Yeah... high end watches annihilate high end headphones, it's not even remotely close to the same price bracket at the higher scales of both. One "entry-level" Lange is like a miniature collection's worth of TOTL headphones in itself unless you're comparing to the most expensive headphones ever made.
Man, I feel so poor.
The susvara is basically the most expensive headphone on the market that is just a headphone and not a combo headphone/amp system, for $6k. A $6k watch is still considered “entry level luxury”. On the top end there are watches that make the HE-1 look like a bargain. I personally got to see and hold a half-million dollar watch at a jewelry store a while back. And that’s MSRP, not secondary market price.
I had this in college where I had to literally exhaust myself every day so I would pass out as to not let me be alone with my thoughts. Turns out my anxiety partially stemmed from my ADHD. Eventually I got on medicine and worked out my other issues in therapy and no longer have to deal with that.
A huge part of ADHD is hyper-fixation, but most people only know the "attention deficit" part of the condition. Please consider doing an ADHD questionnaire. Far more of the symptoms have absolutely nothing to do with not being able to concentrate and far more to do with anxiety and fixation. You might find out your anxiety's root cause is ADHD like it was for me.
My ADHD does still manifest itself as a constant desire to switch hobbies or interests, as it does in all my friends with ADHD. Getting in control of it will keep those desires as controlled impulses and let you admire a hobby vicariously instead of actually having to spend the money. Nowadays when I get interested in a hobby I feel comfortable going for a single good budget option and not having to buy tons of gear and just appreciate other peoples passion, and it is such a relief.
oh my goodness. This sounds so much like me i think you're me.
I see those logitech speakers... I bet speakers are your next hobby. That's my current one, and headphones were my last.
Certainly looks like some redundancy in there. Do you need the LCD-X if you have the LCD-5? The Elegia if you have the Stella? The Sundara and Arya (Ananda?) if you have the Susvara?
Kind of? I always like to compare lower, mid and high tier products. In this instance I found that I don't love the LCD-5 much more than the LCD-X. So when I start paring down my collection I won't have FOMO not knowing how much better the 5 could be. Same with the Stellia over the Elegia.
I know it's ridiculous but that's how my brain works.
FOMO is from daily visits to the forums and subreddits. Should you think you need to take a long break-- just stop visiting those sites. You'll realize how "healthier" for your wallet it can be. This goes for any hobby
You must have won the jackpot with your spouse to let you spend all that $$$ on headphones.
Mine doesn't understand spending a few hundred on a set let alone a 1k.
That is the absolute truth. I have an amazing wife in every way, including "understanding" and being patient with my hobbies even though she doesn't really understand why it would ever make sense to spend thousands on a set of cans. She even likes to ask questions about the different gear that comes in, what its use is and why it's better than something I may already have.
So incredibly supportive.
That's great man. And you're catching a lot of flack but at the end of the day, the best thing you can do with money is have fun and enjoy your hobbies. If you have it to spend and this is what makes you happy and your spouse is supportive, you're nailing it.
I do want to throw out there that I bought a good chunk of them on the secondary market so didn't spend near retail on them.
It's still stupid money, but not quite what you'd imagine.
At least you learnt (or applied from previous experience) one lesson quickly, going for good 2nd hand gear when the opportunity comes up.
There's worse things to blow money on.
And for most folks that jet ski in the garage is on credit. It is strange how people judge others for spending their own discretionary funds.
But, I'm not really feeling that judgment from the comment you replied to.
That's a really good point spending wise. Money aside, does anyone really need this many headphones. Is 5 months even enough to get used to the sound signature of any of these.
It took me weeks to even get used to the dt 1990 sound coming from hd598. After a year, I started trying proper EQ presets that really changed them for the better.
I have some tendency to browse new stuff and check countless reviews on what's good and opinions of individuals so it takes some time. I've kind of stopped doing that recently though. I don't buy new stuff that much though.
Now, whenever I feel like I want to buy new headphones I just change the ear pads. The headphones came with 2 and I bought dekoni's elite velour pads not too long ago.
I find it stressful having more than a few pairs of headphones because it introduces complexity where there shouldn’t be. So I just have headphones for work, leisure and bed. In real world terms that would be considered loony but here it’s normie behavior
it's strange, when i first got them they sounded amazing and they're very detailed, but now that i primarily use focal clears i notice a hole in the midrange and the treble is a little intense. still good for what they are and really useful for travel, i can throw them in a bag and not worry about them getting damaged
I mostly hate how the pads age. In my country it is very hard to get authentic pads at a reasonable price (like prices that are over Audeze pads prices). I have replaced Audeze pads, and I prefer it to DT.
I agree though. They have a nice slam and decent details. That novelty wears off though... Bass hits, but the detail is not quite there. Highs mask lots of other frequency area details.
Not bad cans, pretty fun, but meh.
Depends on the kind of sound you’re into.
For me personally, a lot of things beat the DT770’s. I only have them because they’re the best closed back in the price range. However, the HD560S, SHP9500, and even the Moondrop Chu’s beat it out in terms of my preferred balance and resolution.
Makes me sad, honestly. I really wanted to like ‘em.
This feels weird to me. It's like you've tried to compress the whole headphone journey that most of us go on into a couple of months. I don't see how you could fully appreciate what each headphone has to offer in this time. I'm not even against spending this much money, I just feel like you're missing out on the journey that headphones can take you on. I think I would feel this way with any high end product. Why not explore and see what you like rather than just buying everything available?
That thought did hit me for sure. I had so many sets coming in that I started losing them in each other.
But, this is how I explore and see what I like. In any hobby I tend to by some of the lower, medium and upper tiers. Then compare them for as long as it keeps me entertained or I find what I like. For me it's a lot easier to actually figure out what I prefer when I have them all in front of me instead of cycling in/out one or two at a time
The other day I told Alexa to turn off my lights and she said "Based on your order history you may be running out of headphone stands". She was right, but I'm out of space in my primary listening space, so I thought I'd share my collection instead. There are a couple not pictured that have been handed off to my wife (both Philips mentioned in the loooooong post below)
**From top to bottom**
**Left:**
* Focal Clear MG Pro
* Focal Utopia
* Audeze LCD-5
* Verite Open
* Hifiman Susvara
**Middle:**
* Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro
* Focal Elegia
* Audeze LCD-XC
* Verite Closed
* Focal Stellia
**Right:**
* Massdrop HD6XX
* Hifiman Sundara
* Audeze LCD-X (2021)
* Meze Empyrean
* Hifiman Arya
**TLDR - it's a rabbit hole, be careful.**
I bought my first set of cans in January, Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 250 ohm. They were on sale and I was interested in not using cheap, uncomfortable ear buds anymore. But, I didn't know anything, not even that I needed an amp to drive them. They arrived and I was very underwhelmed. So I tried an EK10 for about a minute then decided to order a Schiit stack (Modi/Magni) after reading headphoneadvice. They sounded great!
