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

HD650 are better than X1, X1 have more bass but generally are worse than HD650.
 
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currently sat here playing with an art audio uk headphone amp and the hd650, has anybody used one of these before? don't know the model, i have the prototype marked headline 1874, its been loaned to me for testing - a family member makes them and i am absolutely blown away, although my jaw dropped when i was told they retail for £2000.
 
Just took a look at their website - amazing looking gear so I can easily understand the £2000 price tag.

The only things I saw a headphone socket on were the "Conductor" pre-amp and the phono amp.
 
The site is a bit out of date I think/not maintained, the amp I am testing is a simple large metal black case. Sounds absolutely fantastic either way.
 
tbf the 650's will have much lower treble than the 990's too which if you like the 990 sound will probably impact your opinion of the 650. Which is cool it's why audio is so subjective you have to go with what you like.
 
It also depends on the gear used especially with the 650. The 990's sound muddy, bright, bassy all at the same time no matter the system but Beyers(minus the 770) do not agree with my ears.

The 650 are not for everyone, some people just cannot get on with the natural, accurate sound they produce and prefer those brighter highs and that's absolutely fine, everyone has their preferences :)


Listening to some excellent Final Fantasy 9 vocal covers at the moment and oh my lord, it makes me feel connected to the game; the voices just haunt you and grab you. No other headphone does this! I think my ear pads have really settled because they have zero brittleness and are effortless.
 
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If the highs of the 650 are the most natural, why is it that I get ringing in my ears from a live performance. However, if I listen to the recording on my 650, I crank the volume and still no ringing? To me this is as unnatural as piercing highs.
Im thinking maybe something to do with different ears having slightly difference resonance frequencies?
 
natural =/= live performance.

So many factors involved in a live performance it's hard to really say but my main guess is that it's too loud and you should wear earplugs.
 
I might regret this but mine are going back. I can't complain about them and very much enjoyed listening to music I had not listened to in years to marvel about how good it sounds, but I have to confess I want a little more at the bottom end. I do listen to a lot of dance music and just found them a little lacking.

I could not afford to keep them any longer before trying out something else so back they go for a full refund and some Fidelio X2's I bought from Noxia are on the way.

The search continues.......
 
TwsT said:
natural =/= live performance.

So many factors involved in a live performance it's hard to really say but my main guess is that it's too loud and you should wear earplugs.
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Good point about many factors.
Now I am going to show my ignorance. if I can hear my friends talk whilst the band plays, I presumed that if I crank my 650 to high volume until I cant hear my friends then surely that is louder? Or do the headphones sound act as some kind f shield?
 
Sc00p007 said:
If the highs of the 650 are the most natural, why is it that I get ringing in my ears from a live performance. However, if I listen to the recording on my 650, I crank the volume and still no ringing? To me this is as unnatural as piercing highs.
Im thinking maybe something to do with different ears having slightly difference resonance frequencies?
Click to expand...

Well it depends how the recording is processed. If there's sharpness in a recording the 650 will show it and same if the recording is weaker in those frequencies.
 
PapaLazaru said:
I might regret this but mine are going back. I can't complain about them and very much enjoyed listening to music I had not listened to in years to marvel about how good it sounds, but I have to confess I want a little more at the bottom end. I do listen to a lot of dance music and just found them a little lacking.

I could not afford to keep them any longer before trying out something else so back they go for a full refund and some Fidelio X2's I bought from Noxia are on the way.

The search continues.......
Click to expand...

The X2 roll off as well unfortunately. What recordings are showing a lack of low bass? I've tested over 100 re ordinance and it's surprising how many don't actually go low or high for that matter. If you want a more Sub bass than the 650 you will have to try something like a Fostex closed model, Nighthawks or one of the larger Planars. If you want impact then it's hard to be the 650 and you would need a good closed headphone.
 
I've found the X2 bass to be a lot more suited to my preferences than the 650 when I had it. The 650 just felt a little too light on bass, X2 has a nice heavy thump to it.

650 was a lot more comfortable though, the X2 earpads are pretty scratchy.
 
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