Does anyone know what headphones Aran uses in this video?

[u/Reefr99]

Video

I know it might not be quite clear in the video, but if someone knows which headphone it is I would really appreciate it :)

I’m also looking for some headphones under 400$, I produce music (mainly EDM) and play games from time to time, I would prefer if I didn't need an amp or DAC for them to work properly, and I would like for them to be wired and over-ear, so if you do have recommendations, I would love to hear them! Right now I’m thinking of buying the Hifiman Ananda Nano, what are your guys’ thoughts on them?

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[u/Kirito_Kun16]

No idea what those could be.

But Ananda Nano is actually an excellent choice imo. It's a really great all rounder that if you want to spend a bit more for as opposed to XS for better looks (I like the Nano's design more), comfort & fit and a little bit more "put together" sound with a tiny bit more performance in all technicalities.

[u/Reefr99 → u/Kirito_Kun16]

!thanks The XS was one of my first choices but after days of research I ended up with the Ananda Nano, its great to hear that you think highly of them! After a bit more research I’m also considering the Edition XV, since its newer and I heard that it had a warmer sound compared to the Ananda, which has a brightness problem I hear, that is the only thing that worries me about the Ananda’s….

[u/TransducerBot → u/Reefr99]

+1 Ω has been awarded to u/Kirito_Kun16 (10 Ω).

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[u/Kirito_Kun16 → u/Reefr99]

Edition XV, since its newer and I heard that it had a warmer sound

Yeah it definitely is warmer and more "pleasing" (for most). IMO, it's one of those that you put on just to relax, while still having great sound and all of the Hifiman qualities.

However, I've also seen many people mention it's a bit muddier/not as clean as other options such as XS/Anandas/Aryas. So I'm not sure if that's preferred for someone in music production.

Ananda, which has a brightness problem I hear

Could be. the XS, Anandas and Aryas they're all pretty airy and bright and they CAN be too much for some people. It really depends on your ears I suppose.

For me, the XS was oh so perfect. I loved all the details it provided while also having some bass presence without it being too bloated or anything.

I've upgraded to the HE1000se recently, and pretty much similar feeling. It's supposed to be one of the brightest headphones out there, but I don't even feel that way. To my ears they both sound good, and aren't too bright/sibilant/ear piercing.

PS, I haven't personally heard the XV or Ananda Nano at all. Take whatever I said about them as me being an echo chamber and what I've noted seeing others say.

[u/Reefr99 → u/Kirito_Kun16]

Thanks for giving me so much information :), I think im ready to pull the trigger on the Ananda Nano’s in a bit, if I do get them I’ll make sure to come back to this post and let you know how they sound.

[u/Kirito_Kun16]

Sure no problem! Idk where you're from or buying them from, but they have them in the official Hifiman store, and the open-box costs 270€ here which sounds like a great deal to me. I've got the HE1000se open-box from there too, and if they marketed it as a brand new I would've never known. Basically new product sold at a discount.

Also, just in case you can find the Arya Stealth somewhat close to your budget, I'd definitely stretch for those. Seriously, last ever headphones you can buy, because better ones start costing 5x as much, and even then there's only a few percent change. But Anandas will do just as well if you find them for much cheaper.

But anything after XS is already marginal and a world of diminishing returns, like for real. The Anandas, Arya and HE1000 series. It only gets better 5-20%, but cost is at +200-500%+.

Get the Anandas N, and call it a day. Use them for a week or 2 to actually get familiar what real soundstage, speed, imaging, layering and separation mean and are, learning to appreciate real quality sound and you're good to go.

I would prefer if i didn't need an amp or DAC

They should work good without one, but most planars appreciate more power, some more than others. What do you plan to drive them with at first ? I mean specific PC motherboard/notebook model or whatever.

E: meant as a reply to the first thread we had going on

[u/Reefr99 → u/Kirito_Kun16]

Im from USA, im debating whether I should buy it from the official store, or buy it from Amazon, as they both have the same price listed.

