Sennheiser HD650 Appreciation Thread!! - Page 744

Quote:

Originally Posted by joebobbilly 

Well I was skeptical at first, but reading around it really seemed like the HD 650s seemed to benefit more from cables than other HPs... So i decided to pick up a used black dragon V1 for cheap (full retail for most of them is ludicrous IMO).  And in all honesty... I heard the same things you did... still same sound overall... but just cleaned up and more on the ends (more punchy bass, slightly more energetic trebles).  My stock cable was brand new basically... so not really due to wear and tear.  Did some testing with my friend (also an engineer who was a cable skeptic) and even he couldn't deny there was a discernible difference.  Just my own experience... YMMV

 

In the end... are expensive aftermarket cables worth it?  Prob not for full retail... most ppl are better off saving for better amp or new HPs.  But if anyone's feeling open minded and can nab a cheap cable to test out and try it... I'd recommend giving it a listen.

I agree too. I was a really huge skeptic in terms of cables but I did find a fair offer for  a used equinox cable. I know all the cable talk is very controversial and highly subjective but unfortunately for me (more unfortunate for my wallet), there was a prominent change. The cleaner sound definitely changed my mind quite a bit on how HD650's handles EDM. Are these cables worth the $300+ price tag? That is up to each individual person. To me however, I think that is far too much of an asking price even if the changes were quite significant. If people can find these cables for a more affordable price however, I do see these as being something worth trying out. Otherwise save up or use the $300+ to go towards a great AMP or DAC.  

Man... some of my best listening sessions with the HD-650, are past midnight, at low volume. They are simply fantastic at low levels. 

double post. sorry

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdockweiler 

 

Do you have them well amped and with a good DAC?

Of course they'll never sound like a Grado, but mine are crystal clear.

Got a Meier Corda Classic amp, and an Audiolab MDAC. Maybe my set-up pushes them in the wrong direction....I have spent 24 hours with them, without swapping cans, and I am really starting to like them again. They are so relaxing. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmudan 

I think removing the foam totally ruins the sound. Fine they may sound brighter but that warm seductive midrange is then totally gone - you may as well not have a 650! However I'm buying some new cables soon.

I still have that midrange on mine without the foam,to each his own,it was a suggestion.

Listening HD650 with BCL, lowest gain.  Female vocal music simply fan-tas-tic on BCL, treble is clean and smooth as crystal.

I forgot how low gain on BCL sound as I mostly use mid gain, but today, out of curiousity I switch to low gain, the clarity, liquidness and smoothness is really stunning.  Wind instruments like flute sounds very emotional and exciting .........

Ok, now back to music ........

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ohnoitztotoro 

I agree too. I was a really huge skeptic in terms of cables but I did find a fair offer for  a used equinox cable. I know all the cable talk is very controversial and highly subjective but unfortunately for me (more unfortunate for my wallet), there was a prominent change. The cleaner sound definitely changed my mind quite a bit on how HD650's handles EDM. Are these cables worth the $300+ price tag? That is up to each individual person. To me however, I think that is far too much of an asking price even if the changes were quite significant. If people can find these cables for a more affordable price however, I do see these as being something worth trying out. Otherwise save up or use the $300+ to go towards a great AMP or DAC.  

Yeah, I agree with your opinion. The new HD650 itself cost over $400, if the cable cost $300+, total price will be more than $700. At this price, we can invest a new better/higher pair of headphones like used LCD2. Or you can get a good headamp/DAC or whatever you want to do. Anyway, it depends on your taste. The marginal benefit that new cable brings to you in term of sound quality and the increasing price of cable will decrease.

I think it is just nuts giving 300 dollars for a headphone cable, especially if the headphone itself costs 400 bucks. Just my 2c

Quote:

Originally Posted by muxamed 

I think it is just nuts giving 300 dollars for a headphone cable, especially if the headphone itself costs 400 bucks. Just my 2c

agree. better invest in good amp

Quote:

Originally Posted by morpheusx 

Quote:

Originally Posted by muxamed 

I think it is just nuts giving 300 dollars for a headphone cable, especially if the headphone itself costs 400 bucks. Just my 2c

agree. better invest in good amp

Yep...but once you have the good amp....

Quote:

Originally Posted by longbowbbs 

Yep...but once you have the good amp....

Go for new headphones? I never want to go down the cable route. EVER. The cost of a 3 foot speaker interconnect is more than my current set-up, and my current set up isn't exactly cheap.... 

OT: I have yet to try my HD650s with my Pan Am amp ever since I got it(my LCD-2 has permanently parked itself upon my head), maybe I'll take them out of the box for a while to enjoy, I do love the 650s.....

For those wishing to dabble in cables - I personally don't care for changing cables in the name of SQ, but if you must, make sure that it is on a headphone that you love and want to keep (preferably forever). Changing out cables is not something you should do to fix a headphone. It won't work. If you are unhappy with the sound before the new cable, you will (eventually) be unhappy with the sound after recabling. It will at best, give you a tiny tweak in the sound. Rely on a more transparent DAC or a better amp to help you truly better the sound. Good tubes (or solid state) can often make a dramatic difference. The amp makes a humongous difference that a recable will never match. Best of all, just find another headphone that fits your preferences better. The cable swap should be for that headphone that you have done everything else possible for, and never want to sell. It is for your literal end game headphone setup.

I bring this up because it brings better perspective on the matter. It helps newbies avoid the trap of immediately buying cables to fix a headphone that they don't enjoy. They will only waste a lot of money, and find it much more difficult to sell their headphones if they include the new cable. Most people don't want to have to pay a premium to buy a headphone that they are not sure that they will keep anyway. 

Moral of the story: Good headphones, well-recorded music, good amp, good DAC. If you are enthralled with the sound and can't imagine any better, go ahead and buy that aftermarket cable. You're keeping the headphones regardless.

Quote:

Originally Posted by juantendo8 

For those wishing to dabble in cables - I personally don't care for changing cables in the name of SQ, but if you must, make sure that it is on a headphone that you love and want to keep (preferably forever). Changing out cables is not something you should do to fix a headphone. It won't work. If you are unhappy with the sound before the new cable, you will (eventually) be unhappy with the sound after recabling. It will at best, give you a tiny tweak in the sound. Rely on a more transparent DAC or a better amp to help you truly better the sound. Good tubes (or solid state) can often make a dramatic difference. The amp makes a humongous difference that a recable will never match. Best of all, just find another headphone that fits your preferences better. The cable swap should be for that headphone that you have done everything else possible for, and never want to sell. It is for your literal end game headphone setup.

 

I bring this up because it brings better perspective on the matter. It helps newbies avoid the trap of immediately buying cables to fix a headphone that they don't enjoy. They will only waste a lot of money, and find it much more difficult to sell their headphones if they include the new cable. Most people don't want to have to pay a premium to buy a headphone that they are not sure that they will keep anyway. 

 

Moral of the story: Good headphones, well-recorded music, good amp, good DAC. If you are enthralled with the sound and can't imagine any better, go ahead and buy that aftermarket cable. You're keeping the headphones regardless.

good advice.

==========================

but the buysell forum for cables just exposed my weakness...besides its v easy to swap out the cables on seinheisser cans.

so i tested some cables as long as it falls within my budget. sighhhh...i have been most happy since. 

So Matt, if you're still following this thread... =P  Which one won?  HE 4? or HD 650?