Best headphones of 2018

Really dunno what to say about lists like these.

One can that I've looked at recently but is missing here: the Sony MDR-Z7, and of course, Massdrop's Fostex TR-X00.
 
Well, I really posted it because I bought the Audioquest Nighthawk just recently and it is #3 on their list so wanted to see what you guys think. I was going to buy the beyerdynamics Amiron but after hearing the Nighthawk I bought those instead for $100 less than the Amiron cost.
 
Well, I really posted it because I bought the Audioquest Nighthawk just recently and it is #3 on their list so wanted to see what you guys think. I was going to buy the beyerdynamics Amiron but after hearing the Nighthawk I bought those instead for $100 less than the Amiron cost.

Bigger question: what do you want out of the cans?
 
None of these are new headphones for 2018 except #13 on that list.

The best headphones of 2018 so far are the MrSpeakers Voce Electrostatic and the Stax SR-009S. These were actually released this year, and both are better than the #1 on that out of date and out of order list.
 
So, I found the HD600 to be the most comfortable.

The new HD660 are the same idea, lower impedance (easier to drive with an amp) with refined drivers.

They have a headband that you bend to fit; it starts tight and soon fits like a glove. Very clear, very wide soundstage, very light, and very comfortable overall. They disappear for hours.
 
Sennheiser HD 800 S updated from 800

It's only US$1599.00 :ROFLMAO:

Seriously nice cans, though still bright, lacking in bass, and a little heavier than the HD700 and below (though still not that heavy).
 
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Sennheiser actually have an even more updated 8 series now: HD820, a 800 + S + closed back. Painted black and the closed part made of glass.
 
Add the HD650 in along with the Massdrop HD6XX.
The HD600 with more bass :)
Super cans!
 
Add the HD650 in along with the Massdrop HD6XX.
The HD600 with more bass :)
Super cans!
And the HD 58X Jubilee. Crisp sounding, really tight non-bloated bass with rather impressive extension.
 
And the HD 58X Jubilee. Crisp sounding, really tight non-bloated bass with rather impressive extension.
Yes, they have very good bass response.
I heard say they are a little bright but they may need more play time and personal opinions arent necessarily relevant to your own need.
 
Yes, they have very good bass response.
I heard say they are a little bright but they may need more play time and personal opinions arent necessarily relevant to your own need.
I think it comes down to personal preference. I have one and while I wouldn't call them sibilant or bright, HD 58X's are definitely NOT "veiled". My preference would be tiny bit less treble and more prominent vocals and mids. I also joined the ongoing HD 6XX drop so I'll get those too in few months. It may be that I en up preferring the HD 6XX more but that would be just me.
 
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IMO, Fostex T50RP MK3s with some mods (new pads right out the gate) and a good amp / dac combo (they are hard to drive correctly) are pretty sweet at their price point.
 
Not sure about everything on their list, but I own both the Audeze LCD-2 Classic and the Beyerdynamic Amiron home, and they are both wonderful headphones.

More of my (unscientific) impressions below:

 
Heard LCD-2 are legit. I actually use the Philips SHP9500 for gaming. They are great for the price.
 
Oh, and I almost forgot. I probably should have said this out the gate but I think everyone serious music lover should get a Sennheiser 6xxx set of cans, either the 600, 650, 660s (my favorite) or Massdrop version.
 
Oh, and I almost forgot. I probably should have said this out the gate but I think everyone serious music lover should get a Sennheiser 6xxx set of cans, either the 600, 650, 660s (my favorite) or Massdrop version.

I don't have any of those, but Sennheiser's 600 line (especially the 600/650) have been the mid-range benchmark that all kinds of headphones have been compared against for quite some time now. They are still solid, after all these years.
 
I think it comes down to personal preference. I have one and while I wouldn't call them sibilant or bright, HD 58X's are definitely NOT "veiled". My preference would be tiny bit less treble and more prominent vocals and mids. I also joined the ongoing HD 6XX drop so I'll get those too in few months. It may be that I en up preferring the HD 6XX more but that would be just me.
I have both now. HD 58X is faster and clearer (because faster and treble spark). HD 6XX is more mid focused - vocals are forward and always over the rest. HD 58X has tighter, stronger and deeper bass that's rather impressive for open headphone. Basically HD 58X is more energetic. I think the HD 6XX does vocals better and will never cause any listening fatigue.
 
Really dunno what to say about lists like these.

One can that I've looked at recently but is missing here: the Sony MDR-Z7, and of course, Massdrop's Fostex TR-X00.

