Please Help Me Choose My Headphones

[HDen]

Probably because it's not fotm :S

[Solude]

Doesn't help that Stax amps get talked down every time someone talks about the O2.

[spritzer]

I used the SR-007 with a 313 for a long time (until I got my old BH) and it is a good amp on a budget, certainly not worse then the Exstata.

[k-money]

Hey guys, after a long battle of searching, I've finally landed on two headphones but I'm confused on which to get!

Denon AH-D5000

Or

Sennheiser HD650

My thoughts: I like both a lot...the Denon 5000 seems to sound sizzling with a spark...a lot livelier because of its boomy/smooth bass (bass that the HD650 doesn't have) and warm/dark sound. On the other hand, I love the HD650 because they sound neutral, laid back, balanced, and to me they sound like they produce true to life, studio quality, and genuine sound as it should be heard. At times however, I feel like I need something with a trigger...So I don't know, will I enjoy the HD650 in the long run more than the Denon 5000?

Thoughts or suggestions? Which should I get and why?

I would appreciate answers from people whom have tried both and have experiences with both.

Thanks a bunch!

[MexicanDragon]

You should buy some ThunderPants from NoNoNoNoNoNo.

**BRENT**

[Nebby]

You should buy some ThunderPants from NoNoNoNoNoNo.

**BRENT**

I think your idea has promise.

[postjack]

relegated.

devious.

j.r.r. tolkien

[Asr]

We don't really talk about headphones here, go here instead: Head-Fi.org - Headphone forums and reviews for audiophiles

[HDen]

Merge with that other thread?

[k-money]

my bad guys! i'll head over to headfi then, thanks.

[Solude]

Blink blink... that was easy

[The Monkey]

The Denon phone sucks, the HD 650 is excellent.

[Nebby]

I wouldn't mind the Denon frame and pads as a starter base for a modded phone, they're decently comfortable.

[manaox2]

When I do talk about headphones, the thought of the HD650 being neutral doesn't cross my mind. Based on the OPs thoughts, its an easy decision over the Denon.

[GPH]

I never quite understood the definition of neutral headphones, but to me the HD650 sound much more natural and closer to what I hear in live music. What I mean by that is the sound doesn't sound forced, it just flows without presenting too much flaws, while on the other hand I felt the D5000 were trying to shove boomy bass into my ears and sucked the mids out of the music and it didn't sound anything close to live music to me.

[The Monkey]

I regret selling my HD650.

[manaox2]

Its the only full-sized dynamic I haven't brought myself to get rid of.

[MexicanDragon]

I regret selling my HD650.

Luckily for you, there are places that sell these, in both new and use, stock and modded trim. Should you be so inclined, you can always, you know, go buy some more!

**BRENT**

[mypasswordis]

I wouldn't mind the Denon frame and pads as a starter base for a modded phone, they're decently comfortable.

Yeah, drill big holes in the cups and put in a mesh grille, take out the drivers and put in some Stax drivers, replace the cable with a ribbon cable, and it might actually sound good.

[Solude]

Nods, Senn 650 is a nice natural can but not neutral or transparent. It is my favourite dynamic to date though.

[Nebby]

Yeah, drill big holes in the cups and put in a mesh grille, take out the drivers and put in some Stax drivers, replace the cable with a ribbon cable, and it might actually sound good.

That was the idea behind my comment, though I was thinking more of the D2000 for the frame and pads. Make a nice wood cup, bolt it in and toss in your favorite driver. That's why I only mentioned the frame and pads.

I wasn't thinking the MarkL "mod" but rather headphone driver transplant + DIY cup "mod".

[recstar24]

The 650s are a nice can. I wouldn't say they are neutral either but they have a nice natural quality to it. I feel similar about the hp1000s. I don't think they are as neutral and transparent as people make them out to be but it has a nice live natural quality to the sound.

[Wmcmanus]

The Denon phone sucks, the HD 650 is excellent.

HD650 recabled (preferably balanced) and with a good amp are worthy. The Denons always seem to leave me a little flat, but I've just got a stock pair.

[The Monkey]

Luckily for you, there are places that sell these, in both new and use, stock and modded trim. Should you be so inclined, you can always, you know, go buy some more!

**BRENT**

Where are these magical "places" of which you speak?!

[spritzer]

So is there magic also involved with the headphones? I thought said magic only applied to the amps and naturally the cables...

Never been a fan of the 650 but for the price it isn't a bad dynamic. Still I'd take a 600 over it for even less money...