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Headphone Downgrade Opinions

post #1 of 14
11/28/11 at 5:52pm
Thread Starter 

Hi all,

 

I'm looking to step down from my HD800's to something less expensive. (Trying to recoup some money for other toys.) I'll be offloading my Headroom BUDA and UDAC, too, so I won't have anything too high quality to drive it with. What are my best options at this point. Let's assume a budget of $700 total. The only cans I really have experience with over the $400 level are my Denon AH-D5000's and HD800's. The 5000's are too warm for me -- and I'm thinking I want to replace them with an open back set of cans.

 

Thoughts?

 

-Mitch

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post #2 of 14
11/28/11 at 6:30pm

If you like the Sennheisers presentation, why not go down in their line? something like the HD650's. 

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post #3 of 14
11/28/11 at 6:31pm

HD600 smily_headphones1.gif  So inexpensive used that you can also get an amp (ss works best imo) or dac/amp.

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post #4 of 14
11/28/11 at 6:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by eucariote View Post

HD600 smily_headphones1.gif  So inexpensive used that you can also get an amp (ss works best imo) or dac/amp.



Co-sign.  Minty HD600's and a Meier Concerto (or something akin to it) will get you there with plenty of change left over.

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post #5 of 14
11/28/11 at 6:58pm

HD600 - unless you want to depart completely from the neutral sounding Senn' signature

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post #6 of 14
11/28/11 at 10:15pm
Thread Starter 

I love the Senn' signature. How much will I notice the downgrade? Is it huge?

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post #7 of 14
11/28/11 at 10:20pm
Thread Starter 

If I'm considering the HD600 price range, any alternatives anyone can offer that are worth checking out?

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post #8 of 14
11/28/11 at 10:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mitchcoleman View Post

I love the Senn' signature. How much will I notice the downgrade? Is it huge?



Problem is that I've never heard Headroom's products with the HD800 ~ knowing full well how the HD800 changes

dramatically from rig to rig ~ it's difficult to ascertain how good they sounded on your end in the first place.

 

The HD600 won't disappoint though, if you liked the treble on your HD800 then strong chances are you'd like

the HD600 over the darker sounding HD650.

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post #9 of 14
11/28/11 at 10:23pm

 

 

Ahh hang on ~ you're selling your rig too aren't you?

 

Hmmm, you're in a pickle redface.gif

 

Senn HD598 then. It will run out of your phone or portable player.

 

If you lose the rig then the HD600 idea disappears too.


Edited by Gwarmi - 11/28/11 at 10:24pm
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post #10 of 14
11/28/11 at 10:24pm
Thread Starter 

Haha, yeppers. :\

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post #11 of 14
11/28/11 at 11:47pm

Another vote for the HD-600.  You'll lose a little detail and extension at both ends, but it is still a neutral and very coherent sound.  Look for a used pair, around $200.  They're a steal at that price.  See if you can find a Gilmore Lite/Dynalo around $300 and you'd be set.

 

I've toyed with the idea of downgrading from the HD-800, too.  I spend a lot more time with speakers.  The HD-600 is probably the way I'd go, though I'd probably run it off a DIY tube amp.

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post #12 of 14
11/28/11 at 11:50pm

HD600 / DT880. Until now, I still can't figure out which one is better. 

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post #13 of 14
11/28/11 at 11:53pm

Heya,

 

Q701?

 

Otherwise, HD600 is the way to go if you're already a sucker for Sennheiser.

 

Very best,

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post #14 of 14
11/29/11 at 12:09am

You could get an HD-598 and a nice portable amp such as the Total Airhead. That thing can even drive the HD-600/650 quite decently if needed.

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