[tals]

Hey guys.
Currently, I'm running FLAC files through an SRT Music Streamer II, through a Burson Soloist SL, to a Hifiman HE-500.
The sound is very nice and I like it a lot. But I miss the comfort of my previous HD598.
 
I've seen that the HD600 is on sale for 229$ which is about half of what it would cost to buy it, at the cheapest, locally.
I've been wondering, how would the HD600 compare to my HE-500? Should I save up and wait for a sale on an HD650?
 
I don't care for the looks. I don't sit and stare at my headphones, I wear them on my head much more than I look at them. So even though the HD600 is ugly, I don't mind.
I mostly listen to prog rock, alot of guitar music, orchestral stuff, along with some R&B and soul music.
I like fast (and by that I think I mean accurate and clear, not muddy) headphones with good detail, I want it to be fun to listen to. I like bass, I enjoy mids and high are important, all are equally important. Can't listen to DT880s for example. Good bass, bad highs.
 
I like the sound of my HE-500. Do you think I should go for an HD600? Would it be much worse, or would it be great to have? The step up from my HD598 to the HE-500 was HUGE. Is the step up from the 598 to the 600 as big?
 
Would I enjoy the 600 or the 650 more? Is there even a point (in terms of pure sound, never mind the comfort) to buying another pair of cans?
 
 
Thank you so much for the help!
 
 

 

[superjawes]

I can't comment on the HE-500, but I have the HE-400 and the HD600. The HD600 is much more comfortable for me, and I just love it.

My guess is that the HD600 will be "different". It's generally used as a reference point of being good at everything. I feel like my HE-400 has slightly better detail and a better sense of space, but those benefits come at the expense of being less neutral and less comfortable. As for HD600 vs HD650, I didn't spend a lot of time with the HD650, but I couldn't tell much difference.

If you just want something different and have the cash to spend, $230 is a great price for the HD600.

 

[tals]

I can't comment on the HE-500, but I have the HE-400 and the HD600. The HD600 is much more comfortable for me, and I just love it.

My guess is that the HD600 will be "different". It's generally used as a reference point of being good at everything. I feel like my HE-400 has slightly better detail and a better sense of space, but those benefits come at the expense of being less neutral and less comfortable. As for HD600 vs HD650, I didn't spend a lot of time with the HD650, but I couldn't tell much difference.

If you just want something different and have the cash to spend, $230 is a great price for the HD600.

Thank you very much for the reply.
 
I can't really comment on the HE-400, as I've ever only heard an HD598 and an HE-500.
 
For buying the HD600 at that price (Almost half the price than it is here), even if I end up disliking it, I can just sell it without almost any loss.
 
How's the sense of speed on the HD600? I would really be disappointed if it was lazy. I like hearing the details, and even when there's alot going on, to be able to separate them from each other, which is something the HE-500 does quite well. I guess it's instrument separation, and not speed? Which ever it is, does the HD600 have it?
 
Thanks again!

 

[inthere]

The 600 is very comfortable, but it's a huge step down from the HE-500 sonically.

If the primary goal is comfort, there are cheaper solutions that sound pretty good, though maybe not as good as the 600

The difference between the 598 and the 600 is the 598 is a louder and brighter headphone and doesn't really need a headphone amp as much as the 600 to sound great. The 600 has a warmer, smoother presentation.

 

[tals]

The 600 is very comfortable, but it's a huge step down from the HE-500 sonically.

If the primary goal is comfort, there are cheaper solutions that sound pretty good, though maybe not as good as the 600

The difference between the 598 and the 600 is the 598 is a louder and brighter headphone and doesn't really need a headphone amp as much as the 600 to sound great. The 600 has a warmer, smoother presentation.

A huge step down?
In what way?

 

[inthere]

The 600 is not really an upgrade from the 598; it really comes down to personal preference.  Each has a different signature, however, the HE-500 is more similar to the 600 imo which, what I'm trying to say is everything the HD600 has the HE-500 does better, so the improvement is more noticeable than HD598->HE 500.