[Solrighal]

  Best I've heard HD-650 so far: EC Balancing Act or Liquid Glass

 
That's a shed-load of money though. Are the gains over, say, an Ember MkII worth it?

 

[DavidA]

Is anyone able to compare the upper mids and lower treble of the 650 to the lcd2, hd700, campfire Andromeda or 64 audio u8? Thinking of getting this to replace my lcd2 (heavy) and wondering if I will find the upper mids recessed in comparision (as some describe the 650 as velied) .

Your LCD-2 is a current Fazor IIRC from the LCD-2 thread?  You might find the HD-650 veiled if that is your standard but I wouldn't use the term "veiled", more like the upper mids and lower treble are not as forward on the HD-650 vs the LCD-2F.  HD-650 sounds best on OTL amps IMO but others have noted that SS will also sound great so its just a matter of personal preference.
 
The HD-700 is nothing like the HD-650 and LCD-2F, much better sound stage, bass goes lower and hits harder, mids are recessed compared to LCD-2f and HD-650.  M/M stack will not do for HD-700, it will be a bright/harsh sounding set up.

 

[DavidA]

   
That's a shed-load of money though. Are the gains over, say, an Ember MkII worth it?

Worth it if you are loaded like my friend in Japan, for me I think the Liquid Glass is worth it, been saving to buy a used one from another friend, one reason is that it will roll all my current tubes and will work for all my headphones except the 2 Stax that I have.

 

[CanadianMaestro]

What's an "m&m stack"?

Methinks it's a schitty pile.

 

[Solrighal]

Methinks it's a schitty pile.

 
Isn't it always? Lovin the sig btw. Bang on the money.

 

[CanadianMaestro]

^ Thanks, man.
 
My 600 arrived today. Such a great can. BHA-1 amp'ed. SE only.
Very hard to distinguish it from my 650. A bit more "sparkle" at the top, nothing too harsh. Still smooth as silk.
Time will tell....

 

[ColtMrFire]

I am seriously considering getting this HP to go with my incoming Jotunheim amp...how valuable are the 650 mods? Are they absolutely necessary for best SQ?

 

[CanadianMaestro]

I am seriously considering getting this HP to go with my incoming Jotunheim amp...how valuable are the 650 mods? Are they absolutely necessary for best SQ?

It's a great HP. Live with it for a few months.
Mods do subtle things, not necessarily all good, ymmv, system-/music-dependent, etc. Don't risk it.

 

[Fruit Cake]

Received my HD800S today, initial comparison vs a HD650 is that it is much more detailed and clear.  I don't have to turn the music as loud to enjoy it as much, resulting in much more lower volume listening.  With the HD650 I felt like I had to turn the volume up a bit extra to hear everything and all the detail.  The HD800S is however very bright still, not as relaxed as the HD650.  So far I am enjoying it, but I will keep the HD650 for the time being.
 
FYI both were tested with the Apogee Groove.  My Gungnir/Mjolnir 2 is not here yet.  Will do another comparison then with tubes/LISST.

 

[ColtMrFire]

People keep saying, properly amped the 650 has 90% the resolution/detail of the 800. Wonder how true this is. .

 

[Fruit Cake]

With the Apogee Groove for both, not even close.  The detail of the 800S blows the 650 away.  The sound stage fight isn't even fair...different league.
Once I receive the Gungnir/Mjolnir 2 next week, I'll report back.

 

[raybone0566]

I'll give the hd800 the soundstage & imaging. Everything else belongs to the 650. YMMV

 

[DavidA]

People keep saying, properly amped the 650 has 90% the resolution/detail of the 800. Wonder how true this is. .

Depends on the system, if using all TOTL DACs and amps (AudioGD Master 9 or Redwine Isabellina DAC, EC Balancing Act or Liquid Glass amps) the HD-650 will be 75-80% of the resolution/detail of HD-800 IMO.  Given a choice I would take the HD-650 over the HD-800/S, its a much more musical sounding experience to me but if all you care about is resolution and details then the HD-800/S would be more to your liking.
 
With mid-fi gear the HD-800/S is quite a bit ahead as @Fruit Cake noted with his HD-800S and I completely agree with this, may not be the most musical to some so need to try to see what is your preference.

 

[ColtMrFire]

650 with Jotun/Mimby should be quite amazing then.

 

[CanadianMaestro]

If/when I crave soundstage and imaging, I go to floor speakers. Not HPs.