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Comparing the HD600 vs HD650

Feb 22, 2012 at 4:40 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 99
StringBoi

StringBoi

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I'm looking to upgrade to a better set of headphones and I'm coming from HD555's.  I mainly listen to classical and everywhere I read, people suggest getting the 600's over the 650's.  I was just wondering if someone could go into detail as to why we would choose these over the other.  I dont know the ins and outs of what makes one better than the other, I mainly do research on forums like these and draw a conclusion from there. 
 
From what I found, the 650's have the "darker veil"....but when I compare the two sets, and say throw in another the HD800's (just for further comparison) the differences between them is the ability the produce higher and lower frequencies/build quality.
 
To me...just from an average person who really loves music, a set with the better range/quality would make it the better headphone?  What exactly produces this "darker veil" sound in the 650's that isnt great for classical music?  My conclusion is that is can produce lower ranges, therefore making it sound like its "darker", but thats all I can come up with....and then if I take that and compare it with say HD800's, they go even further with the ranges and are known as "the best headphones in the world"....even for classical. 
 
So, before I take the plunge into buying 600's....can someone tell me more in detail why to not buy the 650's because to me, they seem like the better choice.....help me out please =)
 
Feb 22, 2012 at 5:01 PM Post #2 of 99
I own the 650s. They are fantastic. The only difference between them and the 600s, to me, is the 650s have more bass and are maybe a tiny, tiny bit more refined. If I had it to do over again, I'd probably go with the 600s. They seem more natural.
As far as the 800s, I've never heard them, but I'll say it's about a lot more than just the frequency range they extend to. I imagine the 800s beat the 600s and 650 in about every category.
As far as the veil, the 650s have less of one than the 600s, to me. Both the 600s and 650s excel with classical music, I'm not sure where you're getting that from. There may be better headphones for classical, but not by much. Their presentation, discussed as two or three rows back, make them perfect for classical.
You're going to need top notch equipment for any of these to even sound good. With the right equipment, there is no "veil." Also, your music will have to be of high quality.
I hope that helps.
 
Feb 22, 2012 at 5:11 PM Post #3 of 99
First, I don't think you'll go badly wrong with either one. I own both. The HD650 is tweaked to have a slightly more fun frequency response with many genres, but people tend to exaggerate the differences.

From a top-end source and amp, the HD650 will sound better to many people for most genres. Plugged into lesser gear, the HD650 may sound a bit dark, muddy, veiled, or bloated in the bass frequencies. The HD600 doesn't scale quite as much with better gear, but is more neutral and consistent plugged into anything. The bass of the HD600 will not overwhelm other frequencies. Your strings and horns will stand out as they should. The build quality is about the same for both the HD600 and HD650.

If I was in your position--listening mainly to classical and driving them from a PC sound card--I'd buy the HD600 (or maybe the HD598). As I said, I own both. Since I listen to a variety of genres with a pretty nice amp, I listen to the HD650 far more than the HD600.

EDIT: The HD800 spanks both the HD600 and HD650, especially for classical. They're in a totally different league.
 
Feb 22, 2012 at 5:45 PM Post #4 of 99
Ok, my HT-Omega Claro+ sound card has a good headphone Amp, along with a DAC being able to deliver 24b/192k......Ya think this be enough to properly power the 650?  I believe the sound card is on par with the Asus Xonar, just different connections.
 
I do listen to Dance/Trance/Pop as well....if the 650's would work well with what I have, I would think they would be the better choice?
 
Feb 22, 2012 at 6:01 PM Post #5 of 99
The HD650 is more of a chameleon, meaning it adapts better to what gear you have. When I owned both the HD600 and HD650, the HD650 exhibited much better scaleability and went from slow to lively to bassy depending on the setup.
 
The reason why some people recommend the HD600 is because it's a safer sound signature. You may or may not like the HD650, but chances are, you will like the 600. In my personal view though, the HD650 is a technically better headphone, just not one for everybody. It's tuned for audiophile sensibilities, not for neutrality, which some people may not like.
 
Feb 22, 2012 at 7:09 PM Post #7 of 99
I would imagine the $100 price difference must be because of something, other than paint job and freq......I'm new to this world, but I would imagine you'd have to listen to extremes to fully understand the differences in both 
blink.gif

 
Feb 22, 2012 at 7:23 PM Post #8 of 99


Quote:
stringboi said:
I'm looking to upgrade to a better set of headphones and I'm coming from HD555's.  I mainly listen to classical and everywhere I read, people suggest getting the 600's over the 650's.  I was just wondering if someone could go into detail as to why we would choose these over the other.  I dont know the ins and outs of what makes one better than the other, I mainly do research on forums like these and draw a conclusion from there. 
 
From what I found, the 650's have the "darker veil"....but when I compare the two sets, and say throw in another the HD800's (just for further comparison) the differences between them is the ability the produce higher and lower frequencies/build quality.
 
