[jonathanvaljean]

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HE-500 is pretty good, its like a warmer more forgiving T1, but unfortunately doesn't have the same detail or soundstage. it is a good headphone though with beautiful tone with the right amp.

I agree with you 100%!  You're so succinct!  

 

[perhapss]

Quote:

 
HE-500 is pretty good, its like a warmer more forgiving T1, but unfortunately doesn't have the same detail or soundstage. it is a good headphone though with beautiful tone with the right amp.

"Pretty good" is not good enough eh?

 

[BigCabDaddy]

Quote:

Yessir!
 
I will say that at the moment I'm listening to my T1 with my wife's cheapo sanyo stereo and It sounds great.
But I am in a really good mood so....

 
I'm really happy with my AD900X but we had a local meet up just last weekend where I discovered the T1 does what my 900X does but much better. Wish I'd have tried the HE6 while there too because now I'm hearing they have a similar sound signature. Plus, since I power with old integrated amps, I have plenty of power available for them.

 

[jonathanvaljean]

Quote:

"Pretty good" is not good enough eh?

Since I agreed with Dubstep Girl on her comment, I'll take the liberty of responding.  
 
With respect to the HE-500, again, I think it would be a wonderful cross between your HD650 and your T1; however, I certainly don't think it is better than your T1.  If I could only could afford to have one headphone, I would choose the HE-500, because it is highly musical while concurrently possessing a respectable degree of clarity.   
 
There are two issues that you have raised:  
 
(1)  Perhaps finding a replacement for your T1 that has even greater clarity.  This, of course, would send you towards the HD800 and electrostatics, perhaps, or at least to re-cabling.     
 
(2)  Finding something that blends elements of both your T1 and your HD650.  To my ears, the HE-500 would fit the bill nicely, although it concurrently would neither be as clear and detailed as the T1 nor as warm as the HD650.  
 
I have a solution... Book a flight to North Carolina, and you can listen to all of my headphones for as long as you like.  Don't forget to bring your T1 so that you can compare it to my re-cabled T1.

 

 

[Dubstep Girl]

Quote:

Since I agreed with Dubstep Girl on her comment, I'll take the liberty of responding.  
 
With respect to the HE-500, again, I think it would be a wonderful cross between your HD650 and your T1; however, I certainly don't think it is better than your T1.  If I could only could afford to have one headphone, I would choose the HE-500, because it is highly musical while concurrently possessing a respectable degree of clarity.   
 
There are two issues that you have raised:  
 
(1)  Perhaps finding a replacement for your T1 that has even greater clarity.  This, of course, would send you towards the HD800 and electrostatics, perhaps, or at least to re-cabling.     
 
(2)  Finding something that blends elements of both your T1 and your HD650.  To my ears, the HE-500 would fit the bill nicely, although it concurrently would neither be as clear and detailed as the T1 nor as warm as the HD650.  
 
I have a solution... Book a flight to North Carolina, and you can listen to all of my headphones for as long as you like.  Don't forget to bring your T1 so that you can compare it to my re-cabled T1.

 

 
 
 
lol thanks. i prefer T1 to HE-500, but HE-500 is very good as well. the biggest issue i have with it is the soundstage and the details. its very musical though as you said. i just find the T1 to be a little better overall, but thats just my preference, many will prefer the HE-500's warmth and fuller sound. also the HE-500 has more transparency than T1, but its just not as resolving of details. it is much smoother with absolutely no grain, like hd 650. this is also noted in david's review here.
 
another issue with he-500 is the bass seems to roll off, actually roll off isn't even the right term cause it goes quite low, rather, its just a little dry or wooly or whatever people describe it with. it just isn't as great in the sub-bass as t1, but thats a minor issue for most. the midbass however is fantastic as well as just its bass in general. 
 
but yeah the HE-500 just has this really good sound to it, smoky romantic yet not lush or overly warm, it maintains some neutrality, similar to how the T1 has warm mids but an overall bright character, they are quite similar actually, the HE-500 just sacrifices some brightness and clarity for  that extra body.
 
i still prefer T1 for its all roundedness and for how good it sounds with the WA2. (though the HD 800 and LCD-2 get plenty of listening time as well). the HE-500 also is one of the best headphones i've heard for electronic music.
 
 
 

"Pretty good" is not good enough eh?

 
oh i never said that. if it wasn't good enough it would of been sold by now. 

