How do HD650 compare to HE400i?

[439598]

I didnt like the He400i and Im not fully sure why.

they werent uncomfortably sibliant like DT990s or M50s but they got fatiguing quite fast, HD650s should be completely comfortable in comparison, correct?

I found the 400i bass to be overwhelming to my ears with bass heavy music forcing me to keep the volume low, its super clean and responsive but it felt like too much was going on. sounds great on less bass orientated music but who cares when the mids and highs are the main show? ... do you think the hd650 work better for me with bassier music? I want to be able to turn up the volume and not feel like my eardrums are being mashed with bass but still maintain the high SQ in the lows.

Finally the He400i mids... I think this could be the most critical part and the reason I find the 400is so uninspiring. what is the verdict on the 400i mids? how do they compare to hd650 mids? from what I read the mids seem to be the best part of HD650 sound and are 'better' than the 400i mids but coming from M50s and DT990s I really have limited experience with midrange frequencies.

Im in europe so my choice of mid-fi/hi-fi headphones is fairly limited, the HD600 and 650 are the most commonly suggested alternative to the 400i and are widely available in europe

 

[Music Alchemist]

I had the original HE400i with a modified grill and slightly preferred its sound over the HD 650, but would choose the HD 650 as an overall package.

The HE400i was later revised. I have not heard this version. Based on measurements, it looks like it's less neutral now.

Going from your impressions, I'm sure you would like the HD 650. If you have any tonal balance issues, just use EQ.

 

[439598]

I had the original HE400i with a modified grill and slightly preferred its sound over the HD 650, but would choose the HD 650 as an overall package.

The HE400i was later revised. I have not heard this version. Based on measurements, it looks like it's less neutral now.

Going from your impressions, I'm sure you would like the HD 650. If you have any tonal balance issues, just use EQ.

Wasnt their also a revised version of the HD650?

 

[Music Alchemist]

Wasnt their also a revised version of the HD650?

Yes. Reportedly many years ago, the original version sounded more dark and warm. (It's still somewhat like that, but fairly neutral.)

 

[bixby]

You should like the 650s. Mids are set back just a bit but are clean and full of texture. Not as scooped in the mids as a DT-880 and no troublesome peak in the treble. One of the best balanced cans you can find, yet not without some warts that some folks might find troublesome. Mids can be less clear than some other cans 9slight 3k or so eq can help), and low bass is rolled, but still an awfully good sounding headphone.

 

[cossix]

It's really hard not to like the 650 honestly. It's a very detailed yet relaxed sound. Nothing harsh or annoying about it. If it were an ice cream flavor, the 400i would be sour lemon and the 650 would be coffee, or perhaps a refined chocolate flavor