New Headphones

[Brusfantomet]

You may find this comparison of HD650 vs HD700 useful. The general consensus according to my research is to either buy the HD650 or skip straight to the HD800.

Grado has a similar conundrum; past the $99 SR80i, the next several models up do not offer a significantly better "Grado sound" until their $450 SR325i.

Hmm, comapring the graphs between the HD600 and the HD650 and the HD700 makes me think the HD650 looks more like the HD700 than the HD600 in the bass and lower midrange, and that the treble is different on all of them.

So I have recently tried the X1s and X2s here in Denmark. The X2s are much better and definitely a headphone well worth the money. They seem durable and they run well of any medium powered source. The Grado's are simply not in the same league as the modern designs from Philips/Sennheiser/HiFiMAN. The X2s are much better than the 325is and cheaper which is a plus in my book.

If you want a set of analytical sounding headphones the HD700/800 should be on your short list and with a few mods they do obtain reference quality sound. If you want slightly better bass response with a slightly more compromised highs the HiFiMAN planar magnetics are the way to go. X2s are not in the same range as the HD700/800 or HE-400/HE-560 but can hold their own and I think they sound better than the HD650s even when the 650s are driven off an appropriate amplifier.

hmm, for my intended use (connected directly to a receiver)the X2 seam to have an advantage over HD650, but how is the all important sibilance on the X2?

 

[Frederik S]

It is not sibilant. If you have a recording that has loads of it it will show it otherwise it is very smooth.

 

[WhiteNoise]

I'd stay away from the MDR-V6 and Grado cans. Not because they aren't any good but because you might not like the brightness. Someone mentioned the Sennheiser HD650 and I will back that up.

In fact if you can find a HD600 or 650 you will be very happy indeed. Warm, lush sound.

 

[Jessicalovebug]

I'd stay away from the MDR-V6 and Grado cans. Not because they aren't any good but because you might not like the brightness. Someone mentioned the Sennheiser HD650 and I will back that up.

In fact if you can find a HD600 or 650 you will be very happy indeed. Warm, lush sound.

I love my Senn HD650's and they seem to be highly regarded by most sources. Beyerdynamic DT-990's are another good option. Mind you both of these go for well under $1000. If you got money to blow go for the Sennheiser HD800's and call it a day .

 

[Frederik S]

The DT-990s are very brigth and wit an elevated higher midrange which will emphasize sibilance in any recording. I do not think these can be recommended here where OP is worried about sibilance.

 

[Brusfantomet]

Seams like i will have to postpone it a bit