 

[jonathanvaljean]

Quote:

i prefer T1 to HE-500, but HE-500 is very good as well. the biggest issue i have with it is the soundstage and the details. its very musical though as you said. i just find the T1 to be a little better overall, but thats just my preference.  
 
Same here... The T1 is the overall favorite in my collection.  I was just recommending something for perhapss that might be a happy medium between his T1 and HD650.   
 
another issue with he-500 is the bass seems to roll off, actually roll off isn't even the right term cause it goes quite low, rather, its just a little dry or wooly or whatever people describe it with. it just isn't as great in the sub-bass as t1.
 
Very good points.  I also would describe the HE-500's bass as "dry."  That is no knock... I do love its bass.   
 
the HE-500 also is one of the best headphones i've heard for electronic music.
 
Adding to that, I think the HE-500 is also fantastic for 80s pop, and I also enjoy them with rock.  The omnipresent bass really drives the action along... They've got great PRaT!  As for classical, I plug in the T1.  Vocals?  LCD 2.2.  Movies?  DT880.    
 
 

 

[MasterBlaster7]

I would call SkyLab's post the 2nd greatest post ever.  SkyLab's is a LOT longer covering some 200 pages if I remeber.  But it was also portable amps right? not table top amps?
 

 

[pelli]

Quote:

The beautiful bass of HE400
+ the soothing signature of HD650
= ?

I don't think anyone ever answered this... LCD-2!

 

[DavidMahler]

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By "tinnitus specialist" I assume either a neurologist or Ear, Nose and Throat MD,  Rule out structural issues first>neural issues>metabolic problems.  Osteopaths if herbal remedy is suggested are usually fairly knowledgable in this area.  ENT would be my first choice.  Good luck and get well.

I've been to 2 ENTs, but it seems ENTs don't really have a solution at all for tinnitus.  I tried acupuncture for two sessions. The first time it actually helped and the second time not only made it worse, but it seems to have screwed with my hands and I've been in terrible pain in my hands for just about a week now.  It's why I'm hardly typing here..... I'm just waiting this out, but its really horrible for me.
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Well good luck!  We need you in the game for when the next Senn top of the line HP come out~

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I just want to thank you!
 
As a new HeadFi member this gives me many things to think about.
I was thinking about selling my T1s for some HiFiMan or Audeze(not sure which model yet though).
 
Still not convinced though.....

From the sheer perspective of build quality, the T1 is more impressive.  Sound quality being more important, I would say stick with T1s unless you can pre-screen the Orthos at a meet.  I think both manufacturers have superior sounding models to the T1, but I wouldn't just sell what you have sight unseen-sound unheard.
Quote:

Verbose?  Not at all.  We're just freely exchanging some ideas about our shared passion, and, that, my friend, is what Head-Fi is all about.  

 
Hmm...  Since I rarely listen while on the go, I have never attempted to learn much about portable amps, and, thus, am not well-versed on the portable amping options that are available.  However, considering that the HE-6 does need about two watts per channel, it just isn't suited to any ordinary portable solution.  There may be some extant high-powered portable solutions out there, and, if so, perhaps a fellow Head-Fier can weigh in on the issue.  
 
I really feel as though you should try to get your hands (and ears!) on a pair of the HE-500, for they are a nice cross between my re-cabled T1 and my LCD 2.2.  To my ears, the HE-500 has greater musicality than the HE-6, which, on the other hand, has a bit more clarity.  Complicating matters is that you are a bit unhappy with the graininess that you are hearing with your T1, and, therefore, this gives me pause when recommending the HE-500 to you.  I absolutely love my HE-500, but they are in no way clearer than the T1.  
 
Although I think the HE-500 would be a nice cross between your HD650 and your T1, another idea is to re-cable your T1, for this would likely send all graininess on a first class ticket to oblivion.  (Re-cabling certainly did that for mine.)
 
By the way, don't be fooled by the HE-500's $699 pricetag... It is truly a world-class headphone. You may already know this, but, just in case you do not, the HE-6 used to be priced at $1099 and the HE-500 was priced at $899; later, for the sake of market separation, the HE-500 was dropped to $699 and the HE-6 was raised to $1299.   They actually use the exact same magnets, and many (like me) actually prefer the HE-500--even if the prices were the same.  (Steve Guttenberg of CNET and Srajan Ebaen at 6moons also prefer the HE-500 to the HE-6.  Mr. Guttenberg summed up his HE-6 / HE-500 review thusly:  "The HE-6 is the top-of-the-line HiFiMan headphone, and it certainly had superior resolution to the HE-500 and the Audeze LCD-2, but for my taste the HE-500 is more fun to listen to than the HE-6. Resolution isn't the be-all and end-all quality for me, but it might be for you."
 