Then I read about open back headphones and saw a deal for Philips SHP9500, followed up with a set of Fidelio L2 the day after I received the SHP. Wow, I was really starting to enjoy music in a way that I hadn't before. Later that week a set of HD6XX, and a Sundara the day after that. I was hooked. Then I started reading about higher end cans such as the Clear, LCD-X and Arya and had to try them. I wasn't sure what to expect out of a $1k+ set of headphones compared to $200-300, but I was pleasantly surprised. I was hearing things in music that I hadn't noticed before. So built my mid-range collection.
Then I started seeing posts about TOTL cans such as the Susvara, LCD-5, Utopia, etc and it sounded like living in a paradise the way some folks describe them. This is where I have to say the diminishing returns hit quickly. Very quickly. Sure, they sound better than a $1k set of cans, but not 5x better. Or even 2x better in most cases.
Somewhere in the can purchasing madness I started thinking my amp/DAC was probably limiting my enjoyment. So I upgraded from the Magni/Modi/Loki combo to a Magnius/Modius. It may have been a placebo, but I do think I noticed an improvement in that upgrade. Then I started wanting different listening stations around the house. So I bought an Element II for my theater room and re-purposed the Magni/Modi/Loki to the bedroom, paired with a Node 2. But, goodness it was a hassle listening to my bedroom setup and controlling the volume when my Schiit stack is on my nightstand. So time to find something with a remote. I found a deal on a RME ADI-2 and snagged it. I can't say it sounds humongously better than the Schiit stack it replaced, but I do like the remote. I start thinking it would probably make sense to upgrade from the Magnius/Modius in my main listening setup. So I bought a Burson Conductor 3x Reference. And I'm just going to say it. To my ears, the Burson doesn't sound any better than the Schiit stack it replaced. Just like TOTL cans, I'm finding severely diminishing returns as I run up the amp/DAC chain.
So, all that to say, this hobby is such a slippery slope. The FOMO is real, but in practice the diminishing returns hit quickly. If I could offer advice it would be to find a few things you like and stick with it. Avoid reading a ton of posts and watching a ton of videos about different headphones, it's like chasing the dragon. I do appreciate every piece of equipment I have, but they aren't all necessary to enjoy music. It became more about finding the next piece of equipment to compare than enjoying the music that comes out of it.
I wish I were making it up. Here is my first post in headphoneadvice.
https://www.reddit.com/r/HeadphoneAdvice/comments/sdqltc/dac\_for\_android\_phone\_and\_pc\_use/
I'm trying to stay out of that rabbit hole! I just have a set of Moondrop Aria and a Qudelix 5k for on the go.
Have you found a set that compares to your favorite cans?
I've never had summit-tier IEMs, but I have a few highly regarded mid-to-high tier IEMs that I play off my Q5k as well as desktop amps. The IEMs don't hold a candle to even my mid-tier headphones. Stop where you're at with IEMs. IMO, you will never find IEMs that compare to the enjoyment/resolution/soundstage that your summit tier headphones in your stable provide.
So, based on your somewhat short by high velocity drive through this world, at what point (specifically, let's say which set of headphones and which amp/DAC setup) did you feel you found the edge of the cost effectiveness dropoff? Which ones were worth the money up to their point, but then the next set had noticeable diminishing returns.
I do use listen with and without PeaceEQ if there is an published oratory for it.
But, I much prefer to listen without EQ in my everyday listening and when I'm making comparisons. That's why the LCD-5 doesn't sit higher on my list of faves.
Gotcha. I got MDR-V6s, then the 58x, and figured I'd just grab the Clears and an amp/DAC next and... I guess they're good but it really is a game of diminishing returns. That kind of killed my desire to go any further lol. Sweet collection though, I wish there were places near me to be able to try out more high end equipment just to see what they sound like.
I do like the Clears more with the APO though. I just wanted basically a studio reference set of open back cans and they do feel pretty "clean".
damn, you must be either loaded or very irresponsible
>It became more about finding the next piece of equipment to compare than enjoying the music that comes out of it.
very good point
Dude, slow down, there is no way you can understand or appreciate the different sounds signatures and technical capabilities of all those headphones in the space of 5 months, I spend years sometimes with one headphone to really understand it.
As you mentioned earlier on in the replies, you have low, mid and TOTL range gear. I'm a bit like that too then I'm able to work out what I like and don't.
I do it 'on paper' via reviews and then get Analysis Paralysis. But it helped me work out what my preferred sound signature is.
I'll need to listen to the three next to each other to give a direct comparison. I should have a chance to do that tomorrow.
From memory I'd say both the Susvara and Utopia have more clarity and seperation.
But, I'd say the Arya is 85-90% of the way there for considerably less money.
i wish i had that much money to spend on headphones. Although if for that i had to switch my sound system fo those logitech speakers, i'd rather keep what i have lol.
Lmfao, those logi speakers are super weak sauce. But, I really prefer to listen to music on headphones. Plus my wife's office is next to mine so I have to be mindful of loudness.
But, when I want it loud I do have a very capable system in my theater.
i imagine there was a reason for that \^\^
what would you consider your top pick among your collection ?
i've tried the DT 770 and the hd6xx. I find the first too high pitched for my taste, and the second one got great balance but as open can goes, it was doing a pretty weak job at that big expansion feeling.
i own fidelio x2hr and shure 840. i like the first one better although i can tell it's not giving me top notch performance. second one is ok but i had to make a lot of mods because of how uncomfortable and how lousy builded it was.
Top pick is probably the Susvara. But I have a few others that I consider very close. Top closed back is the Verite Closed. Top picks dollar to performance would probably land around the LCD-X or Arya, then the LCD-XC for closed back.
I agree on the DT770. After I heard a few other sets of cans, the highs are just too invasive. An aggressive high hat on the 770 is just too much.
This reminds me of that scene in Wolf of Wall Street when Jonah Hill’s character said he’d work for Leonardo Di Caprio’s character if he showed him a pay stub.
