Sennheiser HD650 - The classic beauty in a grey dress Appreciation thread!

I've noticed tiny tiny differences in music, Not better just different, As I've been using the 650's for nearly a week now but the X2's have much better bass to my ears and in games I much prefer the sound of the X2's, I'll keep the 650's for when I'm in the mood for classical music :)

The X2 has a rather large mid bass hump while the 650 is more linear(still has a hump though too) I think the HD650's will give you a better idea of what the recording is about while the X2 is all fun fun fun. The X2 does have a nice sparkle.
 
Everyone has their taste but I can not for the life of me, understand how anyone can like the typical Grado sound. Zero low bass, all treble! It's not just elevated treble; I'm talking stupid peaks of the stuff. The prestige line for example all soun the same...might as well grab an SR60i, change the pads rather than spend on the upper models.

If you are a crazy metal head 24/7 with insensitive ears I can see them being loved but those looking for a nice tone that performs in all areas noo way. I used to like the Grado sound about 5 years ago but when I revisited the line I didn't know what I was thinking haha


The 650 will sound much more mellow in comparison as would any headphone. It's a more even sound, vocals will have a charm about them, bass will become an important part of the music and you will hear more treble detail, lower distortion(Grado distortion is horrendous)

The music will sound more real, take you to a different place. Coming from a Grado to a 650 will take time though, so spend over a week just listening to the 650.
 
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The Witcher 3 soundtrack is so good on the 650's! such a shame they couldn't put Wolven Storm(Pricillas song) on the soundtrack that song is magical I can never listen to it all the way through :'( haha even if it's not particularly sad.
 
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40 isn't that old don't be hard on yourself Haha

Some people are insensitive or sensitive to certain ranges. An example is the HE-500 sounds smooth to me with a sparkle yet some hear it as bright and harsh. The HD700 kills my ears and sucks but some on here really like it.

A lot of it is also just getting used to the sound. Sometimes I hear the 650 as having and edge to the sound but going to the HD800 or LCD-2 then back to the 650 reveals it as more relaxed. I always have at least 3 pairs of headphones that have a different sound as it's easier to get an idea of a signature.

I personally find it much easier to get used to a warmer/darker headphone than a brighter one though. Chances are you won't like the 650 at first, Grado fans are too far gone ;)
 
http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/GradoSR225i.pdf

http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/SennheiserHD650.pdf

The HD650 will show a technical improvement over the Grado. The distortion in the drivers is high and the 300hz square waves are pretty crazy.

Minus the bass, the HD650 has very low distortion throughout the mids and treble I'm sure you will be impressed by them. It will take time though!


Tylls frequency response measurements always look off though, Purrins measurements seem to reflect more how a headphone sounds IMO
 
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The clamp will ease up after a week or so. Not sure what the vibration thing is :s is this on all recordings? Mine don't have any odd rattles with the 650 bass. It will take time to get used to them coming from the HD700 though I wouldn't recommend touching your HD700 for a good week or so unless it's for games so you can get used to the 650. I warn you though, a lot of headphones just sound wrong once you get used to the 650.
 
Has the 650's colour been changed or is it just picture editing ?

I ask as I looked at the Sennheiser store page and noticed the 650 on there is much darker than on the amazon page where I bought it from -


Amazon

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Sennheiser

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The 2nd picture just looks over sharpened and toyed with. The older picture doesn't have the stock cable for some reason(All 650's have a fatter connector) Also the older picture has the black drivers which may have came with a a thinner cable at the time.
 
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The HD6XX is good deal if you live in the states but you can get the 650 for like £230 new over here.

I do wonder if the HD6XX will be slightly lower grade to the HD650 maybe cheaper materials? Just speculation but I'm curious. Not sure what I think of the colour yet but the cable looks ideal.
 
Jaysus £370! I do think the 600 series has always been underpriced compared to competition but the 600 has always been £200-220 so that's a big jump. That's the highest price increase I've seen on Amazon for headphones.

Surprised the 650 has had a dramatic increase since it's more popular. Amazon are weird sometimes.
 
Yeah I've heard people mention that which attracted me to it. The warmer Schiit gear has never really been disappointing. I nearly bought the Schiit Jot as well but it would end up being too aggressive and metallic up top which is what most reports suggest but apparently the micro detail and resolution on the Jot is great. The Modi M and Vali 2 should be a great paring.
 
That's what I have gone with, I am still deliberating over the amp at the moment.... :o

The Jot looks like it would be a good match if you don't mind Schiits typical aggressive sound. I'm more of a smoother treble, warm and engaging fan so the Vali series is the path I'll always go. The Valhalla2 is good if you want to bring out those details and resolution that the 650 is capable of. I find the Asgard 2 a bit redundant because the Magni 2U replaces it IMO. Lyr2 is a bit too overly warm in a boring way but so it depends on the headphones uses it's great with the HD700 and some AKGs that need the added warmth.

The good thing about Schiit gear is they don't really compete with each other and even the cheaper gear is as good as the expensive gear in areas. I also like the fact that the Vali 2 and Magni series. stack nicely on the ModiM.
 
Still can't get over how amazing acoustic female vocals sound on the 650s. Most especially Spaceship (Popvilla Sessions) by Comet Blue :cool:

Vocals are incredible on the 650. What I also love most in the treble is the smoothest on any headphone I've heard. Every other headphone has treble issues whether it's peaks or unevenness. I also love how it just outright competes with my HD800 winning in some areas.
 
Been Listening to my new Modi Multibit. Hooked up to the Vali 2 replacing the Chord Mojo I can notice a difference pretty easily. The Modi M is more textured in the bass and treble. I notice more detail in every range. I prefer how the Mojo handles the lower mids and the Mojo has more body but the ModiM sounds a bit more natural. I didn't realise how bloated the Mojo can sound in the bass. I would say the ModiM is a tad warm but coming from the Mojo I'm still adjusting. The stage sound much less compressed. The HD650 sound great with the stack but surprising the Nighthawk sound the best with the stack so far. I've not tried the HD800 yet.

Those who own 650's really should consider this stack.
 
Yeah I much prefer Mojo over Hugo. Hugo is too lean and sterile for my taste and it doesn't even sound that good. Hugo and Mojo are about on par technically but Mojo is much fuller and more musical. I bought the Modi M as my curiosity got the better of me and I did a shoot out against the Mojo and I had the Modi M as the better DAC but the Mojo is still one of the most enjoyable devices I've bought. I would just get a a good Schiit Dac and go amp shopping.

If you've never tried the 650 with anything better than your UD-H01 I would advise you to NOT listen to the Hugo because you will tell yourself that it sounds amazing and end up shelling out £1400+ when for that price you can get a high end Schiit combo or a fancy amp like the Icon HP8 MKII that sounds good. If you've experience quite a lot of gear and tried the 650's with other stuff then you will be fine. Most people get sucked into Chord gear from the over the top praise. I think the Mojo is an exception as for £400 it's a good little versatile device and it sounds lovely.
 
I've always been a fan of Schiit for their sound quality but I've always been annoyed at how they handle treble but the Modi M and Vali 2 has the most effortless, naturally smooth treble I've heard from Schiit. These attributes are perfect for the HD650 as it also has the smoothest treble in the world of headphones. Vocals are so airy and engaging they just breathe.
 
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