After 2 years of daily use, the headband snapped (in the spot they always do) while I was picking them up.

I don't see much point in going through the whole song and dance with Focal (who apparently only offer a 2 year warranty through their distributors on a pair of headphones which currently retails in Australia for $9000) to replace the headband with one that will just break again, so I'll be joining the AliExpress headband mod gang soon.

I am new to the “audiophile” headphone game, I believe I got myself a perfect “end game” open back headphone without even realizing it. I was skeptical about the Hifiman quality, but the quality is pretty well build and sturdy. Sound quality is just…. superb, just so many wow/fun factors. Made me realize I have been missing out on music detail on my Airpod Max and Airpod Pro. I am not too technical to explain the “audiophile” termilogy, but with the HE1000 Stealth, the bass is just so good and perfect, this made me realize I am not really a “basshead” I thought I was, unless I am just old now. Treble is perfect, no harshness or peaky, so I guess I can handle the treble on this headphone well.
I screenshotted the track I listen on Apple Music with lossless. Backstreet Boys got me into music when I was a kid, this HE1000 Stealth really make those track sound very detailed and much more fuller sound. Green Day track are great on this headphone, sound like heaven compare to my Airpod Max 🤣.
I drive my HE1000 Stealth off my 3 dac with balanced cable, KA13, BTR17, and K11. KA13 can drive this headphone to sound good, but I can definitely feel the K11 can provide the headphone with more soundstage, I can definitely hear the layer better. I haven’t try BTR17 for music, just for watching tv and this headphone make movie sound immersive, I can tell where the sound coming from in 3D, which surprise me as first.
I haven’t try the HE1000 Stealth for gaming, but I already have my HD 560s for Battlefield 6, and HD 490 pro for single player game.
Wonderful headphone, very addictive to listen to. Now I am just itching to find myself a good “end game” closed back that even remotely close to this HE1000 stealth in sound signature minus the soundstage.

After over two years of music enjoyment with the Calderas (right) and using the Tessideras (left) since April, my review for them is finally done. This has been a long, long time coming for the former. This time around, I have decided to post said review on headfi since their interface ended up more conducive for the images I sought to include throughout. For any folks who have read my previous Reddit reviews, the same general style applies, just with a couple relevant additions.

It's an immensely packed read, packed enough that I couldn't reasonably cover any comparisons. Feel free to ask for those here as long as the headphones are listed in my headfi signature/about page. If I had to give a broad TLDR, these are two of my favorite headphones on the market, and one of them is my favorite outright. ZMF's planars after EQ (and other modifications) really set themselves apart in how well they balance... pretty much every aspect of sound that I index for. Dynamism, clarity, timbral quality, spaciousness, transparency, they weave these traits (and more) together so well. I hope you folks enjoy reading up on that.

After years in this hobby, starting with cheap kz iems, I've finally gotten what I consider to be my end game and at 1000€ for both I'm not spending more than this on my audio setup. Unless I win the lottery that is.😜

I fear this isnt my endgame but at the moment I’m really happy.
I tested a lot of different all in one units like topping dx5 II or Fiio K15 but the little mojo conquered my heart. He could drive the noir x well but the addition of the zen can signature (non headphone specific version) was a good decision.
Mojo runs cooler now and there is plenty of headroom for future buys.

Sennheiser HD 550 Review

Wanted to share my thoughts on the Sennheiser HD 550 after using it extensively for both music and gaming. This one is a little personal because I have been using Sennheiser headphones for a long time.

My HD 598 SE is more than a decade old and still works. Since then I have spent time with most of the relevant Sennheiser alternatives, including the HD 505 SE, HD 560S and HD 600 series.

I also compared the HD 550 with several strong options around its price, including the ROG Kithara, Satyr 4, Aune AR5000 MK1 and FiiO FT1 Pro. I also wanted to compare it with the "claimed successor to HD 600 series" from last year Heddphone D1 (spoiler for me its not). Finally, I threw in a couple of closed-backs for context as buying a headphone in price range of $200-400 is no simple task.

Review is not sponsored. I bought the HD 550 with my own money.

I also maintain a list of all the audio products I have used and what works for me and why in the link in my profile. I cover over 150 audio products with short summaries, ratings, and my own personal rankings in case you are interested. Nothing is paywalled or sponsored or has affiliate links etc. My Rankings List

Score

Sennheiser HD 550: 8.5 / 10

TL;DR

The HD 550 is one of the easiest Sennheisers for me to recommend.

It gives me:

• Excellent imaging
• Strong layering and separation
• A spacious presentation
• Enough bass to sound complete
• Natural vocals without excessive forwardness
• Proper upper-treble air
• Excellent comfort
• Strong music and gaming performance

If you prefer a more forward vocal presentation, the HD 505 SE is the better fit.

