HD650 tires my ears out?! WHY?! - Page 3

Thats because you shouldn't be putting force on the headband, you only bend the black metal slide-out thingy.

Guide:

Originally Posted by 1Time 

Is your HD650, HD600, or HD580 comfortable, uncomfortable, or fractured?

Please first read this post. You can vote for more than one option since you may have owned more than one.

I lump these models together because their fit is similar and each can be properly adjusted in the same way.

----------------

Do not bend or torque the non-metal part of the headband, the part that goes over your head. Doing so unnecessarily stresses it, which can result in an immediate or eventual fracture.

Properly adjust your HD650, HD600, or HD580. Immediately customize its comfort, prevent premature degradation of the ear pads, and minimize the chance of fracturing the non-metal part of the headband. The metal part of the headband that extends between the ear cups and plastic part of the headband is designed to be adjusted. It is very sturdy metal, and it bends. I only recommend doing this if you understand the following procedure.

The Procedure:
Fully extend the headband so no more of the metal part of the headband can be exposed. Grasp one ear cup with one hand and the plastic part of the headband with the other right where the metal part starts to go into the plastic part. To clarify, grasp plastic directly on each end of the metal band, and put your thumbs on the metal band for leverage. Then bend it until the metal band is straight or slightly bent backwards, hold for 3 seconds, repeat X times. Repeat X times with the other side. Repeat until the headphones are as loose as you want. This also can be done to tighten the grip of these headphones. Just bend the metal band in the same manner but in the opposite direction.

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/438898/hd650-hd600-hd580-comfortable-uncomfortable-or-fractured

Once you ear starts hurting cut the source and keep the headphones on your head. If the pain in your ear persists then you'll know for sure it is not sound-related.

I have the same issue with my HD600 but not the HD650, I guess it depends on the shape of your head. For me it was because the headphones were exerting too much pressure around the bottom of the pads. Positioning the headphones differently works fine, a notch up or down on the adjustable sides even better. Experiment a bit and you will find a setting that does not trigger the pain.

I have noticed that if I plug some of my headphones into my lesser gear, I feel fatigue more quickly, probably due to there being more distortion.  That being said, when I had HD-600s, I did find the clamp to be tiring.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephenguoo 

HD800, T1, D7000, W5000, GS1000, or? open to suggestions.

 

Hi! 

If you find HD650 too bright, don't even think about getting the HD800, T1 or the GS1000. Don't really know about the D7000 or the W5000 but they also have a bright reputation. I have owned the HD800 and sold them, now I have the T1. But the HD650 is my safe haven :-) The only dynamic headphone popular on this forum that FWIR is less bright than the HD650 is the Audeze LCD-2 - but I haven't heard it myself. 

I experienced a "vacumy" feelinbg when I first got the HD650, but that was probaby about getting used to heaphones in general (they were my first pair), because I tried several others and had the same issue.

Now I really think of the HD650 as the headphone that never makes you tired. 

I suggest:

1)  you try another pair of HD650 (there might be something wrong with your set). Go to a dealer or give sennheiser in you country a call. I did when I had the same issue with my HD800. They took them in, but when I listened to a second pair, it was the same - so I just sold my pair and got the T1 inste. T1 is less bright and slightly warmer, but still bright compared to the HD650. 

2) Get another amp and/or DAC. Tubes are supposed to be less bright. Haven't heard neither of your components. Get a less bright dac and a less bright amp.

This DAC is not bright, very good and very cheap. Worth a try (just got it myself): 

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/512389/mini-dac-tda1543-x-4-nos

The Matrix mini i dac/amp is also supposed to be "warmish". Dunno - just what I read. 

I use naim headline amp, which is less bright than my grace m902. But tube / hybrid might be the way to go - I am not an expert on amps, so I'll not give advices on that. 

If you have an issue with pain - clamping can of course be reduced if that is a problem for you too: 

CLAMPING ADVICE:

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/513852/hd650-clamping-advice

I was initially afraid of breaking my beloved HD 650 if I were to adjust the clamping issues. I thought it would slowly go away in time but I couldn't take it anymore. I got so mad today I literally grabbed it and started to stretch it out of porportion without a care if it snaps. The pain became too unbearable. Now they're SOOOOOOOOO much more comfy :D. 

Good!! I too was quite baffled with the effect slight bending can have on such a pressing issue..

I agree with going with a different DAC and amp combo. No fatigue here.