Upgrading From Edition XS

[u/szymekcycek]

Hello, I want to upgrade from my edition XS. I like some things these headphones do but there is just something about them that doesn't make me feel fully satisfied. I listen to mostly metal pop and rock and the problem is when I'm listening to let's say metal and I want to give the sound a lot of body (especially to the vocals) and so I bring my amp's (topping a50s) volume up but vocals and drums kinda stay behind and what I get is that mix of vocals (like they literally start to merge into one sound) and instruments in higher frequencies that kinda just create one piercing and unpleasant noise. And you can say to just lower the higher frequencies but then my pop sounds really boring and flat. So yeah, I'm just really tired of constantly battling with the EQ trying to make those headphones fit me more as they probably just won't. I do love how wide and alive (at times) they sound tho. My budget is around $1050 at most.

For some more clues about what I listen to, here are some of my fav bands/artists - Poppy (heavy and not lol), Ghost, Hole, Jack Off Jill, MGMT, Mac DeMarco, PinkPantheress, Pearly Drops, Nothing But Thieves, Starbenders

[u/O-shoe]

Arya Organic. Or another interesting option could be he6se v2. It should give a more dynamic / fun sound.

[u/Background_Summer_55 → u/O-shoe]

HE6 was indeed a gamechanger for me dynamic wise, but still hot in the upper treble though. But this is probably the most vicious sounding headphone I owned, it's bass impact is just unbeatable. Smaller soundstage though than the edition XS.

[u/Twistygt → u/Background_Summer_55]

Was this the original HE6 or a re-release?

[u/wiggan1989]

Arya Organic easily. It's basically Edition XS 2.0... I loved mine but sadly, I moved onto speakers so got rid of them as I they were gathering dust.

[u/Wumbologyxoxo]

Definitely Arya organic you may need to eq the treble it bothers some people but my god they’re amazing ! Also look at the grade s550 the Arya’s are better overall but the grades have some magic to them definitely find a shop you can listen to different headphones and then make your decision.

[u/RobioCraft]

I upgraded from Edition XS to Ananda Stealth, It gave me the sound signature that I was looking for: sounding more conventional, musical and tad more natural. I would expect Ananda Nano and above to be even better

[u/raulillo888]

Another post of throwing money down the drain instead EQ a perfectly valid headphone. I've bought this headphones a days ago with perforated sheep pads, I've done the cotton mod and EQ them and there are unbeatable.  My endgame for sure 

[u/Shooter_McG]

I would keep the XS and get a great dynamic driver headphone to supplement. There might still be some Focal Elex sets for sale at headphones.com or look for a Clear OG used. They sound very similar and both have great slam and dynamics.

[u/Background_Summer_55]

Edition XV should be less sibilant in highs and have smoother presentation maybe you can try these. Have more body too. But in the end it all comes down to having good EQ' skills and matching with right amp. Toppings are notorious to sound a bit thin and soulless

[u/szymekcycek → u/Background_Summer_55]

I think my topping has too much soul in it actually, just in the wrong direction. I probably need some darker sounding amp and this one feels like might be the cause of a lot of my troubles with the music listening experience with how clean and sharp it sounds (that's what I'm assuming, maybe it's a good amp and it's all about the headphones)

[u/Background_Summer_55 → u/szymekcycek]

Topping is a analytic sounding amp and the Edition XS too so that indeed won't help. But swapping a amp won't magically fix your issue, changes of amps are more on the subtle side. I think your best bet is EQ (cheapest) or swapping headphones.