Sennheiser HD650 or HD595?

HighlandeR · 9 Feb 2006 at 02:54

Hesky82 said:
yeah your headphones will open up loads with time, its real gradual but in the end pretty noticeable.

tube amps really are a heck of a lot better at amplifying audio. mainly down to 4 reasons, tubes use simple circuits, produce only even-order harmonics when overloaded (solid state distort with odds and thats why they sound so horrendous when overloaded) tubes are more linear, and therefore,
they require less overall negative feedback thus retaining the detail and immediacy of the music.

basically solid state amplifiers give sterile and boring, lifeless sound,
tube amplifiers get emotion and life out of the music, simply more real sounding imo.

so yeah I'd say it was worth it in the end

Good to hear it worked out then and was worth it

HighlandeR · 9 Feb 2006 at 03:00

badbob said:
I prefer the sound of Grados (own RS-1's) over the Sennheiser line. Build quality on Sennheisers need to improve really, too flimsy and plasticky. But at least Sennheiser's are priced reasonbly £250 for the HD-650. RS-1's in the UK are three times that.

Definietly need a headphone amp for Sennheisers, Grados can get away with less.

Some of the high end grados are luscious to say the least, would love to try them but dont think ill be dropping my Senns anytime soon there too comfortable and stunning

HD595s can be driven very easily with portables/ipods.... there 50ohms. HD650s can be had for 180 quid brand new....

benneh · 9 Feb 2006 at 08:57

Well, i'm about 40 hrs into burning mine in and they sound much looser, still a way to go but not too bad at all.. Sounding best through a fostex ph50 amp with o2r/o3d/dsd98 behind it. Tbh when played back it pretty much sounds identical to the live sound (through the cans anyway), not a massive difference between the 595's and the 650's. Certainly not in the amateur stakes anyway.

I'm definately not complaining, for under a hundred spondoodlies even a student can afford sexy sounds

.

HighlandeR · 9 Feb 2006 at 12:05

benneh said:
Well, i'm about 40 hrs into burning mine in and they sound much looser, still a way to go but not too bad at all.. Sounding best through a fostex ph50 amp with o2r/o3d/dsd98 behind it. Tbh when played back it pretty much sounds identical to the live sound (through the cans anyway), not a massive difference between the 595's and the 650's. Certainly not in the amateur stakes anyway.

I'm definately not complaining, for under a hundred spondoodlies even a student can afford sexy sounds .

On my m8s HD595s I noticed it loosening up even after 4 straight days of using it

I just leave the canns plugged in and some tracks running/burns the amp and cans in, its something strange though ive heard people saying it wont sound good till at least 100+ hours someone even said after a year of burning in the sound was better

Hesky82 · 9 Feb 2006 at 12:08

benneh said:
Well, i'm about 40 hrs into burning mine in and they sound much looser, still a way to go but not too bad at all.. Sounding best through a fostex ph50 amp with o2r/o3d/dsd98 behind it. Tbh when played back it pretty much sounds identical to the live sound (through the cans anyway), not a massive difference between the 595's and the 650's. Certainly not in the amateur stakes anyway.

I'm definately not complaining, for under a hundred spondoodlies even a student can afford sexy sounds .

yup and there made to last to!

benneh · 9 Feb 2006 at 12:33

Totally, i've had a pair of 495's that i bought at least 5 years ago.. And they're going strong (im not joking!).

Hesky82 · 9 Feb 2006 at 12:44

HighlandeR said:
On my m8s HD595s I noticed it loosening up even after 4 straight days of using it

I just leave the canns plugged in and some tracks running/burns the amp and cans in, its something strange though ive heard people saying it wont sound good till at least 100+ hours someone even said after a year of burning in the sound was better

It can get a little ott sometimes! some people play special burning-in cd's which play specific frequency patterns to run them in the "correct way" and believe there are good and bad ways to do so.
I think its just rubbish, just play music at a reasonable level and they will still settle in the same way.