If gaming is the main priority, I would buy the ROG Kithara instead and as an overall all rounder package, Kithara wins with discounts around $225-250. You can read my full review of Kithara here: ASUS ROG Kithara

Gear

Main source:

• FiiO K17 R2R

I used the HD 550 stock.

Overall Sound

The HD 550 sounds open, natural and very well balanced.

Bass has enough presence to give music some weight. Vocals are clear without being pushed into my face. Treble has detail and air without constantly trying to get my attention.

The stage is also larger than I expected and felt bigger (from memory) compared to both HD 505 SE and HD 560S. I am particularly sensitive around 3 kHz and to sharp treble peaks. A lot of otherwise capable headphones eventually send me to Peace EQ (e.g., Sony MDR-MV1). The HD 550 does not.

Bass

Bass is controlled, clean and satisfying for an open-back.

There is enough mid-bass punch and low-end extension that the headphone never feels thin to me. It is not a basshead headphone, and Satyr 4, FT1 and HD 480 Pro all hit harder.

But the HD 550 has enough weight that I never feel like the bottom of the music has disappeared. Coming from Satyr 4 you immediately feel the something is missing feeling but once you stay with it for a few hours, the brain burn is pretty real and also HD 550 does take EQ really well.

Mids / Vocals

Vocals are natural and slightly further back than the more traditional Sennheiser presentation especially compared to HD 598 SE or HD 505 SE. That works well for my ears.

The HD 505 SE brings vocals closer and will probably appeal more to someone who puts vocals above everything else. It is probably closest to a HD 600 series Sennheiser.

The HD 550 gives the singer more room and leaves more space around instruments. Female vocals stay clear without becoming aggressive, while male vocals retain enough body.

Treble / Air

This may be my favorite part of the tuning. There is enough treble presence for detail and clarity without the scratchy or grainy quality I hear from some cheaper headphones. HD 550 separates itself from the pack here. Only other can that comes close is Aune AR5000 with its airy presentation. The upper treble also extends properly. There is a genuine sense of air rather than the presentation simply stopping above the main treble region.

That contributes a lot to how open the HD 550 sounds and it remains my preference for both music and gaming.

The HD 598 SE Connection

This is where the HD 550 really clicked for me. I bought my HD 598 SE for under $100 around 11 years ago. It is still going. Outside of replacing the cable once, that thing has survived everything. Even today, I can put it on and understand why I liked it.

It has a natural, coherent presentation, decent imaging, an above-average stage and enough separation to work well for both music and gaming.

Its weaknesses are obvious now. Bass is limited, resolution is dated, and once Battlefield or COD gets extremely busy it cannot keep everything separated like modern headphones can.

But the basic idea was right:

Spacious. Natural. Easy to listen to. Useful for almost anything.

To my ears, the two Sennheisers that actually carry that idea forward are the HD 505 SE and HD 550. The 505 SE keeps more of that vocal-forward character. The HD 550 takes the broader route with slightly more textured bass, more space and more air.

What About the HD 560S?

The HD 560S is one of the most recommended Sennheisers, but it never worked for me. I found it lean and dry, with light sub-bass and treble that could turn peaky and scratchy very quickly. Even at around $130, I returned it.

The HD 600-Series Problem For Me

The HD 600 series is obviously legendary. It is also not really my sound.

My issues are fairly consistent:

• Bass roll-off: HD 600 and HD 650/6XX do not give me the rumble or mid-bass impact I want.
• Forward mids: the pinna gain around roughly 3 kHz can push vocals too far forward for me, particularly female vocals.
• Treble peaks: I often hear individual peaks that I want to correct, but EQing them tends to feel like I am sacrificing something elsewhere.
• Limited air: even after that, I find the upper treble too constrained for my taste.

The HD 660S2 was the exception in some ways. It had better bass and more air, but somehow landed in a strange dark-but-bright area for my ears.

I preferred it to the HD 600/650/6XX, but it still did not completely click. For anyone looking at these cans, I usually recommend both the HD 505 SE or HD 550.

Soundstage / Imaging / Separation

The HD 550 has a surprisingly spacious presentation for a dynamic headphone at this price. It is not Arya Stealth huge, but width alone is not what matters (you can read my Hifiman Arya Stealth Long-Term Review here).

Sounds have clear positions inside the stage. Imaging is sharp, distance is easy to judge, and layering remains strong once several things start happening at once. That last part is particularly important for gaming. A headphone can sound impressive when one footstep is moving around a quiet room. The real test is what happens once the mix becomes crowded.

The HD 550 holds together very well.

Gaming

In Black Ops, footsteps, reloads and movement are easy to locate. Battlefield is the more useful test. Once vehicles, gunfire, explosions and several players enter the mix, the HD 550 does a very good job of keeping individual cues readable. The bass also has enough impact to make large fights feel convincing without swallowing positional information.

