Help me make my final choice

[PiccoloNamek]

Ok, I've narrowed down my choices. I've aquired some extra money, and I now have enough to afford either an HD600 or an HD650. Now, yes, I have used the search function. I've read about every 600 vs. 650 thread that has ever been posted here. But I'm still torn. People say that the 600 is brighter (as far as dark cans go) than the 650. But they also say that the 650 is cleaner and more detailed. I've read that the 600 is more neutral and that some (but certainly not all) people think that the 650 has too much bass. My primary reason for buying Sennheiser is to step as far outside my Etymotic/Grado comfort zone as possible, you know, trying to purposefully shock my system, so I'm leaning toward the 650, but I'm just not sure.

What do you think I should do? I'm really torn here.

 

[MaZa]

I too got impression that HD650 has bit too much bass that might cover some details unless some bright source is used. HD600 is perhaps much better all arounder. Dunno, take my comments with grain of salt.

 

[kramer5150]

I dont think you have the source or amp necessary to really capitalize on the HD650 strengths. Yes the HD650 is more detail revealing, buit the source/amp/cables needed to extract that level of detail are an equally high investment.

IMHO you should get an HD580 and recable it with a 650 cable for $15... that puts you a step ahead of the HD600 IMHO.

 

[GreatDane]

I can agree with kramer's reasoning and he's probably giving the best advice if you want the higher-end Senn sound.

My first "good" can was the '03 DT-880 and soon after buying them I picked up a Woo Audio 3. Since then I've bought the HD 650 and a few portable amps. None of them can really compare to the WA3. The Micro sounds very good with plenty of power but lacks that special touch that the tubes pull off.

I've never heard a Total BitHead (that's what you have, right?). My newest portable amp is a Porta Corda MKIII-USB. It also has ample power for the 650 and using the USB DAC sounds very detailed...I'm really impressed.

If you have the cash, you can't go wrong with the HD 650 IMO. You'll probably get sucked into buying a nice tube amp someday

so why fight it.

I hadn't owned a Senn headphone in over 20 years and I figured I should do it right. I'd also read a ton of threads and had the same concerns as you. I came to the conclusion that the 650 would be a more logical choice considering that I already owned the DT-880 which is a very detailed/bright can.

I don't feel that the 650 has too much bass or that the bass in unbalanced with the mids.

 

[PiccoloNamek]

Quote:

I dont think you have the source or amp necessary to really capitalize on the HD650 strengths.

Who said I wouldn't be upgrading in the future?

I want something that I can grow into. I'd hate to get a lower end model and know "This is a good as it is going to get". If I got a high end model, I could discover something new every time I upgraded a piece of equipment. (Which is bound to happen.)

 

[sgrossklass]

While there would probably be little reason to be very unhappy with either model, I would try the HD650 first - I have a HD580 and find that it has a bit too much highs, yielding a slightly cool sound. (Besides, you wouldn't be left wondering what the '650 would have sounded like.

) A store with a good return policy might be helpful in case you really don't like the HD650 after break-in and out of a low-impedance output.

 

[Duggeh]

I havent heard the HD600, althoguh I will soon. The DH650 is a very very good headphone though, althoguh sadly it wasnt to my particular tastes I can recognise its great appeal. I certianly dont expect you would be dissapointed with one, although in my humble opinion there are better headphoens for the money.

 

[Davesrose]

I use the 580s a lot, and I wouldn't call them bright by any means! I too have wondered what the differences between the 580/600/650s could be. Something tells me it's more marketing ploys as to why their prices are so different (afterall, they're drivers are pretty much the same). Hearing from others, I'm suspecting that the 650 is the least muffled of the bunch. When I first got the 580s, I really appreciated their soundstage. The way they would pay more emphasis towards bass and be warmer. I just got the 595s which are so much brighter....it has so many mids that my 580s don't have (though an amped 580 certainly has its own sound that's magic for certain recordings). Perhaps there is something to be said about what kind of enclosure the driver is in....the 595s have less resonance because of the angling of the driver and the metal backing. I suspect that the 600s and 650s get increasingly clearer because of the differences in grills. I suspect that it's more a matter of bass response then actual amount of bass.....anyone with 600s and 650s concur, or is my guess completely in left field?