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

darreny said:
Mines on the right
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Thanks, thought the left one was fake or something, lol.

Rroff said:
My new pair are from there as well - while I highly doubt they are fakes there is definitely a difference in the sound between my old ones and new
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My two 650s still sound noticeably different and I've been using them for a few weeks now. The pads on the new one are still a little stiff, but I'm beginning to think it's more than just the pads that are responsible for the sound discrepancy.

My old 650 sounds noticeably smoother across all frequencies, but more extended at both ends with pronounced treble, less midbass and more sub bass. It's not a massive difference, but not insignificant either, you notice it immediately. It's hard to describe, but the old 650 just sounds more 'mature' to my ears (either that or I'm more accustomed to the sound). The new one sounds more raw, aggressive and upfront, especially the mids and lower treble region. It also lacks some of the bass extension and control of the old one and has less treble quantity.

Another thing I noticed is that the old 650 has this very obvious 'blackness' to the backdrop of songs that is less pronounced on the new one. It's like there is less distortion in the sound reproduction and individual sounds and instruments are more clearly differentiated. Don't get me wrong, they are still clearly the same headphones, but I'm thinking there is some actual driver burn in going on. I also recall my old 650s going through similar changes when I first go them. Both 650s have the silver driver screen thingy.
 
I've never seen fakes. I would think they would be very difficult to fake, if you know the 650 inside out parts would be different.

I've had stickers on each side, many on other forums complained about different stickers, it's no biggy. I've also had some that sounded leaner, bit bright or rough like my current pairs but they both sound back to normal. Just switch the ear pads to confirm.

Don't worry yours are fine :)
 
titaniumx3 said:
My old 650 sounds noticeably smoother across all frequencies, but more extended at both ends with pronounced treble, less midbass and more sub bass. It's not a massive difference, but not insignificant either, you notice it immediately. It's hard to describe, but the old 650 just sounds more 'mature' to my ears (either that or I'm more accustomed to the sound). The new one sounds more raw, aggressive and upfront, especially the mids and lower treble region. It also lacks some of the bass extension and control of the old one and has less treble quantity.

Another thing I noticed is that the old 650 has this very obvious 'blackness' to the backdrop of songs that is less pronounced on the new one. It's like there is less distortion in the sound reproduction and individual sounds and instruments are more clearly differentiated. Don't get me wrong, they are still clearly the same headphones, but I'm thinking there is some actual driver burn in going on. I also recall my old 650s going through similar changes when I first go them. Both 650s have the silver driver screen thingy.
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Funny thing is I'd describe the differences with my 600s the opposite way around - the older pair sound rawer, more aggressive - the new pair sound more like the older 650s with a smoother sound though not quite as extended bass/different sounding treble.
 
Well the D7050 acting as DAC has hit a hurdle. Reading the manual it states the Line Out can be connected to another amp just fine, but to note that the volume dial on the D7050 will affect the line out volume on the connected amp too.

I wanted a direct line out deal, as having the volume affected by the NAD dial will be an annoyance for when I turn off the Valhalla2 and forget the volume is high on the NAD and end up waking up the neighbours and whatnot.

Looks like double DAC it is gonna have to be. The NAD for speakers and a Bifrost2+Valhalla2 or Modi2+Vali2. I can then create 2 batch files on the PC to switch between headphones output (Schiit DAC) and speakers output (NAD).
 
It's more than an annoyance, it means that you don't have true line out from the NAD as it's going through extra circuitry.
 
I'll probably get annoyed at the gross indecision of all this at the end of the mulling over period and simply stick with the NAD doing all the headphones amplification. The 7050 has a dedicated headphones amp built in but I simply cannot find any info on what impedance it's rated to. If I had this info it would make my decision much easier and save me the faff of trial and error.
 
I'm debating sticking with the Mojo. It's not a true bypass I found out from Chord which has put a spanner in my plans. I quite enjoy the Mojo sound.

I can't find NADs power rating anywhere but I did find some comments stating the D1050 puts 1W into 32ohm(not officially confirmed though) so 200-300mw wouldn't surprise me and that's more than enough. 650 does better with sound matching rather than immense power. If you enjoy the NAD sound then it's not a loss :)
 
Ryanr1987 said:
I'm debating sticking with the Mojo. It's not a true bypass I found out from Chord which has put a spanner in my plans. I quite enjoy the Mojo sound.

I can't find NADs power rating anywhere but I did find some comments stating the D1050 puts 1W into 32ohm(not officially confirmed though) so 200-300mw wouldn't surprise me and that's more than enough. 650 does better with sound matching rather than immense power. If you enjoy the NAD sound then it's not a loss :)
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It's all too much faff. I thought about this in bed this morning. So much I actually didn't get out of bed until nearly 12.

I've decided. I'm gonna not get additional headphone amplification. I like the NAD sound, and the 650s seem happy from the 7050 as it is. So I'll call it a day and save the 4-£750 and spend it on more important things, like a set of new car tyres :o
 
Yeah in exactly the same I'll sit there for ages trying to decide! I can't be bothered to get another DAC then send that to the Crack. Crack is £350 and another DAC on the Mojos level would be about a grand. I might as well just get the LCD-2(Cherry picked of course ;p)and use them with my 650's out of the Mojo. I get the sub bass I need and the mids I need.
 
How bad do these leak sound? If I'm sat next to my Mrs in bed with them on listening to something at average volume will I get moaned at? (Serious question, I'm in the market for some but the open back puts me off).
 
They are open back, more open back than many other open backs out there as the entire driver is exposed. you will have people being annoyed if you start to listen to music next to them :p
 
Yes, you'll get moaned at.

Mine would get my wife complaining if she was in bed and I was in the next bedroom (office) listening to music. They are useless at isolation/not leaking.
 
Ryanr1987 said:
I've never seen fakes. I would think they would be very difficult to fake, if you know the 650 inside out parts would be different.

I've had stickers on each side, many on other forums complained about different stickers, it's no biggy. I've also had some that sounded leaner, bit bright or rough like my current pairs but they both sound back to normal. Just switch the ear pads to confirm.

Don't worry yours are fine :)
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but they both sound back to normal?
 
Straight from the horse's mouth.

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The NAD stays!
 
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