Something from audeze, beyerdynamic dt 770 pro, sennheiser hd600, Sennheiser momentum 4, meze 99 classics (the best looking).

Audeze Maxwell

LCD-X with Qudelix-5k. You'll have some insanely capable headphone, a way to drive them, and a way to EQ them.

“The best headphones without having to do much EQ adjustments” is something only you can answer. That said I don’t think you need to get anywhere near $1000 to get where you want.

Hip Hop, R&B, EDM, Pop - you probably want something with a bit of a V sound response, some extra bass, maybe a little on the warm side, but still technical.

Meze 99 Classics or 99 Noir would be my immediate go to in your case. Also consider the Focal Azurys. I wouldn’t go any higher than that, to be honest: there is PLENTY of great stuff at $550 or under that would get you exactly where you want. Higher price != better.

Big tip: try to find used. This is a good way to experiment with higher tiers of equipment at a lower price, and DOES get you more knowledgeable about what you really enjoy. After that, that’s when you go spending the big bucks. For example: a new 99 Noir plus maybe a Sennheiser HD600 would come in at under $1000, and leave you plenty for an inexpensive amp to help drive them better. Those are also different enough that you could really start to see what you like and what you don’t, and when.

For context, I’m all for people spending their money on stuff they love and stuff they want to learn about. That’s how I ended up with my collection which… is decent. But as someone who rotates between $80 and $4000 headphones, my recommendation is definitely to buy used, buy a few, and see what you like. You can then sell and recoup most of your money.

Hi-fi headphones are not developed so that you have to EQ your sound at home, but with a certain sound signature in mind. Whether you like it is another question. You can't even generally say the more expensive the less EQing is needed. It doesn't work like that. It would be ridiculous, wouldn't it? So it's purely down to the subjectivity of your own needs, not the headphones, whether they fit as they are or whether you want to EQ them. 🤷🏻‍♂️

1000 is nuts for someone who knows nothing about what theyre buying

Arya stealth and topping e30/f30 stack great start, good bass room to scale, under $1k

I suggest you to put a budget, it’s not mandatory but it would help a lot for people to recommend you something and not say Sennheiser HE-1 because that’s the best headphone for music with no budget

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Let me rant a bit before giving the advice. Since you start from a very mass market oriented baseline (airpod and beats), it is not automatic that you are going to like headphones that are TOTL but may sound very different from what you are used to: listening to more neutral and detailed-oriented headphones sometimes is an acquired taste and, being a very subjective hobby, it is difficult to advise the best one for you without knowing what your preferred sound signature should be and which music you are going to use that with.

with that in mind, I would suggest one of the following approaches:

1 - If you are willing to wait a little bit more, start with a couple of used headphones around the 500/600 mark covering the wide spectrum of the drivers in order to be able to pinpoint what you like about them and what you don't. Hifiman Arya (or Ananda) for planars, Focal Clear (the old model) for DD and why not even one or 2 good IEM to see if they work better for you. Buying and selling on the secondary market usually doesn't cost too much in each trade and you are able to build the necessary experience to drop the 2.5k onto something that really is the best solution for you

2 - If you are not willing to wait, then at least dedicate an afternoon in one of the most prominent audio store in your city and try each and every model you can. If you explain to the shop what you are looking for and how much you are willing to spend, it shouldn't be a problem at all. First impressions are still partial, but it is at least better than buying blindfolded

Good luck and remember to buy with your ears and not just looking at the pricetag/general consensus and reviews. If during your journey you happen to like best a 30$ wonky sounding headphones, so be it; don't let anyone else tell you otherwise.

For FPS gaming, which I play competitively, that headphone is perfect.

Crinicle says is good for FPS with good soundstage and imaging.

Others voted for it here:

To take it to next level, I use the FREE Steelseries SONAR EQ software for PC. It has prebuilt packages for FPS games. Also it allows distance and surround disabling. Go stereo. And in the game audio, use home theater to get most out of less compressed channels.

R70x is the best choice if you can afford it. You have excellent gaming performance and very good music sound (if you don't look for sub-bass).

What you've read is half true. Good headphones, like the R70X, will be good at music and gaming. Any fundamentally good headphones will be good at gaming. Any headset that totes its ability at gaming but never mentions music is usually just a waste of money.

r70x is good for music

Lol... You'd be wasting money... Your R70X is not a headphone known only for it's gaming prowess.. You're good... Save your money, u/BalanceOne83

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You're confusing an outright good headphone with a marketed for gaming gimmick headphone like the Razer, Logitech ones... the R70x is a good headphone for multimedia period... Save your money please

If you can visit an audio shop where you can try several different types and makes of headphones. Take your time if you are lucky enough to more than one dealer in your locality or are willing /able to travel go to as many as you can. When you find the right set of phones and listen to them in the flesh, and that music goes straight to your heart you will know that they are the ones. Of course you can read reviews or visit forums like this but no-one knows your sound better than you. Good luck in your search.

I am in the market for new headphones, and did some research. There is indeed a lol information out there and not always easy to find what's relevant for you. As others said the quality is in the ear of beholder, so knowing your needs will help you navigate. What do you need headphones for, you didn't mention music. If is music, then which music? What's going to drive those headphones? For example I will spend the same amount of money on DAC as on headphones.

Open headphone don't isolate neither you from your environment nor your environment from your music. I got open as I WFH alone in the room...

Does anything beat the Solitaire P?

