[MaZa]

Different casing in HD600 helps the bass extend audibly bit lower than HD580, but they should sound same, atleast after changing original HD580 plastic grills to HD600 metal ones.

 

[aphex944]

The HD 580 sounds like it'd fit you just fine. The HD 650 is more detailed, but has generally about the same rolloff characteristics as the HD 580. I found the HD 600 to have more extension, and a bit more balance than both the 580 and 650.

 

[Davesrose]

Actually, I don't find much difference in the amount of bass with the HD580 and 600.....those metal grills seem to do more for the soundstage/ bass response (tightens them a bit). But sound differences are pretty minimal, so I think the HD580s are a shear steal right now!!!! Pick them up before they're discontinued like the k501!!!!!!

One thing about frequency graphs is that they don't take your ears into account. If you saw the frequency graph of the HD595 and HD600, you'd think they'd sound very similar. But nothing is farther from the truth.....mainly because the drivers of the 595 are angled toward your ears, so sound seems much brighter and more upfront. So frequency graphs can be more revealing for a family of headphones (ie 580, 600, 0r 650). Because they redesigned the drivers to the 650s, I do hear more treble with it too.....so I think the HD580 is the best can to fit your bill.

 

[wang228]

For overall 'tame' high frequencies, I'd look into K240S and HD580/600/650 or perphaps stax sr001 mkII.

 

[Comfy]

How about Koss PortaPro?

 

[vcoheda]

Another vote for the HD580. $133 shipped from amazon.com. That and the K501 for $99 are the bargains of the year.

 

[tomjonesrocks]

I actually share some of the problems you do in terms of the tolerance my ears have to certain phones. I can't really take Grados either--although I can see why those that can love them.

I think 650s would probably a good choice for you as well--I have had a lot of not-so-good things to say about 650s--but they are, if anything, non-fatiguing.

My problem with 650s are you need to run them through specific (and expensive) tube amps to get the most of them--steering your entire rig towards making that one can happy. And then that rig will probably not be ideal for any other phones you might own thanks to the 650's super-high ohm rating. If you just want one phone though and have a minimum of a grand to spend making them happy it's a great rig. If you don't want to spend that kind of money on sources/dacs/amps then buy ANYTHING but 650s.

 

[PiccoloNamek]

Fooey, the HD650s will sound just fine, even out of a portable amp, although they do indeed improve with better equipment.

Gosh, people make it sound like the HD650s are nearly unusable without thousands of dollars worth of expensive equipment. Honestly, would a company that has been doing this as long as Sennheiser, and has as much experience with this as they do, ever release such a profoundly flawed product?

 

[Davesrose]

I actually do find that my 650s have more treble extension then my 580s....so to my ears, they seem brighter (the 580s have different resolution in the mids though....so with that and the less bass, maybe some people would find it actually brighter then the 650). Anyhow, the OP is looking for a cheaper can then the 650....so we keep coming back to the 580

 

[Solude]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomjonesrocks /img/forum/go_quote.gif My problem with 650s are you need to run them through specific (and expensive) tube amps to get the most of them--steering your entire rig towards making that one can happy.

Not my experience either. Tubes can certainly take the Senn further into its house sound but I greatly preferred SS amps with it. Even driven from my DAC analog outputs the Senn is good. Add a HeadAmp Lite and you could be happy a long time. Throw in the a HeadAmp GS-X and you'll be saying tubes-shmoobs

To the OP, Senn 600.

 

[Davesrose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PiccoloNamek /img/forum/go_quote.gif Fooey, the HD650s will sound just fine, even out of a portable amp.

x2 on that......the 650s seem well balanced to me (more balanced then the 580/600s). They should do well on most SS equipment. They just open up to become some phenominal earspeakers on high end equipment.

 

[Solude]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kramer5150 /img/forum/go_quote.gif K240s is by far my softest can.

And has a big spike at 10KHz, kind of GS1000 type spike

 

[MaZa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solude /img/forum/go_quote.gif And has a big spike at 10KHz, kind of GS1000 type spike

...which is completely inaudible. Atleast with foam covers on. They are almost Sennheiser-smooth in highs actually.



Remove the cover and that spike, along with rest of the treble, is released with all its fury! With the foam on, its relaxed, laidback and smooth, overall boring...

 

[OceanEnthusiast]

although i've fooled around with grado's (sr-225 and sr-325i), i like my hd-580's for this very reason: easy on the eardrums, even at higher volume. they are also quite capable, and put out a lush, sophisticated sound. i'm going along with the others and am going to say try one of the 580/600/650's. going back and forth from the 325i ($300) and 580 ($150), each headphone has its own abilities and strengths, but i actually find the 580 holds it's own even at half the cost. in fact, i've been listening to the 580's exclusively this week.

 

[Mrvile]

Thanks everyone,

Looks like I'll be picking up a pair of HD580 in the near future. Replacing the grills with HD600/650 only costs like $20 from the manufactorer right? I remember reading about that somewhere...

And about amps, don't worry about the high impedance of the HD6 series. I use a Laconic Lunchbox tube amp which is designed only for high impedance cans (thus I have to use a 220ohm resistor cable for my K501's) and have been said to pair extremely well with the HD6's.