Ryan's Headphone Review Thread

I appreciate the compliments, thank you.

I'm happy to low the guide helps and I'll hopefully be adding way more content soon! It's just finding the time. For your price range I recommend going on the bay and picking up some Sony MA900 then using an amp that has Dolby Headphone.
 
I would say if you want that more lush sound it would be worth doing. You seem to love your HD650's so I can't see it being a negative. The K712 foams are a bit more dense feeling as well and it seems to give a more fuller low end so if you can get the foams that specifically come with the current 712 they would help.

If you use your 702's for gaming I'd leave them as close I stock as possible though.
 
The K501 I'm finding to be on a similar level to the HD600 series when it comes to ability. They are incredibly airy and light, I need to try them in DH mode to see if the staging expands like crazy like the K701. The mids are stunning, they are not overly forward and intimate like I usually like but they have such a realistic voicing to them.

Vocals sound so pure and clean it's really something vocal fans need to hear. Instruments sound crisp and realistic too. They don't have the bass I usually want but it's extended enough to not get put off. To be honest the mids are so good, I just don't care I've got other bassey headphones to fill that role but I still find them snappy enough for pretty much anything personally.

Compared to the HD650 they are not as romantic and dreamy sounding but they are more pure and musical. They make a great pair actually! The vocals sound more intimate and mellow with the Senns but the K501's sound like real life. I like the HD650's better overall slightly but I think the K 501 have special mids that give the closest life performance feeling yet.

I'm keeping these for sure, they are a classic and it's nice to own something so rare that sounds amazing.
 
Nope not at all. The treble is pretty polite too, even less so than the original Annie. They are worth checking out if you get the chance. Did some gaming with these today too, nice staging but not quite K701! Close though.
 
Hey,

Really sorry been so busy with work with all the new game releases. The HXC is better built, better accessories than the CAL. With the velour pads the HXC is bright, thin and piercing making them ideal for positional audio. With the pleather pads they are thick, bassy and more musical with a polite sound.

I prefer them to the CAL personally but not by much. Great headphones for the price with different sound options and accessories. Give them a go, I still a go it's hard to be disappointed with them.

The only headphone for pure musical enjoyer that is better in the price range is the Aviators by Skull Candy but they don't have the build of the HXC.
 
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As an all rounder I would pick the K712. I like the K701 better for games but the K712 can do movies, bass and pretty much everything. The K712 is based on the K701 with a dryer nature and strong treble.

I like the MA900 also. If you can find one thn I really recommend those. The HD650 is too thick and lush to be a competitive headphone but it's damn beautiful sounding.
 
Technically the K712 is superior. It's tighter, refined and has better positional accuracy. The K712 is warmer but it's really peaky giving it a sense of dryness shining through the warmth. The MA900 is easier on the ears but has also noticeable grain in the sound.

The MA900 wins on mids. the K712 mids sound pushed back like the K701. Vocals on the MA900 are smoother and have a more realistic voicing to them. The soundstage is a tough one, I think the MA900 has a more obvious soundstage but it's hard to say they are close.

Bass wise the K712 is tighter, more defined and heavier. MA900 like NP said is quite loose sounding, almost artificial. I got my MA900 for £89 and I love it. It's what I call the lazy mans headphone, plug in and play! I'm not going to say it's a hifi headphone though.

I do think they sound tighter with a decent amp but it's not really a big rig headphone like the HD650. I would say they are slightly behind the HD600 in performance apart form staging and on par with something like the X1 but with a better soundstage and mid range.
 
Heya!

Not sure what I'm going to do with this guide. A combination of having less time, lack of interest from the community on here I may just scrap it. If anyone wants to take over it I certainly would consider it. I've got so much to put on here too. I was considering just putting shorter reviews but it would be unfair for people reading. Hmmm decisions!
 
You may ne right. I have however during my write up for the Philips X2 came up with a time saving review that gets all the points out there. I'll see how it goes. Also guess what! Got an original Annie coming from the US. Cost me a frigging lot though! Reunited with my baby :p
 
It was a funny thing. I was literally one click away from ordering the LCD2. I've done this so many times. All of a sudden a lair of Annies pops up. It's cheaper + my fav headphone of all time. Sure the LCD2 is more refined but the Annie is special.

I'll put the Philips X2 Review up tomorrow and try to change it to the new layout. Also have the K7XX to add!
 
I finding the new layout easier so reviews will go on as normal. Just simple changes have made it less time consuming. I'll change the existing reviews first then crack on :) cheers for the comments glad its helped some of you :D

Ah man, have not heard the HE500 in a while. If I didn't get the Annie I would probably of snagged them!

I'm really liking what I'm reading about the Oppo PM1. Need to try those badly.

One headphone I'm really enjoying in the Focal spirit classic. They are incredible. Closed phones have always been secondary to me but these have some serious mids and bass. They remind me of a closed Baby LCD2 at times and sometimes a closed HD650 with a more extended bass. I think they are really refined too really can't wait to get that review out.

If anyone has any headphones they don't mind sending out for review then I'm happy to review them! Obviously I'll pay the postage both ways. Seems like something I'd be interested in doing.
 
Heya,

All the reviews are being re done into the newer format. I'm also going to rethink the scores as some of them I've been a little too nice. In terms of splitting them up I may do I'll see. See how this goes I guess. Ah man it's a shame you are all the way in Florida! Really need to try the PM1.

Everything is so expensive now! Also all my fav companies keep changing the sound of there products. I purchased some brand new HD650's recently with the newer black box, wtf were they thinking! The lushness wasn't present, they sound more like the HD600 with a slightly deeper bass. Why do they do this! Pfft they are going back, I wanted smooth not more technically capable! Lol the new HD650's sounded technically a bit better though but the HD650 have been about magic. I'll see if it's just this pair.
 
Don't believe in the burn in fairies, at least any that make a huge difference. A headphone is not going to turn into a really lush one from burn in. The sound you hear out of the box is pretty much the headphone and after some head time bass may sound less loose etc.

These don't sound bad, just not classic HD650. These are more like an improved HD650 technically but they loose the lush sound they normally have. Treble is more extended and bass sounds tighter. I don't like it. I bought them because I wanted a HD650 in warranty for relaxing listening. Instead I got a more balanced headphone, I have the Annie that does that better so it's disappointing that they have possibly tweaked the sound.

I'm going to try get a grey box pair because they still seem to have the lush sound. I've heard from a couple of headfiers that their old 650's needed new pads and new foams and when they got them the sound wasn't the same so maybe it's just material change. It's pretty simple to change the sound it's basically a treble increase and a mid bass decrease, this makes the mids less focused and makes the sound more stretched out or leaner/detailed.
 
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I can understand companies wanting to make their products technically better but the whole point was to have the HD600 be the more reference phone and 650 the more fun one.

They have changed the 650 three times now. The first one was dreamy, literally like listening through mush! Loved it haha the second one which rids will have is lush but a tiny bit more upper presence giving them a bit more detail, similar warmth to my Annie. Now this black box one is too reference sounding for me, it's not cold or anything just close to neutral.

Man, the old HD650 had amazing mids, better than the LCD-2 IMO but people found it too coloured or overly warm.
 
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