Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Recommended Headphones for Explorer 2?

I've been running some AKG ATH-M50 Headphones with Explorer 2 and they sound pretty good, especially for the price and being closed back.

I'm thinking of trying a pair of open back headphones and stepping up a notch.

Thinking of HD650's (or HD600's), maybe HD700's.

Are these a good match for the explorer 2?

Curious about proper impedance matching?

I really want to stay under $500.

You can get the "Massdrop" version of the HD650's for $350.00

Also considerinhg the Shure SRH1540 closed back headphones, if open backs are just too loud for co workers.

Possible the HD700's. Those (along with HD800) look incredibly bulky though. I've heard HD700 and HD800's are not as "Neutral" (not that, it's a requirement).

These will be primarily used at work with a fairly "open" office environment. They are not cubes but it not wide open either (not partitionless). We have random partitions here and there to break it up a little.

A good test that I found for seeing how loud open backs are was to open up a closed set of headphones and that's about how loud it will be it. It seems like it will be Ok. We have a lot of "white noise" from computers too. It's just bairly under the bar as acceptable. My closest co-worker said no problem. I'm not sure I would personally like it if I was concerntrating and could hear it. But I think it's worth a shot. Leakage into them is not an issue.

I hear open backs are closer to what speakers sound like, which I've always preferred. I also read closed backs actually produce deeper bass. I do like my bass.

Any other must try headphones, I keep seeing the HD600/HD650 as the reference standard everyone likes to compare to.

FYI: I plan to keep the Explorer 2 I just got (and not for MQA), I've already canceled my Tidal Trial. I will be trialing Roon soon (maybe afterI get new headphones). I doubt I'll keep any paid streaming service. But I'll see what the hub bub is all about. User interface was very nice on Tidal though.

I had a pair of HD 650s that I was using until just recently. The Explorer2 drives them just fine. Being open-back you won't be able to crank them in the office anyway despite assurances from your neighbor. They are very neutral with accurate bass in terms of attack and depth. I liked mine but found them to be uncomfortable over long periods of time. They were tight on my head.

Also, they are not too comfortable if you wear glasses.

I've just taken delivery of a pair of HD700 s to partner with my explorer and newly acquired prime. Only had them a couple of days so still working through my favourite music but have to say so far I am seriously impressed. They are not as bulky as the pics suggest in the flesh, and they are without question the most comfortable pair of cans I have ever worn.

I had closed backs previously and the shift to open is a step forward in my opinion, they are far more spacious and when coupled with the asp processing options on the prime are nothing short of breathtaking with the right tracks. Not had a great deal of time with the explorer 2 as yet so will report back.

PS - I thought the leakage would be worse, in 'a lively' office environment you won't have a problem.

Lee

I tried quite a few headphones and found the Shure 1840 headphones to be a nice balance between the 'dark' Sennheisers and the Grados. I had to go to a music/studio warehouse to audition them.

In the 1000-1500$ bracket there are the amazing Hifiman Edition X V2. They have very high sensitivity over 100dB and sound spectacular with an Explorer 2, even an iphone7 can drive them.

Not high end, but I use Bose QC25 with my Explorer2 at work. They do a wonderful job of cancelling office noise and letting me concentrate which to me is a fair trade-off to SQ. I use HD650 at home and are still my favourite after trying many cans over many years, I just can't use open back in the office.

I have a Bose QC, older ones, love them. But I didn't want to get blasted for using the word Bose. They really do reduce the noise floor. And very comfortable.

I like the suggestions.

The Shure 1840 pair makes me a little nervious about how much they need to be driven to sing and can't be used on a portable device. Not that I plan to.

The Hifiman X V2, do look very nice. They are targetted at portable devices. Now I think why should I get a pair targeted at a portable device when they will mostly be on the explorer which can handle more load. Lot of $$$ for something I'm not sure how much I'll actually use. I might end up using them a ton and the price is justified.

For what they are the Bose are actually pretty good. Yes, I said it.

Heresy! Wash that mouth out with soap. Next you'll be recommending Beats.

I don't use phones much but I have a pair of Phillips SHP 9000 I bought at a 'Car Boot Sale' for £10 boxed and new looking with a damaged cable. A new cable Sennhieser £10 ish and I'm away.
40Khz quoted upper frequency and they don't sound bad at all.
Cheapskate here lol Chris

I actually listened to some wireless Beats whilst waiting for a flight at Heathrow and was very impressed with the bass. Was it accurate bass? Hell no, but very impressive.

Hi George

Living in Trump Land you have an opportunity to buy Grado products (even at Walmart) at prices that cannot be matched in Europe.

My GS1000i from the Statement range are now 2 iterations old but I have avoided the temptation to listen to GS1000e or GS2000e models especially when the current value of Sterling is considered.

They sounded great with my Explorer 1 but I am sure some would want a bit more grunt.

I use them now pretty much exclusively with my Prime and they are fantastic, quite neutral, with a big soundstage and close to the M sound of my various DSP speakers.

Certainly light for their size, therefore comfortable for long listening sessions, and the big foam pads reduce sweaty ear syndrome.

Choice of Headphones is such a personal thing and a loan pair/s or extensive comparisons at a specialist dealer is a must.

Hector