[GreatDane]

New...old...I wouldn't want to replace my old modded HD 650 for what many say sounds brighter or has less bass...or whatever.

 

[Patu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jantze /img/forum/go_quote.gif Patu, why do you still answer to these questions? Some are believers and some are not. I'm not a High Fidelity listener, but even I noticed the difference. I know it hurts, especially if you own the old version. If someone would like to know how we compared the new and old senns, please read the previous posts.

If you haven't noticed, that's the way of Head-Fi. Arguing the same things over and over and over and over again... It never ends! Things must be repeated in as many threads as possible so that people understand them. How do you think I got my Headphoneus Supremus tag.

 

[shoooze]

I was thinking of getting the 650's or the akg 701/702 but I had reservations due to the darkness, veiled, and bass heaviness of the 650's. The new 650's seemes to have address the issues I had with them, and emerged as the cans to get.

Is there any way to tell from the box if it's the old version or new version? ie. different sku number, different packaging etc...

 

[Gradofan2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audio-Omega /img/forum/go_quote.gif Is it better to buy a new HD650 or a better cable for an old HD650 ?

No question... get the "new" version of the HD650s - you won't need a custom cable at all.

 

[Gradofan2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shoooze /img/forum/go_quote.gif I was thinking of getting the 650's or the akg 701/702 but I had reservations due to the darkness, veiled, and bass heaviness of the 650's. The new 650's seemes to have address the issues I had with them, and emerged as the cans to get. Is there any way to tell from the box if it's the old version or new version? ie. different sku number, different packaging etc...

No... there's nothing on the box.

The only way you can identify them is by the color of the white/silver metalic fabric covering their acoustic baffles in their element housing - which you can see through the screens/grills from the outside (not the white felt covering the driver butt).

But... if you buy them new they should be the "new" version - Senn began the "new" version around 01/07.

Just get them from a vendor that has a return polilcy - so, if you happen to get the "old" version, you can return them. But... you won't.

 

[Elk]

Well this is just great. I have the newer 650s and at the last meet I went to we all wanted to see how different cables sounded on the 650 so what we did, because we are all lazy slackers, was got several pairs of well broken in 650s and put different cables on each and listened to them. Now I find out that they may have had different drivers and a noticeably different sound anyway. GREAT! Now gotta do it all over again at the next meet in February.

Do you think we should all list the 650 driver we are using in out sig?

 

[shoooze]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gradofan2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif No... there's nothing on the box. The only way you can identify them is by the color of the white/silver metalic fabric covering their acoustic baffles in their element housing - which you can see through the screens/grills from the outside (not the white felt covering the driver butt). But... if you buy them new they should be the "new" version - Senn began the "new" version around 01/07. Just get them from a vendor that has a return polilcy - so, if you happen to get the "old" version, you can return them. But... you won't.

I'm a little confused what color should the new version, and old version white/silver metallic fabric be?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Audio-Omega]

The new version has silver / white fabric.

 

[Gradofan2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elk /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well this is just great. I have the newer 650s and at the last meet I went to we all wanted to see how different cables sounded on the 650 so what we did, because we are all lazy slackers, was got several pairs of well broken in 650s and put different cables on each and listened to them. Now I find out that they may have had different drivers and a noticeably different sound anyway. GREAT! Now gotta do it all over again at the next meet in February. Do you think we should all list the 650 driver we are using in out sig?

Yes... that would help...

... because, the "new" version sound so much different from the "old" version - which is why there is so much disparity of opinion regarding the sound of the Senns.

Many report their "dark, slow, veiled" sound, while others deny they sound that way.

The difference is some have the "old" version, which do sound "dark, slow and veiled," and others have the "new" version, which do not sound that way. The "new" version does not need custom cables, or special amps - the "old" version definitely does.

 

[majkel]

So what's the difference between the new HD650's and HD600's? As Andrew_WOT said, it looks like the HD650's have approached sonically their cheaper sibling.

 

[s4nder]

My new HD600 and new HD650 are quite different but the new HD650 may sound close to the old HD600. I haven't heard any old versions of them though.

 

[callmevil]

what a good news for someone who have been holding back from buying the hd650 due to cost of cable upgrades..

 

[progo]

I must have bought the new version because mine didn't use much burning at all nor did it benefit from an aftermarket Cardas cabling. Not a bad deal at all.

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by majkel /img/forum/go_quote.gif So what's the difference between the new HD650's and HD600's? As Andrew_WOT said, it looks like the HD650's have approached sonically their cheaper sibling.

As I mentioned in my earlier post, Gradofan2, for instance cannot distinguish between two.
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/4532333-post205.html

Which makes me think that "improvement" is not related to white baffling that was in production since 2006 but more recent change when people have started discovering HD600 stamping on HD650 membrane. It is pure speculation on my end, but that would also explain why some people cannot hear the difference between old and new (with white baffling) HD650. The sonically *improved* version has either HD600 drivers or some parts from that model driver.

 

[Navyblue]

When I compared the new HD650 and the HD600 that I presume is new too, I have a hard time telling them apart.

My conclusion is that the HD600 has a tiny tad thinner midrange, and a tiny bit brighter and more forward treble that seems out of place to me. I didn't detect that HD650 having significantly more bass, if at all.

However I am not entirely sure of my "conclusion". The difference is so slight that it could be the state for burn in of both headphones. Or it could be that I am aware of the fact that HD600 has a reputation of being a brighter and less bassy HD650.

At the time I planned to buy the HD650, frankly I wanted to hear a bigger difference. But instead of hearing what I was expecting, I came home confused without the heaphone. I spent the money on a source instead, I guess it'd be a while before I could get it again.