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- Feb 8, 2008
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Beginner question: what is a U-shaped response?
(So I can know if I would like it or not)
(So I can know if I would like it or not)
Beginner question: what is a U-shaped response?
(So I can know if I would like it or not)
Well, Ive seen many reviewers classifying the X2s, and many other headphones in the "mid-fi" category. These include the PM-3, the Mad Dogs, the HE-400i. I guess "mid-fi" means of a solid quality in terms of materials, comfort and sound, but not as good as the other big brothers, like the PM-1, or the HE-6. Although the X2s have no "big brother", they could be qualified as "mid-fi" because of their quality in overall, according to my research, they are "pretty good", but not "excellent", which would be "hi-fi", like the LCD-2, etc.
Well, with $400 budget you are in the "mid-fi" territory. What is mid-fi? Well, if you ask me it's just a term. I consider it a pretty nice spot to be in, considering that HD6x0, Fidelio X2, Hifiman 400s\i and many others good phones belong here.
What is accepted as hifi usually goes for $1000 or more. Is it worth it? Personal opinion. Consider that after the first $200-300, all increased $ spent brings to lesser increased quality. Over $1000 the slope of diminishing return is even more flat.
Your choice
Well, pal, first I think you are being too aggressive over slangs. Low, mid and hi-fi are words that people use in an attempt to express the overall quality of a product, not the price. I can say Beats Studios are low fi, but that doesnt tell anything about their price, and they are pretty expensive. You shouldnt demonize the audio slangs, they make life easier. Maybe you didnt get the concept quite well, and thats why your against it, or maybe because you dont like any kind of slangs.
In case you dont get what these slangs are about, read these two examples:
"Fidelio X2s are a pretty good product overall, and they are cheap.
Fidelio X2s are a mid-fi product, and they are cheap."
"LCD-2s are an excellent product overall, and they are expensive.
LCD-2s are a hi-fi product, and are expensive."
Note that users can say mid-fi or hi-fi, or cheap, or expensive, based on their own perception. Something could seem hi-fi for me and it could be mid- fi for you. Something could seem as expensive for you, but cheap for me.
Now, about "my graph", they are just a model about how I think the world of headphones work. Of course, I dont think this graph is absolute, because it simply cannot explain the existence of the Beats series, for example. And, what decides the overall quality for the products are users, if a lot of users say something is hi-fi, then it must be hi-fi. Of course, I am not saying this must be truth, but its how information works, and the only way the graph could possibly work, again, as an imperfect tool of prediction, which could have an error in like, say (i think) 1/10 times, which is not bad for being an unrefined, raw log function.
If soundstage is important to you I wouldn't get the 600 or 650. Imho the 598 does a better job at soundstage then either of them.
Really I don't think you can beat the X2's in the 300 dollar price range. Even at your quoted price of 400 there isn't really anything I'd definitely take over them. I've heard a good amount of headphones and they seriously impress.
If 6XX series Sennheiser is your options though I'd personally get the 650. Just make sure you are amping them as they scale really well with a headphone amp. Schiit stack or an O2 combo would be perfectly adequate if you are not looking to spend a lot. You mentioned the Micca Origen and that would be an ok option as well.
yeah, given your options, I'd definitely go with the HD650. THat was my go-to main headphone for a few years before I got the HE400i.
The Schiit Magni 2 uber is a good match for it amp wise. If you can spare a bit more cash, the Schiit Lyr 2 is my favorite amp of all-time with the HD650. And the Lyr 2 is more versatile. Dac-wise I'd go for an ODAC or Schiit Magni 2. (or Bifrost 4490 if it fits your budget, but it probably doesn't).
So, my recs for the HD650 would be:
Good: O2/ODAC (gets you 90% of the way there)
Better: Schiit Magni2 Uber/Schiit Modi2 Uber (best overal value)
Best: Schiit Lyr2/Bifrost 4490 (best quality and most versatile)
Also feel free to mix and match the DAC/amps between those.
Also, I always felt that the HD650 needed its cable upgraded. Don't need to go crazy here, and it can wait. But for whatever reason Sennheiser ships the HD650 with a cable that doesn't really let the headphone thrive. And I almost never think upgrading cables makes a difference. The HD600 and HD650 are the only exceptions that I have seen where a cable upgrade does make a clear, audible difference (though it is admittedly subtle, as everything in audio is).
Thanks for the great info! I will look into all of these.
A few questions:
1). I got the Micca Origen for my desk DAC, and I was thinking of getting the Oppo HA-2 for my "home + travel" DAC and headphone amp. Basically the thought being I'll use it on my couch when listening to open-back headphones, then take w/ me on planes for my closed-back pair. Do you think the Oppo will match up just fine w/ the 650s?
2). What brand/suggestions for replacement cables would you recommend?
I could also use the rewards dollars to get the 598, and then have leftover money for something else. Thoughts on that?
I agree that the X2 sounds like the best bet (on paper). But the downside is (1) I have a financially much more attractive option in that I don't need to pay a dime to get some good alternatives in the Sennheisers, and (2) I can't sort through all the production quality/glue/true cost anywhere. I wish AMEX had Philips headphones in there so I could just get those.
The amp I plan on using at home/with these phones is the OPPO HA-2. I'll use the Micca at work on my desk.