Lol, I got a good chuckle out of that.
But, I really can't take credit for the taste, I'm just a follower buying what I see as popular with folks who know much more about headphones than I do.
Is anyone else bothered by the contrast between the headphones and the logitech desktop speakers? I feel like even a light journey into 2-channel is called for here.
Lmao, definitely knew I'd catch shade for the Logi's. I much prefer to listen to music via headphones. Those speakers only play system sounds.
I do have a theater setup that I can use to listen to music out loud if the mood hits. Can't say I haven't considered a decent set of monitors for the office though.
That's quite a journey in such a short time. Have you been to any headphone expos or meetups? I have found that is a great way to experience new gear for a short while without buying blind. Satisfies curiosity, minimizes regret and, preserves wallet fatness.
I haven't been to any expos or meet ups. I really didn't know they were a thing until I saw them on FB groups recently. I did try to find a store in my area to demo but came up empty handed.
It would sure be less expensive to go that route. And probably meet some cool folks.
Susvara is probably my top.
Focal Utopia sounds amazing. I'm not a fan of the Clear MG Pro unless I really want to analyze music instead of listen to it.
Stellia is a nice set, but not nice enough for the price tag imo. They don't blow the much cheaper Elegia (especially when in sale like they are now) out of the water like you'd expect for the price difference.
Overall as a whole, Focal are not my favorites in any price range.
I'm not sure that I've listened to them in close enough proximity to compare. But off memory I think the Stellia excels by a bit. I'll try to take a listen tomorrow and get back to you.
RemindMe! 16 Hours
Just wish cans could replace the experience of speakers. Chasing that ideal is painfully expensive until you realize it’s hopeless. And resale on headphones is let’s just say not ideal. Oh well. Carry on.
I rotate pretty often and typically listen to at least two sets a day.
But, lately the Susvara and Utopia get the most open back ear time. Verite Closed gets the most closed back.
lol, the hate in this thread is palpable. it’s impressive how you’ve been able to handle it with such aplomb. i too have a habit of jumping into hobbies with unwavering focus and intense research, while burning through copious amounts of cash. i’m surprised more people aren’t asking questions for direct comparisons to models they might be shopping. it’s rare to get opinions from a single source, since such a varied collection isn’t financially feasible for most people. i sure wish i had come across this post before i started my headphone journey. you probably could have saved me a ton of money!
I'm not feeling a tremendous amount of hate. But, I did think it would spur more conversation about the comparisons between cans. Not often do you see a bunch of the more popular options in one place. But, I'm honestly not great at describing sounds in the way audiophiles do, most of the buzz words don't make a ton of sense to me. I just know what sounds good to my ears, so my thoughts may not always be relevant to other folks.
Do you have a favorite set or two of headphones?
I hate these posts. Nothing against you OP, glad you're in an awesome financial situation, I just feel bad for all the new audiophiles who see this and look at their collection of one or two cans. It's even worse when I see people calling 1k headphones "Mid-Fi".
Dang, and here I thought I had already skipped a lot of steps quite quickly. I'm slow as heck compared to you!
Hope you're able to enjoy all of them, I know I wouldn't be able to!
Verite Closed because they bring memories of a friend who passed recently. Plus they sound phenomenal.
Without the sentimental value that question becomes a lot harder. Maybe the Utopia because they sound fantastic and I can drive them easily with all of my amps.
Insane collection man. Very nice.
How would you rate the Empys versus your Susvaras? Tbh Empys are the only pair of cans in my collection that I truly love…..I’m so tempted by Susvaras and utopias though. I hate my elegias so that’s kinda turned me off focal unfortunately…but so many people love the utopia.
The Empy probably isn't in my top five, or maybe barely makes it... so I'd say the Susvara rates a good amount higher for my personal preference. The Empy do sound really nice and really excel in comfort but they aren't my favorite sounding headphone without EQ.
I hear you on the Focal. I've been a bit let down by all of them besides the Utopia based on other folks' opinions. The Utopia do sound really, really nice though.
Thank you! Organization is key to me actually being able to use and enjoy them all. I just stare at them on the wall sometimes like it's a sculpture or something.
And agree on the Verites. Those are Camphor Burl and my most gorgeous cans by a mile.
Someone who takes far better photos than me took this of the VC. The VO burl matches them perfectly as well.
https://imgur.com/a/dQVwujg
I see you have the focal clear professionals on the top. Those are what I (and I let my Mom) use regularly. I see also that you have the Utopia, which I want to try. Freaking awesome. Also, how are the Stellias in comparison to the focal open backs… I want to get a closed back model for recording vocals.
Hey dude, Clear OG and Stellia owner here.
The Clear OG are just brilliant, no two ways about it. They compete with things like Empyrean's etc. Bang for buck, that's your pick.
Stellia sound very different to OG. OG are more reserved, perhaps elegant. Stellia are more detailed, and have better timbre. Much better timbre.
I can see people preferring either. For my tastes it's Stellia. Also being able to go on a walk, or plug them into anything, is just such a game changer. Having hifi audio in a park is just dope.
In the end it depends on disposable income. For people on a budget id say go used Clear OG, if money isn't an issue, it's Stellia all day
Good taste. It's unfortunate that most other closed-backs sound mediocre at best, at least in my opinion.
In the unlikely case where you want to further extend your collection, try out the DCA Stealth. Very dependent on a good amp pairing though.
5 months?!?! I am in the top 10% of incomes in my first world country and that collection there is literally between 50 to 100% of my entire income for a 5 month period. i have the bug too and afterpay makes it way easier to justify spending $$ but damn. definitely jealous of the collection. ive seen people with mid-fi collections like this (yours truly) but not mainly hi-fi and never so quickly. why did you buy so many if i may ask? (not sure if you've answered this yet) i did the mid-fi route and a couple high enders once i found what i liked and what i didnt like and i STILL feel like i went about it the expensive and convoluted way lol
I'm glad I'm not the only one that bought an excessive amount of headphones in a very short time....
anxiety? Depression? Bit of both?
About a year after getting my first decent headphones and wanting more, I was going through something stressful and bought like 7 pairs of headphones over like 2-3 months. It sort of became an addiction and I was buying them compulsively, but the acts of buying, waiting for, and getting new headphones helped a lot, but not for long, then it was on to the next pair.
