[Music freak]

  Very different sounding and for me they are better at some genres of music that the HD650 does not do as well.  To keep you interested here is a picture of a few different planar headphones next to the HD650:

on the table from left to right: EL8 open, LCD-2, HE400i, HD650 hanging on stand in front of BH Crack, on the outside edges: Left-custom Nhoord V2, Right-HD700 and DT-990 premium.

Nice picture. Which planar is your favourite and why?
Also, is the bass on the HE 400i's faster and tighter compared to the HD 650s?

 

[Music freak]

 
Have you tried the HE-400S?  They are not lusher and smoother overall, but the mids are better than 650 IMO.  400S are brighter overall, they get a little sloppy in the treble, and don't have good bass extension (at least with stock pads, didn't try other pads).  650 is the better can overall, but the mids on the 400S are pretty sweet.  Most say they don't sound like planars.

I have. I was not very impressed. The mids were nice, but the overall sound was thinner compared to the HD 650s.

 

[Music freak]

  While I generally find HD650 to be smooth I don't think they are as much as some people make them out to be. The upper mids and grain is a limiting factor - at least for me.     

which headphones/headphone you consider smoother than the HD 650s?

 

[RiflemanFirst]

 
Similar here.  I was kind of underwhelmed with the 650 at first listen, but that was out of an iphone 6.  The E10K really did a good job with them.  I started to appreciate the smoothness and accuracy of the vocals and mids, the increased resolution, and better sense of depth, over the 598s.  The improvements weren't huge, but noticeable and appreciated.  With the Magni 2, they transformed once again.  Everything came out of the background into the fore and smoothness improved even more, but sadly soundstage width and depth suffered.  Ultimately, I decided to return them, as I wasn't prepared to buy a proper amp for it at the time, and the difference in sound over the 598 with my current equipment didn't justify the price of the 650.
 
I'd keep listening.  You'll probably grow to appreciate them more and more.  I have a feeling I'll be getting them again in the future.

 
I'm currently using all my headphones with a Mimby & Vali 2 stack and really do enjoy the sound of the HD650s after a couple days of breaking in and getting used to them. The HD650s are definitely more relaxed and have much more bass presence compared to the HD598s, which are changes I wanted. The HD598s are brighter, a bit more mid forward and have a somewhat wider soundstage in my experience. I think the brighter signature of the HD598s can give an impression of more detail, but is actually somewhat grainy when compared to the HD650s. Not to say the HD598s sound bad at all, they don't, it is just a different flavor for sure. Either way, I'm happy with the purchase and will be keeping both the HD650s and HD598s. Now I need to figure out what to do with my old HD280 PROs. I want to replace them with a better set of closed cans.

 

[Music freak]

  If you are planning on 400i I would suggest to better look at Monolith M1060. 

I know about them. I am not sure if they would be available in my country. 

 

[Music freak]

   
I'm currently using all my headphones with a Mimby & Vali 2 stack and really do enjoy the sound of the HD650s after a couple days of breaking in and getting used to them. The HD650s are definitely more relaxed and have much more bass presence compared to the HD598s, which are changes I wanted. The HD598s are brighter, a bit more mid forward and have a somewhat wider soundstage in my experience. I think the brighter signature of the HD598s can give an impression of more detail, but is actually somewhat grainy when compared to the HD650s. Not to say the HD598s sound bad at all, they don't, it is just a different flavor for sure. Either way, I'm happy with the purchase and will be keeping both the HD650s and HD598s. Now I need to figure out what to do with my old HD280 PROs. I want to replace them with a better set of closed cans.

I would suggest the DT 150s. They sound almost similar to the HD 650s.
They are not very interesting visually, infact many people have called their industrial look ugly. if you can live with their look, then they are absolutely terrific. 

 

[RiflemanFirst]

  I would suggest the DT 150s. They sound almost similar to the HD 650s.
They are not very interesting visually, infact many people have called their industrial look ugly. if you can live with their look, then they are absolutely terrific. 

 
Thanks for the suggestion. I was also looking at the Massdrop Fostex Mahogany TH-X00s a few days ago but decided to get the HD650s first.

 

[MWSVette]

   
Thanks for the suggestion. I was also looking at the Massdrop Fostex Mahogany TH-X00s a few days ago but decided to get the HD650s first.

You cannot go wrong with the HD650's.  Great set of cans.  They have a permanent spot in my collection.
 

 

 

[DavidA]

  Nice picture. Which planar is your favourite and why?
Also, is the bass on the HE 400i's faster and tighter compared to the HD 650s?

my current favorite planar is the EL8 or HE560, the EL8 because it does vocals better than most of my other headphones to me and the HE560 since its quite lively and can do almost any genre well.
 
The bass of the HE400i is quite fast and tight compared to the HD650 and for some it can seem bass like compared them at first listen but after you get adjusted the bass is tighter and goes a little lower.  FYI, mine are the older HE400i with the back plate

 

[Music freak]

  my current favorite planar is the EL8 or HE560, the EL8 because it does vocals better than most of my other headphones to me and the HE560 since its quite lively and can do almost any genre well.
 
The bass of the HE400i is quite fast and tight compared to the HD650 and for some it can seem bass like compared them at first listen but after you get adjusted the bass is tighter and goes a little lower.  FYI, mine are the older HE400i with the back plate

Well, this makes me more excited. I am already in love with the HD 650's bass, lets see how the ortho bass impresses me.

 

[peter123]

Well, this makes me more excited. I am already in love with the HD 650's bass, lets see how the ortho bass impresses me.

The HD650 has a good deal more mid bass compared to the HE400i and it's also softer/rounder in its characteristic. To me the HD650 has the better midrange presentation (although the HE400i is not bad either) while the HE400i has better bass and treble. As always ymmw, yada yada etc.....

 

[kman1211]

 
Agree.  The 598 is a bit grainy compared to 650, which is very smooth.  Surprisingly, the E10K did a pretty good job with the 650.  More soundstage than with the Magni 2, but the M2 was smoother.

Usually I found the higher up you go the less grain you usually get, I found the HD 650 to have a little more grain than my DT 1990 but my DT 1990 does have more bitey treble. The HD 650 treble is smoother but not as high fidelity and extended as my Beyers. But the two headphone sound different, the Beyers are drier and punchier. The E10K doesn't sound bad and the HD 650 doesn't sound bad underpowered, it's just it can sound so much better on a system that gives them enough power and has good synergy, when the HD 650 is driven well it really comes to life. Honestly never liked Schiit amps much, especially the cheaper ones, so not surprised you found the E10K favorable compared to the Magni 2. 

 

[WriterHead]

  I am still waiting for someone to suggest me a lusher and smoother sounding headphone. I am losing hope that I would find one.
I think I would go for the HE 400i. I know it is not smoother , but it is time that I get myself some planars I can't wait any longer. Does anyone own the HE 400i here or tried them? I want some comparison between them and the 650s.

He400i is faster, brighter, more extended bass, less midbass hump, more neutral, less congested I prefer them to HD650 except for some poorly recorded albums.

 

[Solrighal]

 
He400i is faster, brighter, more extended bass, less midbass hump, more neutral, less congested I prefer them to HD650 except for some poorly recorded albums.

 
You might be in the wrong thread.

 

[peter123]

You might be in the wrong thread.

Because he answered a question someone had how the HD650 compares to the HE400i???

I'm probably in the wrong thread as well then because I've got the exact same impression as the ones he shared.