Recommendation on HD600 vs ...

[domsch1988]

** Originally wrote in the Headphones Section. Realized here would be more appropriate. Since i'm unable to move the thread, i'll report it for deletion **

Ok, i've been off for quite some time. 2 years back i got myself the DT880's and have been happy ever since.
Now, after listening to the HD600 in a store, i'm hooked again. They are just so smooth and easy to listen to in comparison.
So, i'm looking into a new pair next month. A few options are on the radar, but i'm open to suggestions.
- HD600 is still available and costs about 250€
- HD650 costs 50€ more and doesn't seem to change anything in sound or comfort
- HD6xx the drop is live, but i really, really, really do not want to wait until christmas for them to get to me...
- HD700? Way more pricey, but is the upgrade worth it? i could maybe stretch the budget that far.

So, basically, open back headphones, great resolution without the "harsh" or pronounced top end my 80Ohm Beyers have. I'm wanting something that's easy to listen to and wear for hours. I'm leaning for a warmer sound here. K701 (which i tried) are way to analytical and fatiguing for example.

I don't currently own a dedicated amp but have a quality audio Interface that can drive the cans. I'm also looking into a "budget" desktop amp to go along with the new headphones though.

Any input or recommendations are welcome, as i haven't been following the headphone scene for a while now.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

** Originally wrote in the Headphones Section. Realized here would be more appropriate. Since i'm unable to move the thread, i'll report it for deletion **

Ok, i've been off for quite some time. 2 years back i got myself the DT880's and have been happy ever since.
Now, after listening to the HD600 in a store, i'm hooked again. They are just so smooth and easy to listen to in comparison.
So, i'm looking into a new pair next month. A few options are on the radar, but i'm open to suggestions.
- HD600 is still available and costs about 250€
- HD650 costs 50€ more and doesn't seem to change anything in sound or comfort

if the HD650 is only 50€ more and you can't hear any difference in sound then just get that. It has a very slightly higher sensitivity and the bass reaches down deeper before it starts rolling off.

HD6xx the drop is live, but i really, really, really do not want to wait until christmas for them to get to me...

Considering the HD650 is only 50€ more the only reason to get the HD6XX is if you want a more collectible item.

HD700? Way more pricey, but is the upgrade worth it? i could maybe stretch the budget that far.

So, basically, open back headphones, great resolution without the "harsh" or pronounced top end my 80Ohm Beyers have. I'm wanting something that's easy to listen to and wear for hours. I'm leaning for a warmer sound here. K701 (which i tried) are way to analytical and fatiguing for example.

The HD700 has a very tall treble peak and is the sharpest sounding of the Sennheisers. In order from sharpest to smoothest, it's HD700, HD800, HD600, HD580, then HD650. The only improvement you can get over the DT880 is imaging being wider and deeper.

I don't currently own a dedicated amp but have a quality audio Interface that can drive the cans. I'm also looking into a "budget" desktop amp to go along with the new headphones though.

Save up for a Meier or Violectric.

 

[domsch1988]

if the HD650 is only 50€ more and you can't hear any difference in sound then just get that. It has a very slightly higher sensitivity and the bass reaches down deeper before it starts rolling off.




Considering the HD650 is only 50€ more the only reason to get the HD6XX is if you want a more collectible item.




The HD700 has a very tall treble peak and is the sharpest sounding of the Sennheisers. In order from sharpest to smoothest, it's HD700, HD800, HD600, HD580, then HD650. The only improvement you can get over the DT880 is imaging being wider and deeper.





Save up for a Meier or Violectric.

Thanks for the Input.
Seems the HD650 is the way to go then.

Concerning Amp: the 200$ Range is acceptable. I'm currently not going to spend much more on amp/dac or both. I'm not THAT critical of a listener really. I was more looking into the schiit audio stuff.

Also, For my current setup a "decent" source switch would be great. At my desk i have 4 different Audio Sources that i'd like to switch to the Headphones. Two are Balanced TRS, one is 3,5mm stereo and one 6,3 mono. Ideally It'd have Balanced Output. I only need one source at a time, no mixing or such things. Any tips on such a device? Or is DIY the way to go here?

