Sennheiser HD650 Love (Appreciation Thread)

I have the Bifrost Multibit - Mjolnir 2 - HD650 chain and it sounds fantastic even with stock tubes which some people consider not ideal.

I've used a HD650 with just a Benchmark DAC1 in the past and sold it. I bought a used one as I upgraded my front end. I expected to have to mod it but now with the Mojo 2 the headphone does not sound dark or veiled at all. It sounds very dynamic and lively.

I think for people who want the security of a larger company with authorized distributors in different countries the Mojo 2 could be a better option than BW. I've never heard the BW so can't compare based on SQ.

Now to change the subject:

Have any of you HD650 fanatics found a good source of replacement pads? I don't want to give Sennheiser $60+ for a set of pads.

The chinese sellers on Ebay are super cheap but I'm wondering if the quality is shit.

Any reliable, tested sources?

 

Nope. That's one thing that you might have to bite the bullet on. I have not found a good, cheap replacement for pads since other ones change the sound too much like the Brainwavz and budget Chinese ones

 

Like Mr Buckets above I've tried a couple of different knock offs and its a waste of money. Genuine pads from Senn are well worth the money when you consider the $25 chinese ones from ebay are going to be thrown away in a month and the Senn's will last you years. I've found many people mark them up a bunch online and have called up Senn and bought them direct.

 

Just curious where are you buying the pads from. Probably grab a pair soon

 

I just bought a pair from HeadRoom. They've usually got a little tab on the right side of the page for 10℅ off your order if you join their mailing list (unless you're already on it). Not a significant drop in price, but it's something. I like the idea of supporting a cornerstone B&M retailer (and Tyll's "baby") in our hobby, too.

Reading up on the quality of non-Senn pads and experiences of trusted members here (and at Head-Fi) with those pads, I came to the conclusion that cheaper, knockoff ones aren't worth the risk (and sonic degradation). I definitely suggest biting the bullet and getting the official ones.

 

I got mine from custom-cable, or now known as audio sanctuary. It's almost impossible to find them for under 50-60 dollars.

 

Thanks everyone

The cheapskate in me is sad.

 

Preaching to the choir here, especially on the 650 appreciation thread since every body here refuses to upgrade or spend more money for minimal improvements

 

I've had experience with knock off pads. Id rather spend the money, at least I know what I'll be getting, thanks guys

 

Got my new pads today, and these motherfuckers still won't stay on!!!
I have to put them on and quickly maneuver them onto my head, so they won't fall off.

I think I might go back to the stock foam in the front without any additional modding (ie coin/rug/k240 foam). The back is still dampened and foam removed, and I think everything is fine the way it is right now. K240 with the coin mod definitely smoothed things over, but the stock foam still smooths things without getting in the way of anything.

Also, I don't feel like cutting any more holes or anything, so my laziness might play a factor too...

 

Flysweep could you comment on your shelf/drawer/liner material. Is it that same polymat tool box stuff that hands linked too or some other variant. It seems to only come in big sheets. I see smaller tool box shelf liner with alternating performation in more reasonable quantities...but I am not sure that is the correct material.
Your advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

Hi James..

It's the same material @philipmorgan linked to a couple of pages back (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AH8PLI/). I found a roll in the "bath and body works" isle of my local department store, too.

Will have answers to the rest of your HD650 questions later today!

 

I have some modded 650s that i got from stratocaster and need a small setup for weeks away with work. Doesn't need to be ultra portable, just not a pain to drag around. Debating a GOV2A, Chord Mojo or Modi Multibit/Vali stack (i know i know, tubez aren't for travelling)

Assuming cost isn't an option, has anyone heard all of these? Id be open to another small amp to go with the Modi Multibit but i don't know what.

 

Not real familiar with all these but I will be modding a pair of 650's soon. If your going seperates whatever DAC makes sense! Really like the IFI DSD Micro...so much so that I am have it upgraded by K works audio. It's quite portable and an alternative to the Mojo! If you can go for a stack then consider a Neco V5 portable amp.
Very reasonably priced current feedback Amp that is ridiculous good on My Slants. The two match very well and that Amp will not limit what is in front of it and more than enough oomph for the 650's Flysweep is running a Neco V5 as well and can give you a bit more of a sense of how it works with 650's

 

Get a TRRS balanced cable (contact fraggler on here. He does great work with cables) and go for a GOV2. Have a modded 650 and going balanced into the GOV2 is pretty much my end game (mostly because I like the portability and not spending any more money). I think it's definitely the best bang for your buck right there. I've not had the Mojo, but it seems like it's the best and most reasonably priced out of the ridiculous Chord lineup. I would love to try out the Modi Multibit (or Moby as I like to call it) since you can't really go wrong with Schiit, but that combo seems like a pain to lug around.

 

Second encounter with the HD650:

Last time I heard it with the Lehmann BCL, and was literally shocked by how average it sounded.
Another thought was that so many people cannot be incorrect with their impressions. Gave it another shot yesterday but on my setup this time which is as follows:

1) Custom 6sn7 amp (Chelmar U52 rectifier , RCA Grey bottle 6SN7 input tube, Toshiba 6080 output tube)
2) Modded Adcom GDA600 R2R DAC (PC mobo SPDIF header to XLR)

Conclusions thus far :

1) Lehmann BCL is crap
2) HD650 midrange is special . Little dry but quite resolving and flatter than HD800. HD800 has a denser midrange tone but 650 still is equally resolving. Although have not done a direct comparison so could be wrong here.
3) Why is it so grainy?
4) Super distorted bass.
5) Great macrodynamics.
6) Detailed!! Even with all the grain and distortion detailing is pretty good. The driver sounds just effortless in the midrange.
7) There is an unusually thick foam over the driver. I don't think it's doing any good to the sound.
9) Some instruments and female vocals sound little blunt. Piano in particular. The bluntness I think could be partially resolved if that useless foam is removed.
10) Timbre is slightly towards heavy but livable.
12) Highs are just about here and there, scattered/disjointed and a little peaky at 9-10k but gets the job done.
11 ) Once again, midrange is special.
12) Reasonably fast transients, faster than any Audeze.
13) Who said HD650 is veiled ? I don't think so, if this is veiled then 99% of the other headphones are veil kings in comparison.

Also used the Mojo for some time. While the sound is smooth, non digital and plenty gain it just doesn't have the control over the driver. While HD650 is easy to drive, desktop power is a must.
& Mojo is better than the Hugo. $500 vs $2500 crap, go figure.

 

Abhishek, wait until you hear this with the ZDS...

 

Or a decked out T3

 

& Also that your pair is modded, so have really high hopes. Even the stock 650 is much more enjoyable than the modern orthos , wish I had invested in this and not the HE400 years back.