HD650 vs Shure E5C

[Clutz]

I was wondering if anyone has experience with both the HD650 and the Shure E5C and could comment on their differences and similarity in sound?

Thanks!
Clutz

 

[jjcha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clutz /img/forum/go_quote.gif I was wondering if anyone has experience with both the HD650 and the Shure E5C and could comment on their differences and similarity in sound? Thanks! Clutz

Wow, it's been a while, but when I owned E5c and HD650 I always thought that someone who liked one would like the other. Both are generally dark (not too treble-happy) and bassy, and have nice warm/thick/forgiving sounds.

Bass on the HD650s is a lot deeper and defined - E5c has plenty of bass but it's a bit boxy at times. I also thought HD650 had more refined highs as they were one of the weaknesses of the E5c. But I thought the E5c performed pretty adeptly - neither were particularly fast, but both resolved a pretty nice level of detail.

HD650 scales more, and is certainly airier. There's no doubt it's the better sonic experience. But with the E5c you get portability and that functionality. I can't help but recommend each for the fan of the other.

But if you have the money, the custom IEM will match the HD650 better int erms of overall performance. But this is in no way to knock the E5c, which again is pretty darned nice, at least IMHO.

Best,

-Jason

 

[geardoc]

X2, what jjcha said. I don't listen to my E5's much anymore since I got the E500's. But, I'll still listen to my HD650.

 

[Morph201]

In all fairness you're comparing IEMs to a pair of full sized cans. From my experience with the Shure line (e2c, e3c, e5c, e500), I can say that the E5cs and E500s (more so) are very good performers, in their category as far as detail and bass extension. What I didn't like about IEMs, in general, is their lack of soundstage\space. No matter what IEMs I used in combo with a number of amps, I kept feeling like the music was trapped either inside my head or just outside my ears, 2D effect! Which is why I abandoned them. With the HD650s, along with a majority of other fullsized cans, I noticed an INCREASE in soundstage and more 3D imaging, better instrument separation. To me,it wasn't worth the 400 (I bought the e500s a ways back) price tag in comparison to headphones of the same price. You're paying more for the miniature architecture.

Either way, it might behoove you to try both and send the loser back (I know it's bad practice,but without being able to demo at meet,....), both can be found online with good return policies. Or better yet (for the retailer), put the loser up for sale in the FS forum, they're both still in demand, somewhat.