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Sennheiser HD8 DJ a Worthy Upgrade from HD 558s?

frink

Hey guys,

 

I've been using my Sennheiser HD 558s for a while and I absolutely love them. I've been considering upgrading to higher end headphones and was considering the HD8 DJ, the HD 600, and HD 650. I know in the US the 650 and HD8s are similarly priced, but in Canada there is a $200 price difference ($350 for the HD8s, $550 for the 650). I prefer a neutral balanced sound that will sound good for all kinds of music, mostly jazz, classical, rock, and electronic.

 

My question is how are the HD8s in comparison to the HD 558, and how much better/inferior is it compared to the HD600/650? Linus commented in his review of the HD8s that it had more punch than the HD600, but is it better overall? Also, will the closed design of these headphones affect the stereo imaging/sound stage?

 

Thanks for your input!

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They are better for different things. I've heard the hd8s have some of the best passive isolation on an over-ear and have a very "DJish" sound, but the hs650s/600s don't really compete with them. I consider the hd650s as "better" headphones. Also the soundstage and imaging performance will be much better on all the open headphones mentioned. I personally wouldn't consider the hd8s as an upgrade from the hd558s. They just don't interest me for their price. In my opinion, the hd558s are more well rounded headphone, as well as the hd600s and hd650s.

Edit: take this with a grain of salt, I haven't personally use the hd8s yet, and am purely basing my opinion off others.

 

 
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Can we say that a person that likes Beats and wants an upgrade would prefer HD8 DJs over HD650?

PSH, you have too much faith in beats customers. They'd just buy the higher end model of beats headphones, the more expensive the better, obviously. B) (sarcasm detected)

 

 
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They are better for different things. I've heard the hd8s have some of the best passive isolation on an over-ear and have a very "DJish" sound, but the hs650s/600s don't really compete with them. I consider the hd650s as "better" headphones. Also the soundstage and imaging performance will be much better on all the open headphones mentioned. I personally wouldn't consider the hd8s as an upgrade from the hd558s. They just don't interest me for their price. In my opinion, the hd558s are more well rounded headphone, as well as the hd600s and hd650s. Edit: take this with a grain of salt, I haven't personally use the hd8s yet, and am purely basing my opinion off others.

 

I was thinking the same. Beyond the price of the HD650s, the only other reservation I have is that they were released in 2006! I guess I'll keep an eye out for sales and hopefully they release its successor soon...

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I was thinking the same. Beyond the price of the HD650s, the only other reservation I have is that they were released in 2006! I guess I'll keep an eye out for sales and hopefully they release its successor soon...

The hd558s are still a great sounding headphone, you aren't missing out on too much, unless you make yourself believe you are. Once you buy higher end headphones, you can never go back. :P

 

 
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Can we say that a person that likes Beats and wants an upgrade would prefer HD8 DJs over HD650?

 

 

PSH, you have too much faith in beats customers. They'd just buy the higher end model of beats headphones, the more expensive the better, obviously. B) (sarcasm detected)

 

:P

 

Beyond Sennheiser, I don't have much experience with other equivalent brands. Is there any similar headphones to the HD650s at lower prices?

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:pBeyond Sennheiser, I don't have much experience with other equivalent brands. Is there any similar headphones to the HD650s at lower prices?
Depends on who you ask and the prices you can get it for, so I can't really answer that. :P

 

 
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I was thinking of some DT (insert triple digit number here) headphones... They have more treble though. 650s are more laid back.

In Placebo We Trust - Resident Obnoxious Objective Fangirl (R.O.O.F) - Your Eyes Cannot Hear
Haswell Overclocking Guide | Skylake Overclocking GuideCan my amp power my headphones?

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Hey guys,

 

I've been using my Sennheiser HD 558s for a while and I absolutely love them. I've been considering upgrading to higher end headphones and was considering the HD8 DJ, the HD 600, and HD 650. I know in the US the 650 and HD8s are similarly priced, but in Canada there is a $200 price difference ($350 for the HD8s, $550 for the 650). I prefer a neutral balanced sound that will sound good for all kinds of music, mostly jazz, classical, rock, and electronic.

 

My question is how are the HD8s in comparison to the HD 558, and how much better/inferior is it compared to the HD600/650? Linus commented in his review of the HD8s that it had more punch than the HD600, but is it better overall? Also, will the closed design of these headphones affect the stereo imaging/sound stage?

 

Thanks for your input!

 

Linus has actually complaint on the comfortability on his review video and WAN show. Sound wise, Linus or Edzel also said that there is a significant difference between the two on the WAN show as well. You can look into Beyerdynamics' DT series too. They are great!

