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

Since I've got two HD650's in going to put one of them on the members market. Was going to mod one pair but really can't be bothered with all that. Having two 650's is pretty greedy!
 
No prob mine should be here today, had a really good listen to the k712 last night and they sound amazing ( especially Alanis morrisette's uninvited on spotify) so have high hopes for these
 
Ryanr1987 said:
Since I've got two HD650's in going to put one of them on the members market. Was going to mod one pair but really can't be bothered with all that. Having two 650's is pretty greedy!
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Isn't TwsT considering getting a pair? :)

Incidentally, any recommendations for a DAC/Amp upgrade for 650s in particular? I'm currently running them off an Essence STX II and they sound really nice, but I'm wondering what a decent tube amp would do for them in comparison. Slightly out my depth here so all help will be appreciated.
 
My only gripe at present is that the clamping on the head is quite tight. The pads need to soften in on the headband too as the pressure is noticed after an hours or two. Still adjusting to them!
 
I think you'd have to spend a fair amount of money until you get a worthwhile improvement over the Essence. I've been comparing my Essence ST to the Schiit Modi/Magni Uber dac/amp and the more I listen, the less obvious the differences become. The Magni sounds a little brighter but a little harsher at the same time, where as the Essence sounds warmer but more composed on the upper mids and treble. All in all the difference is very small and I actually prefer the Essence for long periods of use, as it's so relaxed sounding, but not sloppy either. The Essence runs the 650 perfectly fine in my opinion, and I've never felt like it was underpowered. I have mine on the middle gain setting (+12db) and I rarely go above 36% volume in windows. Main issue with using the Essence, is that it is in my main gaming rig, which is packed with fans and quite noisy.

Having said that, I am massively impressed by the Schiits. They are built like tanks and for something right at the bottom of their range, they look, feel and sound very premium. The headphone output is also ridiculously quiet and free from any distortion when moving the volume knob. My Sennheiser IE8 earbuds normally pick up even the smallest amount noise from headphone outputs, but on the Magni it is dead silent. The only issue I have is that there is some channel imbalance at very low volumes, not a massive issue as too quiet at this volume anyway.

Going to look at the Schiit Valhalla 2 as my next amp.
 
If you did want to, you could upgrade the OpAmps on the STX. I did that on mine when I had it and experienced a smoother and warmer sound yet, closer to the "NAD sound", which I'm very fond of.
 
Got myself a new desktop wallpaper now, can appreciate the 650s when I'm not physically doing so :p

Bq3xchal.jpg

Oh and happy new year guys, too wet and windy to enjoy fireworks down here :(
 
mrk said:
Got myself a new desktop wallpaper now, can appreciate the 650s when I'm not physically doing so :p

Bq3xchal.jpg

Oh and happy new year guys, too wet and windy to enjoy fireworks down here :(
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Where's our version? :eek:

darreny said:
I'm still thinking I prefer the 712
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You need to let your ears settle in to the different sonic signature before you can compare the two properly. Give it a week tops. This is what 'burn in' is in reality.
 
Just fitted new (aftermarket) earpads to my HD 580s. I did have a different set of pads fitted with a weird mesh covering over them instead of velour, and they were too thick. The drivers were too far away from my ears which did all kinds of weird stuff to the sound. The new ones are brilliant, and the headphones sound like they should once again.

These were those that I ordered and can recommend them (no idea how long they'll last, but at least they're cheaper than Senn's own):

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331572204958?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
 
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