[soundsculptor]

I think something you might want to try is putting your EL-8s into a warmer tube amp or applying a slightly warm EQ.
You'll be blown away by how comfy the sound becomes.

 

[Sal1950]

 
Left, middle, and right. A tendency to concentrate/cluster the sound in those areas. Not entirely smooth across space, with some stereo tracks. imo.
 

Thanks so much, I'll have to add that to my audiophile dictionary. 

 

[mikoss]

  I think something you might want to try is putting your EL-8s into a warmer tube amp or applying a slightly warm EQ.
You'll be blown away by how comfy the sound becomes.

Have you heard the LCD-3's? If you enjoy the EL-8's sound, the LCD-3's take everything to a whole other level of listening pleasure. I say this sincerely, since I own the LCD-3's and have spent time with the EL-8's myself. Audeze has a house sound which they actually were able to translate to the EL-8's, but the 3's take that sound further.
 
I would also think that you'd find the HD-650's less exciting than the EL-8's. The HD-650 sound is very smooth for dynamic drivers, however, they may appear as dull without a proper amp. If you are using a tube amp with the EL-8's, chances are it would work very well with the 650's. I'm not a huge fan of Audeze for a multitude of reasons, however I did extensively compare the EL-8's to the 3 fazors and those are my thoughts. I personally much prefer the HD sound to the Audezes, but I do believe there are people who have heard Audeze headphones with better FR than the ones I've auditioned, and this is part of the issue for me.

 

[soundsculptor]

Though I don't own a pair, I've listened to LCD-3s a handful of times and, to be honest, the EL-8s sound like baby LCD-3s. The sound signature is very similar though the EL-8s are more neutral and has less.. oomph.
So far I've been using them unpowered but I have a Little Dot 1+ in the mail set to arrive today so that will change very shortly.
 
But yes, the LCD-3s are like the voice of god himself.

 

[CanadianMaestro]

   
But yes, the LCD-3s are like the voice of god himself.

 
Herself.

 

[Solrighal]

   
Herself.

 
Itself (I'm thinking Dog)
 

 

[BleaK]

  The HD650 in full flight was magnificent when in balanced mode and driven by the Schiit Ragnarok. I no longer own that behemoth, but this isn't a bad place to slum it -
 

 
Bought the HD650 yesterday, this will be my exact setup. Glad you're liking it!

 

[Solrighal]

   
Bought the HD650 yesterday, this will be my exact setup. Glad you're liking it!

 
Prepare to be blown away.

 

[soundsculptor]

   
Itself (I'm thinking Dog)

Hahaha
 
The LCD-3s are like the voice of God him/her/itself

 

[BleaK]

   
Prepare to be blown away.

Already owned the HD800, but hopefully I still will be

 

[CanadianMaestro]

   
Itself (I'm thinking Dog)

Quote:

  Hahaha
 
The LCD-3s are like the voice of God him/her/itself

 
Herself would explain a lot in this world. 

 

[bracko]

   
Herself would explain a lot in this world. 

 

[CanadianMaestro]

Quote:

   
Herself would explain a lot in this world. 

Quote:

 

Good and bad....like the 650 and its amp scaling. 

 

[CanadianMaestro]

How do people find the 650 scaling with DACs ? Lots here on amp scaling.
So, what I'm saying is:  same headphone amp, with changes in DAC alone. No combo amp/DACs.

 

[Sal1950]

  How does the HD650 compare to some other, similarly priced headphones... like the Audeze EL-8?

??? HD 650s been on the market over 12 years now. In all that time they have always been considered Class A and close to the best.  Many have sold theirs 2 and 3 times to get one or more of the "new kids",  only to sell them and get another 650.
How do they compare?  Good.  For a more accurate detail come back in 5  years and ask again what the guys think of today's "new kids"
IMHO when there's a classic component available that's passed the test of time, I'll always go with it.  Odds are it will continue to satisfy for many years to come.