Low cost alternative ot the Sennheiser HD-650?

[painted klown]

Hello all,
 
I am a noob to the headphone world, but I did audition some cans at a local shop.
 
Of the ones I listened to, the Sennheiser HD-650s were the clear winner, and a set of cans I dream of owning one day.
 
At this time my budget does not allow for a pair of $500 'phones, so I was wondering if there is a lower cost alternative to the '650s that retain that nice laid back sound, and natural bass (imo) reproduction the 650 has.
 
I am looking for over ear style, but am not concerned at all about looks, portability, open/closed back, etc.
 
I just want comfort, and a nice relaxed sounding 'phone for a lower cost.
 
Any recommendations all?

 

[PurpleAngel]

  I am a noob to the headphone world, but I did audition some cans at a local shop.
Of the ones I listened to, the Sennheiser HD-650s were the clear winner, and a set of cans I dream of owning one day.
At this time my budget does not allow for a pair of $500 'phones, so I was wondering if there is a lower cost alternative to the '650s that retain that nice laid back sound, and natural bass (imo) reproduction the 650 has.
I am looking for over ear style, but am not concerned at all about looks, portability, open/closed back, etc.
I just want comfort, and a nice relaxed sounding 'phone for a lower cost.
Any recommendations all?

It might help to know what sources the headphones are going to be plugged into?
DAC & Amps you might have?
Are the headphones going to be used for music? gaming? movies?

 

[painted klown]

Yeah, sorry, I didn't think to mention that.
 
Sources will be my laptop sound card, 5th gen 30gb Rockboxed ipod video, Emotiva XSP-1, and (eventually) an Emotiva Stealth DC-1 DAC, but I am still doing my homework on DACs and amps. 
 
The music I listen to is varied, depending on my mood. Some favorites are:
 
Jack Johnson
Norah Jones
Skrillex
Deadmau5
Rancid
Nirvana
Pantera
Diana Krall
ZZ Top
Hank III
Guns N Roses
Radiohead
Muse
Green Day
Alice In Chains
Cannibal Corpse
Six Feet Under
Stone Temple Pilots
Johnny Cash
Beck
Jewel
Eminem
50 Cent
 
Literally, a bit of everything, in all honesty. Mostly music, some movies, and not really much for gaming. Gaming would be a rare usage, if any at all.
 
I will say that I LOATH brightness/sibilance and seem to be overly sensitive to it, thus my love affair with the HD-650's

 

[tomb]

Many audiophiles consider the HD600 to be better than the HD650.  However, because it's older and now lower-tiered than the HD650, you may be able to get much better pricing.
 
Secondly, you might try looking for an HD580 - they sold for as low as $120 when they were on the verge of extinction.  The price may have gone up now, but you may still be able to find a good deal for one used.
 
The HD580/600/650 are all in the same family - the differences are in the margins.

 

[fateicon]

you can find an HD558 for around $100 used or refurbed. I listen to a lot of stuff on your list. Never been a big fan of the HD650 with any of it. Try a Yamaha Pro 400 if you can find one at a store. My current fav can and was just going for around $150 on amazon new and used. IMO it is not bright or sibilant and should do the job well for you. Comfort is an issue for some people as they clamp with decent force. I've written extensively on a lot of phones I've owned and heard if you search my posts. I've been to a Can Jam, Chiunifi, and listened to lots of phones at stores. HD650 used to go for $200 something if I recall, back before Beats came out. You might also be interested in a UE6000 for around $150. Nice tonality, very clear, adequate soundstage, not bright at all.

 

[laon]

Sony MA900 is very similar to HD650 sound signature wise, though they have their weakness and strength compared to HD650.

 

[painted klown]

Thanks for the suggestions all. I have a dedicated HP shop in a mall across town that has floor models of all the HPs they sell, so you can audition them before you buy. I will have to take this list of suggestions there, to see what they have.
 
This is where I auditioned the HD-650s. I also listened to several Grados (bought the SR80i) and several other random cans that I cannot recall ATM. This has been a long while ago, however, so I am sure their inventory has rotated quite a bit since then. I will have to make a trip over there as soon as I can find the time.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Thanks for the suggestions all. I have a dedicated HP shop in a mall across town that has floor models of all the HPs they sell, so you can audition them before you buy. I will have to take this list of suggestions there, to see what they have.
 
