[oofie810]

So, I've been meaning to upgrade my old SR-80's that I've had since 2005. I'm looking at these 4 cans, DT 880, K601 or HD600/650. I'll be using them on a Zero amp/dac with my mbp as my source.

I'm looking for something different from my grados so I can experience other sounds that the grado doesn't offer. I've love and enjoyed my Grados a lot, but like I said, I'd like to experience a different sound. I only have a budget of about $250 max so I'm willing to go the used route. They DT880's are $190 right now at amazon. I listen to every type of music, as long as they sound good from my headphones.

What would you guys recommend?

 

[tjumper78]

i dont know how k601 sound like but ive owned dt880, hd600 and hd650 in the past.
out of those 3 pairs, i think hd600 would be better if you listen to every type of music just like me. dt880 were way too bright and harsh when i listened to rock/metal type of music. to my ears, hd600 are somewhere between dt880/990 and hd650. i love them.

 

[Sparky14]

I had the DT880, amped by a HeadFive....and I ended up being less than overwhelmed.

If you are looking for a sound different from Grado, I think Sennheiser is on the other end of the sound scale.

I am now listening to my new HD650. Just beautiful man, and this is straight out of a portable CD. Should have a real amp in a couple of weeks and that is where the HD650 is supposed to really shine.

If you can do it fast, you can get the HD650 for $329 (J&R) and a $50 rebate if you buy by tomorrow. I also got another $20 cashback through MS Live Search...making it $259 shipped.

Haven't heard either the HD600 or K601 though.

 

[oofie810]

Sparky, how'd you get MS live to give you $20 back? I thought that was only for ebay/paypal transactions? If I can get the HD650 for that price, I'll go for it.

 

[QQQ]

Yes, take Senns, those are easier to driver than other 2.

 

[donunus]

More hd600 love here

 

[Zorander]

x2 on the Senns. They provide a good contrast and, IMHO, a sonic upgrade over the Grados.

 

[panda]

beyer dt931 - clean & fast
akg k501 - distortion free and highly detailed
senn hd600 - most decay and closer to natural than the other ones

 

[Uncle Erik]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparky14 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I had the DT880, amped by a HeadFive....and I ended up being less than overwhelmed. If you are looking for a sound different from Grado, I think Sennheiser is on the other end of the sound scale.

I didn't much like the DT880 from a HeadFive, either. However, the DT880 is capable of great things with a great amp.

I agree with you about the Senns, too. I haven't heard the K-601, but have the K-701. If you're looking for a change from the Grado sound, Sennheiser is a safe bet. The HD-650 is excellent, but the HD-600 might be what you're looking for if you want a more balanced sound for all types of music.

 

[Caution]

Quote:

Originally Posted by panda /img/forum/go_quote.gif senn hd600 - most decay and closer to natural than the other ones

While I agree on the last point, from memory the HD650s had more decay than the HD600s, or appeared to have more decay because it was a slower headphone.

You may be very underwhelmed by the amp on the zero, I haven't heard the zero my self so I may be wrong here. But I wouldn't recommend any of those headphones, especially the 880s and 650s if you're going to amp them through a zero. the HD600s would most likely be the easiest to drive from the list you mentioned, these are also very different from Grados.

 

[majkel]

Agreed. Improperly amped, HD600's and DT880's might be very disappointing. I don't mean power, just the sound that comes out from the headphone out. The HD650's sing their own melody which might help in "less than perfect" systems while the K601's are more difficult to drive than the other three.

 

[oofie810]

One more question guys, I ordered my hd650 and they're supposed to arrive together with my zero amp/dac. how do I burn them in, use the together? I can use my grado's while burning in my zero and probably an ipod for the hd650, or just use them together.

 

[Zorander]

Just use them together. Play your tunes through them for as long as you deem reasonable, at normal listening volume. It is also perfectly alright to listen to them throughout the process. This is how I would personally do it.

 

[oofie810]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zorander /img/forum/go_quote.gif Just use them together. Play your tunes through them for as long as you deem reasonable, at normal listening volume. It is also perfectly alright to listen to them throughout the process. This is how I would personally do it.

Yeah, i do plan on listening to them during the burn in period. I'm just not sure if i should burn in separately s6 that i could listen to them changing individually.