Sennheiser removed "The Veil" in 2007

Wasn't the HD-580 already out of production in 2007?

I always found the "veil" was tied more to the amplifier used, as well. A different color of cloth doesn't mean that they're different internally, either. It would be interesting to see if Tyll conducted any more recent tests of the HD-600/650 to determine if a change was made.

Welcome to the party! people have been talking about the differences between old and new model since they first came out...

All I know is my new HD600's will be waiting for me when I get home tonight..  this day can't go fast enough..

<conspiracy>And claiming the old HD600 is more veiled than the new in efforts to drive down the used price of the old HD600 in an effort to score one for a good price.  Or conversely to talk up the lack of veil in the new vintage so they can sell a used new vintage one for a better price.</conspiracy>

 

I did get to listen to an older model HD650 at a meet (about 2 months before I bought my own HD650s) and I recall them being a bit bassier to my noobish and untrained ears. I would agree with Uncle Erik in that neither is passive when amplified properly, but I do think that there is a bit of a sonic difference. 

This is the article where I first read about the supposed differences, the picture is rather misleading b/c FWIR the only physical difference is the color of the drivers. . . 

 

Anyway, who knows, but I can testify that my HD 650s don't sound veiled to me and they are just as bright as they are bassy (unfortunately). By no stretch of imagination could they be called dark overall. 

You need to be careful when comparing two HD600/HD650 against each other that both have ear pads that are in similar condition (preferably the same condition).  Otherwise you can end up comparing the sound of squished worn ear pads against the sound of newer firmer ear pads.  The sound is different due to ear pad condition, especially when doing AB comparisons.

If the pads get deformed the soundstage goes to crap, this happened to me and I had to carefully shape them back into their original position. . . the pads really annoy me. 

I suppose this is why Sennheiser dares to charge us $45 for the pads and gets away with it.

The "veil" is total BS... that myth was started by people who ran a HD-650 straight from their laptop and then blamed the headphones for poor sound instead of blaming themselves for being too cheap to buy a proper amplifier. The only people who talk about the veil are people who haven't heard the 650  on a decent amp.

 

Interesting.  I've noticed similar variances when comparing my HD580 against my HD600.  The condition of the pads is what makes the difference when comparing the two.  And worn pads do bass slightly better.  With identical pads on both my HD580 and HD600 I don't think I'd be able to tell the difference between the two, at least with my ears and my amp (not the bestest amp for the Senns but does OK).

 

It's also fun reading a review on old new stock 580s there.  Kind of a trip back in time.  If only he'd of managed to score a NOS box that had the DSP Pro headphone amp included in the box with the HD580.  Not that the DSP Pro is worth anything for music listening and it doesn't drive the HD580 very well and it lacks treble extension.  Would just be a neat little trip back in time.

I really don't think this info is really actuate. My very first pair of hd580s were purchased several years ago, and you know what, the cloth was white. I have a pair of hd600 that where originally purchased a couple of years ago and the material is black. I remember reading on this forum a couple of weeks ago about someone completely removing the material and heard no difference in sound. That person even contacted sennheiser and the rep told him that that material did not have anything to do with the sound of his headphones.