elecsheep9
Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2011
- Posts
- 53
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- 11
You said that, before you had listened to the likes of the T1 and other $1,000+ cans mentioned, that you did not realized the flaws in the HD650 sound. Thus, the 650s on their own, do not seem to exhibit the flaws you mentioned, but rather they are only noticed on comparison to the more expensive (and hopefully better cans). This is not a helpful or meaningful comparison.
There are clear sound quality issues that can be detected on their own. A booming, muddy bass that drowns out other frequencies; a tinny, shrill treble that causes fatigue after a few minutes; a lacking mid-range that leaves one asking where the guitars and vocals are; a cavernous or tin-can sound. These are all things that one can notice as being a clear flaw of a set of cans without having to resort to comparing to much better cans.
But if you only notice problems with a set of headphones after seeing the light of much more expensive gear, well then that is not so much a flaw as it is, perhaps, a limitation on technology.
In a world where money is not a concern, then we can all strive to get the absolute best gear available. But where people very often have such mundane concerns as needing money for shelter and food, then the more important issue for most people is price/performance ratio -- given the price paid, are the limitations of the gear reasonable. That is not something that can be measured by comparing a $500 set of cans to $1000+ ones.
Before choosing the 650s, I listened to a number of popular cans in the price range. They each had their pros and they each had their cons. But, in the end, I found that the smooth sound signature of the 650s was the most pleasing to my ear and what I was looking for. I knew that I was getting a less than neutral can -- in fact, I rejected the 702s for being too neutral for my taste. And I know that the treble is not as "sparkly" or aggressive as my grados. But, in the end, I felt that the 650s were just unbelievably listenable. I just never want to take them off. And I do not feel that I am missing any of the music. Rather, despite it not being as up-front as other cans I have heard or owned, I feel that I am more enveloped by the music.
Might I feel even more so by cans double or close to triple the price -- I should hope so. And I have no doubt that they should be even more revealing.
But when one buys a mid-range BMW, one does not complain that it does not have all of the features of a Rolls-Royce. And certainly one does not tell others, I thought my BMW was great until I learned the true luxury of the Rolls-Royce. To do so is not only unhelpful and meaningless, but unbelievably elitist.
There are clear sound quality issues that can be detected on their own. A booming, muddy bass that drowns out other frequencies; a tinny, shrill treble that causes fatigue after a few minutes; a lacking mid-range that leaves one asking where the guitars and vocals are; a cavernous or tin-can sound. These are all things that one can notice as being a clear flaw of a set of cans without having to resort to comparing to much better cans.
But if you only notice problems with a set of headphones after seeing the light of much more expensive gear, well then that is not so much a flaw as it is, perhaps, a limitation on technology.
In a world where money is not a concern, then we can all strive to get the absolute best gear available. But where people very often have such mundane concerns as needing money for shelter and food, then the more important issue for most people is price/performance ratio -- given the price paid, are the limitations of the gear reasonable. That is not something that can be measured by comparing a $500 set of cans to $1000+ ones.
Before choosing the 650s, I listened to a number of popular cans in the price range. They each had their pros and they each had their cons. But, in the end, I found that the smooth sound signature of the 650s was the most pleasing to my ear and what I was looking for. I knew that I was getting a less than neutral can -- in fact, I rejected the 702s for being too neutral for my taste. And I know that the treble is not as "sparkly" or aggressive as my grados. But, in the end, I felt that the 650s were just unbelievably listenable. I just never want to take them off. And I do not feel that I am missing any of the music. Rather, despite it not being as up-front as other cans I have heard or owned, I feel that I am more enveloped by the music.
Might I feel even more so by cans double or close to triple the price -- I should hope so. And I have no doubt that they should be even more revealing.
But when one buys a mid-range BMW, one does not complain that it does not have all of the features of a Rolls-Royce. And certainly one does not tell others, I thought my BMW was great until I learned the true luxury of the Rolls-Royce. To do so is not only unhelpful and meaningless, but unbelievably elitist.