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Icywolfe
137
Jun 27, 2018
How is the sound vs the HD 600?
spronk
176
Jun 28, 2018
IcywolfeI am posting this here to remind myself to reply, just got mine today and will be listening to both these and some (older gen) HD-600s later on tonight.
Pacwageo
362
Jun 28, 2018
spronkAwesome. I'm posting a reply so that I get notified when you do come back to update us.
spronk
176
Jun 28, 2018
Icywolfe@Pacwageo Wow, OK, spent the last 3 hours listening to HD600, 650, 58X and Hifiman HE-4XXs with reasonably modest gear - Schiit Magni/Modi, Hifiman EF2A, and a NAD C320BEE + C542. Volume estimatching courtesy of my iPhone haha.
I'm going to come right out and say it - these might just be the best of the lot.
In most ways they are closer in sound to the HD650 than the HD600. They are fuller, warmer, bassier, thicker (pick your adjectives here) and less shrill than the HD600. Conversely, they retain more graininess than the 650, vocals seem a bit more defined, and a bit more confined in space.
They also have more punch than either, which stops me from describing them as middle ground between the two. For me, I love the extra fullness that the HD650 has over the 600, but find myself wishing for a little more of the 600's detail and precision. These deliver.
Pacwageo
362
Jun 28, 2018
spronkaww, did you take your last message down? I saw that you posted something but then it disappeared lol
spronk
176
Jun 28, 2018
PacwageoI edited it, but it should still be there!
Pacwageo
362
Jun 28, 2018
spronkOh there it is... ok cool. Maybe massdrop was caching the last message or something. Thanks for responding!
Oh man, I'm super excited to get mine now. The hype is real!
Icywolfe
137
Jun 28, 2018
spronkJust by how you described it, it seems to maybe be like the PortaPros from Koss?
So it drops the soundstage for more a smoother tone. Sounds like an interesting headphone.
How is the headband quality? Is it like the HD600? And the weight of the headband, as I do know for myself the HD600 kinda squishes just right and the whole thing is light enough that in a long wearing session it just disappears.
Just a side question have you opened up the headphones? Does it still use the depressing gold plated spring for the contact point?
spronk
176
Jun 29, 2018
IcywolfeWell, I think the PortaPros (and the KSC75s) sound a bit like a Sennheiser mixed with a bit of Grado, so.. a yes, a little.
Headband feels near-identical to the HD650 and HD600, and uses the two-wing foam pad in the 650 instead of the 4-nub pad of the 600. Compared to my 650s, the paint is not as glossy.
The main cosmetic difference is that the lower half of the cups below the pivot point is matte plastic instead of glossy. It does cheapen the feel *a tad*, but they still feel like well-built headphones in the same way the 600/650/6XX do.
Chiropractor
57
Jun 29, 2018
spronkI was thinking it may sound very much like Audio Technica R70X from what I understand.
Pacwageo
362
Jun 29, 2018
spronkI got my pair today.. they really do sound awesome! Not too dissimilar than my current pair of 598SE as far as sound, however the bass sounds a lot better on these. I was a little disappointed in the build quality of these things... but hey for $150 what can you really expect? These are a bit more uncomfortable than my 598... I think it's probably the clamping force and how stiff the pads are . Hopefully over time, as the headphones break in, this problem goes away..
spronk
176
Jun 30, 2018
PacwageoThe finish quality is definitely nicer in the 5x8 series, but I think the 58X/600 series is actually a more solidly built headphone in terms of longetivity. I've had a pair of 600s for well over a decade and they're still going very strong.
There are a few guides around adjusting the headband for clamping force. Some recommend a *very* gentle stretch of the whole headband etc over some books. I'd probably recommend this method, but take the pads off first to avoid squishing them (get your fingers inside and underneath the pad, feel a small plastic lip, and pull gently.
Others recommend bending the metal adjusters that pull out when you enlarge the headband. This is probably the safer method :)
spronk
176
Jun 30, 2018
PacwageoFor reference, >10y old HD600 vs new 58XJ (note the difference in headband radius!!!). Last pic shows ~3y old HD650 vs 58XJ, similar headband radius (this one I didn't bend), but you can see that the cups sit further apart. Those 600s are the most comfortable headphones I own.
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Pacwageo
362
Jun 30, 2018
spronkGood info! Thanks! Yeah I might try the book thing... that makes sense. It's not that it's uncomfortable per se... I just feel a little more clamp than I'm used to.
Pacwageo
362
Jun 30, 2018
spronkHave you tried any after market pads? I found that my new 58X pads are pretty stiff... in fact, a lot more stiff than my 598s by quite a bit. I'd be a little worried that different pads would change the sound though.
Icywolfe
137
Jun 30, 2018
spronkHows the sound if you removed the foam pad from the mesh/grill?
spronk
176
Jul 11, 2018
IcywolfeTried it today, not sure whether there's a difference or not. If there is, it's too subtle for me to confidently state. Still more difference going to the other HD6xx series cans.
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