[PA] HD6** series; which one to pick?

[IntoTheVoid512]

I've owned my beloved DT880 for about a year or two or so, and I would want an HD6** series headphone to complement it in a nice way.

Budget - Under 400 euros probably, since the HD660S are the most expensive out of the series.

Source/Amp - JDS Labs Atom amp. Will add an Atom DAC later on probably.

How the gear will be used - At home, just listening to music. Maybe some slight casual gaming, but it's not a requirement for them to be good for gaming; it's no secret that these lack in imaging and staging. I might upgrade it in the future; it'd be nice if the schaling factor is present, but we'll see I guess.

Preferred tonal balance - I like the brightness my DT880 and bass my ZSN Pro offers, but I want something with nice mids to switch it up a bit.

Preferred music genre(s) - mostly heavy metal, but I've been listening to some more vocal focused songs and jazz as of late. Artists I mostly listen to as of right now:

• Black Sabbath
• Arctic Monkeys
• Joji
• Billie Eillish
• Alex Turner
• Kendrick Lamar
• Adele
• The Weeknd
• MF DOOM
• Tame Impala
• Van Halen
• The Neighborhood

Past gear experience - DT880 (their brightness is nice), ZSN Pro (the bass response is fun at times), K612 Pro (the wideness and dead neutrality was a bit meh; it had nothing going for it). I had the Sundara a while back and it didn't really do anything for me. Vocals stood out clearer than on the DT880 and it was a bit narrower; since then my DT880 sounded a bit too thin and distant for my liking. Hopefully a HD6** will fix that.

Extra: I don't care if the HD600/650 have better value. I want something that fits my needs.

If possible, I would want something with the treble the DT880 or the openness the Sundara offers, while also having some warmth or thick mid-/low-end.

People will most likely recommend the DT1990 to me, but I don't really see the use in getting one when already owning a DT880. Someone in another forum has told me that the HD660S would be the best, due to the HD600/650 being a bit too muddy, dark and bloomy. He also described the HD600 as too shouty for me, while being terrible for gaming.

Thanks in advance everyone. I appreciate every response I can get.

 

[WorksUnit]

I do find my HD650 to have *that* muddy dark character, but at times there is nothing else I want to listen too
Adore them on my tube amp for older recordings.

Considering an HD700 as a compliment myself....cheaper used than than HD660s and apparently the same drivers according to one popular youtube bloke.

 

[IntoTheVoid512]

I do find my HD650 to have *that* muddy dark character, but at times there is nothing else I want to listen too
Adore them on my tube amp for older recordings.

Considering an HD700 as a compliment myself....cheaper used than than HD660s and apparently the same drivers according to one popular youtube bloke.

Yeah, it seems like the HD650 on tubes is a dream combo, but I'm just afraid that it's not for me. I kinda know myself; I'd probably write it off instantly as muddy and veiled.

 

[Deolum]

Since you like it bright you might like the HD600 the most. I do agree though that it sucks for gaming due to it's terrible imaging. It's also kinda slow which could be annoying if you want fast transition with guitars.

 

[IntoTheVoid512]

Since you like it bright you might like the HD600 the most. I do agree though that it sucks for gaming due to it's terrible imaging. It's also kinda slow which could be annoying if you want fast transition with guitars.

Yeah, it seems like every HD6** comes with its downside haha. I've spoken to metal571 and he said that the HD660S would also fit me really well based on what I described.

 

[Mightygrey]

It sounds like you're enjoy the bass and mids of the HD650, but might find the treble a bit too relaxed. I'd go for the HD660s.

 

[IntoTheVoid512]

It sounds like you're enjoy the bass and mids of the HD650, but might find the treble a bit too relaxed. I'd go for the HD660s.

Sure seems like that'd be my go-to route. Plus it comes with better imaging which is always a plus in my book. Thank you very much!

 

[Mightygrey]

Sure seems like that'd be my go-to route. Plus it comes with better imaging which is always a plus in my book. Thank you very much!

No worries mate, enjoy!

 

[IntoTheVoid512]

No worries mate, enjoy!

Will do! In the end, that's what it's all about