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Anonytomas
2
Jul 16, 2017
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How much of an improvement would these be over 598 SE Open back?
Jul 16, 2017
Uzuzu
1431
Jul 16, 2017
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Jul 16, 2017
NewVirtue
6
Jul 16, 2017
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AnonytomasI don't have these yet, but i too have 598 SE. My understanding from pretty much every comparison/thread/review I've read so far is that the 600,650, and 6XX are "better in every way". i dont remember which threads specifically, but thats a direct quote from at least 2 different threads.
Jul 16, 2017
RiflemanFirst
685
Jul 16, 2017
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AnonytomasI own both the HD598 SE and the HD650(6XX.) I found that they sound more alike than different. To my ears, the HD598 sounds more forward & energetic, but somewhat light with bass. The HD650 sounds more smooth & refined, with noticeably increased bass quantity and quality. I think they compliment each other well and definitely plan to keep both.
Jul 16, 2017
tessierpg
Jul 16, 2017
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AnonytomasI have both and much prefer the HD650/6xx than the HD598. They simply sound better, more bass, more depth in the mids, smoother highs. I concur with the general opinion that the HD598 have a wider soundstage and good imaging. But the bass presence and depth are simply not there on the HD598. I use them for TV viewing and they are well balanced and very "spatial" for that usage, but for music only the HD650/6xx are capable of producing goose bumps on my skin ...and also are capable of make me tap my foot on the floor (prat factor as some say, a little bit like my high PRAT Sennheisers HD25 or Amperior feel on me).... better bass and better and profound mids, more euphonic. With the HD650/6xx I simply lie on my couch, put on some music and fully let go myself into the music...At 199$, I would not hesitate a bit. Please add an amp though, even a moderetely priced amp will do it right, the headphones don't need a lot of power, but a low impedance output amp such as the lower priced Schiit or O2 amps should do it. I mainly use the low output impedance Dragonfly Red DAC/Amp with Apple camera adapter with my iPad/iPhone units , which highers the voltage output at 2.1 V, perfect for the 650/6xx, using either my music library or Spotify Premium Service. Even with high quality but compressed files such as AAC 256 (Apple) or OGG Vorbis 320 (Spotify), the sound is sensational with the 650/6xx. Hope it helps.
Jul 16, 2017
Anonytomas
2
Jul 17, 2017
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AnonytomasThanks for fast response guys, appreciate it! I want to get these but I'm not sure if it's worth it. I currently don't have an amp of any-sort. I'm using an audio-interface (PreSonus AudioBox iOne), I know that can only handle so much, not sure if it will be able to handle these.
Jul 17, 2017
Uzuzu
1431
Jul 17, 2017
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AnonytomasIt can't run the 650 well. It's a usb powered interface and the interface is honestly just for monitoring, you shouldn't be listening to music from it. Cheapest good amp you should get is the vali 2. I say "should" because the 6xx begs for a tube amp. There are a few cheap solid states but I'd also recommend schiit magni if you want to go SS but I'd honestly at least go for the asgard. I'd still take the vali first though for tubey goodness
Jul 17, 2017
tessierpg
Jul 17, 2017
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AnonytomasThe headphone may still be used without an amp with an iPad or iPhone, or with a home stereo system. I use them sometimes without an amp. You could use them without an amp for a while. But eventually adding even a small inexpensive amp such as the Schiit Magni2 or the JDSlabs Objective O2 or a Audioquest Dragonfly will increase your listening pleasure. I'm not a fan of tube amps, but there are some inexpensive tube amps out there that can also do the trick.
Jul 17, 2017
Anonytomas
2
Jul 17, 2017
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UzuzuI decided against getting this, I don't really need the extra quality yet. I always use an Audio Interface so that I can use an XLR microphone with my PC setup. The 598 is perfect for this usage as it really doesn't need an amp. The other reason for using an Audio Interface is to get "Side Tone" into the headset. Without side-tone, talking to friends while gaming or listening to music, etc... becomes very annoying, you will end up raising your voice and not hearing yourself talk is very frustrating. I also use the Audio Interface for my speaker combo.
Unless there is a way to pair an amp with my audio-interface I don't think it's a fit for me. It would be great if someone made a device that could produce side-tone, pair with an amp, and allow me to connect XLR and 1/4 inch jacks (input). *if someone knows of such a device please respond, lol!
