Headphone Advice Please?

I've been a fan of Sennheiser since the 70's. While I don't own a current pair (beside running PXM80's, lol), I would absolutely steer you in this company's direction...and then YOU pick the pair that meets your price range/goal. I will tell you this though; in all my years, I've learned that while "cheap" usually isn't worth it, "expensive" also isn't the way to go. You should be able to find a nice pair between $100 and $150, imo, and anything over that? You're probably buying hype, and something that your own ears are not capable of discerning the difference between. Age can also be a factor (talking about the older you get, you'll almost certainly lose some hearing distinctions), but yet...a current hearing test would even be the most optimal way to find what you're capable of discerning.

There are a lot of brands on the market, but one brand has been doing this successfully and at a decent market price (if you know how to shop -online!), and that is Sennheiser.

I have actually looked at the 595's before, and they have excellent reviews, overall. I would personally choose these over the other two, higher priced models. Enjoy.......

check out
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/list/4

headphones tend to last a long time. A $200 difference in price is probably less
than $20/year, just over $1 per month. I'd say it is worth it to get what you want.

I haven't heard both. I have 650, so obviously it was worth it to me. ymmv

I like Sennheiser, and my last 4 headphone purchases (plus one set of earbuds (not Sennheiser) which I already hate) are all Sennheiser.

High end is new 650, but they're a bit heavy and uncomfortable so they don't get much use by me, at least not so far.

The one's that I use with great frequency are all "low end" (very light weight and under $150); namely new PX 100 (discontinued but still available at a price), and replacement new PX 100-II (major disappointment in comparison to the PX 100 it replaced), and refurbed HD 238 (friendly price and a very pleasant surprise for low end SQ (Sound Quality)). All of these only need very low power and are all good with the limited stereo amp power from a PC mobo.

For "high end" I'd personally now focus on comfort and not top SQ. If the HD 595/600 are more comfortable than the 650 then I'd go with HD 595 or 600.

But I've no experience with the HD 595 or 600.

Cheers

I had a Sennheiser HD595 and gave that away, and currently have and use the Sennheiser HD600, so you can tell I prefer the HD600. My objections to the HD595 were: had a somewhat dull or "dark" sound, especially noticeable with classical music (in other words, the frequency response in the highs seemed lacking); the "cans" pressed on my head too firmly and my head started to hurt after about a half hour.

In comparison, the frequency response of the HD600 (subjectively) seems very well-balanced from low to high frequencies; this model works well for everything I listen to, from string quartets (strong high-frequency content) to jazz ensembles (strong percussion and bass). Also, I can wear them for more than an hour without anything hurting.

My Sennheiser HD600 weighs 9.5 ounces not including the attached cable, or 11.5 ounces with the cable (I just checked using a mail scale). I don't think that's heavy for "full-size" over-the-ear style cans, some well-known models such as AKG weigh more. Sorry but have no personal experience with the HD650.

Here is a link to another forum (outside AVS) all about full-size headphones. I remember there used to be a special section on that forum for detailed comparative reviews by members, but I can't find that link now.

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/list/4

One thing I can almost guarantee, if you ask about these three Sennheiser models on the other forum, some people will recommend the HD595, some will recommend the HD600, and some will recommend the HD650

(Can you find a vendor with a 30-day return policy? Then you could order 2 or all 3 and compare them.)

Here are two paragraphs from the "official" Amazon.com review of Senn HD600. I'm quoting this because the writer (with a little reviewer hyperbole) describes what I like about these phones. (Also many enthusiastic user reviews there.)

I've been researching what phones to use with my Bottlehead headphone amp, and the Sennheiser 600/650 are two that are recommended at the Bottlehead forum. From the comments I have read on other boards, the 650 has a more emphasizes bass, the 600 is more flat. The 650 was suppose to have replaced the 600, but many folks prefer the 600, they left it in the line.

So I have to agree with the above comment that you will probably find fans of all three models. Maybe find somewhere to compare them ?

Advice from anyone that tells you what you most likely can and can't hear should probably be taken with a grain of salt. Only you can make that decision.

That said, I'm enough of a fan to own the 650's but you don't say with what you will run them. The 600 and 650's are incapable of showing their best without a good amplifier. The 595 model and down have a different impedance and don't require as much power. If you are running them off an ipod or the headphone output of a receiver, the top models are probably a waste of money because you can't hear the difference, not because you can't hear it, but because you haven't fed them the amplification required.

Thank you for the info.

I just ordered a refurb'ed 595 from DAHMART/Amazon at total of $95.53.

It'll be interesting to compare to my 650's, and if I'm more likely to use the 595 headphones over the 650 that I already have.

Cheers

Common confusion, the problem is almost all receivers and even most higher end preamps use a separate low powered op amp headphone amp rather than the main amplifier.

I'm gonna pick this one out of your posts on this thread.

I went with the Senn 595, using them with a Yamaha 667. I also plugged them into a Crown D-75 and man were they L O U D! So maybe your answer is this crown, which can be picked up from ebay for circa $130. I prefer the older d-75 to the d-75a.