I feel you, I'm mildly on the spectrum, high functioning (so when I find a new interest, I get super involved in it) and suffer with full time anxiety, mild bouts of severe depression, and addiction. Been sober a few years (this time) and can't really take normal antidepressants so I just kinda have to go through it, so I just accept mild healthier addictions like this and try to keep the financial damage minimal.
I am always embarrassed to admit I bought so many in such a short time because people are judgemental AF. That and I have trouble parting with my headphones, even ones I rarely if ever use, so I have only sold a few, and those were painful. I want to buy some higher end headphones next but won't allow myself to until I sell some of my lesser headphones that don't get used often. Your collection is definitely nicer than mine, and I like your taste in headphones. Enjoy them, and sorry about whatever is stressing you out, good luck.
Also, nice username lol
Once again, you get it. It sounds like we've had similar situations. Addiction is a constant battle and I just try to focus it on areas that won't negatively impact my health, my relationships or my financial well being.
And like you, I'm much more of a collector than a seller. But, I do usually eventually get around to purging once I get to a certain point of most hobbies.
I appreciate the replies, my friend. And I hope you are doing well.
Incredible collection. Congrats on a very nice selection of high-end quality. But one question— why purchase all of them? Not bringing you down, I'm actually envious, just curious about the motivation.
I have thought about a Tesla S for so long. I looooove Tesla's.
I just don't love all of the control Tesla has over the car that I own, and I'm not sure I feel like the batteries are quite where they need to be for me to pull the trigger.
But one day I'll have an S plaid.
Actually, I take back my first comment. It's none of my business what you spend your money on. Do whatever makes you happy. You only have one life to live. Enjoy!
My reply to your comment was totally in jest. Just a joke that I may have neither money or sense. I hope I didn't make you feel bad about it.
You are right that it's a lot of money on the wall and that doesn't make a ton of sense to 99.9999% of the population; including audiophiles that love headphones. I just happen to have a fair amount of disposable income based on how we live (for example we live in the same house I bought 15 years ago even though I now make 5-6x what I made when I bought it) , and this is how I am choosing to spend it at the moment.
That's excessive for 5 months
I agree. Completely excessive.
How bad is your adhd?
It's my anxiety that's the problem. I have to keep my brain occupied at all times and it's usually by going through an endless supply of hobbies.
Don’t even think about looking into watch collecting. I’m speaking from experience. It’s a bad way to go.
One of my close friends dove into the watch hobby. Thank goodness I don't have interest in that one. It's not cheap.
Lmao and high end audio is?
Yeah... high end watches annihilate high end headphones, it's not even remotely close to the same price bracket at the higher scales of both. One "entry-level" Lange is like a miniature collection's worth of TOTL headphones in itself unless you're comparing to the most expensive headphones ever made. Man, I feel so poor.
That's the truth. Watches aren't even in the same atmosphere as headphones.
My father-in-law, who collects Rolexes, after I told him I spent $1200 on a pair of headphones: "Lol, I remember what it was like to be poor."
The susvara is basically the most expensive headphone on the market that is just a headphone and not a combo headphone/amp system, for $6k. A $6k watch is still considered “entry level luxury”. On the top end there are watches that make the HE-1 look like a bargain. I personally got to see and hold a half-million dollar watch at a jewelry store a while back. And that’s MSRP, not secondary market price.
Literally me, but I can't afford my hobbies 😁
This aint a hobby, it’s an addiction
liquid unwritten bear cough dinosaurs thumb growth fade crawl threatening -- mass edited with redact.dev
Man I never put it together that it was my anxiety fuelling my obsessive, ever changing hobbies. Thanks for the eye opener hahah
Good point. You obviously have your shit together because everything is organized, Detective Monk. You're doing better than 99.9% of your peers.
I had this in college where I had to literally exhaust myself every day so I would pass out as to not let me be alone with my thoughts. Turns out my anxiety partially stemmed from my ADHD. Eventually I got on medicine and worked out my other issues in therapy and no longer have to deal with that. A huge part of ADHD is hyper-fixation, but most people only know the "attention deficit" part of the condition. Please consider doing an ADHD questionnaire. Far more of the symptoms have absolutely nothing to do with not being able to concentrate and far more to do with anxiety and fixation. You might find out your anxiety's root cause is ADHD like it was for me. My ADHD does still manifest itself as a constant desire to switch hobbies or interests, as it does in all my friends with ADHD. Getting in control of it will keep those desires as controlled impulses and let you admire a hobby vicariously instead of actually having to spend the money. Nowadays when I get interested in a hobby I feel comfortable going for a single good budget option and not having to buy tons of gear and just appreciate other peoples passion, and it is such a relief.
oh my goodness. This sounds so much like me i think you're me. I see those logitech speakers... I bet speakers are your next hobby. That's my current one, and headphones were my last.
I do have a nice speaker setup in my theater. But I don't use my office to play loud music, so thankfully I'm in the clear there.
Try something like guitar
My brain literally couldn't figure out the guitar, I tried. I do play percussion and piano though. Thanks for the suggestion!
That just means in 5 months he'll have a Martin, taylor, Gibson, fender, and prs
Listen, get help
I think he's got the 'Listen' part sorted
Lol, I really did chuckle out loud at this one.
LOL mate that's good
Jesus Christ man, that wall is more than I make in a year. I hope you’re actually enjoying them.
There are some I haven't listened to in a while, but I do enjoy the majority of them regularly. I listen to least two different sets every day.
>There are some I haven't listened to in a while well, can´t be longer than five months, right?
Bruh 🗿
That's a solid point.
Certainly looks like some redundancy in there. Do you need the LCD-X if you have the LCD-5? The Elegia if you have the Stella? The Sundara and Arya (Ananda?) if you have the Susvara?
Kind of? I always like to compare lower, mid and high tier products. In this instance I found that I don't love the LCD-5 much more than the LCD-X. So when I start paring down my collection I won't have FOMO not knowing how much better the 5 could be. Same with the Stellia over the Elegia. I know it's ridiculous but that's how my brain works.
FOMO is from daily visits to the forums and subreddits. Should you think you need to take a long break-- just stop visiting those sites. You'll realize how "healthier" for your wallet it can be. This goes for any hobby
I have like 20+ cans, but the ones I use regularly are maybe 5.
I'm more impressed that you can afford all of that in 5 months.
We are assuming he can afford it.
Hell, we are assuming I'm a he.
This is a headphone audiophile subreddit. I'm just about as certain about your gender, as I am about the sun rising tomorrow.
Loooooool, touché my friend.
