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`The Extreme High End

There are only several reference headphones that serve the purpose of providing an extremely high-end listening experience. The following headphones are what we at HeadRoom consider the top performers in this very demanding category.

Let’s start with dynamic (moving coil) headphones. At this stratospheric level of ultra high-end audio performance, there are only a handful of products we can confidently mention.

The best known reference-level can is the Sennheiser HD650. This headphone is simply exquisite; while some justifiably complain the presentation is perhaps slightly too 'laid-back', we also think these cans do a very good job getting superb musical detail and clear resolution without ever becoming harsh in any way. The bass response of the HD650s is nicely warm and expansively rich-sounding. This is a favorite headphone for many classical music and modern jazz fans. Its sibling HD600 model is also another superb headphone -- a smidgeon more lively and punchy but maybe just a teeny bit grainy compared to the elegant smoothness of the HD650. By the way, adding an upgraded aftermarket Cardas Audio replacement cord for these top-shelf Sennheiser headphones will render a sizeable improvement in overall tonal clarity, bottom-end tightness, and treble range extension.

Newer on the scene, but getting a very well-deserved enthusiastic reception are the AKG K701. While definitely a little brittle or bright-sounding right out of the box, the K-701s will relax significantly over the first 200-300 hours (!) of use to eventually settle into a level of performance that can only be called superlative, featuring a tightly-controlled focused bass response. These headphones are both refined and punchy; they deliver a superb impression of timbral texture and soundstage 'space' while reproducing great musical dynamics. That's actually a subtle combination of sonic traits that are rather hard to balance properly and AKG has done exactly that. We think these cans have risen to an extremely high perch in the competively tight "Top Dynamic Headphone" category and, in fact, the k-701 have become the current favorite of some of our HeadRoom staff.

The beyerdynamic DT880 is yet another superb headphone. It is also very refined, open-toned, and quick-sounding with a sweet musical detail transparency that is econd to none. The recently revised DT880 slightly beefs up the lean bottom-end of earlier models. The deep velour earpads on the DT880 make it one of the most comfortable headphones around, nice for those extra-long audiophile listening sessions. The DT880 is also perhaps the most analytically neutral of the aforementioned reference 'phones and it offers a bit "drier" & more articulate mid-range presentation in comparison to the others. The DT880 has rightfully become a big favorite amongst recording studio pros doing demanding mixing/mastering audio work.

In an effort to fully maximize the sound quality of these already-phenomenal cans, we've developed a professional in-house HeadRoom recable upgrade program for the K701/DT880 since we believe that they, like almost all high-end headphones, will be significantly improved by the effort -- especially when switching to balanced-drive stereo XLR-type terminations for use with cutting-edge balanced headphone amplifier systems, like our flagship HeadRoom Balanced Home and Balanced Max headphone amps. However, it's worth mentioning that both AKG and Sennheiser have recently improved the stock single-ended cords installed on their upscale headphones and their efforts are welcome.

Joining the open-backed headphones mentioned above are the two best sealed-back [closed earcup] cans we've heard, the DENON AH-D2000 and DENON AH-D5000 models. The lively and punchy D2000 offers a tremendous bell-like clarity throughout the entire frequency range along with a pleasingly forward soundstage image presentation that brings every recessed detail of the recording into clear relief. The upscale D-5000 sports nifty mahogany wood earcups and delivers a smooth, totally seamless but intensely detailed sound that rates about the very best in the entire sealed category. Both DENONs call for a quality dedicated headphone amp for maximized musical clarity, full dynamic range quickness, and clean extension to the very edges of the audible spectrum.

The last dynamic cans we will mention as an extremely high-end listening experience are the two top audiologist-customized ear canal headphones (ECHs) from Ultimate Ears, the UE10 and the UE11, along with the MUCH less expensive 'universal-fit' Shure SE530 earphones. These are all quite upscale three & four-microdriver ECHs and likely not all that convenient to use at the office or around the house where you actually have to talk to people; However, they are truly extraordinary-sounding in portable-player applications for demanding high-end audiophiles who travel a lot and love great music & peaceful, near-total isolation. We think the UE11 might be the best dynamic headphone or earphone we’ve ever heard. The noise-blocking from ambient external sounds provided by the audiologist-customized, ear-impression molded Ultimate Ears UE10 or UE11 is simply jaw-dropping, around 30dB+ of noise attenuation -- In other words, blissful silence! A perfect choice for frequent flyers, long-distance travelers, and music-adoring commuters.

As indicated earlier, our ultimate high-end listening room headphone amp is the HeadRoom Balanced Max Headphone Amp. The organic tonal purity and liquid articulation of this amp in tandem with a superb set of reference-grade balanced headphones will make it VERY hard to do anything else while listening. The sound is so intensely compelling that you’ll easily find yourself lost amidst a headful of truly life-like music. Remember that with balanced headphone amps, you'll also need balanced headphones & headphone cables! Finally, if you are looking for a lower-cost way of getting reference-quality sound look at a Home Amp or Desktop Amp and then just upgrade the internal componentry to the Max modules.

The final, rarified type of ultra-high-end headphones are known as 'electrostatic' designs. These were the absolute top-of-the-heap for a long time, but dynamic-type cans have come a really long way recently and we feel they are generally superior these days at less cost. Probably the best known electrostatic system is the Stax Omega. This is a very fine headphone with lush texture and a silky, airy presentation but it does tend to be a bit stodgy in the bass response compared to reference-grade dynamic headphones. The other electrostatic worthy of lofty note is the Sennheiser Orpheus system. These are discontinued and no longer available, but they were very good and darn pretty too, not to mention some HUGE bucks!

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