[jordannn15]

I am looking for an open headphone for about $500, I can spend more if it's worth it. I would like the sound signature to be this: mids > bass = highs. So intimate mids, present, detailed bass, and highs that have some sparkle and is about the same quantity as the bass. Good size sound stage would be nice also. The ear pads need to be the same size or larger than the HD650's. I like the weight of the HD650's but could do a heavier headphone if suggested. If I forgot anything please ask, thanks!

 

[KG Jag]

The HE 500--if you have sufficient power to drive it properly.
 
You might also like the newer HE 400i, which I have not heard yet.

 

[jordannn15]

The HE 500--if you have sufficient power to drive it properly.

You might also like the newer HE 400i, which I have not heard yet.

A ton of reviews rave about the liquidy mids on the he-500's and say the bass has good extension as do the highs so sounds good. How is the weight of the he-500's for you? What would you say a good bang for the buck amp and dac would be for the he-500's?

Also, has anyone heard both the he-400i and he-400's? Are the 400i mids as good as the he-500's? Which one is better overall? Thanks!

 

[KG Jag]

 

The HE 500--if you have sufficient power to drive it properly.

You might also like the newer HE 400i, which I have not heard yet.

A ton of reviews rave about the liquidy mids on the he-500's and say the bass has good extension as do the highs so sounds good. How is the weight of the he-500's for you? What would you say a good bang for the buck amp and dac would be for the he-500's?

Also, has anyone heard both the he-400i and he-400's? Are the 400i mids as good as the he-500's? Which one is better overall? Thanks!

 
I don't have any problem with the weight of the HE-500, but some do.  It's an aspect of headphone comfort and the only way to know is to try them them yourself for an extended listening session.
 
How many bucks are putting up for the bang?  A decent starter amp for the HE 500 includes Schiit Asgard 2 (and maybe the Magni 2--but I have not heard that yet--with the HE 500 or otherwise).

 

[cel4145]

If you are worried about weight, you could save longer and get the HE-560s. 13.3 oz instead of 17.6 oz.

 

[jordannn15]

   
I don't have any problem with the weight of the HE-500, but some do.  It's an aspect of headphone comfort and the only way to know is to try them them yourself for an extended listening session.
 
How many bucks are putting up for the bang?  A decent starter amp for the HE 500 includes Schiit Asgard 2 (and maybe the Magni 2--but I have not heard that yet--with the HE 500 or otherwise).

 
Okay, I have a question about the he-500's bass. Have you heard the HD650's? If so, does the he-500 have more bass, same bass, or less bass than the HD650's? Also which extends lower & has more impact? Thanks, sorry for all the questions lol. 
 
Is it more important to spend money on the amp or the dac? Which dac should I use if I were to go with the magni 2 or asgard 2? I googled amp recommendations for the he-500, I found that a decent number of people were recommending these with them:
 
http://audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB1132/NFB11.32EN.htm
 
http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB1532/NFB15.32EN.htm
 
I don't know if you have had experience with these or not but do they look good for the price and do you think either could drive the he-500?
 
 
Quote:

If you are worried about weight, you could save longer and get the HE-560s. 13.3 oz instead of 17.6 oz.

 
I would if I could but they are twice the price and I still need to buy an amp and a dac .

 

[KG Jag]

 

   
I don't have any problem with the weight of the HE-500, but some do.  It's an aspect of headphone comfort and the only way to know is to try them them yourself for an extended listening session.
 
How many bucks are putting up for the bang?  A decent starter amp for the HE 500 includes Schiit Asgard 2 (and maybe the Magni 2--but I have not heard that yet--with the HE 500 or otherwise).

 
Okay, I have a question about the he-500's bass. Have you heard the HD650's? If so, does the he-500 have more bass, same bass, or less bass than the HD650's? Also which extends lower & has more impact? Thanks, sorry for all the questions lol. 
 