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Concerning Amp: the 200$ Range is acceptable. I'm currently not going to spend much more on amp/dac or both. I'm not THAT critical of a listener really. I was more looking into the schiit audio stuff.

Also, For my current setup a "decent" source switch would be great. At my desk i have 4 different Audio Sources that i'd like to switch to the Headphones. Two are Balanced TRS, one is 3,5mm stereo and one 6,3 mono. Ideally It'd have Balanced Output. I only need one source at a time, no mixing or such things. Any tips on such a device? Or is DIY the way to go here?

Not for $200 much less with that many analogue balanced inputs. AudioGD has a few products for that but way over $200.

If you can DIY it then you can make a source selector for that many sources and use a Schiit amp.

 

[cossix]

Sub-$200 won't get you balanced, and if you're not crazy about the hobby then balanced anything really wouldn't make a difference to you in reality. I'd say get a modi2 Magni 2 stack, should be $200 even. You'd be hard pressed to find a better sounding and better looking combo. I think you should stay away from the HD700 if you don't like sharp treble. 600 or 650 is the way to go. I've never heard the 600 but I don't like the paint finish, and the 650 i own suits my tastes better anyway. Good luck!

 

[BunnyNamedCraig]

HD 600's are such a staple for this community... I think they would satisfy what your looking for in regards to a warmer can that is smooth. It is also able to scale incredibly well whenever (and if you get addicted to this hobby like the rest of us) you upgrade your gear. In regards to HD700, its a lot different than the HD600, and I find it to be a lot more forward of a sound.

best of luck with whatever you choose!


-Craig

 

[serman005]

If you are looking for warmer signature, then I really think you would be better served by an HD650 than you would a 600. I have both and I definitely would consider the 650 to be the warmer of the two. Both really good headphones, just different. FWIW. YMMV, of course.

 

[buke9]

I'm going to disagree with everyone as I think the 700's are very underrated. The 6k spike is real but only on very few tracks and not that bad that I want to get rid of them. They are bright but to me not Beyer bright. There are a couple of simple mods that you can do to smooth them out a bit. They to me totally kill the 6x0's on soundstage and I think the imaging is better but not by a lot but still better. To be honest I don't listen real loud most of the time and most of my gear is warm as well as tubes. There is always eq too as I don't use a lot but it did transform the Meze 99's for me. YMMV just my opinion.

 

[endgame]

You can buy the Hifiman he400i right now for $249. That is an absolute steal for a very good Planar headphone that used to retail for $499. It sounds similar to the 650 but a little better in my opinion and I'm a Sennheiser fan. You should look into it.

 

[buke9]

I think the 400i sounds closer to the 600's and the 400S sounds more like the 650's but that is me.

 

[endgame]

I think the 400i sounds closer to the 600's and the 400S sounds more like the 650's but that is me.

Fair enough. But the build quality of the 400S is garbage and it's currently selling for $299. There's just no way the 400S is worth more than the 400i in my opinion.

 

[buke9]

Where do you get the build is garbage? They are almost identical. Have you owned them my pair is over a year and a half old and no problems.

 

[endgame]

Where do you get the build is garbage? They are almost identical. Have you owned them my pair is over a year and a half old and no problems.

I only own the 400i but have tried out the 400S. And I have to disagree, their builds are not identical. The S feels very cheap, especially the plastic and hinge.

 

[serman005]

Fair enough. But the build quality of the 400S is garbage and it's currently selling for $299. There's just no way the 400S is worth more than the 400i in my opinion.

I wouldn't say the build quality is garbage. I agree they are lightweight and constructed primarily of plastic (used in other HiFiMAN headphones, too), but mine are almost two years old and in the same condition in which they were purchased, other than some dust here and there. Pads, cups, gimbals, headband--they are all fine. They have been used a lot. Just FWIW. YMMV, and it obviously does, but there is another perspective on the issue.

 

[buke9]

I only own the 400i but have tried out the 400S. And I have to disagree, their builds are not identical. The S feels very cheap, especially the plastic and hinge.

So why the garbage comment? I believe this is just a bit much.