Recommendation on HD600 vs ...

[endgame]

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

First of all, it's my opinion and I'm allowed to have it. The 400S doesn't pass the build test for its cost.
Second of all, you all are hijacking this thread and not helping the OP with his quest for a headphone upgrade.

 

[domsch1988]

I'm not 100%, but hifiman does not really seem to be an option in germany... I looked into the 400i, and while i'd love it, it's also 150€ above the HD650. If you can find one at all...

 

[endgame]

I'm not 100%, but hifiman does not really seem to be an option in germany... I looked into the 400i, and while i'd love it, it's also 150€ above the HD650. If you can find one at all...

I've seen some for sale on EBay that will ship internationally. As I said earlier, they're on sale for around $240 right now. There might even be some on Amazon that will ship internationally.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

I'm not 100%, but hifiman does not really seem to be an option in germany... I looked into the 400i, and while i'd love it, it's also 150€ above the HD650. If you can find one at all...

Meier Audio in Germany sells headphones, sometimes bundled with their amplifiers when they offer discounts.
http://www.meier-audio.homepage.t-online.de/

 

[domsch1988]

Meier Audio in Germany sells headphones, sometimes bundled with their amplifiers when they offer discounts.
http://www.meier-audio.homepage.t-online.de/

Yes, i've seen this. But really, the 400i is 200€ more expensive than most 600/650. It puts it right up with the HD700. Whether one is better than the other is another question.
While i MIGHT be able to stretch for the HD700/400i, the question boils down to: Is it worth "sacrificing" the amp for that? When the Headphones cost 450, i won't have budget left for an amp. With the hd650 i could get a headphone amp on top...

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Yes, i've seen this. But really, the 400i is 200€ more expensive than most 600/650. It puts it right up with the HD700. Whether one is better than the other is another question.
While i MIGHT be able to stretch for the HD700/400i, the question boils down to: Is it worth "sacrificing" the amp for that? When the Headphones cost 450, i won't have budget left for an amp. With the hd650 i could get a headphone amp on top...

There's the HE400S that won't really need an amp for power, just any low output impedance amp circuit. You can get an amp as cheap as a Fiio E10K.

 

[Brooko]

This "might" assist you with the HD600 vs HD650 and HD600 vs HD700 dilemma. Just my opinion. I've owned the HD600 (still own it), HD700 - and like you also had the DT880 and K701. I spent about two weeks with the 650 in my own home when I was doing the comparison.

HD600 vs HD650
HD600 vs HD700

Let me know if any questions. I genuinely liked the HD700 but ultimately ended up with the HD800S anyway

 

[domsch1988]

This "might" assist you with the HD600 vs HD650 and HD600 vs HD700 dilemma. Just my opinion. I've owned the HD600 (still own it), HD700 - and like you also had the DT880 and K701. I spent about two weeks with the 650 in my own home when I was doing the comparison.

HD600 vs HD650
HD600 vs HD700

Let me know if any questions. I genuinely liked the HD700 but ultimately ended up with the HD800S anyway

Oh wow, this was genuinly helpfull!
Though it didn't really lead to a final decision.

Some points:
- For the Music i listen to most (Metalcore, Deathmetal and any Progressive Genre) the HD700 seems like a better fit. Especially the faster low end should help here
- The HD700 seems more "fun" or engaging, but could get "annoying" when just want to have some music on while on the PC
- The HD600 is the "easy" choice. Nothing wrong, never annoying. A Headphone for "every day"...
- The HD650 seems to be out by your review. With my Music and setup i don't think i need more laid back or warm than the 600. If more low end was the goal, the 700 would be the better choice anyways.

In the end it boils down to
- If going with the 700 i fear not being able to use it all day because it could get annoying
- If going with the 600 i fear the low end being to loose for my main Musical tastes
Any input on this?

Then again, i do have my DT880. And i'm confident using those all day. The 700 could be a nice addition for those times i really want to head bang

 

[Brooko]

The HD700 can just get occasionally peaky - but its actually going to be no brighter than the DT880, so if you like that bit of brightness, but want some more bass impact - then the 700 would be a good choice for you (plus you'll like the wider sense of staging and better imaging).

I started with K701, DT880, HD600 and SR325 (I was still trying to work out what I liked), and I actually ended up for a long time with the DT880 and HD600 and they were a nicely contrasting pair (ideal if you were owning both). To me the 600 and 650 are noticeably different but not massively so - both sound pretty good, and most people would be happy with either.

I probably would have kept the HD700 if I didn't also have the T1 at the time. The HD700 is insanely comfortable, and had many properties I really liked. Ultimately though I couldn't justify keeping them. Quite ironic if you consider where I am at the moment. I now have the HD800S and would have sold my HD600 by now except my son uses them all the time.

Unfortunately - while I do listen to some Prog - I'm not much into metal. Any peakiness with the HD700 is going to depend on the recording quality. I still think you'll be OK. And depending on the price (I've seen some go for as low as $350) they are actually extremely good value. Ultimately you may find the HD600 a little laid back - it is more of a genre master - but the 700 might be a bit better with faster, more complex music.

