ALJ Posted February 26 Posted February 26 Hi , I've just ordered a Schiit Audio Asgard 3 headphone amp and now need the 'phones . I can't decide between Sennheiser HD650 , Beyerdynamic Amiron Home and Meze 99 Classics. I know the Classics are closed , I don't have any experience of open or closed other than cheap headphones years ago. I need a bit of guidance - if it helps I listen to vinyl on a Rega P8 w Apheta 3 and Mobile Fidelity M6si amp. Any thoughts /suggestions ? If there's nothing much in it I think the Sennheisers have the best price. Thanks
PassionForSound Posted February 26 Posted February 26 The 650s are probably the safest headphone purchase you could ever make. They're more refined than the 99 Classics and more spacious sounding due to being open back. As for the Amirons, they're really nice, but could be a bit bright in the treble for some people. The Asgard 3 will tame that a bit, but I'd still go for the 650s. 1
Kaynin Posted February 26 Posted February 26 I'll chip in but likely not be of any help at all. I was sold on open backs many years ago and said I'd never buy closed again, until I heard the Meze 99's. I've had those for about 6-7 years now and love them - however they're only connected to my PC or phone. As for serious listening with a dedicated amp, I stick with open backs. I agree with Lachlan, the HD650's are a safe choice if you're not going to demo side by side. 1
ALJ Posted February 26 Author Posted February 26 That's a great help thanks. There doesn't appear to be anywhere I can try them all side by side so I appreciate your input.
HdB Posted February 27 Posted February 27 When you're amp arrives, I suggest you organise a trip to Richmond and check out their vast headphone range and knowledge - that way, you'll be able to hear the big differences in many reasonably priced h/phones without guessing. The 650's have a rather forgiving midrange that is quite easy to listen to and matches up with a lot of different amps but you might like to checkout other 'phones with clearer/"more open" mids that are available. Also, after-market cables make quite a difference to the 650's too ...
ALJ Posted February 27 Author Posted February 27 Thanks for that but I'm not set on these three. For example the Sivga sv023 seem to be highly thought of . Would they be a better option ? $500-1000 bracket approximately I guess.
PassionForSound Posted February 28 Posted February 28 If you're broadening the search, the SV023 is one to check out. The Meze 105 AER is another. I've also heard good things about the Aune SR7000, but am yet to open the box and try the one that arrived here recently for review.
fjs Posted February 28 Posted February 28 I own or have owned all the headphones mentioned. If you are a total bass head the meze 99 classic is for you. Personally I hated them, couldn’t stand the overblown bass but they are well built and the mids and highs are very nice and I found that if played from a phone or a dap the bass tamed down a bit but as a desktop headphone my previous opinion applies. You can’t go wrong with any of the sennheiser 600 series or the sivga, both brands are comfortable and balanced sound. Just to throw another one into the mix the audio technica r70x or r70xa. At first they look cheap and you might not like the headband setup but I find them to be one of the best headphones in my collection.
075Congo Posted March 13 Posted March 13 Have a look at the Final Audio Sonorous 111 (Japanese) Closed-back Headphone......currently $499 at Addicted to Audio.....the most comfortable and sonically excellent headphone I have owned....impedance of 16 Ohms makes them very easy to drive. The Asgard Headphone amp will work very well with these. Regards
was_a Posted March 14 Posted March 14 (edited) Like fjs I've owned the headphones you've mentioned, as well as the Senny 600 and a couple of the 800 varieties. I quickly sold the budget Meze model, and I'm ambivalent about the Senny 650 which on first impression is nice and rich and mates well with most DACs, but may be perceived as a little thick and murky after a while. Speaking of DACs, much will depend on your digital frontend, but regardless, if opting for a Senny I'd choose the 600 for its tonal neutrality and slightly better soundstage. The keeper for me is the Amiron Home. It's tuned to draw you into the music while retaining that Beyer insightfulness and tonal accuracy. A slightly elevated mid-bass is similar to the Senny 600 series, but the Amiron has much better sound-staging and transparency...It's in a different league, and competes with the high-end Beyers and Sennys in my opinion. Treble issues with the Amiron are debatable—a read through the forums is confusing, as some listeners complain about brightness and sibilance, while others praise the non-fatiguing treble and sibilance control. I'd put this down to slight differences in the manufacturing process, as well as differing digital frontends. I believe the tonal character of the highs is far more pertinent—and perhaps what many listeners are really trying to comment on? The high-mids and treble are neutral-to-slightly-dry in tone, so brighter recordings can be found out... I listen regularly to the Amiron Home as well as my Hifiman Ananda (original) cans. They are both mid-priced stars in my opinion. Edited March 14 by was_a
Drandy Posted March 27 Posted March 27 On 27/02/2025 at 8:38 PM, ALJ said: Thanks for that but I'm not set on these three. For example the Sivga sv023 seem to be highly thought of . Would they be a better option ? $500-1000 bracket approximately I guess. What did you end up getting?
ALJ Posted March 28 Author Posted March 28 I ended up getting the Sivga 023 and they sound really good . Happy with my decision, thanks everyone . 1
grammefriday Posted April 11 Posted April 11 On 27/02/2025 at 5:32 PM, HdB said: When you're amp arrives, I suggest you organise a trip to Richmond and check out their vast headphone range and knowledge - that way, you'll be able to hear the big differences in many reasonably priced h/phones without guessing. The 650's have a rather forgiving midrange that is quite easy to listen to and matches up with a lot of different amps but you might like to checkout other 'phones with clearer/"more open" mids that are available. Also, after-market cables make quite a difference to the 650's too ... Any recommendations regarding after market cables for the 650's?
fjs Posted April 11 Posted April 11 Cables are often a subject of debate and can cost very little or many hundreds of dollars. I myself have bought several after market cables off eBay for my focal, ath r70x, sennheiser hd600, and a few others. The cost for each was about $35 incl postage delivered. Delivery took about a week from China. They are all extremely well made with top notch hardware and I have been very pleased with all of them. I usually get ones with 4.4 balanced but they are offered in all configurations and lengths. They are generally twisted cable and a pleasure to use. For $35 try them and make your own judgement. I generally go to the same eBay seller.
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