[Hellenback]

Quote:

They really do excel at low-volume listening. Moreso than any other headphone in my lineup. I know that's a quality that is traditionally associated with Grados, but the HD-650s are positively smooth at any volume (no doubt because they're tuned among other things for dynamic, full-range orchestral music reproduction - it wouldn't really do if you lost all detail in a quiet passage and had to turn it up only to be deafened by a crescendo!).
 
I am fairly certain I have the pre-white-material versions. I ... am not convinced, and I guess there will be skeptics, but - I am not convinced that there should be an expected difference between a darker colored but acoustically transparent thin material and a lighter colored but acoustically transparent thin material. It seems too coincidental to me - they've switched to a lighter color and it brightens the sound? I just don't see it. It's so thin, thinner than the finest pop filter I've ever seen in a studio, maybe there is some material quality they like about the new stuff but in terms of sound I sincerely doubt that the stuff that seems to act primarily to keep crud out of the enclosure has an "unveiling" impact on the sound. It's all too convenient, if you'll pardon my repetition. If I painted the whole headphone a lighter color it wouldn't sound brighter; unless the driver or the sort of acoustic honeycomb structure of the mounting/enclosure itself has changed I don't think there's any basis for a sonic difference (and there's plenty reasonable doubt, in my opinion, given that comparisons would mostly be between older, more used headphones and newer, less used ones). And why wouldn't Sennheiser advertise an improvement, were it the case? I just don't grasp it, I'm sorry, no offense to anyone's subjective perception intended at all.

The damping material surrounding the driver/capsule has been changed from black acoustic silk to silver acoustic metal mesh. I have heard both at some length and the newer model has a brighter sound (across the spectrum) with both the 600s and the 650s.
Some prefer one, some the other but the description about the different material is mentioned by Sennheiser. I remember reading it, I just cannot find where at the moment.
 

 

[Hellenback]

Quote:

You should hear them on a 3 channel B22 or GS-1.

 

Or balanced with even a LD MKVII+ (or other LD tube amp) if you're on a budget.
 

 

[ac500]

I love these headphones...
 
More and more over time, it seems. Maybe I'm experiencing burn-in (whether physical or psychological)... whatever the explanation, this is certainly one purchase I don't regret

 

[fenixdown110]

Seems like someone "borrowed" my avatar.

 

[ac500]

Haha oops. I think I got it from a google search for Sennheiser HD 650 IIRC. Hmm I guess I'll try to find a different one

 

[fenixdown110]

Nooo. Don't do that. I encourage the use of it.

 

[ac500]

Ok, thanks . I'm curious where you even find these (seems so specific, did you make them?) I heard that there were japanese magazines or something of these, but that's interesting that they would have them on specific headphones (if so)

 

[upstateguy]

Quote:

The HD650s just sound real to me, and while a component of that is definitely the fact that I've had them for the longest, I firmly believe that they have an amazingly balanced and natural presentation. 
 
Mr. Jeff Buckley (or not), I totally agree, I compare all my other headphones to what I hear with my HD650 when I listen, I just can't not do it. They play very nice with all the kinds of music that I listen to, I've never been left wanting more in the presentation, despite what I throw at it

I agree completely.  They sound more real than my 880s, T-1s and 701s (which, IMHO, are a lousy pair of headphones).
 

 

[jTizMLG]

I plan on buying the HD650.
 
This would be my first Hi-Fi headphone and I also need a source.
 
I heard the E9+E7 goes great with the HD650, but I don't care for the portable option, its not leaving my desk.
 
Is there anything better in that price range? It does not to be an Amp/DAC put together, I don't mind buying 2 separate ones.

 

[puresilence]

Quote:

I plan on buying the HD650.
 
This would be my first Hi-Fi headphone and I also need a source.
 
I heard the E9+E7 goes great with the HD650, but I don't care for the portable option, its not leaving my desk.
 
Is there anything better in that price range? It does not to be an Amp/DAC put together, I don't mind buying 2 separate ones.

The NFB-12 is the only DAC/amp that comes to mind in that price range. http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB12/NFB12EN.htm
 
 

 

[jTizMLG]

As I said before, it does not need to be an Amp/DAC put together.
 
It could be separate.
 
And is the NFB-12 better then the E9+E7?

 

[ac500]

NFB-12 as I understand has better quality components for the price, by far. However people say it has a darker sound which when combined with the HD 650 would result in a doubly dark sound. That said, I have an NFB-12 + HD 650 and I just love it. Granted, I'm not very experienced since the only other half descent thing I've owned was a HD 280 Pro unamped, so take that for what its worth.

 

[fenixdown110]

Quote:

Ok, thanks . I'm curious where you even find these (seems so specific, did you make them?) I heard that there were japanese magazines or something of these, but that's interesting that they would have them on specific headphones (if so)

 
These do come out of a Japanese art book called Headphone Musume(Girl). I have a copy somewhere myself.

 

[fenixdown110]

Quote:

NFB-12 as I understand has better quality components for the price, by far. However people say it has a darker sound which when combined with the HD 650 would result in a doubly dark sound. That said, I have an NFB-12 + HD 650 and I just love it. Granted, I'm not very experienced since the only other half descent thing I've owned was a HD 280 Pro unamped, so take that for what its worth.

 
The trickiest part for me was finding an amp powerful enough to drive the HD650s properly and with enough color.

 

[olor1n]

I doubt the sound presented by the NFB-12 would be darker than that heard through the FiiO combo. It's usually described as warm rather than dark, when contrasting its wm8741 dac to the supposedly brighter presentation of the sabre chip used in its sibling the NFB-11.
 
If the NFB-12 shares the same signature as the Fun (as stated by the Audio-GD), you should hear a transparent and balanced sound that greatly compliments the HD650's strengths.