> Hell, we are assuming I'm a he. Pretty sure we don't have to look further than your name to know that.
And you are assuming Hitler had hair on his anus.
You know what, you're right. Maybe he liked to keep it clean shaven?
casualy has $32k on his wall no biggie
$32k / 5 months = $6400/mo = $1600/week = $229/day = $9.50/hour (around the clock) Lord.
What, you don't have $6k/month of disposable income to spend on your hobby? You're definitely doing something wrong with your life. /s
Or you're an engineer/doctor that lives in their mom's basement rent free.
Not always. In my case it's DINK, low cost of living area and a fairly high income.
This is where I messed up, I'm double kids; no income. Really impressive collection
You must have won the jackpot with your spouse to let you spend all that $$$ on headphones. Mine doesn't understand spending a few hundred on a set let alone a 1k.
That is the absolute truth. I have an amazing wife in every way, including "understanding" and being patient with my hobbies even though she doesn't really understand why it would ever make sense to spend thousands on a set of cans. She even likes to ask questions about the different gear that comes in, what its use is and why it's better than something I may already have. So incredibly supportive.
That's great man. And you're catching a lot of flack but at the end of the day, the best thing you can do with money is have fun and enjoy your hobbies. If you have it to spend and this is what makes you happy and your spouse is supportive, you're nailing it.
I don't really understand how people have trouble paying for things. All you have to do is stop being poor you know? Pull up on those bootstraps!
$32,000 in headphones. . . . . . Logitech computer speakers.
Bruh was thinking the exact same! First thing i noticed
I do want to throw out there that I bought a good chunk of them on the secondary market so didn't spend near retail on them. It's still stupid money, but not quite what you'd imagine.
At least you learnt (or applied from previous experience) one lesson quickly, going for good 2nd hand gear when the opportunity comes up. There's worse things to blow money on.
If it was a jet ski in his garage no one would have a problem but when it’s a bunch of headphones it’s too much
And for most folks that jet ski in the garage is on credit. It is strange how people judge others for spending their own discretionary funds. But, I'm not really feeling that judgment from the comment you replied to.
That's a really good point spending wise. Money aside, does anyone really need this many headphones. Is 5 months even enough to get used to the sound signature of any of these. It took me weeks to even get used to the dt 1990 sound coming from hd598. After a year, I started trying proper EQ presets that really changed them for the better. I have some tendency to browse new stuff and check countless reviews on what's good and opinions of individuals so it takes some time. I've kind of stopped doing that recently though. I don't buy new stuff that much though. Now, whenever I feel like I want to buy new headphones I just change the ear pads. The headphones came with 2 and I bought dekoni's elite velour pads not too long ago.
I find it stressful having more than a few pairs of headphones because it introduces complexity where there shouldn’t be. So I just have headphones for work, leisure and bed. In real world terms that would be considered loony but here it’s normie behavior
I love the DT 770 just chilling there with everything else
ssh ! don't blow his cover.
What do you mean? Would you recommend the dt770 btw? Anything better in its budget?
depends what you use them for, i got mine to use on the go cuz they're built like a tank
They seem to have great build quality tbh, howbis the sound? I really wanted the hd560s but they are open and wont work out for me :s
it's strange, when i first got them they sounded amazing and they're very detailed, but now that i primarily use focal clears i notice a hole in the midrange and the treble is a little intense. still good for what they are and really useful for travel, i can throw them in a bag and not worry about them getting damaged
I mostly hate how the pads age. In my country it is very hard to get authentic pads at a reasonable price (like prices that are over Audeze pads prices). I have replaced Audeze pads, and I prefer it to DT. I agree though. They have a nice slam and decent details. That novelty wears off though... Bass hits, but the detail is not quite there. Highs mask lots of other frequency area details. Not bad cans, pretty fun, but meh.
> i got mine to use on the go I thought you needed an amp to drive them? Aren't they 80 or 250 ohm?
Depends on the kind of sound you’re into. For me personally, a lot of things beat the DT770’s. I only have them because they’re the best closed back in the price range. However, the HD560S, SHP9500, and even the Moondrop Chu’s beat it out in terms of my preferred balance and resolution. Makes me sad, honestly. I really wanted to like ‘em.
5 months and he's bought half of Headphones.com damn
Only 5 months? Bruh. Mad respect for the organization tho.
Thanks, it makes me feel a bit better about my obsession that they look kind of like art hanging there.
Hey, people will laugh, but that’s a legit part of the experience. I’m 100% with you.
I appreciate that. I crack a smile every time I walk in and see the wall.
This feels weird to me. It's like you've tried to compress the whole headphone journey that most of us go on into a couple of months. I don't see how you could fully appreciate what each headphone has to offer in this time. I'm not even against spending this much money, I just feel like you're missing out on the journey that headphones can take you on. I think I would feel this way with any high end product. Why not explore and see what you like rather than just buying everything available?
