[GNR4EVER]

What is the most life like sounding headphone new or used under $1,000--not a stax nor a BEYER T1.2 as i have that.

 

[NA Blur]

HE-400i and Aeon Flow Open are what I suggest. The 400i has more treble detail so you may prefer it's sound signature. Both headphones scale very well with better amplification.

 

[chesebert]

HD650/600 has the most accurate, natural, transparent and articulate mid range of any headphone under $1k. Aftermarket cable, TOTL amp and source required to achieve targeted performance. Note the 3-blob sound stage is not a characteristic of the headphone, rather it indicates limitation of the amp/source (mostly source). If you can throw a bit EQ to HD650 to take down upper bass bump, that will even out the mid range more and you would have close to perfection in terms of mid-range purity and transparency.

 

[genck]

Sennheiser HD650/6XX(Drop)

 

[KPzypher]

Sennheiser HD650.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

HD 600 is more neutral than the 650. The 650 and 6XX were designed for people who can't handle the truth!

 

[Chris Kaoss]

Haha.
Wouldn't say that.

"The 650 and 6xx were designed for people who wants a more pleasant truth." seems correct to me.

Just joking.

Get a Quad Era-1 and be happy.

 

[chesebert]

HD 600 is more neutral than the 650. The 650 and 6XX were designed for people who can't handle the truth!

You are suppose to EQ the 650 to sound like 600, but you get better midrange purity and weight from the 650 driver. Win/win.

 

[KPzypher]

HD 600 is more neutral than the 650. The 650 and 6XX were designed for people who can't handle the truth!

I just love HD650 because they are what got me into this hobby. They're not the most technical nor the most comfortable, but for me, they hold a lot of sentimental value, on top of the good sound. That's why no matter what expensive HPs I buy, I keep coming back to HD650s. I believe it's a great HP for under $1K, and no doubt one of the personal best for under $500.

 

[buke9]

I still think one of the best headphones under $1K is the HE-500. Yes I does require a amp but is not particularly hard to drive and still sounds fantastic.