The headphones thread! [Sorry about your wallet]

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › The headphones thread! [Sorry about your wallet]

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#2675324 16-Mar-2021 10:24

As a general rule, how often do Sennheiser update models? The Momentum 2 were released a year ago, so unlikely to get the 3's in 2021?

I'm on the fence to get 2's now or wait till 3's and hope for improved noise cancelling.

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#2675326 16-Mar-2021 10:27

dafman:

As a general rule, how often do Sennheiser update models? The Momentum 2 were released a year ago, so unlikely to get the 3's in 2021?

I'm on the fence to get 2's now or wait till 3's and hope for improved noise cancelling.

To be honest, I don't pay that much attention, but I got the 1's bundled with a phone a couple of years ago, I guess. So I'd guess 2-3 years?

They aren't a fast-moving beast like Sony who are annual or 18 monthly.

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#2675342 16-Mar-2021 10:42

It's impossible to know for sure, but I wouldn't bet on an update this year. The original version desperately needed an update to stay competitive as it lacked noise cancelling and weather proofing, but I don't think there is any significant pressure to update the current version.

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#2675382 16-Mar-2021 11:30

alasta:

It's impossible to know for sure, but I wouldn't bet on an update this year. The original version desperately needed an update to stay competitive as it lacked noise cancelling and weather proofing, but I don't think there is any significant pressure to update the current version.

And throw covid supply, manufacturing and general cashflow shrinkage issues in the mix, and across the board most companies are in hibernation at the moment.

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#2675676 16-Mar-2021 18:48

Sennheiser have come out and said that they are looking for investors... or the possibility of off-loading their consumer headphone business as it's struggling to stay relevant in a market that companies like Samsung can throw almost endless amounts of money towards. Heck, Samsung gives away their best in-ear wireless with their new phones...

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#2675747 16-Mar-2021 19:55

I think it will be a great shame if they spin it off and it loses any of it's heritage and turns into something designed to try and compete with the likes of Samsung.

Some of the most iconic headphones ever made, the most recognised models etc, came from the house of Senn and it would be a shame to see it fade away.

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#2675756 16-Mar-2021 20:39

When I started reading reviews of the AirPods Max it made me wonder about the future of Sennheiser and even Bose. Audiophiles will always want to stick with heritage brands but if Apple can take a decent chunk of the market for high end mass market audio then it could easily threaten the viability of existing players in that market.

Then I saw the announcement over the weekend that the larger HomePod is being discontinued and it made me slightly confused about Apple's audio strategy. It will be interesting to see how things play out over the next year or two.

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#2675757 16-Mar-2021 20:41

Apple stop selling things people don't buy. They have plenty of other products to sell if one isn't successful.

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#2675767 16-Mar-2021 20:42

alasta:

When I started reading reviews of the AirPods Max it made me wonder about the future of Sennheiser and even Bose. Audiophiles will always want to stick with heritage brands but if Apple can take a decent chunk of the market for high end mass market audio then it could easily threaten the viability of existing players in that market.

Then I saw the announcement over the weekend that the larger HomePod is being discontinued and it made me slightly confused about Apple's audio strategy. It will be interesting to see how things play out over the next year or two.

I don't wish to start an Apple debate, but I can't see Apple getting my business even if their products were near best in class, their QA seems pretty questionable at times, and whilst I have seen issues across multiple manafacturers, Apples response to their issues always makes me feel a little queasy.

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#2675772 16-Mar-2021 20:50

Ultimately Apple is a computer manufacturer so they have a design philosophy whereby they come up with ambitious and unconventional ideas which often result in quality or reliability issues. Personally I'm not a computer enthusiast and tend to prefer more simple and utilitarian solutions which is why, for example, I replaced my Apple Watch with a Garmin Fenix.

So, I would be reluctant to buy another set of Apple headphones but I still believe that they are in a good position to take a big chunk of the headphone market. In fact, AirPods and AirPods Pro already sell huge volumes.

I am hoping that the withdrawal of the original HomePod might give Sonos a bit of a boost, and for a long time I have been hopeful about them entering the headphone market in the near future.

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#2675778 16-Mar-2021 20:56

One thing that is very apparent, is that you no longer require to spend $3000+ to get a truly exceptional headphone experience. You can pickup an exceptionally capable amp/dac combo for $500 USD that will power pretty much anything, and under $1000 will get you an excellent pair of headphones. You can do it for a lot less and lose very little too. Josh Valour on Youtube is one of my favourite reviewers and he recently did a series on setups at particular price points. I dont' really regret anything I bought in getting what I have, it's been quite the adventure, but I really wish the revolution had started 2 years earlier, it could have potentially saved quite a bit.

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#2675806 16-Mar-2021 21:30

Any thoughts on Focal headphones? Addicted to Audio has a bunch of em on sale

See a few members on page 103 like the Focal Clears

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#2675810 16-Mar-2021 21:35

I heard the Clears, I was considering them against my HD800S, but decided I preferred the soundstage and clarity of the HD800S. I know many many people who think very highly of them. To be honest, in that price range, Focal, HD800S, Arya, LCD's are all truly excellent, it's really going to come down to the sound signature or profile you prefer emphasized.

The Focal Clears were quite a bit cheaper bought from Australia and shipped here. @geektastic could probably give a better idea.

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#2675996 17-Mar-2021 10:45

I just don't get why Addicted 2 Audio is so much cheaper in Aussie than in NZ?

They are owned by BusiSoft, the importer distributor... so why do they give the Aussie's far better deals than Kiwi's?

It comes from the same central warehouse - surely

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#2679044 23-Mar-2021 10:35

Currently trying to decide on a desktop amp/dac combo for my Meze Empyreans.

Choice between the Topping DX7 Pro and the RME ADI-2 DAC at the moment.

Both are measurably/audibly transparent and well equipped to drive pretty much any headphone you can throw at them.

The Topping is *considerably* cheaper and seems to be great value for money.

The RME offers an incredible array of features, information and tools which I may or may not use...but I may get upgrade envy if I don't!

I have some (small) concerns over the reliability of the Topping.

https://addictedtoaudio.co.nz/products/topping-dx7-pro-dac-headphone-amplifier?_pos=1&_sid=c263e2029&_ss=r

https://www.rubbermonkey.co.nz/RME-ADI-2-DAC-FS-High-Resolution-USB-DAC

Any thoughts here?

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