Headphones

weedemon

weedemon

enthusiast
TLDR: I bought some Senn HD650's and I am in love...

Hey guys,

I bet we have some people on here who are into this. :) before I go too far. I want to say I don't consider myself an audiophile, but I certainly can appreciate quality equipment when I get a chance to experience it.

I have always been that kid who was walking around school/on the bus with a big set of cans on my head. Back then they were cheap. +/- $100 or so. I also had a terrible habit of going to sleep with them on (eventually ruining them) and I would go through a pair at least every year.

I later (after highschool) discovered IEM's are much better suited for falling a sleep with in. I bought a pair of shure E4C's and I was blown away with the quality. (just NEVER use deet bug repellant while using your shure's. my cabling cracked and broke open.) this sadly was the end of my Shure's. I was disgusted with how their cable held up, but was also pissed at myself for exposing them to such a harsh chemical.

This lead me to look for new brands. Head-fi helped me decide to go for the Westone um3x's and again I was in LOVE! these were even better than my shure phones, and I still have these today. I have been using em for about 4 years now, and they were a great investment. I wish my version had the detachable cables though.

fast forward to today and the reason I am making this post... Massdrop did a sale on Sennheiser HD650's for 350 bucks. (normally 550-600+ cdn) I knew these as somewhat the "holy grail" of cans from all my research back in the day, but decided that since I had nothing to drive them they were not for me. but I knew someday I would have to own these. :D

I already own an amplified sound card in my computer (asus, xonair STX)... It's a sound card with an amplified headphone port for high end cans to be driven (up to 600 ohms).

So when I saw these for 350 I jumped and pulled the trigger. And here we are at the reason for this post.

I LOVE THESE! omg :) each time I have gotten better headphones, I have been able to hear more of my music. with these now I really am surprised at how much they make somes come to life.

I've been having so much fun going though all the different types of music I have and listening to the subtle differences these bring out.

Anyone know the band: blue sky black death? so beautiful. :) also Tear for fears (Head over heels/Broken live @320 VBR... OMFG), and then other newer genres.

and the best part? I've not gone beyond the (50-100 hour) burn in period and I have pretty much for the bare minimum for equipment to run these. this means they are only gonna sound better once I eventually get a better setup.

What have you guys got and what was your journey? I know there is a lot more expensive available out there, but for me I am one happy fellow! :)

I'm gonna have to start collecting flac files now...
 
Last edited:
smokum

smokum

I am who I am and your approval isn't needed!
I sub'd and am all ears for comments on this subject, as I've been wanting a 'very' good set of cans for years, and more-so as of late recently picking up my new 27" Imac I7. My issue has been my lack of ability to personally test out (in-store) quality headphones, as they just dont do that anymore since around here almost all the audiophile stores have gone and been replaced by bigbox stores. Other than Bose (which I don't care for the 'tone'), and the multimedia type (Beats, and other overprice 'crap' branded) headphones, my choices are very slim without just taking the word of others without personally hearing and deciding.... and I'm sorry, but if I'm gonna drop $500-$2000 on a set of cans, I'm finding it very difficult to just let loose and laying out that kind of cash on something I may be disappointed in.

I have really been following the Sennheiser brand, and am quite interested in hearing a comparison to the HD650 & HD800's (big $$ difference between the two), seeing I don't mind spending if the value is there. Difficulty lies in I'm a music/sound snob that enjoys a varied genre list of music, enjoy a good soundstage yet expect outstanding bass response (deep but controlled). Doing double duty also also throws in possibilities of being unsatisfied as I don't really want to clutter up with multiple sets to simply listen to basic voice sound of instructional type broadcasts or news online. Also I'm space limited because I have my 'space' set up on a rolling cart beside my jamungus lazy boy ;)

For reference to preference, my room is 20' deep X 13' wide (and the back of the room has two 3' wide openings into another room) <-- ya, not optimal at all ! and I really miss my old house with a full size finished basement 25'X25' and damper wall coverings with bins & hanging horns up front and studio monitors to fill behind :( . In my current room I run 2-tower B&W's paired with 2-B&W 12" subs (closest I could come to near matching the sound/response for my limited environment in my cureent room even though I no longer get the rear fill), which are fed by a Lantek PPX900. So to say I love crisp & full range clean audio, as well as to 'feel' my music would be an understatement (even though in this room I miss there wide soundstage I used to get.

Have you personally had the opportunity to listen to the HD650 & HD800 side by side and compare ?


