Headphone recommendation for HD650 owner

[itsikhefez]

I have a pair of HD650's for a few months and from the start I was a bit underwhelmed, but I thought the rest of my gear didn't suit it properly.
I recently upgraded all of my other gear and while the HD650's sound good, I'm just not overly impressed by the sound of the whole setup. (Maybe my expectations from headphones are not realistic?)
 
I'm looking for recommendations for different headphones that might suit my tastes better.
I have been looking alot at the DT880/DT990 600ohm but can't decide between the two.
I listen to many genres of music but primarily all types of rock music.
 
The rest of the setup is: PC (CD's ripped to FLAC or buy HD) (usb)> PS Audio NuWave DSD DAC > Lehmann BCL > HD650.
The DAC actually goes to an int. amp and then tape-out to the BCL.
 
Through my speakers, PMC DB1i, the sound is immersive and I wish I would have a similar experience through the headphones.
 
Thanks alot!

 

[serman005]

  I have a pair of HD650's for a few months and from the start I was a bit underwhelmed, but I thought the rest of my gear didn't suit it properly.
I recently upgraded all of my other gear and while the HD650's sound good, I'm just not overly impressed by the sound of the whole setup. (Maybe my expectations from headphones are not realistic?)
 
I'm looking for recommendations for different headphones that might suit my tastes better.
I have been looking alot at the DT880/DT990 600ohm but can't decide between the two.
I listen to many genres of music but primarily all types of rock music.
 
The rest of the setup is: PC (CD's ripped to FLAC or buy HD) (usb)> PS Audio NuWave DSD DAC > Lehmann BCL > HD650.
The DAC actually goes to an int. amp and then tape-out to the BCL.
 
Through my speakers, PMC DB1i, the sound is immersive and I wish I would have a similar experience through the headphones.
 
Thanks alot!

Are you looking for an open headphone? What is the budget?

 

[Music Alchemist]

Could you describe your tastes and what sound you're looking for?
 
The HD 650 sounds way better than the DT 880 to me.

 

[Matrixnobu]

Yes and can you also tell us what aspect of the sound was underwhelming..soundstage, highs, mids, etc.....
 
Or like in my case I found the upper bass hump too exaggerated. Because in that case maybe you want to give the Hifiman HE-400s a try.

 

[itsikhefez]

  Are you looking for an open headphone? What is the budget?

 
Budget up to $300 used or new. No preference to open or closed
 

  Could you describe your tastes and what sound you're looking for?
 
The HD 650 sounds way better than the DT 880 to me.

 
I don't have much experience with headphones and but will try to explain how I hear the music through my speakers which is something I enjoy more than through the 650's.
 
The music is very detailed, nothing feels missing. The sound is very layered, the soundstage is deep and you can hear the different voices and instruments easily. The music is engaging as in I can put on almost any type of music and just leave it on, without having the urge to hear something else.
 
When I'm with my headphones, I find myself changing songs under a minute to find something "more interesting" as I get bored easily. Either that or I have to raise the volume quite high where it is not too comfortable to listen to music.
Not sure if this make sense or helps you in understanding what I'm looking for.

 

[cskippy]

Reading about those speakers they have a mid bass bump and strong extended treble. HD650 have a mid bass bump but due to slightly rolled of highs they probably sound a little muddy and lack clarity and air.

I would recommend either DT990 or HE-400i. They both are slightly V shaped like the PMC DB1i.

Good luck and happy listening!

 

[Music Alchemist]

  Budget up to $300 used or new. No preference to open or closed
 
I don't have much experience with headphones and but will try to explain how I hear the music through my speakers which is something I enjoy more than through the 650's.
 
The music is very detailed, nothing feels missing. The sound is very layered, the soundstage is deep and you can hear separate the different voices and instruments easily. The music is engaging as in I can put on almost any type of music and just leave it on, without having the urge to hear something else.
 
When I'm with my headphones, I find myself changing songs under a minute to find something "more interesting" as I get bored easily. Either that or I have to raise the volume quite high where it is not too comfortable to listen to music.
Not sure if this make sense or helps you in understanding what I'm looking for.

 
Okay, so you want more detail, a larger soundstage, better instrument separation, and more engagement.
 
Anything else? If you're more specific, it may get you better recommendations.
 
