Lovely Midrange

[dreamwhisper]

I loved the W5000s but I like the bass extension of my DT880s way better for listening to psytrance.
However, the DT880's have a dry midrange even out of a tube amp.

The mids of the W5000 were UNREAL but I want a midrange that's got more smoothness, closer to the HD650. EDIT: I have an HD650, but I'm getting teased by its potential more than I'm enjoying the sound coming out of it.

The highs of the W5000 felt just a little brittle (mostly lacking some smoothness and a little body)

soo. I'm selling the W5000 and I'm looking for an (eventual) third set of canse mostly focusing on mids..
Another requirement is that the must have very good soundstage (as good as DT880)

EDIT2:I'm running an Electrocompaniet ECD-1 -> DV332 atm

So far I'm thinking the K501, any others I should be considering?

 

[MaloS]

What's stopping you from getting an HD650?

 

[dreamwhisper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaloS /img/forum/go_quote.gif What's stopping you from getting an HD650?

I have one,
that I'm building a balanced Beta 22 for.

Maybe I should just wait and see then.

 

[Rednamalas1]

are you looking for sweeter mids? or more of richness in mids?

I personally thought mids of K501 + K271S were very sweet.
and AD2K's mids to be very rich and passionate IMO.

 

[nickchen]

K271 x2. Sweet sweet mids, friendly bass and gentle highs for a ridiculous price. Needs velour pads to become perfect IMO.

 

[number1sixerfan]

Well, from going to the k501 from the w5000 you are not going to gain or lose for that matter imo. Their mids are very, very similar. It's as if the W5000 takes the K-501's mids and just makes them a tad bit better and realistic. I've spent more time with these two cans than any other during my stay at head-fi. Also, the K-501 will have even less bass extension than the AT's. However, they will be a bit more airy than the semi-closed AT's.

It sounds as if you want more weightiness to the music while retaining a sweet and smooth midrange. The HD650/600 would be a great option with a good aftermarket cable to open up the highs.

edit-I see you have the senns. I'd say wait and see what the Beta does to them. Good Luck.

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreamwhisper /img/forum/go_quote.gif The highs of the W5000 felt just a little brittle (mostly lacking some smoothness) soo. I'm selling the W5000

Have you tried them with the different source? Your E-Mu 0404 might be too digital and harsh for them.

 

[dreamwhisper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew_WOT /img/forum/go_quote.gif Have you tried them with the different source? Your E-Mu 0404 might be too digital and harsh for them.

I'm running an Electrocompaniet ECD-1.

Quote:

Originally Posted by number1sixerfan /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well, from going to the k501 from the w5000 you are not going to gain or lose for that matter imo. Their mids are very, very similar. It's as if the W5000 takes the K-501's mids and just makes them a tad bit better and realistic. I've spent more time with these two cans than any other during my stay at head-fi. Also, the K-501 will have even less bass extension than the AT's. However, they will be a bit more airy than the semi-closed AT's. It sounds as if you want more weightiness to the music while retaining a sweet and smooth midrange. The HD650/600 would be a great option with a good aftermarket cable to open up the highs. edit-I see you have the senns. I'd say wait and see what the Beta does to them. Good Luck.

Great comparison, thanks!

Btw, which phones do you still own?

 

[Jaska]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreamwhisper /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm thinking the K501

Think no more. I think this is a very good choice based on what you say you're looking for.

I personally love the mids of the AKG K501, K601, and K271S, but the soundstage isn't going to be there with the K271S.

But, for what it's worth, I wouldn't agree that the aforementioned AKG's have the "smoothness" in the mids that the Sennheisers do. I'm more fond of AKG and Grado mids in general, but having owned the HD580 for quite a long time, I would say that the mids are different beasts altogether. If the Sennheiser mids have this "smooth" character that you find to your liking, then by all means I would consider making adjustments to your source and amp in order to bring out the slight changes/improvements you're after with the HD650.

 

[jellojoe]

I really enjoy the K501 out of the DV332. I prefer the midrange of that combination than the HD600 with DV332.