[nastynice]

 

 
 
If you "upgrade", you will hear vocals with that solo guitar.

lol!!!  

 

[Stillhart]

Better than a sub-$300 hd650?!

 
The HD650 is a nice headphone and can sound great with the right setup.  But it's kind of a niche sound IMO.  I find the X2 to be a better all-around headphone.
 
Or tl;dr: 
 

   
Yes.

 
 
 
 

Hmmm, from what I've read. not much of an improvement sound quality wise over the X1 (aside from some comfort issues). Since I don't have a problem with the X1 comfort wise, these are really inexpensive (when you find them) now, I can get a second pair (my teen daughter "liberated" my 1st pair

)

 
If you thought the loose, muddy bass of the X1 was its biggest downfall, you'll love the improved sound of the X2.  If you don't mind the bass of the X1, save yourself some money.
 

  I hate when people use the word BEST no such thing in audio. Its all subjective.

 
I think we can all agree that anyone who'd been on this board for a while implies IMO and YMMV with every single post.  Do we REALLY have to say it EVERY post or get shot down for making objective statements about a subjective hobby???
 

I have to agree with Axel and Stillhart here. The X2 will give you better sound in most cases... unless you have really high-end upstream gear or a sweet sounding OTL tube amp, in which case the HD650 can scale higher. But unless you already have that in place, you sorta have to look at the HD650 as the gateway to another $450+ investment, if you want to 'best' the fidelio sound. They're still great headphones, but they're more of a window than a final answer.

 
Well put.  If you want something that will sound great with what you already have, the X2.  If you want something that will sound even better with just the right setup, the HD650.
 
EDIT - Almost forgot!  IMO, YMMV, etc.

 

[KG Jag]

 

  Excellent options from those interested in gateway and one step above gateway audiophile music by vinyl--
 
The Pro-Ject Debut Carbon with Ortofon 2M Red cartridge from Massdrop for $319:
 
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/pro-ject-debut-carbon
 
Next step up--the "like new" (probably unopened box) Pro-Ject - 1Xpression Carbon Classic Turntable - with Ortofon 2M Silver Cartridge - Olive Wood from a very highly rated authorized dealer through Amazon for $649:
 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00H2DLP34

 
The street price of this unit has been somewhere around the $325 mark for awhile. This is for the older (non DC) version. Massdrop doesn't specify this and after shipping you're at the $330 mark while having to wait a lengthy time to receive.  The next step up would be their Debut Carbon DC Esprit and DC Esprit SB models. Here is a good rbeakdown from turntablelab on what those differences are.
http://turntablelab.com/pages/the-difference-between-pro-ject-debut-carbon-debut-and-carbon-dc-turntables  

I've only seen B stock at (or very close to) the $319 price point.  See:
 
http://www.musicdirect.com/p-309041-pro-ject-debut-carbon-turntable-blue-b-stock.aspx
 
The other turntables you mention are, like the one offered by Massdrop, different models within Pro-ject's Debut line.  The Xpression is in their Classic line, which is the next step up.

 

[Katun]

   
The HD650 is a nice headphone and can sound great with the right setup.  But it's kind of a niche sound IMO.  I find the X2 to be a better all-around headphone.

 
I actually think the opposite. I felt the X1 and X2 was similar to the HE-400 in that they really excel at a few genres, but aren't the best choice for the rest.

 

[whitemass]

  I hate when people use the word BEST no such thing in audio. Its all subjective.

Indeed, especially how sound is different with every model.
No audio company tries to go for the same sound.
 

I have to agree with Axel and Stillhart here. The X2 will give you better sound in most cases... unless you have really high-end upstream gear or a sweet sounding OTL tube amp, in which case the HD650 can scale higher. But unless you already have that in place, you sorta have to look at the HD650 as the gateway to another $450+ investment, if you want to 'best' the fidelio sound. They're still great headphones, but they're more of a window than a final answer.

I see it this way.
When you invest in more expensive headphones, you fork out a lot more to change to sound with equipment.
 
Though you can do it with all devices. $200+ sometimes just sound good out the box.

 

[god-bluff]

Its me again; the British Beyer fan
 
The price of Tesla Beyerdynamics on Amazon (UK) is increasingly tempting:  T70  £269,  T90  £287.  
 
Not a lot more than DT880 Premiums (£218, 600 ohm). Crazy really.

 

[HemiSam]

XLR Male to XLR Female cables...any recommendations that aren't stupid expensive.  Short (say a foot or foot and a half) better than longer.
 
I see Monoprice has them.
 
Thanks.
 
HS

 

[normanl]

  XLR Male to XLR Female cables...any recommendations that aren't stupid expensive.  Short (say a foot or foot and a half) better than longer.
 
I see Monoprice has them.
 
Thanks.
 
HS

I've been using Monoprice XLR cables without any complaint. 

 

[HemiSam]

  I've been using Monoprice XLR cables without any complaint. 

 
Thanks for that, Norman.
 
HS

 

[IndieGradoFan]

  XLR Male to XLR Female cables...any recommendations that aren't stupid expensive.  Short (say a foot or foot and a half) better than longer.
 
I see Monoprice has them.
 
Thanks.
 
HS

I use Blue Jeans Cables XLR interconnects and like them very much. Pricier than MonoPrice but not silly expensive either.

 

[HemiSam]

  I use Blue Jeans Cables XLR interconnects and like them very much. Pricier than MonoPrice but not silly expensive either.

 
Those look nice...thanks for the recommendation.
 
HS

 

[indieman]

Dunu Titan is back on massdrop...
Probably should jump on them this time 

 

[esteebin]

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-449-Headphones-Black/dp/B005N8W214
 
 
Sennheiser HD 449 $48 on Amazon
 
CCC has it as lowest price. I remember I set my alert at $65.
 
Edit: Those wanting open-headphones can get the HD 518 for $60 from Newegg store on eBay
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/381043294597

 

[bikerboy94]

  http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-449-Headphones-Black/dp/B005N8W214
 
 
Sennheiser HD 449 $48 on Amazon
 
CCC has it as lowest price. I remember I set my alert at $65.
 
Edit: Those wanting open-headphones can get the HD 518 for $60 from Newegg store on eBay
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/381043294597

Sonic has it for $39.95 with code HappyEars

 

[Stillhart]

  XLR Male to XLR Female cables...any recommendations that aren't stupid expensive.  Short (say a foot or foot and a half) better than longer.
 
I see Monoprice has them.
 
Thanks.
 
HS

 
I grabbed a set from Monoprice recently and I'm very happy with the quality.