[kramer5150]

Anyone use HD650 cables with their HD580?

What are the benefeits in this mod?
Are the OEM 650 cables that much different from the OEM 580?

Thanks,
Garrett

 

[malthis]

That's the way mine came, part of the package. So I can't say for certain if they improved the sound in any way or not. I can only say it sounds pretty good to me!

 

[Chri5peed]

Pretty cheap mod, can you go wrong?

 

[augustwest]

I use the 650 cables with my hd600. When my original 600 cable gave up JP (a non-member/lurker) was nice enough give me his 650 cable that he doesn't use due to a equinox up grade. I thought when I switched them out there was a slight improvement sound-wise, but it could have been my imagination. I definately like the more beefy connectors & the thicker cable weight. The only thing I miss about the original 600 cable is the color coded L/R connectors.

- augustwest

 

[augustwest]

DOUBLE POST - SORRY

 

[NiceCans]

I replaced my HD600 cable with HD650 cable and feel it openned up the middle quite a bit and added a bit more sparkle to the highs. In addition it was less $ than the HD600 replacement

 

[Borat]

I think I might be alone on this, but I thought the HD600 with HD650 cable sounded slightly worse overall. At first, I thought it was an improvement because the bass was more impactful, but it comes at the cost of muddying the sound as well. I also felt soundstage collapsed a little with the HD650 cable.

But you should buy one anyway so you can use the connectors to make your own cable with a better wire.

 

[Rob80b]

Interesting, I've been using the HD650 cable on my HD580's and have also found the sound has opened up, smoother while retaining the detail.
http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=144858

Also just rewired my AKG K501’s
http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=147310

Enjoying both phones and having a hard time deciding which one I prefer,
before the Senns had more obvious bass and the AKG’s more air. Now the scale is more balanced.

 

[Rob80b]

As a side note both stock cables had mini to ¼” adapters adding one more connection to the chain, also the larger gauge of wire (have not confirmed this with Senn cables) probably helps. Would be interesting to be able to hard wire the cables if it was not such a hassle.

 

[Zorander]

HD-650 stock cable on HD-580

 

[Rob80b]

Zorander
"I noticed the HD-650 stock cable has tighter bass and more details. Mids are more prominent/forward, details are still there (albeit rather in-yer-face). However, there seems to be some loss of "sweetness", reduced sense of space/instrument separation and a rather uninvolving sound."

Opposite impressions, May be different souces as we appear to have similiar amps although OBH-11se is class A so there might be a different synergy there.

Thats headfi for ya.

Happy listening

 

[Zorander]

Well, I found the HD-650 stock cable to improve things some on bass and details, as well as physical ruggedness itself. However, the stock HD-580 has a beautiful airy sound to it and the HD-650 stock cable does not possess that (thus my personal opinion: "some loss of "sweetness", reduced sense of space/instrument separation and a rather uninvolving sound"). Oh well, at the price a stock HD-650 cable is selling for, it's worth experimenting.

Cheers!

 

[fewtch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zorander Well, I found the HD-650 stock cable to improve things some on bass and details, as well as physical ruggedness itself. However, the stock HD-580 has a beautiful airy sound to it and the HD-650 stock cable does not possess that (thus my personal opinion: "some loss of "sweetness", reduced sense of space/instrument separation and a rather uninvolving sound"). Oh well, at the price a stock HD-650 cable is selling for, it's worth experimenting. Cheers!

Ditto. I found the same problem with the original Oehlbach cable: Loss of air, and 3d soundstage gone flat (in fact, much more so than with the HD650 cable). Sold it fast, and went back to the stock cable.

Bottom line, I like the sound of HD580/600 stock cable and see no reason to change it. I agree though that as cheap as the HD650 cable is, it can't hurt to try it.