Was at a LAN and a guy had a pair of the Foxtex Purple heartwood massdrop edition. While sound was pretty good, mids were clear enough, high was lacking, they were just bass cannons. Not sure of the TR-X00 are the same, but if they are like the purple heartwood I wouldn't really go for them.

If I was going to put 400-900 into a pair of cans I would easily go with the HE650 or HD800. For the $200 range I can't seem to beat my DT990 pro's. Although I wouldn't mind picking up another pair of HE400i again.

I get a little picky with headphones, not head-fi audiophile picky, but I want my games to sound great and my music to sound great while having a comfortable pair of headphones.
 
Sony has just released the 1000MX3's

Reviews are fantastic for it so far.

1000MX2's are my personal favorite for this year, but the MX3's have made some good improvements, including lowered weight, better comfort and added quick charging/usb c port.

https://www.cnet.com/reviews/sony-wh-1000xm3-preview/

For under $200, I recommend the Audio Technica ANC700 BTs, deep and rich bass, vibrant mids and highs, super comfortable and they just sound really damn good for that price range. The headset controls are a bit funky, but nothing to make it a deal breaker.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/audio-...-ear-headphones-black/6256232.p?skuId=6256232
 
And very, very 'flat,' at least to my ears. They're good at bringing out details, but I honestly prefer my 600 ohm Beyerdynamic DT 990s.

Admittedly, Sennheisers are famous for that flatness -- it's practically their "signature" sound. My Sennheiser HD 630VB is also quite flat (adjustable bass kinda makes up for that, though).
 
"The prices of those headphones are too damn high"

lol no shit. We should send the people that bitch about 2080ti prices to this thread.

I was hoping to see some lower cost headsets in here. I need a new pair for the kid... first one on the list is $4000...
 
Personally for me, for a totally unbiased review both price and brand should be taken out of the equation. Once those two pieces of information are in someones head then somewhat of a biased opinion goes towards the review.
 
I was hoping to see some lower cost headsets in here. I need a new pair for the kid... first one on the list is $4000...

Prioritization applies; I have ~$2000 in cans around my desk, but I use <$50 cans at work. Potential abuse to potential to 'walk away' to listening environment to convenience all figure.

Kyle has another thread discussing less expensive options that I recommend checking out ;).
 
The list I posted had audioquest Nighthawk at #3 but I went and looked at the list again and they have removed them and put
Campfire Audio Cascade in their place. I guess the Nighthawks were too cheap for their list. Anyway, I like the Nighthawks and at $350.00 USD they are a bargain.
 
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I’d just like to say that while I don’t agree with all of their comments/rankings (I have 7 mid to upper range cans now... ugh...) I do appreciate a ranking guide that isn’t afraid to compare headphones in specific areas and call out one as clearly better than another, or explicitly call out attributes that are disliked/frowned upon. Most audio reviews and even comparisons go through great pains to avoid being critical of any product in any way whatsoever. This guide was refreshing by comparison.

In any case, it’s hard to trust any audio review that doesn’t explicitly spell out their methodology. For all we know this is just one person’s opinion in which case it’s no more valuable than any other forum post on the internet.
 
lol no shit. We should send the people that bitch about 2080ti prices to this thread.

I was hoping to see some lower cost headsets in here. I need a new pair for the kid... first one on the list is $4000...

For your kid, honestly a super cheap and actually decent headset is the Massdrop Koss PortaPro X which has a mic and is $37. It looks cheap and flimsy but it is surprisingly good for that style of on ear headphones.
 
Also some Philips headphones are great value for money even though I associate the brand with 5 dollar plastic abominations.
 
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Also some Philips headphones are great value for money even though I associate the brand with 5 dollar plastic abominations.

Philips SHP9500/SHP9500s, Fidelio X2. Those are the "good Philips headphones" that I know of.
 
Philips SHP9500/SHP9500s, Fidelio X2. Those are the "good Philips headphones" that I know of.

The SHPs are now out of production. I saw a scalper with a set on Amazon for $300 the other day. They're good for $70 but I doubt they're $300 good.
 
The SHPs are now out of production. I saw a scalper with a set on Amazon for $300 the other day. They're good for $70 but I doubt they're $300 good.

Oh yeah, no way in hell are those worth $300 ... IMHO not even the Sennheiser HD 600/650s are worth $300, despite their MSRP (more like $150-200, given the rapid rise and availability of headphones that are much better price/performance in the $200-$400 range).
 
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