daigo
1000+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2009
- Posts
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- 29
Quote:
Source: Rega DAC / Marantz SA-7001
Amp: Beta 22 / SOHA II
I was about to get the HD650. I have heard the HD650 on a few occasions and have a good idea on how it sounded like. I like the full bodied and non fatiguing presentation.
But then I heard the LCD-2, it seemed that the smoothness of the ortho is not something that HD650 can match. However I am not paying that much for a headphone. On the other hand, however I have not heard the HD650 in my system, which might or might not be better from the condition that I auditioned.
The common wisdom tells us that what dictates the sound quality most is the headphone > source > amp. However, from what I already own, it appeared that my spending is the exactly other way round.
Question:
If you were me, would you be looking at the HE-500? Which cost almost twice as much as the HD650. Or would you not worry and just stick with the HD650 and allow the headphone the cheapest component in your system?
You do have some excellent source and amp options in your possession. One thing with the HD650 is that it can scale well with better sources and amps. I've listened to HD650's played out of a beta22 briefly at meets over the past couple of years and it can definitely drive them with authority, with good control of the bass, silky smooth mids and adequate highs, though slightly rolled off.
If the HD650 is in your budget and the HE-500 or LCD2 isn't, there is no harm in picking the HD650. The HD650 resale value has held up well over the years in case you have additional funds to upgrade in the future.