Howdy. Can someone confirm or deny weather the es100 mk2 that i just bought can competently run HD650. I picked one up for some IEM’s (and am really happy with it) and now im considering ordering a 2.5mm cable for the HD650. Anyone on here actually use that setup and feel it’s adequate? Im seeing mixed and confusing reports.
OK... I don't have balanced cable for hd6xx so listening SE.
In double current mode it reports that volume goes over 100db so gets plenty loud.
I am using the acoustic eq to boost the bass but bring the treble down slightly - flat sounds a little flat to me
, but I'm used to the 99s, which I tune down on the bass and is more v shaped than the 6xx.
Definitely is 'adequate'
has good tone for vocals on things like pentatonix and strings. I would say bass is adequate also but lacks a little slam and clarity, which can be a characteristic of the tuning for these cans (I'm not a bass head, but do like tight, accurate bass, which is why I eq out the mid bass hump in 99s, which otherwise seems to me to bleed over into the mods and gets a bit bloomy)
Compared to my Schiit Vali 2 I find the es100 does not bring out the best of the hd6xx - but still is enjoyable and pleasurable - maybe slightly fatiguing in the treble for me (even with eq down a touch)
I have the Hd6xx as reference cans to compare to other peoples impressions as so many people have them, and while the mids can be amazingly beautiful, I've never loved, loved, these cans - so keep that in mind...
But overall I'd say I get about 95% of what I get on the Vali 2, so quite workable.
I'd expect you would get slightly better results with balanced. (I just compared SE to balanced on 99s again)
I do like balanced better with es100 on my 99s - I notice better sound stage, a little deeper and wider and better imaging compared to SE with those... Not night and day, but noticeable... It doesn't jump out right away, but from balanced to SE the sense I have is that there is just a little bit missing and slightly more muddy/congested sound.
YMMV and all that of course, but hope that helps...