[ubs28]

The HD800 doesn't play so nicely with badly recorded music like Metal. What would be a good alternative headphone? The HD650 or the HD600?

 

[Me x3]

  The HD800 doesn't play so nicely with badly recorded music like Metal. What would be a good alternative headphone? The HD650 or the HD600?

The HD650 work quite well, I liked them more than HD600 which is also very nice.
Recordings play an important role, that's for sure.
 
DT880 bests the HD6xx with the right recordings

 

[Rhamnetin]

  The HD800 doesn't play so nicely with badly recorded music like Metal. What would be a good alternative headphone? The HD650 or the HD600?

 
Both are good alternatives, as is the Audeze EL-8 which has the benefit of being easier to drive.

 

[ubs28]

Thanks everybody. I ordered the Sennheiser HD650 since I thought the HD600 was too similar next to the HD800 in terms of tonality when I tested them this week. The HD650 sounds more different (darker) hence it should be a better alternative headphone next to the HD800. 
 
Hope it will do what I bought it for. It should arrive tomorrow. There is also a quote from innerfidility which hopefully proofs to be true:
 
"With an easy and sonorous sound, the HD 650 is a forgiving headphone and will do well with poor recordings. But it also has the chops, when coupled with a good amp and front end, to do a very nice job reproducing high fidelity recordings. Unlike most headphone at this price, I find the HD 650 ticks all the boxes nicely without any serious downfall. It seems to me, the HD 650 is the least expensive headphone of this type that can be called "audiophile grade."