[Solrighal]

   
I've briefly auditioned more expensive headphones; based on that (and what I've read, as well), that rings true. But don't discount the utility of having complimentary 'phones that are in the same price category (i.e. side-grade).
 
The HD-650s are my go-to cans, but some music needs a different signature, for my ears/taste. I am fan of ambient/electronica and I will switch to Grados for that, as well as for some classical and some metal. Flagship or not, different 'phones can excel with different genres and at lower or higher volume levels. For example, if you are a bass-head and you like Skrillex, these cans aren't for you. For low-volume-level listening of classical strings, I've never heard anything sound as good as the Grado GS1000.

 
It rings true because you are one of the people I'm citing as an example. I read all your posts mate. There are some very mature people in this thread and they are mostly well reasoned. You are one of them.
 

  It does isolate and seal quite well, they don't clamp as much as the HD 650 and have an interesting fitting mechanism so they may take some getting used to. They are dark sounding. Maybe a little darker than the HD 650. My impressions of it is that it's a little thicker sounding but just as clean and clear sounding as the HD 650 and the soundstage may surprise you for a closed-can, the soundstage is a little smaller to about the same size as the HD 650s. It scales up with better gear like the HD 650 in my experience. If you want a closed HD 650, the DT 150 is it. The biggest difference sonically is probably the presentation, the DT 150 does have a bit the Beyer house sound to it.

 
Thanks for that. Yes, that's kinda the impression I got about them. The only thing that puts me off is the idea of a Beyer house sound because I think I might not like that much. We'll see.

 

[Eee Pee]

  ...

 I agree.  And also the fit is just, there's something on my head and around my ears, all the time.  Not to mention the cables laying the way they do.  Slightly obtrusive, I guess.  They sound quite nice though.  So much so, I've kind of offered a friend a trade for my 800s...

 

[Krutsch]

   
It rings true because you are one of the people I'm citing as an example. I read all your posts mate. There are some very mature people in this thread and they are mostly well reasoned. You are one of them.
 

 
Very kind of you to write that; I feel the same way about you / your posts.

 

[kman1211]

 
Thanks for that. Yes, that's kinda the impression I got about them. The only thing that puts me off is the idea of a Beyer house sound because I think I might not like that much. We'll see.

I have no problem with the Beyer house sound anymore, it grows on you as you come to understand it better. The main problem I find with many Beyers is the prominent upper treble which is annoying to many, the DT 150 is one of the only Beyers without prominent treble. The DT 150 is like the HD 650 where you don't really have to adjust to the sound, you just put them on and your good to go. 

 

[Krutsch]

  I have no problem with the Beyer house sound anymore, it grows on you as you come to understand it better. The main problem I find with many Beyers is the prominent upper treble which is annoying to many, the DT 150 is one of the only Beyers without prominent treble. The DT 150 is like the HD 650 where you don't really have to adjust to the sound, you just put them on and your good to go. 

 
Can I infer from that statement that this includes the T1, as well?

 

[kman1211]

   
Can I infer from that statement that this includes the T1, as well?

I find the T1 has a bit of a spike in the upper treble, so not really but I did enjoy the T1 and it would be one of the flagships I would consider if I ever get a flagship. I think it applies to the DT 250 though, but I haven't heard those. 

 

[Solrighal]

It's that treble spike that I just can't live with. My Q701's exhibit the same problem. Between that sonic torture and the joke of a headband they just get to sit on a dummy head these days. Although, if it hadn't been for the Q's I wouldn't have found the 650 when I did. Every cloud and all that...

 

[JamieMcC]

   
Can I infer from that statement that this includes the T1, as well?

 
Only if your amp doesn't drive them properly get it right and the treble is refined and highly resolving they are amazing cans but a miss match might make you cringe. The T1's performance to price ratio is hard to beat at the moment.  

 

[Nothing Within]

Im thinking about purchasing the sennheiser HD650 along with jds lab's ODAC/O2 sometime this year. Does anybody think the odac is a good start for these headphones? Im wondering if i mainly just listen to dubstep and hip hop would hear much more with the hd 650. Im really dying to hear what ive been reading about these headphones such as much more clarity in the songs and detail.

 

[ButtUglyJeff]

   
Can I infer from that statement that this includes the T1, as well?

 
Your WA3 would drive them quite nicely...

 

[Krutsch]

   
Your WA3 would drive them quite nicely...

Yes... I am hopeful and that is kind-of why I asked. To be frank, I was worried that they might be a little too bright (i.e. treble spike).
 
The T1s get some love from the Grado heads; great guys, to be sure, but different tastes from the HD-650 folks.

 

[Malfunkt]

Im thinking about purchasing the sennheiser HD650 along with jds lab's ODAC/O2 sometime this year. Does anybody think the odac is a good start for these headphones? Im wondering if i mainly just listen to dubstep and hip hop would hear much more with the hd 650. Im really dying to hear what ive been reading about these headphones such as much more clarity in the songs and detail.

 
You will definitely get more clarity, and some of the more artfully engineered and polished albums you'll appreciate other aspects, such as reverb tails and other spacial effects.
 
The HD650 is capable of bass, but for those genres can require a bit of boost. If those are your favorite genres you may want to consider a headphone that has bass more as a focus.

Also, you may want an amp that has a bass boost abililty. The thing is, witht he HD650, it really may open your ears to a whole range of music you may never have listened to before. - electronic or otherwise. They are so versatile. 

Get them, the ODAC and later on maybe a dedicated basshead can like a SZ2000.
 
If you need one can for a wide range of music (with really really good performance for electronic) I'd vouch for the Denon AH-D600s. Want something really accurate with tight bass - Focal Spirit Professionals.

 

[Jimmy24]

I second that on the HD 650's not being specifically for hip hop and dubstep. HD 650's are a strong headphone for acoustic material like vocal, songwriter, jazz, acoustic rock, etc. However they do still deliver good bass but not quite as powerful as say the Denon's Malfunkt recommended above.

One thing to note about the HD 650's is that they are open ear headphones, meaning the headphones aren't closed off so someone will be able to hear what you will be listening to if they are right next to you. The main reason for this is that it provides a more natural sound and better clarity than closed-ear. The Denon's are closed-ear so they naturally will have a stronger sounding bass. 
 
If I were you I would highly highly recommend testing these headphones out before you buy them. Although the HD 650's are a good all around headphone for every genre, everyone has particular tastes and preferences so only you can determine whether you will like them at the end of the day. 
 
Good luck on your hunt!
 
James

 

[Solrighal]

I agree with everyone else so far. 650's wouldn't be my first choice for hip-hop. They're pretty good with Dubstep though imo. As James says above, they leak. Never mind people sitting next to you, my wife can sometimes hear my music in the next room.

 
 
* edit* - I meant to say the 650's are fantastic at everything else! There, that's better.

 

[Gilly87]

Depends on what type of hip hop; I love Rakim, Nas, Macklemore, IT, RJD2 and Eminem with them, but for newer, flashier stuff, Ultrasones would probably be better.

I agree with everyone else so far. 650's wouldn't be my first choice for hip-hop. They're pretty good with Dubstep though imo. As James says above, they leak. Never mind people sitting next to you, my wife can sometimes hear my music in the next room.  

* edit* - I meant to say the 650's are fantastic at everything else! There, that's better.