Sennheiser HD650

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by Jeangenie, Sep 27, 2015.

  1. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,778
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    Strongly consider Valhalla 2 for HD650 stock or otherwise. For HD650, I prefer the Valhalla 2 to the latest iteration (warmer) of Jotunheim. There happens to be incredible synergy between Valhalla 2 and HD650. The Matrix is a good starter amp at a good price, gets loud enough, but is kind of flat and uninvolving sounding.
     
  2. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2016
    Likes Received:
    2,750
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Calgary, Alberta
    Home Page:
    I wasn't a fan of Jot but did like Val2, even if it was a bit dry, with the HD650. Plus tubes don't change things much in that amp so no need for nervosa.
     
  3. kixx

    kixx Acquaintance

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2018
    Likes Received:
    43
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Imperial Starfleet
    You! I .... i hate you! I had just the 660's and everything was fine. They worked just fine, delivering sweet music to my ears. My life had meaning ... i was content. Then you and Tyll came along with your reviews, and comparisons, and arguments, and ... and ... measurements. The 660's don't sound as good as the 650. They are not as resolving as the 650. They don't scale as well as 650. They don't this, and don't that ... You made me buy 650's as well. No one else but you!

    Well ... the 660s's don't. Even on this beginner level amp, the 650 walks all over them. Sennheiser really did bodge this up in terms of sound quality ... but then again, i can power them to a loud volume from my phone, and they don't sound like shit, like under powered 650's do. More resolving, smoother, better transparency (i feel they obstruct the music less), clearer background, better sound stage. Also the 660's now make me nauseous if i listen to them for more than 2 hours ... i need to take them off immediately i start feeling like that. They did this when i got them a few months ago. Switching to any other headphone makes the feeling go away. I suspect that is because the way they produce the sound stage and width. They seem claustrophobic (and i don't suffer from claustrophobia) when compared with 650, really shouty and in your face ... When i got them i needed almost 2 days of listening on and off to get accustomed to them. Then i simply thought nothing of it. It was more along the lines "i ain't used to such resolving headphones" and it will go away eventually. It did ... but now this feeling is back since i've kept only the 650's on my head for the past 5 days.

    I'm kidding ... i don't hate you, it's quite the opposite. I am grateful for your expertise. You were the one who pointed out the wonky sound stage of the 660s, among the other flaws ... that drawing was really interesting (it was yours, right? i hope i ain't mocking this out, haha). I've seen Tyll's review before i got the 660s, but everybody else seemed to think otherwise, and i thought to myself he can't be right every single time. Well shit, there is no substitute for experience.

    Now i guess i have to break the piggybank (again) and get a big boy's amp.

    Thanks! :piratemug:


    Oh yeah ... almost forgot. Thanks as well for that paperweight that i'll have a hard time selling. In my region headphones aren't really "haute couture" and collect dust on the shelves. Who knows, maybe i'll keep them for spare parts, or make a matt black 650 out of 660s parts ... updated look, but original sound. Or maybe i'll gift them to my dad. Spare parts worth 450$. f**k! Guess i learned my lesson: research more, blow budget on stuff that's less compatible with my taste, less :oops:
     
  4. SSL

    SSL Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,239
    Trophy Points:
    93
    I mean, tube rolling Valhalla 2 changes things a whole lot more than some of the shit people obsess over. Any of the commonly recommended options will bring a modest but significant improvement over stock.
     
  5. Raicorl

    Raicorl Acquaintance

    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2018
    Likes Received:
    46
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    TH
    Am I supposed to hear sibilances on 650 with some certain tracks? Not sure if things get too smooth and not detailed enough on my eitr modi multibit, mcth(stock tube).
     
  6. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,274
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Bird-watcher's paradise
    There are many tracks that are such that if you don't hear some sibilance it is due to something in your setup not being faithful to the recording. But the 650s are not particularly prone to sibilance ime.
     
  7. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2016
    Likes Received:
    10,697
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    NOVA
    Home Page:
    mostly replying so i can find this thread again, BUT, got loaner Dekoni set: Velour, Full Sheepskin, Penistrated Sheepskin, Hybrid.

