Sennheiser HD650 Love (Appreciation Thread)

Tubes aren't strictly tied to the level of clarity, look at many of the TOTL amps out there. I've listened to the HD650 on a lot of setups, and I've thought they sounded boring or flat on SS amps like the Taurus mkII, liquid carbon, or grace dac/amps.

The Crack and Valhalla 2 should be mid level options, the crack showing a hint of the potential amazing tonality of the HD650, where the Valhalla 2 shows the potential clarity and detail the HD650 can do. I am waiting on the black widow to be released as I am hoping it has a good mix of both of the above.

Other options include the Torpedo III (can be purchased built), project horizon III, and Marv was even using the EC ZDS with the HD650 for a supreme clarity / good synergy option.

 

Interesting, ill see if I can try a Valhalla 2 then. See if it makes the HD650 more alive!

 

Just dynamated the HD650, and it definitely tightens things up for me. I'm pretty content with my 650s and running them balanced out of my GOV2. I'll venture out further into the land of tube amps and such when I have more room and much more money.

What is the consensus on the AKG K240 foam mod? It is cheap enough for me to not worry about f'ing something up, so I would like to try it as well.

 

It darkens the HD650 if the full mod is a bit too bright for you. But just a bit, to me it was worthwhile. Better balanced imo.

 

Won't that simply be the same as not doing the quarter mod on the stock foam?

 

Nope not to my ears. It still sounds more pure and clear then leaving the stock foam disc intact. Just a bit less bright.

 

Also, is the process just replacing the regular foam with the AKG foam and then doing the coin mod on the new AKG foam?

 

That's what I have done but I think Solderdude tested without a hole. Just try it and see what you like.

 

http://www.fullcompass.com/prod/023133-AKG-2260Z0901

I guess this is it if I'm not mistaken. Much cheaper than anything Sennheiser related.

 

Yeah it's thicker, it has two layers. One is foam and the other is a felt like material. I got it from a webshop here in holland, using this partnr i can find a couple of shops in the us: 2260Z0901

 

Full Compass is a great source for loads of obscure, legit headphone replace/repair parts. They are very helpful on the phone as well if you are trying to get juuuuust the right part.

 

Curious to read your impressions/measurements on the foam. The AKG foam is also denser then the stock foam so perhaps you can do without the drawer liner if you like this.

 

Ordered up some of the foam myself to give it a try. Thanks!

 

I've heard the K240 foam recommended by more than a few people at this point, so I went ahead and ordered them.

Stock HD650 foam = smooth but moderately veiled/congested treble
Stock HD650 foam w/ quarter mod = more treble detail and clarity, maybe a tad bright on certain recordings

Hoping the K240 foam (probably w/ penny/nickle/susan b anthony silver dollar cutout) will be a solid middle ground. Will post thoughts once received

 

BTW that AKG foam is harder to cut then the stock foam, you need a really sharp knife. I used a scalpel with a nr11 blade to get a precise cut.

 

I'm using drawer liner (http://www.amazon.com/Con-Tact-Prem...&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00) under the front foam of my 650s. I was able to get it to stay in place w/o glueing it (in case someone's interested in 'sperimenting w/it temporarily).