In a recent video I watched featuring DMS, he said (to simplify) that there are to types of experiences that people go after when choosing headphones. One of them being Maximum accuracy and the other a more lively and fun presentation. I don’t think that these are exact solar opposites.
But I do get what he’s trying to say, the problem I’m having is that a good big chunk of headphones tend to go the maximum accuracy route.
Am I wrong? For most headphones that I listened to my music (metal, hip hop, electronic) didn’t really stood out as much and sounds in a way lifeless. The only headphones that could actually bring some the excitement were the focal clear.
And for this reason I have kind of started to go towards speakers, but still speakers lack intimacy that headphones could bring. Is there a way to achieve an compromise here?
If you want maximum accuracy with a lively, fun presentation you should look at IEMs. A moderately priced set like the FH7 or Variations will give you high end detail retrieval, resolution and imaging that is deeply immersive and enjoyable. They’ll make you want to dance, cry and even fight depending on the song.
the majority of headphones are neither accurate or fun
on a budget, it’s easier to find a fun headphone though, because the energy allows you to look over the flaws
That’s… literally the point of the post…?
And then there’s me, comfort and soundstage being the most important aspect.
Solar opposites
I have found the majority of hip hop to unfortunately be poorly recorded or just has the bare minimum effort, with the notable exceptions being Kanye and Travis Scott etc.
I bring this up to say high end headphones, even ones that aren’t exactly known to be the best at detail retrieval can make just ok music sound bad.
I tend to go for a focal clear or lower flagship headphone for this type of music.
That said I love my highly accurate phones too, unfortunately only the cream of the crop recording can really bring the enjoyment out of them through those means.
The fundamental problem is that there is no such thing as perfect reproduction in headphones.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tBKhg-brBc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3wr8VuJGyI
From a tuning standpoint, the Clears are pretty much within the margins of being called neutral, or accurate. What they bring to the table is a better representation of dynamics. We might call it the punch factor. This does not make them more or less “accurate”. It’s just different.
And then there are people who like to have a variety of experiences.
I wanted the lively/fun sounding headphones and focal utopia was exactly that. Try a demo if you can!
Actually I attended an audio show recently and notable headphones out of the most common selection in mid to high and flagship audio, were the Utopia and the Clear
I do belive that the focal Utopia could be my endgame, but rn the price is not at all approachable. If I get them I will try to first get through the Clear and maybe the Meze empyrean 2.
Metal is the hardest genre to reproduce and most headphones don’t do it well especially without EQ, but some do. IEMs do much better in general. I haven’t heard many speakers sets and particularly spaces that do it well either.
I had the exact same problem as you! Contemplated for ages because I was too afraid to spend money on a pair of headphones that would sound lifeless. Not dissing on those though, people prefer them for a reason and I do see the appeal for it.
I ended up going with the Meze 99 Neo, and man am I glad I did. I will say upfront though that I do see when people say that it’s a bit muddy and warm, but not to the extent that’s said in some reviews. I thought that being fun might drown out some of the details, but honestly I’m surprised and it was good enough for me. I really recommend you try out some closed backs for the “fun” experience and demo some stuff before you buy it. Got them 2 days ago and I haven’t taken them off for other than sleep.
****This is coming from someone who’s relatively new to the hobby so take what I’m saying with a grain of salt
and the third kind is the idiots going for painted anime stuff.
I see you are not a man of culture then 🤣
DMS only spoke for the general mass. Once you know what you’re looking for in a headphone, you’ll be balancing between both, or even multiple other things since build quality, weight, price, aesthetic also come into the final decision. Unfortunately there’s no perfect headphone nor perfect headphone “for you”. You just gotta find what ticks most of the boxes, and live with the imperfections it has.