HEDD Audio - HEDDphone D1

Well, the 550 would only be a marginal upgrade over the 560s. You may be underwhelmed. I say, stretch your budget. Buy a Heddphone D1 and get a headphone that does everything. That's currently my top gaming pick, if only I could find one (perma sold out) [https://headphones.com/products/hedd-audio-d1-headphones?\_pos=1&\_psq=heddph&\_ss=e&\_v=1.0](https://headphones.com/products/hedd-audio-d1-headphones?_pos=1&_psq=heddph&_ss=e&_v=1.0)

Idk man, I have the focal clear mg pro, hd800s, elex, mv1 open and closed variants. I still reach for the D1. In my opinion the d1 is better than the hd800s.  And all others above, it just sounds great. detail is there, bass is nice and punchy but not bloated. More intimate for sure as the sound stage is good but not hd800s good.  I really love them, that being said the $700 ask is a pretty hard ask. The default headband padding is so bad. Im trying to mod it myself, dont like the caprah 3d printer they also look terrible. If they fix the headband padding and the creaking mine makes when moving maybe 700 isnt so bad. But as it stands I can't recommend them.  Almost forgot the earpads feel great but they're also kind of super cheaply made. Theyre standard pads with cut slits that you pull over the adapter, it looks terrible.  The foam in them also have way too much give they make my ears touch the driver. If I can fit the hifi comfort strap they'll be solid but thats more money I have to spend. Anyways sorry for the long paragraphs.

I made a huge mistake buying the D1s. Once the stench dissipated, I don't think I've liked anything else more than the D1. I'm tempted to buy the HDB 630s next to replace my Maxwells as well. This hobby sucks. You think you're at end game and something else replaces your favorite gear.

I’ve been loving the HEDD HEDDphone D1 with the Meze Boom Mic. Been great for gaming and music.

$179 in the past week. I wouldn’t buy them with the HD490 Pro being a thing now though. I have had both and just compared them side by side, the 490 Pro is just a better, easier to drive 600 series with actual bass potential.

I thought the Moondrop Cosmo was a very pleasant surprise when I owned them. I EQ the hell out of every headphone in my collection since I aim for HRTF-neutral sound, and the Cosmos were a rare exception that almost convinced me to not do so. I settled on the ZMF Caldera thick top-perf pads for them, and they were just very easygoing and non-fatiguing. There was a comfortable darkness that still allowed very good technical qualities to come through. Even nicer that simple bass and treble shelves (plus a 13khz reduction) allowed them to become that extra bit better. It's not surprising they reminded me a lot of my EQed Caldera Opens, though I find those still slightly edge out the Cosmos for a sense of timbral realism and revealing differences in how my music is produced. I could definitely see someone preferring the Cosmos though, mainly for being a bit softer and more relaxed. The other pleasant surprise recently has been the Hedd D1. My EQ adjustments for them were actually quite predictable, in that their FR follows my perceived HRTF dip/peak trends above 5khz very nicely. I essentially had to do nothing below 4khz besides a bass shelf. After those adjustments, they become the one open back dynamic that I think is roughly on equal grounds with planars. No big compromises in any one area, not even the subbass. My previous references for dynamics were the HD 800 and 2022 Focal Utopias, and I think the D1s are overall better than both, all after being EQed. Can't speak for the Austrian Audio Composer, but those also weren't as comfortable when I demoed them roughly two years ago. In general, I've found the $600-800 range to be ideal for headphones that are close enough to my more expensive favorites that one could be fully satisfied with them (mainly the HD 800 used, Cosmo, and D1). I imagine the Arya Stealth and Organic are in that same position for many folks, but Sennheiser and Hedd still seem to be preferable in terms of serviceability and longevity.

After many years in the hobby I can say that those two cans achieve something that is just incredible for my ears - delightful natural tonality with great technicality. It is rare thing to hit this point in audio. Very often it’s one or another. Previously I owned Hifiman Arya Stealth and Hisenior Mega5est. Both had something, Arya - Great imaging and soundstage but weird midrange and too sharp highs, Mega5est - tonal perfection but nothing more for my ears. With HDB 630 I get the beautiful tonality, especially sweet sweet midrange and really solid imaging with not wide (it’s still closed back) but really deep soundstage. ANC is also solid. I had the pleasure to listen to great closed backs like Dan Clark Audio E3, Noir X and Crosszone CZ - 10. HDB 630 is the best tonality in closed back a have ever heard and the technicalities are still there. With the EQ you can play and add 2k dip for soundstage and other tricks. Hedd D1 is the holly grail of organic tonality and planar/electrostatic like transients in a dynamic driver. This makes them natural and extremely fast sounding. Incredible detail and wide soundstage without increased treble. Sennheiser HE 1 is the only one headphone that had the same feeling on my head and they cost mega dollars (don’t get me wrong HE1 are still the best thing I’ve ever heard). It’s been some time since I heard Focal Utopia but I don’t remember them being as detailed as Hedd D1, although staging was a little better in Focals, for my ears. These carbon drivers in D1 are a huge leap in our hobby. There is also another great thing about the them, they are easy to drive. No expensive dac/amp needed. Apple dongle will drive them beautifully. These two make me smile and happy about the progress in our hobby. They are still expensive but achievable. We can get peak audio in lower midrange prices. What are your opinions? Have you heard them? Have a good new year!

I think that you will be very happy with D1 :)

Hd600, ananda nano. You're covered. Or Heddphone d1, one pair of headphones to rule them all

Even the best dynamic driver like Hd800 and utopia doesn't sound anywhere as fast in the transients like e-stat. D1 was just hd600 with better bass, which still rolls off.

The only thing I haven't heard is the adx7000. Don't get me wrong, I think tonality is super important and the d1 gets most things right, but the drivers don't do anything special with detail, transients, bass, soundstage. But I feel the same way about that with every dynamic driver headphone. Planars and e-stat are imo vastly superior but can be wonky sounding which is where eq comes in.

He1 scales a lot more with dacs and it doesn't stand out that much in the treble compared to other stax. Immanis and Susvara unveiled get you very close to e-stat speed. Imo mysphere 3.2 driver is the most detailed dynamic driver but that's an ear speaker. My tests with the d1 was only with the hm1 and rockna signature reference so it's far from conclusive - I will test it out on other rigs. I find when I eq down the treble peaks I can hear more details from other frequencies finally start to show through. X9000 isn't as bright as susvara uneviled but more detailed. Also given that fact that most dynamic drivers have a bass roll off, adding in sub bass makes them sound even slower.

The D1s actually replaced the hd800s for me for everyday use, music and gaming (mainly shooters). I love the soundstage (while smaller still good), imaging and sound signature. Less analytical than the 800s and a more natural sound than something like the dt 1990s. Just wonderful. HEDDs customer service on the other hand... I e-mailed them 1.5 months ago and have yet to receive a reply. Quite subpar considering the pricing of their products.