[bluestar11]

I had Senn HD580s for three years and UE TF10s for one year, equipped with a Sansa Clip and a Total BitHead. Now I feel a little tired with HD580. It's hard to describe what I feel about its sound. Should I use the word "soft"? Though TF10 sounds different, I feel uncomfortable wearing it.
 
I'm considering an upgrade to DT880 or HD650, to refresh my ears. I know that my amp won't drive them well enough. Upgrading amp is on my 2011 calendar. Sorry for my wallet ....
 
I love classic rocks, britpop, newage and classical (chamber, piano/violin/cello concertos). I rarely listen to female singers.
 
So which will make a big difference, DT880 or HD650? Thanks!

 

[Armaegis]

If you're looking for a bigger change in sound the DT880 would be a better choice.

 

[Skarecrow77]

I have HD-650s and my wife has HD-580s. I've had plenty of opportunity to listen to her 580s through the same amp I use for my 650s. Their sound signatures are very similar. There is more clarity in the midrange (If it were a picture, I'd say the 650s are sharper than the 580s, but not in a harsh way at all), and I feel like it goes a bit deeper into the lows, but not enough to really change the sonic balance much. The highs are pretty similar, although there is slightly less "veil" to the 650s in my opinion.
 
Really, the HD-650s could be called the HD-580++ model. It's everything the 580 is plus a little bit more. If you're looking for something different, the 650s are not probably going to fulfill that request. If you like the 580s but feel that there's more to be had in it's sound that's being hidden from you, then the 650s are exactly what you want.

 

[bluestar11]

Thanks Armaegis and Skarecrow77! I think I should go for DT880s.
 
As I learned from this forum, many head-fiers prefer DT880/600 over DT880/250 and say that they are equally "easy or hard" to drive. Since I don't have a chance to try either one, do you think a Total BitHead can realize 75% potential of DT880/600? Yes, I'm going to update my amp, but it would be next year ...

 

[Riku540]

I suppose a Total Bithead could get away with being a stand in until you can upgrade. Just thought you might like to know; the new FiiO E9 is cheaper than the Total Bithead and can handle 600 ohms like nothing.
 
Link:
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/513411/micca-store-fiio-e7-e9-headphone-amplifier-bundle-for-199-95#post_6938991

 

[elderberry]

Bluestar11
 
I'm exactly where you are. After four years of use, I just gave my 580's to my son. I agree about the "soft" sound and I'm also considering both 650's and DT880's.
 
Please post your ultimate choice and how you feel it's changed your experience. I'll do the same once I decide. I've come so very close to pulling the trigger on both over the last week or so.
 
cheers

 

[maruzen]

i love the dt880 600 ohm sound over the hd650, even if i plug the headphone directly into my asus xonar d2 sound out jack. it will not give the best sound but unamped, i like the cleaner sound and tonal balance of the dt880 over the hd650 but both are really excellent headphones. for your musical taste the hd650 might be a better choice as strings and acoustic guitar is better rendered on the hd650 as per my ears. the hd650 is also great for vocals but you do not need that info i guess
 
if you really want a change in sound the dt880 will give that to you, and hopefully you will also love the tonal balance. get the 600 ohms as it sounds better (i used to own both the 250 and the 600 ohms and the 600 ohms sounds smoother), and once you get that amp next year, you will be in for a treat once you power up that beyer!
 
 

 

[bluestar11]

elderberry,
 
I ordered HD650s just because I got a $75 off offer from JR/MasterCard. The price on JR.com is $329. $329 - $75 = $254 for a pair of new HD650s is overwhelming. JR does not have DT880/600ohms. Otherwise, I think I would buy DT880/600ohms instead. Sometimes, the trigger is pulled by others ...
 
Quote:

Bluestar11
 
I'm exactly where you are. After four years of use, I just gave my 580's to my son. I agree about the "soft" sound and I'm also considering both 650's and DT880's.
 
Please post your ultimate choice and how you feel it's changed your experience. I'll do the same once I decide. I've come so very close to pulling the trigger on both over the last week or so.
 
cheers

 

[Satellite_6]

Wow! Great price!

