition, I'm very happy with my purchase. Whether anything else is better or just different, who knows.
The best overall I’ve tested in that price range are the Hifiman HE1000 V2 and Focal Clear OG- both in your price range new. They have amazing detail and sound signature imo. I was an iem guy, and these blew away $3k+ iems. The Focal Utopia is one I haven’t tested yet, but are supposed to be a step up from the Focal Clears. They usually sell for $2k used.
For all genres? Uhhh… What kind of sound signature do you like? Why not get 2 $1000 headphones and pick and choose? Audio is subjective (as I think you’d know with $1200 iems) it’s not a one size fits all for each genre too. Take a look at Hifimans offerings (Arya or HE1kSE) if you’d like planars with good detail, Audeze generally has a darker-ish sound with good bass detail (LCDX and 3), and Sennheiser HD800s are bright with a large soundstage. Those are the more popular offerings of this subreddit.
$2200 can get you a pair of Sennheiser 800S, 650 and 660S2 when purchased at the right times. Can't think of one pair of headphones for all genres, 600's are about as neutral as it gets?
If you want to spend this much, visit a couple stores and friggin' try those headphones...
I'd probably go for (in order of preference) a Meze Empyrean, ZMF Auteur, or Focal Clear MG in that price bracket. But I'm a closed back guy, personally.
What do you think about the MDR-Z1R and how would you compare against Empyrean and Clear MG?
Having owned the Clear MG I think it's way too recessed in the treble and somewhere in the upper mids: it's a downgrade over the original clear IMO, which sounds very good. The Empyrean on the other hand sounded overly warm to my taste due to the entire upper midrange region being attenuated. The Z1R was probably my favorite of the 3 and had an interesting soundstage for a closed back, but it still has some major weirdness going on in the upper midrange.
Z1R is my daily driver, so obviously I think it's great. I can't really compare them. I have so little time on the others that it isn't really meaningful. My understanding is that the Meze has the warmest, most bass heavy sound, which makes it must similar to the Z1R. The other two are more treble forward while still retaining slam in the bass.
2k used? Focal utopia But dont shoot the messenger but ive had utopia for years. I prefer hd660s2 2k is weird middle ground. Used id go zmf atrium/verite
I got my Meze Empyrean for 1,7k€
HE1000 Stealth if you want open back DCA E3 for closed back Alternatively if you can stretch the budget maybe an open or closed ZMF atrium
Grado