This is where I auditioned the HD-650s. I also listened to several Grados (bought the SR80i) and several other random cans that I cannot recall ATM. This has been a long while ago, however, so I am sure their inventory has rotated quite a bit since then. I will have to make a trip over there as soon as I can find the time.

300-Ohm headphones, like HD600/HD650, might not be the greatest match plugged into the laptop sound card and iPod Video.
Where as the Emotiva equipment (Emotiva DAC) might make the HD600/HD650 dreamy (guessing).

 

[nikongod]

I don't think the HD650 are $500 used, are they? People buy new headphones? I have never done that. 
 
I would rather have headphones I like the sound of in general out of my laptop than average crap. HD800, HP2, RS-1, R10 all sound great straight out of a laptop or iRiver. Not their absolute best, but realllllllly nice. 
 
On that note, you can waste a LOT of money buying and selling crap you dont like. Trust me, I have spent enough shipping junk back and forth to buy a few PR of nice headphones. 
Save your money until you can afford the HD650. Keep a close eye on the FS boards and wait for a used one to pop up. Odds are good that right when you have enough money saved up one will come around FS. 
 
After that, you have 2 choices - run like hell and never return to this cursed place *or* stay and get an amp and a nice DAC... The first option is actually quite fine, and most people will be insanely happy with it. The second option will imrpove the sound of the HD650 somewhat, but tends to get expensive. 

 

[MalVeauX]

  Hello all,
 
I am a noob to the headphone world, but I did audition some cans at a local shop.
 
Of the ones I listened to, the Sennheiser HD-650s were the clear winner, and a set of cans I dream of owning one day.
 
At this time my budget does not allow for a pair of $500 'phones, so I was wondering if there is a lower cost alternative to the '650s that retain that nice laid back sound, and natural bass (imo) reproduction the 650 has.
 
I am looking for over ear style, but am not concerned at all about looks, portability, open/closed back, etc.
 
I just want comfort, and a nice relaxed sounding 'phone for a lower cost.
 
Any recommendations all?

 
Heya,
 
Yeap, you can get $200~300 headphones and simply equalize the treble down.
 
I would look to:
 
Beyer DT880
Hifiman HE-300
Philips Fidelio X1
Sony MA900
 
And simply drop 7khz, 10khz, 12khz by 2~3 db in an equalizer.
 
Very best,

 

[painted klown]

Thank you for the additional comments/suggestions all.

 
A few things to note about me:
 
I want to buy new. I know deals can be had on used gear, but when buying things with moving parts that can be damaged without it being visible, I feel better about buying new. Just my OCD side kicking in.
 
I do not want to use any EQ/processing/tone controls at all. I am into standard size hi-fi and that mind set has been fully engrained into me. Yes, I know that EQ can work wonders, but I want to buy a speaker/'phone that I love the sound of, not necessarily ones that I have to manipulate to enjoy. 
 
I do plan to add an amp to drive my 'phones, there is just a LOT of stuff out there to choose from, and I am undecided on weather I want to go all SS or get a tube amp. For my full size HT setup, I am all SS and love it, but tubes for full sized systems are VERY expensive. It seems that pretty good HP tube  amps can be found at rather reasonable prices. (Little Dot, Schiit, Garage 1217, etc) so it makes tubes considerably more appealing to me (and my budget).  

 
 
Finally, the reason I want laid back sounding cans is because I like to play at ear bleed levels, and when it gets loud, the highs easily become unbearable for me. It's a curse for me to be honest. I have had B&W 684 towers for several years now, and find their aluminum dome tweeters to not be a good match for my listening habits/tastes. The problem is that tower speakers are expensive to replace, and with my current living situation, I cannot play at the volume levels I would like to be at.
 
That is what had led me to the idea of buying a decent HP setup. I will then be able to get as loud as my ears can handle, and get a set of cans with drivers that I enjoy the sound of at all volume levels...or that is the hope anyway.

 

[tomb]

  Thank you for the additional comments/suggestions all.

