[digitaldave]

I've read a couple of threads that mention a new version of the Sennheiser HD650, but can't seem to find any info on what's changed. So, what are the differences between them, if there are indeed two versions?

Thanks,

Dave.

 

[3X0]

Older version has silk dampening over the drivers, with a reputation of being very warm and rather bassy. This version is afflicted by the infamous "veil."

The newer version uses metal mesh for dampening and sounds much less warm and a little less bassy, with more tonal balance overall. Not as veiled by default, and consequently is less chain-picky.

I have the latter and find them very bright with the foam removed (much brighter than my HF2), which is something I don't think could ever be said of the first version.

 

[Towert7]

Oh, I would love to see pics of this!

 

[Cankin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Towert7 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Oh, I would love to see pics of this!

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/old...0/#post6142720

Here are two pics I took, first one is old HD600 and second picture is new HD650

 

[Towert7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cankin /img/forum/go_quote.gif http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/old...0/#post6142720

Thank you!

 

[plonter]

I just wonder what is the difference regarding bass quantity. is it subtle of more than that?

 

[Cankin]

It's been discussed many times before, some hear differences between old and new HD650 while others don't.

 

[plonter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cankin /img/forum/go_quote.gif It's been discussed many times before, some hear differences between old and new HD650 while others don't.

well..somebody must be wrong (or don't hear very well)

 

[digitaldave]

The next question is... are they (either version) worth an upgrade over my HD600s...?

 

[Lil' Knight]

I won't say it'd be an upgrade.

Actually, both the HD600's and HD650's sounds pretty much alike. The HD600's are just a little more neutral and not as bassy as the HD650's. I have both a 'old' and 'new' HD650's and they all sound the same to me.

 

[vanhalen26]

Can you tell the difference between old and new by serial number and if so what is the difference?

 

[MacedonianHero]

Quote:

Originally Posted by digitaldave /img/forum/go_quote.gif The next question is... are they (either version) worth an upgrade over my HD600s...?

I would say only the new one. I found the old HD650 too dark and could not get over the veil. But that's just my preference.

 

[feifan]

I have one of each HD650:
SN: 0457XX bought Oct '06 (older version)
SN: 0585XX bought May '07 (newer version)

The SNs weren't on the cans, as far as I could see. I got them off the boxes they came in. They were on small stick-on paper labels. I'm assuming they're the SNs.

I didn't realize they were different. The later version is cabled balanced; the earlier, SE with Cardas.

I assumed the SQ difference was due to the SE/balanced cabling, but now I'm wondering. I'm listening to the later cans via an SE adaptor right now (for the first time) and hear the same difference: the later HD650 is clearer, more dynamic, with less or almost no veil.

 

[PrTv]

I myself have both versions right now, and the difference is very noticeable.

Side by side.

The old version (black damping), even with Equinox, is slower and more bassy than the new version, which is snappier.

I now mate the new version with Equinox (single ended), and I prefer this combination far more than the old version.

I initially intended to sell the old version, but the headband crack stopped me from doing so. If you own the old version, I suggest removing the black foam covering the back of the phones' driver, as I did that and the old version sounded significantly better (faster, more treble, and better controlled bass).

Like this

You can see in the 1st picture where the black foam is still intact, and the above picture where it is removed.

 

[Shizdan]

I think that this was a bad move by senn. They should have atleast made the new hd650 something named along the lines of HD650LE or something if the sound is changed noticably