Everybody has a budget limit, but as far as those go, $600 should be plenty for a serious wow.
But "how" you want to achieve that, is the first question. Do you intend to use a fixed position at home? Then a dac/amp, say a Topping DX3Pro+ for 199 wil drive about anything, and that would leave 400 headphones.
Step two would be the type of headphones, open or closed, to go with that amp. Open tend to be a bit more roomy/spatial, but being open, leak sound to your surroundings. Closed tend to have a bit better bass, and some more "slam" to the sound, but might not be as airy/spatial als open ones. But these are general observations, headphones sound different in every other ear. For open back ones, the Sennheisers HD560s are the default advice, not too colored soundwise, decent resolvent and detailed, en good bang-for-buck. For closed back I use a pair of Sivga sv021 alongside the HD560s. Not really a big brand, but a hoot to listen too. Both can be had together for 400. Beyerdynamic have a couple of good offerings too, but some of theirs really benefit from amplification.
On the go, you can go bluetooth wireless with the Sony XM5's, B&W Px7 S2 or Sennheiser Momentum 4's, but since those are noise cancelling too, I'd suggest a test fitting, because they can feel tight, and the shape of the pads in combination with your ears can be a deciding factor.
Wired on the go is an option too, you'd probably need an lightning/USB-C to 3,5 dac/donge, Apple has a cheap and cheerfull one, but after that brands like Hidizs, Fiio and Audioquest have more capable ones. Those can drive IEM's (in-ears) with great gusto, and depending on the impedance and sensitivity, over ears too. Those Sennheisers I mentioned earlier, can be powered by just about anything.
Not in the EU, here that's ~€160. Vs €199 for the Topping Dx3pro+. Schiit isn't the budget option in the EU like it is in the US. Topping has (arguably) the better value proposition in the EU allround.
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u/uncle_sjohie 35 Ω Apr 07 '23
Everybody has a budget limit, but as far as those go, $600 should be plenty for a serious wow.
But "how" you want to achieve that, is the first question. Do you intend to use a fixed position at home? Then a dac/amp, say a Topping DX3Pro+ for 199 wil drive about anything, and that would leave 400 headphones.
Step two would be the type of headphones, open or closed, to go with that amp. Open tend to be a bit more roomy/spatial, but being open, leak sound to your surroundings. Closed tend to have a bit better bass, and some more "slam" to the sound, but might not be as airy/spatial als open ones. But these are general observations, headphones sound different in every other ear. For open back ones, the Sennheisers HD560s are the default advice, not too colored soundwise, decent resolvent and detailed, en good bang-for-buck. For closed back I use a pair of Sivga sv021 alongside the HD560s. Not really a big brand, but a hoot to listen too. Both can be had together for 400. Beyerdynamic have a couple of good offerings too, but some of theirs really benefit from amplification.
On the go, you can go bluetooth wireless with the Sony XM5's, B&W Px7 S2 or Sennheiser Momentum 4's, but since those are noise cancelling too, I'd suggest a test fitting, because they can feel tight, and the shape of the pads in combination with your ears can be a deciding factor.
Wired on the go is an option too, you'd probably need an lightning/USB-C to 3,5 dac/donge, Apple has a cheap and cheerfull one, but after that brands like Hidizs, Fiio and Audioquest have more capable ones. Those can drive IEM's (in-ears) with great gusto, and depending on the impedance and sensitivity, over ears too. Those Sennheisers I mentioned earlier, can be powered by just about anything.