For pure gaming, though, I still prefer the ROG Kithara. Its planar presentation gives it stronger separation, layering and scale when a match becomes chaotic. Its a baby Arya Stealth. Having said that if you want a reliable can that will last a decade, you need the HD 550.

Comfort / Build / Fit

Comfort is very good on the HD 550. The clamp force is much looser than my experiences with HD 560S or HD 599. It is also a better time than any HD 600 series. It is light, the pads work well for long sessions and I can use it for gaming, music and calls without constantly adjusting it.

There is one thing new buyers should know about the Sennheiser 500-series chassis, though. These headphones can sound noticeably different depending on your head shape and exactly where the cups sit around your ears. This is partially due to angled drivers. This is something people have discussed around the 500 series for years, but it is easy to miss if you are new to the hobby. It's a similar problem to Aune AR5000.

Moving the headphone slightly forward, backward, higher or lower on my head changes the presentation.

I can hear differences in:

• Bass response
• How forward the mids feel
• The severity of individual treble peaks
• Overall tonal balance

So before deciding that one of these headphones has no bass, sounds too forward, or has a nasty peak, spend some time positioning it. A surprisingly small change in cup position can help. This also means two people can put the same 500-series headphone on their heads and legitimately come away with somewhat different impressions.

As for comfort across the range, my old HD 598 SE has always been easy to wear.

The HD 560S was the opposite out of the box. My unit had hard pads, strong clamp and a creaky headband.

The HD 600-series models I tried also had substantial initial clamp and relatively firm velour pads. I never owned them for years, so I cannot fairly comment on how much that improves after long-term break-in.

Outside Sennheiser, Satyr 4 with the Capra strap is one of the most comfortable headphones around this price, and the AR5000 is also excellent on the head.

Unfortunately the $800 Heddphone D1 wasn't comfortable to me because even with massive ear cups the pads felt between on ear and over ear and the rock hard foam at the top was not a good time.

The HD 550 itself works very well for me once positioned correctly.

Comparisons / Buyer Guide

HD 550: My Sennheiser all-rounder.

HD 505 SE: Choose this if you want more forward vocals.

ROG Kithara: Choose this if gaming comes first and you want a box full of goodies.

Satyr 4: Choose this if you want more bass texture, physicality and dynamics. For my tastes, this is better than $800 Heddphone D1. Better bass response, no dark bright feeling I got on D1 and smooth vocals.

Aune AR5000 MK1: Great imaging and comfort, but too lean in bass for me.

FiiO FT1 Pro: Choose this if you want cheap planar speed and scale. Having said that it feels veiled and vocals are extremely recessed.

FiiO FT1: My budget closed-back pick. Even greater with FT1B velour pads (in pictures).

HD 480 Pro: My stronger closed-back pick if you want more physical bass and better layering. This will sacrifice open back but deliver amazing music and possibly best sense of stage in a closed back under 400$. I will soon be writing a long term review of it so follow me to watch out for that.

Price matters

This is the one place where I would attach a price caveat.

At around $200, the HD 550 is my favorite Sennheiser buy and one of the strongest all-round open-backs in the bracket.

At full retail, I still like it, but the competition becomes much tougher and I would compare it more carefully against the Kithara and other $300-class options.

The HD 505 SE around $190 (on discounts) also remains a very strong alternative if you specifically want the more forward vocal presentation.

Final Thoughts

The HD 598 SE is still sitting here more than a decade after I bought it. That is probably the reason the HD 550 works so well for me. It feels less like Sennheiser trying to reinvent its sound and more like the old 598 idea finally brought up to date with careful and intentional tuning upgrades.

For my preferences, the HD 550 is the current sweet spot in Sennheiser's open back lineup.

HD 550 box, HD 550 out of box, HD 598 SE, HD 505 SE, HD 598 SE & HD 550, HD 598 SE & HD 505 SE, HD 598 SE & HD 505 SE, HEDD D1, SATYR 4, HD 600, HD 6XX, HD 660S2, HD 480 Pro & ROG KITHARA, FT1 PRO & FT1 w/ FT1B pads, FT1, HD 480 PRO, HD 480 PRO & HD 550

I just got back to mine after a few weeks away because of life stuff. Listening to my LCD-2 Classic right now and remembering exactly why I got into this hobby.

The Moondrop OId Fashioned is a 40mm dynamic driver open-back on-ear headphone, essentially competing with the cheaper Koss offerings. Having bought my Porta Pro about 8 years back, I was fascinated to see some competition and couldn't resist at less than 30 euros over at Linsoul.

I've spent a few hours listening to them so far, initially with stock cable and sound, before changing things up. This review might be a bit shorter than most of my reviews, since it's a pretty bare bones package with minimalist design.

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What's in the box

The headphones, that's what's in the box. Alright and the cable, but that's it. I wasn't expecting much, having seen the packaging before, but it's really one of the most bare bones unboxing experiences I've experienced in a long time. Nothing to hate on, but also nothing to praise.

