AKG K701 vs. Sennheiser HD650 - Page 6

I dunno if it can transform a D7000 into a hybrid with all the strengths of the K701 and the HD650... but the JRivers Crossfeed does have an effect.

It's not entirely good, though. Using it on my DT770, I listened for a little more time and found that in "Pronounced" mode it gives a metallic sound to Dave Matthew's Band, as if it were being played in a big tin can room. I will do further listening and testing.

The pronounced mode is ideally suited to the dark tonality of the Shure 530 IEMS.  I never use anything other than subtle for my D7000s.  It still doesn't have that 650 "intimacy"  there is always an occasion for a tubed HD650 that nothing can touch (infact K701 and HD650 with tubes achieve a pratt match, the D7000 can exploit the transients of SS the others can't).  But - in terms of bottom end solidarity - the D7000 has it licked and the K701's has been truly superseded with realistic bass slam.

Just leave the subtle crossfeed on for extended listening - you can't go back once you understand.

I don't have a D7000, so this really isn't something I will get.

Here's my experience with 650s & K701s.  I have owned a Headroom Max amp since '99 (and upgraded in '04 with a Headroom Reference Module).

I started with HD600s, found them dull with the Max, so got new 650s  in 2004 (with Equinox cable) and liked them better, but still found them

a little lifeless. Headroom declared that the K701s, when introduced, were the new favorites, so I got them and felt they were correct.

With the Max amp, they had bloom and sweet highs and just the right amount of bass.

But then I got a Ray Samuels B52 amp, and the reverse happened. The 650s were much improved, with a magic midrange with lots of substance that I could just stare into. The bass still wasn't as detailed as I would like, but was pleasant and integrated. By contrast, the K701s now sounded

a little bright and squirmy, even after I recabled them with a Silver Dragon cable. So, I got my 650s balanced (APS cable) and they are even better, especially in the bass.

I am guessing the 701s work best with a more reticent amplifier. But with am amp that just takes a solid grip and won't let go

(which I think describes the B52, I guess), the 650s are a great match.

However, my new favorite phones are Grado PS1000s, as I spoke about in the PS1000_Evolving_Review thread, with honorable mention

to the HD800s. Hope this helps...

The J River crossfeed does have a real effect for me, especially when used with the D2000.  It gives me a very mild sensation of motion sickness. 

It's not J River's fault though.  I have problems with lots of different crossfeeds.  I think my personal HRTF is not symmetric which could possibly explain the strange sensations of motion with those types of crossfeeds.

The J River crossfeed does improve the soundstage with the D2000.  The change and the effect on the sound is generally good.  I just have an unfortunate side-effect from it.

If the crossfeed works for you then use it and enjoy it.

I kinda feel uncomfortable with the HD800 soundstaging effect in the same kinda way you describe - only closed cans have this phenomena completely eradicated IME.

That all depends on the generas you're listening to.

The 650 is a laid-back, warm, and syrupy-sounding headphone. The V-DAC is an aggressive, forward-sounding DAC. Do they synergize? Maybe, possibly. Will they sound good anyway? Probably. It depends on what you want in the music. The 650 is known for a sweet midrange and fat low end. To me, the HD650 is great for listening to female vocalists, acoustic, and classical. Not so good for rock and metal, though. They have the weightiness needed, but not the personality. 
 

Agreed, I loved how the HD650's performed with acoustic and jazz, but they are quite mediocre for rock and metal (with the exception of slow stuff like doom and sludge) - the reason why I sold my pair. Within the Senn line, a HD600 with the APS v3 cable (fed by the Audio GD FUN) sounded way better than the HD650 for rock/metal, I was surprised how much a recable can change their sig and pump them full of life.
 

I've never understood why people are of that opinion, 650s not being good for rock. So far they're the best rock can I've listened to, but that's only including Grado 325s and the AKG 701.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik 

The HD-650 is "laid back, syrupy and sweet?" I think not. You were listening to an amplifier that was laid back, syrupy and sweet. People listen to mediocre amps and think that mediocre amp is the way the HD-650 (or the HD-600, for that matter) really sounds. However, these two headphones scale like little else - they'll sound nearly electrostatic on the right amp. I loved mine, but found the HD-800 too good to pass up. The K-701, no matter the amping (and I tried a bunch) retains its artificial flavoring in the mids. Unliistenable and good riddance.

Did you try the Phonitor/Auditor ?