Headphone recommendation for HD650 owner

[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.

 
Not much traction on this thread but I'll update anyway-
I tried keeping the DT880 at home with the Lehmann BCL and NuWave DSD and the HD650's at work with the HRT microStreamer... and I felt this was a compromise in both systems, so I ended up returning the DT880's.
 
With the current exchange rates favoring the dollar, I ordered a pair of DT990/600 (I thought the 880's were too thin so this might work better for me), and Ultrasone 880. I hope atleast one of them stay !

 

[jessietigres]

I had the same issue with my hd650 i felt they were dark then i bought some Q701 and k712 akgs and they were great all the clarity that was needed was there but hd650s are their counter part

 

[itsikhefez]

I had the same issue with my hd650 i felt they were dark then i bought some Q701 and k712 akgs and they were great all the clarity that was needed was there but hd650s are their counter part

 
I really wanted to try those, and I don't want to derail the thread, but I don't purchase products with animal by-products and unfortunately all of those AKG's, the better Grado's and alot more headphones have a leather headband

 

[jessietigres]

I really wanted to try those, and I don't want to derail the thread, but I don't purchase products with animal by-products and unfortunately all of those AKG's, the better Grado's and alot more headphones have a leather headband

Really? wow Q701 feel way to hard on your head
Can you afford beyerdynamic t90?
Or maybe audiotechnica ad2000x?

 

[itsikhefez]

Really? wow Q701 feel way to hard on your head
Can you afford beyerdynamic t90?
Or maybe audiotechnica ad2000x?

Right now I can't afford any since I've ordered both an Ultrasone Performance 880 and DT990/600 and will try them both out
 
AD2000x wouldnt have been in my budget anyway but the T90 probably is

 

[ceppeh]

I would try and help you since I am a HD600 and HD650 owner, but I would not be much help. I went from my HD650's to a pair of Audeze LCD-X. I don't think that is near your budget that you are willing to spend. I can tell you this much though. I use my HD650s more than any other set of headphones that I have. I use the Schiit Gumby and the Mjolnir 2 + the 650s to complete the whole setup. I find the 650s are the most comfortable out of all the cans I own as well. I agree with the previous poster that said that they were dark and laid back a bit, but I found that the more I used them the more they opened up! It is tough to find another headphone in the 300 dollar price range that can rival the 650s. Good luck with your search!

 

[Music Alchemist]

  I would try and help you since I am a HD600 and HD650 owner, but I would not be much help. I went from my HD650's to a pair of Audeze LCD-X. I don't think that is near your budget that you are willing to spend. I can tell you this much though. I use my HD650s more than any other set of headphones that I have. I use the Schiit Gumby and the Mjolnir 2 + the 650s to complete the whole setup. I find the 650s are the most comfortable out of all the cans I own as well. I agree with the previous poster that said that they were dark and laid back a bit, but I found that the more I used them the more they opened up! It is tough to find another headphone in the 300 dollar price range that can rival the 650s. Good luck with your search!

 
I've owned all three of those headphones as well. Although the LCD-X does some things better, the HD 650 is the better all-rounder for me. I still have the HD 600, but unlike the HD 650, it has upper frequency peaks that hurt my ears sometimes. Although this can be fixed with EQ, I still think the HD 650 is better and more refined. It's only slightly warm and dark too, with plenty of clarity. Ironically, I use the Koss KTXPRO1 more often than anything else.