[audiojun]

  Major differences are sound stage, details, bass.

 

So the HD800's have more of all of these traits?

 
Not bass imo, the HD 650 extends really well I would rate them having more bass than the HD 800. Details is a tricky one too, I feel the HD 650 does has the similar amount of micro details but it's smoother and more subtle, while the HD 800 details cuts through like a sharp knife and showing you everything including the flaws. The HD 800 also is faster, with better transients.
 
 
HD 650 has better tone, softer and smoother, smaller stage.
HD 800 is sharper, harder, treble is easily sibilant with bad recordings, big soundstage, better transients, more transparent.
 
edit: I don't think the HD 650 or HD 800 will ever hit a wall they both keep scaling.

 

[DavidA]

   
 
Not bass imo, the HD 650 extends really well I would rate them having more bass than the HD 800. Details is a tricky one too, I feel the HD 650 does has the similar amount of micro details but it's smoother and more subtle, while the HD 800 details cuts through like a sharp knife and showing you everything including the flaws. The HD 800 also is faster, with better transients.
 
 
HD 650 has better tone, softer and smoother, smaller stage.
HD 800 is sharper, harder, treble is easily sibilant with bad recordings, big soundstage, better transients, more transparent.
 
edit: I don't think the HD 650 or HD 800 will ever hit a wall they both keep scaling.

If you read my post again I specifically didn't say better or worse since its a personal preference.

 

[bosiemoncrieff]

I feel like this thread has had this conversation  a dozen times—it really behooves someone new to HD800 to read it from beginning to end, as well as the legendary battle of the flagships. I see HD650 and HD800 as complementary headphones: HD800 is the classical phone; HD650 is the everything else phone.

 

[DavidA]

  I feel like this thread has had this conversation  a dozen times—it really behooves someone new to HD800 to read it from beginning to end, as well as the legendary battle of the flagships. I see HD650 and HD800 as complementary headphones: HD800 is the classical phone; HD650 is the everything else phone.

Very good point there, they do make good complimentary headphone.
 
All we have to do now is wait for a question on amps and we will have come full circle.

 

[bearFNF]

Or comfort too. IMO HD800 are the clear winner for comfort. YMMV.

 

[Mahdi8]

yeah comfort wise HD650 sucks. Clamp too much for my taste. But still HD650 complements HD800 well. don't think any will leave my collection

 

[Me x3]

  Coming from someone who currently has, and loves, their HD650's, what major differences am I to expect when upgrading to the HD800's? Powered by either a Schiit Magnus/ Modi combo or Darkvoice 336SE (tubes).

If you like HD650's sound you might find that HD800 is bass light, dry and very bright.
HD800 is sort of an improved Beyerdynamic DT880 Pro, very different from HD650.
If you want something that's closer to HD650 but provide better technicalities, you should consider the new Focal Elear instead.
The general consensus among those lucky ones able to try the new Elear is that it has just a tad more bass than HD650 but also clearer (distortion measurements are significantly better) and similar smoothness in the treble region.

 

[lukeap69]

I am using 2359glenn OTL amp for both my HD650 and HD800 and I can tell you that the HD800 has more bass than the HD650 IME. On my other amps, the HD650 seems to have more bass.

 

[Me x3]

I am using 2359glenn OTL amp for both my HD650 and HD800 and I can tell you that the HD800 has more bass than the HD650 IME. On my other amps, the HD650 seems to have more bass.

Well, that's certainly possible. Coloured amplifiers can be all over the place, and the results might suit some people very well.
Same can be said when using a quality equalizer.
 
What's the output impedance on your 2359glenn?

 

[audiojun]

The HD 650 has more bass quantity simply because it would need to be louder to compensate for the darker treble. If you matched the volume of both headphones in according to it's treble content then HD 650 will always be more bassy, if you matched both headphones according to mids at 1khz then again HD 650 is more bass. If you match both to have the same amount of bass then the HD 800 will have more upper bass hump while the HD 650 has a 90hz hump they both extend just as low in sub frequency, when modded with dynamat the HD 650 bass extends even lower than the HD 800.

An high output impedance otl will boost the HD 800 bass at 100hz and boost the bass at 90hz for HD 650 - the impedance curves of the headphones. I could see the 800 getting bass with an otl since the impedance swing is bigger.

 

[murphythecat]

hd800 more accurate. hd650 is more fun but after a while you really miss the accuracy of hd800.
 
then you eq hd800 to tame the highs, bring the bass and its fun and accurate and I really dont plug the hd650 anymore.
 
I always try to listen to hd800 without eq but I always revert to using EQ.

 

[bosiemoncrieff]

I wish tidal had eq.

 

[Me x3]

I wish tidal had eq.

Maybe you can use an EQ running in the background with DirectSound.
If I recall correctly, Equalizer APO can do that.

 

[bosiemoncrieff]

Is that for Apple devices?

 

[Me x3]

  Is that for Apple devices?

I don't think so. It's for Windows.