A Little Advice Ova Heeaaaa!!!!

[fuzz092888]

I've been thinking about going with a new pair of headphones and was wondering what the general consensus is on the Sennheiser HD 700's. Honestly, I haven't looked around much or done much research outside some brief googling. I have a giftcard to onecall and saw them.
I'm going to break another forum unwritten rule and ask if I need a headphone amp for them. I'm a bit too busy to go rootin' around for an answer on my own so I'm throwing it out there for the assist.

Thanks guys.

 

[ImcLoud]

I have a pair of hd 650's I use a penguin {altoid} amp with them and they sound phenomenal... Not sure what the difference is between the 650 and 700s... but the 650s sound good with no amp too on my iphone, BUT with the amp forget it, the bass is alive, they are super detailed, very very nice set of muffs.... I wish I got the rechargeable amp because 9v's get tough to keep around, but they last a long time, I forget it on is my main issue... And I finally broke down and bought myself a decent jumper cable to go from my phone to the amp and I wrap an elastic around them so they dont unplug each other... Not sure what you will be doing while wearing them, I use them when shoveling snow, running, working out, outside {which could be anything from jungle gym to flipping tractor tires}, ect and the stay put and comfortable...

 

[Rickster71]

Hi Fuzz, I too have the 650's and really like them.
They sound great and are a real standout when it comes to comfort.
Here is a review that might help: Sennheiser HD700 Review

And this is my go to headphone site: Evaluating Headphones | headphone.com
You can overlay the graphs from the 650's and the 700's for comparison.

 

[fuzz092888]

Since both of you guys seem to really like the 650s and after reading that review I think I just might go with them. I know Irv said he uses that altoid amp. Do you use a headphone amp rick?

 

[Rickster71]

Not really.
I use them in two different PCs.
One uses this: Sound Blaster X-Fi Elite Pro Review & Rating | PCMag.com
It's not an amp per-say.
I sometimes use them with a Kenwood CD player that has a headphone volume control.
I'd suggest to try them without and see if you feel they're lacking anything.

 

[connieflyer]

I have been using the hd650's for a couple of years now and find them to be exceptional. Started using them with the pc sound card asus essences stx and it was good. Tried the headphone jack on the Harmon avr 510 and it was a little better. Bought and Ember hybrid amp using a telefunken 12at7 tube now and it is the best by far of all the combos I have tried. The Ember really brings out the detail, running it thru an Emotiva xda2 dac. Also using an oppo cd player thru the dac to amp and it is amazing how much detail there is. A recent review I read compared the hd 650 and 700 and the 700' had more of a Grado sound than the Sennheiser sound. Can miss, with the 650's they play well with most music and scale according to the amp.

 

[tyhjaarpa]

I myself would recommend HD600 over HD650 as they are more neutral than HD650, but after all its just a personal preference. Both are great headphones. Haven't heard the HD700 so cant say much about them.

 

[markw]

I'm stuck in the past with a pair of HD 580's (and Grado 80's for rock) and cannot justify the cost to upgrade to a newer Sennheiser, but effens I was buying new, I'd go for it.

 

[j_garcia]

I don't even remember what my Senns (580s also?) are but I still loved them until the foam deteriorated. I know I can get new foam, but I use my earbuds these days and am fine with that sound quality, which is really just to drown out other people at work They're easier to wear at work, but for home, I would prefer over the ear.

Buds: Premium Earbuds by BodyGuardz | Earjax Moxy - Sound Perfection

I also got to hear the Oppo planars just running off my phone and was really impressed with the sound. Price tag though $$!

I think Grado has some new models, or new versions out too.

 

[connieflyer]

I'm stuck in the past with a pair of HD 580's (and Grado 80's for rock) and cannot justify the cost to upgrade to a newer Sennheiser, but effens I was buying new, I'd go for it.

If I am not mistaken the shell for the 580's and 600,650 are the same, you could just buy a new set of drivers (600's or 650's) from Sennheiser and you would have essentially a new 650 or 600.

 

[GranteedEV]

I'm going to break another forum unwritten rule and ask if I need a headphone amp for them.

At 150 ohms, I would veer towards the "yes" of things. The 650s are even higher at 300 ohm.

Buy this!

http://www.moon-audio.com/headphone-amplifiers/iqube/iqube-v5-portable-headphone-amp-dac.html

Based on a design by Bruno Putzeys. You know that's LEGIT.

 

[fuzz092888]

Well, I ended up with the 650's so I guess I NEED​ it You need to stop. You're definitely going to get me into trouble. 21" drivers and headphone amps. I'm definitely going to be single again

At 150 ohms, I would veer towards the "yes" of things. The 650s are even higher at 300 ohm.

Buy this!

iQube V5 Portable Headphone Amp & Dac | High End iQube | Moon-Audio.com

Based on a design by Bruno Putzeys. You know that's LEGIT.

 

[connieflyer]

Let's see, a wife or all of life's little pleasures huuummmmm
You should like the 650's, give them a little burn in time and an amp when you are ready. Good listening.

 

[GranteedEV]

You need to stop.

Tis the consequence of knowing, and breaking the unwritten rules!

 

[GranteedEV]

Hey fuzz, I just discovered this little gem:

JDS Labs - O2+ODAC Combo

 

[fuzz092888]

Hey fuzz, I just discovered this little gem:

JDS Labs - O2+ODAC Combo

I hate you

Now clearly I'm going with the custom one since I want the power jack on the back. Does anything else matter (3.5mm vs 1/4", which gain to get)?

 

[GranteedEV]

Stick to default gain. Since the DAC is built-in, and the gain is optimized for that DAC, this will net you the best SNR without any clipping anywhere in thr chain.

I prefer the authentic "feel" of a 1/4" output but realistically i'm not sure it's worth 30 dollars. But I would get it

 

[fuzz092888]

Stick to default gain. Since the DAC is built-in, and the gain is optimized for that DAC, this will net you the best SNR without any clipping anywhere in thr chain.

I prefer the authentic "feel" of a 1/4" output but realistically i'm not sure it's worth 30 dollars. But I would get it

As my old man would say, "Let the tail go with the hide." I was leaning that way anyways, but it's always good to know that I'm not completely crazy to pay $30 for 1/4" input. Unless I'm totally asking the wrong crowd............