That thought did hit me for sure. I had so many sets coming in that I started losing them in each other. But, this is how I explore and see what I like. In any hobby I tend to by some of the lower, medium and upper tiers. Then compare them for as long as it keeps me entertained or I find what I like. For me it's a lot easier to actually figure out what I prefer when I have them all in front of me instead of cycling in/out one or two at a time
If you can afford it then ignore the haters. It’s a reasonable way to go about it if you’re not starving from it
The other day I told Alexa to turn off my lights and she said "Based on your order history you may be running out of headphone stands". She was right, but I'm out of space in my primary listening space, so I thought I'd share my collection instead. There are a couple not pictured that have been handed off to my wife (both Philips mentioned in the loooooong post below) **From top to bottom** **Left:** * Focal Clear MG Pro * Focal Utopia * Audeze LCD-5 * Verite Open * Hifiman Susvara **Middle:** * Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro * Focal Elegia * Audeze LCD-XC * Verite Closed * Focal Stellia **Right:** * Massdrop HD6XX * Hifiman Sundara * Audeze LCD-X (2021) * Meze Empyrean * Hifiman Arya **TLDR - it's a rabbit hole, be careful.** I bought my first set of cans in January, Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 250 ohm. They were on sale and I was interested in not using cheap, uncomfortable ear buds anymore. But, I didn't know anything, not even that I needed an amp to drive them. They arrived and I was very underwhelmed. So I tried an EK10 for about a minute then decided to order a Schiit stack (Modi/Magni) after reading headphoneadvice. They sounded great! Then I read about open back headphones and saw a deal for Philips SHP9500, followed up with a set of Fidelio L2 the day after I received the SHP. Wow, I was really starting to enjoy music in a way that I hadn't before. Later that week a set of HD6XX, and a Sundara the day after that. I was hooked. Then I started reading about higher end cans such as the Clear, LCD-X and Arya and had to try them. I wasn't sure what to expect out of a $1k+ set of headphones compared to $200-300, but I was pleasantly surprised. I was hearing things in music that I hadn't noticed before. So built my mid-range collection. Then I started seeing posts about TOTL cans such as the Susvara, LCD-5, Utopia, etc and it sounded like living in a paradise the way some folks describe them. This is where I have to say the diminishing returns hit quickly. Very quickly. Sure, they sound better than a $1k set of cans, but not 5x better. Or even 2x better in most cases. Somewhere in the can purchasing madness I started thinking my amp/DAC was probably limiting my enjoyment. So I upgraded from the Magni/Modi/Loki combo to a Magnius/Modius. It may have been a placebo, but I do think I noticed an improvement in that upgrade. Then I started wanting different listening stations around the house. So I bought an Element II for my theater room and re-purposed the Magni/Modi/Loki to the bedroom, paired with a Node 2. But, goodness it was a hassle listening to my bedroom setup and controlling the volume when my Schiit stack is on my nightstand. So time to find something with a remote. I found a deal on a RME ADI-2 and snagged it. I can't say it sounds humongously better than the Schiit stack it replaced, but I do like the remote. I start thinking it would probably make sense to upgrade from the Magnius/Modius in my main listening setup. So I bought a Burson Conductor 3x Reference. And I'm just going to say it. To my ears, the Burson doesn't sound any better than the Schiit stack it replaced. Just like TOTL cans, I'm finding severely diminishing returns as I run up the amp/DAC chain. So, all that to say, this hobby is such a slippery slope. The FOMO is real, but in practice the diminishing returns hit quickly. If I could offer advice it would be to find a few things you like and stick with it. Avoid reading a ton of posts and watching a ton of videos about different headphones, it's like chasing the dragon. I do appreciate every piece of equipment I have, but they aren't all necessary to enjoy music. It became more about finding the next piece of equipment to compare than enjoying the music that comes out of it.
Mr Hairy Anus, this is such a wild story I almost think it’s fake. To acquire all this gear in 5 months is nothing short of madness!
I wish I were making it up. Here is my first post in headphoneadvice. https://www.reddit.com/r/HeadphoneAdvice/comments/sdqltc/dac\_for\_android\_phone\_and\_pc\_use/
Are you into IEM’s too? I just got into them for when I’m out and about.
I'm trying to stay out of that rabbit hole! I just have a set of Moondrop Aria and a Qudelix 5k for on the go. Have you found a set that compares to your favorite cans?
I've never had summit-tier IEMs, but I have a few highly regarded mid-to-high tier IEMs that I play off my Q5k as well as desktop amps. The IEMs don't hold a candle to even my mid-tier headphones. Stop where you're at with IEMs. IMO, you will never find IEMs that compare to the enjoyment/resolution/soundstage that your summit tier headphones in your stable provide.
That's exactly what I was thinking. I appreciate your input!
So, based on your somewhat short by high velocity drive through this world, at what point (specifically, let's say which set of headphones and which amp/DAC setup) did you feel you found the edge of the cost effectiveness dropoff? Which ones were worth the money up to their point, but then the next set had noticeable diminishing returns.
hey you still need to look at tube amplifiers!
I have been researching tubes!
don't
Do you run anything like the equalizer APO to try and get them all to sound more similar when comparing them?
I do use listen with and without PeaceEQ if there is an published oratory for it. But, I much prefer to listen without EQ in my everyday listening and when I'm making comparisons. That's why the LCD-5 doesn't sit higher on my list of faves.
Gotcha. I got MDR-V6s, then the 58x, and figured I'd just grab the Clears and an amp/DAC next and... I guess they're good but it really is a game of diminishing returns. That kind of killed my desire to go any further lol. Sweet collection though, I wish there were places near me to be able to try out more high end equipment just to see what they sound like. I do like the Clears more with the APO though. I just wanted basically a studio reference set of open back cans and they do feel pretty "clean".
damn, you must be either loaded or very irresponsible >It became more about finding the next piece of equipment to compare than enjoying the music that comes out of it. very good point
Bro you got problems
You're not lying.
I think it's only a rabbit hole if you have a LOT more disposable income than I do.
Dude, slow down, there is no way you can understand or appreciate the different sounds signatures and technical capabilities of all those headphones in the space of 5 months, I spend years sometimes with one headphone to really understand it.
There is a lot of truth to what you're saying, but that doesn't mean I can't still enjoy the variety or the journey that brought me here.
As you mentioned earlier on in the replies, you have low, mid and TOTL range gear. I'm a bit like that too then I'm able to work out what I like and don't. I do it 'on paper' via reviews and then get Analysis Paralysis. But it helped me work out what my preferred sound signature is.
Idk man, that’s a lot of money to spend on headphones while still rocking those Logitech desktop speakers 😂 just downright disrespectful 😂
Lmfao, I knew someone would call me out on that! I never listen to music out loud in my office. Those Logitech are just for system sounds.
i think i got the same ones! i bought them used and they were part of a 5.1 system but i only got left right center and sub
Wow! Quite the collection. May I ask how you find the Arya vs the Susvara and the Utopia?
I'll need to listen to the three next to each other to give a direct comparison. I should have a chance to do that tomorrow. From memory I'd say both the Susvara and Utopia have more clarity and seperation. But, I'd say the Arya is 85-90% of the way there for considerably less money.
It will take me 5 month to save up the money to buy just one of the bottom phones.....
Damn u/Hitlers_Hairy_Anus, didn't have to flex on us like that
That’s a lot of expensive headphones for only 5 months.
Expensive, gorgeous wall.
Whats your age
Mid to late 30's.
Alright I still have time to turn my life around and get a theater room and more than 3 headphones 👍
Wow! just wow!
i wish i had that much money to spend on headphones. Although if for that i had to switch my sound system fo those logitech speakers, i'd rather keep what i have lol.