Theres no objective. The hobby is completely subjective, things you might enjoy might not be things others will. Now there are objective qualities like build quality, technicalities, etc. Just comes down to what your preferences are, and if you arent sure that just means you need to experiment.

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"I was looking at the DT 990 pro and the DT 900 pro x but I've heard many mixed opinions so I'm not too sure now, I've also seen people recommend the hifiman he400se for metal but I've heard they have quality control issues so once again I'm not too sure."

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In the end it doesn't really matter what others are telling you.They are recommending things because it sounds good to their ears but that doesn't mean it will sound good to your ears as well. That's why you always have to make sure you'll be listening to a headphone in real life first instead of buying blindly.

For example: I am listening to metalcore, deathcore and rock mainly and got recommended the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro a while ago. So what I did was visiting a music store and found them. Sure the equipment is different to your own in the end (amp + DAC) so it could sound a bit different if you are using them but you will have still an idea of the sound of a headphone. For me the treble was too harsh.

So people told me that the 700 and 900 Pro X won't have this issue anymore.A few days ago I was finally able to test them out as well and my personal impression is that the "peak" is still there but it got smoothened out to a level where it's not hurtful to your ears anymore. But maybe there are people who are really sensitive and will say that it annoys them which is why you always should test them first. Maybe you are one of those people who is reacting sensible to it.

Another example: The Senneiser HD6XX (which is technically the HD 650) is getting recommended a lot as well. I personally can't understand the hype. They sounded veiled and way too dark to my ears but maybe there are people who like that. So you'll always have to keep these things in mind.

The upcoming Audeze MM-100 could be good for Metal but it will cost 399$ so that's a bit over your budget.

Hifiman is surely an option for Metal as well although you already mentioned the quality control issues. You can find a lot of people here who had issues with either dying drivers within 1 year of usage or a broken headband or other stuff. You have to ask yourself if it's worth playing that lottery. Also for some people Hifiman sounds a bit metallic and thin from what I've read and heard but like I already told you earlier: Everyone has a different hearing.

The 58X was my first "audiophile" headphone, and I still love their sound. They sound good no matter what I'm using to drive them. IMO they are universal, but my ears are older and abused, so I'm probably not the ideal judge. After much reading, they are reviewed as one of the best bang for your buck choices. I'll just say, if mine broke, I'd buy them again.

I visited a music shop and tried several brands and models. I became a fan of Beyerdynamic headphones. No brand impressed me more (I tried AKGs, Sennheiser, Audio Technica, Sony, Yamaha, etc). When in doubt go for the DT 770 Pro 80 Ohm. The 990 is definitely not neutral, but people complain too much, reduce the treble just a bit with a software of your choice and you'll be fine.

See this is what I meant with different hearing.

The HD 560S is a good headphone for it's price (if you can deal with the clamping force which always depends on how big or small your head is) but in my opinion (I heard this headphone several times in a music store) it is way too analytical and "boring" for Metal because it's flat like a board and very neutral.

The reason for this is because Metal music is often poorly mastered and the HD 560S is able to make you hear that. Newer productions might be fine but older stuff (even stuff from let's say 2009 - 2012 for example) can sound unpleasant.

But for gaming they are really good.

If there's one thing you take away from my comment, don't buy the Fosi K5.

I'd suggest you find an audio store to try these headphones out before you buy because - well, audio is an incredibly personal hobby where something that one person likes may not be to another person's taste. The Beyerdynamics are incredibly bright and as such, if you're treble-sensitive you won't like them - and since you are so new to the hobby, you really wouldn't know at this point.

Currently at your budget seems like the 560S is a great call - don't know how it pairs with your music but it doesn't need/want a DAC/amp so that helps keep you in your budget.

Welcome to the hobby!

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Personally I would probably look towards something universal rather than geared just for metal, especially given how diverse metal can be, and how long good headphones can last. I actually kind of dislike V shape signature headphones for metal, because guitars are commonly set with mid cut for metal, and I like guitars to be thick and energetic. So I would likely consider Sennheiser HD58X (if you can get them without considerable additional expense) or even HD560S.

That should leave enough for Topping DX1 which runs on AK4493 with XMOS XU208, and is capable of 3.89V. While the total power is not crazy, it is respectable, and it should be able to take HD58X just above 115dB which is a lot (and around 120dB for HD560S). However I do not know how PS5 handles USB DACs and DX1 doesn't have optical.

Beats by Dre is not audiophile.

In this sub, probably HD600 line (not counting the Koss stuff)

Sennhesiers HD6 series

BeyerDynamic DT770 / DT990

Sennheiser hd600 650 and 6XX

If you include gamers, I suspect it could be the Beyerdynamic DT770 or 990. Otherwise the 6XX.

For closed back and wooden you might not be able to be able to get better than the Fiio FT1 even at the top of your budget. They really are good and *really* good closed backs are gonna be expensive. At least as far as I'm aware, but others might have a better answer.

One thing to consider before buying anything is to see if you have a local audio store that carries any of the models mentioned. You'd be surprised how much testing your personal favorite tunes will help determine which final pair to buy, esp. if you bring along high quality samples to listen to at the shop.

Senny HD600s, such a classic, and loved by sorta everyone for a reason

The noble FoKus rex5 is worth it

Can recommend the Meze 105 AER. Phenomenal headphones.

I’m not sure if you’re looking. For Bluetooth headphones with a wired option that have anc, passive noise canceling headphones like wired closed backs, or closed back wired headphones with anc (which I don’t believe exist)