 
A few things to note about me:
 
I want to buy new. I know deals can be had on used gear, but when buying things with moving parts that can be damaged without it being visible, I feel better about buying new. Just my OCD side kicking in.
 
I do not want to use any EQ/processing/tone controls at all. I am into standard size hi-fi and that mind set has been fully engrained into me. Yes, I know that EQ can work wonders, but I want to buy a speaker/'phone that I love the sound of, not necessarily ones that I have to manipulate to enjoy.
 
I do plan to add an amp to drive my 'phones, there is just a LOT of stuff out there to choose from, and I am undecided on weather I want to go all SS or get a tube amp. For my full size HT setup, I am all SS and love it, but tubes for full sized systems are VERY expensive. It seems that pretty good HP tube  amps can be found at rather reasonable prices. (Little Dot, Schiit, Garage 1217, etc) so it makes tubes considerably more appealing to me (and my budget).  

 
Based on your feelings, you'll probably be better off saving for what you really want - an HD650.  You can start perusing the "For Sale" section on Head-Fi, or take a chance on a re-furbished version that Sennheiser sometimes offers.  I have a re-furbished HD600 and never regretted it.  (There really aren't any moving parts, per se, in a headphone.)
 
A plan to purchase an amp is good, regardless of the headphone.

 

[MalVeauX]

  Thank you for the additional comments/suggestions all.

 
A few things to note about me:
 
I want to buy new. I know deals can be had on used gear, but when buying things with moving parts that can be damaged without it being visible, I feel better about buying new. Just my OCD side kicking in.
 
I do not want to use any EQ/processing/tone controls at all. I am into standard size hi-fi and that mind set has been fully engrained into me. Yes, I know that EQ can work wonders, but I want to buy a speaker/'phone that I love the sound of, not necessarily ones that I have to manipulate to enjoy. 
 
I do plan to add an amp to drive my 'phones, there is just a LOT of stuff out there to choose from, and I am undecided on weather I want to go all SS or get a tube amp. For my full size HT setup, I am all SS and love it, but tubes for full sized systems are VERY expensive. It seems that pretty good HP tube  amps can be found at rather reasonable prices. (Little Dot, Schiit, Garage 1217, etc) so it makes tubes considerably more appealing to me (and my budget).  

 
 
Finally, the reason I want laid back sounding cans is because I like to play at ear bleed levels, and when it gets loud, the highs easily become unbearable for me. It's a curse for me to be honest. I have had B&W 684 towers for several years now, and find their aluminum dome tweeters to not be a good match for my listening habits/tastes. The problem is that tower speakers are expensive to replace, and with my current living situation, I cannot play at the volume levels I would like to be at.
 
That is what had led me to the idea of buying a decent HP setup. I will then be able to get as loud as my ears can handle, and get a set of cans with drivers that I enjoy the sound of at all volume levels...or that is the hope anyway.

 
Heya,
 
Save your money. Buy a brand new HD650 and equipment to properly drive it. It's your only option, clearly.
 
You don't EQ your speakers?

Very best,

 

[painted klown]

   
Based on your feelings, you'll probably be better off saving for what you really want - an HD650.

You're right, I'm sure. I was just hoping there was a low cost alternative to the '650s as a bit of a "stop gap" while I save up for them. I thought there were probably several low cost (around $100) 'phones out there that would lean toward a laid back treble response. Perhaps there simply isn't. I did audition the venerable AT M50 and thought they veered toward the bright side.

  You don't EQ your speakers?
 

Thanks. No, I never EQ my speakers for music listening. I have an Emotiva XSP-1 preamp and XPA-1 amps for my full size setup. I run in direct mode 100% of the time for music playback. When I first git into hi-fi, I became enamored with the idea of building a system that was accurate/flat, but after being in the hobby for a little while now, I am beginning to wonder if "flat" is what I actually prefer. LOL! It has become a source of "debate" with myself. 

 
Most likely, I would benefit most form doing serious room treatments, but at the moment I am unable to do any room treatments at all (due to my living situation/budget) and a bigger room again.
 
Thanks again for your input, thoughts, and opinions everyone.

 

 

[laon]

Actually lots of <$100 phone have laid back treble response ...along with muddy bloated bass. But Shure 440 should lean toward what you want for about $100 or less depending where you live.