    Initial impressions are surprising, nice and not insignificant changes with each pad - I can easily see that folks wishing to tune HD6xx to different preferences would greatly benefit from playing with these pads. Good range of possibilities here. Much more so than futzing around with cabling. And no changes that diminish HD6xx strengths.

    All of them are super comfy, so there's that, too.

    Edit: I should add, i'd recommend fussing with these pads over EQ-ing, seriously. You're not changing the distortion characteristics by asking more of the drivers, but getting the same benefit as adding 2-3db here and -1 db there.

    Edit, edit: why didn't senn just play with pad materials/construction and not f**k with the drivers for the HD660s??? SMH
     
    Last edited: Nov 3, 2018
  8. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    May 28, 2017
    Likes Received:
    7,985
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Vancouver BC
    @yotacowboy , once your impressions are firmed up could you post descriptions of the changes given by each? I'd be grateful.

    Edit: PS - I'm particularly intrigued by the 'Penistrated Sheepskin', but then I'm from New Zealand...
     
    Last edited: Nov 3, 2018
  9. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2016
    Likes Received:
    10,697
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    NOVA
    Home Page:
    I've got a fun post planned...
     
  10. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2015
    Likes Received:
    7,894
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Madison, WI
    I do on high harpsichord notes
     
  11. m17xr2b

    m17xr2b Friend

    Pyrate Banned
    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2016
    Likes Received:
    3,988
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    United kingdomland of fish and chips
    My new closed back office headphones. Who says you can't have your cake and eat it too.
    [​IMG]
     
  12. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2016
    Likes Received:
    6,226
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Seriously considering giving these another shot. They didn't take when I had my Jot. Torpedo 3 might be a different story. I really like the Sennheiser sound and feel like I was unfair to them last time and didn't listen long enough.

    My initial instinct was the 600 since I've owned and loved it before, but apparently the 650 scales a bit better, so that seems to make more sense for the T3...?
     
  13. zonto

    zonto Friend

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2015
    Likes Received:
    4,975
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Boston, MA
    I owned a T3 and both HD6x0s simultaneously. I usually prefer the HD600. Yggdrasil Analog 1 plus T3 plus HD600 plus neutral-ish tubes plus Shunyata Venom 3 power cable is too aggressive in the mids. I mention the latter because I know you run those power cables and I did too before moving up their line to Alphas (my rig is in my profile). For another point of reference, I also think Yggdrasil Analog 2 plus Ragnarok plus HD600 is too aggressive in the mids.

    Maybe try the HD6XX from Massdrop. I probably will be soon too, unless this Jupiter Audio Research modded version of the HD650 suits my fancy.
     
  14. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2016
    Likes Received:
    6,226
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    I actually don't have an external DAC at the moment. I sold G.umby to fund a 4K TV, and am using the Wolfson DAC in my Onkyo C7030 CD player. Not the G.umby but its still very good, kinda warmish. I am considering the M.imby as a temporary DAC only because people say the new versions sound closer to G.umby A1, or at least isn't as veiled as earlier iterations. Then sometime next year I can get G.umby back.

    For the record, I kind of prefer a more aggressive sound, so that's not a deal breaker. I already use the HD800, so... I kind of feel like a darker Senn makes more sense. I am actually about to demo @famish99 's modded 650/my T3 soon, so I'll have a better idea of what to expect.

    Honestly the Senns are so cheap I may just get both and see which one I gravitate towards more.
     
  15. Pillars

    Pillars Embarrassment to Colorado crew

    Banned
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2016
    Likes Received:
    129
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    Northern Colorado
    I'm curious how you'll feel about the modded 6XX's. While I don't dislike the stock setup I sure do like the modded version much better.
     
  16. m17xr2b

    m17xr2b Friend

    Pyrate Banned
    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2016
    Likes Received:
    3,988
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    United kingdomland of fish and chips
    Had the HD650C all week in the office. Even if it was quite a gamble I'm over the moon on how they sound and they've replace the HD250 Linear 2.
    The HD250 can do proper planar level sub bass with decent mids but they lack microdynamics especially out of the office setup(project ember 2.1 and WM1A).

