[Bilavideo]

I'm reading these threads that suggest the HD650 wasn't necessarily a skip up from the HD600 so much as a lateral move. There's a "tastes great/less filling" debate about whether the 650's sound signature is "better" than that of the 600. I'm hearing some say the 650 is better, once you plug it into better equipment or give it the old burn-in. I'm hearing the bass is better. On the other hand, I'm hearing the bass is bloated, or fat, or veiling. Some consider it less detailed than the 600, at least without a lot of additional upgrades in equipment.

This all sounds like the debate, in the IEM world, between the Westone 3 and the UM3X. Both have that warmer Westone presentation but the Westone 3 is the "fun" phone with more kick while the UM3X is more neutral. I actually liked the UM3X better because I found the W3's "kick" to be too much mid-bass for my tastes. (There are plenty who like that extra chili sauce the W3 provides.) I wonder to what extent such a comparison would apply here.

Here's the thing. Regardless of the original MSRPs, enough time has passed that a person could get either phone for roughly similar prices, enough to sift through the comments in search of the real runner-up to the $1500 HD800. Feel free to chime in with a quick endorsement. If you couldn't afford the HD800, which of these would be your darling? Is this wobbly, unsettling reaction to the 650 similar to that of the GS-1000, where RS-1 lovers freaked, people resold their new darlings and Grado came out with the PS-1000, a headphone beloved for splitting the differences between the RS-1 and the GS-1000?

 

[Zombie_X]

I'd prefer the HD600, it's closer to the sound of a HD800 than a HD650 is. Also it has more treble and detail, with good solid bass.

 

[MD1032]

I prefer the HD600 by a longshot over the HD650. I think the 650's increase in bass comes at the price of further veiling the treble.

 

[sling5s]

Senn:
HD600 is closer to the HD800 than HD650.

Grados:
Get Grado RS1 and get G-cushions.
Now you got both the RS1 (L-Cushion) and something approximate to GS1000 with G-Cushion (with less bass).

 

[Zombie_X]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sling5s /img/forum/go_quote.gif Senn: HD600 is closer to the HD800 than HD650. Grados: Get Grado RS1 and get G-cushions. Now you got both the RS1 (L-Cushion) and something approximate to GS1000 with G-Cushion (with less bass).

I agree with th HD600 statement, but the Grado is iffy for me.

If you have some foam inserts from the Grado packaging you could always make your own salad bowls like I did, and they sounded better than the Grado G pads. I mean you get more bass than a G pad and also retain all the mids.

 

[aimlink]

I perhaps should get a 600!!

 

[9pintube]

My ears perfer the HD 650............BUT only after I changed the cable with a "Double Helix" and a week BURN IN PERIOD!!!!!!Smoooooth...But who can Fault the 600s, not me

 

[koven]

HD600 all the way

 

[peanuthead]

HD600 or HD650 based on personal preference.

 

[AmanGeorge]

My ears much prefer the 600 to the 650s.

 

[gbacic]

you guys are ruining my HD650's

 

[j.har1bo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbacic /img/forum/go_quote.gif you guys are ruining my HD650's

Here's a hug

 

[tjumper78]

waiting got someone to say "go hd650 balanced!!1"

if i had to choose one, i'd choose hd600. i had both a while ago, and hd600 was more fun and better for my taste.

 

[AmanGeorge]

Although I will say that I don't think the 600 really sounds much like the 800 - the 800 is its own animal. The 600 is closer than the 650 by virtue of being more neutral, but that's where the similarities end.

 

[cwoo]

The new version of the hd650 is a bit more detailed a little less dark than the previous version. When amped correctly, its bass will outperform the hd600 while maintaining the silky mids and glistening highs. I myself am a hd650 man!

PS. Can't wait to go balanced...