Sennheiser HD650 Love (Appreciation Thread)

Discussion in 'Headphone Measurements' started by purr1n, Sep 27, 2015.

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  1. cameng318

    cameng318 Friend

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    I'm totally with you that an image is worth 1k words, but it won't save my 1k words about how easy it is to work with wool.

    The short answer to how I arranged is I didn't, the wool did. Wool just naturally expands itself with fairly uniform pressure. On contrast, when I work with cotton, I shred it into little pieces to ensure uniform pressure. Also, wool is naturally water and dust repellant, so I expect the sound profile not to change over the years. When modded with craft felt, cork, or liners etc, the headphones sound different after a year. I wish I were a master at sewing, then I'd be able to replace the pad foam with wool, so it will never sag.
     
  2. Philimon

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  3. señorhifi

    señorhifi Friend

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    Has anyone found a good set of pads that work well with the HD650 KISS? Is there anything else that sounds close to the stock pads from Dekoni, Vesper Audio or whatever else (there's a lot of no-name stuff out there)?
     
  4. Philimon

    Philimon Friend

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    https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07ZX6MTWW?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

    These I liked better than new genuine stock pads. About same size as stock but has softer foam so its more comfortable and compresses more. Sounds better.

    —————————

    Update to my 6XX mods. I ended up going back to foam behind driver vent. I took it down originally because I felt it made drums sound a little more quicker and impactful, so less boring. But never really enjoyed that either, because it was a bit fatiguing. Added/replaced a thin layer of foam to back of driver and prefer this. Everything sounds smoother and maybe better transients up top too. I was inspired to damp it back up after reading into vintage ortho mods (bought a old Yamaha to try - still in transit).
     
  5. samwell7

    samwell7 New

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    Whew!
    92 pages down, I wanted to read right through this to ensure I wasn't asking questions that had already been answered.

    I recently purchased a secondhand pair of HD650s, they were purchased new in 2005 and are the black-screened version.

    I got new genuine pads and a headband pad for it and I am thoroughly enjoying these headphones, they do exactly what I need, that is provide a comfortable, non-fatiguing and natural sound/fit that I can use all day long while working.

    I didn't see much mention in the thread regarding modding the black screened version, has anybody here done it? If so, can you provide impressions? (note a lot of the older images didn't load so I may have missed some images clearly showing the older version being modded)

    Hypothetically, if I were to remove the rear foam and cut the spider and not like it, would replacement capsules/drivers take it back to stock?

    Also, probably a silly question but should I purchase a new HD650 or HD6xx to mod i.e. is there any sort of following for the older version? I'd hate to 'ruin' something that may be sought after.
     
  6. zonto

    zonto Friend

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    If you like them, don’t mod them, especially a black-screen unit like that.
     
  7. samwell7

    samwell7 New

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    Thank you for cementing my thoughts on this, I really am enjoying them and will leave them original.

    I steered clear of the HD650s for years because of people saying they're 'slow' 'veiled' etc. but I'm not really not finding any issues with their treble (or lack thereof), prior to this I had a K702 and K712, which are now both too bright for me.

    Also, I wanted to like your post but I cannot see a way to do it (tried both mobile and on PC).
     
  8. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    The answer is bum fodder (great Australian saying). Look elsewhere in that thread for more info on how to tame the K7-- if you still have them.
    Pretty sure you can't do this unless you're a Friend or Contributor. The former takes time, the second just takes money (see bottom right corner :D ).
     
  9. samwell7

    samwell7 New

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    Can't say I've heard 'bum fodder' used before but the terms 'crap wrap' and 'shit tickets' get thrown around a bit.

    I ended up returning them both! The K712 was nearly there but still a bit harsh for my aging/damaged ears.

    Years ago I had an Austrian-built K702 which I chose over the HD600 at the time (compared the 'big 3' of the era, the K702, DT880/600 and HD600) I really wish I kept the HD600, I still think about that glorious faux-marble pattern.

    Also thanks heaps for the clarification around likes!
     
  10. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    Forgot to mention, @samwell7 - like your avatar. Welcome, etc.!
     
  11. samwell7

    samwell7 New

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    Thank you! Much appreciated.

    The Koss KSC75 with Parts Express Headband and Yaxi pads is a great little no-nonsense headphone.

    Now it's off to the amplifier section to see what I should be powering the HD650 with!
     
  12. robot zombie

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    Listen, normally I wouldn't do this... just hock stuff on people, I mean. But if you're committing to HD650s, strongly consider the SW51+ for an amp.

    Feel free to look around, they will sound good with many sources and there are even a handful of amps that I'm pretty sure people subconsciously consider to be made only for that headphone because of how they're okay with everything else, but somehow special with HD6x0's. Plenty of great options. The scaling on them is the stuff of lore - they love good upstream.

    Just keep that amp in the back of your mind. Even if you're looking at $1000 amps. It's just such a great pairing for the money. You might also like what it does for them, being interested in modding your pair. Personally I think that amp completes them. The only downside is the wait, and shipping to you won't be cheap. It's kind of a steal regardless.
     
  13. samwell7

    samwell7 New

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    Thanks for the suggestion! Honestly I don't mind people spitting suggestions at me (in reality it's not like I'm obligated to buy it just because you've told me to buy it).

    I'll definitely check it out though as I've got no real starting point, I had a Valhalla back in the day and did some tube rolling plus built some small tube amps but my main can at the time was a K702 and I didn't notice any of the magic back then. Thanks for the suggestion!

    Edit: @robot zombie I really like the look of the SW51+ and the simplicity of it, how do I purchase it and how much does it cost? (Just to help me better understand what I could be up for)
     
    Last edited: Mar 17, 2021
  14. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    You could try PMing @Zampotech or checking out the order form at this URL: http://www.z-ampo.tech/index.php?id=headphone-amplifier

    I've been able to put away a little bit of money and have had the SW51+ on my shortlist for ages now since I loved the ZDT Jr. but didn't entirely agree with its voicing, and based on @purr1n's impressions this is well in the same ballpark from a technicalities perspective with less bassy bloom and midrange editorialising: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...view-and-measurements.9897/page-2#post-318264
     
  15. samwell7

    samwell7 New

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    That's great - thanks for sending those links through.
    The SW51+ looks like a great amp.
     
  16. señorhifi

    señorhifi Friend

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    I know the K712 pretty well (used them for a year). Good stuff, but still peaky in the treble. I got rid of them for the same reasons as you. Maybe something like a Modi Multibit and a tube amp will get rid of it idk. HD650s are smooth as butter, but boring. Kiss modded them and I haven't looked back at anything I have ever tried since. Solid stuff all around.
     
  17. ext1

    ext1 MOT: Jupiter Audio Research

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    I recently finally finished up modding a very early 580 with my specs, and it sounds friggin amazing. I'd say if you are confident in modding them well then do it. (If not though, best to enjoy as is)
     
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  18. Baten

    Baten Friend

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    My modded 580 is one of my favs for everyday listening.
     
  19. Pharmaboy

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    Jupiter! How you doing?
     
  20. ext1

    ext1 MOT: Jupiter Audio Research

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    Heyo P! Finishing up my military time and getting ready to make and experiment with more cans. Recently began experimenting with black screened pairs and results are awesomesauce. Hopefully I can share more results soon enough.
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