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Artismo
461
Oct 3, 2018
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Clinical, accurate, detailed, and clean with a low noise floor. It brought back the missing bass impact to the HE4xx, but kept it’s intimate sound. The HD58x also has more bass impact, but not as apparent as the HE4xx, and the sound stage opened up more.

DAC: Topping D30 Cans: HD58x, HE4xx Cables: Mogami RCA, Neutrik soldered connectors, standard PS, standard USB Songs: Klingande, Jubel; Robin Schulz, As the Sun Goes Down - 24bit 192Khz FLAC
Josepfe
49
Jan 19, 2019
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ArtismoHi I own the Hifiman 4xx which I use with a SMSL sapII. I’m doubting to join for the 6xx or the 58x. How is the 58x compared to the 4xx?. Which one do you prefer?. Have you also tried the 6xx?. Thanks.
Jan 19, 2019
Artismo
461
Jan 19, 2019
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JosepfeYes, I have actually. I really enjoyed the HD650, essentially the HD6XX, and tried it many times. Honestly, it depends on the sound you want and there are so many worthwhile reviewers that can give subjective impressions and objective data. From my perspective, I liked the soundstage and treble of the HE4XX. It is a smooth and enjoyable headphone. The HD58X has more noticeable bass than the HE4XX and HD650, but it’s less noticeable compared to the HD650. The HD650 is smoother, I didn’t detect any grain in the treble, but I and some other users heard grain in the treble of the HD58X. We discussed it in another post. A YouTuber, Metal571, heard it too. The HD58X is a better critical listening headphone than the HD650, sans that grain. The 650 isn’t as “neutral” as the 58X, but the 58X isn’t that neutral either. All Sennheisers are vocal specialists, as you know, and they all excel at it with that respect- just with slight tweaks to tonality. I have no experience with your amp and haven’t seen any measurements. I only saw some specs and if the posted output specs are correct, your headphones will have enough power to be audibly loud- now where it clips or distorts, I do not know, so you might not get full power. So, I can’t give you any advice with respect to your upstream gear besides that. The HD58X is good for the price. A damn fine headphone. If you haven’t heard the HD6XX, and you can try the HD650 at a store, please do. My ears liked the HD650 more, even the HD600. The HD58X could be easily driven by low power amps, does scale better with better gear, but the HD650 scales even better with proper power because of its high impendance. Neither would be terrible choices, I liked them both, just couldn’t get over the slight graininess of the HD58X and liked the presentation of female vocals on the HD650 more, so I sold my HD58X. I ended up with the Focal Elex. I sold my HE4XX also and bought the darker LCD2C. Decided I missed the Hifiman sound and jumped on a Sundara. What does this mean? Definitely recognize what you like, what your current gear can do, what you want to upgrade, and the soundsignature of the HPs you have or want. Now, I use my Elex for critical listening and music production, LCD2C for leisure, and Sundara when I want a mix of both and a little more treble. Some good review sites- Innerfidelity Rtings Head-Fi Audio Science Review yes, even SBAF my go-to Youtubers: Tyll- retired Metal571 Josh Valour Zeos DMS3TV Currawong Lachlan Likes
Jan 19, 2019
Josepfe
49
Jan 19, 2019
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ArtismoWow, quick, passionate and very detailed reply. I know some of the websites and youtubers that you mention, I will take a look at the ones that I don´t. However, if my memory doesn´t fail me, the HD58x are not covered by a review of Rtings or Tyll. For the others that I have watched/read, I would say that they, as you, prefer the 6xxs as they consider them to be slightly better than the 58xs. My doubt is whether that difference is worth the 100$ that I would have to pay if I get the 6xxs instead of the 58xs. This is because I live in Ireland and the 6xxs would have to pay Custom duty in addition to VAT) while the 58x would only pay VAT. The HD58x look appealing to me also because there is no peer in the market while I could buy in the EU the HD650 for some 20$ more than the 6xxs, and getting 2 years of warranty. Another advantage is that I could use them without amp or with my portable amps (Fiio A1 or Topping Nx1s). Many thanks again for your kindness to dedicate some time of your day to my reply. Kind regards.
Jan 19, 2019
Artismo
461
Jan 19, 2019
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JosepfeNo problem. I was on the fence too and I liked the novelty that the HD58X was truly unique and had a similar tonality to the HD660s. Rtings and Tyll didn’t cover the HD58X, though you could get info on the HD650. If I remember correctly, the HD650 is made in Ireland - damn shame to pay those taxes. I get it and never agreed. Some French consumers were irked the Elex wasn’t available in their country where the HP was made and that they had to use a parcel forwarding company. As for powering- I used the HD58X with my iPhone 6s no problem besides the proprietary DAC quality and power. The HD650, very obviously, sounded anemic and underpowered. I imagined it was crying and some dead Sennheiser engineer was rolling over in his grave. One thing I will say, if you ever go tube, both sound phenomenal. I tried both on the Cayin H1-A1 MK2- truly warm, sachrine heaven.