Jul 17, 2017
tessierpg
Jul 17, 2017
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AnonytomasSorry, I have zero knowledge in your kind of setup... HD650/6xx are all about letting yourself go deep into the music. Maybe you are better off with the HD598 in your gaming setup, I just don't know... however the strengh of the HD598 is having a hyper wide soundstage & imaging, very airy sound...maybe it is better for your needs...
Jul 17, 2017
Anonytomas
2
Jul 17, 2017
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tessierpgIt's cool, I appreciate the reply. I will probably just stick with my trusty HD598 SE (just cleaned my earpads , too!). I've been trying to figure out if there is a device like the one I suggested for a while. I'm a guitarist / audio-enthusiast / gamer (as I'm sure many people are that browse Massdrop) so having something that hits all those areas is a must for me.
Jul 17, 2017
BradTombaugh
22
Jul 18, 2017
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AnonytomasLook at Musician's Friend, or Sweetwater, for a small mixer like the Behringer Xenyx. My son uses one to listen to music, game console, and PC at the same time, so he can get the sound effects from the game and notifications from the PC. They aren't expensive for the smaller units. Do be aware that all of the connections are XLR or 1/4" so you might end up spending almost as much on cables as the mixer itself. Look at the pro sound cables from Monoprice, or from Musician's Friend...
You could start driving the headphones from the mixer, then add an amp or powered monitors like the JBL LSR305's that Massdrop has featured. This setup gives you a lot of flexibility.
Jul 18, 2017
Uzuzu
1431
Jul 18, 2017
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BradTombaughThe audio out on that Behringer unit is so bad, man ;-( It is good for nothing besides hearing your own voice for monitoring purpose.
Jul 18, 2017
Zellio
0
Jul 20, 2017
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UzuzuHey, what would you think of them running off of this?
https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Performance-Headphone-Integrated-Microphone/dp/B00EZT7RE4/ref=dp_ob_title_ce
I've had one of those for a few years, as usb audio prevents interference, and I have a pretty decent 5.1 system on my pc. It does have an amp, and it's decent overall. I'd use this for pc gaming anyway...
Jul 20, 2017
Anonytomas
2
Jul 20, 2017
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BradTombaughI like that idea a lot. I have KRK Rokit 5 Speakers right now, not the best but they work for me. So what you're saying is that I could swap the Audio Interface for a Mixer? Would I be able to get side-tone (my own voice back into the headphones? Is it okay to use an amp with a mixer?
As a guitarist I already have a lot of XLR and 1/4" cables.
Jul 20, 2017
Anonytomas
2
Jul 20, 2017
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ZellioThanks for the input, I've tried Creative stuff before, it's not really the right direction for me. I'm just as much a gamer as I am into audio / music production, so I need XLR, 1/4" jack, side-tone, outputs for my monitors and phantom power.
Jul 20, 2017
Uzuzu
1431
Jul 20, 2017
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Zellioit is usb powered, the 6xx won't be fully amped to their potential. i don't know why you'd bother with it
Jul 20, 2017
Zellio
0
Jul 22, 2017
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UzuzuBecause it would be 10x better then some fake 5.1/7.1 'gamer' headphones, and at around the same price. I do have some sennheiser hd595's so I'd rather have them half amped then a full amped pos like Beats.
I DO have some other amp equipment, but it would be mainly used on my pc so...
Jul 22, 2017
Uzuzu
1431
Jul 22, 2017
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ZellioAny gamer soundcard is just marketing BS, anyway. At least if you are on PC. almost all games these days already put out 5.1/7.1 virtual, so that is what I meant. You're better off investing in something that will give you nice, clean sound output with decent power. I would recommend a couple of SMSL's amps at that price of 80 or under, in the stead of that soundblaster.
Jul 22, 2017
Zellio
0
Jul 22, 2017
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UzuzuUnless you know of an smsl amp that connects via pci-e then that's not exactly helpful, I already have amps when not connecting to pc...
Jul 22, 2017
Uzuzu
1431
Jul 22, 2017
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ZellioOh you aren't using a standalone DAC? You using the audio off of your soundcard? Lol...... wow
Jul 22, 2017
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