PSH, you have too much faith in beats customers. They'd just buy the higher end model of beats headphones, the more expensive the better, obviously. B) (sarcasm detected)

This might change due to the Urbanite line up though

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Linus has actually complaint on the comfortability on his review video and WAN show. Sound wise, Linus or Edzel also said that there is a significant difference between the two on the WAN show as well. You can look into Beyerdynamics' DT series too. They are great!

This might change due to the Urbanite line up though

Well, it doesn't make much sense to compare the HD600s to the HD8 DJs... HD650 vs HD8 DJs would be a more fitting comparison, wouldn't you think?

 

None of my friends like Beats, so I don't really know what people who like Beats are like (stereotypically?). I wouldn't know what would get them to pick another headphone, whether a brand that sounds foreign to them like "Sennheiser" would stop them from trying something new.

In Placebo We Trust - Resident Obnoxious Objective Fangirl (R.O.O.F) - Your Eyes Cannot Hear
Haswell Overclocking Guide | Skylake Overclocking GuideCan my amp power my headphones?

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Well, it doesn't make much sense to compare the HD600s to the HD8 DJs... HD650 vs HD8 DJs would be a more fitting comparison, wouldn't you think?

 

>Implying there's a big difference between the 600 and 650

 

I was thinking the same. Beyond the price of the HD650s, the only other reservation I have is that they were released in 2006! 

 

>Implying that maters at all

 

There's no reason for them to release a new version, as the 600 and 650 already fit their niche perfectly. Don't hold your breath. 

 

 

Beyond Sennheiser, I don't have much experience with other equivalent brands. Is there any similar headphones to the HD650s at lower prices?

 

The Pioneer SE-A1000 sounds remarkably similar. 

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>Implying there's a big difference between the 600 and 650

Few db on the bass, few db loss on the treble... On the graph it shows a max of 5db difference in treble and 4 db difference on bass. They're also similarly priced. Why pick the less bassy cousin when the 650 exists?

In Placebo We Trust - Resident Obnoxious Objective Fangirl (R.O.O.F) - Your Eyes Cannot Hear
Haswell Overclocking Guide | Skylake Overclocking GuideCan my amp power my headphones?

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http://gyazo.com/70caa1a46cf3630addfb19a4f6078925

It's literally say "The best i've heard" on the thumbnail, that doesn't answer your question?

No, because Linus was never an authority on audio. How many headphones from non-crappy companies for audio like Razer has he heard that has $400 MRSP? Like... 1? 

In Placebo We Trust - Resident Obnoxious Objective Fangirl (R.O.O.F) - Your Eyes Cannot Hear
Haswell Overclocking Guide | Skylake Overclocking GuideCan my amp power my headphones?

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For outright sound quality you are probably better off getting 600/650s. The sound stage on the HD8s isn't terrible, but I doubt it compares favorably to the open ear models. Because of their excellent sound isolation and bulletproof build quality if you want a headphone that does better on the go  the HD8s would still be an option (you'll probably want to get a shorter cable though).

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HD600 for neutrality. HD8DJ is too busy.

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Few db on the bass, few db loss on the treble... On the graph it shows a max of 5db difference in treble and 4 db difference on bass.

 

Exactly - very little difference. Minor EQ tweaks mang.

 

Why pick the less bassy cousin when the 650 exists?

 

If the price difference is big enough, most people would.

 

I'll add that OP should look at the used market, as the 580/600/650 generally go for about the same used. Just pick whatever looks like the best deal.

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Linus is no audiophile

Im not too, but if he say they are great I trust him. 

and if he say they are better than his hd 600 (not sure if he say that) I trust him.

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Im wondering what of these headphones have more bass between the hd 600/650/whatever and hd8? I like when I can feel the headphones with the bass

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Im wondering what of these headphones have more bass between the hd 600/650/whatever and hd8? I like when I can feel the headphones with the bass

 

Clearly the HD8s they're closed bass heavy headphones. While the 600 and 650 are open headphones with a large soundstage. 

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and if he say they are better than his hd 600 (not sure if he say that) I trust him.

 

Because that's totally not a matter of personal preference.

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Im not too, but if he say they are great I trust him. 

and if he say they are better than his hd 600 (not sure if he say that) I trust him.

That's just.... No.

In Placebo We Trust - Resident Obnoxious Objective Fangirl (R.O.O.F) - Your Eyes Cannot Hear
Haswell Overclocking Guide | Skylake Overclocking GuideCan my amp power my headphones?

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