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Mid-range Open backed headphones

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by BlueElephant, Dec 10, 2015.

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  1. BlueElephant

    BlueElephant New

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    I'm kinda looking into a midrange open back headphone now and I've at the moment short listed it to
    1. HD600 (Or HD650 if the price increment is worth it)
    2. Hifiman HE400S
    3. Grado SR 325e
    4. Phillips Fidelio X2
    Does anyone have any recommendations/opinions of these few pairs and which is the most worth their asking price?
     
    BlueElephant, Dec 10, 2015
    #1
  2. Sqveak

    Sqveak Friend

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    HD600 or HD650.
    -HD600 is slightly more detailed.
    -HD650 is slightly more refined.
    (Relative to each other.)

    Most people here would take the 650 over the 600.

    Both will require a decent amp to get your money's worth out of them.
    I personaly like the Matrix M-Stage with my HD600.

    EDIT:
    I consider the Senns to be most worth their asking price based on current US prices.
    Based on my X1 and some salty assumptions the X2 are likely worth their price too.
     
    Last edited: Dec 10, 2015
    Sqveak, Dec 10, 2015
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  3. Dash

    Dash Friend

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    Agreed. Hd6x0 pays dividends immediately with plenty of growth as your chain improves.
     
    Dash, Dec 10, 2015
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  4. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    HD650 (slightly modded preferred), but be prepared to put some money into the DAC and amp. It will pay off very nicely, though. I really don't think Grados are worth mentioning, save for the HP1000. The X2 is fun but not great. Very, very bassy and with sharp, exaggerated treble. The HE400S is actually pretty damn good but could use other pads if you want more bass. The HE400S will give you the most immediate gains without a good DAC and amp, but the HD650 will surpass it pretty easily the better your rig gets. Personally, I'd rather just start with the HD650 and go from there rather than make pit stops and take detours.
     
    Hands, Dec 10, 2015
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  5. Thujone

    Thujone Friend

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    With no (or modest) upstream gear, the HE-400S is a better value. If you plan on continuing to upgrade your upstream gear, the HD6X0.
     
    Thujone, Dec 10, 2015
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  6. Koloth

    Koloth Klingon SBAF Ambassador - Friend

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    Is there any reason you didnt put the Audio Technica ATH-R70x and the AKG K712 Pro on your shortlist? I'm not saying these are better than the HD6*0 or the X2, but they are solid contenders in the mid-fi category.
     
    Koloth, Dec 10, 2015
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  7. ginsbu

    ginsbu New

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    If you're in the US and can wait for them to come back on Massdrop, I'd say the AKG K7XX (very similar to K712) are a good value at $200. The HD600 is a better headphone though (albeit with a somewhat different sound signature); IMO if you can find the HD600 on sale around $250 it's a better value, but not so much at it's usual $350–400.

    That said, the headphones you've listed have quite different sound signatures. Your preferences for sound and genres are going to make a big difference in which of those you'll enjoy most and offer the most value to you.
     
    ginsbu, Dec 10, 2015
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  8. Gravity

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    HD6x0 gets my vote |\/|
     
    Gravity, Dec 10, 2015
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  9. Hands

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    If you're going to go with the R70X, you might as well just get the HD650. Similar tone, with the R70X being bassier, rougher sounding in treble, and generally sounding less hi-fi (likely due to more distortion).

    AKGs are more different. K7XX is not half bad. Less to my tastes due to treble brightness, but not a bad alternative for someone that prefers that sort of sound. Definitely worth considering.
     
    Hands, Dec 10, 2015
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  10. keanex

    keanex Martian Bounty Hunter - Friend

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    I'll say that the R70x is better than the X2.
     
    keanex, Dec 10, 2015
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  11. Hands

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    Yeah, I'd take the R70X over the X2 as well...just don't think either is worth it over the HD650. At least the X2 has a fairly different response than either of them, so it might be appealing if you want something different.
     
    Hands, Dec 10, 2015
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  12. keanex

    keanex Martian Bounty Hunter - Friend

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    I would take the R70x over the HD650, but I'm not a fan of the HD650 tuning.
     
    keanex, Dec 10, 2015
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  13. Psalmanazar

    Psalmanazar Most improved member; A+

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    HD 600 vs 650 is recording dependent imo. I listen to a lot of crap so I bought the HD 650s but I would really like an HD 625 for less crap recordings. Does the r70x have the HD 600 shout?

    HD 600/650 > r70x > HE400S (quality control issues). X2 is crap with glued on pads. HE 400S is better if you don't have an amp.
     
    Psalmanazar, Dec 10, 2015
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  14. TMRaven

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    Someone who didn't label all of these mid-priced headphones as mid-fi. I give you brownie points just for that.
     
    Last edited: Dec 10, 2015
    TMRaven, Dec 10, 2015
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  15. keanex

    keanex Martian Bounty Hunter - Friend

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    I don't really find much shout in the HD600, but I do find the R70x to have more brightness.
     
    keanex, Dec 10, 2015
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  16. Hands

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    No. R70X sounded darker to me overall than HD650, but with more treble etch and roughness (i.e. less smooth, more peaks, but overall darker). YMMV.

    X2 has removable pads. X1 has them glued on.
     
    Hands, Dec 10, 2015
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  17. Psalmanazar

    Psalmanazar Most improved member; A+

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    Yeah I see it has the 8khz spike but am curious about if the 3khz bump is as bad as the HD 600's
     
    Psalmanazar, Dec 10, 2015
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  18. Psalmanazar

    Psalmanazar Most improved member; A+

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    Philips has been gluing on the X2 pads recently
     
    Psalmanazar, Dec 10, 2015
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  19. lm4der

    lm4der A very good sport - Friend

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    That really sucks. Evidence?
     
    lm4der, Dec 10, 2015
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  20. Psalmanazar

    Psalmanazar Most improved member; A+

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    Recent purchasers on reddit.
     
    Psalmanazar, Dec 10, 2015
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