HiFi speaker guy looking for 1st headphones- HD650 v Fidelio X2 v HifiMan HE400i ?

[Prizen]

Hi all

First serious headphone purchase, from a guy thats into hifi separates.

Looking for open back, sub 300$ full size headphones. Comfort and use through all systems including cell phones.

From my research ive narrowed down to 3 ( but i dont have to stick to them)

Given the requirements, any of HD650, Philips Fidelio X2, or Hifiman HE400i fit the bill?

Thanks!

 

[PurpleAngel]

The 300-Ohm Sennheiser HD650 are something you might want to hook up to a nice tube headphone amplifier.
Where as the much easier to drive 30-Ohm Philips Fidelio X2 would easy run off any smartphone/iPhone.

 

[OldDude04]

I'm also looking into 2 of these for my next pair, the X2 and HE400i. Subscribed to watch for opinions. 

 

[DoctaCosmos]

X2 gives off a lot of good sound for the money but I always thought the presentation for some reason sounded artificial to me. Hd650 is amazing but need to pair it with good equipment. hifiman will be a great first can that is comfortable, easy to drive, and good for most genres.

 

[Prizen]

The 300-Ohm Sennheiser HD650 are something you might want to hook up to a nice tube headphone amplifier.
Where as the much easier to drive 30-Ohm Philips Fidelio X2 would easy run off any smartphone/iPhone.

At low to mid volume levels, would the HD650 be fine with a phone as source?

Any views on the most comfortable of the three? Amd perhaps a fourth option - HD598C - how would they compare?

Thanks again

 

[music4mhell]

If u have good amp, nothing can beat hd650. period.

 

[Monsterzero]

At low to mid volume levels, would the HD650 be fine with a phone as source?


Thanks again

No. bass will sound muddy

 

[Monsterzero]

  I'm also looking into 2 of these for my next pair, the X2 and HE400i. Subscribed to watch for opinions. 

X2 is good for gaming and bass centric genres(trance,EDM,hip/hop) but the mids are too recessed for vocal/guitar/string oriented genres IMO.

HE-400 is a better all-arounder.

 

[PurpleAngel]

At low to mid volume levels, would the HD650 be fine with a phone as source?
Any views on the most comfortable of the three? Amd perhaps a fourth option - HD598C - how would they compare?

 
To me a 300-Ohm headphone hooked up to the headphone amplifier on a phone is just not the best combo.
Maybe if you daisy chained a FiiO A5 headphone amplifier off the phone?
Might try reading up and asking about the HD650 on this thread.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/197776/sennheiser-hd650-impressions-thread.
 
I like the Sennheiser HD5XX sound, so I would go for the easy to drive HD598CS (closed headphone), for portable use.
But as I already have my Audio Technica ATH-ESW9 headphones, no need for another headphone for portable use.

 

[Monsterzero]

At low to mid volume levels, would the HD650 be fine with a phone as source?

Any views on the most comfortable of the three? Amd perhaps a fourth option - HD598C - how would they compare?

Thanks again

X2 is most comfortable of the three...I use the X1,which is essentially the same headphone for gaming and can go for several hours without getting bothersome.Prior to that I used an HD600 for gaming.that had too much clamping force,which can be fixed by bending out the headband,but I didnt wanna risk breaking it,so just sold them.

 

[Prizen]

Thanks all. It looks like the Fidelio x2 it will be

 

[OldDude04]

Thanks all. It looks like the Fidelio x2 it will be

 
I went with the X2 as well, arrives on Tuesday.