[Burkeman]

Greetings all - would appreciate some assistance. I'm the proud new owner of a set of Sennheiser HD25-1 headphones, and would like to try a cable upgrade from the stock steel cable they came with.

My question is - how much of a difference is there between the stock HD600 cable and the stock HD650 cable, physically and sound-wise? I'm thinking the 650 is thicker, and has a 1/4" plug (ordering from Sennheiser), vs. the 1/8" plug for the 600 cable. Other differences? Pretty close on price - the 650 is a bit cheaper, actually. Both OFC, right?

From reading around, sounds like I can run the 600 cable through the headband, but not the 650, due to thickness. Correct?

Also - how difficult would it be to add a right-angle 1/8" plug to the end of either cable? I like that feature of the HD25 cable.

Thanks for the help - great board! Been reading and learning a lot!

AJB

 

[Oya?]

The HD650 cable is actually about half the price of the HD600 cable, so it seems to be the smart choice. I actually ended up buying the HD600 cable for my pair because 1) it was already terminated in 1/8" (I don't have any DIY tools to reterminate myself) 2) I wanted the red/blue plug indicators (lol) 3) I've only seen the HD600 cables looped through the HD25 headband, not the HD650 (hd25 recable - Google Image Search , the first pic).

If you already have a soldering iron you and don't mind running the cable entries pointing down, might as well get the HD650 cable. Re-terminating is a snap and you might as well shorten the cable while you're at it if you wanted to use it portably.

 

[Gradofan2]

The HD650 cable sounds a lot like the Cardas cable to me, when attached to the HD580/600s.

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

They are both a nice upgrade to the HD25-1 cable, but if absolute sound is what you are looking for, then I would go for the HD650 cable and cut it short and solder on a 1/8" plug.

Here is a review of what I heard as the differences between HD600 and HD650 cables: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f21/re...cables-301979/

 

[QQQ]

600 and 650 cables are absolutely the same sonically.

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

Originally Posted by QQQ /img/forum/go_quote.gif 600 and 650 cables are absolutely the same sonically.

We'll have to agree to disagree. The differences are subtle and small, but audible if your source and amp are sufficiently detailed. In my review I noted that the HD650 cable is not as dark as the HD600 cable, and allows hearing the layers and micro-detail in the music a little better.

 

[QQQ]

They can't be different because the conductors are the same, only 650's have thickier insulation and different termination. By the way it was stated by Senn engineer and quoted here some time ago in some thread.

 

[sydneyaudio]

Quote:

Originally Posted by QQQ /img/forum/go_quote.gif They can't be different because the conductors are the same, only 650's have thickier insulation and different termination. By the way it was stated by Senn engineer and quoted here some time ago in some thread.

I hope this does not turn into another "cables debate"....

Does differences in insulation and termination affect sound?
I just did some listening with both cables and can hear a difference.

 

[subfocus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by QQQ /img/forum/go_quote.gif 600 and 650 cables are absolutely the same sonically.

Actually give it a go some time (at length) with all three headphones (Hd25-II , HD600 and HD650). You might just be quite surprised at the results.

I know I certainly was.

 

[Burkeman]

I wouldn't mind if they sound the same, so I could use the HD600 cable one-sided like the original HD25 cable.

 

[QQQ]

Quote:

Actually give it a go some time (at length) with all three headphones (Hd25-II , HD600 and HD650). You might just be quite surprised at the results.

I know HD25's cable are different and inferior.

 

[Burkeman]

WOW!

Just tried the HD650 cable A/B with the original HD25 cable - night and day difference. More presence, deeper bass, bit louder actually, much more rich sound coming from the HD650 cable. The 1/4" plug is unfortunate, main reason why I'm wondering how the HD600 cable sounds in relationship to the HD650.

 

[Burkeman]

To answer my own original question, I don't hear much of a difference between the HD650 and the HD600 cables. They look different - the HD650 is much thicker, and the HD600 is close to the size of the original steel cable. Swapping back and forth a dozen+ times, the HD650 has a bit more bass (very small) and might be a bit clearer, but the differences are very slight.

I'm keeping the HD600 cable due to the one-sided capability in the HD25 headphone and the 1/8" plug - seems the best solution for now, until I spring for a custom cable, probably sooner than I think!