How much am I going to sacrifice in terms of SQ if I choose hd58x over the 6xx? I have researched a lot before posting here, and couldn’t find any clear answer for my use cases. I want to get an open back headphone which can be driven with a budget portable headphone amp ( around $200). I understand that 58x is easier to drive than 6xx. Is 800mW/32ohms of power enough for 58x? Or should I look for HarmonicDyne Helios?
that would be the HD58x, as it’s only 150 ohms vs the HD6xx’s 300 ohms.
you will need a very good portable amp to drive even HD58x though as most headphones you’d plug into something like a phone are usually 25 - 75 ohm.
keep in mind these are open back, so if you intend to use them on the go, your environment will bleed through and interfere with your music as well as bleed out and bug those around you. a definite no-no if using public transit.
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Yeah, the 58x is much easier to drive. I also like the 58x sound a lot better. Not enough bass IMO on the 6XX. I also removed the all the foam from my 58x and it sounds much better IMO. Before removing it, the treble seems muted to me.
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I would get a 6xx with an xduoo xd-05 plus personally. I really enjoyed that pairing for quite awhile before things got out of hand.
You can switch out the op amps in the xd-05 for a bit of an upgrade down the line as well if you choose to.
If you decide to upgrade the amp eventually the 6xx scales up nicely as well.
Edit:
Yes
Thanks a lot for the suggestions. I have bought an Ety for the commutes, the headphones will be used at home. Do you think an FiiO A5 or xDuoo XD 05 basic would be sufficient for the 58x?
58x are not too hard to drive and not very picky, so either would probably be sufficient. Might steer you toward the XD05 from what I’ve seen recommended by people I trust, but haven’t personally heard either the A5 or XD05.
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Im runinng my hd6xx on fiio q5s unbalanced at 10am NP…
compared with atom amp there is no significant difference in sound .
Nice to hear that, I already got Hipdac though