[monoblocks]

***NEWBIE ALERT***

(whew) Now that that's over with...

I've been an occasional visitor here at headfi.org who's often gleaned much fascinating info from the opinions and posts here. I can't thank many of you enough for the bits of 411.

I've got a set of HD600s with Equinox cables, and once burn-in was complete I've generally have been quite happy with them when I do use them (except for the stiffness of the Stefan cables' outer housing, which irritates me when I happen to move around, which is often; I tend to fidget while using cans). I've been interested in some of the views concerning the HD650s; while I've come away with the impression that most really enjoy the newer Senn design. What I haven't really found--probably because I'm not looking at the right posts--is a comparison to the older sibling headset. What kind of difference in performance characteristics are there (using the oem cables)? Is it worth the upgrade, speaking strictly from an audio SQ improvement?

When I use my main audio rig I tend not to use headphones, preferring honest-to-gawd speakers instead (Martin-Logan Odysseys L+R, with Cinema center and leftover and quite ancient a/d/s bookshelfs for the rears when multichanneling). But I've had to resort to the Senns in the evening more just to keep the peace in the household, or not listen at all, which happens often. The positive comments about the HD650s have intrigued me; is the difference between old and new worth considering, even for someone who doesn't use cans much? (It also gives me an excuse to try Silver Dragon cables, but I'm getting ahead of myself). Any advice would be appreciated. TIA.

 

[bigears]

[size=large]Well...
there are...
several school
of thougth here...[/size]

a) TEAM HD580/VALUE SENNHEISER
They say from the hd580 to hd600 is a tiny step,
and prefer the senn hd580 because is cheaper
and you can upgrade for the grills of the senn hd600,
and upgrade for a better cable too later.
They say the HD650 is overpriced, and not worth it.

b) TEAM HD600
They love their hd600 and see no need to spend
that much for a new hd650.
Some tryed the hd650
and agree the Senn hd650 sound better,
but not enougth to justify the extra expense.
Team hd600 migth already had invested in one/several
cable upgrades before the senn hd650 come out.
Some say the senn hd600+cardas cable
has about the same sound quality
the senn hd650 with stock cable.

c) TEAM EQUALIZER
Agrees that with some EQ...
the senn HD600 is able to perform as good as the HD650.

d) TEAM HD650
Some people did not heard lesser Sennheiser phones,
They bougth the HD650 and like it.
Many experienced users and sennheiser fans
like it more than the senn HD600.
A few non-sennheiser fans even say
they did not liked the hd600,
but the hd650 is significantely better.
One user said could say the difference
between the HD600 and the HD650,
even after drink 10 beers (or so).

e) TEAM BEYER
Say the Funkalisers, and the Groovalizers are more fun.

f) TEAM AUDIO TECHNICA/CLOSED CANS
Choose efficient cans like the A900 or A500.
And sometimes also use them at work, in noisy environments.
They dont like the sennheiser open cans like the HD580/HD600/HD650.

g) TEAM AKG
This team is very interesting

some even cook (literaly) their own headphone pads (Akg 501)

And who have seen a person using a Akg k1000,
will never forget.
There are no reports of a Akg k1000 users in the streets

This is a shy but happy group...

h) TEAM GRADO, TEAM SONY, and TEAM ANTI-SENNHEISER
(and also former users from hd600 and lesser models)
say the sennheisers, in general, are veiled, slow,
have low quality stock cables and interconects,
require expensive equipment and good recordings to sound good.
Acording this team those sennheiser phones are not good.

i) TEAM PORTABLE/ETY/SHURE
Use these monsters HD580/600/650 in my head, in public?
Are you crazy?

j) TEAM SPEAKERS
Are proud to say that if neighbours, wife and kids allow,
good speakers is the way to go.

k) TEAM SINERGY
Say their headphones amps mix really well
with senn HD650.

l) TEAM UPGRADE/TEAM CABLE/TEAM REWIRE
Must have the latest model.
Not a bad thing, the rest of us learn from their experiences.
and sometimes benefit from a cheaper used model. YES!!!

m) TEAM WANNABE/TEAM BROKE
Reads all he/she can about the senn HD650.
Looks for all the positive reports of the hd650.
Sometimes has zero posts, but uses the search a lot.
Sometimes are very experienced users.
Sometimes know little and want quick answers.

n) TEAM AUDITION/MEETINGS
Seems silly but this team is underrated.
Takes time, effort, and some ear skills,
to get personal conclusions,
equipment matching, musical tasting matching,
and wallet matching.
Several members of this team were before
in the other teams...
Bad mouthing: this team seems conservative.

