Sennheiser HD650 - The classic beauty in a grey dress Appreciation thread!
- Thread starter Ryanr1987
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Kind of kicking myself over that - when I first looked into having my old ones restored it was £45 - by the time I actually decided to do something about it it had gone upto £90 so decided to put the money towards new ones instead as it was almost half of what I paid for my new ones at the time.
I thought the 598 was to harsh sounding ...
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They dont. As you've been told many times in the past.
what what what not me I just read on this page they cost £90 and ive been told in the past what you on about ?
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No, not the headband, im talking about the DR150s and the HD650s 
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They are different headphones. I think the HD598 is a bit rough and brittle up top. It is also on the brighter side so if your sources are not running the 650 good the HD598 may appear cleaner, more open. 650 has a darker background it's very full sounding and a lot of people are not used to fullness.
The 650 is more accurate but the thing with accuracy, is it is not always exciting. Most people like a more coloured, exciting sound and there's nothing wrong with that but if you want a more complete sound, you'd struggle to find it with an open dynamic headphone and the 650 does very well.
The 650 on my Mojo alone, sounded on par with the LCD-2 I had and bested it in resolution and tonal balance. On a better amp, the 650 would have beat it in every area apart from sub bass extension.
The 650 is more accurate but the thing with accuracy, is it is not always exciting. Most people like a more coloured, exciting sound and there's nothing wrong with that but if you want a more complete sound, you'd struggle to find it with an open dynamic headphone and the 650 does very well.
The 650 on my Mojo alone, sounded on par with the LCD-2 I had and bested it in resolution and tonal balance. On a better amp, the 650 would have beat it in every area apart from sub bass extension.
I know the weaknesses of the 598 but I also know the strengths. However I have had the 650 for 2 months and couldn't really describe them. I don't know how they sound. Maybe like the 598 but bit muffled IMO - is that the smoothness?
I am not evening thinking of entertaining the thought of getting a full replacement off sennheiser. I think the 600 uses the same headband but it is £72. Still more than double what I would consider paying for a bit of injection moulded plastic that cost a few pence to make. There is a fella selling 3D printed headbands for £30 after his broke and he refused to pay the toll.
However for now I will stick to electrical tape
600 series can sound a bit muffled but especially so if your amp doesn't have good enough voltage swing to really "open" them up. When playing with an AD8066 gain/LM4562 buffer setup on my amp with loads of voltage/slew rate/swing they sounded incredibly resolving if a bit raw.
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Disco that's one unloved pair of 650s 
non standard ear pads, hd600 headband pad, cracked headband
non standard ear pads, hd600 headband pad, cracked headband I bought them 2nd hand. They are super old and the original pads have been worn flat so these ones are way better. The headband is actually super comfy, pads not so much but better than the flat originals. They were also priced accordingly.
However the cracking was my fault, i flung them off my head in a rush and they cracked.
However I have thrown my 598 across the room multiple times and they are battered but nothing more. Dog also chewed on them for a good hour.
However the cracking was my fault, i flung them off my head in a rush and they cracked.
However I have thrown my 598 across the room multiple times and they are battered but nothing more. Dog also chewed on them for a good hour.
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Ok this is my second night with them and the missus has gone out so sitting back with a V&T listening to some Alabama Shakes.
I was not 100% sure about them last night but these are keepers. Everything I was hoping for and more. I am normally disappointed with most things I buy, they are never as good as my expectations but I have now have two in conjunction. TEAC UD-H01 DAC and my 650's.
Just need to get hold of some studio masters to give the DAC and the 650's a proper workout.
I was not 100% sure about them last night but these are keepers. Everything I was hoping for and more. I am normally disappointed with most things I buy, they are never as good as my expectations but I have now have two in conjunction. TEAC UD-H01 DAC and my 650's.
Just need to get hold of some studio masters to give the DAC and the 650's a proper workout.
It's possible. The sound card supports higher impedance cans, with the setting currently being on "Extra high gain or for 300-600 Ohm headsets"
You reckon that's just marketing BS?
Is there any way I am going to really enjoy these headphones without spending more than £150?
If not I'll cut my losses and list them on the MM.
Yeah when they state that it really doesn't mean all that much. The 650 is sensitive to source because it's so resolving. At £150 you could buy a used Modi and Vali and that would be a nice little set up.
Search around Classifieds there's always something going at a good rate. The better your gear though the better they sound. When I had my Bottlehead Crack the 650 sounded just incredible. I would also recommend trying the Audioquest Dragonfly Red at £169 or the Black at like £89 and see how you get on. Buy from a place that allows returns like The Rain Forrest.
Search around Classifieds there's always something going at a good rate. The better your gear though the better they sound. When I had my Bottlehead Crack the 650 sounded just incredible. I would also recommend trying the Audioquest Dragonfly Red at £169 or the Black at like £89 and see how you get on. Buy from a place that allows returns like The Rain Forrest.
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I paired mine with Audinst HUD-MX2, but MX-1 paired well too