The HD 650 is one of the best all-rounders I've heard. While it's not overly exciting, I enjoyed it with all types of music. I've heard plenty of headphones that have "more" of the qualities listed above that don't sound nearly as good to me overall.
 
You can tweak the frequency response with EQ before buying something else. Here are some graphs to give you a better idea how the stock tuning is.
 
http://cdn.head-fi.org/5/5a/5ac3a0cc_Sennheiser_HD_650.png
http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/SennheiserHD650.pdf

 

[TWerk]

I think HE-500s capture as close to a speaker feeling than any other can around that price point.
 
The HE-400's do to, to a large extent, but I find the 500's superior and smoother.
 
You might want to save a bit more and try to get a 500. Nothing but positive reviews for them everywhere you look and you have a decent amp so might as well take advantage of it.

 

[itsikhefez]

I would recommend either DT990 or HE-400i. They both are slightly V shaped like the PMC DB1i.
 

   
Okay, so you want more detail, a larger soundstage, better instrument separation, and more engagement.
 

  I think HE-500s capture as close to a speaker feeling than any other can around that price point.
 
The HE-400's do to, to a large extent, but I find the 500's superior and smoother.
 
You might want to save a bit more and try to get a 500. Nothing but positive reviews for them everywhere you look and you have a decent amp so might as well take advantage of it.

 
Music Alchemist articulated it better than I have, that is more or less what I'm looking for.
 
Thanks for the suggestions on the HE-400 and HE-500, I will look into those.
 
@cskippy Regarding the DT990's, somtimes I find the DB1i's to be too bassy, but really like the airy extended treble. If that is the case, would you still recommend the DT990 or DT880 (from what I read they have similar treble but the DT990 has more bass and thus sounds less detailed?)

 

[cskippy]

Dt880 is an excellent choice as well. Very much like a studio monitor. Bass and treble extend well but don't become overbearing. Dt990 is more bass and treble. HE500 is a great choice but migbt be too bassy for you. Also, planars tend to have a wide but in your head soundstage, whereas dynamics generally have better imaving and stage depth.

 

[itsikhefez]

This is so embarrassing .... 
I wanted to reroute some of my cables and move the headphone amp closer to my desk so adjusting volume would be easier, and on the bottom I noticed that the left channel had +10db gain but the right channel was on +0. In general that type of thing would have been heard immediately, but for some reason (have no idea how or why), Foobar2000 had "Reverse stereo channels" enabled. 
That made the channel imbalance a bit less obvious- it may be my hearing, but I usually find that the left channel has more sound than the right.
 
Reverting both of these, and now the HD650's sound much better.. It's actually the first time I'm actually listening to them properly with the NuWave DSD DAC.
 
I already placed an order for the DT880/600 this morning .... :/ so I guess it won't hurt to compare them and return them worst case.

 

[cskippy]

That's good to hear.  I'll be interested in what your preference is between the two.  I won't state mine as to bias your opinion but they both offer so unique things.  Keep us posted.

 

[itsikhefez]

I sure will. I should receive them tomorrow.
Worst case scenario is that I love both and end up keeping them
 
I also have an HD598 with microStreamer at work so worst case those will be replaced

 

[itsikhefez]

Oh, and finally the Mogami cable I built sounds better than the stock!

 

[itsikhefez]

I have been listening to both the HD650 and DT880 for a couple of hours, here are my impressions:
 
Firstly, I think that if I did not have them for side by side comparison, I could have been completely satisfied with either. (Which I think implies that the DT880 are great value for their current retail price)
 
The DT880/600 have more treble and the sound is "cleaner" but also significantly leaner. The treble was a bit piercing at times but I think it calmed down now. The HD650 are pretty detailed as well, but have a very full and smooth sound which is mostly nice, but sometimes felt "muddier" in comparison. Listening to all types of music, I prefered the DT880's on some songs and the HD650's on others, so it is a tough call.
 
Like I wrote initially, I could live with either, but overall I think the HD650 is a better all-around headphone. Too early to judge but I think it also has a wider soundstage.
 
I tried the HD650 with the HRT microStreamer (that I use at work with HD598) and it sounds surprisingly good.
 
I am hesitant whether to keep the DT880 at home and move the HD650's to work and sell the HD598, or to just return the DT880.