Resolution is clearly (pun intended) not the be-all and end-all quality for me, either, but one look at my signature line makes that evident... That you, like me, chose the T1 over the HD800 tells me that this also holds true for you (not to mention the fact that you own a pair of of HD650's.)
 
So, in the final analysis, if you want improved clarity, just re-cable your T1.  If you want to find something that blends the desirable traits associated with your T1 and your HD650, try the HE-500.  For the price point, they are a preeminent bargain, and even if they were $1000, I think that they would still be worth every penny.  
 
(I hope that David can weigh in soon... Just as Dan Quayle "was no Jack Kennedy" in the realm of politics, I am no David Solomon in the realm of headphones.  

  ) 
 
   

Nice post and it's interesting that quite a number of people prefer the HE-500 over the HE-6.  I would type more, but I'm being succinct right now because of some hand issues.....but you're no Dan Quayle, and I'm no Jack Kennedy, but thank ya

 

[tdogzthmn]

I enjoy the sound of both the HE500 and LCD 2 but ultimately both are too heavy for extended listening sessions. I would like to see more development time spent on the housing of these headphones before I'd consider purchasing one. The fit and finish is not up to par yet with some of the other flagship headphones from more established companies.

 

[perhapss]

Quote:

I've been to 2 ENTs, but it seems ENTs don't really have a solution at all for tinnitus.  I tried acupuncture for two sessions. The first time it actually helped and the second time not only made it worse, but it seems to have screwed with my hands and I've been in terrible pain in my hands for just about a week now.  It's why I'm hardly typing here..... I'm just waiting this out, but its really horrible for me.

From the sheer perspective of build quality, the T1 is more impressive.  Sound quality being more important, I would say stick with T1s unless you can pre-screen the Orthos at a meet.  I think both manufacturers have superior sounding models to the T1, but I wouldn't just sell what you have sight unseen-sound unheard.
Nice post and it's interesting that quite a number of people prefer the HE-500 over the HE-6.  I would type more, but I'm being succinct right now because of some hand issues.....but you're no Dan Quayle, and I'm no Jack Kennedy, but thank ya

Thank you David for your views on my comments.
It's looking to me like I need to seriously look into better amplification before making my decision.
 
Sorry about your tinnitus.I've been dealing with it for the last 15 years and it's not pleasant.

 

[RUMAY408]

Quote:

I've been to 2 ENTs, but it seems ENTs don't really have a solution at all for tinnitus.  I tried acupuncture for two sessions. The first time it actually helped and the second time not only made it worse, but it seems to have screwed with my hands and I've been in terrible pain in my hands for just about a week now.  It's why I'm hardly typing here..... I'm just waiting this out, but its really horrible for me.

From the sheer perspective of build quality, the T1 is more impressive.  Sound quality being more important, I would say stick with T1s unless you can pre-screen the Orthos at a meet.  I think both manufacturers have superior sounding models to the T1, but I wouldn't just sell what you have sight unseen-sound unheard.
Nice post and it's interesting that quite a number of people prefer the HE-500 over the HE-6.  I would type more, but I'm being succinct right now because of some hand issues.....but you're no Dan Quayle, and I'm no Jack Kennedy, but thank ya

I would say unless it gets better soon I would think tertiary clinic time. On the East Coast:  Mayos either in Jacksonville, FL or Rochester, MN or Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH.
 
Thanks for the reply and I hope you feel better soon.

 

[GoldfishX]

Quote:

I enjoy the sound of both the HE500 and LCD 2 but ultimately both are too heavy for extended listening sessions. I would like to see more development time spent on the housing of these headphones before I'd consider purchasing one. The fit and finish is not up to par yet with some of the other flagship headphones from more established companies.

Yeah, the build quality was also a concern for me, as far as not choosing the HE-500. That is one thing that struck me about Sennheisers...they are built like German tanks! The DT-660 also feels very nice and sturdy.

 

[Nosgis]

Great guide, I really enjoyed reading all your impressions! Any amp recommendations for HE-500? 

 

[preproman]

Quote:

 
it's interesting that quite a number of people prefer the HE-500 over the HE-6.

 
Certainly not me...  IMO the HE-6 is superior in every way..  On the right amp of course.