I use I tunes match so most of my music is not on my iPhone/ipad and I am guessing you have to load the music into the app? I don't think a eq app is for me because of the above but I appreciate the suggestion and agree its probably the cheapest/ most sensible option.
How do you d600 and hd 650 compare if you don't mind giving a brief comparison?
Thanks
Sure. Bit of a disclaimer I've only recently got the 650s, they are newer models with some use otherwise immaculate condition. I haven't been able to try them on a proper amp, all the integrated amps I've tried them on from Oppo, Rotel, have not been good. Really clouds up the sound, voices become muffled. Not sure what is happening. So aside from powering them directly from an iPhone, the only amp I have is a small Native Instruments Traktor Audio 2 (latest model with upgraded DAC).
That said, this little DAC/amp has been very useful as it can connect directly from PC, ipad/iPhone and has no problems sending audio from any app. Also I have an additional power supply which you can connect to so it isn't just USB powered and this helps quite a bit. Not marketed towards audiophiles, it is actually a very clean sounding DAC and using it with both the D600 and HD650 get solid results.
Denon AH-600
Pros:
- better bass than the HD650. The 650 may be a bit more controlled, but the d600 has so much presence here that it adds necessary weight and body when required. Awesome sub bass, and bass goes lower than the 650.
- exceptional fun with electronic dance music. Does surprisingly well still with some piano, pop, and instrumental pieces .
- ridiculously comfortable for medium to large head shapes. Fits my big ears just fine
- comes packaged really well. Good selection of cables one quite high end
- really good isolation
Cons
- not neutral in is presentation, sometimes can sound distant or a bit artificial. Bass can be overly present in some genres and unrealistic. Can be tamed with EQ
General observation
- the tuning of this can is such that you can crank the volume listening to electronic music tracks, getting an energetic performance that is virtually fatigue free.
- can be powered easily from an iPhone. In my experience, with my limited setup, performance does improve a bit with an amp. Noticeably the energy from all eh frequency range remains more coherent and the bass slightly more controlled and impactful. Not noticeable all the time, and I'd say the d600 runs fine right of the iPhone
- great for watching movies, where for many mainstream productions, bass and orchestra play key parts of a soundtrack. You can get gain on volume without it being fatiguing.
- I enjoy this headphone. You get a sense that it has some solid technicalities masked a bit by a purposely designed home theatre style frequency curve. Really good for gaming as well
- also the soundstage on this headphone maybe be comparable or even better than the hd650 despite being closed. I've had other closed cans (srh840,MDR-1r, Sony v600,7506,k271) and this one takes the cake with the MDR-1r being quite good and better than the d600 In some respects but can't compete in bass depth.
I wrote some impressions here:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/720330/minor-headphone-battle-amperior-vs-ah-d600-vs-mdr-ex600
Also, check out the recent review from Jude in the a Summer 2014 buyers guide.
Hd650
This is much more balanced headphone. Transients and details are presented quite well. Bass is still very good. I had a pair of hd555s a long time back, and this has that sennheiser sound, except more realistic in timbre, more respectable. I think this is going to be an excellent headphone and I'm already planning on improving my DAC and amp a bit to see what gains I can get with it. Compared to some high-end speaker setups, it does seem to lack a bit of sparkle on the high end. Not sure if this is good or or bad though. Perhaps this is the veil some speak of.
The d600s are more comfortable and they are holding their own. I've debated selling them, but they are the best bass performers of the headphones I've owned. They have a certain quality to them. And they can be great fun whether rocking out, head dancing or relaxing to ambient. Very good cans, and quite unique. If someone's favourite music was electronic (drum n bass, techno, house, dub step, ambient, idm) this would be my top recommendation.