Thanks. I do enjoy my music and anything that enhances my listening I will give a go. Within reason of course. I draw the line with magic crystals and what have you. 
3 Likes
Iāve had my HD650s for about a little over a year now. Have not used them very much as I listen mostly at night with my closed backed Shure 1540s so I donāt disturb my wife. Plus they need a lot more power then my Macbook/DFCobalt can cleanly supply. I need to hook them up to my Benchmark DAC3 to get the best out of them. Still I find them too warm and dark for me. The deep bass is missing. The mids are smooth and warm and pleasant. This is their strongest area. The upper mids and treble are too recessed and the higher treble a little grainy especially on massed strings.
I usually do audio comparisons with short one or two minute sections of large orchestral works so I can remember what each sounds like. Using the Benchmark DAC3/Macbook as a source I compared the HD650 to the 1540. Both offer a smooth laid back presentation. However when I switch from the 650 to 1540 itās like someone turned a sonic light on in the concert hall. The soundstage expands; Instrument separation and detail emerge. The whole audio picture in my head becomes alive. Like listening to good quality speakers and not headphones. Iāve done this comparison a few times now and the result is the same. for me the Shure 1540 is just superior in all respects. Itās even much more comfortable as wellā¦ So I decided to sell my HD650s and just listed them on Amazon. I know there are many advocates of this model but for me they just donāt match my preferences.
3 Likes
Lol 
2 Likes
The HD 650 is my standard reference headphone that I use to reset my ears against everything else I review any ANY price point. Is there anything else left to say? lol
10 Likes
Thatās what makes the HD650 great, and why I also think they are as close as we can get to a hobby-wide benchmark / point of reference that all other reviewers should compare products to.
When a reviewer states that a headphone has great midsā¦ Great compared to what? The TH900? Utopia? Porta Pros? Compare it to the hd650, and let me know how it is better in that regard, because I have a 14 year old pair of HD650s that I still use to this day, and Iāll immediately know what you mean. So will millions of other listeners. 
8 Likes
A big reason why I use it. Itās so familiar to many people and now more affordable than ever before thanks to Drop. Personally though I like to boost the sub bass and cut 3.5k and 5k by about 2 dB just to give everyone a better idea of my preference, hah.
5 Likes
This is interesting for me because Iām in the minority of headphone listeners that has never heard a pair of Sennheiser headphones. . . 
I went from Porta Pros, to AKGQ701ās, then ājumpedā to Audeze LCD-Xās. I didnāt want to do incremental upgrades, and my next headphones will probably be ālateralā purchases to the Xās.
I agree with having a general baseline, and the HD650ās seem to be the one. I just donāt know if itās something I want to purchase. I know I want to/should hear them, Iām just not convinced I should buy a pair.
2 Likes
This made me chuckle. 
Iāve never eqād headphones (mainly because I donāt know how to!), and thereās a part of me that feels like Iām cheating, but the reality is that Iām more than likely cheating myself out of a better listening experience! 
2 Likes
You know I spent a few years when I started out thinking āoh thereās definitely something out there thatās perfectā. I quickly abandoned this lol. While Iām still on my break I can absolutely send out my 650 to you if you want to hear it and are in the US. It is an absolute must-hear for anybody in this hobby.
6 Likes
If itās not a financial inconvenience, pick up a preowned pair for $130-$160 from head-fi. They come up often enough.
Or better yet, do we have a pair of HD650ās on the loaner program here? We should, imo.
They EQ very well. I agree with needing a subbass boost, but go the other way and leave 5k alone and boost 9k and up by a tiny bit. Helps kill the veil a smidge.
6 Likes
Thatās kind of you to offer, thank you.
I may take you up on that.
2 Likes
Which one on Drop is the 650?
1 Like
Also, Iāll say this as wellā¦ the HD650 does get better with better amps. You want to know how two similar amps compare? Plug the HD650 in.
My Auteur sound similar on the 3F and ZDS, but the HD650 sounds better on the ZDS. No clue why.
3 Likes
HD6XX
4 Likes
Thatās way nicer than the silver color. 
Edit:
91.3k sold. 
These do seem to be ubiquitous in the headphone world.
3 Likes
This forum is turning my audio world upside down!
First itās the Schiit Bifrost 2 that apparently Iāve got to get, now itās these HD6XXās.
8 Likes
I agree 
% itās why I kept mine and also vocals are just so intimate and special on the 6XX/650
4 Likes
Get the HD650 first. The Bifrost 2 is great, but the HD650 is class defining.
4 Likes
And itās much more affordable!
3 Likes
@metal571 - what do you use for EQ? I was wondering if we couldnāt slap together a little hd650 How To EQ guide for Luke.
I donāt EQ often, and when I do itās inside Roon.
2 Likes