Ping for Dan (jdandy), Robert, HiFiGuy and other "cans" fans

[Puma Cat]

[mulveling]

Nice choice and nice price on the HD600! The HD600 are a little bit brighter than HD650, but most audiophiles would consider them the more tonally neutral of the two, given that the HD650 are slightly on the "dark" side of neutral. The HD650 do have somewhat better bass response -- and I think slightly greater overall resolution, too -- but both are fantastic headphones that still define transducer performance in the $200-700 price band.

I got started in my audiophile journey with HD580 which I loved, then moved on to HD600 which I loved even more. In February 2004 I upgraded to the (then brand new) HD650 and it took me a few months to adjust to their darker sound -- the HD600 had defined my reference sound for a while, and I was still in love with 'em! But I eventually settled into the HD650 with a Zu Mobius cable, and loved that setup for a while as well.

I've heard the HD800 a number of times now on great gear, and honestly they disappoint me because their tonality has gone in a totally different direction (dry, bright, ultra-revealing) compared to the HD600/650, without challenging the true kings of that kind of bright/revealing sound (Sony Qualia 010, Stax SR-009). I'll always remember the HD580/600/650 fondly, and will probably always have at least one on hand (HD650 drivers in an HD580 Jubilee body, currently).

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Just snagged a pair of HD600s for $250. Purchased in January 2014, like new and barely used.

Stephen.......Now THAT's a good deal.

[Puma Cat]

Thanks, guys. Yep, happy with the price. The seller has a 100% rating, so I expect I will have them in hand soon.

Thinking of pairing these with the newly released Schiit Modi2 Uber Dac (released on Friday, at a price of a whopping $149) and the Schiit Valli tube-based headphone amplifier, which is a budget-busting $129. These will be for use with my 27" Retina iMac when I'm doing photography.

Once I get settled in with these, I may upgrade to the Schiit Valhalla 2 tube headphone amplifier. We shall see...

[John49]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

You stole them, now bring em back.

I DID have mine stolen, but they can't be the same pair...

[Robert_Anderson]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Dan, Robert, HiFiGuy and gang,

I'm can tell I'm kinda getting more into headphones. I remember Dan wrote a really nice review a couple years ago comparing and contrasting the Sennheiser HD600 and HD650s, though I don't remember what his conclusions were based on his comparison.

I've heard the HD600s at my local B&M store a while back and really liked them very much, but I would welcome Dan's, Robert Anderson's, HiFiguys, anyone else on your impressions on these two.

I will also probably get some sort planar magentic headphones at some point, either Audeze LCD-2s or the new Oppo PM-2s with original PM-1 pads, but I'm pretty sure I am going to want a pair of the (legendary) HD600/HD650s series to have around to listen to.

On another note, I just bought a pair of Sennheiser Momentums (in black with red cable and trim, looks very nice), and they are turning out to be suprisingly good, kinda like a closed-back HD600. Still breaking them in as I just got them yesterday, but they are really opening up nicely with 6-8 hours on them so far. Read great reviews of them on Head-Fi and Inner Fidelity. Going to use these as quasi-portable (I don't view aything that doesn't fit under a motorcycle helmet as truly portable! ) headphones for "casual can" listening, namely, when workin' on the computer editing images, work, non-business travel, etc, etc. I use them with my Audioquest Dragonfly or my Light Harmonics Geek Out USB DAC/headphone amps at the present tme (as while writing this, for example).

So, gang, any thoughts? Also welcome thoughts on the planar magnetics as well.

Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!

Sorry I missed this; I haven't been as active as usual on AA. I didn't read the entire thread, just your original message. For conventional headphones, I like the Audeze LCD 3's (and 2's if you want to spend less) and the Sennheiser HD 800's best. They are completely different animals than the 600/650's and I think you should listen to both. I just recently returned from a vacation in Iceland and visited my insane buddy Birgir (Spritzer on Head-Fi and Head-Case), who is likely the most knowledgeable person alive (literally) when it comes to electrostatic headphones. I bought one of his amps (a Blue Hawaii type clone) and Stax SR-009's. The combination is sublime. The Stax 507's will do quite nicely for much less, and surprisingly, the cheapest Stax headphones, the 207's, are surprisingly good for an astonishing price. I encourage you to check them out. The planar headphones require a bit of power. A Ray Samuels Raptor works very well, and so far, the Dark Star is working well, but lacks the warmth of the tubed Raptor. I hope this helps a little! I missed you for Thanksgiving, but have a Merry Christmas!

PS - I have the Oppo PM-1's and am not too impressed so far, but in all fairness, I have not had the time to really burn them in.

[Jack in Wilmington]

Originally Posted by mulveling

Nice choice and nice price on the HD600! The HD600 are a little bit brighter than HD650, but most audiophiles would consider them the more tonally neutral of the two, given that the HD650 are slightly on the "dark" side of neutral. The HD650 do have somewhat better bass response -- and I think slightly greater overall resolution, too -- but both are fantastic headphones that still define transducer performance in the $200-700 price band.

I got started in my audiophile journey with HD580 which I loved, then moved on to HD600 which I loved even more. In February 2004 I upgraded to the (then brand new) HD650 and it took me a few months to adjust to their darker sound -- the HD600 had defined my reference sound for a while, and I was still in love with 'em! But I eventually settled into the HD650 with a Zu Mobius cable, and loved that setup for a while as well.

I've heard the HD800 a number of times now on great gear, and honestly they disappoint me because their tonality has gone in a totally different direction (dry, bright, ultra-revealing) compared to the HD600/650, without challenging the true kings of that kind of bright/revealing sound (Sony Qualia 010, Stax SR-009). I'll always remember the HD580/600/650 fondly, and will probably always have at least one on hand (HD650 drivers in an HD580 Jubilee body, currently).

I added the Zu Mobius cable to my HD600's and I feel it tamed some of the brightness that I did experience from my Senns. I did also add the Zu Mobius extension cable so that I can sit anywhere in my audio room and enjoy my cans. They are essential for any late night listening so not to disturb the wife.

[Robert_Anderson]

Originally Posted by Jack in Wilmington

I added the Zu Mobius cable to my HD600's and I feel it tamed some of the brightness that I did experience from my Senns. I did also add the Zu Mobius extension cable so that I can sit anywhere in my audio room and enjoy my cans. They are essential for any late night listening so not to disturb the wife.

Interesting - did you ever try the Cardas cable?

[Jack in Wilmington]

Originally Posted by Robert_Anderson

Interesting - did you ever try the Cardas cable?

I never did Robert. I started out trying the Moon Audio Black Dragon because I've had such success with Moon cables. Then they sent me a Silver Dragon to compare but I still felt like I was missing something. I happened to look at the cable on the back of my headphone amp that runs to my DAC and it was a Zu Gede and so I thought let me see if they make a headphone replacement cable for my HD600's and they did. I knew that Cardas had been making cables for Sennheisers for years, but I wanted to try something different.

[mulveling]

I went through the hot cables around 2004-ish, but there are a lot more choices now. The Cardas was my favorite on HD600, and the Zu Mobius on HD650. The Cardas was decidedly warmer than the Zu. Also preferred Zu to the Silver Dragon on HD650. Didn't get to try a Black Dragon on the Senns, but it was really nice on the Sony Qualia 010!