[palmfish]

I guess I worded my question poorly. Let's try again.

Hello fellow 598 owners. I've bee looking into MrSpeakers Mad Dogs I was wondering if any of you have had a chance to hear them.

If so, how does there sound compare to the 598s? Just looking to get a comparison to a headphone I own and know well enough to make a reasonable judgment.

Thanks!

The Mad Dogs sounded thick, flat and boring with no sparkle or speed to my ears. I didnt like them at all.

 

[TMRaven]

They are pretty fast.  Trebly sound isn't necessarily speed.

 

[AnalogSavior]

Curious, I like fast headphones, but treble a presence less than the 598s might not be what I'm looking for.
 
Thanks.

 

[ignt]

Given that the hd650s have a smaller soundstage compared to the 598s, would it be possible to give a percentage estimate of how much smaller it is?

 

[amigomatt]

I think you may get varied answers to a question like that!

 

[streetdragon]

  Given that the hd650s have a smaller soundstage compared to the 598s, would it be possible to give a percentage estimate of how much smaller it is?

more laidback, more refined, smaller soundstage, thicker sounding. bass is probably the most similar part though the HD650 still has more presense tough it drops off like the HD598

 

[Arsis]

Given that the hd650s have a smaller soundstage compared to the 598s, would it be possible to give a percentage estimate of how much smaller it is?

Thats such a subjective and unquantifiable topic.

 

[ignt]

I guess I'm asking for your individual opinions then. Perhaps I could have phrased that better. When I listen to the 598s immediately after listening to something like the B&W P7, I can immediately discern how much more out of the head the 598s are. I guess what I'm asking is, if I were to listen to the 650s, is the soundstage difference enough that I wouldn't get that experience anymore? Or is the difference more subtle?

 

[Rem0o]

It depends with the recording. But in general, it ain't as wide. It's thicker, more refined, more articulate, but closer to your head.

 

[hajabooja]

Could anyone give me input on how these stack up compared to the HD 555s for competitive gaming? A lot better? Just a little?
 
Also, does anyone know if the V-MODA Boompro mic will work with these as they have the detachable cable?
 
Thanks

 

[Zojokkeli]

Is the high end of HD 650 noticably different from the 598? I'm fairly new to proper headphones, so would an average person without refined golden ears think that the 650 truly sound as veiled as some people say they do?
I'm thinking about getting the 650's alongside my 598's, but I'm worried I would find treble on the 650 lacking.

 

[K.T.]

I can't speak for the 650, but will say this about the 600:
 
the 598 is snappier, quicker, more open sounding than the 600.
 
The 600 is, however, more refined, dense, atmospheric.
 
The 598 has better soundstage. But the 600 has superior harmonic complexity and doesn't sound as thin as the 598.
 
What I mean is, with the 598 you hear the meat of beats and sounds. With the 600, you get more of the complex air and atmosphere surrounding those beats and sounds. There's more of a dense cloud of ambiance surrounding the notes with the 600.
 
So the 600 is richer and not a "basic" sounding. One could argue, however, that the 600 can sound more congested in that sense.
 
The 598 has an edge in terms of timing and propulsiveness of beats and rhythms. The 600 doesn't sound as fast and organized in this regard.
 
Both phones sound great with the right amplification (the 598 sounds great with the Schiit Vali).
 
The 598 is more fun to listen to. The 600 is perhaps more emotionally involving.
 
Interestingly, since I got my HiFiMan HE-400 and HE-500, I don't reach for my 600s anymore. I find that HE-400 and 500 do everything I like in the 600 but do it one notch better.
 
I do still, however, reach for my 598s as they provide a different, more open, more fun sound.
 
598 are, of course, a better value. Especially if you get them on sale (I got mine for $149 at Fry's)

 

[StanD]

I disagree......IMO the HD600 provides the better listening experience then the HD598's. Right now I'm listening to my HE-500's, I do like them quite a bit.

 

[Zojokkeli]

I have considered HE-400, but I've heard that they aren't nearly as comfortable as the Senns. HE-500 is out of my price range.
I also read somewhere that 600 and 650 are very similar sounding (to an average person), but 650 has deeper bass. The price difference between the two is about 30€ where I'm from, so I'm leaning towards HD 650. HE-400 would be around 50€ more expensive than the Sennheisers.

 

[StanD]

I have considered HE-400, but I've heard that they aren't nearly as comfortable as the Senns. HE-500 is out of my price range.
I also read somewhere that 600 and 650 are very similar sounding (to an average person), but 650 has deeper bass. The price difference between the two is about 30€ where I'm from, so I'm leaning towards HD 650. HE-400 would be around 50€ more expensive than the Sennheisers.

The HD650 has more bass and less treble which gives a trend curve of less treble. The HD600's are neutral. I did a careful in person audition of both. I went in wanting to get the HD650's but left with with pair of HD600's. I also have a pair of HE-500's and they're heavier than the HE-400's yet I can wear them for hours, in fact they're on my head right now. 

 The HD600'a are very comfortable and sound fantastic. If you end up with a pair of HD650's, well they're pretty good as well. What you hear matters most, so try to do a in person careful comparison, same amps and source/music. Preferably music you are very familiar with.