Cans! (Headphone thread inspired by Dolly Parton)

Oh my Jim
I envy you big time. Better hang onto your woman dude

All kidding aside you can't really go wrong with either can. Both are high quality ear sauce producers and do well with just about any genre you care to throw at them. Personally I'd go for the Hifimans but then again I am biased. I think you'll find Hubert feels the same way too. Then again I have listened to the Senns on a couple of occasions and while they're a wonderful set of headphones I just don't find the same 'attack' and 'immediacy' as the planar Hifimans. Listening to the 400 is like a great big show put on personally for you every time you spin a record.
(If I owned the 650s I may just have said something similar mind you ) Like I said, you really can't to wrong with either can. Good luck!
Hang on...just looked the 400s up and it's not the one I know...but after reading a few reviews they look like a real sweet deal as well. Personally I'd go for the 400I instead: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00MULH672?psc=1&smid=A2RJQ91IHY4NS4 which used to be the expensive one yet now it seems like it's the cheaper option? Oh the joys of a luxury problem!

Btw a similar priced planar headphone is the Monoprice Monolith M-1060. These I know and they sound absolutely awesome. The best sounding cans I've heard in the 300-400$ price bracket and they are just under 300 bucks: https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Monolith-M1060-Planar-Headphones/dp/B01N32N5DD
A step up in sound quality imo but a slight step down in build (there is however a 5 year warranty with the above deal).
Your money your choice.
Good luck and please do share what you decide on!

I may have to post some mighty fine pics of my new cans. Yep I'm mad!
I guess I have become somewhat of a "collector".

Edit: what kind of set-up are you running? Maybe I should've asked that first The reason I'm asking is that the HD650 is a 300 ohm headphone which will require either a designated headphone amp or a proper old school integrated amp. The old ones tend to provide more juice to the headphone output.


Edited by Guldbamsen - November 22 2017 at 16:27

^Oh by the way.  My wife originally wanted to get me Bose Quietcomfort 35 wireless headphones cause she does not like all the wires I have all over the place.... which I am tempted, but for that money I would rather avoid wireless...

Guldbamsen wrote: Oh my Jim I may have to post some mighty fine pics of my new cans. Yep I'm mad! I guess I have become somewhat of a "collector".

Alrighty then. I pulled myself together and turned on my laptop in order to post a picture of (one of) my new cans and of course our thread mascot: Molly Charlton.

Edited by Guldbamsen - November 23 2017 at 13:16

AEProgman wrote: A shocking development occurred, my wife said she wants to surprise me for Christmas with some headphones around the $300 range!  Amazing since she does not really like music (except after wine, then the 70s/80s disco starts playing...I know, I know). Looking at the Senns HD650s or maybe HiFiMan HE 400S, but any other suggestions out there in Dolly can land?  Thinking mainly about open backs since I have closed backs.

Like David has intimated, I think if you spend 300 smackers on a pair of cans from any reputable brand you are going to get something damn good. Beyond that it's very personal as to what sound floats your gondola - and what is comfy for your head - very important that, if you want to enjoy some prolonged sessions of private audio bliss. Grado make some really good headphones, but the ones I've tried I can’t wear for ten minutes. If possible I really strongly suggest you get to a dealer where you can try out a few different sets.

Edited by Mascodagama - November 24 2017 at 05:29

Gah!  f**king Captcha!

Edited by Mascodagama - November 24 2017 at 05:44

I had been curious about Shure's former flagship the sr940 ever since I read someone comparing them to the Sennheiser hd800...which costs 4 times as much. I was looking for a closed headphone with a somewhat neutral sound signature - something of a jack-of-all-trades. 

Edited by Guldbamsen - November 24 2017 at 09:11

Sam, these beauties are waiting for you ...

https://www.gear4music.pt/pt/PA-DJ-e-Iluminacao/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50x-Auscultadores-de-Monitorizacao-Preto/X9G?origin=product-ads&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrKX35NXX1wIV5RbTCh2iIwyfEAQYASABEgLqo_D_BwE


Edited by Quinino - November 24 2017 at 10:14

Personally I'd go for the 40s over the 50s. I think they sound better.

Edited by Guldbamsen - November 24 2017 at 12:05

'Stirred up the cans in Dolly Land'  
Sounds like a bizarre country western and porn flick from the 70s.

Good luck on the test drive btw. Such a wholesome decision. In fact I wish I'd made that 2 hour drive to that one store back when I purchased my first high end can. I was damn pleased with what I bought but I have read a lot of people online who obviously weren't. Cat in the bag is only as transparent as the reviews one reads...which to be fair doesn't hold a candle to ears - preferably your own.

Just to reassure you Jim regarding at least the hd650 (and the hd600 for that matter which I slightly prefer); I don't think I've met anyone who doesn't like its sound. It's such a lovable can. 
I think the Hifimans share that same attribute (they're also built like tanks). Every single person who's tried mine has loved them. My dad went completely bananas and started doing this sailor jig thingy with arms waving wildly about. He loves his Dire Straits bless his boots.

Edit:
Recommended open back cans you're likely to bump into at any store within the same price bracket as the hd650/600 and with a similar flat response include:
Shure srh1440

Edited by Guldbamsen - November 25 2017 at 11:58