[Keithpgdrb]

The crack is essentially the size of a shoebox, but taller. Well worth the real estate.

About the 650 drivers. I'd stick with the 600s. I traded over to the 600 from the silver 650s a while back. They are just more balanced. The 650s are great, but really are a tad dull on the top for me.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

  So for giggles I've set up a playlist of purely rock/metal songs (Sabaton, Turisas, Dragonforce, etc.) and so far the HD600 can handle them easily - to my surprise, actually. A tad bit polite in the upper treble region, but overall tonality especially the guitars and percussion sounds really good. 

 
I've personally never thought they were too polite, but then again I try to avoid being too close to the drummer (even when I'm in the audience) as the cymbals easily make me feel like they're smashing my ear drums (and the bass guitar from the front row can give me a headache).

 

[DefQon]

@Brooko: Who the hell did you quote on the prices for new balanced Sennheiser drivers? I ordered two original Sennheiser HD600 capsule drivers 2 years ago from the German Sennheiser distributor for $70, who the heck did you get the quote on $200 for new HD600 drivers?

 

[Brooko]

Was that $70 each or $70 for a pair?
 
They only sell the full capsule - and I have to get them to NZ.  I'm going through a registered Sennheiser dealer in Auckland at this stage.  Last time I purchased Sennheiser parts, I actually went through an Australian company  - but I checked up and even they have the capsule (including driver) at $122 AUD each (http://service.syntec.com.au/index.php?cPath=1871&osCsid=30647e8b6fba6094297203b75e99cd6d).  They are the agents Rosmadi from Sennheiser put me onto last time for a headband replacement.
 
I checked other places around the web - and the price seems to be pretty consistent.
 
If you have a way of getting a cheaper matched pair of genuine HD600 drivers, I'm all ears. 

 

[DefQon]

  Was that $70 each or $70 for a pair?
 
They only sell the full capsule - and I have to get them to NZ.  I'm going through a registered Sennheiser dealer in Auckland at this stage.  Last time I purchased Sennheiser parts, I actually went through an Australian company  - but I checked up and even they have the capsule (including driver) at $122 AUD each (http://service.syntec.com.au/index.php?cPath=1871&osCsid=30647e8b6fba6094297203b75e99cd6d).  They are the agents Rosmadi from Sennheiser put me onto last time for a headband replacement.
 
I checked other places around the web - and the price seems to be pretty consistent.
 
If you have a way of getting a cheaper matched pair of genuine HD600 drivers, I'm all ears. 

 
$70 for a pair (didn't include shipping), I still have 1 driver left after I sold 1 driver to head-fier here in dire need of one. I keep as spares since I regularly use my HD600 in case something bad happens.

 

[devhen]

Settle down peeps, no one said they are getting the HD700. All I said is I had an opportunity to demo them so I took it because I'm curious to hear it for myself. It won't be happening for a few weeks. It will be interesting to hear for myself this very infamous(ly bad) headphone. It would be better to be able to demo the HD800 but I haven't had a chance to do so yet. I'm considering trying out the HD800 and T1 next to each other through The Cable Company.

 

[amcananey]

Wasn't trying to attack you, just offer (what was intended as) helpful advice.

FWIW, I had the T1, too. The Crack was the best amp I found for the T1, too, but I have to say that I was woefully underimpressed by the T1. The T1 seems like a minor incremental upgrade over the Beyer DT770/880/990 lineup. And compared to the HD800s, it was no contest whatsoever. The HD800s blew the T1 out of the water. I was actually pretty surprised, since I was expecting to really like the T1s (I happen to like the Beyer DT990 600 Ohm quite a bit). The T1s seemed flat and lifeless compared to the HD800s, and there didn't have anywhere near the HD800s soundstage and imaging.

If you can do a head-to-head comparison in your own home, that is the best way to test them. Report back with your test results.