I did see the other posts where the 595's were felt to be too bassy...but for me, these fit the bill for 1/2 music, 1/2 movies...when others are sleeping. Otherwise I prefer JBL studios and leave the headphones off my head
Like you I didn't have the chance to compare them to the 650s...maybe I'll get the chance and pass the 595s down to our Son.

For now stick with your 805 it uses Burr-Brown DACs and decodes everything.
Its true that with most any A/V the headphone jack is kind of a after thought. But a power amp generally has no DAC's or decoders. Your 805 is far better than what is being suggested as a A/V. So no you would only be going backward. My Onkyo TX-SR705A/V sounded fine with my HD-650 and the 705 uses the same DAC's as your 805. For movies and CDs you probably use a HDMI cable run to your 805 from your disc player and then out to your display. If you get a power amp or headphone amp you will have to use RCA 2Ch analog cables from your 805 to that amp. Or you could run the 2Ch RCA analog cables from your disc player to a headphone amp/power amp. However your 805 probably has better DAC's/DSP than most DVD/BD players.
I did get a Little Dot IV SE tube headphone amp to pair with me HD-650's and yes I like the AQ better with the LD IVSE and HD-650's. That rig I gave to my son and he is really enjoying it now.

Anyway I started out like you and now have a headphone system that will rival most high end ($100,000) speaker systems and room aquatics. I use my headphone system for 80% Blu Ray movies (DTS HD MA 7.1/5.1, True HD 7.1/5.1) 15% is with SACD's DSD 5.1. and 5% with 2Ch CD's.
And yes my headphone system will place the speakers were ever they are setup and I have the sub bass (SW) also. In other words the audio coming from my headphones will sound just like its coming from the speakers in a given room. Its Amazing what you can really do with a headphone system.

ss

You should be fine with your reciever's output. Most can provide adequate power and the 650s aren't terribly demanding.

An interesting topic here to get some impression on the differences in a wide range of headphone amps, including the output of a similar reciever:

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/...-b-comparisons

So, like are you using scuba gear during listening sessions? Or, do your headphones just mimic the sound of $100,000 speakers underwater? Or, is the pool...er..room $95,000 and you're comparing to a $5,000 audio system. Please clarify.

OK. Give me roughly a week for the 595 to show up. FWIW I've ordered refurb from DAHMART once and it was a good deal; and have also seen a few others on AVS be pleased with DAHMART refurb purchases.

Given that the $95 is backed up by Amazon, it looks a good deal to me.

Time (SQ) will tell.

Cheers

Without knowing it you are eloquently describing the sound of underpowered 650's.

What makes all this possible (yes when I first heard about it I had a lot of doubt) is a Smyth SVS Realiser. This system was developed by the same guy that developed DTS. Because of the headphone system I have I didn't buy the Stax system that comes with this SVS Realiser.

The draw back to this system is you must have accsess to a speaker system and make what is called a PRIR (copy of that sound system) for the system to work properly. However It does come with a generic PRIR but that just doesn't cut it.

I did a PRIR with my 7.1 Onkyo A/V and 7.1 speakers in my man cave and I did like it better than just using a Analog 2Ch amp/dac/dsp.

However if you understand how this system works, you can make a PRIR (copy) of most any sound system there is and not just limited to a sound studio, you can go to a movie theater, concert hall what ever.

So what I did was I went to AIX sound studio in LA to get my high end PRIR's. Using there sound engineer to set up all there equipment and make sure I was seated in the sweet spot of that room. I had them use there reference 5.1 and 7.1 systems (B/W 8xx speakers and a SW the size of a coffee table) and also there THX theatrical 5.1 system (4 side speakers are JBL, R/L is a large array of I don't know want and same with the center speaker) certified by THX. Being one of the best sound studios in the USA there room acoustics are magnificent . Understanding that the Realiser also will copy the room AQ.
There is a lot more you can do with this system including your headphone system, but for now this should give you a good idea what the Realiser can do.

Here are some links.
http://www.stereophile.com/musicinth..._44/index.html

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1136269

ss

That is the sound signature of the HD-650, never heard the 595 but from what I know about the 595 there isn't going to be much of a difference.
I saw your thread but I don't get involved when folks have a $200 budget.

But as I said you can improve the on what the HD-650 sound like but It costs money. Anyway that's why senn came out with the HD-800s ($1495 fair traded), there is a day and night difference. However then you are getting into a real headphone system. Your 805 has plenty of volume for the HD-650, as I have said I have a less powerful onkyo 705 so I do know what I am talking about.
I also have three real headphone systems (Low, Mid, High end) to compare with.

It almost sounds like you would be better off with a pair of AKG K701/02 headphones in your price range. But they also have some draw backs, and yes I do have a pair of K701's. If you are interested in the K701/02 I can dig out my pair and try them in my Onkyo 705.

ss

Its post's like yours (scuba gear, underwater,ect) and others that do these kinds of a thread a real injustice.
Yes its always good if you actually have hands on experience or really are interested, but in your case you don't and probably have no interest.

I would suggest you use a forum like Head-Case, I think you would like it.

However if you are interested and can refrain from useless post you can read the links posted just above.