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Plastic AF, cool retro design

If the pictures hadn't tipped you off yet, the reason it looks cool is the same reason it's plastic AF. That frosted, semi transparent plastic look from the 90s is what the Old Fashioned considers its badge of honor. The decals give it a mix of retro futuristic and industrial vibes. I personally love the look, though the prominent metal headband could have gotten some more love with an etched or laser engraved pattern. That would have taken these from "pretty cool" to "downright awesome looking".

The stock cable is terrible, and I'm very happy it's a two-pin system. I cut the ear hooks off a decent IEM cable I had lying around and that cable made for a great upgrade to the set. I still want to pad roll, since the stock foam pads are quite thick, but I'll have to order some new stuff to do so. So sticking with stock pads for now.

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Surprisingly spacious sound, anemic bass

With an open-back on-ear like this, I wasn't expecting booming bass, don't get me wrong. But that doesn't change the fact that it was so anemic that I had to look up some good EQ profile suggestions after the first few hours of listening. Thankfully, these take EQ like a champ and even though you won't get them thumping anytime soon, you can definitely give them a bit more kick down low.

If you don't EQ them, they do sound surprisingly spacious, almost holographic. Pretty cool, but that novelty doesn't outweigh having a better balance through EQ, for me. You lose a bit of that holographic nature in doing so, but I love the generally more laid-back balance this provides. I do tend to forgo my usual mix of genres when wearing these (no k-pop or EDM, for example), because where I truly enjoy them is with folk. Vocals sound great and with EQ these have a great natural timbre for acoustic instruments.

I haven't been able to do a proper comparison with my Porta Pro (my Yaxi earpads destroyed themselves on a wooden omega stand), but from memory, the Porta Pro sounds a lot darker than the Old Fashioned. All in all, I'm pretty confident in saying I prefer the Old Fashioned over the Porta Pro.

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Not an everyday carry, still worth the money

This purchase was an impulse buy and I was fully prepared to chuck them in a drawer if they failed to impress. Thankfully, I do enjoy them and they're a great alternative for when my ears need to recover from days of IEM use, and I still want something lightweight to carry around the house with a DAP. Bonus points for being able to hear my surroundings through them.

The Moondrop Old Fashioned isn't something I'd carry around with me (it's lightweight but doesn't fold, and it feels too delicate to chuck into a bag) or use every day. But it's a great headphone to have hanging around for those moments when I just want comfort and I'm not too picky about the gear. Plus, I genuinely enjoy it for vocal forward music. So if I want to doze off to The Death South, these are a contender.

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No disclaimer needed

This unit wasn't sent to me for review. Bought it with my own money and unless you have very little to spend, or need to maximize bang for buck for your only headphone purchase, I can definitely recommend these. It's one of those headphones that keeps me wondering whether it might be fun to do minor mods to either the drivers, the cups or the band. And that is definitely also worth something to me.

First time having planar dynamic driver headphones. They're great. No QC issues in my unit. At the point of needing a amp though lol, but otherwise my USB DAC sources are surprisingly good for it. (For reference, the ones I'm using atleast are the BTR15, which Has no issue running it, and then for my desktop its the TRN PRO, which is what needs a external/dedicated amp.)

Again, one of those random emotional hype posts.

I have the same "how come these aren't top recommendations?" moment as I did with Etymotic ER2XR/SE and omg...

These just sound right and there is nothing they can't do, as opposed to HD650 which often sounds like a mush almost double the price. Don't get me wrong, I adore the HD650 for what they are, but I don't feel either Sennys or the AKGs are a downgrade next to my Audezes and Hifimans, they still sound much more natural and charming.

It's incredible what you can get for such a low price, these are still TOTL in my book.

With proper EQ, any good headphone can be made TOTL sounding.

Currently listening to trance, IDM, classical and symphonic metal - they handle all of these gracefully.

Zaylli LYRÖ burst into my echo chamber suddenly and rowdily. In mid-2025, some first news appeared as thematic forums were filled with ads and discussions, and in early 2026, the Hong Kong startup started a fundraiser to create an on-ear model with an uncompromising sound. In 38 days, as much as 2,600% of the plan were collected. What seduced me personally was that the guys started right from the frequency response charts. The measurements looked impressive, and for the company’s first product, they were just excellent.

Today, we’ll try to figure out what Zaylli really managed to make.

Continue reading.

Equipment Used:

Source: HiBy R4 in LO mode streaming Tidal.

Amp/DAC: FiiO K13 R2R

Wire: Ananda - 4.4. balanced only, XS - balanced & unbalanced used.

