HiFiman HE-500 (HE as in High End) Proving to be an enjoyable experience in listening.

[Slim1970]

HD660S not all that dynamic. You got that reversed. Also, I have HD6XX which is supposedly the same as HD650, but the sound out of my BHA-1 (which is a solid-state) surprised me as I used to have an HD650 almost 10 yrs ago.

The BHA-1 is a good amp and should drive the HD6xx series well. I liked the HD660S's more than the HD650's, maybe because it's the more neutral sounding of the two. I haven't heard the HD6xx's but you are right that they are based on the HD650's. Either way I find the HE500's more to my liking.

 

[SilverEars]

The HD6XX bass is more impactful than the HE-500? Impact from speed or impact from sustain? Upper bass? Mid bass? Low Bass? Or all of them? I have heard that the 6XX is a blend of the 600 & 650 bass. Hard to imagine that. 600 is taut and fast (over damped), but doesn't move enough air, and slopes down quickly under 60 Hz. 650 moves air in the midbass and upper bass - too much air, and its fast compared to some but not compared to the 600. The 650 goes lower - but it slopes down under about 45 Hz if I recall correctly. A perfect blend of the two would be better than the HE-500 over 45 Hz, but I'm from Missouri on this issue.

In any case - we've got different stacks and different ear pads, let's compare 11/18. BTW, thanks for the tip on the Thurman Green on Mapleshade, very impressive recording and good music.

Impact is the attack as I see it. Bass from the same placement, where there is impact. My HD6XX coming out of BHA-1 is quite damped. Like I said, it's impactful and quick bass. I think it's a different headphone than the HD650 as I recall it being slower. HD6XX is pretty quick, and faster than I imagined owning HD650 in the past. Perhaps it's my solid-state keeping a tight control.

Back in the days, I thought HD650 had a bit of a bass delay (in terms of phase delay), and didn't appreciate electronic music with it. It's not the case now.

Like I said, HE500 has a bit of a warm reverb along with the bass impact. HD6XX sounds a bit more damped.

 

[SilverEars]

For the longest time, I saw HD650 as lower treble cut headphone, and dark sounding, veiled, slow. With the HD6XX, I see it as upper-mids filled (I don't find full mids to be so common, probably rare) headphone that rolls off in the shimmer area a bit. It is actually quite musical with such a response.

 

[Slim1970]

For the longest time, I saw HD650 as lower treble cut headphone, and dark sounding, veiled, slow. With the HD6XX, I see it as upper-mids filled (I don't find full mids to be so common, probably rare) headphone that rolls off in the shimmer area a bit. It is actually quite musical with such a response.

They way you just described the HD650's sound is what I didn't like about them. They are opposite of how I view the HE500's sound. That laid back, mid-centric sound of the HD650's does work for some music. But the HE500's tuning works for a wider variety of music to my ears. I actually find the HE500 warmer sounding than the HE6se's I just got. But not nearly as warm sounding as the HD6xx series of headphones.

 

[SilverEars]

They way you just described the HD650's sound is what I didn't like about them. They are opposite of how I view the HE500's sound. That laid back, mid-centric sound of the HD650's does work for some music. But the HE500's tuning works for a wider variety of music to my ears. I actually find the HE500 warmer sounding than the HE6se's I just got. But not nearly as warm sounding as the HD6xx series of headphones.

From what I recall of the HE-6, I think you are on the money, but I recall it depended on the type of pads as well. I preferred the pleather pads as I found it to better represent the highs. HE-6 can be a great headphone if driven well.

Interesting thing is, my HD6XX is not all that laid back actually. It would be interesting to get more impressions on HD650 vs Massdrop HD6XX, particularly if there was a difference between the older HD650 and the newer. I find the HD6-- series Sennheisers to work well for wide variety of music as well.

After I got the HD6XX, it hit me how forward and responsive it was once I started listening to rock, and it just represented classic rock music quite well. And for other genres, it's no slouch either.

This track 'jumped' and grabbed me first with the HD6XX, and I've been exploring and listening to a lot of rock with it. The forwardness of the HD6XX really pops for these type of tracks, and enhances them.

 

[bagwell359]

They way you just described the HD650's sound is what I didn't like about them. They are opposite of how I view the HE500's sound. That laid back, mid-centric sound of the HD650's does work for some music. But the HE500's tuning works for a wider variety of music to my ears. I actually find the HE500 warmer sounding than the HE6se's I just got. But not nearly as warm sounding as the HD6xx series of headphones.

I have an open question on the HE6se's re: the 'code sex' type mods. My assumption is that the highs on the 6se will be a bit sharp as was the original w/o mods. I can imagine what some of those mods might be, but I'd love to hear from someone with extensive experience with modding the original checking out the new ones. I notice a few resales on the 6se already and wonder if its the lack of mods that is causing people to do that - because their expectations of this legendary can is based more on the modded version

Back to the Senn's. The 600 is very damped (first wave very fast - but sustained tones don't expand and sustain which is what every transducer that I trust says it should do on various familiar recordings (talking speakers here not cans - have way more experience with top speakers than top cans). As I've written before I'll take overly damped bass over sludgy basshead cans that sustain too long and the initial wave sounds like a mallet on a rotten tomato). But I'd much rather have both initial and sustain be correct. The 600 is faster on initial response then the 500, but the 600 doesn't move air/growl nearly as well as the 500 - when required. So at my place (have lots of watts), if I score them on those two factors. 600: 94 & 79. 500 gets 87 & 91 - and those are the two best bass cans I have to my taste. I have a MD X00 Mahogany which has lots of bass but its a mess IMO.

