[tehsprayer]

Hi guys, I bought the HD 650 for $530 CAD (inc tax) and have until the end of the month to return them if I so desire. I'm kind of tempted to buy the HE-500 from Audioadvisor for $499 USD + tax and would get it shipped to a USA address and pick it up. I would preferably have it shipped to Canada but they can't ship to Canada. Should I keep the HD 650 you guys think? Or is there something better for around $450 USD?
 
I will be running it off the O2 and Modi

 

[Kalavere]

I found the HD-700's and HE-560's to be fairly similar in sound. The HiFiMANs seem more intimate to me and the HD-700's very spacial. 

Having never heard the 650's or the HE-500's I can only speculate the difference is somewhat similar to their counterparts.

I do prefer the slightly less spacial and warmer sounding HE-560's to the very precise and wide sound of the Senns. The 650's are a very well revered can, I don't think you can go too far wrong either way. 

 

[tomb]

Your money might be better spent upgrading that amp/source and perhaps a Cardas cable.  I am always in the cables-don't-make-a-difference camp, except when it comes to the Senn HD580/600/650.  A Cardas cable can definitely make a difference in helping to lift the veil.  The Senn can also take every amplifier upgrade and give you back better performance.

 

[Mmarketting]

Completely different beasts. The HE500s have a better lower bass response but have issues with treble harshness and sibilance, with a serious peak in dB at 10kHz. Overall I prefer the HD650s, but some adore the planar sound that the Hifimans offer. HD650 are absolutely fantastic, I'd really push you to keep them for as long as you can in the return period, see if you get along with them (I bet my left kidney you will). The HD6xx range were considered some of the best headphones in the world until recent years with the HD800s succession and the $1000+ headphone craze.