Will the HD 650 be the last ultimate value headphone for many years to come?

Seeing how headphones get more expensive from year to year and that 1k+ headphones still need to be modded, repadded/recushioned (headband, earpads etc.) I'm kinda disappointed where all of this is going. Fortunately the HD 650 is here to stay and has qualities in total that are unmatched at its price point and many hundred dollars above it. In truth still a high end headphone.

What about the future though? I don't see headphones happening that cost the same and do better and it's kinda damning for this industry that's trying to chase megabucks (see Hifiman, Focal). I'm aware that there's a used market and deals to be had from time to time but the unmatched value still remains.

 

Ironically, I'm pretty sure the Utopia will be the ultimate value proposition in the future years coming in at 4,000 dollars and sounding equal or better than the future flagships that will run 18,000 dollars.

 

The focus of "value" headphones has shifted into the in-ear / on the go market it seems. The custom in-ear market was getting out of control just like the full-size headphone market, but the universal market is slowly trickling down.

 

the industry is in shambles!!!

IT'S ALL BEEN DOWNHILL SINCE THE KSC75 !!!!

 

Since the top 1000 Dollar plus headphones made their entry the audio hobby changed.

After the HD800 every headphone manufacturer wanted to reap from the new niche market. Even Pioneer joined in...

 

I was curious what the list price would be in today's dollars.

Came out in 2003 at $500. I am guessing they would have sold at list price for a while. The CPI Inflation Calculator shows that being $650 in 2016 dollars.

 

As an interesting observation, they've hit as low as $287 on Amazon for new. So if we round up to $300, their equivalent value in 2003 would have been ~$225, or less than half of their initial MSRP.

 

One thing is for sure...the HD650 meme will never die thanks to you guys

 

Utopia in universal realm
https://www.64audio.com/product/1964-tia-Fourte-Custom-In-Ear-Monitor

*too lazy to create a meme*

About 6X0, the timbre is still unmatched in personal audio world. Very, very close to real life. Bass is its Achilles heel. I'm impressed with Andros, but the timbre isn't even as good as 650. My custom is worse (too warm). 6X0 is a proof that BA, playnar, estat can't match the ol' DD tech in terms of organic sound.

 

Am I the only one that keeps coming back to this thread to laugh at this again? LOL.