[veldt]

I have a Sennheiser 600 and since the cable is very thin, I once had to replace it, and because the 650 cable is much cheaper (and thicker) I chose it, it also was recommended as secret tip by some on the internet, creating some improvements or at least a change of sound. Well, I have to say the change of sound was for the worse, though it is possible to subjectively prefer it. There was great loss of clarity and resolution, and the whole was more bass-heavy. While it was a little bit of fun for a while, it quickly diminished the quality of the whole listening experience. I read on some site of a guy selling expensive replacement cables that the 650 cable had much higher resistance and much worse fidelity. This corresponds to my impression. When I got back to a new more expensive 600 cable I immediately found it much better, clearer and detailed. So I guess what I'm saying is, think of getting a 600 cable (unless you want to go for a really expensive cable). It might improve the whole can.

 

[pdrm360]

I have a Sennheiser 600 and since the cable is very thin, I once had to replace it, and because the 650 cable is much cheaper (and thicker) I chose it, it also was recommended as secret tip by some on the internet, creating some improvements or at least a change of sound. Well, I have to say the change of sound was for the worse, though it is possible to subjectively prefer it. There was great loss of clarity and resolution, and the whole was more bass-heavy. While it was a little bit of fun for a while, it quickly diminished the quality of the whole listening experience. I read on some site of a guy selling expensive replacement cables that the 650 cable had much higher resistance and much worse fidelity. This corresponds to my impression. When I got back to a new more expensive 600 cable I immediately found it much better, clearer and detailed. So I guess what I'm saying is, think of getting a 600 cable (unless you want to go for a really expensive cable). It might improve the whole can.

 
I've never tried the HD600 cable on the HD650 but I see too many different reviews and impressions on them.  

 

[Anavel0]

I got the HD650 cable for my HD580 and loved the result. Like you mentioned, just small changes nothing Earth shattering. With the HD580 and HD650 having a similar sound if that's why it worked out, but not HD600 leaning more neutral.

 

[Amictus]

I think that one of the main things that I like about the HD650s is the feeling that they have unlimited possibilities. I may be wrong, but the Q701s that I own are good for some things, but are permanently handicapped by treble glare, particularly on some recordings. The arrival of the Schiit Lyr just made the glare more musical, but didn't make it acceptable. The HD650s are changed in stature by the Lyr, however: still intensely and passionately musical, but with fewer 'faults' (bass bump, veil, whatever). They seem to have unlimited possibilities, making many more purchases inevitable, alas... Bifrost with Uber. Mjolnir/Gungnir and so on.
 
Still, at least I'm not thinking about buying any more headphones! Like the Beyerdynamic T1, or the HD800, or...

 

[dxanex]

  I think that one of the main things that I like about the HD650s is the feeling that they have unlimited possibilities. I may be wrong, but the Q701s that I own are good for some things, but are permanently handicapped by treble glare, particularly on some recordings. The arrival of the Schiit Lyr just made the glare more musical, but didn't make it acceptable. The HD650s are changed in stature by the Lyr, however: still intensely and passionately musical, but with fewer 'faults' (bass bump, veil, whatever). They seem to have unlimited possibilities, making many more purchases inevitable, alas... Bifrost with Uber. Mjolnir/Gungnir and so on.
 
Still, at least I'm not thinking about buying any more headphones! Like the Beyerdynamic T1, or the HD800, or...

One of the best things about the HD 650 is it's hugely scalable throughout different setups. A non audiophile friend once plugged my HD 650 directly into his iPhone and said it was pretty good. Then I plugged it into my tube amp and let him listen and his eyes got wide and said it sounded like a totally different headphone.
 
I've sold my Q701 and still have my K702, but the longer I own them the less and less I've been using them. Over time their "faults" have become more obvious to me and they don't sound as good to my ears as they did a few years ago. The massively wide soundstage feels very artificial to me now and I get the "plastic-y sounding" description that people often use.

 

[ThurstonX]

  I think that one of the main things that I like about the HD650s is the feeling that they have unlimited possibilities. I may be wrong, but the Q701s that I own are good for some things, but are permanently handicapped by treble glare, particularly on some recordings. The arrival of the Schiit Lyr just made the glare more musical, but didn't make it acceptable. The HD650s are changed in stature by the Lyr, however: still intensely and passionately musical, but with fewer 'faults' (bass bump, veil, whatever). They seem to have unlimited possibilities, making many more purchases inevitable, alas... Bifrost with Uber. Mjolnir/Gungnir and so on.
 