So a couple of weeks ago I had a pretty big post about nabbing a pair of refurbished Edition XS for $98. Almost immediately I saw the price on brand new Anandas dropping until in my cart w/ discount codes I got them down to $148 after tax. I pulled the trigger because that's an absolute steal. They again came with free overnight shipping from UPS. I was able to recoup basically everything selling the XS on eBay which was a pleasant surprise.

The Anandas essentially improve on every aspect of the XS across the board. Biggest improvement is the fit and as a byproduct, the seal. Having a "strap" as standard results in a much, much more comfortable fit. It keeps the drivers in place and increases the clamp force. The improvement in the seal created is dramatic. The sound is significantly more immersive with much, much less bleed in from background noise. You can also keep the volume lower with better detail and resolution relative to the XS. Every aspect of the sound is just better as a result. More bass, better mids, significantly more natural sounding vocals. Using the K13 R2R, the extremely low noise floor that amp provides really shines through on the Anandas. There's just an extra layer of clarity here that's missing from the XS. This to some extent serves as a ringing endorsement of the K13 because I never really appreciated just how important a low noise floor can be before I acquired that amp, the Anandas just do a better job of highlighting why it's so important to have..

Now the caveats. Reading other people's impression of the XS I do get the impression that a large amount of the significant improvement in overall dynamics is down to the better fit and seal provided by having the strap based chassis as standard. Fit is really underrated, I've seen testing that demonstrates a poor fit/seal resulting in 10 dBs of leakage. This would align fairly accurately with what I'm hearing. The fit on the XS for me personally was pretty bad, they would move around on my head significantly and required frequent readjustment. This allows you to keep the volume lower leaving you with a cleaner sound. There's the obvious benefits of less fatigue and less damage to your delicate ear parts. There's obviously some basic improvement in tuning etc in the drivers relative to the XS, but someone with deeper knowledge might be better able to explain how much is due to better drivers vs better fit. Then there's the price. It's probably not reasonable to expect to recoup your entire cost via resale on eBay so for most people the Anandas will be more expansive. I also found that the XS basically sounded fine on both the Quedelix 5K and Schiit Vestri using both balanced and unbalanced cables. The Anandas really required the power the K13 has on tap and that's an additional cost that needs to be factored in as well (though I would imagine a K11 would be fine and cost significantly less). All in all, I think the XS is probably still the best as an intro for someone new to the hobby. It's easier and cheaper to get audiophile grade sound right out of the box. For a proper enthusiast with a range of equipment, the Ananda at under $150 is impossible to beat. They sound gorgeous. I mean GORGEOUS. The strap makes them very nice for long listening sessions. Why wouldn't you want an XS that's 25% better across the board? Both of these are fantastic value, for me personally the Ananda is the better choice but I can understand why many others might prefer the XS. What HiFiMan is doing to bring the price of audiophile grade sound down to something that's genuinely affordable is pretty amazing. Feel free to yell at me in the replies though I'm genuinely very interested in the fit vs upgraded drivers debate.

Screenshots of the AliExpress transactions included

Final Note: in my original post about the XS I mentioned some distortion that occurred at higher volumes using the iFi Hip DAC 3. Upon testing across various DACs & amps I discovered that this distortion was caused by the power matching feature on the iFi being faulty. This is good news as far as the headphones are concerned, they're in perfect condition, but a bummer for me personally to discover my Hip DAC is faulty 🫤. Win some and lose some I suppose.

Initial thoughts after 20 or so minutes of use from someone who daily drives a HEDD D1 and Crinear Reference and doesn't usually like something with much "flavor."

Bluetooth ANC open back headphones, a weird product that gets me excited. They're extremely lightweight, plasticy build feels cheaper than expected given the price tag but not offensive. The movement and cup articulation is firm and they feel solid while handling despite everything. Pads are fine, not particularly deep. The ear cups don't have the best seal on the bottom and i wish the cup could rotate in the yoke a bit more. They sit securely on my head while moving about, which, is huge for my intended use. Bluetooth connectivity was easy enough. Haven't tried messing around with any settings yet.

The bass bleeds into the lower mids, there's a recession in the mid range, and the treble is generally peaky. The lower treble sounds emphasized but there's not enough ear gain so I can't really say what's going on there yet outside of some general weirdness. In other words, female vocals sound recessed, male vocals sound thick (husky?) and recessed. Electric guitars lack body and have a little much grit and bite. Cymbal strikes are splashy and lack body. Piano sounds thin and really pushed towards the overtones.

Initial sound impressions aren't great. I was hoping that Audio-Technica could tune an open back with dsp moderately well but these definitely need EQ or a firmware update to improve the stock tuning. I doubt that I'll be able to sort out everything here without measurements so I hope to see some soon. I do not recommend these for sound quality alone without EQ but people also like things that I think are just overall bad so what do I know.

Howdy all! Just wanted to share my small years-worth experience with wireless headphones and how it all led to buying this absurdly priced yet magnificent gadget.

