Quote:
Originally Posted by John Willett /img/forum/go_quote.gif
The original HD650 had acoustic silk damping, however this was difficult to fix reliably and identically every time. Therefore Sennheiser (several years ago) changed over to a perforated metal acoustic damping material. This was done so that every HD 650 would be more consistent with less variations than the flexible acoustic silk.
This was done so they would all sound the same and not to change the sound in any way.
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Some people hear the difference between the black acoustic silk and the silver metal versions, and some don't. The debate rages on. Is there a difference or not? Let me suggest that the answer is both YES and NO!
How can this be? Let me give you a plausible explanation. As John Willett mentioned in the above quote, Sennheiser had experienced difficulties in fixing reliably and identically the black acoustic silk. I believe part of the difficulty was due to the different climatic conditions that the phones ended up in which perhaps caused the tension in the acoustic silk version to sag and hence, the differing sound quality experienced by end-users. This resulted in the change-over to the current silver metal mesh version.
Evidence for this hypothesis is taken from sennheiser.com website
Sennheiser Worldwide - High Quality Headphones, HD 650, Around Ear - Private Audio
"A specially developed damping element, made from fine acoustic metal mesh, ensures a precise damping over the entire diaphragm surface, highly constant in all climates."
If the damping of the older black acoustic silk version is not consistent, it is possible that this would have affected overall sound quality; hence, the boom in the bass and veiled sound experience.
However, not all black acoustic silk versions have this problem as I'm sure some were 'perfectly manufactured' within established tolerances. I am certain that these 'within spec' versions would sound identical to the silver metal ones. This might explain why some people say that there is no difference...in this instance, they are right to say this!
For myself, I had purchased the old acoustic silk version and it was boomy and veiled. Perhaps like others, I had ones which had reliability issues in regard to the proper attachment of the silk material. To my ears, the new silver version which I now currently use sounds significantly quicker and tighter. So perhaps we too are also right!
That is my response to the confusion that many have experienced! Unless there is a more plausible explanation, this is the best explanation I can think up so far.
What do you guys think of this explanation?
Cheers,
cansman