Last option (depending on what you can afford) - I've seen some 1st gen T1s go around USD 500 nowadays. Used to be a $1000+ headphone. Tonally similar to DT880 - but better staging and imaging. If you wanted a single headphone for your genres, sell the DT880 and use the money from the HD600/HD700 which you're not buying - and get a T1.
Alternately - get an HD600 - use it alongside the DT880 (it'll give you a nice contrast), sell both after you've enjoyed them for a while - and get that T1.

Biggest thing - enjoy the journey. I could have saved a lot more money by going straight to where I've ended up. But its the journey which has led to the discovery that I don't need to go any further than where I am now.

 

[Monsterzero]

Oh wow, this was genuinly helpfull!
Though it didn't really lead to a final decision.

Some points:
- For the Music i listen to most (Metalcore, Deathmetal and any Progressive Genre) the HD700 seems like a better fit. Especially the faster low end should help here
- The HD700 seems more "fun" or engaging, but could get "annoying" when just want to have some music on while on the PC
- The HD600 is the "easy" choice. Nothing wrong, never annoying. A Headphone for "every day"...
- The HD650 seems to be out by your review. With my Music and setup i don't think i need more laid back or warm than the 600. If more low end was the goal, the 700 would be the better choice anyways.

In the end it boils down to
- If going with the 700 i fear not being able to use it all day because it could get annoying
- If going with the 600 i fear the low end being to loose for my main Musical tastes
Any input on this?

Then again, i do have my DT880. And i'm confident using those all day. The 700 could be a nice addition for those times i really want to head bang

Im very much into metal,mostly NWOTHM,speed,pagan/folk,melodeath and some occult/doom...

If I had to choose between all the HPs being bantered about I'd take the 400i and then the HD650 secondly,assuming you have the amp to drive them.
another thought is the Meze99,which doesnt need an amp.

You can try asking in the metal thread,were typically pretty friendly and helpful for a bunch of headbangers

 

[domsch1988]

Im very much into metal,mostly NWOTHM,speed,pagan/folk,melodeath and some occult/doom...

If I had to choose between all the HPs being bantered about I'd take the 400i and then the HD650 secondly,assuming you have the amp to drive them.
another thought is the Meze99,which doesnt need an amp.

You can try asking in the metal thread,were typically pretty friendly and helpful for a bunch of headbangers

Thank for bringing it up, left a message there.

The Meze is Closed back, so no option.
The 400i, while certainly great, feels like not that great of a deal here. The price, at 450€, feels a bit high compared to what they cost in the US atm.

Edit: I just realized Hifiman ships internationally from their online shop. At the current deal plus the 46$ shipping it would com out to 260€. This is the same price as the HD600 and cheaper than the HD650.
Even if customs wants their piece of the cake that's sub 300. Would be an option at this price.

Has anyone had experience with international orders from Hifiman?

 

[BunnyNamedCraig]

if you can handle the treble of the DT880 and not find it fatiguing then you can handle anything... lol I think what @Brooko said is true, in regards to the HD600 being a good contrast to your already dt880. That would be very complimentary! I also agree that the HD700 is incredibly comfortable.... I think its really difficult for headphone manufactures to beat the hd800/hd800s/hd700 in regards to comfort factor. In regards to T1 (original) I think its a very capable great headphone. BUT it is just not my taste. I think the second version is perfect to my ears with that said though. But like he said (@Brooko) it may be the end all for all that you want!

 

[domsch1988]

To be honest, after mcuh research i'm eyeing the HE-400i. When ordering over US Ebay to Germany, it's cheaper than the HD600 (by 50€) and the 650 (by 140€). Also, it might be nice to get a completely different style of headphones (planar magnetic). I realize it would not be as warm as the HD650, but the added low end and tightness might compliment my musical tastes better.
It all depends on wether the 249$ deal is still up in two weeks and wether any HD650's are to be had used.

 

[domsch1988]

Just to follow it up, final decision is made today.
I have two options for either a HD600 or 650. Both at 210€ used (but mint in Box). i could collect the 650 today, the 600 would need to be shipped. My head is spinning from the decision and i have no clue which one i should take. Some time today a decision will be made (though i currently prefer getting it today, which would imply 650)...

Edit: Developing Story ^^
Recieved another offer for the 600's, slightly older and without original packaging for 160€.
So, As New 650 today for 210€ or lightly used 600 in a few days for 160€. Decisions, decisions...

 

[Music Alchemist]

I prefer the HD 650 over any of the other headphones listed in the first post. (All of which I owned.) It's slightly warm and dark, but fairly neutral. The HD 600 is a little leaner and brighter and the sound is less refined, though a bit more snappy and dynamic. I'd assess the HD 650 as still being more neutral than the HD 600 because the latter's upper frequency peaks interfere too much. The HD 700 has better resolution, soundstage, etc. but the frequency response is all over the place, being both warm and bright. (Click here to see what I mean.) I had too many "What?!" moments with that headphone, whereas I can throw anything at the HD 650 with no major problems. I had the (supposedly) best version of the beyer: the DT 880 Edition (aka Premium) 600 ohm. Any of the Senns are better, in my opinion. The HD 6XX is said to have the same sound and build quality as the HD 650, but, as was mentioned, Massdrop takes a long time to ship things out.