Vs HEDDphone one
This of course is the comparison everyone wants to see, and for this part of the test I used the SAEQ amplifier again (with the Aquarius DAC) as it allows you to connect 4 headphones at once without any loss of power or quality. On top of that the PDA-1b is my favorite solid state amp for the TWO.
As discussed before the look and feel of the original headphone is very different. Differently said, the TWO is much lighter, comfortable, smaller and sexier. The carbon headband and other parts really elevate the TWO’s standard. But it’s not only the looks that have drastically changed, the tuning also is very different.
The TWO is lighter in weight and that from top to bottom, in exchange you get a more airy presentation, especially in the mids, and the sound stage width has improved on all ends. The original HEDDphone sounds less open than the TWO does and it comes with more bass impact and presence. The TWO’s focus is more on the midrange with an overall more neutral tuning. I feel the vocal tuning is quite comparable, even if the original’s vocals carry more weight. Personally I prefer the mid timbre of the original, though that of the TWO is technical stronger and more airy, open sounding.
HEDD HEDDphone
As both headphones are so different, I would rather label these as complementary. The TWO is an upgrade in many ways, but I would not say it makes the original HEDDphone superfluous. I can see someone rocking both of these in his collection and switching between them depending on the music playing. I know I do.
Vs Audeze MM-500
The headphone everyone also mentions when talking about the TWO, is the Audeze MM-500 studio headphone. Check out our review here:
For this comparison we’re using the SAEQ PDA-1b amp and Aquarius DAC, streaming music from Tidal via ROON.
The $1,699 USD Audeze MM-500 studio headphone is very different in construction, design and driver technology. It’s by far the better fitting and more comfortable headphone, but it’s the performance which is more important. As a studio headphone the MM-500 is also more neutrally tuned and linear, but it does have bigger sub bas presence and overall weight in bass and mids. This also clearly shows when you compare both headphones’ FR charts. The top end in both headphones is peculiar but the Audeze does have more treble presence in the 5 to 9k zone, and that’s clearly audible. The additional sub bass presence and top end extension makes the Audeze the more complete headphone, especially in case of non-studio use. That said, I do find the HEDD’s midrange to be more refined an spacious, with a more pleasant and less sharp vocal presentation.
Both are great headphones and it really comes down to what you like your studio monitor to sound like most.
Conclusion
With the HEDDphone 2, HEDD Audio has again delivered an interesting take on modern headphone design. While it isn’t a headphone that will win a beauty contest or win everyone over on a tuning point of view, it scores heavily on technical performance amd mid timbre. With its more neutral and precise & resolving, clear tuning, the HEDDphone TWO connects more to HEDD’s core business and professional studio use.
The HEDDphone TWO is a headphone which is very differently tuned than its older sibling, but it’s also a tuning which more and more headphone enthusiasts are longing for. This clearly shows as the first 3 batched have sold out already. While the TWO doesn’t come cheap, it is much more affordable than most of the popular high-end headphones on the market and we have to applaud HEDD Audio for this price setting.
If you’re looking for a balanced and linear headphone with a more neutral tuning, mid focus and technical excellence, combined with a musical delivery, the HEDDphone TWO can be the one for you. As both of HEDD’s headphones are so different, I am hoping to see a 3rd unit in the near future combining the strengths of both headphones. That would be an absolute killer headphone.
The original HEDDphone made it to our Recommended Buy list. As said the HEDDphone TWO is a very different headphone and I at this stage am putting it on our wall of fame because of its more studio like tuning. The TWO isn’t the all-round perfect headphone for everyone, but it does perfectly so what it was intended to do. As such we can recommend it and it is replacing the original HEDDphone on our Recommended Buy list.
Pros
- New design / headband / size / comfort
- Technical performance
- Price
Cons
- Still considerable in size
- Lighter weight (body) & bass presence
- Strong competition (in the price range)
Page 1: HEDD Audio, AMT, HEDDphone 1 and TWO, Features, Specifications
Page 2: Box, Accessories, Price, Design, Build quality, Comfort, Sound Intro, Sound General
Page 3: Sound Synergy
Page 4: Sound Comparisons, Conclusion, Summary