 

[bluestar11]

Thanks for your advice maruzen! I ordered hd650 but still want to hear the beyer sound (where is my wallet?). Wish I can find a local store to try it out.
 
Quote:

i love the dt880 600 ohm sound over the hd650, even if i plug the headphone directly into my asus xonar d2 sound out jack. it will not give the best sound but unamped, i like the cleaner sound and tonal balance of the dt880 over the hd650 but both are really excellent headphones. for your musical taste the hd650 might be a better choice as strings and acoustic guitar is better rendered on the hd650 as per my ears. the hd650 is also great for vocals but you do not need that info i guess
 
if you really want a change in sound the dt880 will give that to you, and hopefully you will also love the tonal balance. get the 600 ohms as it sounds better (i used to own both the 250 and the 600 ohms and the 600 ohms sounds smoother), and once you get that amp next year, you will be in for a treat once you power up that beyer!
 
 

 

[elderberry]

 
Quote:

elderberry,
 
I ordered HD650s just because I got a $75 off offer from JR/MasterCard. The price on JR.com is $329. $329 - $75 = $254 for a pair of new HD650s is overwhelming. JR does not have DT880/600ohms. Otherwise, I think I would buy DT880/600ohms instead. Sometimes, the trigger is pulled by others ...
 
Quote:

Bluestar11
 
I'm exactly where you are. After four years of use, I just gave my 580's to my son. I agree about the "soft" sound and I'm also considering both 650's and DT880's.
 
Please post your ultimate choice and how you feel it's changed your experience. I'll do the same once I decide. I've come so very close to pulling the trigger on both over the last week or so.
 
cheers

 

The itch got too strong so I pulled the trigger on new hd-650's via razordog@ebay @ $330, just 3 hours before the Newegg $299 sale. Wish I had been aware of the MasterCard deal. That'll teach me to wait the next time, although I've been shopping around for two- three weeks now. Regardless, I'm still anxious to get them and compare to the 580's (and see how they sound with my new Audinst HUD-mx1).
 
cheers

 

[Elorian]

I see the 650s for $329 at JR, but no $75 off- was that just something that they sent to you or is it available to anyone?
 
Many thanks!

 

[bluestar11]

the offer was from http://marketplace.mastercard.com/overwhelmingoffer/ for a very limited time.
 
Quote:

I see the 650s for $329 at JR, but no $75 off- was that just something that they sent to you or is it available to anyone?
 
Many thanks!

 

[maruzen]

congratulations on your upcoming cans
 
let us know your impressions on the hd650, and how you will find them with your music

 

[danzal]

I have HD580s, and have just bought a pair of DT880/250s.
 
The DT880s are a worthy replacement for my K701s, which truth be told, I hated most of the time. I think they are a little like HD580s but without the veil. I don't find them too bright at all, but there's something the HD580s have which the DT880s do not. I'd say the DT880s are very accurate in their presentation, but have slightly recessed mids. Bass has greater definition than the HD580s, which may well translate as having less bass, but I don't think there's a lot in it. There's just less 'warmth'. I was after a pair of DT880/600s, but binned that idea when I realised I could get both used HD650s and DT880/250s for a little more. I'd like to hear a pair of 600 ohm Beyers, but I'm not sure the difference would be night and day over the 250s.
 
I also have just bought a used pair of HD650s, and have rather high expectations of them (should arrive some time next week). I think I'll probably keep the Beyers for a while at least as I got them for a song, and they're barely used at all. They are very good headphones in their own right, but I can't give an outright conclusion as I've not done any back-to-back comparisons with my trusty HD580s. They are a billion times better than K701s though, which have their own musical niche - just not one I subscribe to! I must say two things that go in the Beyer's favour - comparing them to a very nearly brand new pair of HD600s I just sold, they are less clampy, and a fair bit better built at least as far as materials used in their construction is concerned (the latter surprised me the most as the HD600s felt very well put together as a seperate concern - just comparing them to DT880s shows their slight shortcomings).
 
Enjoy the HD650s!