Is it more important to spend money on the amp or the dac? Which dac should I use if I were to go with the magni 2 or asgard 2? I googled amp recommendations for the he-500, I found that a decent number of people were recommending these with them:
 
http://audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB1132/NFB11.32EN.htm
 
http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB1532/NFB15.32EN.htm
 
I don't know if you have had experience with these or not but do they look good for the price and do you think either could drive the he-500?
 
...

 
The HD 650 has a mid bass bump and recessed treble, which makes the bass more predominant in its sound signature.  The HE 500 is significantly more neutral, with bass that extends beyond what the HD 650 offers and is of superior quality.  See:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/634201/battle-of-the-flagships-58-headphones-compared#user_HE500
 
vs.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/634201/battle-of-the-flagships-58-headphones-compared#user_HD650
 
I don't listen to computer based files for my serious music listening.  The SACD & Oppo decks I use have excellent built in DAC's and my vinyl is analog.  I can tell you that I own a now discontinued Audio-gd amp and I am very happy with it for driving my HE 500 and HE 6.

 

[jordannn15]

Okay, thanks for the help. Anyone have any other recommendations on headphones or amps/dacs for me?

 

[jordannn15]

If you are worried about weight, you could save longer and get the HE-560s. 13.3 oz instead of 17.6 oz.

 
I can get the HE-560's for $600 shipped and the HE-500's for $415 shipped. Should I go for the HE-560's at that price? What amp & dac should I use with those if I do? My budget for the amp & dac would be $300-$400 if I went for the HE-560's. If I go for the HE-500's then I would say $400-$500 for the amp & dac. Which would be a better combo the HE-500's and a bit more on the amp & dac or the HE-560's and a bit less on the amp & dac? Thanks!

 

[cel4145]

I have not heard the HE-500s, but I really like the HE-560s. And they do feel a good bit lighter than my HE-400s.

I have used my Audio-GD NFB-11 with the 560s, and it had plenty of power. The NFB-15 has the same headphone amp as the NFB-11, and is available for ~$300 shipped.

 

[jordannn15]

I have not heard the HE-500s, but I really like the HE-560s. And they do feel a good bit lighter than my HE-400s.

I have used my Audio-GD NFB-11 with the 560s, and it had plenty of power. The NFB-15 has the same headphone amp as the NFB-11, and is available for ~$300 shipped.

Do you know the difference between the NFB-11 and the NFB-15? I don't see a difference but the NFB-11 is $25 more before shipping.

 

[cel4145]

The difference is $75 before shipping.

The NFB-11 has a higher grade of DAC chip. Otherwise, they are identical units--same pre-amp, same headphone amp, same configuration/cabinet/look.

The DAC in the NFB-11 is (supposedly) a bit more resolving.

 

[jordannn15]

The difference is $75 before shipping.

The NFB-11 has a higher grade of DAC chip. Otherwise, they are identical units--same pre-amp, same headphone amp, same configuration/cabinet/look.

The DAC in the NFB-11 is (supposedly) a bit more resolving.

Okay, I see that now on the pages of the amps. Judging off the last sentence in your reply do you think I should save the money and go for the NFB-15 since the NFB-11 is supposedly a bit more resolving?

 

[cel4145]

Okay, I see that now on the pages of the amps. Judging off the last sentence in your reply do you think I should save the money and go for the NFB-15 since the NFB-11 is supposedly a bit more resolving?

Some people say that they prefer the sound of the NFB-15. I'm always looking for more detail, so I went with the NFB-11.

 

[jordannn15]

Okay, thanks for the help you guys! Looks like I will be going with the HE-560 and the NFB-15. Hopefully this will be my endgame or at the very least something I will keep for a couple of years or more.

Some people say that they prefer the sound of the NFB-15. I'm always looking for more detail, so I went with the NFB-11.

Couple more more quick questions, how is the customer service from the guy who makes the NFB amps? Also, how is the shipping speed?