Due to living constraints, I must use headphones. So "good at different things" is exactly the point. If I were taking my 'phones cross country, I'd drive the sportscar. If I were moving the K-horns, I'd take the truck.

I appreciate what you're saying. I don't ride bikes anymore but, the experience of driving a Ferrari and a pick-up truck is quite different.

edit: As I mentioned in my first post the mission is to find the means to the same goal, i.e., live music. Having adequate transportation (car), or max enjoyment (bike), are different goals.

I've had good speakers, K-horns. I have good headphones HD800S. I was trying to replicate the speaker experience with the 'phones. Impossible! I realized that there is no meaningful comparison.

They are two different means to the same goal. The reproduction of live music. Compare speakers to speakers and 'phones to 'phones. Like Ferraris and F110s. Both competent means to the same goal, but totally different experiences.

Only listening. Comfy chair, Rochefort 6, in the dark.

That's a sound decision. It is a major jump in price, but I think it was well worth it. Some people make small incremental upgrades and eventually spend much more to get to their "end game" 'phones.

Edit: FYI, I do use some EQ on these 'phones. I use a Schiit Lokius to tune them to my preferences. The sound stage, to me, is the main selling point.

Have you actually listened to the 650s vs 800S. They absolutely do not sound the same. You might not like or appreciate the 800S, but they are different and definitely deserve a listen.

But isn't the whole purpose of trying them out is to see if you "fall in love" with them? The risk would be in buying them without listening to them first.

I have no experience with 560s, but I went from 650s to 800S without trying them out. I absolutely love the 800S and don't want to listen to the 650s anymore. I went from a speaker set-up to headphones, and I never really enjoyed the music again until I tried the 800S.

Wait until you can better afford them and then try them out. You don't want the anxiety of affordability to get in the way of your listening.