I'm very concerned about my HD650 - Page 2

I only had them for a year or less, and never had a problem with them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katun 

To tell you the truth, I'm pretty sure they have more clamping force than the M50...

 

I was very careful to stretch them. I bend the "metal bars only" and that seemed to help a lot. I then left them on my glass mannequin head for a few days. They are MUCH more bearable now.
 

 

I didn't mean stretching them outwards as in trying to straighten the headband. I actually didn't mean any kind of stretching at all. I meant that I pull on the ear pieces so they extend out of the headband with the metal bit. I pull the ear pieces out so that they're about 3 clicks away from maximum extension and that really works for me. That was all.

I've owned a handful of hd600/650's over the years and it's not the headphone that isn't durable, it's the way the owner handles them.  I owned a pair or two for extended periods of time (1 year+) and when I sold them I swear they were in the same pristine condition as I received them.

Maybe I'm ocd about how I handle my stuff but;

-I never "stretched" the headband, luckily my head is kind of narrow

-I never wore them with wet hair
-I never wore them while sweaty, this is a big deal for me because I live in Arizona

-I was careful how to store them; honestly headphone stands aren't necessarily the best for this, usually laid down on a soft shirt is a better alternative, also never laid them down on hard surface

-I was conservative with the cable plug, no excessive unplugging, I would sometimes use an quality extension cable if there was a need for constant change-over

-I also kept the cable coiled so that it wouldn't get mis-shapen

Yeah, I'm weird like that.

See this thread for how to stretch out a HD580/HD600/HD650.  That's the safe way to stretch them out or get them to squeeze less.

If you find that bending the metal straps of the HD650 is too fussy to get equal on both sides you should never attempt any headband bending on a Grado.

I've had my HD580 and HD600 for over a decade.  They're still going strong.  I've had to replace the headband pad and ear pads due to wear.  Other than the expected wear they are still going strong.

Mine doesn't make any noises. . . they're much more durable than they look.

My HD580 and HD600 do creak when adjusting the rather stiff front and back swivel for the ear cups.  Once they are adjusted and on my head and I'm listening to music they are quiet.  And it's an adjustment where they tend to stay in that adjusted position so you don't need to be doing it every time you put them on your head.  You shouldn't be hearing creaking noises from the headphone while listening to music.

Contrast that with my D2000 that I can make go clicky clack by moving my jaw while listening to music.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katun 

No, of course I don't hear noises when they are still. Just when I adjusting them or "opening" them to put them on my head.

 

Try this. Grab your HD600 and hold it with two hands out in front of you (let it just "hang" in it's natural position). Now, flex the it back and forth slightly (so the earcups move toward and away from each other). Does the headband make noise? All sorts of creaks?

 

Anyway, I thought the D2000 was quite nice. Epic headband adjustment! (Didn't hear the "clicky clack" with mine)

Yes.  Mine make some clicky or creaky noise as they change from the completely relaxed state to a slightly tensioned or stretched state.  I don't consider that a problem at all.  It's probably the metal straps setting into place inside the headband once tension is applied.  You'll never hear that type of creaky noise once they are on your head.

The clicky clack with the D2000 depends on how you wear them and the size and shape of your head.  I can adjust them so it doesn't happen.  But it's something that can happen while listening to music so I consider it more of an issue than any of the noises from the HD600 which only happen when they're not on your head.

Don't ever try a Stax Lambda.  Those be plastic creaky noisy when adjusting.

The ear cup swivel smooths out with use.  Mine is reasonably smooth now.  I don't recall how long it took for them to smooth out and I can't recall if I've ever lubricated that spot or not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Sneis 

I've owned a handful of hd600/650's over the years and it's not the headphone that isn't durable, it's the way the owner handles them.  I owned a pair or two for extended periods of time (1 year+) and when I sold them I swear they were in the same pristine condition as I received them.

 

Maybe I'm ocd about how I handle my stuff but;

 

-I never "stretched" the headband, luckily my head is kind of narrow

-I never wore them with wet hair
-I never wore them while sweaty, this is a big deal for me because I live in Arizona

-I was careful how to store them; honestly headphone stands aren't necessarily the best for this, usually laid down on a soft shirt is a better alternative, also never laid them down on hard surface

-I was conservative with the cable plug, no excessive unplugging, I would sometimes use an quality extension cable if there was a need for constant change-over

-I also kept the cable coiled so that it wouldn't get mis-shapen

 

Yeah, I'm weird like that.

I'm exactly like that!

Only thing I do differently is that I keep them on a headphone stand. They look very pretty on a stand, but I hate how they collect dust (especially the velour pads), so I'm looking for a nice black silk cloth to cover them with.

Also, I accidentally rolled over the cord with my chair a couple of times, so now I keep the cord coiled up also.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Sneis 

...it's not the headphone that isn't durable, it's the way the owner handles them.

You're right, but the problem is not always the owner.

This is what terrifies me: