Sennheiser HD650

My HD650 came in a black clamshell box inside a corrugated gray outer box. The mesh around the driver is silver, so I'm thinking it's current production, but the black/gray box discussion above has me wondering...

 

The current ones are black inner and black outer. They used to be gray inner and gray outer.
http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,2415.msg68271.html#msg68271

Perhaps gray cardboard and black inner box is the general pre-2015 HD 650 silver driver box or Sennheiser wanted to use up the rest of their silver cardboard boxes? When did you buy yours?

 

I got mine about a week ago from Sonic Electronix.

Phones:

Box they came in:

S/N, in case anyone can tell me for sure which version I have:

 

Yours must be older stock.

Mine came from Amazon in the black box about the month ago. They have the same UPC but the reference number is 009969 with 20140120REV1 under it to indicate the black box version from December 2014 onwards. Mine have a Sennheiser authenticity sticker and letter code but no serial number.

My newer pairs of HD 25 came in the same grayish box they've had for years but with the same style of authenticity sticker and letter code rather than serial numbers.

 

I think there is no need to worry if you have the grey outer box. Your serial number is higher than mine and my HD650s, which also came in the silver outer box, definitely have the shiny silver drivers. In addition I measured them and there is definitely no veil with these. I guess the only thing Sennheiser changed was the packaging from grey to black.

 

Slapped on some BW hm5 pads to the trusty 650. And...BAM!! We may have a winner. These are thicker, juicier and more tasty than the stock pads. Plus that were only $20 shipped.

 

Don't worry, your 650's are alright. I also got mine recently from Sonic Electronix, and have the same packaging setup, with similar serial number. Definitely have the newer metal mesh driver plate. The difference between the old/black and newer/silver driver plate is pretty stark. Tyll has a very useful comparison picture here. It shows only the older/black plates for the 600, but the color/look is the same.

EDIT: Phil, I'm more concerned about what the hell happened to the top of your clothes dryer.

 

Interesting that you guys got the silver/silver from Sonic Electronix. Mine that came in last month from them are silver driver / black box.

 

I bought mine from Sweetwater Sound and it has a grey outer box and grey inner box, but the drivers are silver with no black foam around them so I dunno.

 

Thanks for the reassurances aufmerksam and others.

Haha. Previous tenant left something wet on it long enough for it to rust? Chemical spill? Not exactly sure...

 

I know Sorrodje had a HE5LE...
So Sorrodje, how would you compare the HE5LE to the modded HD650??
I'm pretty satisfied with the tonality of HE5LE, but as usual... reading all this praise for the HD650... just wondering!
I know Marv and Luis mentionned that they liked the HE5LE...

 

Recently bought and been using the Gungnir Multibit + Mjolny 2 with the HD650. Really happy with the sound from this good looking combo atm. Still waiting for my HD650 balanced cable and hoping to be done for now with buying new stuff .

 

I recently got a HD600, I like the tonality . Imaging and soundstage are quiet good. Only thing is vocals are bit distant and upper mids are bit off. Would like a bit more airier sound in upper mids.

 

I'm tempted to try HD650, but what amplifier would I need to bring the most out of them?

 

That is a very big question, as "most" is almost infinite for the 650. People can give plenty of opinions on amps that sound good with 650, and at several price points. It really does "scale like mad" and is adept at exploring the realm of diminishing returns. Generally, I would recommend a very good but affordable option if it is your first dance with the 650. Do you have any parameters like "I only want to spend XXX ($ / kr / whatever currency)"?

 

I thought to maybe drive them with my FirstWatt F6?
Was thinking max 2000USD really. I dont have any headphone amp anymore cause I just sold my Mjolnir.

 

Listening to 650s today and noticed a slight buzzing in the left channel. Swapped the cable around and the sound persisted in the left. I thought it might be the driver going, but the buzz goes away if I put some pressure on the cable where it meets the left ear cup. I can make it come back also by putting some pressure on the cable the other way. Note: it's not a loose connection. The cable is fully "clicked" into the ear cup.

Has anyone else run into this temperamental cable position buzzing? Trying to figure out if this is a known issue or if I should exchange these for another pair.