[andy43]

I'm pretty positive that the HD-650 is what I want. I own a cheaper, budget Senn (EH-150) and I really learned to like the Sennheiser signature sound. Also, all the descriptions of the HD-650 are exactly what I'm looking for. Problem is, though, that if I bought the HD-650, I would have to buy an amp good enough to power it, which could cost as much as the HD-650 itself. So is there another phone similar to the HD-650, but with less impedance, making them easier to power? I've read reviews that the Denon D2000 is close is some aspects. Are there any others?

 

[Dept_of_Alchemy]

Get the 650 and run it off a cheap home amp (like a used LDII). You should be able to come out in under $350 or so. I would try to stick with home amps rather than portable ones, even if portable amps are cheaper, they are not better value for the money.

If budget is really tight, you should consider a 580. It has that refined Senn sound even though it's not as bassy as the 650. Some people actually prefer the 580 sound sig.

 

[Dutchess of York]

You will need an amp with the denons and the hd6xx, so you need to factor that in with the end price. That said, the hd650s can be had for only 60$ more the the d2000 new. If your interested in the hd600 over the 650, then they can be found for even less then the d2000, around the 250 mark.

Though i have not heard the hd580, with an amp, they are suppost to greatly beat the 595s. At their sub 200$ price, you could get them and an amp for the same price as the the d2000.

Last, you can always look at used hd650s, which will more then fit your price range. Check the For Sale section of headfi, hd6xx are always newly listed.

(also, i think J&R musicworld has a pair of lightly used hd650s on their site)

 

[Ichinichi]

650 sound can be had in 580s - I have both right now and my modded 580s are 85% of the 650s on the same system.

Stock, the 580s can't hold a candle to the 650s - but modding really helped, at least to my humble ears. Search this parent forum for '580 mod' and there should be an EDU. Very, very easy mods. Very, very joyous sound.

 

[andy43]

I considered the HD595 a while ago, but I looked for different options because people claimed they where "boring". But now I'm actually reconsidering them. I was looking at a frequency response graph of my current cheap EH150 compared to the HD595:

I know it's not good to use frequency response graphs as a source of comparison, but is it really going to sound this different? I don't find my EH150's boring at all right now, just lacking in certain frequencies. If the HD595 has that much more bass and the fixed midrange, then I would say that they couldn't possibly be boring at ALL.

 

[Ichinichi]

you have PM, man.

 

[ichiboy]

HD580's all the way, can't get that quality sound for that much cheaper.

 

[chriscu1]

I echo Ciro's and Alchemy's comments. I use the Total Airhead (most recent version) to power my HD650's, and it's more than capable as a first solution. If you really want the HD650, I say go for it. I could've purchased the HD580 a while back but decided to keep saving for the 650, just so I wouldn't be left wondering.

 

[Ichinichi]

I was like andy43 when I started. Although I did have my 580s in hand before deciding that the 650s were "the one". But I subscribe to the approach of trying the senn sound out first before plopping down the dough for the 650s. Know you love it first.

As they say, you buy a pair of 650s for a given system, you build a system for a given pair of 650s.

 

[pp312]

I've compared 650 and 595 at length and actually prefer 595. It sounds obviously of the same parentage as the 650 but is less demanding of equipment, less unkind to poor recordings, easier to drive, just generally a more sensible choice unless you intend spending a lot more than the initial cost for dedicated amps, cables etc. Forget about "boring"--read a few reviews outside Head-Fi and you won't see that word ever mentioned. For my money the 595 is one of the best balanced and best value headphones ever, and I've listened to scores including all the Senns from 545 on. Hell, I even owned a Grado SR80 (yuck!).

 

[1Time]

I found my HD650 + C&C Box v2 or vintage amps too bass heavy and with the bass not well defined. And I didn't like its under played highs. My equipment just wasn't enough for the HD650 to satisfy me.

I enjoyed my HD595 more than the HD650, and I am now enjoying my HD580 more than either. If not modding the HD580, I suggest the HD595. Otherwise, get the HD580 and pair it with an affordable amp/DAC.

 

[Bootleg]

Even the Little Dot Micro+ will power the 650's until the cavalry arrives.

 

[andy43]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bootleg /img/forum/go_quote.gif Even the Little Dot Micro+ will power the 650's until the calvary arrives.

That's the thing though, I told myself right from the beginning that I was never going to spend more than $400 on my setup. Any more money spent after that, then your just wasting your money (no offense, it's just my opinion). I would rather spend my money on more important things, but as you can see I'm willing to spend more than your average joe (maybe not your average head-fi joe, though

) on a pair of headphones. So there will likely never be an upgrade.

I'll look more into the HD580's.

 

[jclinton46]

Never say never! If you hang around this forum I can almost guarantee upgradeitis will bite sooner or later.

I have the 580's and really like them. (With an amp!) I have listened to both 600 and 650 but not enough to form an opinion as to liking them more/less than the 580. Right now I will have to satisfy myself with modding the 580 and upgrading cables.

 

[luidge]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jclinton46 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Never say never! If you hang around this forum I can almost guarantee upgradeitis will bite sooner or later.

This is ohhhhh so true. When i bought my MDR-E888LP i tought i was crazy buying a 70$ pair of earbuds. Now since i have sold my DT880 and a bunch of other audio related stuff and bought a pair of D2000, HD650, Balanced K701 and a broken set of ATH-A1000 i can say that this site is making me crazy. So just go for the HD580 and one day if you keep on comming here you will be into deep buying luxurious audio stuff