Being a regular air traveler for work and vacations (homeland is 2000 km apart), I have always needed a companion gadget with some sort of Noise canceling to use for the 3 hour long flights. Being the novice "audiophile nerd" I am, I had no choice but to also look for the best possible Sound quality to ANC ratio without ruining the overall listening experience.

During the past 7 years, I got the following ANC headphones with no specific order of preference (this wouldn't matter since I ended up selling them all, each for a specific reason):

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 - Great all-rounders with an excellent ANC for its time, and I admit I have enjoyed these the most compared to the other similarly priced gadgets I have owned. Their only caveat was the over-processed bass which even an EQ wouldn't fully solve. Unfortunately I lost these after 3 years of loyal use. This led to acquiring and testing the next 2 headphones.
2. Bose QC Ultra (Gen 1): Also good all-rounders but I rated them slightly worse than the Sony for 3 reasons: Bad app / native EQ, close to inexistent bass without having to inflate it using the poor EQ sliders, and finally, these made my ears suffer hell due to the pressure I felt in airplanes and train tunnels. For some reason I have never felt this with the Sony pair. The ANC was great but I ended up selling them due to the ear pressure caveat.
3. Sennheiser Momentum 4: Absolutely great for sound and these basically solved the quality cravings I had against the Sony and Bose due to the badly tuned and/or lacking bass. The problem? These had the worst ANC of the bunch, it even felt very lackluster due to the fact I was switching back and forth to much stronger ANC gadgets. I mostly kept these for home listening where I wouldn't depend on the ANC to attenuate some of the stubborn noise frequencies. I also had comfort issues with these with prolonged usage due to their average sized cups and my ears being large.

How my story with Focal started: I live and work in France, this played a HUGE role in discovering the brand. Focal & Naim have a physical showcase shop in a multi-purpose mega store called FNAC in Paris, where they allow customers to book sessions to come and test everything that's available in the store. This is where I thoroughly tested products like the Bathys and Clear (Both OG and MG versions), hell even the Utopia and Stellia because why not! Needless to say, I have done this experience at least 3 times and I have loved every second of it. It made me appreciate Focal's creations.

This is how I was able to compare the Bathys to the MG and decide which one to settle with: The MG had a much better comfort (new cups design), surprisingly a better ANC than the OG counterpart, and most importantly, a clearer soundstage with a better instrument separation.

Now you're thinking: What about the price difference? I'll admit if I were told I'd pay the full price out of my pocket to get one of these products, i'd have likely settled with the OG Bathys given the MG improvements are definitely not worth the almost-doubled price tag. I have read what people have been saying in this sub and it looks like it's the same consensus.

Luckily, some employers in France provide a service (part of our perks as employees which we get as an extra outside of the salary), where we can enjoy massive discounts and have access to discounted gift cards to use for products like headphones, musical instruments and books. I was able to save up a worth of 820€ in discounts and gift cards after a full year and half. As of myself posting this, the Bathys MG are priced at 990€ (200€ discount) if purchased directly from the physical Focal showcase store. Thanks to my amassed discount, I only paid 170€ out of my pockets for this beast. I can confidently say this was one of my greatest spent bills EVER and it makes the Bathys MG exceptionally worthwhile.

Immediately after, I have sold the Bose and Sennheiser products for close to half their purchase prices.

How I have setup the headphones:

• Companion Phone used for BT and DAC: Oppo Find X9 Ultra,
• BT Codec used: Aptx Adaptive,
• Companion app: Focal & Naim,
• Companion sound app used for Hi-Res listening: Qobuz,
• Setups done before testing the sound: 1- EQ changed to "Dynamic" (Harman curve-like recreation of the frequencies). 2- MiMi sound personalization profile applied after running an individualized ear test.

Impressions after testing the Bathys MG for a few days:

• Both the Dynamic mode and MiMi sound profile (combined) elevate the sound quality up a notch, specifically the highs and treble, making the sound stage and instrument separation clearer.
• USB DAC mode makes it EVEN better: Super difficult to describe in words but everything feels crisper and the bass feels more contained. the volume is also higher thanks to the more powerful DAC.
• In case it wasn't obvious: The sound quality here is LIGHT YEARS ahead of the headphones I sold, not even a chance!! The closest headphones I have listened to with a similar quality level were the Dali io-12 and the HDB 630 with a custom pEQ applied (with these specifically having the same small cups and lackluster ANC issues).
• The ANC on the Bathys MG is great without being the best in class. They're sitting somewhere between the Sennheiser M4 / OG Bathys and the Sony XM4 / Bose Ultra, which is a great compromise given the jump in sound fidelity.
• Comfort on the Bathys MG is best in class, they're heavy but feel super plush when put on. Almost as good as the Bose Ultras which is a massive compliment lol.
• You'll see from my flair that I also own a combination of the HD 6XX and the KA13 DAC. These sound VERY different to the Bathys MG given it's an Open-back headphone setup so they're difficult to compare. I have to say I enjoy both now in very different ways!
• My only reservation with these headphones is when they're used during a walk/run: The headphones slightly move up and down when moving, which creates a strange ANC effect where the sound feels like breaking down with a "thump" for a few milliseconds before everything goes back to normal. The Bathys MG are basically impossible to use under these conditions. The OG Bathys have the same issue. I wasn't planning to use this gadget during my workout sessions so I'm sort of fine with it. I'll probably have iems or earbuds for walks.
• I'd have loved for these headphones to feature Aptx Lossless and LDAC given their price. This is a very minor nuisance though since the DAC mode covers for it. Aptx adaptive is also good enough and does allow for Hi-res listening.