To me...just from an average person who really loves music, a set with the better range/quality would make it the better headphone?  What exactly produces this "darker veil" sound in the 650's that isnt great for classical music?  My conclusion is that is can produce lower ranges, therefore making it sound like its "darker", but thats all I can come up with....and then if I take that and compare it with say HD800's, they go even further with the ranges and are known as "the best headphones in the world"....even for classical. 
 
So, before I take the plunge into buying 600's....can someone tell me more in detail why to not buy the 650's because to me, they seem like the better choice.....help me out please =)
Click to expand...



First let me just say, one is not better than the other. The price increase on the HD650 makes no sense what so ever. That's pure marketing. Doesn't reflect the headphone at all.
 
The differences are rather simple, but they're very different headphones. The HD650 has dimmed treble, so it's a darker sounding headphone with a mid-bass hump. So right away it seems laid back, smooth, easy to listen to, and more bassy than something neutral, but not overly bassy. The HD600 on the other hand by comparison is brighter, it's treble is not relaxed, so it has a little sparkle and excitement, and it does not have a mid-bass hump, it appears neutral and just renders what was recorded back the way it should be without emphasizing anything. This is why it's so excellent for classical, or anything really, because you're going to hear what was recorded without frequency modification that is exaggerated. To me, if the treble is dimmed, you miss out on the emotion of some classical, like the edge of a violin for example.
 
Very best,
 
 
Feb 22, 2012 at 7:39 PM Post #10 of 99
Thanks Mal,  that was a good explanation.  One thing I'm concerned about...my 555's, though they do sound excellent, I find when I listen to music with higher pitch sounds, for a longer period of time,  they tend to reach an almost "harsh" sound and I cant listen to music for too long.  I've read before that this is fixed in the 600's and up, or would I feel the same way with 600's and possibly just need a mellower sounding upper for my ears?  Since this was my first pair of headphones....I'm not sure which is the problem, my ears...or the cans.  Is this a common issue with 555's?
 
Feb 22, 2012 at 7:42 PM Post #11 of 99
Quote:
malveaux said:
First let me just say, one is not better than the other. The price increase on the HD650 makes no sense what so ever. That's pure marketing. Doesn't reflect the headphone at all.
 
The differences are rather simple, but they're very different headphones. The HD650 has dimmed treble, so it's a darker sounding headphone with a mid-bass hump. So right away it seems laid back, smooth, easy to listen to, and more bassy than something neutral, but not overly bassy. The HD600 on the other hand by comparison is brighter, it's treble is not relaxed, so it has a little sparkle and excitement, and it does not have a mid-bass hump, it appears neutral and just renders what was recorded back the way it should be without emphasizing anything. This is why it's so excellent for classical, or anything really, because you're going to hear what was recorded without frequency modification that is exaggerated. To me, if the treble is dimmed, you miss out on the emotion of some classical, like the edge of a violin for example.
 
Very best,
Click to expand...


Their mid-bass is actually pretty similar, as measured by Tyll. The HD600 even has a bit more of it compared to the sub-bass and upper bass/lower mid-range.
 
HD600
HD650
 
Feb 22, 2012 at 7:48 PM Post #12 of 99


Quote:
paganini alfredo said:
I have both the HD600 and HD800 and prefer the former.
Click to expand...



I agree with you on some days, on other days the 800 is it. But I'm all goofed up, I defoamed the 600s and foam modded the 800s.  I'm pretty sure I prefer the foamed 800s really, but sometimes the less technical 600 is easier on the brain and thus more enjoyable.
 
Feb 22, 2012 at 7:55 PM Post #13 of 99
Also, the HD650 has more micro-detail and better imaging (or instrument placement if you will), but some people might mistake its less prominent treble for less detail. I owned both at the same time, I'm pretty confident in saying that.
 
Feb 22, 2012 at 8:09 PM Post #14 of 99
 
paganini alfredo said:
I'd even go so far as to say that the price increase of the HD800 has nothing to do with anything, either. I have both the HD600 and HD800 and prefer the former.
Click to expand...



Well, the HD800 and HD650 have very different sound signatures. From my experience, I'd say they're almost on opposite ends of the bright -> dark spectrum. The HD600 is more neutral, but still less bright than the HD800. 
 
From the headphones I've owned and the reading I've done on this site, I'd probably lay out the mid-fi to flagship signature equivalents something like this (from most to least bright):

K701 -> HD800
DT880 -> T1
HD600 -> HE6
HD650 -> LCD-2
 
For the OP, I think the HD555 is somewhat between the DT880 and HD600.
 
Feb 22, 2012 at 9:32 PM Post #15 of 99
IMO, HD600 is less colored compared with hd650. However, many people find HD650 is more musical and well-rounded. In contrast, HD600 is more "analytical"(not judging), and even more transparent. I found Hd650 better since I'm fed up with the sound of dt990, which became too "exciting" to my ears. However, they are both great cans and you won't go wrong buying any of them.
 
 
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