Sennheiser HD650 boring? Any other reccomendations?

In my opinion the HD650's are exactly what you want; nice bass response, good midrange and not sharp treble at all. 

Definitely not boring compared to the SRH840, in my opinion.

Well, I suppose if not in your face = boring, then the HD650 qualifies. However, I have not heard many headphones that could keep me addicted and listening for longer. Long time enjoyment = not boring for me. I think the people that call it boring tend to be the same people that enjoy more trebley and aggressive sound signatures. These are the same type of phones that will quickly give me a headache and tire out my ears, but to each his own.

HD650 has a very nice emphasized bass response, but coming from the D2000, you will have no problem adjusting I think. The midrange is one of the very best in its class and for me, is the number one reason why I keep listening to these headphones. The treble is rolled-off, but it is not a big deal to me and I say this having owned the DT880 which has massive treble extension. The roll-off is not as bad as say, the Shure SE530.

The Ultrasone probably has a great bass impact, but I'm sure the treble and especially the midrange is far inferior to the HD650. I really recommend you listen to the HD650. There is good reason why it holds a status as a "classic" headphone and it sound close to what you are looking for.

Edit: Oh, and the HD650 manufactured now (silver screen) is the "less boring" and slightly brighter one. I have never heard the old black version, but the new one sounds phenomenal and is supposedly more lively.

Its interesting... being boring.

The HD650, and other high end headphones, don't have the "wow" factor of lesser headphones. Nothing really stands out, BUT its amazing how quickly the headphones with obvious (insert glaringly obvious sound coloration here) get old - one could listen to the 650s for ages with few other headphones at their disposal and never really get bored. 

Are they boring - if you want a new sound every week yea they are exactly as boring as last weeks sound. But by that note, everything is boring.

Do they get old - not really. 

As another great point towards the HD650 - everyone has heard them. It is VERY easy to get a comparison of a known headphone with the 650... Maybe you want something with slightly bloated bass compared to the 650, or a little bit of a sucked out midrange, or etched & sibilant treble - it is very easy to find reviews of many headphones compared to the 650. 

If your not sure what headphone to get, but you are sure that you will enjoy headphoning you MUST own the 650's. At least for a little bit, if not a while. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicholars 

I actually WANT rolled off treble especially in the 5-10khz area because it physucally hurts my ears on the Denons....

 

I was worried the Sennheisers might be a bit slow and lacking energy in the bass and midrange for things like electronic music.... But I do have an AMP (NAD 315 integrated amp) so maybe they will be alright for me.... I guess the only way is to just try them but it is an expensive way of trialing stuff as I have no shops near me that demo them!

 

BUY THEM!!!

Try to find a set used. It saves a LOT of money. 

Can't you buy them from somewhere with a good return policy? 

The Denon do have a bit of a reputation for being harsh - I agree with that assessment. The Kenwood KH-K1000 is similar in bass response, but smoother in sound; bit "slow" compared to open headphones though. They're good with ambient type music. The Sennheiser HDs are very smooth as well - faster and leaner than the Kenwood. HFI-2400 (by comparison) has muddy and bloated bass, and sucked-out mids; it isn't competitive with the other headphones mentioned here (at $200 it's a very good headphone, but everything else you're looking at is twice the price). They have a good sound-stage, are reasonably comfortable, again not bad at $200. You might like them; I don't know. 

Might also look at the Sony MDR-SA5000 - much more "fun" and "exciting" than the Sennheiser (or Kenwood); they have high-end energy, but it isn't harsh (at least imho). Less bass quantity vs other headphones mentioned, but incredible quality (I personally like it better than most other headphones). 

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicholars 

Cool thanks for the response....

 

I actually WANT rolled off treble especially in the 5-10khz area because it physucally hurts my ears on the Denons....

 

I was worried the Sennheisers might be a bit slow and lacking energy in the bass and midrange for things like electronic music.... But I do have an AMP (NAD 315 integrated amp) so maybe they will be alright for me.... I guess the only way is to just try them but it is an expensive way of trialing stuff as I have no shops near me that demo them!

 

I think the ultrasones will probably be similar to the denons in that they have good bass (well most of the time on the denons) but the midrange is recessed and treble sibilant....

Oh the Sennheiser will do what you just described perfectly; they have my vote. If you need a closed headphone, the Kenwood KH-K1000 would be a runner-up. 
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicholars 

I was going to try and find some used because they are very expensive atm... £265 is the best price I can find new on special order....

 

I see what you mean about getting bored of coloration.... I have experienced that with the Denons to some extent... Although it was mainly the sibilant treble that was the problem.... Also the sort of boomy bass on some songs didn't sound that good... I have also found this with my B&W standmount speakers.... They are too coloured and also the treble isnt great so I ordered some Dynaudio instead.....

 

Maybe it sounds like a good idea to try the sennheisers then... Hopefully the new version will be a bit faster then the old ones? I just want to avoid listening fatigue and ear pain and get a nice smooth sound but not so it is so boring I fall asleep and has no energy on electronic music....

What does "boring" even mean? I have the HD650's and, although they are my only "high end" headset, the last word in the world I would use to describe them is "boring".

Perhaps the people who describe them as "boring" desire some added color in their listening experience - the HD650, in my experience, does not change the exact recording much if at all.

So what is "boring" supposed to mean?

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikongod 

Its interesting... being boring.

 

The HD650, and other high end headphones, don't have the "wow" factor of lesser headphones. Nothing really stands out, BUT its amazing how quickly the headphones with obvious (insert glaringly obvious sound coloration here) get old - one could listen to the 650s for ages with few other headphones at their disposal and never really get bored. 

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Excellent point!
 

Once again, I cannot recommend these headphones enough going by your description. You will have a wonderful and slightly forward midrange, no treble sibilance, and a smooth sound that covers the flaws of many bad recordings. If you buy used, you don't have much to lose. Just give these headphones enough juice and they will open and "liven up" by quite a bit. Even if you still find them to be a bit too sleepy for your tastes, you can sell them back and you now have a new reference in headphone sound that many people can relate too.

Are people seriously suggesting him the HD-650 for electronic music and hip hop? I could understand classical and hip hop, but any kind of electronic music on the HD-650 would just make me sad..or fall asleep.

I do find the HD-650 incredibly boring with a lot of music. Sure I liked it, but only with specific music.

I've always preferred for electronic music a headphone with tons of detail, a decent amount of bass and a very clear sound. Yes, even a lot of treble (that isn't ear piercing). The HD-650 only meets one of those requirements.

Between the HD-598 and HD-650 I'd take the HD-598 for electronic music any day. Sure it has much less bass, but at least it won't bore you to death. It's mids are a little more forward than that of the HD-650, but no more "colored" than the HD-650 already is.

It won't suddenly change how a song sounds. The large soundstage of the HD-598 helps too. Despite what people say, I've found the HD-598 to have much more detail than the HD-650. Please don't give me the treble excuse..

I'd actually skip any of the Sennheisers for electronic music. For that I'd probably take the DT-880. The Q701 doesn't have tons of bass, but I'd easily take that for electronic music over the HD-650 any day.

Ambient music is especially impressive on the Q701.