I would try the K612 against the K601, maybe it's better. Most people like the K712 more than the previous headphones, maybe it's the same for the new K6xx versions as well.

eugenius said:

I would try the K612 against the K601, maybe it's better. Most people like the K712 more than the previous headphones, maybe it's the same for the new K6xx versions as well.

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Only those who like more bass.

I am one of those who think the bass level should be around +3dB more than the midrange for a headphone to sound natural. If you can make that bass low distortion and extended in an open headphone, sign me up. 

eugenius said:

If you can make that bass low distortion and extended in an open headphone, sign me up. 

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Totally agreed!  That's my major problem with open headphones and hence why I'm saving up for the TH900's.  OH MAN, I CAN'T WAIT FOR MY PRECIOUS!

I would have to say the HD 800, given that's the most you would want to spend. I own them currently, I used to own the T1, and have heard the 600, 650 and 700. If you already like the 600, the 800 simply does almost everything better. With a well matched amp, the HD800's bass is almost perfect (in my opinion) and its soundstage and imaging are to die for.

byrnie said:

  Totally agreed!  That's my major problem with open headphones and hence why I'm saving up for the TH900's.  OH MAN, I CAN'T WAIT FOR MY PRECIOUS!

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I thought planar magneics like the LCD2/3 are supposed to have one of the best bass response of any headphone, open or closed. The bass on these are supposed to extend toward sub bass very well and they are open. I guess their weakness is sound stage?

jackskelly said:

I would have to say the HD 800, given that's the most you would want to spend. I own them currently, I used to own the T1, and have heard the 600, 650 and 700. If you already like the 600, the 800 simply does almost everything better. With a well matched amp, the HD800's bass is almost perfect (in my opinion) and its soundstage and imaging are to die for.

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I'm currently using the T1 and with aggressive EQ applied to tame the treble they seem to tick all the boxes: good bass extension/soundstage, natural sounding, lightweight/comfortable, excellent transient response...

I love the bass of the HD650 so imo LCD-3 is like HD650 without its "veil" and put on steroids.

ptom said:

I thought planar magneics like the LCD2/3 are supposed to have one of the best bass response of any headphone, open or closed. The bass on these are supposed to extend toward sub bass very well and they are open. I guess their weakness is sound stage?

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The th900 also gets great reviews on its bass. You are right about the planars and their soundstage though.

ptom said:

  I'm currently using the T1 and with aggressive EQ applied to tame the treble they seem to tick all the boxes: good bass extension/soundstage, natural sounding, lightweight/comfortable, excellent transient response...

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You definitely didn't make a wrong choice. The T1 is an excellent headphone. I sold my T1 and kept my HD800 because of personal preference. I listen to a lot of classical, jazz and acoustic and I just prefer the enormous soundstage the HD800 gives for those genres.

My experience with the '600s and '650s is that the better the amp you get, the more the soundstage expands, but you're not going to get "more" of anything as far as any particular frequency range. They get more detailed, they get more expansive, to the point you can really get "under" the bass and hear the playing, not just "bass." As the soundstage gets bigger with better amps. the detail and neutrality of the cans become more apparent. That's why Senny's aren't for everyone. My guess is that the 800s aren't going to be much different in that particular regard.

lightnin joe said:

My experience with the '600s and '650s is that the better the amp you get, the more the soundstage expands, but you're not going to get "more" of anything as far as any particular frequency range. They get more detailed, they get more expansive, to the point you can really get "under" the bass and hear the playing, not just "bass." As the soundstage gets bigger with better amps. the detail and neutrality of the cans become more apparent. That's why Senny's aren't for everyone. My guess is that the 800s aren't going to be much different in that particular regard.

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Thank you, I lurk often on these style of threads and always am amazed at the lack of reference to up stream equipment.
As I found the Sony R10, HD600, HD650 and HD800 all had world class scale ability.

Up stream stuff can change signatures so much, not discounting the inert character of the cans in question.

Just ordered my first pair of HD 600s yesterday.

My headphone listening has been solely through i-devices (Classic, Nano, an iPad). I bough a Pure i20, which is an i-device dock that allows you to get the digital out from an iPod/Phone/Pad (30 pin only). The i20 has a much better DAC than any iDevice, so that's a plus. The i20 also has digital outs, so you can then pass it through to a much better DAC, one that also has inputs for other devices like a good async USB input for computer listening. I'm warming to the idea as I contemplate renovating my house and turning an unused spare room into a "listening room"/office where I can cloister myself with my full-size stereo and my headphone setup. A good multi-input DAC for my headphone setup in that context would allow me to leverage source components from my stereo like my CD transport, and there are even many DACs that have a built-in phono preamp that passes through to the analog output section. But that's getting several steps ahead of myself. For a reasonable amount of money, I have a current setup that I really enjoy.

And for that you need a better HD600 with extended bass and larger soundstage?

Not sure if we're on the same page here, but I'm quite happy where I am right now. There certainly is "bigger, better, and more," and I've heard some of them, but for the money I've spent and the time I have to listen, it's just fine. Plus, being a Sennheiser fan, I'm not in pursuit of a different sound. I HAVE heard some expensive phones through some very expensive amps and it is impressive. No enough so to forgo a nice vacation or the like to better the 1 or 2 hours I have each week to lock myself in and do serious listening. YET!