Still, at least I'm not thinking about buying any more headphones! Like the Beyerdynamic T1, or the HD800, or...

 

 
One of the best things about the HD 650 is it's hugely scalable throughout different setups. A non audiophile friend once plugged my HD 650 directly into his iPhone and said it was pretty good. Then I plugged it into my tube amp and let him listen and his eyes got wide and said it sounded like a totally different headphone.
 
I've sold my Q701 and still have my K702, but the longer I own them the less and less I've been using them. Over time their "faults" have become more obvious to me and they don't sound as good to my ears as they did a few years ago. The massively wide soundstage feels very artificial to me now and I get the "plastic-y sounding" description that people often use.

 
It's reviews like these that end up costing me money.  Seems all but inevitable I'll get the 650s.  I've modded my Q701s so much that I probably couldn't get much for them, but like you, they're getting used less frequently (HE-500s simply own them).  Thanks for the impressions.

 

[dxanex]

   
 
It's reviews like these that end up costing me money.  Seems all but inevitable I'll get the 650s.  I've modded my Q701s so much that I probably couldn't get much for them, but like you, they're getting used less frequently (HE-500s simply own them).  Thanks for the impressions.

I know what you mean! The HE-500 is actually next at the top of my short list. I've only listened to them briefly at meets, but I'd love to get them in my home and listen to them in a quieter and controlled environment.
 
Can I ask what mods you've done on your Q701's?
 
Edit: at the risk of getting off topic, maybe you could PM me?

 

[jmttdr]

Hello all, 
 
Looking through this thread the 650's seem to be held in high esteem. Obviously headphones are a very subjective topic. I had planned on buying a pair, these would be combined to use with my Macbook Pro (2008) with my Audioengine D1 DAC/amp. It has been said by another member of the forum this will drive them fine. Would this be the general consensus? Obviously they are pricey and I don't want to waste my money if they are not going to be driven well.
 
Thanks! 

 

[MattTCG]

It's pretty tough to go wrong with the hd650 IMO. They are a good all rounder for most genres, supremely comfortable and infinitely listenable. If you get a better amp/dac in the future, they will reward you. 
 
gL!!

 

[traehekat]

  Hello all, 
 
Looking through this thread the 650's seem to be held in high esteem. Obviously headphones are a very subjective topic. I had planned on buying a pair, these would be combined to use with my Macbook Pro (2008) with my Audioengine D1 DAC/amp. It has been said by another member of the forum this will drive them fine. Would this be the general consensus? Obviously they are pricey and I don't want to waste my money if they are not going to be driven well.
 
Thanks! 

I owned the D1 and compared to the Valhalla it just wasn't getting the job done with the 650's. I would recommend selling the D1 and buying the Schiit Vali. 

 

[jmttdr]

Hmmm, Well as long as I wouldn't regret the jump from 595's. I have the opportunity to return my D1 as it is brand new and maybe spend a little more on a DAC/amp. It is fundamental though that is has an optical in as I will use my 650's for all things. I have maybe a budget of £200. I am in the UK which limits me unfortunately.
 
Thanks,
 
Jay.

 

[Androb]

HD650 + Lehmann combo is amazing Effortless playback.

 

[joebobbilly]

  Hmmm, Well as long as I wouldn't regret the jump from 595's. I have the opportunity to return my D1 as it is brand new and maybe spend a little more on a DAC/amp. It is fundamental though that is has an optical in as I will use my 650's for all things. I have maybe a budget of £200. I am in the UK which limits me unfortunately.
 
Thanks,
 
Jay.

I jumped up from the 595s... NEVER looked back. Other parts of the chain can always be slowly upgraded if you feel the itch later

. As Matt says... really can't go wrong with the HD650.

 

[Solarium]

For amp selection, how do the Bottlehead Crack and Schiit Lyr stack against each other?
 
The crack is cheaper, but does it sound as good? The only other HP I may upgrade in the distant future is the HD800, so this is particularly for these 2 phones.

 

[MattTCG]

I plan to do a nice little review on the crack vs lyr soon.