[penmarker]

If Sennheiser came out with a revised HD650/6XX and changed it from 300 olm to 150, it would sell like hotcakes. They could call it the HD655 or something. A lot of people still like the HD650 sound sig over the HD660, but want to be able to use it with portable devices.

You mean the HD660S?
https://en-us.sennheiser.com/headphones-audiophile-high-end-hd-660-s

**edit: I guess I type faster than I read.

 

[jimmers]

If Sennheiser came out with a revised HD650/6XX and changed it from 300 olm to 150, it would sell like hotcakes. They could call it the HD655 or something. A lot of people still like the HD650 sound sig over the HD660, but want to be able to use it with portable devices.

There is the HD58X Jubilee, that's 150 Ohm.

HD58X Jubilee Sensitivity 104 dB @ 1 Volt*

HD650 Sensitivity 104 dB @ 1 Volt*

So much for lower impedance higher sensitivity

* diyaudioheaven figures for each

(Same for HD660S 150 Ohm.104 dB @ 1 Volt* )

 

[penmarker]

I don't think it is possible to maintain the voicing after changing the parameters or hardware measurements.

People can pick out different sounds from two headphones of the same model. There's too many variables going on. Meanwhile I can't even differentiate between HD600/650, not sure if that's a blessing or a curse.

 

[DavidA]

If Sennheiser came out with a revised HD650/6XX and changed it from 300 olm to 150, it would sell like hotcakes. They could call it the HD655 or something. A lot of people still like the HD650 sound sig over the HD660, but want to be able to use it with portable devices.

While I can see why some would want to use a portable device with the HD650 the open nature of the HD650 makes them really only suited for indoor or very quite out door spaces and since they don't fold up its not a headphone that many/most will want to take traveling. As for the HD660S I think they pretty good and actually sound better with most gear including portable devices while the HD650 really needs a decent amp to sound good IMO.

I have to agree with @penmarker that a change to 150ohms might make it hard to keep the same voicing/tone of the HD650 but who knows it might be possible. The biggest issue is the current price of the HD660S, while i think it sounds great it should be priced in line with the HD600/650 at around $300 and not $500.

@jimmers, while the sensitivity is the same most amps don't have the same output at 150 ohms and 300 ohms so while the HD660S will sound nice with a Fiio X1 IMO the HD650 doesn't get properly driven with the Fiio X1 since its output at 300 ohms is quite a bit less than it is at 150 ohms.

 

[Quadfather]

The Eagles sound delightful on Crack and HD650 headphones!

 

[equalspeace]

There is the HD58X Jubilee, that's 150 Ohm.

HD58X Jubilee Sensitivity 104 dB @ 1 Volt*

HD650 Sensitivity 104 dB @ 1 Volt*

So much for lower impedance higher sensitivity

* diyaudioheaven figures for each

(Same for HD660S 150 Ohm.104 dB @ 1 Volt* )

Numbers aside, the HD580X doesn't have the same sound signature as the HD650.

Here's a breakdown I saw on Reddit:

Bass extension: HD660S > HD650 > HD600 > HD58X

 Bass quality: HD660S > HD58X > HD600 > HD650

 Mids quality: HD660S > HD58X > HD600 > HD650

 Warmth: HD650 > HD58X > HD660S > HD600

 Clarity: HD600 > HD58X > HD660S > HD650

 Treble quality: HD650 > HD600 > HD660S > HD58X

 Treble level: HD600 > HD650 > HD660S > HD58X

 Smoothness: HD650 > HD600 > HD660S > HD58X

 Liveliness: HD660S > HD58X > HD650 > HD600

 Neutral sound: HD600 > HD660S > HD58X > HD650

Biggest difference = smoothness. I need that.

 

[aisalen]

I have HD650 but still very tempted to buy the HD600.

 

[Dexter22]

I have HD650 but still very tempted to buy the HD600.

 

[Dexter22]

Will the sound of 650 change over a long period of use? I am looking for ward to get one. Should I get the 6xx or a used original German made 650? Does it sound different from the current Chinese made 650? I have a JDS c5d .. Will it be enough for it?

 

[boblauer]

Will the sound of 650 change over a long period of use? I am looking for ward to get one. Should I get the 6xx or a used original German made 650? Does it sound different from the current Chinese made 650? I have a JDS c5d .. Will it be enough for it?

AKAIK HD650 was not made in Germany for at least 10 to 12 years. production was in Ireland going back to at least 2006 which is the vintage of mine. I do believe at some point due to a problem in the factory in Ireland they made the drivers in Germany but that was a short blip in time. Now when they shifted to China I do not know but only the plastic injection molded parts were made there, drivers where shipped for final assembly. Like I said AFAIK could be very wrong on timelines on 600/650 lineage.

 

[DarthCh0l0]

HD650 are made in china? My 6XX was made in Ireland.

I have a Beyer DT770 pro at low 32 ohm rating, but it seems like it still requires lots of power compared to the 6XX. I've heard that 650/6XX can scale with good amps but i've been super impressed with performance on FiiO Q1 mk2 and even regular mobile devices (google usb-c dongle and dell precision laptop amp). I can definatly tell it takes more power especially compared to my really old HD595 that I can't even get half way through the volume rocker.

 

[boblauer]

HD650 are made in china? My 6XX was made in Ireland.

I have a Beyer DT770 pro at low 32 ohm rating, but it seems like it still requires lots of power compared to the 6XX. I've heard that 650/6XX can scale with good amps but i've been super impressed with performance on FiiO Q1 mk2 and even regular mobile devices (google usb-c dongle and dell precision laptop amp). I can definatly tell it takes more power especially compared to my really old HD595 that I can't even get half way through the volume rocker.

Maybe maybe not in China, some others in the 5xx series are made in China. 6xx series was always in Ireland AFAIK. Poster seemed to indicate China for something but honestly why does it matter?

 

[DarthCh0l0]

You're right. It doesn't matter. As much as people won't admit, for equal production costs, China could probably improve on quality of sennheisers. They make some incredible products there with speed unparalleled in the world.

Problem is that people go to lower costs only.

 

[boblauer]

You're right. It doesn't matter. As much as people won't admit, for equal production costs, China could probably improve on quality of sennheisers. They make some incredible products there with speed unparalleled in the world.

Problem is that people go to lower costs only.

Exactly the connotation is alive and well. I work for a pc manufacturer and everything is made there just fine.

 

[DavidA]

I have HD650 but still very tempted to buy the HD600.

I did get the HD600 (was on sale and couldn't resist the price) after having the HD650 for a while, ended up being one of the few headphones that while great sounding got harsh/irritating with some tracks due to the small peak in the 3.5-5khz range that I didn't know i was sensitive to at the time.

Will the sound of 650 change over a long period of use? I am looking for ward to get one. Should I get the 6xx or a used original German made 650? Does it sound different from the current Chinese made 650? I have a JDS c5d .. Will it be enough for it?

Some say they change over time while others like me say if it does change its so subtle that I didn't notice anything. My HD650 and HD6XX do sound different and its noticeable to most of my friends who have listened to both with the HD6XX being slightly brighter and a touch tighter in the bass (even swapped ear pads to rule them out). A few things I should mention are that I've reduced the clamping force due to me getting a headache and I mainly listen at lower levels. I've no experience with the JDS c5d but most who own the HD650 usually use a tube amp to get the most out of them and I'd suggest the HD660S for those that don't want to deal with amps since it sounds quite good from most portable devices that I've tried them with unlike the HD650 which seems to lack dynamics and sound a little dull with most portable devices that I've tried them with.