If your iPad doesn't handle it, you'd probably need a portable DAC amp combo. I've heard from some people that the Apple dongle (3.5mm to lightning converter) works well enough for the HD 600

Agreed

What he says. DT1990s are great fun with impressive technicalities, but punishing on poor recordings/source gear. HD600s are smoother, more pleasant, and all around easier listen, but doesn't stage as well and doesn't have quite the bass/treble extension. It's not as exciting as the 1990s, though HD600s might be preferred for a more intimate experience.

For what it's worth, I had a pair of HD600's back in 2016, but sold them off because I considered them largely "redundant" in my overall collection, at the time. Cut to present day, I ended up repurchasing a brand new pair last month because I actually missed that balance of sound, and am enamored by them all over again.

In audio, often times the amount spent doesn't always equal the amount of enjoyment and appreciation that can be derived. :)

HD600 is the most legendary dynamic driver headphone of all time. DT1990 is a sibilant mess. Seems an easy pick.

Might take a few minutes, but try turning off Enhancements and Spatial sounds in the Sounds Playback Properties. And try at least Studio Quality (24bit 44100Hz) in the Advanced Default Format. For PEACE, run it at 100% and use the Pre Amplifying to get it to a nice comfortable volume. Could help a little or be completely worthless but it doesn't cost any money. Supposedly this should minimize how much noise is passed through the chain. Cheers!

I'd say headphones that are $999 and below will benefit from an aftermarket balanced cable around $50 and headphones costing more will only see a difference spending $200 or more. I know I'm going to get slack and down voted but this is my experience and you're asking a question.

Why would you paint them pink? If it's because of the image on the monitor, that's red/pinkish light

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Both are great headphones, and great choices. I own a DT1990 and I like it (not the least for its excellent build quality and comfort), but the sound really can be too piercing on a lot of music (even though it is extremely impressive for others). I’d advise for the HD600. It is literally the audiophile headphone.

Nice. Now paint them pink.

Enjoy! I've got myself DT 900 Pro X for Christmas and absolutely love them. With a little +2db bass boost they sound just perfect for me.

Cables >>>>>>>> wireless.

Until wireless can AT LEAST transmit 1411kbps+, and overcome the size limitations on how drivers and housing combine to achieve further true extension …. Or come close to the soundstage of real open back cans … they won’t stand a chance at overtaking the market share of true audiophiles, much less audio professionals.

Well funny thing, I just learned my ipad has a 3.5 jack! I am so used to getting shafted by newer gen apple on this that I totally forgot it has a 3.5! I've been using the dongle for everthing for the last 2 years, thank you!

No offense, but I doubt DT 700 Pro X "beats" VModa.

So there’s a lot to consider here, but first consider there’s a reasonably decent little DAC (chip) and Amp (chip) built into your iPad.

Most headphones dongles are going to offer a better DAC and Amp built into one small unit. If you want a desktop setup, that’s when you get a DAC and Amp as separate units. To this point, search your local used market for an JDS Labs Atom Stack. They are a great value if you can get one. (Stack means both units, DAC and amp)

The sound of the 600s will change slightly but it may not matter to you when you consider the cost.

A DAC upgrade will improve the sound, but an amp more notably. The resistance of the 600 varies by frequency, so adding more power ensure the FR response is as designed. It may sound ever slightly more bassy or full on an amp. The main thing I notice with an amp is improved transient response, kicks, tings, bells etc. The initial impact is deeper and more punchy. This is because there’s literally more power available and this drives the diaphragm faster.

Huh, it seems like I might be going back to wireless after all. Thank you

I did mess with Peace, yes and I also downloaded some FLAC files "legally" to see if the difference was about my source files. I don't really like going full volueme on anything my ears are a bit sensitive after going to the club a total of 6 times in my entire life. But it was night and day! Even on bluetooth what I got out of the Ipad and the windows is crazy different. See the thing is I recently discovered this and I am not really good at troubleshooting OR problem solving for that matter. If anyone asks "Lossless high-res" saved my life and for the rest I have no idea why one sounds better then the other. I just know I enjoy my current setup at least 56x times more.

The motherboard is a stock HP so I have no hopes for the sound card to be any good anyway, I just had the accidental step to the "other side" and now can't turn back.

Also, I don't know if thats realted either but turning off Dolby Atmos really imroved my experience as well it seems like. Other than anything Pat Benatar ever sung which is weird...

Yeah man they’re real. Love affordable quality. Cheap Amazon cables are amazing 🤩.

There’s more choices now that there’s custom wrapped cables produced for the masses from over seas.

Isn’t it weird how you like Custom wrapped cables that cost $50-120 for no perceived sound quality yet you would call it “sound betta” for people that are willing to spend THE SAME AMOUNT of $$ for perceived quality?

If you’re really for NO SOUND quality in cables, then there’s no point in paying some American $$ to wrap the same $ cables from overseas.

Too many people in this sub in promote these expensive cables from companies like Periaptcables, and then absolutely sh1ts on anyone who would spend the same $$ if did it for perceived sound quality.

🤙

My iPad Pro is newer so no headphone jack but do have an older iPad with a headphone jack and it does a pretty good job driving my HD-6XX’s which are pretty much HD-650 but the 600’s are a bit less sensitive so probably not going to do as well so I would opt for a amp myself. Even hooking up a old Dragonfly Red I have was definitely much better sounding than the iPad alone.

I think TWS can sound as good as IEMs but, there will always be people who will insist that wireless is trash whether they've tried Bluetooth at it's best or not. I often use IEMs with a wireless DAC/amp with LDAC, it sounds very similar to using a USB DAC, I find that the biggest factor in sound quality is the production of the music I'm listening to.

I was lost at the lower end for a long while. I still kinda like my shure se215 and my current lover (was a gift) the momentum 4. Trying them out side by side the 600 just feels like ambrosia for the ears that I can't even imagine something above it. I tried the 800's and a couple of high end Meze headphones as well but I think I just couldn't tell the difference if there was any. I simply can't justify a 2k bump in the price for an experience that will feel the same to my slightly deaf ears, thus the "long time".

Alas, I'm already lost down the espresso rabbit hole. I just sunk 3k on upgrade half a year ago and I still feel the impact on the quality of food I'm having at home (no regrets!)

It's a 550mAh, should get anywhere between 6-9hr of listening. It varies depending on volume, headphones draw, and Bluetooth encoding codecs used.

Over the years I've kinda turned allergic to the concept of wireless, things just seem much more reliable the old fashioned way (for now). Though the idea of turning my headphones wireless does sound good :D You mentioned that the power draw is about double for every 3 dB, how long does the BTR3 last on battery alone? It seems... tiny.

Also have something similar and they are perfect for side sleepers. I couldn't really sleep on my side with any headphones or Iems, but these are very comfortable. They don't have amazing sound quality, but for $20, you can't go wrong.