Jan 19, 2019
Josepfe
49
Jan 19, 2019
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ArtismoHahahaha, I was laughing imagining the poor Sennheiser engineer...but they should provide some type of generic instructions for novel dummies :-). One thing that I forgot to mention: when I started to use the line out of my player Fiio X1II I noticed that the volume was much much louder in my 4xxs. So loud that I did not even feel the need to use any amplifier. So I was thinking whether the combo Fiio X1II (70 mW at 32 ohm) + Topping N1xS (150mW at 32 Ohm) could be OK to drive the 6xxs when portable (at home I have the SMSL sapII and a Denon AV amplifier). If it is the case, I would only have the issue of the difference of price. Do you think that the 6xx are worth the extra 100$?. Many thanks again for your reply and advice!. Kind regards
Jan 19, 2019
Artismo
461
Jan 20, 2019
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JosepfeThe HD58X and HD6XX both have two year warranties, so at least you’re covered there. That NX1 is rated at 25milliwatts at 300ohm, the output voltage of your amp, assuming it doesn’t clip or distort before max volume, outputs 2.73 volts. The HD650 requires 1 volt to output 103db of volume- more than enough for enjoyment. But the current is a little weak and I fear you’ll get the volume, but the sound will be flatter and less impactful.
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As for price and other issues, you’ll end up waiting for the HD6XX to ship to you, when paying $20 more gets you the HD650 right away. Probably the only selling point of the 6XX is the shorter cable terminating to 3.5mm with adapter up vs the longer cable with 6.3mm SET with adapter down. The HD650 holds a higher resale value on the used market, at least where I’m from. But that midnight blue colorway is pretty nice too. To me, for my purposes, the HD650 would be better because I like female, vocal centric music and I like the laid back sound, plus I have the power to use them to their full potential. I liked the smoother sound for relaxing listening. The HD58X was brighter certainly, and you’ll probably get more out of it with your set up. If I wanted to not carry an adapter around all the time and didn’t care about waiting or buying a different cable, and liked the midnight blue color scheme, I would get the HD6XX. If I didn’t want to wait, liked the original color scheme, didn’t mind carrying an adapter to use with portable devices, and wanted a potentially higher resale value, HD650 If I want a more portable friendly, a touch brighter, more clinical sound, could wait, have something that is rare/not available in stores, and wallet friendly, HD58X subjectively, the HD650 just hit me in the “feels” more, meaning it tugged at my heart strings on tracks like “Focus On My Love” by Charli XCX, or “La Dot” by Aya Nakamura. Even Klingande’s “Jubel” - vocals sound full, sax sounds soulful and with a bit smoother grit. Though, there’s no way I could have listened the HD58X unless I bought it since no one I knew had it where I’m at. I’m glad I did, because then I could judge it first hand.
Jan 20, 2019
Josepfe
49
Jan 20, 2019
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ArtismoWow, I could have never imagined a better reply, so detailed and concise, straight to my points. I thank you very much, you’re extraordinarily kind. In principle I will go for the 58x then. Kind regards.
Jan 20, 2019
Artismo
461
Jan 20, 2019
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JosepfeMy pleasure. Happy listening 👍🏻
Jan 20, 2019
Josepfe
49
Jan 30, 2019
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ArtismoUpdate: in the last moment I quit the drop for the 58x and I joined for the 6xx. I think that it’s good to have two headphones with complete different profiles, as the 4xx and the 6xx do. Kind regards
Jan 30, 2019
Artismo
461
Jan 30, 2019
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JosepfeNo problem, totally understand and a good approach. I use the dynamic Elex for critical listening and aggressive tone, the LCD2C for a darker, relaxed listening. I liked the vocals on the 4XX better personally. Compared to the 6XX- the 6XX was better still. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. -Happy listening
Jan 30, 2019
Josepfe
49
Jan 30, 2019
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ArtismoMany thanks!. I’ll share my impression with you. I joined yesterday and they just shipped today!. Kind regards
Jan 30, 2019
Josepfe
49
Feb 3, 2019
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ArtismoHi again, at the time of writing my 6xxs are on its way....I would like to ask you whether you know the Headphone amplifier SMSL SAP II. According to the specs, it delivers 150mv at 300 ohms. I use it for my 4xxs and by using the line out of the Fiio X1 II I don't go further than 50% volume in the Fiio and 12 o'clock in the amplifier. I don't appreciate any distortion even when I play louder. Should it be enough to drive the 6xxs?. If not, what other headphone (under 120$) you would suggest?. I know that you like the Objective 2, I would consider this or his brother Labs Atom. Other options could be Fiio K5, Monoprice and Topping A30 (also 150 mv at 300 ohm) and Magni 3 (430 mv). Thanks in advance for your reply!. Kind regards
Feb 3, 2019
Artismo
461
Feb 4, 2019
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JosepfeHonestly, you’ll be better off with the Atom as it measures almost as well as the 789 and single ended output outperforms it. The Atom will serve you well for years and is a good $100 end-game budget amp.