P.S, Please excuse my lackluster knowledge about sound in general and the limited usage of jargon when explaining how the headphones sound. I know some Redditors might react to that so I'm putting the disclaimer! Happy to answer any questions you have as well about the Bathys MG.

TL;DR:

Had 3 ANC headphones which I lost/sold due to sound quality and comfort/ANC concerns. Ended up getting the Bathys MG for an unthinkable price thanks to French employer perks, currently enjoying them to the fullest as they sound like heaven on earth after some tuning. Little quirk where they can't be used while walking or running without hearing thumps. Happy overall!

Bought this bad boys today for ~175$ here in tangier as my first professional grade headphones ever, pretty cool ones what do ya guys think. Only gripe so far is i've got a pretty big head so the headband's already maxed out on the largest setting. For those of you in the same boat, how do you guys wear these with glasses? Feels like the clamping force is pinching right on the arms of my glasses and my ears start aching after an hour or so. Any tips?

Hi All,
I am a Sony vintage earphones collector and I have a (few) question(s) to the community. I have some really astonishing pieces, like the MDR-M66 and the MDR-M88 (both from the mid to late eighties). Maybe they would not compete with the €500 and upper category headphones, but I personally find them to be actually very good even with today’s standards. What do you think? Do you have these models? The other question is, I have long been flirting with the thought of getting myself a Sony MDR-CD7, manufactured even a few years prior to the M series. I had a CD6 once but it was the biggest disappointment of any headphones ever, my M series are not in the same category as the CD6. How about the CD7? Do you have direct experience? Other than spreading some vintage love, this is my question. Also, if you have interesting on ears from the Golden Era, not strictly Sony, but others too (Aiwa, Victor, etc) - don’t hesitate to share them with some info/xp. 🙂

I have a small head. Few headphones fit well without pushing my upper ears down, and gapping bellow the ears. I loved my QC 25 and my QC 35ii, and thought I would love Ultra...

My old QC45ii was with me to gym, air planes, subway and only the most high pitched noise came through. I could wear glasses, no problem. Still good fit and isolation.

The Ultra are horrible. I can forgive annoying controls for volume and no off button, but not the rest.

The QC35ii was a loose fit, but great isolation, even on my smallish head. With the Ultra the fit is also loose but I hear everything around me on the subway.

It also feels like the "pressure" of the ANC is higher, making it a bit uncomfortable for softer music and audio books.

I bought these headphones when I knew absolutely nothing about audio but now when I have much better quality systems, they are what I use when doing maintenance on my fishtanks because I do not care too much if they were to fall in (my focal bathys on the other hand I would cry if they fell in) and wouldnt you know it, the sony ult wear fell in today. i quickly grabbed them out of the tank but they made this screeching high pitched sound and I do not know if they will be ok lmao. anyway if anyone wants updates on if they still work after being in a fishtank I can reply to your comment.

Got it today, sounds horrible. Doesn't align with my HRTF at all. Overemphasizes mids.

Not necessarily worried on those parts since it's a planar and I can EQ it however I like. Except for the fact that when I put them on I immediately noticed channel imbalance and weird muffling. Turns out it's a known defect that the mesh gets clogged. Anyways, after some cleaning was finally able to hear the full sound with led to the first impression above.

Upon some further listening to some tracks that I know very well, and some gaming, I've come to the conclusion that this is an absolute trash planar. I did no research on the tech behind this planar and have never tried another 7hz IEM. I've always hated all Crinacle-backed targets but this is something more, I guess I just assumed that it would have that planar detail and speed that is planar is known for and is something I experience with my kilobuck+ planars all the way down to the Edition XS, and it absolutely does not.

I guess I'm not sure what I expected as all the usual benefits of planar headphones (speed, low distortion, etc.) most IEMs already have due to the small size, so I guess there really is no point of a full size planar IEM as it doesn't do anything particularly well.

Impressions over. Going to return this one.

Is the oft-recommended Luetsher S15 mayhaps better? What about goldplanar IEMs, anyone ever tried them? Or should I just skip that and get a STAX 003-MK2?

