Sennheiser HD650

Well, you got me there. MH definitely acquires every new totl product that comes out and then unloads the previous and only keeps the latest. Take a snapshot of his inventory at any time and you will indeed see this pattern.
That said, i feel MH has a lot of knowledge and i have related to his evaluations through the years. But again i see your point.
Back to the WA2, i never heard it and even before i read your comments i always instinctively feared that it might be too soft and bland. I'm still on the fence i guess.
At any rate, thank you for the sanity check!

 

Thank you for the chart.
Given the WA2 is entirely tube driven, maybe tube upgrades would remedy the poor SQ issues you describe, unless other aspects of the design (capacitors, chokes?) are the culprit?

 

I had 2013 650 drivers (silver). Recently bought new 2020 HD 650 ones.

This is what I feel:

No contest. The old ones are way way better, more musical, lusher, sweeter, micro details are there, just sounds perfect. The new ones are sterile in comparison. I did try 5-10+ hours of burning but after the firsthour or two there was no change whatsoever. The old ones also sound bigger, more open but thinner.

 

I feel compelled to ask that you try the same after swapping pads around, making sure that you get as many other factors between listening sessions replicated. That said, a part of me is really hoping that Sennheiser didn't just nerf one of the better value headphones ever so that could be influencing my trying to poke holes in your impressions, haha.

Thanks!

 

@techboy Fresh pads on both? Or broken-in pads on your 2013 pair and fresh pads on the new pair? If the latter, swap pads and report back. I wage 69 cents it's just a difference of your pads.

I have 2020 silver screen drivers and detect zero difference vs older silver screen drivers. Never heard a 'Romania' pair though.

edit - wow @Lyander and I had the same idea at the same time!

 

There is a reason I have the same pads on my HD600s that their previous owner sent them along with despite their long since having turned into marshmallows, LMAO— I'll probably hate the HD600s for a few months after I swap new ones in. Pads always make a massive difference!

I do hate that Senn made them look all sleek and "modern" though. Give me my subtle grey sparkles and vintage speckled countertops!

 

I have some 580 pads that are so broken in you can feel the shape of the plastic housing against your head. I like the sound of those with pad risers (dental cotton rolls) around the rear side of the pad. Gives them the more dynamic sound of fresh pads with the smoother treble of the broken-in pads, plus the angling helps a bit with the center image.

example from my HD600 (this is also posted in the 650 Love thread) -

 

Same pads. Same headband same everything. Just a difference of driver capsules.

 

I also have 6xx from 2018 I think. The 6xx are closer to my original 650.

 

Now I'm curious. Could you share pics of those capsules etc? Also, to be clear you used the exact same headband and pads between the two sets, not just observed that they were similar?

 

Yes. Same everything. I have 2 pair of capsules but just one frame etc. They look the same. Have been packed for KMS. He can share pics.

 

I also recently had a 2013 pair (new, never opened until I got them) and I thought they were too warm sounding. I had to turn the treble on my vintage Yamaha amp (which is quite detailed) to get a decent sound out of them. I then got a pair of 6XX and these were much brighter and did not require any EQing. They also had a slightly wider soundstage. I would say the bass on both were similar. Maybe the 650's had a tad more due to the darker nature of it.

I think it's just hit and miss with these headphones. Build dates don't seem to matter, unless visible changes are made. Pads make a difference as well, as we all know. (Pads on both of my pairs were new)

 

Ya. My 650 2013 was a tad darker, but also lusher and sweeter. I anyway use Sonarworks so brightness ain't an issue, because it is just right.

 

Hi guys, I order a new earpad for the Sennheiser HD650 seems like the fit is not snug like the old pad. Anyone got similar experience?



Also the headphone stand making the headphone earpad compressed together.

 

Headphone stands are ugly and for losers; Just ages your earpads.

 

Well of course. Don't do that.

 

Never use headphone stands that make earpads press on anything. Look for something like the Room's Audio Line (or build yourself or have someone built something for you) where the earpad can cool and dry off (velour). If your headband has sensitive padding like the Sennheisers or you are OCD about it then find something to lay them in. Like a box or a drawer.

If you use modern Hifiman headphones then hang the headphones from the metal part and not the headband that runs below it. Avoids stretching it.

 

I purchase the Woo Audio stand to replace the old headphone stand.

 

I had a lambskin pilot pad laying around since I ended up like Aeolus without it just fine.
Always disliked the HD650/H6xx headband/padding. This is so comfy now and disappears on my empty cranium.