[SP Wild]

But why would you look anywhere else? 

 

[wolfetan44]

  But why would you look anywhere else? 

Alright, whatever.

 

[SP Wild]

Awww, c'mon man...

 
A smile goes a long long way!

 

[JacobLee89]

But I do think the HD650 is a good all rounder.
 
For me anyhow, I'm not quite sure, but certain highs (even on my DT250-80's mind you) just sends spears into my brain, which brings me to think: in a certain way, we may hear from a "neutral" sound source but may not be hearing something that sounds "neutral" to our vastly different ear canals. Who's not to say that someone with an ear drum that's one nanometre thicker than another person experiences the same neutral?
 
Call me a madman, but I'm pretty sure that the HD650's may just be the "neutral" to me.

 

[jimmers]

  You're are certainly right. BUT...my point is that this is an appreciation thread for the 650 and maybe not the best place to make claims about the 598 being a better all round hp. 

I was thinking that there was a difference between an "appreciation" site and a "fan" site,  and where else would a reply be made?

 
Personally I think he should go straight to the HD650 and not waste money on the journey to it like I did

 
(and pleeease someone tell me if I love HD650 I won't like HD800, because some ads/prices I've seen lately have me wavering, noooo!)

 

[RAZRr1275]

Something about these headphones is magical - I got the HE-6 in and I love them in every way and they technically are far better than the HD650s, but unfortunately their cable broke so here I am back on the 650s without any regrets. Something about their sound and tone is just compelling regardless of their "faults". I can't wait to get my balanced DHC nucleotide cable in for them and get the HE-6 back up and running so that the truly fantastic duo will be back in full force. 

 

[SP Wild]

Noooooooooo!
 
We'll lose another to the blinding light side!
 
I call upon the dark spirits to keep you our side...and together we shall rule the world!  (once we've conquered it!)
 
Mwahahah !  Mwahahahaha!

 

[Zojokkeli]

Could anyone comment on how big\little of a difference there is between HD518\558\598 and the HD600\650? I'd like to get my feet wet with the Sennheiser sound and am simply curious whether the sound differences are subtle or are blatantly obvious. Charts on headroom look all too similar between all the previously mentioned models.

Would Sennheiser sound (or HD650s in particular) be a good match to someone who adores his PortaPros?  Thank you.

I haven't heard Portapros, but I own both HD 598's and 650's, and I can say with absolute confidence that will fall in love with either of them (any sane person would.) Both do well with broad range of music and are good for watching movies etc too.
For an average person the difference between the two isn't night-and-day (like moving from your average crappy hp's to your first proper ones), but the 650's still take the cake. 598's hold their own very well though.
If you choose to go with the 650's, remember that you should consider proper amping also. Schiit Modi+Vali is inexpensive combo, and very good with both of the headphones.

 

[Bogatyr]

Thanks for the replies.

 

[networkn]

I am considering an "upgrade" from my HD650's. I love the all around great sound across most genres that the HD650's and I was wondering what I could move up to that was similar to the HD650, but "better". I guess I'd say the 650's hit the sweet spot in it's pricerange and even reasonably above it, but I presume there must be a HP at the $1000-1300 that is just as capable across a a large group of music genres? I don't want anything massively difficult to drive. I have a O2 Amp, and Odac, and also a crackamp (about to install the speedball upgrade).

 

[SP Wild]

T1 or LCD2...considering your amps...T1 it is then...congratulations! 

 

[networkn]

  T1 or LCD2...considering your amps...T1 it is then...congratulations! 

 
Hi There!
 
I have heard that both the LCD2's and T1's with some batches or releases had some issues. Is there a way to avoid those (sorry I can't recall what the specific issues were). 

 

[parbaked]

  I am considering an "upgrade" from my HD650's. I love the all around great sound across most genres that the HD650's and I was wondering what I could move up to that was similar to the HD650, but "better". 

HD600! 

...actually the T1 is a very good suggestion. They are well made so not sure why you think they have QC issues.

 

[ButtUglyJeff]

  I am considering an "upgrade" from my HD650's. I love the all around great sound across most genres that the HD650's and I was wondering what I could move up to that was similar to the HD650, but "better". I guess I'd say the 650's hit the sweet spot in it's pricerange and even reasonably above it, but I presume there must be a HP at the $1000-1300 that is just as capable across a a large group of music genres? I don't want anything massively difficult to drive. I have a O2 Amp, and Odac, and also a crackamp (about to install the speedball upgrade).

 
If I had a Crack, I'd want a T1 or find a pair of Thunderpants.  That was my plan...

 

[Amictus]

@Bogatyr

HD598 is a better all around headphone than HD600/650. Depending on your music preferences, though, the 600/650 could be somewhat better. The HD598 doesn't sound bad on any genre.

Here's my review from a couple years ago that included the HD600 and HD598.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/601061/mid-fi-shootout-hd600-hd598-focal-spirit-one-philips-fidelio-l1

Also worth mentioning is that you can find used HD598s for much cheaper than the other two, nearly half the price usually.

Well, whatever the toxicity of that observation in this thread might be, I enjoyed copying it to my son, who received the HD598s from me as a Christmas present. He can now look down on my HD650s and HD800s...