Sennheiser hd650's?

[Asterix]

Hi,

I just bought these headphones as an upgrade from my HD580's and was
wondering if I made the right choice. I have read the 580's sound very
similar to the 600's and 650's. I am hoping the hd 650's are signficantly
better. To drive the 650's I will be using a cmoy tin amp with my computer
or portable player, or my Luxman tube amp.

Any recommendations? Thanks.

[paul packer]

On Mon, 04 Oct 2004 06:27:17 GMT, "Asterix" >
wrote:

>Hi,
>
>I just bought these headphones as an upgrade from my HD580's and was
>wondering if I made the right choice. I have read the 580's sound very
>similar to the 600's and 650's. I am hoping the hd 650's are signficantly
>better. To drive the 650's I will be using a cmoy tin amp with my computer
>or portable player, or my Luxman tube amp.
>
>Any recommendations? Thanks.


The right choice in what way? What are your musical tastes? What kind
of sound do you like? From all reports the 650 is a refinement of the
580/600, which means a very smooth, laid-back but not especially
exciting sound (I had both the 580 and 600). If you liked the 580
you'll probably find the 650 a fine upgrade. If you found the 580 a
little muted and laid back (especially with the Lux tube amp) you may
not be satisfied with the 650, in which case you might need to look at
a more exciting, up-front phone like the Senn 595 or another brand
altogether like Audio Technica. However, give the 650 a good burn-in
before you decide. Some consider them the best below Stax prices.

Check out this site for lots of headphone opinions and comment:

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=450ac4580127c9ad023c64f258148be 6&forumid=2

[paul packer]

On Mon, 04 Oct 2004 15:27:15 +0100, The Devil > wrote:

>On Mon, 04 Oct 2004 06:27:17 GMT, "Asterix" >
>wrote:
>
>>I just bought these headphones as an upgrade from my HD580's and was
>>wondering if I made the right choice. I have read the 580's sound very
>>similar to the 600's and 650's. I am hoping the hd 650's are signficantly
>>better. To drive the 650's I will be using a cmoy tin amp with my computer
>>or portable player, or my Luxman tube amp.
>>
>>Any recommendations? Thanks.
>
>Well ... duh! Why didn't you listen to them first? I own the 580s and
>600s, and the 580s are clearly better to my ears.


Really? How can that be when the 600s are a refinement of the 580s,
with less resonant materials and better matched drivers? I've heard it
said that the 580s are almost as good as the 600s, but never better.

[JBorg]

> Asterix wrote
>
>
>
> Hi,
>
> I just bought these headphones as an upgrade from my HD580's and was
> wondering if I made the right choice. I have read the 580's sound very
> similar to the 600's and 650's. I am hoping the hd 650's are signficantly
> better. To drive the 650's I will be using a cmoy tin amp with my computer
> or portable player, or my Luxman tube amp.
>
> Any recommendations? Thanks.


I have HD580 and I'm satisfied with the way it recreate sounds. It's
also very comfortable to external ear. If I recall, 600's did indeed gave
slightly expanded soundstage along with well define highs. That was the
main diff. I detected other than it's cost being so much more than the 580.


You pay your money, and ya make yer choice.

[Asterix]

Hi,

I like my sound to be on the warm and mellow side since I listen to mostly
jazz. I have used the 580's and prior to that the 565's for many years and
have always found them to be very nice, comfortable and sweet sounding.
Unfortately there is no where in my area to test these phones out so for my
upgrade I went with what I figured would be the 'best' by Sennheiser's
standards, the hd650. I have heard about the 595 but without listening don't
know if I'd prefer it. Unfortately I won't be able to return the 650's once
I get them so I hope they are good! lol

Alon

"paul packer" > wrote in message
...
> On Mon, 04 Oct 2004 06:27:17 GMT, "Asterix" >
> wrote:
>
> >Hi,
> >
> >I just bought these headphones as an upgrade from my HD580's and was
> >wondering if I made the right choice. I have read the 580's sound very
> >similar to the 600's and 650's. I am hoping the hd 650's are signficantly
> >better. To drive the 650's I will be using a cmoy tin amp with my
computer
> >or portable player, or my Luxman tube amp.
> >
> >Any recommendations? Thanks.
>
>
> The right choice in what way? What are your musical tastes? What kind
> of sound do you like? From all reports the 650 is a refinement of the
> 580/600, which means a very smooth, laid-back but not especially
> exciting sound (I had both the 580 and 600). If you liked the 580
> you'll probably find the 650 a fine upgrade. If you found the 580 a
> little muted and laid back (especially with the Lux tube amp) you may
> not be satisfied with the 650, in which case you might need to look at
> a more exciting, up-front phone like the Senn 595 or another brand
> altogether like Audio Technica. However, give the 650 a good burn-in
> before you decide. Some consider them the best below Stax prices.
>
> Check out this site for lots of headphone opinions and comment:
>
>
http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=450ac4580127c9ad023c64f258148be 6&forumid=2

[Asterix]

A while ago I tested out the top-of-the-range Sennheisers all the way up to
the hd600. While the 600's sounded more 'refined,' the 580's (and 565's) had
the most bang for the buck so I went with those at the time.

