Sennheiser HD650 Review (Headphone)

[Robin L]

I owned the HD 650 in 2009 and I thought they were great, but today I own the HD600 and I doubt the HD650 is better, but I could be wrong, when I owned the 650 I didn't have as good dac's and amps as today, so I I'm a little curious about them, but it's just a waste of money from what I understand?

I've got some less expensive Sennheiser open-back headphones and they're nice if not quite as nice as my Drop 6XX. I doubt there would be a really significant difference between the 650s and the 600s. My guess is that the 650s would sound a little "fatter", but only a little.

 

[Robbo99999]

I owned the HD 650 in 2009 and I thought they were great, but today I own the HD600 and I doubt the HD650 is better, but I could be wrong, when I owned the 650 I didn't have as good dac's and amps as today, so I I'm a little curious about them, but it's just a waste of money from what I understand?

From measurements there's not much difference between the two. You could easily EQ the HD600 to the same response as the HD650 if you wanted anyway. There wouldn't be much point in getting the HD650 if you already have the HD600.

 

[adelaidestevens]

From measurements there's not much difference between the two. You could easily EQ the HD600 to the same response as the HD650 if you wanted anyway. There wouldn't be much point in getting the HD650 if you already have the HD600.

Exactly, one is just slightly warmer than the other, people be reaching these days

 

[delta76]

I bought HD660S almost one year ago, liked it but wanted to try something new so sold it.
Bought HD650 yesterday, and realized it does not have the clarity of Truthear Zero Red, even after EQ. Comfort and convenience are of course no contest. What should I do, or just it's the way it is?

 

[solderdude]

Play with the EQ of the HD650 to get it to sound the same as the Zero red in your ears.
Note that IEM measurements differ a lot from OE measurements resulting in different targets and EQ.
So while the EQ may appear 'correct' based on industry measurement fixtures and EQ designed based on those measurements the actual FR on your ears may still differ a lot from what the plots + EQ suggest.

 

[phoenixsong]

I bought HD660S almost one year ago, liked it but wanted to try something new so sold it.
Bought HD650 yesterday, and realized it does not have the clarity of Truthear Zero Red, even after EQ. Comfort and convenience are of course no contest. What should I do, or just it's the way it is?

If you desire more clarity, maybe swap it for the HD 560S instead? It's also cheaper so you'll probably end up with more $ in your pocket/account

 

[delta76]

If you desire more clarity, maybe swap it for the HD 560S instead? It's also cheaper so you'll probably end up with more $ in your pocket/account

I did consider HD 560S for a while but something put me off, IIRC then the plastic-y looks & feels. HD650 feels more "premium" to me (although it was a step down from HD660s for packaging alone)

Play with the EQ of the HD650 to get it to sound the same as the Zero red in your ears.
Note that IEM measurements differ a lot from OE measurements resulting in different targets and EQ.
So while the EQ may appear 'correct' based on industry measurement fixtures and EQ designed based on those measurements the actual FR on your ears may still differ a lot from what the plots + EQ suggest.

probably hard to do given how I have to switch between each of them (audio memory is so short, right?), and given how good seal Zero Red is, bass is probably unmatched.
I do feel it sounds better today, so maybe my brain is adapting to the new sound. I'm just glad that I can put it on/off quickly, unlike with the ZR

 

[kestrel4]

I like to read occasonal reviews on the HD-650 because I want to know what it is that makes them so good.
I listen to classical music and cannot believe how wonderfully immersing the sound is.
There must be many headphones that would beat them on specific features but I would find that any feature that stood out so much that I would notice it would be a massive distraction.
I have come to the conclusion it is the amazing neutrality and balance (if that is meaningful expression) that makes them outstanding overall.
I run mine through a Zen Air DAC and they are magic.
Having praised the HD-650 this much, I do have to confess that I have never actually experienced really expensive headphones. I would love to.

 

[gvl]

Having praised the HD-650 this much, I do have to confess that I have never actually experienced really expensive headphones. I would love to.

You can start here:

https://a.co/d/gv6yd5o

These little gems will give HD650s run for their money. But the record, I do love my HD6XXs.

 

[Toroid]

Of all the headphones I try, I always end up going back to the 650s. They are like coming home...

 

[win]

How different are the 650s vs the 6XX? I rarely use headphones, but have always enjoyed the 6XX I bought maybe 10 years ago. Then again, I also enjoyed the hd280 pro.

