Thoughts on Sennheiser HD650's edit...hd700

[klinemj]

After extensive review and lots of comparing, I ordered Sennheiser HD600's to pair with a new BasX A100.

To help folks who inputted understand why I got what I got...I had a change of hear on even getting into phones after I started this thread. So, I stopped looking. Part of that was missing the MassDrop on the Senn 6xx's (darn work system that kept jamming my drop request!).

After Emofest, I got serious again because I picked up an A-100. So, I went back through this thread and lots of references from it and others in private. I really would have loved to hear the Audeze EL-8's that Greenkiwi recommended to me and led me to a great price. Hey, they are planar - and I have Maggies...so... But, for some reason, they weigh over a pound. Holy cow! I could lose some weight, but...really? One reviewer said that if he leaned back, they slid off his head. So, despite my interest...I ruled them out.

I was ALL SET to buy some Senn 650's, and then...the price on Amazon went up from $315. And, that made them a lot more pricey than the 600's. I read review after review of the 600's and 650's vs. the Audeze and others. I was amazed at how diametrically opposed reviews could be. It seems like everyone who reviewed each one had a different take. "this one's thin, this one's warm, this one make latte's..."

I ultimately found enough thread that said the 600's and 650's were similar assuming they were driven well. And, the weight was almost 1/2 that of the Audeze. Given the 600's were now nearly $80 less than the 650's on Amazon (within $20 on another site, but hey - I have $125 worth of Amazon cards thanks to little perks I got at work...)...I pulled the trigger on the 600's. And, an R-Pi-3 kit (to go with my A100).

Other than my Dad having some really nice phones from the late 60's, I'm all new to headphones. I figured it will be nice to sit around and read later at night without blowing the house out. And, I'll find some peace and quiet even when sitting around near the family and reading and listening.

Wish me well...I'll report back.

[hemster]

I'm very interested to hear of your experience with the Sennies and the R-Pi.

[GreenKiwi]

I absolutely love how the HD600/650 feel when wearing, and I have never not enjoying listening to them. I am likewise curious how you like them... particularly with the jumper set and removed.

[restless]

I have the 600/650/700/LCD2 headphones.

600/650 are fairly close to the same. Warm but very musical.
HD 700 are a bit brighter. May not have broken in completely yet, only about 50 hours on them
LCD2 were on sale last Christmas ($599 or so), so wanted to try them as well. I do not have a lot of hours on these, but they are comfortable, and a bit "cleaner" through the response range.

All in All, I prefer the sound of the Maggie 1.7i speakers, and enjoy the lack of headphones on my head!!

(I am in remote conf meetings quite a bit, and have B&W P5/iphone combo that I use a lot. I prefer the comfort of the P5. I also use those headphones when traveling, on board planes and in hotels. Once again, prefer those to carrying the larger headphones.)

So, of the 4 headphones (600/650/700/LCD2)-- I prefer the B&W P5, which is why I have so little information to share....

John

As far as driving the 4 headphones, I use the XPA1 and the XDA2 with no problem. Also have a earlier Schitt headphone amp.

[klinemj]

Sept 15, 2017 15:09:04 GMT -5 restless said:

All in All, I prefer the sound of the Maggie 1.7i speakers, and enjoy the lack of headphones on my head!!

I have long been a fan of listening via speakers, and I will continue to. I LOVE my Maggie 1.7's! But, as you describe, I do have situations in which phones would be nice. So, that's why I am "dipping a toe into the water" of phones. I am really excited for them to arrive (which should be tomorrow night!) and listen to them.

I was surprised to learn that my Senn's and my R-Pi 3 kit will arrive tomorrow night - very fast after ordering! My BasX A100 will only arrive Tuesday. So, I'll start out with my DC-1 as the DAC and headphone amp as well as my LH Labs Geek Pulse X Infinity. And, I will build and set up the Pi on Sunday!

Mark

[LCSeminole]

Sept 15, 2017 18:51:32 GMT -5 klinemj said:

Sept 15, 2017 15:09:04 GMT -5 restless said:

All in All, I prefer the sound of the Maggie 1.7i speakers, and enjoy the lack of headphones on my head!!

I have long been a fan of listening via speakers, and I will continue to. I LOVE my Maggie 1.7's! But, as you describe, I do have situations in which phones would be nice. So, that's why I am "dipping a toe into the water" of phones. I am really excited for them to arrive (which should be tomorrow night!) and listen to them.

I was surprised to learn that my Senn's and my R-Pi 3 kit will arrive tomorrow night - very fast after ordering! My BasX A100 will only arrive Tuesday. So, I'll start out with my DC-1 as the DAC and headphone amp as well as my LH Labs Geek Pulse X Infinity. And, I will build and set up the Pi on Sunday!

Mark

I found that the DC-1 driving the HD600's was satisfactory as a headphone amp. Once I used the A100, the dynamics of the HD600's opened up for me, and the power is ample.

[klinemj]

I've only listened to a little music so far with the Senn's, but I certainly am impressed already. Note that the last time I listened to cans was over 35 years ago...my Dad always had them. After that, I never owned anything other than and ear bud I used to talk on the phone while driving.

What impresses me so far is the level of detail I hear, especially in vocal harmonies. I started off with the Dead's American Beauty and was really impressed. I also listened to some Miles Davis and some Oscar Peterson. On Oscar, I started longing to hear the A100. It arrives Tuesday!

