My Impressions on Headphones

Headphones I own

Audio Technica ATH-M50x

My first “nice headphone”, which I purchased around 2014! Before it, I used some random gaming headset that eventually broke. These were my daily driver for EVERYTHING from around 2014 to December 2025, replaced by my Sennheiser HD620S. It is unlikely that I will continue using them on a daily-driver basis, but I will continue to care for them, I’ll keep them around as a sound quality reference, and its history with me earns it a permanent place in my collection.

It’s hard for me to give it a good judgement because I switched the earpads to something very durable and washable, but it probably alters the sound for the worst. As I have it, the sound feels very thin/tinny.

Sennheiser HD 620S

These are the second “nice headphone” I’ve ever owned, purchased during 2025 black Friday. They’ve become my daily-driver and I’ve been led to believe that it’s quite neutral, so it’s my reference point.

Sennheiser HD 800S

I just ordered these, but it’s on backorder so it’ll be a while until I can spend a lot of time with it.

From what I’ve tried in the store, these feel incredibly open and natural-sounding. I’m not famliliar with audiophile terminology, but I’ve been told these have incredible soundstage, and it really does feel like the sound exists in a much wider space than I’ve ever experienced before in a headphone. Classical music is absolutely incredible on these.

It lacks bass though, so rock and metal music can feel a bit hollow. I’m hoping to try out EQ’ing them to see how good it can get.

I can’t wait to get my copy!

Other headphones I’ve tried

Audeze MM-500

(I don’t remember what these were like. I’ll need to try them again.)

Audio Technica ATH-R50x

Sounds too thin/tinny to me. I didn’t like this one.

FiiO FT13

Too bassy and muddy-sounding for me. They’re still nice, but I definitely prefer my HD 620S.

Meze 105 Silva

(I don’t remember what these were like. I’ll need to try them again.)

Sennheiser HD 550

To my ears, they’re HD 620S, but open-sounding, and less bass. I really liked them!

I’d probably need to spend extra time with them to pick out more differences from the 620S.

I probably just really like Sennheiser’s tuning.

Sony MDR-MV1

Extremely bassy and muddy-sounding. I didn’t like this one.