The perceived size and placement of the sound being reproduced is known as the soundstage. Using reverb, delay, or mid/side processing during the initial recording can help generate a soundstage. The purpose of speakers or headphones is to faithfully recreate a virtual soundscape. We’ll look at our top soundstage headphones in this article.
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Sennheiser HD 800 S Over-the-Ear Audiophile Reference Headphones
- Open back, around ear, reference class dynamic headphone
- 56mm ring radiator transducers are the largest drivers ever used in dynamic...
- Innovative absorber technology reduces unwanted frequency response peaks...
As the HD800’s replacement, the Sennheiser HD 800S debuted on the market in 2016. The treble spike, which is thought to be the only shortcoming of the HD 800, is addressed by the HD 800S. The Sennheiser HD 800S has earned a reputation as one of the most renowned headphones in audiophilia or when expensive headphones are discussed.
The HD 800 S and Sennheiser HD 800 are structurally equivalent in terms of build quality. Despite being mostly made of plastic, it does not feel at all flimsy. A tank-like design would be expected at this pricing point. Sennheiser claims that the HD 800 S’s materials produced the best audio performance, nonetheless. Overall, the construction quality is excellent, and every component—from the headband to the spring-loaded hangers—is in perfect working order. There are no creaks or hollow sensations. Although made primarily of plastic, the build is fantastic and difficult to describe.
The HD 800 S is one of the most comfortable over-ear headphones we have tried because to the gorgeous design of the headband and earpads. The materials used to make the headband and earpads are comfortable against the skin and never get hot. The Sennheiser HD 800 S is comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. The headphone’s design offers it a good clamping force and even pressure that makes it easier for it to adapt to a listener’s skull.
The audio reproduction on the Sennheiser HD 800 S is among the best available. They offer a balanced sound signature with an analytical, slightly brighter sound. While still requiring a powerful headphone amplifier, the bass is distinct, finely detailed, and highly present. The midrange has nice presence, incredible detail, and great clarity. The treble reproduction is excellent; it is crisp, airy, and free of harshness and sibilance.
The Sennheiser HD 800 S has the finest soundstage we’ve heard and is without a doubt the best feature of the headphone. It has so much space and is so wide, open, and breezy that listening to well-recorded tunes is amazing. The placement of the equipment during imaging is extremely precise.
A excellent headphone’s soundstage is its defining feature. Given that, it is simple to understand why the HD800S is so popular. The Sennheiser HD 800 S’s ability to reproduce sound organically and its large soundstage are its primary selling points. If you have the resources, we advise picking one up. This is one of the Best Soundstage Headphones in 2023.
HIFIMAN Ananda Over-Ear Full-Size Planar Magnetic Headphones
- Acoustically Invisible Stealth Magnet: Unlike the sound waves created by a...
- NEO “supernano” Diaphragm (NsD)- “Hear what you have been missing”:...
- High Sensitivity: High Sensitivity allows use with virtually any smartphone...
In the realm of headphones, the HiFiMAN Ananda is not a brand-new model. They have been in existence for a while, and I’m confident you’ve read or seen many evaluations about them. The NEO super nano diaphragm on the Ananda open-back planar magnetic headphones is 80% thinner than that of the previous generation.
The Ananda stays close to its brothers in terms of appearance and design, like the majority of HiFiMAN headphones. With a matte black finish and substantial silver grills on the sides of the earcups, it has an oval shape. The ananda is pretty large and generally feels strong. Even if they are not the best, the headphone’s plastic extension arms are very effective at reducing weight. A metal frame serves as the headband. Although it lacks swiveling joints, it is sturdy, which might lessen comfort a little.
The HiFiMAN Ananda is generally fairly cozy in its default configuration, despite the earcups’ lack of movement or noise cancelling. Wearing the ananda for a number of hours won’t cause you to feel tired. An inner leather strap and an outer flexible metal band make up the two-layer construction of the headband. This type F headband system provides great, firm support without putting an excessive amount of pressure on your head’s sides. The large, plush, and highly permeable earpads are ideal for those extended listening sessions.
Moving on to the most crucial area, sound quality. The HiFiMAN Ananda headphones are a well-balanced pair with good treble detail, transparency, and detail retrieval. The bass is there to start, but don’t anticipate it to rumble. Although the middle is not overly prominent, it leans more toward a softer and neutral presentation. Without any obtrusive sibilance, the treble expands pretty nicely. Although some instruments can sound a little hot, retrieving details is often superior.
The ananda makes some progress in terms of soundstage and imagery. The presentation takes place in front rather than all around on the roomy, wide soundstage. This creates a more concert-like atmosphere where you can hear live music or a band perform. The ananda offers great instrument separation as well, making it simple to isolate various instruments.
Overall, I believe it is reasonable to conclude that the HiFiMAN Ananda can accommodate a variety of musical preferences. Despite being a pair of ortho headphones, these have a good build quality and offer excellent comfort for listening experience. Furthermore, the audio quality is commensurate with the pricing.
Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X Audiophile Open-Air Headphones
- 53 mm drivers reproduce clear treble and midrange. Connectivity Technology:...
- Bobbin-wound CCAW voice coils for superior power handling. Impedance: 38...
- Sensitivity: 100 dB/mW . Full open-air type headphones produce no sense of...
A popularly endorsed open-back headphone for gaming is the Audio Technica ATH-AD 700X. The ATH-AD 700x is presently the runner-up in our study of the finest open-back headphones for gaming, and for good reason.
Compared to most gaming headset, the ATH-AD700x has a highly distinctive appearance. This is notably evident in their rotating, spring-loaded headband mechanism, which consists of two lightly cushioned plastic components. There are numerous moving elements in this headband design, which will probably wear out with repeated use. The earcups themselves are of high quality, and the headphone’s overall construction is adequate.
One of the best features of the ATH-AD700x is its comfort. The headband’s design is incredibly flexible, so it can adapt to any head shape. They are also quite light, so wearing them for extended periods of time without becoming tired is comfortable. The padded earpads are a fair size and made of velour, which is cool to the touch and feels soft against the skin.
The ATH-sound AD700x’s quality is now quite good. Although they rely heavily on bass, it is still present. The midrange has good separation, clarity, and detail. Particularly excellent female vocals can be heard on them. Another positive feature is the extended treble response. When listening to high fricative consonant music, some sibilance is audible.
These headphones are suitable for immersive listening, music analysis, and gaming due to their soundstage and imaging. The soundstage is expansive and airy, giving classical music a mystical quality that sends shivers down your spine. Additionally, imaging is excellent, which is advantageous to both fps and competitive gamers. You only need to add a mod mic to be ready to go.
They provide detailed sound, strong separation, and one of the greatest sound quality at this price for the amount you are paying for them. They are not fantastic bass-oriented genres, but they are ideal for any song that does not call for booming bass. Any serious gamer has to think about purchasing these as well.