After I get the A100, I'll do a full review of it and the Senn's. For now, I am setting up my Raspberry Pi with Volumio!

Mark

[copperpipe]

If I may sneak in a question here... The consensus for these 600/650/700's seems to be that they sound best with something like the a100. Are there any recommendations for headphone's that sound amazing just plugged into something like the Ego or DC1 etc?

[garbulky]

Sept 17, 2017 15:10:04 GMT -5 copperpipe said:

If I may sneak in a question here... The consensus for these 600/650/700's seems to be that they sound best with something like the a100. Are there any recommendations for headphone's that sound amazing just plugged into something like the Ego or DC1 etc?

The DC-1 has a pretty powerful headphone amp. Really anything less in impedance will do very well on it imo. The HD600 (300 ohms) sounded good with the DC-1 but there was something missing compared to the A-100. But anything with less power requirements should sound quite nice.
These closed back headphones sounded very nice ($150). Now they are closed back and I prefer open back but for closed back headphones they did quite well.
www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50x-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUR86/



The 32 ohm version of the Beyerdynamic DT 880 ($200) should also be a great match. However I haven't heard these but I've heard nothing but good things about them. Supposed to be a competitor to the HD600. Note you want to select the 32 ohm version. The regular version is 250 ohm which should still sound decent on the DC-1 just maybe not as good as with the A-100.
www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-Premium-32-HiFi-headphones/dp/B0024NK358/[/url]

[klinemj]

Sept 17, 2017 15:10:04 GMT -5 copperpipe said:

If I may sneak in a question here... The consensus for these 600/650/700's seems to be that they sound best with something like the a100. Are there any recommendations for headphone's that sound amazing just plugged into something like the Ego or DC1 etc?

I'll let you know what i think about the DC1 vs. the A100 driving the 600's once the A100 arrives. I was getting the A100 anyway so having 2 choices for headphone amp is a bonus.

Mark

[petew]

I've got a set of the massdrop cans on the way. I'm new to headphones here but I got a new job that requires me to disconnect from the chaos of the office and concentrate (building houses in the computer). I snapped up a little Ego as soon as I joined the drop for the Senheisers. I'm getting by with a set of Samsung earbuds that sound amazingly not terrible. Can't wait for the new cans to arrive!

[klinemj]

Sept 17, 2017 20:59:44 GMT -5 petew said:

I've got a set of the massdrop cans on the way. I'm new to headphones here but I got a new job that requires me to disconnect from the chaos of the office and concentrate (building houses in the computer). I snapped up a little Ego as soon as I joined the drop for the Senheisers. I'm getting by with a set of Samsung earbuds that sound amazingly not terrible. Can't wait for the new cans to arrive!

I tried getting on the drop, but my work IT system prevented me...bummer! I could have saved some $!

Mark

[klinemj]

So, I got home just in time to hook up the A100 and listen for 10 minutes before heading out to my daughter's soccer game. But...wow...nice amp! The Senn's sounded good with the DC-1, but the A100...wow...

More later after some solid listening!

Mark

[klinemj]

So, it's only been...oh...about 6 months since I said I would post more after more listening. Yeah, overdue. Life changed a lot since then...I decided to retire, got busy transitioning work to other folks, and then all it takes to retire...and took on a new extensive exercise routine, got more involved in Scouts, and had to sort out how to feed my Headphone Beast the way I wanted longer term.

I landed on using a $130 refurbished Dell Optiplex 3010 with Windows 10 Pro on it to draw from JRiver for my files on my NAS and Tidal for things I don't have. I am sitting here right now in my comfy chair listening while using Windows Remote Desktop to control the Dell from my MS Surface. I am only 6' from my TV which can display my 3010's video...but my vision is very bad. So, seeing my Surface screen is a lot easier and in more focus than something even 6' away.

The Dell feeds my DC-1 which feeds my BasX A100. I can listen via my Senn 600's or via my old B&W 202's. Right now, I am listening via the Senn's.

So...how does it sound?

Amazing...really. With everything I listen to, even at very modest volumes, everything is very clear, very well spatially oriented. VERY DETAILED!!! All frequencies are good, but of course - the bass is good but doesn't rumble the body like it does with my main system and a sub.

But overall, I wonder - why didn't I opt to have a headphone system before? The Senn's are great. The BasX A100? Excellent. More punch that the DC-1's headphone amp. All I wish for is a remote for the A100 volume. And, I could really live without that. It would be nice, but...not really needed.

Mark

[novisnick]

Mark

“But overall, I wonder - why didn't I opt to have a headphone system before?”

Easy answer, all that hair would have gotten mussed,,,,,,,,,,🤭 ,,,,,,, oh wait! ,,,never mind! LOL

[klinemj]

Mar 5, 2018 19:06:33 GMT -5 novisnick said:

Mark

“But overall, I wonder - why didn't I opt to have a headphone system before?”

Easy answer, all that hair would have gotten mussed,,,,,,,,,,🤭 ,,,,,,, oh wait! ,,,never mind! LOL

meh...the hair wasn't much to be proud of from the time I was about 30. LOL!

Mark

[klinemj]

By the way...Steely Dan "Katy Lied" is sounding spectacular right now!

Mark

[klinemj]

(And, I can't say how thrilled I am with Windows 10's Remote Desktop functionality. I tried so many non-native solutions and they all were awful. Windows approach just works...so well. Love it!)

Mark