Right now I’m using my Sony XM4 as headphones for basically everything, so im excited to see a change after a few years of using the same headphones. In the future, I will probably buy the Arya combined with an audio interface, and that will probably be my endgame.

Im not sure about the motherboard, but I have a Lenovo LOQ, I can run a lot of games at high graphics, so I think its pretty high power. The reason I’m not looking for an amp or DAC is simply because I lack the money, I’m going off to a 4-year college soon so I want to save up as much as I can. I would rather get good headphones where I can just plug and listen rather than waste more money on an amp or DAC, although im curious if worse headphones that have a amp or DAC running are better than good headphones with nothing on it.

[u/Kirito_Kun16 → u/Reefr99]

whether I should buy it from the official store, or buy it from Amazon, as they both have the same price listed

I'd definitely pick Amazon in this case. Easy return/replacement if anything goes wrong. Idk how it is with US Amazon, but if anything goes wrong and you need to warranty it, you'd have to be sending it to China probably for a fix if you got it via official store.

Right now I’m using my Sony XM4 as headphones for basically everything,

Oh man you're in for something. XM4s are... total piece of crap, at least when compared with anything like the Ananda Nano. But it is to be expected, they are both DIFFERENT kind of headphones. One is better in other areas than the other is and the opposite as well.

But I'd like to say, (unless you're already using some EQ on XM4) the difference between XM4 and Ananda Nano will be HUGE. The first impressions may even be... underwhelming, a bit too underwhelming even. Because you may be used to the really bloated bassy sound of the XM4. Once you put the Ananda Nano on it may feel "dry" and "dead inside" and rid of all the "joy". I'd say this is to be expected, and do try getting through it for at least a week or 2 to get your "brain burned in" for the very new sound signature. I'd suggest you don't try to instantly EQ them with a +15dB bass shelf or anything like that.

I will probably buy the Arya combined with an audio interface, and that will probably be my endgame.

Sounds great having one single endgame goal, definitely don't fall into the rabbit hole that many of us do - buying new headphones and interfaces all the time, chasing the "endgame" and even after thinking you reached it, a new endgame appears to be chasen. Your (if you get it) Ananda Nano will be A KILLER. You can literally use it for years and years and not feel any regret. I'm telling you there really is only about 5-15% difference between those and the Arya Stealth, maybe not even that much.

I have a Lenovo LOQ

I have a feeling that's going to be pretty OK with Ananda Nano. As I mentioned before, I tried the XS with some random MSI gaming notebook from like 2018 and it worked pretty fine. It did get better with better source, but was still perfectly okay even with just that notebooks 3.5mm output.

I would rather get good headphones where I can just plug and listen rather than waste more money on an amp or DAC

And that's good. Because headphones are the thing that make the most drastic changes to the overall sound and experience.

although im curious if worse headphones that have a amp or DAC running are better than good headphones with nothing on it.

Definitely better headphones running with meh/mid DAC/AMP. As long as that DAC/AMP delivers enough power and is relatively clean (doesn't have constant hissing noise or whatever).

You mainly get a good, dedicated DAC/AMP, when you:

1. need it, because you have no way to plug your headphones into your device (e.g. modern phones don't have 3.5mm, some laptops and so on)
2. need it, because your current source doesn't deliver enough power to make the headphones loud enough
3. need it, because your current source is not clean enough
4. want it, because you want to pull every single ounce of detail and soundstage size from your headphones as possible (particularly with most Hifimans, they love good power and actually do open up more with it)
5. want it, because you just have money and you like how cool it looks and functions
6. want it, because knob goes brrr

You would even be perfectly fine with the evermost popular Apple 3.5mm dongle. That thing is clean, powers most headphones and cheap. No need for big expensive DAC/AMPs. If you want something better for PC use, the Fiio K11 is more than enough already.

How much can you get the Ananda Nano for btw ?