[jonathan c]

 

[Odin412]

Hello. I am planning to buy my first Sennheiser headphones. I thought of the HD650 model, but there is also the 660S next to it. anyone heard both? how are they different? I read that the HD650 model has different productions over the years, do they differ in sound? if so in what? which is the latest and how do I know that I am ordering it from the webshop?

I've heard both the HD650 and HD660S and to my ears the 660S has a bit more treble energy. I prefer the 650 - it sounds more pleasant and enjoyable to my ears. I believe the 660S has lower impedance than the 650 so it may not work as well with tube amps, which are magical with the 650. BTW the Drop HD6XX is identical to the HD650 but at a lower cost. I can't speak to any changes made to the HD 650 over the years.

 

[jonathan c]

HD600 / 650 / 6XX = 300 ohms; HD660s = 150 ohms.

 

[Koren]

HD650 sounds better if it is driven with a balanced cable? (4.4mm pentacon)

 

[jonathan c]

HD650 sounds better if it is driven with a balanced cable? (4.4mm pentacon)

• If a headphone amplifier is specifically designed with balanced circuitry from input to output, a headphone will likely sound better with balanced cable than with unbalanced cable - on that headphone amplifier.
• Balanced cable vs unbalanced cable is not a sonic panacea. The HD650 / HD6XX sounds fantastic with high output impedance OTL tube headphone amplifiers - which are unbalanced / single-end designs. (I cannot think of any ‘balanced’ OTLs.) The HD650 / HD6XX sounds excellent with the SS/tube hybrid Liquid Platinum: low output impedance, balanced circuit. BUT, the sound to my ears of the HD650 / HD6XX is more captivating, more energetic, more engaging via the OTL tube amplifier (the Woo WA2).

 

[AnalogEuphoria]

Hello. I am planning to buy my first Sennheiser headphones. I thought of the HD650 model, but there is also the 660S next to it. anyone heard both? how are they different? I read that the HD650 model has different productions over the years, do they differ in sound? if so in what? which is the latest and how do I know that I am ordering it from the webshop?

660s is a touch faster and tighter sounding 650 with better imaging. Both are excellent so try to listen for yourself.

 

[karloil]

Yahooo!!! Excited to install these!!

 

[Luckyleo]

HD650 sounds better if it is driven with a balanced cable? (4.4mm pentacon)

Please remember no one here has the same sonic preferences as you. I don't believe i read your use case. Regardless, Just take everything you read here with a grain of salt and look at each recommendation as another data point.

I wish I had given myself this same advice 20 years ago. Would have saved a lot of money..... LOL

Good luck!

Leo

 

[Koren]

What does HD 650 look like in combination with an xduoo ta-10r device?

 

[Mike-WI]

Hello. I am planning to buy my first Sennheiser headphones. I thought of the HD650 model, but there is also the 660S next to it. anyone heard both? how are they different? I read that the HD650 model has different productions over the years, do they differ in sound? if so in what? which is the latest and how do I know that I am ordering it from the webshop?

I'm not sure, but here are notes I took before I ordered by 6XX.

https://www.sennheiser-hearing.com/en-US/audiophiles-headphones/

HD560S - $200
HD600 - $400 - 300 ohm, 97 dB @ 1V sens; open
HD650 - $550 - 300 ohm, 103 dB @ 1V sens; open
HD660S - $500 - 150 ohm, 104 dB @ 1V sens; open. Predecessors HD650 & HD 600
HD6XX - $200 on Drop. Usual $250.
HD820 - $2000 - 300 ohm, 103 dB @1V sens; closed
HD800S - $1800- 300 ohm, 102 dB @1V sens; open


2022 Aug 11 - MrGoat - HeadFi
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/sen...essions-thread.197776/page-3013#post-17092116

Yeah, very good if you enjoy a warm lush presentation and a small soundstage... If you want similar experience but more neutral tone go for the HD600... If you need even more detail, more soundstage, but a touch less "musical" presentation and more analytical go for the HD800 or similar.

Out of all the HD line up, the HD650 is still my favorite. Pair it with a solid OTL amplfier and you will be satisfied.

HD650/6XX - warm lush, small soundstage
HD600 - neutral
HD800 - analytical

 

[karloil]

My humble setup for tonight ...the mod is worth every penny!

 

[jonathan c]

My humble setup for tonight ...the mod is worth every penny!

That is a left jab / right cross / smelling salts combo !! What specific tubes are in TA-26?

 

[jonathan c]

What does HD 650 look like in combination with an xduoo ta-10r device?

…. or sound like ….

 

[AnalogEuphoria]

• If a headphone amplifier is specifically designed with balanced circuitry from input to output, a headphone will likely sound better with balanced cable than with unbalanced cable - on that headphone amplifier.
• Balanced cable vs unbalanced cable is not a sonic panacea. The HD650 / HD6XX sounds fantastic with high output impedance OTL tube headphone amplifiers - which are unbalanced / single-end designs. (I cannot think of any ‘balanced’ OTLs.) The HD650 / HD6XX sounds excellent with the SS/tube hybrid Liquid Platinum: low output impedance, balanced circuit. BUT, the sound to my ears of the HD650 / HD6XX is more captivating, more energetic, more engaging via the OTL tube amplifier (the Woo WA2).

Analog distortion from tubes can sound very pleasant to most people as we know, it’s why so many enjoy the sound of a tube amplifier even if they measure like a bent ruler. Tubes do something special it’s obvious, Sennheiser even used them in their cost no object HE1 and that should tell us all something.

 

[Ichos]

Analog distortion from tubes can sound very pleasant to most people as we know, it’s why so many enjoy the sound of a tube amplifier even if they measure like a bent ruler. Tubes do something special it’s obvious, Sennheiser even used them in their cost no object HE1 and that should tell us all something.

Modern tube amplifiers have excellent measurements, ruler flat, and they still provide this euphonic distortion (second order harmonics) that makes music sound alive and close to the real thing.
Despite the solid state and scientific measurements vogue, all high end systems on the planet use at least one tube on the signal path.
Tubes make the sounds to become music.