Headphone Choice DT990 or HD650?

[hughwi]

Hi all,

I am in a bit of a dillema here, even though it is the good kind! I am looking to upgrade my kit and need a bit of advice. My setup is currently as follows: I use both a computer and cd player as my sources, both are passed into a Beresford TC-7510 MK5 from which the headphone amp feeds my current pair of cans, a pair of HD497's which have lasted me well these last 4-5 years. The other option is a pair of KefQ60's fed by a Marantz PM66KI.

I have however, got a little bored of the systems sound and am looking for something a little new (who isnt?) and have managed to get hold of a Little Dot 2 tube headphone/pre amplifier on the cheap. I am hoping to use this with a new set of cans to get me back into the hobby. A friend of mine has a pair of Beyerdynamic DT880's which i really like the sound of, an appreciable improvement on my HD497's. I am just not sure which headphones to go for! I like the sennheiser sound, and can see from lurking around here that the HD650's are somewhat of a landmark, whilst looking at amazon, i can get a pair of DT990's for a similar price (assuming the higher number presents a higher quality?, i have read varying reviews).

Basically, i use these headphones for listening at home whilst studying and also relaxing in the evenings. My taste in music is quite varied, i guess i mainly listen to classic rock such as Led Zeppelin, however i also regularly listen to (and get as much enjoyment out of) stuff like Zero 7, Amy Winehouse and Air, so I am thinking a more allround headphone would be better for me than a Grado.

Most of the source music is 320kbs mp3 or FLAC through foobar and ASIO, and the CD Player is a Marantz CD66KI.

Any ideas, opinions, or suggestions would be great, thanks!

Hugh

 

[Skylab]

Wow, pretty different, the DT990 and the HD650. You will not find a lot of people who would say they really like both, I expect.

I much prefer the DT990's, but not because I would say they are "better". I just prefer their sound, which is a crisper treble and more bass than the HD650's. But YMMV.

 

[hughwi]

I know, this is my problem, in not being able to get my hands on a pair of HD650's to try out, the only reference i have are my current cans (which i really like, but am used to!), however i have tried the DT880's and really liked them, they just seemed clearer than my sennheisers (but this maybe due to the difference in quality and price).

Maybe a better question to ask would be, which is better suited to a beresford / little dot 2 tube amp combination? I may just go with the DT990's

 

[feifan]

This lineup works for me:

Computer or CDP as source > Beresford TC-7510 > LD2+ > HD650

I haven't tried the DT990 so I can't say how it'd do in this configuration. Also, if you have the LD2 (without the + or ++) then I'm not sure how it stacks up against the + versions.

 

[hughwi]

Ok, thanks feifan, i was wondering what difference there was between the various versions of the little dot 2, are the + versions just modified? I think i may go for a pair of sennheisers.

 

[AgainstTheGrain]

i'm having the same problem. i'm stuck in limbo between the two. i've never owned a pair of senns before and i already have a set of dt770s but i hear that the dt990s are better for the music i listen to which is rap. which is best for rap/hip-hop music?

 

[kool bubba ice]

the 650's are on another level then the DT990's.. At least balanced that is.. The DT990's are pretty muah.. But the depth & extention of the bass is its saving grace & probally why I haven't sold them yet.. But a downgrade from the DT880 IMO..

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AgainstTheGrain /img/forum/go_quote.gif i'm having the same problem. i'm stuck in limbo between the two. i've never owned a pair of senns before and i already have a set of dt770s but i hear that the dt990s are better for the music i listen to which is rap. which is best for rap/hip-hop music?

the 650's are more musical.. I still feel the bass of the DT990 has no body to it.. Sounds weird & hard to explain.. But goes down fairly low, at least for headphones.. The 650's offer more weight & a lush midrange.. But are laidback compared to the DT990..

 

[AgainstTheGrain]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kool bubba ice /img/forum/go_quote.gif the 650's are on another level then the DT990's.. At least balanced that is.. The DT990's are pretty muah.. But the depth & extention of the bass is its saving grace & probally why I haven't sold them yet.. But a downgrade from the DT880 IMO..

really a downgrade from the 880s? well i have no intention what so ever to have them balanced. so i'm judging both single ended.

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AgainstTheGrain /img/forum/go_quote.gif really a downgrade from the 880s? well i have no intention what so ever to have them balanced. so i'm judging both single ended.

I have my 650's balanced.. & betters the SE DT990 by a mile in comparison. The DT880 sounds more mature & refined.. I was a bit disappointed since they are Beyers flagship headphones.. But the bass is special on the DT990, & unlike any I heard before.. I actually think about it a lot..

 

[AgainstTheGrain]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kool bubba ice /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have my 650's balanced.. & betters the SE DT990 by a mile in comparison. The DT880 sounds more mature & refined.. I was a bit disappointed since they are Beyers flagship headphones.. But the bass is special on the DT990, & unlike any I heard before.. I actually think about it a lot..

ok u just confused me. first u said the 990's bass has no body, and now u're saying the bass is special

. so i guess its special cuz it has no body lol. btw which version 990 are u using? the pro at 250 or 600 ohms?

 

[feifan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hughwi /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ok, thanks feifan, i was wondering what difference there was between the various versions of the little dot 2, are the + versions just modified? I think i may go for a pair of sennheisers.

I own and use the 2+ and 2++. From what I've read about the plain 2, the plusses are better. They're more than "just modified." Some of the 2+ owners have had arcing problems (including me), but, regardless, their musicality makes them a favorite. Perhaps because it has a loyal following, David's offering a "new" version of the 2+ on eBay, the "Little Dot MK 2 II Headphone Amplifier/Pre-Amp" for about the same price as the original model. It has the same look as the 2+/2++. I haven't tried it, but I have to think that they've addressed some of the problems of the original. Also, this new version allows for ample tube rolling options. Caution: If you're not experienced with tube amps, be prepared for a whole new set of issues. There's a price to pay for the warmth and depth of tubes.

EDIT: If you go with the Senn 650s, you won't be disappointed. They are reference standards, the best known and, arguably, the best all-around and most versatile audiophile cans. They're built tough so you seldom if ever hear of them breaking under even rough use. Perhaps their best feature is the easily replaceable cables -- yank 'em out and plug in after-market options. And they enjoy the widest range of the world's best optional cables. They're also probably the most often mentioned cans in reviews of components. Again, they're a standard that's almost universally used to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of different equipment. I own two pairs -- one balanced, the other SE -- and find them the most reliable of the cans I own.

 

[hughwi]

Ok, thanks feifan, i think i will go for a pair of HD650's when i get a chance, i am not a big fan of bass, i really prefer a clear midrange. Plus i can then do an A/B with my friends DT880's just to make sure ive made the right choice!

Right now i need to replace my soundcard, as we had a power surge and it has a WHOLE lot of jitter and distortion, shame really, it has served me well...

On a related note, if i go for an EMU 0404 USB, comparing the headphone amps of the beresford, emu and original little dot 2 could be rather interesting!

Thanks for your input guys, i love and hate this forum at the same time. It makes spending money on gear seem justified and informed, yet invariably makes me go over budget!

 

[Shahrose]

i think you'd be happier with a hd650. i find the dt990s to be too hot in the upper registers of the treble. this is easily remedied by an equalizer, but if you don't have an eq in your setup, you'd find the hd650's tonal balance more pleasing and natural.

 

[tjumper78]

i have both and love them both.
to me, dt990 is more suitable for rock, and hd650 for everything else.