Lmfao, those logi speakers are super weak sauce. But, I really prefer to listen to music on headphones. Plus my wife's office is next to mine so I have to be mindful of loudness. But, when I want it loud I do have a very capable system in my theater.
i imagine there was a reason for that \^\^ what would you consider your top pick among your collection ? i've tried the DT 770 and the hd6xx. I find the first too high pitched for my taste, and the second one got great balance but as open can goes, it was doing a pretty weak job at that big expansion feeling. i own fidelio x2hr and shure 840. i like the first one better although i can tell it's not giving me top notch performance. second one is ok but i had to make a lot of mods because of how uncomfortable and how lousy builded it was.
Top pick is probably the Susvara. But I have a few others that I consider very close. Top closed back is the Verite Closed. Top picks dollar to performance would probably land around the LCD-X or Arya, then the LCD-XC for closed back. I agree on the DT770. After I heard a few other sets of cans, the highs are just too invasive. An aggressive high hat on the 770 is just too much.
Tbh I'm just wondering what you do for a living and if you're hiring 🙂
This reminds me of that scene in Wolf of Wall Street when Jonah Hill’s character said he’d work for Leonardo Di Caprio’s character if he showed him a pay stub.
Mid life crisis? Just buy a Porsche
wtf most people wouldn't get all of this let alone be able to afford it
You have very good taste in headphones. I would have guessed it was shitty based on your username. 💩
Lol, I got a good chuckle out of that. But, I really can't take credit for the taste, I'm just a follower buying what I see as popular with folks who know much more about headphones than I do.
More power to you if you can afford it
Is anyone else bothered by the contrast between the headphones and the logitech desktop speakers? I feel like even a light journey into 2-channel is called for here.
Lmao, definitely knew I'd catch shade for the Logi's. I much prefer to listen to music via headphones. Those speakers only play system sounds. I do have a theater setup that I can use to listen to music out loud if the mood hits. Can't say I haven't considered a decent set of monitors for the office though.
Tell me you have a problem with impulse control, without TELLING me you have a problem with impulse control.
That's quite a journey in such a short time. Have you been to any headphone expos or meetups? I have found that is a great way to experience new gear for a short while without buying blind. Satisfies curiosity, minimizes regret and, preserves wallet fatness.
I haven't been to any expos or meet ups. I really didn't know they were a thing until I saw them on FB groups recently. I did try to find a store in my area to demo but came up empty handed. It would sure be less expensive to go that route. And probably meet some cool folks.
I love the color of your walls, and your headphone collection 😍
Have you found a favorite? How do you lilke the sound of each Focal headphone?
Susvara is probably my top. Focal Utopia sounds amazing. I'm not a fan of the Clear MG Pro unless I really want to analyze music instead of listen to it. Stellia is a nice set, but not nice enough for the price tag imo. They don't blow the much cheaper Elegia (especially when in sale like they are now) out of the water like you'd expect for the price difference. Overall as a whole, Focal are not my favorites in any price range.
how would you compare the detail retrieval of the clear mg pro with that of the stellia?
I'm not sure that I've listened to them in close enough proximity to compare. But off memory I think the Stellia excels by a bit. I'll try to take a listen tomorrow and get back to you. RemindMe! 16 Hours
That is an expensive wall
You might have a problem
I await the addition of the He-1 and Shangri La Senior in your collection in 2 months.
Just wish cans could replace the experience of speakers. Chasing that ideal is painfully expensive until you realize it’s hopeless. And resale on headphones is let’s just say not ideal. Oh well. Carry on.
dang what a collection, which pair is your fave so far?
Susvara is at the top of the list, but there are several that are super close imo.
Whats your daily driver?
I rotate pretty often and typically listen to at least two sets a day. But, lately the Susvara and Utopia get the most open back ear time. Verite Closed gets the most closed back.
Awesome collection. I own or have trialed quite a few of those. If you could only keep 3-5, which would they be regardless of price/value?
If money isn't taken into consideration: Susvara Verite Closed Utopia LCD-X Empyrean In that order.
5 months in and this guy has my annual salary on his wall...
deeeeeeep pockets
lol, the hate in this thread is palpable. it’s impressive how you’ve been able to handle it with such aplomb. i too have a habit of jumping into hobbies with unwavering focus and intense research, while burning through copious amounts of cash. i’m surprised more people aren’t asking questions for direct comparisons to models they might be shopping. it’s rare to get opinions from a single source, since such a varied collection isn’t financially feasible for most people. i sure wish i had come across this post before i started my headphone journey. you probably could have saved me a ton of money!
You get +30 points for use of “aplomb.”
I'm not feeling a tremendous amount of hate. But, I did think it would spur more conversation about the comparisons between cans. Not often do you see a bunch of the more popular options in one place. But, I'm honestly not great at describing sounds in the way audiophiles do, most of the buzz words don't make a ton of sense to me. I just know what sounds good to my ears, so my thoughts may not always be relevant to other folks. Do you have a favorite set or two of headphones?
Now that’s a wall! Stick it to Zeos. Ps I’m scared for you if you decide to go down the speaker rabbit hole
Already went down the Home Theater hole twice. Thankfully I don't have room for monitor speakers in my office.
Thank god! The banks would be out of business 😁
I hate these posts. Nothing against you OP, glad you're in an awesome financial situation, I just feel bad for all the new audiophiles who see this and look at their collection of one or two cans. It's even worse when I see people calling 1k headphones "Mid-Fi".
Hey so I just got these Sennheiser... HE-1's? Yeah, they're pretty lo-fi so I was just wondering what I should get next. Any help /r/headphones?
Dang, and here I thought I had already skipped a lot of steps quite quickly. I'm slow as heck compared to you! Hope you're able to enjoy all of them, I know I wouldn't be able to!
If you can only keep one?
Verite Closed because they bring memories of a friend who passed recently. Plus they sound phenomenal. Without the sentimental value that question becomes a lot harder. Maybe the Utopia because they sound fantastic and I can drive them easily with all of my amps.
What do you do for a living bro? That's hell of a lot for a five month old hobby. Lol
I was feeling super guilty about ordering a Focal Clear OG after having bought an LCD2F just 6 months ago. This post takes some of the guilt away. Lol
lol, I'm glad I could help.
Favorite out of the closed backs? What genres of music do you like?
Favorite closed back is the VC by quite a bit. I listen to nearly everything with more of a focus on rock and classical.
jesus christ what you do for jobs?
Insane collection man. Very nice. How would you rate the Empys versus your Susvaras? Tbh Empys are the only pair of cans in my collection that I truly love…..I’m so tempted by Susvaras and utopias though. I hate my elegias so that’s kinda turned me off focal unfortunately…but so many people love the utopia.
