Sennheiser HD650

What do you mean? There's only been the black (silk?) screen drivers and the silver screen drivers. Late 2014 was when the packaging was refreshed.

 

Silver drivers have been in circulation since 2010 or so I think. Maybe even earlier. The change in 2014 was in the packaging. Did SQ/phones also change in 2014?

 

Nothing was changed except the packaging.

 

So the white and silver drivers are the same?

 

I've never seen anyone call the new driver screen "white" here. Most people at SBAF are well aware that the screen is silver-colored like the HD800's. It may look white on screenshots because of reflections but there's no real white screen driver.

 

There's only one type of silver screen but Sennheiser has at least two silver screen HD 650 variants floating around: tiny bit more bass + better bass extension than the 600 with the 600's highs versus a very similar amount of bass that's a tiny bit extended but darkened by 1-3 db in the highs. The black box came out in December 2014.

Who knows when Senn changed the pads too.

 

Silver and white driver differentiation is misinformation. No such thing. Just leads to confusion. Relax, let it go.

 

I'll copy and paste this from HF since I was trying to figure out the revisions.

Original 650's: sold until 2007 or so, came in corrugated silver box. Sound warm/dark.
Updated 650's: sold from 2007 or so until now, came in corrugated silver box and updated black box around mid 2014. Sound less dark, minor treble differences (perhaps more clarity overall).

 

Recently got the Vali 2 per recommendations from here and I must say that they pair very well with my hd650. Better than my Magni 2 Uber did by a very small amount. Makes me want to try a Valhalla 2 out now.

EDIT: Between the Valhalla 2 and Lyr 2, which is a better match for the hd650 and is the difference between them large?

 

Lyr 2 gives you better dynamics and slam, and responds better to tube changes. The Val 2 IMO gives a more tonally accurate presentation and better micro details. If I didn't have any planars I'd choose the Val 2 for the 650.

 

I have received today my HD650. I will be trying them tonight. My set up will be:
Bifrost 4490 via Coax -> Valhalla 2 -> HD650

I will report the first impressions tomorrow!

 

Thanks! I have a 400i but I am likely selling it.

 

Ok so first impressions is that I will love this new combo of Bifrost 490/Valhalla 2/HD650.

Coming from the AKG 7XX I have to say the HD650 is immediately more "musical". I don't really like that term but at this point this is what comes to mind. Every instrument sound more natural with better details.

I have much more listening to do to fully forge a complete opinion but I am very pleased with my purchases

 

That's a nice rig. Source: same as my rig (well, I have the Bifrost Multibit).

Yeah, one thing I really like about the Senn HD6x0, and even the 598/558 is that I find their tonal balance/tonality really nails the natural timbre.

 

I have a feeling I will be needing to replace my earpads sooner or later.
So... the problem is that everywhere I look the replacement 650 pads are like $60-70, and the random ones on eBay are like $15.
My question is whether or not any place sells the replacement pads for cheaper?
If not, are the eBay ones worth buying (won't fudge up the sound or turn into dust after 3 days)?

 

Call Sennheiser sales directly. There US website sucks and either freezes or says they are out of stock. Call customer service, they have plenty. Get genuine pads for about $50.

 

Are there any measurements exposing this variance?

 

I don't think it's true anyway. First I've heard there are two silver HD 650's. There is a black box though. It sounds dark.

 

Found a pair of these for cheap. What do I need to know about them / potential well-regarded mods? I'll be using a Bifrost Multibit / Lyr 2 stack.

 

Read the other HD650 thread. All the info is there.

http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/sennheiser-hd650-love-appreciation-thread.44/