[Bob A (SD)]

  Yeah what I heard corresponds with the graph, the 580 while has a similar tone to the 600 (so it's not nearly as laid back as the 650) the 580 has a bit more bass.
 
Not laid back, dark and boring like the 650 but not too bass lite like the 600. So yeah just perfect. The 600 is a tad more airy tho and the 650 has that warm euphonic lushness.

Excellent summation.  Reflects why I rate my "tweaked" HD580s a hair ahead of my HD600s.  Too bad more folks haven't had the chance to audition the HD580s, especially "version 2" (as discussed in this thread) which I have. 

 

 

[i20bot]

Hmm, sounds like the 580s have the best of both the 600 and 650 then.  The 650 does have a slight sparkle to it compared to the 580, but it's darker and not as airy as the 580 which I like more.  I haven't heard the 600 yet.  I think mine might be the version 2.  It's still in very good condition with no wear or fading on the band or the Sennheiser logo.  So it doesn't seem to be too old and of the latest version.  Mine also has the 600 grills and 650 wire.  Bought it that way from a member here a year ago.

 

[homesicalien]

Wait, you guys don't imply HD 650 cable improves the sound, do you? I myself enjoy HD 650 cable too, but because of the durability, not the sound improvement.

 

[Jacobh]

Wait, you guys don't imply HD 650 cable improves the sound, do you? I myself enjoy HD 650 cable too, but because of the durability, not the sound improvement.

I have read the cable improves the sound, but my experience is the same as yours.

 

[Bob A (SD)]

I have a HD650 cable along with a pair of aftermarket ones for my HD580 & HD600.  I don't hear any difference among them at all.  I liked the HD650 cable for it's build compared to the 580/600 factory number but the 10' length ended up becoming problematic for me.   Picked up shorter cables from NewFantasia and CustomCansUK which I'm currently using.

 

[runssical]

This might help anyone with a cracked headband which seems to be the achilles heel of this headphone. My HD580s are the 3rd version purchased in 2006. The headband developed a crack in '09 which I patched with epoxy. Then in '10 the band snapped in two. I contacted Senn and they could only offer the headband for the HD600 and quoted the part at $105.00. I made due with a couple strips of uncoiled stainless steel secured with duck tape and covered up the mess with a pleather wrap.
 
This month I came across a 3D printed version of the headband sans the metal extenders and the earcup brackets. https://www.shapeways.com/product/9QKXAU59F/sennheiser-replacement-headband?optionId=40248217
 
With the shipping it was about $60 less than buying the whole apparatus from Senn. I'm happy with it. The texture has a powdery feel. The construction is solid and it has the right amount of flex.

 

[qiujiaheng]

Just replaced the cable of my old HD580. Live again!

 

[MarkF786]

I've had a pair of HD580's for 10-15 years.  I've replaced the earpads and headband pad a few years, but the drivers are original.  About 6 months ago, I bought a set of HD600's and they sound a little more detailed in the treble, but otherwise the two sound pretty darn similar.
 
I've been thinking of getting a set of HD650's to try their different 'flavor', but I've been wondering if maybe I should just buy HD650 drivers for my HD580's.
 
Do HD580's sound like HD650's with the driver swap, or does the grill and housing really make a big difference?

 

[cs098]

the 580's driver is more similar to the 600's driver than the 650, while the housing of all three headphones are pretty similar. 
 
So the 580 housing plus 650 driver will probably sound closer to the stock 650 than the stock 580.

 

[MarkF786]

  I've had a pair of HD580's for 10-15 years.  I've replaced the earpads and headband pad a few years, but the drivers are original.  About 6 months ago, I bought a set of HD600's and they sound a little more detailed in the treble, but otherwise the two sound pretty darn similar.
 
I've been thinking of getting a set of HD650's to try their different 'flavor', but I've been wondering if maybe I should just buy HD650 drivers for my HD580's.
 
Do HD580's sound like HD650's with the driver swap, or does the grill and housing really make a big difference?

 
Well, I bought and installed the HD650 drivers and HD600 grills in my HD580's.  Though I had seen many pictures of the parts, it hadn't previously hit me that the new driver included the whole plastic assembly that holds the driver.  So with the new drivers, assemblies, and grills, I think it's safe to say these now sound the same as set of HD650's would sound, since I tend to think the difference in HD600 & HD650 grills would not be audible.
 
Listening to the mod'ed phones, and swapping between them and my HD600's, at first I didn't think there was that great of a difference in sound other than increased bass & upper bass, but then I began to notice the recessed lower treble.  Between the boost in the upper bass and the recessed lower treble, I found some details in music is less present.  So far, my ears prefer the HD600's, but I've decided to spend some a few days with the new HD610's ((580 + 600 + 650) / 3) = 610) before deciding.
 
Ultimately I'm glad I made the mods though.  I've been curious to buy a pair of HD650's to compare to my HD600's, and for only $175 in parts I feel I've gotten the same sound and have recycled my HD580's which weren't getting much love lately.

 

[gustav29]

So I have 580s and recently updated the drivers to 650 and a 650 cable. Definitely a difference in sound signature. I'm wondering if it's worth getting either 600 or 650 grills...

Has anyone done a sound comparison of a modded 580 like I have to an actual 650? I'm curious if I'm 50% close to being where the 650 sound is, or more like 90%.
Thoughts would be appreciated!

Sent from my LG-H901 using Tapatalk

 

[interface95]

This weekend, we had a little meeting in Vienna (like 30 people) and at first I didn't even know what to take there but then I brought the HD580.
No one had listened to them before (I own the newer HD580) and everyone who tried them, was surprised how good they sound.
Most of them also said that they prefer them to the HD600.
And about me.. I had my HD580 as a preference and compered it to the other and I have to say that they are not as detailed as modern headphone,
but when it comes to nice sound I was most times kinda relieved when I went back to my 580s.
No harshness, and a real nice overall sound.
I bought them used, also without knowing them, I'm happy that I made that decision

 

[Krit]

Hi everyone! I just took out my old HD580 and I think I have the Made in Germany version (it says it at the bottom edge of the headband). The head band foam cushion and the earpads are flat and gone (I just ordered Brainkwavez earpad that Bob recomend from Amazon). The cable also gone, the right sound from the left ear keep turning on and off, so I also got oyaide cable set too. From being out for so long, I have some questions:
 
1.) Can anyone help pointing out differences in sound signature of the German and the later version?
2.) What are some good amp recommendation for the HD580(my budget is up to $600)? I used to drive them with Headroom Supreme Amp. I was looking Either Schiit Asgard or Burson Soloist SL MKII.
 
Thank you.
Krit

 

[Charliemotta]

Pretty sure all the music will be in German.  Aside from that no difference.   ♫

 

[Krit]

  Pretty sure all the music will be in German.  Aside from that no difference.   ♫

Lol.. I will look out for that and its a good way for me to learn German