Sennheiser HD650 Appreciation Thread!! - Page 759

In regards to the build quality, I wasn't comparing them to $25-50 headphones but much rather the quite elegant and all the more sturdy AKG K550. They're not moons apart, but they feel plasticky in comparison. The creaking will hopefully settle over time.
The guy who sold 'em to me said that he's owned and used them for quite some time, but they look and feel brand-new (clamping galore!) so I'm not sure our respective views of "quite some time" are even remotely similar.

I've heard of the so called Sennheiser "veil", but can't really say that I'm experiencing any such feat w/ these. They're not as stingy/harsh/"trebly" as the K550 but they definitely don't sound "veiled" in any way, to me at least. They do reach deeper and the lower frequencies are louder than on the K550, but feel somewhat sluggish instead.
It doesn't feel fair comparing the two though, having their design and purposes in mind. Apples and oranges...

I don't dislike 'em, but they haven't swept me away just yet

EDIT: Oh, by the way. Is it possible to use the HD600's grills(?) on these?

Edited by Frank Sauvage - 3/17/13 at 2:42pm

I'm getting my la figaro 339 in 2 days I should be posting impressions :) XD 

Now, I am very curious how audio gd amp sound compared to Lehmann BCL?

Man... listening to a piano acoustic version of Rammstein's Mein Herz Brennt... wow. Till's voice is right there, like he's singing directly to me. I can hear every nuance of his voice, every subtle growl, every rumble, every roll of the R... the quietest vibrato... everything. It's giving me chills. The HD650s do vocals almost better than real life, I think.  I'm so glad I didn't sell them. They are wonderful.

 

 

Not sure why you would want to do that (the HD650 grill are supposedly better built), but AFAIK you can use the HD600 grills on the HD650.

 

Which Audio-gd are you referring to? I have the NFB-5.2 and it sound very good (especially for the price). Not quite as lush as the Crack, but it has a little better detail and clarity.

With regards to the "colored" vs. "neutral" argument, I tend to think of it as I would musical instruments. It really just depends on "how" colored it is, and is not an issue of whether it is colored at all. 

 

That said, when playing musical instruments, and if going by my memory of my high school band teacher, having just a tiny bit of a colored sound seems preferable. I remember the high school band teacher always pushing for a "warmer", and "darker" sound. Which, unsurprisingly sounds like the HD-650; this is evidence, to me at least, that there is a sort of general consensus about what makes a pleasurable sound. 

 

That said, I don't like going overboard with the warmth, either. This point brings me back to my memories of the RS-1. While its sound was exciting, I just don't remember having long listening sessions with the RS-1. The warm just was a little too much for me, I think, and was something that got kind of old very quickly. 

Yes, they are physically compatible. However, the ring around the HD600 grill is made of matte plastic while the HD650 grill is made of shiny plastic, so a careful observer might find it a bit odd.

Anyways, HD600 grills are $20 a pop from Sennheiser while HD650 grills are $40.

Couldn't resist, so I've come back to the HD650!

Got them off Amazon like new for $355 with full warranty.

My last pair was also like new, and it was perfect. This time though, I know I want to keep them as they're the best full sized headphones I've used that I could lay down with, and enjoy a non-fatiguing signature. The HD650 isn't perfect, and not in my top 3 headphones, but what they do right, is something I MUST have around. I'll use my LCD2 as my main, and the HD650 when I get tired of the LCD2's heft, or when laying down, watching anime, etc.

I was told by the rep that all their 'like new' HD650's came within the last 15 days directly from Sennheiser. I believe adgtron is the biggest refurbished/open box seller of Sennheiser headphones.
Edited by Mad Lust Envy - 3/18/13 at 3:39am

I'm curious... What are your top 3? LCD2 and?

1. D7000
2. LCD2 vegan (more on the neutral side but still warm, airy, and clearer, but not as warm as the leather, but similar bass)
3. LCD2 leather (warmer, meatier, but more congested and closed sounding than the vegan)
4. K702 65th Anniversary (honestly, the best all rounder I've ever heard, even more so than the higher tier ones)
5. HE400
6. HD650
7. DT990
8. HE-4

I'm sure the HE-500 would probably be #4 or #5...
Edited by Mad Lust Envy - 3/18/13 at 3:53am

I don't believe in anniversary editions... 

Have you even heard them? Even Chicolom who was skeptical ended up selling his well loved Q701s for the Annies (after comparing them for a bit). He ended up just buying Q701 pads for the Annies, and still notes how different the Annie pads make it sound. Spend a week or two with the Annies, you'll be a believer. ESPECIALLY if you love the HD650. It has warmth like the HD650, with more sundstage and air, and better treble extension.

I may have sold the Annies and kept the LCD2, but believe me when I tell you that I felt the Annies did more things right than the LCD2. I just love the bass on the LCD2s more. If it weren't for that, the Annies would still be here. They are bar none, the most balanced headphones I have heard, and basically the one headphone I didn't find ANYTHING wrong with. Anything at all.
Edited by Mad Lust Envy - 3/18/13 at 4:42am

There's that nostalgia I mentioned, LOL.

+1.

 

Got the MD's to replace my M50's. Wanted a nice closed HP with the SD650 sound signature. As far as I am concerned, they are closed SD-650's. They are that close to the 650's IMHO.