Sennheiser HD650

Does anyone own both the HD600 and the HD650? I mean long term, not just for deciding which you prefer. I don't have any places I can really try the 650s (own the 600s) so I was thinking of buying a used pair (to compare), the main downside being that I can't return them if I don't want to hold on to both.

 

I bought a HD650 and loved it. Then I was reading about the HD600 and wanted to hear it for myself. I was planning on returning one. I ended up preferring the HD650 but the HD600 had it's own charm for me and I decided that I wanted to keep both.

In a nutshell, I think the major differences are:
HD650 - a bit of a mid bass bump.
HD600 - a bit of an upper midrange bump.

I hope that helps, @sunnygsm

 

@Dino, if you could only keep one of the HD600, HD650, and HD650M, which would it be?

 

@zonto

HD600 would be the first one I would eliminate. (I do like it, but the upper mid-range peak makes it my least favorite.)

Then it gets kind of difficult. It would be easy to say HD650, because I could easily buy another. But that is not to your point.

HD650 would be the next to be eliminated. I would miss it because I enjoy it's smooth quality and pleasant mid-bass bump. Sometimes it just hits the spot.

I would keep the HD650M. I find it to be the most open and revealing. It still sounds smooth, but not smoothing like the HD650. And it has the most subjectively flat frequency response compared to the other two. That makes it the best all-rounder for me.

Edit: For context, these impressions were formed while listening to each of these systems:
Laptop with Foobar2000> Belkin Gold USB cable> Modi Multibit> Bottlehead Crack w/Speedball
PonoMusic Player> Venus Audio balanced (Cardas) cable

 

I own HD650 from last one year and i am satisfied with it. I have the HD6XX now.
I was about to buy HD600, cause i can use my Cardas cable on both.

But, last week i brought one of my friend who has HD600 to my place and i compared both side by side.
Conclusion :

Both have almost same sound quality, but HD600 has less bass and the mids were so neutral and bit grainy, i didn't find them musical.

So, now i won't order HD600 anymore !.. Saved some money !

 

I don't think you can evaluate HD6XX in isolation as they are so dependent on system synergy.

I was always an HD650 advocate until I bought BW. Now HD600 has taken it's place. I gave my HD650 away...

 

I think system synergy would have a large effect on one's preference. (The main reason that I hang onto my HD600 is how these headphones may sound with future system(s) changes.)

I would also add personal taste and program material. Some recordings cause the HD600's upper mid peak to really get to me. A few seem to benefit from from the boost. (I seem to be sensitive to that particular peak.) I have experienced a few times where the recording had a very prominent mid-bass and the HD650's addition just seemed like a bit too much.

Edit: The only problem I have run into so far with the HD650M is it being more revealing of bad recordings/masterings than the HD650.

 

You can buy a new pair of HD650 drivers for around 100 bucks from Sennheiser Parts.

Installation is easy, but it takes a few minutes to switch them and compare. If you want to switch quicker, you could buy an extra set of earpads, grills and maybe a cable and then just switch them onto your 600 headband.

 

Yeah, I have a 600, 650 and 800 (all un-modded). I use the 600 & 800 on a Val2 (from Bifrost Multibit) in my office and the 650 on a Lyr2/Bifrost Multibit up in my Library

Rob

 

Thanks for the feedback guys. I think I'm going to hold off for the time being. I haven't my 600's for that long. I'm running a Vali 2 (Modi multibit on its way). I'm going to play around with the tubes a little and just grow more accustomed to the setup overall.

I think being sick has made my hearing a little screwy and more treble sensitive which perhaps triggered my curiosity. If I still feel that way some time down the line, i'll reconsider the transition.

 

I had and sold both HD600 (first love) and HD650 (seductress). Then kept my eyes open and bought older but very lightly used samples of each so they once again share shelf space in my collection. I agree that they are more alike than they are different, and also that system matching plays a role here. I use and enjoy them equally.

 

Finally I found the real HD650 successor, it is called HE1K Unfortunately it is very expensive and looks like garbage and has a sibilant peak. But I think if you can EQ this peak out and can live with its ugliness it is the best hp I heard until now. I had a short listening session yesterday with utopia, elear, ether, hd800s, stax 507, lcd-x and he1k and the HE1k was the only one that was tonally similar to the HD650, but you would have to get rid off the peak with a mod or an EQ. Take it with a grain of salt as it was a very short listen so feel free to correct me but I really liked the HE1k and I don't know why it is never mentioned here?

 

I've had both HD600 and HD650 playing at my flat for the last week (through Lisst-tubed Lyr 2 & ModiBit), and my previous thoughts haven't changed: HD650 (without mods) gets too woolly, warm and safe for my tastes. These have too much mid-bass emphasis for me, it's almost like a constant hum on most songs playing in the background. That 3-4k boost on the 600 works for me too, it makes vocals, guitars etc. more present and upfront. "Sennheiser veil" is a silly term, but 650's sound sig pobably gave it life in the first place.

HD650 works for fans of very warm signatures, nothing gets unpleasant. Welcome to Smooth Town. Just like with PM-3, this can get boring with energetic music. Though, I'd say both of these are good for rock and metal because of great mids and non-fatiguing highs.

HD600 is more similar than not, but it has more bite in the mentioned frequencies. It can sound very slightly dry or analytical, but it's nowhere near a pair of AKG monitors etc. The best pair for critical listening (mixing etc.) I've yet heard because of the FR and ability to use for a long time without fatigue (see AKG again).

I'd say there isn't a "better" one of the two. Just different flavors for different folks.

P.S. I've owned 600's for about five years and HD650 was my number 1 for a few years.

 

If you search, you'll find quite a few discussions of the HE1K. Try this thread for starters:

http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...man-he1000-headphone-impressions-from-cs.604/

In general, there are plenty of folks who like the sound of the HE1K. Some, however, don't like it at all. I don't recall anyone ever suggesting it's a "successor" to the HD650 -- it's a completely different beast. No one seems to think it's worth the $3K price tag.

 

For those who wish to buy HE1K try this:
1. Take your wallet in either hand
2. Throw it in the toilet
3. ?????
4. Moist!

 

What is an HD650M? Modded?

 

Moist!

 

Obvious next question...

Dafuk Izzat?

 

I'm sorry, being facetious there, you gave me the perfect setup. Yes, "modded", usually with some massloading, spider cage removal and so forth. There are a couple of popular recipes for this (complete with pics), if you have a look around.

 

Roger that. I'm dense as depleted uranium. I have done all those mods but wanted to make sure I wasn't supposed to be soaking them in something mysterious.