Feb 4, 2019
Josepfe
49
Feb 4, 2019
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ArtismoHi Many thanks!. I will consider it, the only “problem” is the price. I found out that It’s the only one that can only be purchased in the company website (not in Amazon or Aliespress) and its shipping costs to EU are 37$. If I am charged import taxes I would end up paying 170$ (almost double the original price). I think that I will wait to test the SAP II with the 6xxs and if I’m not happy I will decide what to do. Kind regards.
Feb 4, 2019
hypnoticdcime
161
Apr 23, 2020
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ArtismoLove your review. I recently purchased the HE 4xx from Drop. Also just ordered the O2 and am awaiting delivery. Wow, I had no idea what planars were capable of! Listening to Tidal from my Dragonfly Red and Monoprice Amp. So clear and well defined. In love!
(Edited)
Apr 23, 2020
Josepfe
49
Apr 23, 2020
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ArtismoHi :-) here I am back more than one year later. To let you know that I more or less followed the path that you marked with your comments. I currently own the 6xxs since March 2019 and I am very happy with them. I also purchased and kept the AKG 702, the Beyerdynamic DT 990 pro, the Audio Technica MSR7 NC, the Grado SR2i and from today the Hifiman Sundara. I have two weeks to test the Sundaras, but I think that I will keep them. It is nice to have headphones of different sound profiles and I find the Sundaras to be a jack-of-all-trades while all the others are masters of a particular one (e.g. the 6xxs are unbeatable in the voices, the 990 in the dynamics, the Grados are best for rock...). I normally listen to my music at the desktop from hi-res files via Topping D10 + Labs Atom or via Aune T1 (DAC + Amp). I find both options very good. I also use portable DAPs/iPhone or the MacBook Air via the Fiio E10K DAC/amp when I grab the MSR7s. I do not find significant differences when using any of them. However I noted that the Sundara sound significantly better with the Topping/Atom and with the Aune T1 than when using the Fiio E10k. And it made me think whether their sound could significantly improve If I had a higher-end DAC. Could you please tell me your opinion about this?. And also how you find the Sundaras in comparison with the 4xxs?. I owned the 4xxs as well and my memory is that their soundstage was bigger than the Sundaras. However I ended up selling them because I found them a little bit cold and distant, with muffled voices, unlike the Sundaras. Thanks in advance for your courtesy and attention. Kind regards Jose Pedro
Apr 23, 2020
Artismo
461
Apr 24, 2020
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JosepfeSo there will be two or more schools of thought on this: a properly engineered DAC will sound identical to any other properly engineered DAC, or DACs sound signatures vary based on which chip is used and how it is implemented. For me, I always ask myself these questions:
  1. does the sound convert the 1s and 0s the way I predict or expect? (SNR, MQA, etc.)
  2. does it have all the features, outputs, and inputs I want? (Parametric EQ, proper output voltage, XLR, coaxial, Bluetooth, etc.)
  3. does the DAC incorporate into my system and usage now? (How well the DAC works with my music delivery software or music files of choice, its redundancy and necessity, aesthetic balance, appropriateness for amplifier/speakers/headphone, etc.)
  4. if it is expensive, is it something I can see myself being satisfied with for a long time and if not, can I resell it at a good value to recoup my costs? (cost to performance ratio)
  5. why do I want this and will I be satisfied?
As for the Sundara and HE4XX comparison and contrast, my ears and personal experience agree. What I did notice with version 2 of the Sundara is its extension at both ends, but the Sundara to me had a more ethereal sound to it with more sub-bass presence in comparison. The biggest draw to me to the 4XX was the width and punchiness. The Sundara has more rumble and air, yet doesn’t sound as diffuse as the 4XX. Personally, I find the Sundara to sound more cool and airy. Perhaps it’s because of the emphasis and skewing toward the higher frequencies, rather than (to contrast) being dark warm and lush like the Aeon Flow Open, albeit quite veiled. The Drop AFO has seemed to mitigate that intimate and veiled issue, but I don’t know firsthand.
Apr 24, 2020
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