konstantin690 said:

You ultimately need a CSD plot to identify a resonance, but, a resonance will show up as sudden "shifts" in impedance, phase and distortion plots, the HD800 are ruler flat in that region.

Click to expand...

CSD plots do show a resonance at ~6kHz. The resonance could be in the acoustic housing rather than the electrical characteristics of the driver.

http://rinchoi.blogspot.com/2013/01/sennheiser-hd800-part3-in-depth.html
 
"By simulating a ring radiator driver by making a hole in the middle of a Kobitone unit, its electroacoustic effect has been predicted. Thus, it can be assumed that the peak at 5~6 kHz of Sennheiser HD800 is deriving from these causes:

1. Resonant housing
2. Resonance shift due to center hole
3. Concha resonance

While the overall sound signature can be altered with modifications, it is virtually impossible to totally eliminate the peak."
 
It looks like the HD800S has added some kind of acoustical dampening to compensate for this problem.

riverlethe said:

CSD plots do show a resonance at ~6kHz. The resonance could be in the acoustic housing rather than the electrical characteristics of the driver.

Click to expand...

Which CSD plots are you referring to? The one I've seen does not show any "ringing".

chookjones1987 said:

The HE560 is far from being neutral it's upper ranges are a mess and I found the LCD-2 and HD650 and even the Nighthawk to be superior. There's nothing wrong with the HD800 for hip hop it's bass is well extended and has good clean lunch with low distortion. It's issues are the upper mids and treble it's enhanced to bring out subtle details. It can get a little painful on the ears.

Click to expand...

You might have gotten a bad HE560.  The upper ranges are FAR from being "a mess".  I have the HD650 and its sounds stage is inferior.  No offense also, but the HD800 is NOT meant for hip hop and bass heavy songs.  That's why we have cans like the Fostex TH-X00.

konstantin690 said:

 
Which CSD plots are you referring to? The one I've seen does not show any "ringing".

Click to expand...

http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/diy-modification-sennheiser-hd-800-anaxilus-mod#dZqvg2K5iSvGja5c.97
 
The plot on this page also shows some pretty obvious ringing:
 
http://en.goldenears.net/22602

riverlethe said:

I agree that the HD800's have great bass, but that narrow treble resonance makes them hard to listen and gives them a very thin sound sometimes. HD650 and LCD2 are both dark headphones. They're on the other side of neutral from the HD800's. What did you find to be a mess about the HE560's treble? I haven't seen any measurement or subjective review to support that.

Click to expand...

Many reviews out there you just need to find reputable ones(Can't post links here) I think the HE560 sounds like crap too be honest. It has good textured bass but the mid range has this weird tone that gives vocals a shouty, dry natural. The set is all around dry, rough and the treble ranges are too exaggerated making it very unpleasant.

The HE-400i is nicer to listen to without any of that dryness from the 560. The LCD-2 dark? Maybe years ago but not now. The current LCD-2 makes the 560 sound sloppy in all areas.

HD800's are almost as far from neutral as Dre Beats. 

chookjones1987 said:

Many reviews out there you just need to find reputable ones(Can't post links here) I think the HE560 sounds like crap too be honest. It has good textured bass but the mid range has this weird tone that gives vocals a shouty, dry natural. The set is all around dry, rough and the treble ranges are too exaggerated making it very unpleasant.

The HE-400i is nicer to listen to without any of that dryness from the 560. The LCD-2 dark? Maybe years ago but not now. The current LCD-2 makes the 560 sound sloppy in all areas.

Click to expand...

I haven't seen measurements of any version of the LCD2 that didn't show a rolled off treble. I did try the HE400i and found it to have an unnatural timbre. To each his own, I guess?

Are you both talking about the same HE400i?
 
It has been noted in the main HE400i thread that internal changes were made, beyond just the external cabling. And the price has dropped to $299 at least 3 times since November. With his budget in mind, he could acquire a used Cavalli Audio Liquid Carbon and an HE400i - and this (also in the HE400i thread) has been noted to put the new HE400i into sonic territory near the HE1000. I've done this experiment myself, and would agree.
 
This is why I'm curious - are you referring to the original HE400i or the one with new connectors.

sheldaze said:

Are you both talking about the same HE400i?