"paul packer" > wrote in message
...
> On Mon, 04 Oct 2004 15:27:15 +0100, The Devil > wrote:
>
> >On Mon, 04 Oct 2004 06:27:17 GMT, "Asterix" >
> >wrote:
> >
> >>I just bought these headphones as an upgrade from my HD580's and was
> >>wondering if I made the right choice. I have read the 580's sound very
> >>similar to the 600's and 650's. I am hoping the hd 650's are
signficantly
> >>better. To drive the 650's I will be using a cmoy tin amp with my
computer
> >>or portable player, or my Luxman tube amp.
> >>
> >>Any recommendations? Thanks.
> >
> >Well ... duh! Why didn't you listen to them first? I own the 580s and
> >600s, and the 580s are clearly better to my ears.
>
>
> Really? How can that be when the 600s are a refinement of the 580s,
> with less resonant materials and better matched drivers? I've heard it
> said that the 580s are almost as good as the 600s, but never better.

[Asterix]

Laid-back, for me, is a good thing. It means less listening fatigue,
something which can be an issue for me with certain equipment. I use
Vandersteen speakers in my home setup and while they aren't the most
'forward' speakers, (slightly rolled off in the high frequencies, and
possessing a darker character,) they are perfect for me and my listening
tastes and they are totally non-fatiguing!

Alon

"Roger McDodger" > wrote in message
...
> "paul packer" emitted :
>
> >>Well ... duh! Why didn't you listen to them first? I own the 580s and
> >>600s, and the 580s are clearly better to my ears.
> >
> >Really? How can that be when the 600s are a refinement of the 580s,
> >with less resonant materials and better matched drivers? I've heard it
> >said that the 580s are almost as good as the 600s, but never better.
>
> I've heard numerous people say the 580's are better. But I agree with
> you - the Sennheisers are too laid back.
>
>
> --
> S i g n a l @ l i n e o n e . n e t

[paul packer]

On Mon, 04 Oct 2004 18:33:33 +0100, The Devil > wrote:

>On Mon, 04 Oct 2004 14:40:44 GMT, (paul packer)
>wrote:
>
>>Really? How can that be when the 600s are a refinement of the 580s,
>>with less resonant materials and better matched drivers? I've heard it
>>said that the 580s are almost as good as the 600s, but never better.
>
>Yes--I know what people say, but I don't agree with that view. I think
>you'll also find quite a few others who don't agree with it either.
>The 600s are a touch sterile compared to the 580s, and the 580s have a
>better balanced bass performance. I suggest you grab both pairs and
>listen for yourself. The differences are quite subtle, but they are
>audible, and I definitely prefer listening to the 580s.


I've owned them both, though not at the same time. My impression was
that the 600 was somewhat more refined (on classical), but since I was
using different gear it's not a fair comparison. Still, I repeat that
I've never heard the view that the 580 betters the 600 outside this
NG, and I read a hell of a lot of headphone posts on places like
head.fi. Perhaps the ears of posters here are more attuned than those
of ordinary folk. :-).

Incidentally, you should let Sennheiser know about this. They might
want to reverse the prices of the two phones.

[jeffc]

"Asterix" > wrote in message
news:dDn8d.2923$1g5.1648@trnddc07...
> Hi,
>
> I like my sound to be on the warm and mellow side

In that case you should go more for the Grado RS-1/RS-2

[jeffc]

"The Devil" > wrote in message
news:ebn2m0pa26rq22o1blhltmi85qkao77f80@rdmzrnewst xt.nz...
>
> Well ... duh! Why didn't you listen to them first? I own the 580s and
> 600s, and the 580s are clearly better to my ears.

Then you are probably legally deaf.

[Asterix]

Well, in a side-by-side comparison of my portable Cmoy amp vs. my vintage
Luxman tube amp, they have startingly different characteristics and I'm
inclined to say the Cmoy is a better match for my hd580's, which I am
currently listening to, using an iRiver imp-350 as a source. There is much
less, if any, noise, and the sound is much more forward. The Luxman (LX33,
35 watts per channel) tube amp seems to have better, clearer bass, however,
and a smoother sound. It's a good match for my speakers (Vandersteen 1c)
apparently, as I love the sound, but not for my headphones, which as you
say, are TOO laid-back and, yes, 'muted' when matched with the Luxman.

I expect the hd650 to be slightly more 'forward' in it's sound presentation
from what I have read in reviews so I hope it's a better match for the
Luxman. If it isn't, I'll gladly use my portable home-brew Cmoy amp since
I'm very satisfied with the way it sounds in general. And the iRiver has a
wonderful sound too. I'm getting the HD650's today so I will post my
results.

Currently listening to: The Complete Stan Getz on Roost, Disc 3

Asterix

"paul packer" > wrote in message
...
> On Mon, 04 Oct 2004 06:27:17 GMT, "Asterix" >
> wrote:
>
> >Hi,
> >
> >I just bought these headphones as an upgrade from my HD580's and was
> >wondering if I made the right choice. I have read the 580's sound very
> >similar to the 600's and 650's. I am hoping the hd 650's are signficantly
> >better. To drive the 650's I will be using a cmoy tin amp with my
computer
> >or portable player, or my Luxman tube amp.
> >
> >Any recommendations? Thanks.
>
>
> The right choice in what way? What are your musical tastes? What kind
> of sound do you like? From all reports the 650 is a refinement of the
> 580/600, which means a very smooth, laid-back but not especially
> exciting sound (I had both the 580 and 600). If you liked the 580
> you'll probably find the 650 a fine upgrade. If you found the 580 a
> little muted and laid back (especially with the Lux tube amp) you may
> not be satisfied with the 650, in which case you might need to look at
> a more exciting, up-front phone like the Senn 595 or another brand
> altogether like Audio Technica. However, give the 650 a good burn-in
> before you decide. Some consider them the best below Stax prices.
>
> Check out this site for lots of headphone opinions and comment:
>
>
http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=450ac4580127c9ad023c64f258148be 6&forumid=2