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    With just the wood cups and stock pads they do still leak quite a bit and isolation isn't great. I had leftover HM5 XL pads from a different project and fitted them with double sided tape. Looks only a mother could love but at medium listening levels they don't leak and isolation is ok-ish but more than enough for my needs.

    The HM5 pads by themselves turn the HD650 into shit, half the sound is muddy bass. With the wood cups in place I do loose a significant amount of bass extension but the pads don't have anything to f**k with.
    Bass has a slight punch in the mid bass but that's about it. Mids are still quintessentially HD650 and with proper treble and micro detail. Stage is quite closed in from what I'm used to but more open than the HD250 and those have quite spacious sound.
    I've rolled around 30 9pin tubes at works and two stand out in making this frankenheadphone a real pleasure out of multiple 6DJ8, ECC82,ECC83,5814 etc, the Stellaris input tube 6N1P-E and the CBS 6BQ7A horseshew getter. The russian gives it a nice dense mid range without sounding thick and the CBS has incredible air, details and extension with quite a nice retarded donkey sorta kick.
    I'm holding back on using 6SN7 with adaptors as I already stand out as a weirdo and don't want to make the tower of babel.

    The cups snap in place without any sort of change to the headphone and I can put the stock grills whenever I want.
    [​IMG]
    My father did a cracking job with these so got them for free. Wouldn't have spent money otherwise for unknown results.
    I'll play around with damping but not sure where to start of if it will make any difference. Using my stock HD650 for these.
    Once I get to the final version I'll glue them with a thin line of silicone to improve isolation and I should still be able to remove them with a bit of force without breaking anything.

    For home I have these monstrosities. Bass gets a slight bump in mid bass with the stock pads without overlapping the mids and these have better potential for damping with various materials. I also asked for some vents for experimentation(got the idea from the Eikon and I can just close them from the inside).
    There's also a slight change I quite like in the mids but I can't put my finger on it. Not sure when I'll get around to actually play with these, time is short and I have quite a few more project to complete.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Dec 7, 2018
  17. Pillars

    Pillars Embarrassment to Colorado crew

    Banned
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2016
    Likes Received:
    129
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    Northern Colorado
    I just want to see them on your head..
     
  18. m17xr2b

    m17xr2b Friend

    Pyrate Banned
    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2016
    Likes Received:
    3,988
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    United kingdomland of fish and chips
    Today I got the normal brainwavz hm5 oval pads, the ones that actually fit. They are way less comfortable, a lot worse on isolation but most important they completely ruin the sound, way to much mid bass with tons of bleed and no micro dynamics to speak of with or without the wood cups.
    The XL round pads seem to be ideal so I'll keep them for my HD650C.

    Another highlight of my hobby, trying out all sorts of things and having the best results with something unexpected or in this case what I had lying around. This is why I never sell my stuff.
     
  19. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2016
    Likes Received:
    6,226
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Met up with some local sbaf crew for a mini meet (impressions here) and ended up buying one of their 650s on the spot after hearing it out of my Torpedo 3 and the Aficionado. I also heard the modded version but preferred stock. It's just a gorgeous HP when paired with a great tube amp. I can see why people rave about it. No it's not as resolving or clear as my 800 but it's so smooth, euphonic and a great second option when I don't wanna dissect the music.

    [​IMG]
     
  20. m17xr2b

    m17xr2b Friend

    Pyrate Banned
    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2016
    Likes Received:
    3,988
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    United kingdomland of fish and chips
    I would disagree on this point.When driven to its full potential I find the 650M just as resolving, there's nothing on the 800 I can't hear on the 650 but it does it without the slightly overblown stage and with sweeter treble.

    Edit: wondering if I'm too sucked into these, could be a personal preference and I'm chanting the HD650 graces to the heavens even if few would agree. On DNA amps I prefer it to the HD800 and sold off LCD-3/4,Abyss,Eikon,HEK.
     
    Last edited: Dec 10, 2018

Share This Page