I really REALLY want to get a very good set of cans this year, and would love to hear more. Ya, I know, 'go to Head-Fi'... I do, and I'm kinda bored of them now lol.
 
smokum,
Caligula

Caligula

Maximus
smokum said:
I sub'd and am all ears for comments on this subject, as I've been wanting a 'very' good set of cans for years, and more-so as of late recently picking up my new 27" Imac I7. My issue has been my lack of ability to personally test out (in-store) quality headphones, as they just dont do that anymore since around here almost all the audiophile stores have gone and been replaced by bigbox stores. Other than Bose (which I don't care for the 'tone'), and the multimedia type (Beats, and other overprice 'crap' branded) headphones, my choices are very slim without just taking the word of others without personally hearing and deciding.... and I'm sorry, but if I'm gonna drop $500-$2000 on a set of cans, I'm finding it very difficult to just let loose and laying out that kind of cash on something I may be disappointed in.

I have really been following the Sennheiser brand, and am quite interested in hearing a comparison to the HD650 & HD800's (big $$ difference between the two), seeing I don't mind spending if the value is there. Difficulty lies in I'm a music/sound snob that enjoys a varied genre list of music, enjoy a good soundstage yet expect outstanding bass response (deep but controlled). Doing double duty also also throws in possibilities of being unsatisfied as I don't really want to clutter up with multiple sets to simply listen to basic voice sound of instructional type broadcasts or news online. Also I'm space limited because I have my 'space' set up on a rolling cart beside my jamungus lazy boy ;)

For reference to preference, my room is 20' deep X 13' wide (and the back of the room has two 3' wide openings into another room) <-- ya, not optimal at all ! and I really miss my old house with a full size finished basement 25'X25' and damper wall coverings with bins & hanging horns up front and studio monitors to fill behind :( . In my current room I run 2-tower B&W's paired with 2-B&W 12" subs (closest I could come to near matching the sound/response for my limited environment in my cureent room even though I no longer get the rear fill), which are fed by a Lantek PPX900. So to say I love crisp & full range clean audio, as well as to 'feel' my music would be an understatement (even though in this room I miss there wide soundstage I used to get.

Have you personally had the opportunity to listen to the HD650 & HD800 side by side and compare ?


I really REALLY want to get a very good set of cans this year, and would love to hear more. Ya, I know, 'go to Head-Fi'... I do, and I'm kinda bored of them now lol.
Click to expand...

I cant assist with the try before you buy thing, but this should help you on your quest.

http://www.gradolabs.com/page_headphones.php

Those who know buy Grado.
 
lwien

lwien

Well-Known Member
Been using my HiFiMan RE-400's for awhile now. Haven't worn cans for a very long time.
 
lwien,
Peloton

Peloton

Vapes Hard
Another Sennheiser fan checking in, I love my PC 323D cans. It's actually a gaming headset with a swiveling mic, as I game quite a bit. I'm no audiophile, but these Senns sound fucking great. I can only imagine how nice those 650s are @weedemon...
 
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lwien

lwien

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Back when I was a diehard audiophile, Stax Electrostatics were the best cans on the market. Have they maintained that reputation?
 
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T

Tweek

Well-Known Member
Grado's are awesome, but so expensive. I love my Sony studio headset (will have to grab the model #)...have had them since 2004, and they are still the most comfortable pair of headphones I have owned and great sound. Mind you, I am not a certified audiophile, but I use them for mixing broadcast level audio, and they have yet to fail me.
 
smokum

smokum

I am who I am and your approval isn't needed!
One of my concerns is that because I frequently will be sharing the room with someone else say... watching TV, is that to gain the soundstage it's common to use open back headsets, but the bass response suffers and chances are your going to be disturbing that other person as well as picking up surround noises at lower volumne. While in the reverse with closed in over ear will offer the bass response yet narrow the soundstage, not to mention fatigue your ears more for longer sessions at greater volumes, not to mention the ear sweating lol.

It's really a PIA not having shops around here to sample choices, and the last thing I want to start doing is ending up accumulating an unused 'collection' of highend high $$ headsets to take up space and and funds like I did with vapes lol. I realize I could resell and move forward, but being in the outskirts and an anti-social who doesnt get around much just doesnt make the thought a pleasant one.

On another note.... are those using headsets direct source or off pc simply using a simple headphone amp ? or a usb DAC w/ headphone controller ?
 
smokum,
weedemon

weedemon

enthusiast
the senns are open back and you can hear pretty clearly what i'm listening to if there is no other noise in the room with me. both the 650 and 800's will do this.

I have not tried both but my understanding is the 800's are more for true sound. the 650's are slightly tunes to be what they decided was more pleasing to the ear. if i you want straight sound replication then do for hte 800's but also consider the 600's as they say the same for the 600 vs 650 conversation.


