HipHopScribe
Headphoneus Supremus
I will do a proper comparison between other headphones in time, but I want to point out again how similar they are in tonality to the HD650s.
So easy on the ears, very natural and gentle flowing.
Some differences:
Soundstage.
The width of the X3's is mostly the same as the HD650s, but with some recordings instruments escape out of their confined space and give you a sudden hint of a much bigger picture. Sense of depth and 3D is bigger with the X3s. This is in one aspect because of a slight recessed midrange and a bit more extended highs. But mainly because the stereo image isn't that extremely panned between left and right, but rather evenly filled out and rounded.
Details and resolution.
The HD650 are more articulate, not exactly with an emphasize, but you generally get more texture and micro details.
Timbre.
Very good on the X3s. In an earlier post I stated that technically the X3s are in the same league as the ATH-A900Xs, I no longer stand behind this. The X3s are very close in timbre and naturalness in tone as the HD650s, but, this becomes an annoying cliche, in the higher frequencies the HD650 are unbeaten. The X3s highs are smooth and non fatiguing, but still a bit uneven and not always without grain, a tiny bit of grain I must emphasize. No steeliness, no ringing, no sharp peaks, just at times a very slight resonating textured thingy, an artifact that is seperated from the full treble tone.
Bass.
To my ears very similar to the HD650s. Slightly less bloom and maybe slightly less textured as well. The bass does go a bit lower, but not much.
Midrange.
Slightly less upfront and intimate. More airy than the HD650s. From bass to lower mids it sound very linear, it doesn't have the bloom in the sound, like the HD650s or more obvious the NightHawks. Still the sound isn't without warmth. Definitely warmer than Beoplay H6s, AKG K550 MKIIs and Denon D5000s.
Dynamics
Not the most dynamic sounding. In this regard they are similar to the BeoPlay H6s, but more engaging all the same. The HD650s are definitely more dynamic, both in macro dynamcis like big orchestral crescendos and micro dynamics, like sudden rhythmic accents and subtle musical dynamic shifts. Overal the HD650 shows bigger contrasts between quiet passages and louder ones.
This description actually sounds a lot like the X2s with a less of an upper bass hump. Obviously can't say without someone making a direct comparison to the X2, but the soundstage depth, the slightly recessed midrange, the uneven, slightly grainy treble are all things I'd use to describe the X2. Really seems like they may have just slightly re-tuned the X2 driver
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