HifiMan He-500 or Beyerdynamic T90

[imp96]

Hello,
I am looking to buy a new pair of headphone in the 600 dollar range.  I currently have HD 598 with which 
I am very happy. The two pairs of headphones that caught my eye are the HE 500 and the T 90. I am 
wondering of the two which one is better, or what are the pros and cons of the two in comparison
to each other. 
Thanks

 

[b0000]

I don't know anything about the t90, but the he500 is very highly regarded here and is considered to have a summit-fi worthy sound. Planar magnetics are heavy though, so that's its only con.

 

[Matrixnobu]

I'd go with the Beyers

 

[KG Jag]

You have to spend at least $1,000 (absent a closeout) to get a can as good or better than the HE 500 (which is now being closed out at $600).  It does everything well and has no major weaknesses in its sound signature.  It does require a fairly hefty amp and, as a planar, is heavy.
 
I rate the HE 500 as better than --or at least equal to--the  T 1 (which has a different sound signature).
 
Read about the HE 500 (and T 1) here:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/634201/battle-of-the-flagships-58-headphones-compared-update-audeze-lcd-2-revision-2-6-4-13#user_HE500

 

[davidsh]

The t90's are pretty bright, but I suppose you know that.

 

[GREQ]

While the general consensus is that the HE-500 needs a hefty amp to perform at it's best, I personally think it still performs better than other headphones if you compare both with an entry level amp.
I've been using the HE-500 VERY happily with an O2 amp and it still sounds better than other great dynamic headphones which are very easily driven by it. 
 
So don't get too caught up with the negative comments about using it with low-end amps, as the combo still out-performs others. 
The reduced price just makes it a no-brainer really.