hd650 or hd800 - Page 3

 

x4 for me too...and they are the most comfortable headphone I've ever had on my head to boot.
 

x3. Although I listen to the HD800 at lower volumes than what I used to listen the HD650, but that is because I found the 650 sounded quite a bit better at mid to high level volumes.

 

Currently listening to a WAV file, Bon Jovi, on HD-650's at 5/100.

 

How can everybody's ears stand prolong loud volume as the 650's are great at low volumes.

 

???

 

This is not a knock on 800's.

Edited by beeman458 - 8/7/10 at 6:48pm

I'm not trying to knock the 650, I like them a lot. I don't want to imply that they sound bad at low volumes, just that I liked them more at mid-high volumes. That's exactly why they were not my main headphone for much time, less than a year, compared to two for the HD595.

 

I didn't reach that conclusion consciously, but after receiving the 800, when I was comparing songs between them, I found that I immediately raised the volume when using the 650. At lower frequencies I found the mid bass too much compared to the midrange, and the trebble too soft, and also it was harder to listen to details. They got much better with more volume. OTOH the 800 are excellent at low volumes, and continue to be so at pretty much any volume I listen to (when hearing a good record).

 

Funnily I find the latest headphone I've acquired, a DT48S, also better at mid to high volumes, but I guess that is a little OT. I can see all of this varying between individuals due to different HRTF's.

 

That's not a decibel reading, so it means nothing. The 5/100 could be very loud on your system for all we know.
 

Me too ! I find myself always turning up the volume with the HD650s and at times I realize that its a bit too loud.

 

I dont find myself doing this with any of my other headphones.

That's not a decibel reading, so it means nothing. The 5/100 could be very loud on your system for all we know.

 

I understand but since my sound pressure meter is packed away at a different location, I can't take a sound pressure reading and the position of the volume control is all I have to go by.

Is anyone accounting for finances in the comparison? I mean, of course people are going to say the HD800 are better. But are they really worth four times as much money? I could buy the HD650, upgrade the cable, and buy the HeadRoom Desktop PS for less money than the HD800. What's the better choice in that scenario?

jchandler3, the HD-800 is still better. I directly compared the two on my own rig, even with a cable "upgrade" on my HD-650. The HD-800 gives me increased detail and transparency. I didn't want to drop the cash, either, but instead sold the HD-650 and a few others to cover the difference. It was worth it for me. Maybe not for others, but I've had the HD-800 for around 16 months. The "new toy" phase is long over and I still listen to it 90% of the time. I'm keeping my other headphones, but could easily live with the HD-800 as my only pair.

Uncle Erik - My mind loves you but my wallet hates you.  Thanks for your input!

I tried to like the HD800.  

 

It is better at everything, except for one thing: there is indeed a narrow treble brightness (not a tipped up general brightness... that would be forgiveable) that is not possible for me to ignore.  Voices, to pick the most obvious and easily-identified coloration, stop being 3D, whole heads on bodies, as in the HD650.  The HD800 (I tried several units on several cables and several amps at the show) sounded a mix of bright and chesty, losing that "cut from one cloth" throaty realism.  It isn't even a brightness that I felt was informative but forward; it wasn't that clean or accurate. Even on the best set up I heard that day, the brightness was so damaging to vocals that I could not tolerate it.   

 

Analysis aside, I could not keep the HD800s on my head for long, and didn't want to. I could affort to buy them for the many other advantages, but knew I would not listen to them.  The HD650, OTOH, is a pleasure for long listening and resembles live unamplified music and renders well-recorded voices very realistically with minimal treble artifacts.   

 

Many headphone fans are tolerant of unnatural brightness, even peakiness, because it is detailed and exciting.  That's not my yardstick.  

 

Do NOT buy them without an extended listening session.  And don't be seduced by their strengths.  As with a potential spouse, first make sure you can live with their excesses.  

 

Instead, if you get the HD650, make sure it is a new or recent pair.  There was a change--for the better--that is not subtle: clearer, more extended, nearly no veil.  Just what the doctor ordered.  

Edited by Stoney - 8/24/10 at 10:43pm

Wise words, rarely said. I'm often astonished at what finds popularity around here, stuff with shrieking highs that bares no resemblance to reality yet has a huge following. People really do need to hear live music more often.   
 

Edited by pp312 - 8/25/10 at 4:02am

 

 

IMO there is no unnatural brightness on the HD800s in any way. Yes there is on Grado headphones (I'm looking at your SR325is), but not on these. If you're coming from the treble limited HD650s, that sound you hear is called "treble"....maybe you've missed it from your recordings because it's always been there and the HD800s are just bringing it out while the HD650s coloured it over and hid it away.

 

There is a reason many seasoned Head-fiers preferred the HD600s over the HD650s. BTW I am a former HD650 owner.

 

 

x5 for me too, I'm a former owner of HD-600 and my rig is BCL DAC with HD-800, no way is fatiguing. I do came from hi end speaker world, and a lot of live classic music. The HD-800 is very very very rig dependable. try a Reimyo cd player with a top noch amp, and you'll get pure magic from Hd-800. IMHO
 

I'm with Stoney and pp312 on this...True to life music always has a tonality resembling the HD650 more so than HD800 - at least from a performers perspective WRT volume and distance.

 

However I am more than happy to recommend the HD800 as the a700 from what I understand leans towards this kind of recording scrutiny tonality and you'll have less problems adapting to the sound signature.  The HD800 is in the end of the day technically superior to the HD650.

We do hear differently...from this trumpet player's perspective the HD800s hit the nail on the head. Makes me know re-think the LCD-2. Ah heck, I can always sell them if they don't work with my ears.