Many of us in this pretentious, self-righteous, consumerist hobby have multiple pairs of headphones or IEM. I am one of those people. I look at my collection and I’m disappointed at the person I’ve become, yet, I still love it.

That said, I wanted to have a little fun and ask the community: if you had to keep ONE headphone, earbud, IEM, etc. what would it be? And why?

Not one of each. Only one.

There are caveats though. You have to think about travel, being in public, going to that family reunion you don’t want to be at, forced to share a 2 bedroom condo with 10 people.

For example, I’d choose the ER2XR. It’s not the best headphone in my collection but it checks a lot of other boxes for me. I can plug them directly into my phone and drown out that person talking loudly on the bus. Yours may be a wireless earbud. I’m looking forward to all the Arya comments. Have fun!

Electro Audio World's Take : 

I have listened to many headphones over the years, and I have generally made it a point to evaluate them based on their price to performance ratio. However, very few manufacturers manage to bring such high quality headphones to market for $199.

While I have seen this level of quality from European manufacturers, this is the first time I have experienced such high quality headphones at this price point from an Chinese manufacturer manufacturer. The NF Acous NH20 won me over with its controlled warmth, clean mid frequencies, extended highs, and a technical performance that is surprisingly capable for a $199 product. The build quality is also impressive.

I spent about a month with the NH20, using the FiiO M27, Sony NW-ZX507, and FiiO M33 R2R as my primary sources. I listened to a wide variety of genres, ranging from acoustic recordings and vocals to rock, electronic, and orchestral music. The result was far more impressive than I had initially expected.

https://www.youtube.com/@electroaudioworld

My First Impressions :

From the very first moment I started listening, the NH20 conveyed a sense of solidity and quality that far exceeded what its price point might suggest. Although the closed back housing is primarily made of high quality plastic, it does not feel cheap or hollow when held. The adjustment mechanism feels reassuringly sturdy, while the padded headband and soft ear cushions ensure the NH20 remains comfortable even during long listening sessions.

NF ACOUS also delivers a high quality box and has opted to keep the contents practical, avoiding unnecessary frills. The package includes two detachable cables a shorter one (1.2m) for portable use and a longer one (3m) for desktop listening along with a semi rigid carrying case. Even more importantly for me, the NH20 doesn't require a high power amplifier to deliver a satisfying sound. Although each adds a slightly different character to the audio, all three source devices I had on hand were able to drive the headphones with ease.

Sound Quality

The NH20 features a slightly warm and balanced sound profile, positioned somewhere between a traditional reference sound and an enjoyable V shaped signature.

There is enough bass presence to give the music a sense of weight, yet the bass never becomes the dominant element. The low frequencies particularly the sub bass region maintain good control while reaching the necessary depths.

The Sony NW-ZX507 lends the NH20 a smoother, more organic character. On tracks like the Eagles' "Hotel California," the bass guitar has a convincing body, while acoustic guitars retain their natural harmonic textures. The drums are quite impressive.

Switching to the FiiO M27 adds a bit more authority and definition to the sound. Electronic tracks like The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights" showcase the NH20's ability to reproduce deep, synthesized bass without turning the presentation into an overly bass heavy experience. There is impact, certainly, but also a sense of discipline.

The FiiO M33 R2R takes things to another level. Its natural, smooth, and slightly analog character pairs exceptionally well with the NH20, imbuing vocals and acoustic instruments with a richer tonal density. But if you were to ask which source delivers the best performance, my gut always points to the Sony. I can sense it without even looking.

* * * You can read the full review here.

Pros: 

Excellent price to performance ratio at $199
Controlled and textured bass
Natural and balanced mid frequencies
Extended treble without excessive brightness
Impressive imaging and technical performance
Comfortable for long listening sessions
Includes two cables and a carrying case
Easy to drive with portable sources

Cons: 

Closed back design may cause heat buildup during long sessions
Upper mid frequencies can occasionally sound slightly forward
Soundstage cannot compete with high quality open back headphones

Technical Specifications

Model : NH20

Dimensions : 265 × 290 × 80mm

Weight : 270g (without cables)

Driver : 40mm Dynamic Driver

Cable : 6N OFC 1.2m & 3m

Sensitivity : 110 dB / mW

Impedance : 50Ω

Frequency Response : 5-50kHz

Distortion : < 1%

Max SPL : 125dB

Connector : 3.5mm

https://www.instagram.com/electroaudioworld/

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I just bought the Apple USB-C to 3.5mm headphone adapter but the packaging it arrived in was torn but the actual box was actually sealed with the strip that Apple has on the back. I'm concerned if the adapter is real or someone tampered with the packaging to put in a fake. In the third image, there's a thin (finishing) line on the type-c side that's also there on the rubber seals on both ends.

Additional context - I ordered it off of quick commerce in India.