Sennheiser HD650

Don't forgot us that really like Planar Magnetic headphones... They might not be the "mount everest", but I have heard that they have some characteristics that put them somewhere in the middle between traditional dynamic headphones and electrostatic with the benefit of lower cost and more compatibility with amps. As much as I like my HD6x0 headphones, I typically find my planars are just more enjoyable with my music. When I want to hear everything from a reference point of view, then the HD6x0 do a great job for me.

 

I agree that the market for planars is a little messed up right now. My previous statement was a bit stated in a tongue-in-cheek fashion with respect to the "mount everest" comment. I'm not sure there are many planars on the market currently that I would pay good money for. I do like my HE-500s, but they are probably closer to the HD6x0 than most other planars. Mine are also not exactly stock either, but they do mids really well. I haven't heard the HEX yet, but I agree I'm not a fan of the high price either.

 

I dunno man, I love the mids on the omnis, love the slants all around. hifimam has put out consistently good orthos for a while (he500, he5/6), if you can live with their fit and finish! Agree the price of newer stuff is pushing it though for what you get... Don't wanna name names but hex/hek, ether, lcd3 etc are too rich for my blood. The new hfm in particular would tempt me if I had the scratch for it.

 

I don't want to derail a HD650 thread. Nonetheless, I only really consider fully open headphones, like the HD6x0, because I like the sound quality much better. I know some like closed or semi open ones like the ones you mentioned, but they typically have too much bass and sound reflections bouncing around to sound good. You will also find that the Ether and LCD3s (especially with fazor technology) on this forum haven't faired well either. I also have to say I'm quite disappointed in HiFiMan as of late. They use to be at the forefront of a revival of sorts for planar magnetic technology at much more reasonable costs than their main competitor, Audeze. Today, I'm not sure that is true with their current lineup. HE-400S might be good (haven't heard them), but the HE-400i/HE-560 are very bright. Moving up the chain is the HE-6 which hasn't been updated in a while and requires a ridiculous amount of amplification. Then there is the HEX or HEK which has basically gotten mixed reviews on this forum and are quite expensive. I hope to hear the HEX at some point, but from my perspective the last good headphone HiFiMan made was the HE-500. If they came back to that sound signature, then I would be ecstatic because it is closer to the highly regarded HD6x0.

 

Well, my Nighthawks are sold. My Ether C's are sold. My Shure SHR840's are for sale.

Right now, I think I can be happy with only the modded HD650's - and gasp, a single-ended amp. I don't care what makes the driver move air so long as the music moves me. I don't know if it is my ears, my mind, or my equipment, but some nights the magic just flows and sometimes everything falls flat. Last night was one of the magic times where the music transported me to a wonderful place. If I had only had a doobie to burn....

 

@beemerphile what amp are you using?

@Hands I might be willing to ship you the 650 with modded hm5 if you want to take a listen...if yes, pm me.

 

Cavalli Liquid Glass

 

Damn, that's a killer amp you've got yourself there sir. Wanna trade for a LC...it's very popular on HF.

 

Between the 600 & 650 which one has the better soundstage and imaging?

 

I would say neither. That are the same to my ears. Now hd6x0 vs hd800=different staging and imaging with 800 being far superior.

 

Just got some replacement Sennheiser pads to replace the HM5 pads I was running for a week. Long story short, I started listening to the Nighthawk instead of the HD650 with the HM5 pads.

Put on a fresh pair of HD650 pads (which I swear are about 2.5x as thick as my old smashed-in pads) and the sound is better than I remember.

I guess the HM5 velours just aren't for me on the HD650.

 

That's a pretty unexpected twist with the Nighthawk. I mean a loyal HD650 user claiming Nighthawk as a strong contender is certainly something!

 

I liked my HD650's (modded) enough to sell my Nighthawks (and Ether C's).

 

I prefer the HD650 to the Nighthawk for most genres, but apparently prefer the Nighthawk to the HD650 with HM5 pads.

 

Do you think they can match Ether C's resolution ? I've tried them out as well and did some limited comparison, they were awesome with most of the music, the only thing that keeps me wary of pulling the trigger on them is the lack of sub-bass people have mentioned, if there were something to improve that aspect, the search is over (I'm in sort of a dilemma with the th-x00).

Edit: I never thought pads could have such a great impact on SQ to be honest, maybe I should take that into consideration.

 

Pads make the headphone!

 

Yes, sorry for the ambiguity, I was referring to the HD650s.