o) TEAM FLAVOUR OF THE MONTH (FOTM)
Is energetic, and volatile,
rigth now likes a lot the senn HD650.
The sennHD600 had his place in this team also

Not long ago... YES... i remember...

p) TEAM BUY USED
Has patience, and waits the chance to get
a used HD650 in good conditions.
This team uses the sale/trade foruns, Ebay, etc,
looks inside classifieds, and knows to smell
a good deal, and jumps at it (wallet lets).

m) TEAM HEADPHONE MANUFACTOR/TEAM MAGAZINES
Says their amps were made/tested with hd650.
Providing good looking pics, mini-reviews,
and headphone specs.
The most funny comments i read about this team
were made by Gsferrari.
Once he posted what the price of the
headphones should be
I agree with him.

Headphones should be cheaper

 

[amartignano]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigears Well... there are... several school of thougth here...

LOL!!!

This is the "Carneval of animaux" of head-fi!!!

andrea
Ps. I'm a strange kind of beast, I'm both TEAM HD650 and TEAM GRADO ... like a five-legs horse, or a two-head dog...

 

[blessingx]

Nice bigears!

Try Team EQ first and see what you can get there. Even if you join Team HD650, keep a membership in Team EQ.

 

[Nak Man]

Bigears, LOL ... you have talent to group people accordingly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigears Headphones should be cheaper

Monoblocks, this is the best comment if I were in your situation as occasional phones user. Wait until further price drop - and grab one in low $200 area. Had I waited another month or two I would have saved $100.

Eventhough 650 bring heaven on earth for music listening, they don't make me want to listen to phones any more frequently than before. If I have a nice speakers as yours I would spend even less time with phones (too bad my sl3 seems to need new panels soon). Once the honeymoon is over, I find my ears straining to have more freedom. It's just everytime I need some silly smiles I put the 650 on - without them around, I'm sure even 580 can do that job.

 

[sigma]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigears [size=large]Well... there are... several school of thougth here...[/size] Headphones should be cheaper

Post of the day!

 

[kyrie]

No, post of the week!

I belong in Team HD580/Value Senn, Team EQ, Team Beyer, and Team Buy Used. Especially the last.

When joining Team EQ, it might be better to ask around and get some pointers from former, experienced members. Doing EQ well is often a painful and time-consuming task, and no one can do it consistently.

 

[juni0r]

Awesome post bigears.

 

[DevilDog]

Is it worth it for someone who doesn't listen much? No.
The difference is very slight.
Frankly, I've heard some 600s that sounded as good as my 650s. (Mine weren't really quite broken in)
I'd save the money and stay with the 600s. If you really want to spend some bucks, I might go for a different can altogether for variety.
But if you're one of those who is afraid that they might be missing out on something (like me), go ahead and get the 650s. You really can't go wrong either way.

 

[DoomForce]

amazing post bigears

!

 

[crazyfrenchman27]

There are really only two informed schools of thought. The rest are delusional.

TEAM VALUE (HD580): The 580/600/650 series sound so similar that it is not worth the money to improve the headphone; instead, it is much better to invest your money in other components (source/amplifier).

TEAM BEST QUALITY (HD650): The extra ~$200 for the HD650 is worth the money for there is a substantial difference in the presentation of the highs. With great equipment, these differences become readily apparent.


Unless you buy headphones for their looks, there is no reason why you should own an HD600 over an HD580 or HD650. I can't tell the difference between the HD600 and HD580, even with good equipment.

As for the difference between the HD600 and HD650: yes, there is a difference that will be apparent with good equipment, but unless you have that equipment, there is no reason why you ought to purchase it...upgrade your other stuff first.

Personally, I am of the opinion that one should never purchase Senn stuff if they want involving music...but that's me.

 

[fr4c]

well according to bigears, i'm about to join Team HD650 real soon

 

[minidiscs]

Amazon has a pretty sweet deal of the day for 299. But...

Some guy on ebay is selling it for 269. Should I sell my HD600's and get the new bad boy's? What to do with my Christmas bonus?

the Ebay deal
http://cgi.compuserve.ebay.com/ws/eB...sPageName=WDVWhttp://cgi.compuserve.ebay.com/ws/eB...sPageName=WDVW

 

[isp]

I bought mine not too long ago from audio_video_man when they were $285+15. You would be getting them for $285 shipped! Pretty good deal.

 

[judgmentday]

Great Deal! But, get a good headphone tube amplifier (SinglePower PPX3-6SN7) a good source and good ICs (Audioquest, MIT, Transparent, etc) a good replacement cable (Zu cable, cardas, etc). Out of your sound card, iPod, Creative Nomad or a cheap CD player, the sound is bright, thin, and boring.