[EvenR]

Headphones like the HD 600 and HD 650 sounds good on the HDVD800 also, so it's not limited to the HD 800 / HD 800S.

Can confirm this to be true. I wouldn't use it for many other headphones though. It seems to work best with Sennheiser products and especially the 6-800 series.
 

 
The HDVD 800 is a very good, powerful and clean amp but the DAC section is not par with the price range.. 

I've tried both HDVD800 and HDVA600 and i also think the amp is excellent. My advice would be to pick up the HDVA600 and get a separate dac. I'm waiting for a Schiit Modi Multibit. We'll see if such an inexpensive unit is worth pairing up with Sennheiser amplifiers.

 

[Gamergtx260]

Had em for a few days now. I'll never hear guitars the same way again...
Either way, anyone can recommend a DAC to pair with the HD800S? Preferably one that smoothen out the treble a bit. I plan to get the iCan Pro as the amp so if anyone has an info on that it would be much appreciated

I once had the Marantz HD DAC1. They were really good with the HD 600/800, especially if you are on budget. They are also well built and has beautiful mids. Surely powerful enough to drive the HD 800. 

 

[obsidyen]

Headphones like the HD 600 and HD 650 sounds good on the HDVD800 also, so it's not limited to the HD 800 / HD 800S.

Yes, I tried HD650 as well for a few minutes (just wondered how they'd sound with HDVD800, lol) and it sounded better than I've heard them with any other amp.

 

[Gamergtx260]

 
Yes, I tried HD650 as well for a few minutes (just wondered how they'd sound with HDVD800, lol) and it sounded better than I've heard them with any other amp.

How do you compare the HD650 against the HD800S? Is it totally different to own both?

 

[obsidyen]

  How do you compare the HD650 against the HD800S? Is it totally different to own both?

HD800 S sounds like a much higher resolution, improved, better in every area HD650 without any cons. HD650 on steroids. I don't think makes any sense to own both. 
 
HD650 is a musical, nice, soft sounding (compared to the more energetic HD800 S) headphone. However, HD800 S sounds so much better that I doubt you'd want to listen to HD650 again. That might not have been said for HD800 as that headphone had 6 kHz peak, but HD800 S doesn't have that problem and sounds fully linear and smooth (as you know). That said, if you need a softer sounding headphone to use when you are tired and sleepy and want less detail in your ears, HD650 might be a good 2nd headphone. I personally think it'd be a waste of money.,
 
I wish they'd use that resonator tech on HD700 as well and get rid of that 6-7 kHz peak on HD700. It's an excellent sounding headphone with very uneven treble, much like the original HD800.

 

[nvfan]

Some people consider the Focal Elear and Utopia more of a HD 650 on steroids. The HD800 S sounds quite a bit different and is a wider more diffuse sounding headphone along the lines of the AKG or Beyer or Hifiman cans.

 

[ezekiel77]

"HD650 but better" deserves a thread of its own lol

 

[Dulalala]

Thanks for the amp and DAC recommendations. I'll take a look at em! 
 
 

  I'm waiting for a Schiit Modi Multibit. We'll see if such an inexpensive unit is worth pairing up with Sennheiser amplifiers.

I'll be waiting for that impression 

 

[ubs28]

  Some people consider the Focal Elear and Utopia more of a HD 650 on steroids. The HD800 S sounds quite a bit different and is a wider more diffuse sounding headphone along the lines of the AKG or Beyer or Hifiman cans.

The Focal Utopia is more like a HD 650 + HD 800 / HD 800 S steriods. It has better transparency and clarity than the HD 800 / HD 800 S while having better bass than the HD 650.
 
I'm not sure if I call the Elear a HD 650 on steriods. It would be if the mids were better. 

 

[Gamergtx260]

 
The Focal Utopia is more like a HD 650 + HD 800 / HD 800 S steriods. It has better transparency and clarity than the HD 800 / HD 800 S while having better bass than the HD 650.
 
I'm not sure if I call the Elear a HD 650 on steriods. It would be if the mids were better. 

Interesting. If you consider value for money, do you think the Utopia justifies for that price tag?

 

[ubs28]

  Interesting. If you consider value for money, do you think the Utopia justifies for that price tag?

 
Probably not. I would say that the HD 650 is the best value for money if you get the synergy right. 

 

[Gamergtx260]

   
Probably not. I would say that the HD 650 is the best value for money if you get the synergy right. 

I have just ordered the HD 650s Will get it tomorrow. From what I've read so far, they are far for more relaxed listening and I think I would need it in the very late nights to put me to sleep. Do they scale well like the 800S with better gear?

 

[ubs28]

  I have just ordered the HD 650s Will get it tomorrow. From what I've read so far, they are far for more relaxed listening and I think I would need it in the very late nights to put me to sleep. Do they scale well like the 800S with better gear?

The HD 800 S scales higher because it has better resolution and transparency and is thus able to take more advantage of a high-end DAC for example. 

 

[Gamergtx260]

 
The HD 800 S scales higher because it has better resolution and transparency and is thus able to take more advantage of a high-end DAC for example. 

I see. So like I asked before to another member, is it no point owning the HD 650s when I have the HD 800S? 

 

[ubs28]

  I see. So like I asked before to another member, is it no point owning the HD 650s when I have the HD 800S? 

 
If the HD 800 S is used on a good system, I don't see the point of owning both the HD 650 and the HD 800 S. The HD 650 doesn't really address any weakness of the HD 800 S that well.
 
I think a planar headphone (with a good planar bass) makes more sense to compliment the HD 800 S with rather than the HD 650.