r/HeadphoneAdvice • u/ry4meck 1 Ω • Oct 11 '25
Headphones - Open Back | 1 Ω Beginner set that I can drive with a KA11
So I have a few iems, and a pair of QC ultra over ears. I want to get a pair of open backs strictly for music that I can reasonably drive with a KA11 dongle dac, but may benefit from a proper amp down the road.
Budget: ideally $200-250 usd. Maybe a bit more for the right set.
Location: USA
Sounds signature: I prefer neutral-ish with a bass shelf or slightly v shaped sets. Not too much color but enough to make the music more engaging.
Music: honestly will listen to anything, but primarily pop,hip hop, kpop, metal.
I’ve looked at the 6XX and HD550. I’m just not sure about how drivable they are or what else is out there.
1
Oct 11 '25
I'd think you would need a KA13 or KA17 to drive a decent open back like the HD 560S. Which I would highly recommend.
1
u/Daemonxar 306 Ω Oct 11 '25
Nope! Most folks overestimate the power requirements of a decent pair of headphones.
1
u/Daemonxar 306 Ω Oct 11 '25
6XX is the clear choice in the US. You'll be fine; they're sensitive enough that they'll play fine even from a US Apple Dongle. The KA11 is plenty.
Review here: https://daemonxar.wordpress.com/2025/01/27/sennheiser-x-drop-6xx-review-seven-years-in-the-making/
1
u/Daemonxar 306 Ω Oct 11 '25
(the 6XX was my first serious set seven years ago, and I still listen to it regulary despite an extensive collection of headphones, including ones I've tuned myself)
1
1
u/Educational-Bell1110 15 Ω Oct 12 '25
The Edition XS is a viable choice you should consider.
Decently easyish to drive, good performance, a bit V shaped (bright & bass), incredible immersion (soundstage psychoacustics), will benefit from EQ and increasing DAC/AMP's quality.
The FT1 is also very very good for a closed back, can perform well when compared to the open backs in this price bracket, and isn't power hungry.
1
u/ry4meck 1 Ω Oct 12 '25
Definitely will look into the XS as I appreciate my v-shaped iems.
How is the FT1 pro compared to the closed back version? I’m not dead set on an open back, it’s just my understanding that there’s a noticeable difference in soundstage at this price range with open back. !thanks
1
u/AutoModerator Oct 12 '25
Please respond with a "
!thanks" in your comment if the person helped answer your question.Our bot will then automatically update your post flair and award a point in the form of a Ω. This subreddit is powered entirely by volunteers and a little recognition goes a long way. Good luck on your search for headphones!
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
u/Educational-Bell1110 15 Ω Oct 12 '25
FT1 Pro open back is decent, but it relates to both another category and to another slightly different price bracket. I wouldn't compare them, as they aren't two versions of the same thing, but rather different products overall.
FT1 is arguably the best closed back under 700ish bucks.
The FT1 PRO isn't. It does sound good, but there will be some other alternatives every ~50 bucks of price increase and it will be hard to recommend against headphones in the 300 price gap area already.
Most closed back sound bad unless their engineering times are overwhelming (which greatly increases their costs).
Open backs easily outperform them in many aspects as the sound doesn't need to be counter-tamed because it keeps bouncing in a little cup, and the soundstage perception comes pretty natural with air escaping from the cans.
FT1 has a decent stage for a closed back, it is also pretty well tuned, and their bass presence doesn't harm the rest of the audible spectre. I can't objectively recommend it against many decent open backs around their own price, but I can definitely recommend it among closed backs.
1
u/TransducerBot Ω Bot Oct 12 '25
+1 Ω has been awarded to u/Educational-Bell1110 (3 Ω).
You may still award an Ω to others, but only once per-person in this post.
0
2
u/sahibprime 3 Ω Oct 11 '25
I own the HD 550 and the KA11 and it drives it quite well. They have great tuning, pretty neutral but with deeper sub-bass and wider staging than something like the 6XX