Sennheiser HD650 Appreciation Thread!! - Page 672

Audio perceptions are relative for sure....but to my ears, the HD650 is no question laid back at least when compared to the HD800,  T1, Grados, and the Symphones Magnum.

 

As Joeq70 said, if you're used to laid back headphones then they probably won't sound laid back at all, but they definitely are if you compare to what would be considerd neutral/accurate. Actually I think laid back might a bad way to describe the sound, it's just dark, very dark, more of a fun, relaxing headphone than one that really engages you in the music.

Edited by eltocliousus - 1/4/13 at 7:39am

Compared to what are they laid back to you?

 

HE-6, modified T50RP, Q701. I feel the HD650 sounds better than the Q701s, but not as good as the others.

Edited by eltocliousus - 1/4/13 at 8:19am

I hate the word laid back to describe them. I kind of consider them to be more polite, meaning they don't bombard my ears with noise I don't want to hear. They seem to take the slight edge off all my harsh/fatiguing tracks. Less so with my new Magni for whatever reason. They're very musical and despite what someone just said, they do get me into the music. Maybe not in the way a Grado does, but that's sometimes a good thing. They're engaging, but yet I could still fall asleep while listening to them if I wanted to. Makes no sense at all right?

 

I don't know why, but this pair I couldn't describe as being dark at all. My last two pairs were and sometimes it was only noticeable in gaming for whatever reason. I've tried all pairs with the same equipment too.

 

One thing I noticed is that female (or any) vocals on this pair are not recessed/distant or anything like that. I wouldn't say forward, but it's possible. My HD-598 does seem to have more forward mids, but only slightly. I think this HD-650 has some slight forwardness in the upper mids, but not enough to be annoying. This one also has more controlled bass than my HD-600. No mid-bass hump at all that I can detect with this pair.

 

I never thought I'd ever be saying it, but I love this HD-650 more than the HD-598. The 598 does have a larger soundstage though. With the Magni is pretty close in size possible. Haven't checked yet..

Compared to DT880s, the HD650s are much more relaxing. I could fall asleep with them on if not for the clamp. Their sound is just very warm and soothing. It doesn't excite me, but it's a very pleasing sound. If I want to jam out or trip out to some music, I'll definitely put on my DT880s. They make the music much more lively. That's why it's so nice to have 2 pairs of headphones. They both do different things better than the other. The HD650s have mids hands down, the DT880s have treble and bass extension. I listen to a lot of electronic music so I've been listening to the DT880s nonstop. The HD650s aren't bad at electronic, it's just that the DT880s are so much better.

 

They do need a couple of hundred hours for break in....Hold judgement until then.

Edit: Nevermind. =P
Edited by fuzzybaffy - 1/4/13 at 1:25pm

 

They're NOT for everyone!

He should look into the K702 Anniversary. The very fix for those who want an HD650 that isn't as laid back, and is more open. Trust me on this.

Matt, I'm tempted on sending it to you at some point, because I KNOW you would love it.

How are they different than the K702?

The HD650 has a closed in soundstage in comparison.
The HD650 is slower, and more laid back in it's presentation.
The HD650's mids are more intimate due to everything being a bit closer to you in the virtual space.

The K702 Annie really does sound like the HD650 with a bigger sense of space and more energy.

This is why I said, if someone who loves the HD650 wants more energy and soundstage, the K702 Anniversary is as close as I have heard.

They are both warm and smooth headphones.

Don't get me wrong, I still prefer the HD650's mids over any other, but the K702 comes close, just not as intimate and raw.

I'd buy the HD650 again just because the mids are so special.

I think I'd go crazy if I owned both. They are more similar than they are different.

The HD650 has that relaxing signature that is quite lovely at times. The K702 sn't as relaxing, so I still do see a reason to justify having both.
Edited by Mad Lust Envy - 1/4/13 at 1:55pm

 

They already are.  According to measurements taken by Tyll, among others, your headphones are unlikely to meaningfully change, if at all, over time.  There is, however, a high likelihood that you will enjoy, appreciate, and become more and more familiar with them over time, such that their sound signature becomes your "new normal".  http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/evidence-headphone-break 

?

(For some reason the link you posted doesn't work, but it exists when you search for "break in" directly in the site).

It doesn't say anything with regards to users getting used to headphones, and Tyll says there are noticeable differences in measurements, but hasn't concluded that break-in exists for sure. But, differences in measurements do exist.
Edited by fuzzybaffy - 1/4/13 at 2:21pm

Read Tyll's second paragraph in the conclusion...

 

http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/evidence-headphone-break-page-3

 

Quote: "While, it seems to me, much of the change observed could easily be due to movement, especially in the frequencies above 5kHz, some changes seem more likely due to break-in."

 

Remember even a diaphram is mechanical and will change to some degree over time due to stress. Thus...There will be (and was in this article) measurable change. This will have some effect on the sound characteristics. Depending on the device and the listener, this could be either a good thing or not. YMMV.