I love the sound of the 650's and I am super pleased with my choice. I feel my westones are the go to choice if i want to go more realistic.

heard great things about grado, but never tried em myself either.
 
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lwien

lwien

Well-Known Member
weedemon said:
heard great things about grado, but never tried em myself either.
Click to expand...

The only thing I know about Grado were their signature cartridges. Just goes to show how long I've been out of this game although I've heard that their X10 IEM's are pretty good.
 
lwien,
Caligula

Caligula

Maximus
lwien said:
The only thing I know about Grado were their signature cartridges. Just goes to show how long I've been out of this game although I've heard that their X10 IEM's are pretty good.
Click to expand...

Thats Klipsch who makes those.

http://www.klipsch.com/x11i-headphones

Ive owned the X5, X10, X10i, and now X11i Klipsch IEMs. Amazing units actually especially when paired with Comply foam tips.

http://www.complyfoam.com/

I have no reservations about suggesting the X11s as IEMs go but for the best sound on ear is a must.
 
Caligula,
weedemon

weedemon

enthusiast
smokum said:
On another note.... are those using headsets direct source or off pc simply using a simple headphone amp ? or a usb DAC w/ headphone controller ?
Click to expand...

here is what im using in my PC. it's sweet. I really like it. and it's nice knowing I have a sound card. I bought a 2.1 speaker setup too. (was cheap but is also sweet. corsair sp 2500. surprisingly nice! :) i was impressed after reading enough reviews. so I went for em over the klipsch (which I was going to get otherwise) these headphones really make the speakers sound lacking by comparison. except the bass. the bass on the pc speakers are great. full, tight, and not overpowered. unless i want it to be.

http://www.amazon.ca/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=asus xonar essence stx&tag=googcana-20&index=aps&hvadid=34029275742&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1712730992371282961&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_5h8dm3w4p3_b

I don't know what the USB DAC is about, but i've seen em on massdrop too.
 
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lwien

lwien

Well-Known Member
Last edited:
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smokum

smokum

I am who I am and your approval isn't needed!
weedemon said:
here is what im using in my PC. it's sweet. I really like it. and it's nice knowing I have a sound card. I bought a 2.1 speaker setup too. (was cheap but is also sweet. corsair sp 2500. surprisingly nice! :) i was impressed after reading enough reviews. so I went for em over the klipsch (which I was going to get otherwise) these headphones really make the speakers sound lacking by comparison. except the bass. the bass on the pc speakers are great. full, tight, and not overpowered. unless i want it to be.

http://www.amazon.ca/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=asus xonar essence stx&tag=googcana-20&index=aps&hvadid=34029275742&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1712730992371282961&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_5h8dm3w4p3_b

I don't know what the USB DAC is about, but i've seen em on massdrop too.
Click to expand...


Thanks, and sorry.... I meant between the two I mentioned as I run an Imac and I don't 'believe' I can add/change a sound card ;)
 
smokum,
t-dub

t-dub

Vapor Sloth
Caligula said:
http://www.gradolabs.com/page_headphones.php

Those who know buy Grado.
Click to expand...
Oooooo yes, totally agree. I absolutely LOVE my RS-1s . . . :luv: Fantastic investment . . . :tup:

grado_2.jpg

---
grado_1.jpg
 
weedemon

weedemon

enthusiast
thx @Rocket I was just gonna say the same. my sound card even comes in a usb external format. if one needed it.

what's the falcon thing @t-dub ? an amp? I have no such thing. not even sure where to begin with looking into those types of things... any suggestions on what to look for? what's important?

btw nice phones too man! I have a friend who would be jealous :p
 
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weedemon

weedemon

enthusiast
wow that's a small computer. and now you mention it i do recognise the logo. I used to read pc gamer all the time, and they advertised in there. competition against alienware if i remember right.

btw i used to have the z5500 series speakers too until our house was struck by lightning. I bought a chap 100 dollar replacement set which tied me over for a few years.
 
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Caligula

Caligula

Maximus
If were talking computer speakers, these (not really "computer speakers" but I use them as such) are the bee's tits:

http://audioengineusa.com/

Insane performance per dollar ratio. FWIW I have the powered A2 units. I hear the A5s are simply amazing though.

Great thing is that they accept SO many different kinds of inputs.
 
weedemon

weedemon

enthusiast
I have seen the audio engine speakers on massdrop a few times. :) caught my eye they did! but it's too late for me. i'll stick with what i've got for now :)

what kind of amp do you have strapped to that grokit?
 
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