Upgrade from Sennheiser HD-497

[LuisNow]

Hello,

I bought a few years ago a Sennheiser HD-497 headphones and I am looking for an upgrade.

I listen to classical, jazz, rock and sometimes pop

I am currently looking for the Sennheiser HD600, Beyer DT 800 and AKG K701. I have read about them and it seems that it is about taste and the equipment you are using.

I have a $600 budget, and it seems I am spending around $350 for the headphones. I have a M-Audio Firewire Solo and I am considering to use it as a DAC, unless there's a DAC/AMP for $250 that would be better than Firewire Solo + $250 AMP, that probably is really hard. I think the second option is better, and probably I could even get another DAC if it is worth with the $250 AMP I would be getting, but that would be at least in a year.

I just want something that won't be like you got those headphones but look at that weak source. It's a shame. I want to make a well balanced buy.

Thanks a lot!

[paulb09]

Well I upgraded from an HD-497, and I did so to an AKG K601. At the time I also just purchased an amp and ran my Creative X-Fi into it, and whilst my 740C has made a good difference, it wasn't like the X-Fi was so poor my ears split.

If you're looking for more of a step up in detail, you'll probably want to consider the K701 or DT880. The K701 seems to be very popular for classical, but I hear from a fair few that the DT880 (perhaps a particular version, though, as they have been updated through the years) can be even more detailed. You will probably find that both of those headphones are more forward in the mid and high range than the HD497, and they also have a more punchy bass which probably won't feel as head smashing as the HD497.

[LuisNow]

Hey thanks. Yeah, I am looking for detail. I wonder what version of the DT 880 are you talking about. Because there seems to be a few.

You mean that the bass will have much better dynamics and it will be not as boom-boom as the HD-497?

[Shahrose]

Originally Posted by LuisNow

You mean that the bass will have much better dynamics and it will be not as boom-boom as the HD-497?

exactly. don't expect the dt880s to have *more* bass, just better quality and more extended bass. more isn't always better.

i think you should go for the hd650s, since you are used to the warm senn sound. but if you want a change (brighter, cleaner sound, with a larger soundstage) then go for the dt880.

[LuisNow]

Originally Posted by Shahrose

exactly. don't expect the dt880s to have *more* bass, just better quality and more extended bass. more isn't always better.

i think you should go for the hd650s, since you are used to the warm senn sound. but if you want a change (brighter, cleaner sound, with a larger soundstage) then go for the dt880.

Hi, I think you are right, I am probably more into the warm sound.
But what do you exactly mean by clean? Detail? Because I do want detail, is the difference in detail is extremely different between these 'phones?

What about the AKG 701 compared to the HD 650 and the DT 880?

Another issue that I see is that I don't like the soundstage that some headphones give, specially I have heard it in closed ones. I think it would be described as laid-back. Like a virtual exaggerated soundstage. For giving specific models I remember the Sony MDR-V600 and Bose Triports.

I also would need an amp, I was first thinking in getting something portable but a desktop one should give better value and thinking realistically is not like I would be using the rig on the go, maybe in other places but with a power outlet available.The Darkvoice 336i looks interesting, but we will see.

Thanks guys!

[Shahrose]

yea i guess you could call it perceived detail and clarity of sound, due to the brighter sound signature of the dt880s. that doesn't mean that the hd650s aren't as good at detail retrieval, but it may sometimes be harder to hear treble details on the hd650 compared to the dt880s. at the same time, this can be considered one the hd650's strengths as it doesn't fatigue you with treble and keeps the top end smooth but detailed. on a different note, if you want about the same amount of bass as your hd497, then go for the hd650, if you want less, go for the dt880.

[LuisNow]

Originally Posted by Shahrose

yea i guess you could call it perceived detail and clarity of sound, due to the brighter sound signature of the dt880s. that doesn't mean that the hd650s aren't as good at detail retrieval, but it may sometimes be harder to hear treble details on the hd650 compared to the dt880s. at the same time, this can be considered one the hd650's strengths as it doesn't fatigue you with treble and keeps the top end smooth but detailed. on a different note, if you want about the same amount of bass as your hd497, then go for the hd650, if you want less, go for the dt880.

Hi, I guess that makes it an easy decision. The Sennheiser HD 650. Something that fatigues and with less bass I think is a no no. Even though the HD 497 are kind of boomy.
Now I need to check out an amp and how to order the stuff, I am located in Mexico.
Thanks man!

[paulb09]

K601 would be a good compromise... not too shrill in the treble, but gets rid of the boomy bass and sounds more balanced over-all. I find the soundstage better but not too large and artificial, but that is a preference of course. Also, if you find it too bright still you can use a tube amp instead of a solid-state.

For me it wasn't so much the detail over the HD497. Yes, I find it does have more detail, but it's the presentation. Everything seems more balanced, yet not completely balanced... if that actually makes any sense Certain instruments and sounds have a piercing quality I think they should have, but they're not so shrill your ears will get fatigued really easily. The HD497, on the other hand, tends to muffle those a fair amount more and the mid range sounds rather lost.

Still, if you really like the HD497's sound just not how clear it is, from what I know of the HD650 it'll be closer to what you're looking for.

[LuisNow]

Originally Posted by paulb09

K601 would be a good compromise... not too shrill in the treble, but gets rid of the boomy bass and sounds more balanced over-all. I find the soundstage better but not too large and artificial, but that is a preference of course. Also, if you find it too bright still you can use a tube amp instead of a solid-state.

For me it wasn't so much the detail over the HD497. Yes, I find it does have more detail, but it's the presentation. Everything seems more balanced, yet not completely balanced... if that actually makes any sense Certain instruments and sounds have a piercing quality I think they should have, but they're not so shrill your ears will get fatigued really easily. The HD497, on the other hand, tends to muffle those a fair amount more and the mid range sounds rather lost.

Still, if you really like the HD497's sound just not how clear it is, from what I know of the HD650 it'll be closer to what you're looking for.

Thanks. I get you. Yeah, I like the HD-497, but I think the thing I don't like is the presentation, the detail and the bass dynamics and quality.
I guess to be really sure I would need to listen to it somehow with my favorite material. I am going to Tucson so I can probably find something there.