Good price for these killer cans. These are about 200% better than anything with the words "headset" in the title. Hard to do better in the sub $600 range for music, movies or gaming. Pair it with a mic (if you desire), and you're set.
The downside is both those models require amping, but they are a step up from the X2's (particularly the Sennheisers)
If you can find some hd650s for $240 I'd buy them in a second. Usually they're at least double that.
go get the hd6xx from massdrop same as hd650 but around $260.
Nice, yeah, forgot about those.
they take months to ship though, and the next time they're on you'll have to pay GST on them.
K712s were $235 earlier this year. HK stock though.
I bought mine for $247 a year ago. Well worth the price. Sound stage is incredible, and they're very comfortable due to the size of the cups.
I've owned all 3, only the X2 remains. They're not really comparable to begin with, though the X2 sounds the most 'fun' to my ears.
To those who say 650s are better, sure - when paired with an amp 3x the price.
They're not really comparable
Uh … why not? They're all open back, neutral sounding headphones.
And headphone amps can be had much cheaper than three times the price.
The X2's are far from "neutral"
@Lps: They have a more V shaped signature, emphasized bass and slightly recessed mids, it tends to create the "fun" sound others have described.
Headphones are fairly subject once you get away from the cheaper consumer stuff. I had the X2’s, but they were on eBay within 2 weeks,
You really don’t need to invest that much money into an amp for the HD650’s to get near their full potential, not these days with options like the Schiit Magni 3 or O2 amp (Massdrop/JDS/Mayflower). I’m running my 6xx’s through an iFi Nano Black, which on paper shouldn’t power the Sennheiser that well, but it does. Even my iPhone with its 1 mVrms jack gets the 6xx’s plenty loud enough, but dynamic range definitely takes a hit.
There's also a new HD660 now which has half the ohms of 650.
@TheContact: I joined the drop in January and they finally shipped on Monday. I’m considering buying a second pair when they drop on again later today based off of the DIY Audio review (that was finally allowed to be published): Elements of the 600, 650 and 660. $150 USD, the value proposition is insane.
@TheContact: I’ll just leave this here… https://diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com/headphones/measurements…
I second this, to my ears they're just amazing
The soundstage and bass is miles above the HD6XX I also own. The HDs are more intimate sounding, and pair very well with Dragonfly Red ($260 new), and excell in the mid range (electric guitars never sounded as good). the X2's Pair great with my fiio x5ii and especially albums like Dark Side of the Moon take you to a different place altogether; very fun when listening to music that is many-layered and engineered well.
Currently Saving up for some nuraphones though 😜
I've owned all 3, only the X2 remains.
Why do you sell your cans? Are you a one size fits all guy?
Every audiophile I know owns multiple cans and what they use depends on what they're listening to. I'd have to consider you an audiophile if you're buying multiple sets. But that you don't keep them is unusual. I don't know if there's such thing as a perfect set of cans that sound best on everything you throw at it.
these headphones kick ass and i bought mine for 300!! For 240 i wouldn't hesitate.
I bought my X2 for $199 last year, including delivery. (the slightly older model - not with the enhanced ear cups, but otherwise same)
This headphone is great for movies and games that has a lot of bangs - like having a subwoofer in your ears.
Works well off a computer with decent audio.
Not a fan of Massdrop's collaborative work?
Sure. I guess like the poster above I find the X2 sound really "fun", and don't feel a huge urge to get more pairs of open headphones. At home I just have a D1 DAC/AMP, so I'd need a new amp for for the HD650s, HD6xx, etc..
Excellent price for excellent headphones. Replaced the cable with a V-Moda boompro mic so I can use it for gaming as well, sounds far better than any crappy gaming headset can dream of.
Definately a V-shaped sound signature though so avoid if that's not your thing.
How do these compare to Audio Technica ADG1X gaming wise? (I don't care about the mic)
I would go for this with V-Moda Mic or SHP9500/V-Moda Mic for around 100 dollars.
i know this is open cans while the Beyerdynamics DT770 Pro is closed, but how would they compare?
I've heard the pads are a dust and dirt magnet. Also Philips are like Sennheiser. They don't give you a case. Not even a pouch to put them in.
For something this pricey, a simple cotton pouch is the least they could have done.
The build quality is better most other headphones, including more expensive ones with better sound quality. The pads attract dust but it's not much of an issue tbh.
Cabled?
Yes
Decent headphones, if you can find something like a k712 or hd650 for the same price I would say get that instead though.