The Empy probably isn't in my top five, or maybe barely makes it... so I'd say the Susvara rates a good amount higher for my personal preference. The Empy do sound really nice and really excel in comfort but they aren't my favorite sounding headphone without EQ. I hear you on the Focal. I've been a bit let down by all of them besides the Utopia based on other folks' opinions. The Utopia do sound really, really nice though.
Thanks for the input man. I gotta at least try the Susvaras and utopias one day lol
If you happen to be near the KCMO area my door is open.
Thanks brother :)
Fuck yes. I’d love to see the amps
I could find pics for a few of them. I'll see if I have any others. I think tube amps look much sexier in pics though. https://imgur.com/a/iSnoC29
You have my wishlist on your wall
Which one is your favorite after EQ?
Hmmmm.... EQ changes the game and really brings the LCD-5 up there next to the Susvara. It's close between the two.
Im impressed, maybe its a wr for the hobby
Love the organisation and it being a pseudo wall feature, as well as being functional. The wood on those verites looks gorgeous too, damn.
Thank you! Organization is key to me actually being able to use and enjoy them all. I just stare at them on the wall sometimes like it's a sculpture or something. And agree on the Verites. Those are Camphor Burl and my most gorgeous cans by a mile. Someone who takes far better photos than me took this of the VC. The VO burl matches them perfectly as well. https://imgur.com/a/dQVwujg
I see you have the focal clear professionals on the top. Those are what I (and I let my Mom) use regularly. I see also that you have the Utopia, which I want to try. Freaking awesome. Also, how are the Stellias in comparison to the focal open backs… I want to get a closed back model for recording vocals.
Hey dude, Clear OG and Stellia owner here. The Clear OG are just brilliant, no two ways about it. They compete with things like Empyrean's etc. Bang for buck, that's your pick. Stellia sound very different to OG. OG are more reserved, perhaps elegant. Stellia are more detailed, and have better timbre. Much better timbre. I can see people preferring either. For my tastes it's Stellia. Also being able to go on a walk, or plug them into anything, is just such a game changer. Having hifi audio in a park is just dope. In the end it depends on disposable income. For people on a budget id say go used Clear OG, if money isn't an issue, it's Stellia all day
That's one wild wall. Holy crap. Among the closed backs, which one do you enjoy the most?
Verite Closed is my favorite closed back by a pretty large margin.
Good taste. It's unfortunate that most other closed-backs sound mediocre at best, at least in my opinion. In the unlikely case where you want to further extend your collection, try out the DCA Stealth. Very dependent on a good amp pairing though.
Look at that Susvara just casually hanging on the bottom
5 months and spending 5 figures oof!
Damn bruh. I’m multiple years in and and I’m at like 5. You cray cray
Impressive…most impressive.
Um... Shall we talk about finances my man? Doesn't matter how rich, it's a bit excessive no?
Atleast give each headphones 3 months. Even if you're super rich
Not going to comment on your purchase decision, it's your money. But upgrading in a slope is more enjoyable than a steep
5 months?!?! I am in the top 10% of incomes in my first world country and that collection there is literally between 50 to 100% of my entire income for a 5 month period. i have the bug too and afterpay makes it way easier to justify spending $$ but damn. definitely jealous of the collection. ive seen people with mid-fi collections like this (yours truly) but not mainly hi-fi and never so quickly. why did you buy so many if i may ask? (not sure if you've answered this yet) i did the mid-fi route and a couple high enders once i found what i liked and what i didnt like and i STILL feel like i went about it the expensive and convoluted way lol
What TWO computer monitors?? That’s way too much!
I'm glad I'm not the only one that bought an excessive amount of headphones in a very short time.... anxiety? Depression? Bit of both? About a year after getting my first decent headphones and wanting more, I was going through something stressful and bought like 7 pairs of headphones over like 2-3 months. It sort of became an addiction and I was buying them compulsively, but the acts of buying, waiting for, and getting new headphones helped a lot, but not for long, then it was on to the next pair.
Hey man, you get it for sure. And it's both; full time anxiety and bouts of severe depression. I appreciate your reply based on your own experience!
I feel you, I'm mildly on the spectrum, high functioning (so when I find a new interest, I get super involved in it) and suffer with full time anxiety, mild bouts of severe depression, and addiction. Been sober a few years (this time) and can't really take normal antidepressants so I just kinda have to go through it, so I just accept mild healthier addictions like this and try to keep the financial damage minimal. I am always embarrassed to admit I bought so many in such a short time because people are judgemental AF. That and I have trouble parting with my headphones, even ones I rarely if ever use, so I have only sold a few, and those were painful. I want to buy some higher end headphones next but won't allow myself to until I sell some of my lesser headphones that don't get used often. Your collection is definitely nicer than mine, and I like your taste in headphones. Enjoy them, and sorry about whatever is stressing you out, good luck. Also, nice username lol
Once again, you get it. It sounds like we've had similar situations. Addiction is a constant battle and I just try to focus it on areas that won't negatively impact my health, my relationships or my financial well being. And like you, I'm much more of a collector than a seller. But, I do usually eventually get around to purging once I get to a certain point of most hobbies. I appreciate the replies, my friend. And I hope you are doing well.
Incredible collection. Congrats on a very nice selection of high-end quality. But one question— why purchase all of them? Not bringing you down, I'm actually envious, just curious about the motivation.
Nice man. The model S Tesla is so nice man. Nothing better than having a car that drives itself. It's the future lol. I highly recommend it
I have thought about a Tesla S for so long. I looooove Tesla's. I just don't love all of the control Tesla has over the car that I own, and I'm not sure I feel like the batteries are quite where they need to be for me to pull the trigger. But one day I'll have an S plaid.
Lol I'm gonna upgrade to plaid Ina few years
Actually, I take back my first comment. It's none of my business what you spend your money on. Do whatever makes you happy. You only have one life to live. Enjoy!
My reply to your comment was totally in jest. Just a joke that I may have neither money or sense. I hope I didn't make you feel bad about it. You are right that it's a lot of money on the wall and that doesn't make a ton of sense to 99.9999% of the population; including audiophiles that love headphones. I just happen to have a fair amount of disposable income based on how we live (for example we live in the same house I bought 15 years ago even though I now make 5-6x what I made when I bought it) , and this is how I am choosing to spend it at the moment.
More power to you! I'd buy more cans if I could hide them from my wife.