It has been noted in the main HE400i thread that internal changes were made, beyond just the external cabling. And the price has dropped to $299 at least 3 times since November. With his budget in mind, he could acquire a used Cavalli Audio Liquid Carbon and an HE400i - and this (also in the HE400i thread) has been noted to put the new HE400i into sonic territory near the HE1000. I've done this experiment myself, and would agree.

This is why I'm curious - are you referring to the original HE400i or the one with new connectors.

Click to expand...

I was referring to the original HE400i that I sent back a year ago. I just got a new HE560 so I can't do a direct comparison, but it sounds better than my recollection of the HE400i.

riverlethe said:

I was referring to the original HE400i that I sent back a year ago. I just got a new HE560 so I can't do a direct comparison, but it sounds better than my recollection of the HE400i.

Click to expand...

I heard the HE560 at a headphone store (December 2014). And I heard the HE560 and original HE400i back-to-back at a headphone meet last year - HE560 is definitely an upgrade.
 
And I know we're guilty of being fanboys in the current HE400i thread 
 
But there's still some good information there. The new HE400i is considerably more open than was the previous generation. And running balanced from a good amplifier, like the Liquid Carbon, it truly amazes me. It is not, in my opinion, the dark, colored headphone it was. A great $300 option, while allowing for up to $900 (per the thread starter's budget) to be thrown into the amplifier solution.

sheldaze said:

I heard the HE560 at a headphone store (December 2014). And I heard the HE560 and original HE400i back-to-back at a headphone meet last year - HE560 is definitely an upgrade.

And I know we're guilty of being fanboys in the current HE400i thread 

But there's still some good information there. The new HE400i is considerably more open than was the previous generation. And running balanced from a good amplifier, like the Liquid Carbon, it truly amazes me. It is not, in my opinion, the dark, colored headphone it was. A great $300 option, while allowing for up to $900 (per the thread starter's budget) to be thrown into the amplifier solution.

Click to expand...

Unfortunately, the OP said he can't get Hifiman in his country. :/

riverlethe said:

Unfortunately, the OP said he can't get Hifiman in his country. :/

Click to expand...

Sadness... 
I like Audeze and Mr Speakers, but HiFiMan are becoming my favorites for planar.

I read most of this thread. Looks like you have already figured out what you want. I'll just add that going to a show or place to demo stuff can save you a lot of time and confusion.

The HD800 are totally loved here at Head-Fi but it just depends on what signature you learn to love. Many times even stuff you don't like hearing at a Head-Fi meet you can learn to like more just by spending time with it.

In so many ways this is the golden age for our hobby. If you wanted used, many regular HD800 owners are dumping their HD800 headphones for the new HD800S model. I just saw a close to perfect pair sell for less $700 in the used section.

Also don't worry about an amp or DAC as they are everywhere cheap prices too. If you were around in 2007-2008 the pure contrast of equipment on the new and used market is staggering to say the least.

I just posted some used gear here but you could also buy new. I have had audiophile sound-cards and I'm sure there are some nice ones. I just didn't like the sound of mine? Though I may like it better now as I'm liking flat sound sinatures more.

Here is a JDS Labs c421 that is just an amp that you could try? I purchased mine for $100 used. Also Schiit has a bunch of amps in the $100 used area. I purchased my Asgard One for $150.00.

Your maybe not going to keep your headphone forever. Still. Just note that much of the purchases are learning experiences. Much of the equipment is going to have a slightly different feel using it as well as small differences in sound. The posts you read here are people trying to help you with combinations they hav found which sound better to them. In time you will learn what sound you like and what you don't like . Much of this depends on the genre of music you listen to and the volume levels you like and gravitate towards.

The O2 amp made by JDS is a home amp( which I have not heard) but notice it is both a DAC and amp in one.

Best just to get your feet wet and learn from trial and error. Much of the stuff you see for sale here was just an exploration of a member using a pair of headphone for a month or two to decide what they like.

You will read much about conflicting opinions and stuff does sound different together in the end after mixed.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/792579/jds-labs-c421-black-edition-opa2227-portable-headphone-amplifier-to-europe





http://www.head-fi.org/t/795542/jds-labs-silver-objective2-odac-mint-unused

I liked the HD800 but found them just slightly too analytical for my taste. Still I would not mind buying a used pair once the prices start to drop to $500.
In your price range you could get a huge list of used headphones and an amp. Or just get new.

Have fun.