Best,
Adam

 

[amcananey]

Also, just to clarify, I'm not saying the HD700s are "bad", just that they are overpriced. Sennheiser clearly wanted to make a $1,000 headphone, and they thought they could justify the cost by making the HD700 kind of look like the HD800s, but without the technology (e.g., the ring radiator) that makes the HD800 so special. In my opinion, the HD700s are incredibly comfortable, and they don't sound bad per se, but I don't find they sound better than the HD600s, yet they cost waaaaaay more.

 

[jjsoviet]

So the HD700 doesn't really live up to the reputation of its older brother? That's a shame.
 
How about when pitted against the slightly cheaper Shure SRH1840, how would it fare?

 

[boliainima]

Good,Even from a Zune and amped by a CMOY they outdo the HD595 in every aspect! thanks

 

[amcananey]

So the HD700 doesn't really live up to the reputation of its older brother? That's a shame.


 


How about when pitted against the slightly cheaper Shure SRH1840, how would it fare?

 


I've never heard the Shure 1840s, so I can't say. I think the Shure SRH840s are a great deal, so I've always been curious about the 1840s, but I've never actually heard them myself. I hope someone else will chime in here.

In case anyone is interested, I've never come across any headphones that leaked less sound than the Shure SRH840s. I held onto them for a long time because they were perfect for listening to music or watching movies in bed next to my wife.

Best regards,
Adam

 

[devhen]

Thanks amcananey. I didn't think you were attacking me I just wanted to make it clear that I wasn't considering the HD700 because as soon as I mentioned that I was demo'ing them several people responded telling me not to get them. I appreciate the comments but they were unnecessary. I don't anticipate ever buying the HD700 or even liking them much but I will give them a fair chance when I demo them. It will be interesting to finally hear them.
 
How would you compare the HD700 to the HD800 in terms of soundstage, positioning, and separation?
 
Thanks

 

[palmfish]

Also, just to clarify, I'm not saying the HD700s are "bad", just that they are overpriced. Sennheiser clearly wanted to make a $1,000 headphone, and they thought they could justify the cost by making the HD700 kind of look like the HD800s, but without the technology (e.g., the ring radiator) that makes the HD800 so special. In my opinion, the HD700s are incredibly comfortable, and they don't sound bad per se, but I don't find they sound better than the HD600s, yet they cost waaaaaay more.

 
The HD700 does lack the ring radiator that makes the HD800 unique, but it does have a some of the technology that the HD600 lacks. The more rigid frame, the baffles, etc. In theory, it should be a better performer than the older HD600, but I have only auditioned it once about a year ago and don't really remember what it sounded like. I do remember being unimpressed and thinking it isn't worth the price premium over the HD600.
 
Personally, I think Sennheiser simply has too many models. Performance-wise, all they need is the HD428, HD558, HD600, and HD800. This is a well-rounded lineup IMO. The only reason why the HD700 exists is to fill the price gap between the HD600 and HD800.

 

[jjsoviet]

 

  So the HD700 doesn't really live up to the reputation of its older brother? That's a shame.
   
  How about when pitted against the slightly cheaper Shure SRH1840, how would it fare?

 


I've never heard the Shure 1840s, so I can't say. I think the Shure SRH840s are a great deal, so I've always been curious about the 1840s, but I've never actually heard them myself. I hope someone else will chime in here.

In case anyone is interested, I've never come across any headphones that leaked less sound than the Shure SRH840s. I held onto them for a long time because they were perfect for listening to music or watching movies in bed next to my wife.

Best regards,
Adam

 
 
Yeah, the 840's are perfect for quiet listening as well as music on the go. No one seems to notice I'm blasting music at near max volume even when I'm practically close to them 

 

[amcananey]

How would you compare the HD700 to the HD800 in terms of soundstage, positioning, and separation?

 


Worse, worse and worse. And not by some small margin. It is significant.

I don't mean to be flip about it, but that is really just what it boils down to. I can write a lot of other words, but that won't really change the bottom line.

Best regards,
Adam