[Jerrod]

Hd650 has been my end game for years but I want to see if there’s something that is noticably better while still having a warm sound signature?

People on Reddit recommend the focal clear, but I demoed one and I was not impressed. Zreviews said the focal clears are like expensive Beats and I agree with that 100%. They don’t sound high resolution or even warm necessarily, just bass boosted af

What would you guys recommend is the upgrade path or end game for an hd650 lover?

Preferably with high impedance because I have an otl tube amp with ww2 mullard and Soviet Union tubes and to me it is the epitome of sound. Literally pouring honey on your music. Sounds so rich and full and euphonic I can’t use anything else.

 

[smallcaps]

End-game HD650-esk headphone? From what I've personally auditioned, look into the ZMF Caldera.

 

[plmon]

Hd650 has been my end game for years but I want to see if there’s something that is noticably better while still having a warm sound signature?

People on Reddit recommend the focal clear, but I demoed one and I was not impressed. Zreviews said the focal clears are like expensive Beats and I agree with that 100%. They don’t sound high resolution or even warm necessarily, just bass boosted af

What would you guys recommend is the upgrade path or end game for an hd650 lover?

Preferably with high impedance because I have an otl tube amp with ww2 mullard and Soviet Union tubes and to me it is the epitome of sound. Literally pouring honey on your music. Sounds so rich and full and euphonic I can’t use anything else.

That's surprising to hear about the Focal Clear. While they slam pretty hard, I felt the bass response was pretty linear. But I heard them off a solid state amp.

I agree with the Clear and Elex being "upgrades" of the HD650 just because both have more intimate presentations. But tonality-wise, imo the ZMF Auteur is closer with perforated lambskin pads (I can only speak for the Auteur OG, haven't heard the new Classic version). I'd say it's not quite as warm as the HD650 (depending on your pad wear), but has that smooth and natural portrayal of timbre that the Sennheisers are famous for. It improves on the soundstage without losing intimacy and extends better into the bass and treble. Being 300ohms, also works great with tube amps!

 

[dunring]

Do you know the output impedance of the amplifier? It's takes headphones with 8 times higher ohm rating, so would be helpful when shopping for the most choices. The HD650 are really good, but low ohm planars might not be an option. I have the 68 ohm Hifiman HE6SE, but many other low ohm models would be a bad match.

 

[buke9]

For ZMF I think the Atticus or Aeolus is a closer match for the 650’s myself and 300 ohm impedance so will play nicely with your OTL.

 

[earmonger]

I have not heard the ZMF suggestions. But the ATH-R70X was explicitly designed as a better HD650 -- high-impedance, 470 ohm, so damn comfortable.

https://www.theverge.com/2018/7/6/17535412/audio-technica-r70x-review-professional-headphones

I absolutely love mine.

Apos is also introducing a newer version, look in the sponsored pages.

 

[fliz]

It would help to know what you're unhappy with in the hd650s

 

[haasaaroni]

Hd650 has been my end game for years but I want to see if there’s something that is noticably better while still having a warm sound signature?

The ZMF Aeolus and Auteur are two headphones I’ve owned that I would say are noticeably “better” than the 6XX while still leaning warm, but the 6XX still does what it does best. And nothing will replace it for me. You might be better off looking into a headphone with a different sound signature that you can use as a counterpoint to its lushness and musicality. Maybe something more resolving and technical. Just a thought.

 

[jonathan c]

Nitsch / JAR (Jupiter Audio Research) modification to HD-650.

 

[haasaaroni]

Nitsch / JAR (Jupiter Audio Research) modification to HD-650.

This I’m on the wait list for a JAR600 with Nitsch right now