I haven't heard the 650 since before I got my 500's, but, the 650 cannot match the initial bass speed response of the 600, nor low bass of the 500 and the 500 doesn't shelve up mid/upper bass either. To me the 500 is better in the bass than the 650. Open question to me what the 6XX will do vs my HE-500 on my stack - but I'm looking forward to it. We seem to be at an impasse here, so I want more input to be gained in 3 weeks at a local meet.

 

[SilverEars]

I haven't heard the 650 since before I got my 500's, but, the 650 cannot match the initial bass speed response of the 600, nor low bass of the 500 and the 500 doesn't shelve up mid/upper bass either. To me the 500 is better in the bass than the 650. Open question to me what the 6XX will do vs my HE-500 on my stack - but I'm looking forward to it. We seem to be at an impasse here, so I want more input to be gained in 3 weeks at a local meet.

I have the Gumby DAC as well, but a different amp. I trust the BHA-1 to perform well with any cans I connect to it (up to the headphone's capability). Your Ragnarok is a hefty solid-state as well. I would expect the HD6XX to respond in similar fashion out of your Ragnarok (This is one I'm curious about, and want to try).

I tried the HD600 briefly long time ago. While I had the HD650. I found it a bit bright, and this maybe due to my ears used to HD650. I wasn't a fan of the HD600 much, but HE-6, yes. I'm not much of a fan of HD800(S) either. Find it harsh with sharp treble. HD6XX and 58X I prefer, and also HD660S over the other Sennheisers.

 

[bagwell359]

I have the Gumby DAC as well, but a different amp. I trust the BHA-1 to perform well with any cans I connect to it (up to the headphone's capability). Your Ragnarok is a hefty solid-state as well. I would expect the HD6XX to respond in similar fashion out of your Ragnarok (This is one I'm curious about, and want to try).

I tried the HD600 briefly long time ago. While I had the HD650. I found it a bit bright, and this maybe due to my ears used to HD650. I wasn't a fan of the HD600 much, but HE-6, yes. I'm not much of a fan of HD800(S) either. Find it harsh with sharp treble. HD6XX and 58X I prefer, and also HD660S over the other Sennheisers.

Hi, do you have the multbit? I ran the HE-500 and HD-500 out of the Rag SE when I first got them. I changed all my cans to XLR eventually. The Fostex FH500RP (planar) showed the least change, the HE-500 the most. I hadn't liked the bass very much on the 500 out of the SE out finding it slow and not integrated into the mids that well, but it really tightened up a lot on the XLR, the pads also seemed to help the focus of the midbass. The 600 was in the middle, I found a little more muscle below 75 Hz using the XLR, but the biggest thing was the highs, much blacker background, and what treble hash it has (not much) reduced also.

Yes if your baseline is he 650, the 600 will seem bright centered around 3.5 KHz, and there is notably less "slam" in the bass. But even with its issues I find the 600 to voice better than the 650 which is a bit syrupy and dark by comparison.

Dying to hear the HE-6. Yeah 800S a little too clinical. Well you certainly represent a good segment of the folks on HF backing those 3 Senn's - of which I have heard zero. Price is good on all of them.

 

[SilverEars]

Hi, do you have the multbit? I ran the HE-500 and HD-500 out of the SE when I first got them. I changed all my cans to XLR eventually. The Fostex FH500RP (planar) showed the least change, the HE-500 the most. I hadn't liked the bass very much on the 500 out of the SE out finding it slow and not integrated into the mids that well, but it really tightened up a lot on the XLR, the pads also seemed to help the focus of the bass. The 600 was in the middle, I found a little more muscle below 75 Hz using the XLR, but the biggest thing was the highs, much blacker background, and what treble hash it has (not much) reduced also.

Yes if your baseline is he 650, the 600 will seem bright centered around 3.5 KHz, and there is notably less "slam" in the bass. Dying to hear the HE-6. Yeah 800S a little too clinical. Well you certainly represent a good segment of the folks on HF backing those Senn's - of which I have heard zero. Price is good on all of them.

Gumby actually means Gungnir Multibit, so that answers your question.

I will need to get a balanced cable to try it out as it seems a bit power hungry than the typical and balance quadruples power output. I suspect with my amp, it's necessary, particularly with Hifimans that is least efficient.

Sennheisers already showed improvements balanced and HD6XX and 58X really got me back into Sennheisers, got me to really appreciate them. The prices makes it very tryable. I suspect the Sennheisers respond well to my balanced setup.

 

[bagwell359]

Gumby actually means Gungnir Multibit, so that answers your question.

I used to know that, pardon the old brain.

I will need to get a balanced cable to try it out as it seems a bit power hungry than the typical and balance quadruples power output. I suspect with my amp, it's necessary, particularly with Hifimans that is least efficient.

I recommend it. There are lots around if you don't have time to DIY, that old connector is used on a shrinking population of cans, so there could be some deals to be had.

Sennheisers already showed improvements balanced and HD6XX and 58X really got me back into Sennheisers, got me to really appreciate them. The prices makes it very tryable.

Looking forward to it. Feel free to borrow my HE-500's to your stack so you can hear diffs in the connectors and pads.

 

[FastAndClean]

 

[kid vic]

Funny, I loved the sound of my HE500s and thought the utopias were technically good but underwhelming for anywhere near that price.
This also reminds me that you can't judge headphones by graphs because the two sound nothing alike.

 

[FastAndClean]

Funny, I loved the sound of my HE500s and thought the utopias were technically good but underwhelming for anywhere near that price.
This also reminds me that you can't judge headphones by graphs because the two sound nothing alike.

did you sold the HE500?

 

[vlach]

This also reminds me that you can't judge headphones by graphs because the two sound nothing alike.

Exactly.

 

[alphanumerix1]

they sound nothing alike.