Interesting blurb in HD-650 manual.

[Born2bwire]

Has anyone noticed this in the HD-650 manual?

Quote:

With the HD 650, Sennheiser has followed the changes in the listening habits of music-lovers and the way in which they experience sound. In spite of all purism and the highest demands on precise sound reproduction, a slight change in listening behaviour is dectectable. Today many music-lovers want to feel the sound more instead of plainly analysing it. The HD 650 now captivates your senses where you used to be a mere observer. It allows total submersion into an ocean of music and lets you completely forget your surroundings.

The language of the passage suggests to me that they intentionally increased the bass impact not because it was more accurate but because it was more inline with the demands of music listeners.

 

[Wmcmanus]

Interesting passage, but translated from a German original, I presume. The bit about "...want to feel the sound instead of plainly analysing it" sure does hint at an intentional bass boost.

 

[KenW]

Whatever they did, it certainly works for me. Could a fair comparison be made with the PS-1's and their(according to some listeners) "artificially" sounding bass?? Haven't heard these yet so I'm just going on what I've read. Interesting comments. Nice catch. Guess I'd better spend a bit more time reading these manuals, huh?

 

[10068]

Also adds support for those who feel the HD650 has slightly more forward mids. (As compared to the 580 and 600...)

How much of a difference is there in the bass, anyway? I don't mind feeling bass, but I can't STAND it if it's boomy. Boomy bass is instant death.

 

[Wmcmanus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenW Whatever they did, it certainly works for me. Could a fair comparison be made with the PS-1's and their(according to some listeners) "artificially" sounding bass?? Haven't heard these yet so I'm just going on what I've read.

The bass in the HD650's is quite pleasant, full and extended. It's a real strength, and does not overpower or get in the way of anything else. I'd say that the balance from top to bottom is about right with the HD650's; they're a very neutral set of headphones in my opinion, and excellent headphones at that.

The PS-1 bass is omni-potent at times, but oddly enough, in an alluring way. It reaches out and grabs you because it is so coherent and articulate, and is almost always the first thing you hear when you put them on. It normally takes a couple of tracks for my ears to adjust to the PS-1's if I'm switching from another pair of headphones. Then you realize that they don't give up anything else. There is no compromise in terms of the quality of the mids and/or highs, both of which are also excellent and highly resolving. But neutral they are not.

 

[Born2bwire]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sduibek Also adds support for those who feel the HD650 has slightly more forward mids. (As compared to the 580 and 600...) How much of a difference is there in the bass, anyway? I don't mind feeling bass, but I can't STAND it if it's boomy. Boomy bass is instant death.

I don't describe it as boomy, it's as tight as the original sound, but it definitely makes the cans feel warmer which some, especially those partial to Grados, might find off-putting. The bass is definitely deeper and has more impact than the HD-600's.

The original German sentences for "purism" and "analysing" are:
Bei allem Purismus und höchsten Ansprüchen an die Präzision der Wiedergabe ist eine leichte Veränderung im Höverhalten zu spüren. Viele Musikliebhaber möchten Klang heute stärker empfinden und ihn weniger analysieren.

I've forgotten pretty much all of my German but the second sentence is pretty blunt, "Many music-lovers today would like to feel the sound more and analyse less."

 

[KenW]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wmcmanus The bass in the HD650's is quite pleasant, full and extended. It's a real strength, and does not overpower or get in the way of anything else. I'd say that the balance from top to bottom is about right with the HD650's; they're a very neutral set of headphones in my opinion, and excellent headphones at that. The PS-1 bass is omni-potent at times, but oddly enough, in an alluring way. It reaches out and grabs you because it is so coherent and articulate, and is almost always the first thing you hear when you put them on. It normally takes a couple of tracks for my ears to adjust to the PS-1's if I'm switching from another pair of headphones. Then you realize that that don't give up anything else. There is no compromise in terms of the quality of the mids and/or highs, both of which are also excellent and highly resolving.

The more I read about the PS-1's, the more tempted I am to snag the next pair I see up for sale in the FS forum. Figure I'll have my own little "mini" shoot out, keep the winner and keep building around it.

 

[wali]

... And people wondered why some still clung to their HD600 after listening to HD650.

 

[mulveling]

Funny, I remember reading that same blurb over a year ago - it's a joke. I find the 650 much better than the 600 for both analyzing and/or enjoying the music. Cable swaps, source & amp changes - these are all more readily apparent with the 650 because of its greater resolution (not debatable) and (IMO) more natural frequency balance. The bass on the 650 is not only more present, it's also quite a bit tighter and more articulated. Yes, the mids are more forward too - the 600's mids are recessed compared to any other decent can I've tried.

 

[kin0kin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sduibek Also adds support for those who feel the HD650 has slightly more forward mids. (As compared to the 580 and 600...) How much of a difference is there in the bass, anyway? I don't mind feeling bass, but I can't STAND it if it's boomy. Boomy bass is instant death.

its not boomy at all, it is tight, you can hear everynote properly, when it stops...it just stops....no echo or any muffled sound remains....(unless it is meant to be that way).....still burning in.

 

[Geek]

The HD650s have bottomless bass. It's a really dangerous headphone becuase people think it's boomy with colored, lower-end equipment. The HD650s sound absolutely spectacular when hooked up to a really high end CDP/balanced amp. However, the bass becomes a tad out of control on lower end systems, in addition to a bunch of other problems (the presentation gets distant, highs sound shrill and constrained, and the mids are cloudy).

Cheers,
Geek

 

[10068]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geek The HD650s sound absolutely spectacular when hooked up to a really high end CDP/balanced amp.

I like that you specifically mention a Balanced amp as a performance boost for the HD650's bass. Getting a really highend Balanced amp (& matching Balanced Zu Mobius of course) is my next significant upgrade. Wish me luck!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geek The HD650s have bottomless bass.

Should I take this with an extra helping of salt? How low are you talking? Do you believe the HD650 can acurately portray notes in the 20Hz range, and make them reasonably audible? (This is assuming it's matched with a great system) Thanks.

 

[Leporello]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geek It's a really dangerous headphone becuase people think it's boomy with colored, lower-end equipment. The HD650s sound absolutely spectacular when hooked up to a really high end CDP/balanced amp.

Here we go again...

I have been tempted to try the HD650 but, alas, it seems that even Sennheiser admit that they have sacrificed sonic accuracy ("die Präzision der Wiedergabe ") in order to please the boom box crowd. What a pity.


Regards,

L.

 

[Daroid]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leporello Here we go again... I have been tempted to try the HD650 but, alas, it seems that even Sennheiser admit that they have sacrificed sonic accuracy ("die Präzision der Wiedergabe ") in order to please the boom box crowd. What a pity. Regards, L.

The Troll hunting season comes early this year.

EDIT: I get your point now, and it is valid. Sorry for mugging at you. You should follow your temptation and try out the HD650 and 600 and see which you like (if any)

 

[hugz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daroid The Troll hunting season comes early this year

I kinda have to agree with him in a way. My first reaction was "whoa. sennheiser is deliberately making less acurate phones so they can be fun? isn't that the point of cheap sonys?"