 

[solderdude]

Measured differences falls within product tolerances for HD650.
Sennheiser was able to produce HD650 cheaper for Drop by:

• Making large batches. (Normally Sennheiser does a smaller production run every now and then to keep stock but has to convert a production line to do so)
• Having to ship one large shipment to one distributor (instead of various smaller shipments to various importers all over the world)
• Cheaper paint job (the dark blue single color saves costs)
• Cheaper cable (shorter + threaded 3.5 with 6.3mm screw on instead of 3m with 6.3mm and separate 3.5 to 6.3 converter cable).
• Cheaper box (now the HD650 also comes in a cheaper box because they needed to cut costs)

 

[Mr Swing King]

How different are the 650s vs the 6XX? I rarely use headphones, but have always enjoyed the 6XX I bought maybe 10 years ago. Then again, I also enjoyed the hd280 pro.

They’re the same headphone
See the reply above from Solderdude.

 

[Sal1950]

Of all the headphones I try, I always end up going back to the 650s. They are like coming home...

I've heard that so many times over the years. When I was heavily into cans and discussing them on the web,
guys would get on the musical chairs version of "find the best headphones" buying all sort of different and expensive
cans, only to end up buying another pair of 650s.
I've had my HD650's for a bunch of years and still in love with them.
I believe they're at that point on the sound quality curve where diminishing returns strongly comes into play.
There's just something comfortable about listening to them that's very hard to beat.
YMMV

 

[roskodan]

I like to read occasonal reviews on the HD-650 because I want to know what it is that makes them so good.
I listen to classical music and cannot believe how wonderfully immersing the sound is.
There must be many headphones that would beat them on specific features but I would find that any feature that stood out so much that I would notice it would be a massive distraction.
I have come to the conclusion it is the amazing neutrality and balance (if that is meaningful expression) that makes them outstanding overall.
I run mine through a Zen Air DAC and they are magic.
Having praised the HD-650 this much, I do have to confess that I have never actually experienced really expensive headphones. I would love to.

Many feel the Focal Elear, Clear, Utopia, are very likely to appeal as natural upgrades to the Sennheiser HD six-hundred series and also in some regards the Utopia to HD800 aficionados.

My preference would be to go from HD650 to Elear. The other two, Clear and Utopia, diverge more from the smooth character the HD650 present.

For those that didn't venture in hi-end headphones yet, the HD800, Utopia, Hifiman HE1000, LCD2, Ether CX and Fostex TH900 are a must try experience. Each one of them define a, now iconic, house sound that is really good.

 

[evanft]

Measured differences falls within product tolerances for HD650.
Sennheiser was able to produce HD650 cheaper for Drop by:

• Making large batches. (Normally Sennheiser does a smaller production run every now and then to keep stock but has to convert a production line to do so)
• Having to ship one large shipment to one distributor (instead of various smaller shipments to various importers all over the world)
• Cheaper paint job (the dark blue single color saves costs)
• Cheaper cable (shorter + threaded 3.5 with 6.3mm screw on instead of 3m with 6.3mm and separate 3.5 to 6.3 converter cable).
• Cheaper box (now the HD650 also comes in a cheaper box because they needed to cut costs)

There's also the fact that all the R&D and tooling for the HD650 was likely paid for a long time ago, so at this point the marginal cost for every unit is probably quite low compared to what it was when it first launched.

 

[solderdude]

That may be a reason for the HD650 price itself not being much, if any, increased over the years. Of course the box for my older HD650 was considerably different from the current cardboard one.
Also the mechanical parts are used for HD58X, HD6XX, HD600 as well.

 

[evanft]

That may be a reason for the HD650 price itself not being much, if any, increased over the years. Of course the box for my older HD650 was considerably different from the current cardboard one.
Also the mechanical parts are used for HD58X, HD6XX, HD600 as well.

Oh for sure. If you can amortize the cost of parts across a larger number of units, it immediately allows you to lower the cost per part. Just having fewer part numbers alone saves money, tbh.

 

[IXOYE]

Of all the headphones I try, I always end up going back to the 650s. They are like coming home...

I have HD600 and I feel the same, Sennheiser 6 series are special.

 

[fragzone]

Yep. Still the go to after all these years. When I want vocal music to hit, without fail it's the 6XX on my head. I EQ the bass to oratory1990 and leave everything else default, prefer it that way.

When did the change the 6XX box? I assume it was what the 650 box was before they got rid of that too. Honestly very useful and I use it to this day, shame they got rid of it.