DCofficehack
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2009
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I've been happily using a pair of Beyerdynamic DT880s (600 ohms) for two years, but curiosity--and this damned forum--got the better of me, and I just sprang for some HD650s. I wasn't at all dissatisfied with the Bayers, I just wanted to try the famous Sennheisers and see what the fuss was about. And the price was ok: $260 new on Ebay.
I was hoping the difference between the two would be stark, and that this review would be long. But the fact of the matter is that with the major exception of clamp, the difference between the two headphones is slight.
First, let's get the clamp out of the way. The Beyers have none. They fit my head like a floppy fisherman's cap. So, yes, they're really comfortable for long hours of use, although I've sometimes wished they had the clamp of my pair of DT770s, which I have at my office. The Senns have slightly more clamp than the DT770s, and I like it.
Another difference is isolation. The 880s isolate a little. The HD650s not at all.
Now for what you're all waiting for, the sound: Both bring astonishing detail to the music. Neither is better than the other in this regard. The more I listen to both, the more clearly I realize that the difference has to do with a treble emphasis (the Beyers) compared to more bass (the Sennheisers). Most of the time, what this means is that the 650s have more body to the sound, whereas the 880s sound comparatively thin. Not thin in a bad way like a bad recording or something, but just, well, less body or less heft. The lack of heft is not noticeable when one is not comparing. Meaning, back when I only had the Beyers, I thought the music was terrific. Nothing was absent. Only when A/Bing does one notice a difference.
With a lot of music, either average music or stuff with lots of treble anyway (violin), I think I like the Sennheisers better. Not a lot better, but better. The treble on the 880s can be just a bit too much, a bit too bright, and I like the added power of the stronger bass on the 650s.. I am under the impression that for long listening, the relatively mild treble of the Beyers make for greater comfort.
The flip side is that the 650s can be too boomy depending on the music. Most of the time, it's not an issue, but let's take this piece for example:
Now, to be clear, I'm listening to an AAC rip of the CD of this music, not the youtube, but the youtube version's pretty good.
When the pianist and the cellist dig deep in the lower registers, playing low and loud, the result on the 650s is boomy. It's possible that that's more accurate, and I'd know that if I could sit in the recording studio with the two women (a boy can dream!). But it sounds boomy, and the boom isn't present with the 880s. As a result, the overall result is, or seems to be, a touch more clarity and detail. So, for these, I'd rather listen on the 880s.
There are other pieces of music in which I find this to be the case, mainly pieces featuring cellos and double basses. Again, perhaps the boom is real and its the 880s that are failing me, but I kind of doubt it. The 880s come off being more neutral and perhaps more accurate. Gosh, now I find myself wanting to try a pair of 600s.
Here's another example of a piece of music that sounds really different on the two cans. Both do it really well, although the 650s are boomy. Is this more accurate? I don't think so. Again, I prefer the 880s.
Then again, for most of the pop music I own, I'd opt for the 650s. More power. More fun, I guess.
Anyway, is the Sennheiser better than the Beyerdynamic? Honestly, no. These cans are peers, and given the price difference with the MSRP, I'd have to say the Beyer is the wise choice. One can own one of these and not feel that one's missing out on something better. Except that there are different sound signatures, and one might prefer the one over the other. So not better, just different.
At the same price...dunno. Buy according to the sound signature. At the Massdrop price for the 6xx ($200), it becomes kind of a no brainer, although some of the Beyers seem to be below $200...
Now my problem is that I have both, and I really only need one. And my wife threw out the case the Beyers came in....
I was hoping the difference between the two would be stark, and that this review would be long. But the fact of the matter is that with the major exception of clamp, the difference between the two headphones is slight.
First, let's get the clamp out of the way. The Beyers have none. They fit my head like a floppy fisherman's cap. So, yes, they're really comfortable for long hours of use, although I've sometimes wished they had the clamp of my pair of DT770s, which I have at my office. The Senns have slightly more clamp than the DT770s, and I like it.
Another difference is isolation. The 880s isolate a little. The HD650s not at all.
Now for what you're all waiting for, the sound: Both bring astonishing detail to the music. Neither is better than the other in this regard. The more I listen to both, the more clearly I realize that the difference has to do with a treble emphasis (the Beyers) compared to more bass (the Sennheisers). Most of the time, what this means is that the 650s have more body to the sound, whereas the 880s sound comparatively thin. Not thin in a bad way like a bad recording or something, but just, well, less body or less heft. The lack of heft is not noticeable when one is not comparing. Meaning, back when I only had the Beyers, I thought the music was terrific. Nothing was absent. Only when A/Bing does one notice a difference.
With a lot of music, either average music or stuff with lots of treble anyway (violin), I think I like the Sennheisers better. Not a lot better, but better. The treble on the 880s can be just a bit too much, a bit too bright, and I like the added power of the stronger bass on the 650s.. I am under the impression that for long listening, the relatively mild treble of the Beyers make for greater comfort.
The flip side is that the 650s can be too boomy depending on the music. Most of the time, it's not an issue, but let's take this piece for example:
Now, to be clear, I'm listening to an AAC rip of the CD of this music, not the youtube, but the youtube version's pretty good.
When the pianist and the cellist dig deep in the lower registers, playing low and loud, the result on the 650s is boomy. It's possible that that's more accurate, and I'd know that if I could sit in the recording studio with the two women (a boy can dream!). But it sounds boomy, and the boom isn't present with the 880s. As a result, the overall result is, or seems to be, a touch more clarity and detail. So, for these, I'd rather listen on the 880s.
There are other pieces of music in which I find this to be the case, mainly pieces featuring cellos and double basses. Again, perhaps the boom is real and its the 880s that are failing me, but I kind of doubt it. The 880s come off being more neutral and perhaps more accurate. Gosh, now I find myself wanting to try a pair of 600s.
Here's another example of a piece of music that sounds really different on the two cans. Both do it really well, although the 650s are boomy. Is this more accurate? I don't think so. Again, I prefer the 880s.
Then again, for most of the pop music I own, I'd opt for the 650s. More power. More fun, I guess.
Anyway, is the Sennheiser better than the Beyerdynamic? Honestly, no. These cans are peers, and given the price difference with the MSRP, I'd have to say the Beyer is the wise choice. One can own one of these and not feel that one's missing out on something better. Except that there are different sound signatures, and one might prefer the one over the other. So not better, just different.
At the same price...dunno. Buy according to the sound signature. At the Massdrop price for the 6xx ($200), it becomes kind of a no brainer, although some of the Beyers seem to be below $200...
Now my problem is that I have both, and I really only need one. And my wife threw out the case the Beyers came in....
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