Sennheiser HD 650 Over-Ear
Sennheiser HD 650 Over-Ear
USER REVIEWS
[Jan 09, 2020]
tsamounaz
Strength:
I have owned the HD 650 for five years. At the beginning I thought it was a very good headphone as i paid it 359 euros. But after four years of intensive use, it made a harsh noise when the power is increased. I tried to repair it myself and what was my surprise to notice that the driver inside was for the hd 580 as it is written on it. Weakness:
It does not worth the price they sell it. It is outperformed by cheap chinese brand head phone. Try the bexcellent Q7 and you will see. Do not waste your money for this headphone. I have been an owner of hd580 and hd590 but i will never buy a sennheiser anymore. It is tagged at a very high price compared to its quality Price Paid: 350
Purchased: New
Model Year: 2009
|
[Sep 02, 2011]
Spiderking31
AudioPhile
Jus got the hd650's about 2 weeks ago...I've broken them in, and let me tell you, they are the closest thing to being at the recording studio with the band!! I mean, they sound so real, and authentic, that its unbelievable!! i mean, what can I say? They are one of the best headphones out there, and I would truly recommend them! The sound is very natural, and laid back. Want the best? Look no further! They're right here! Sennheiser hd650...the best... |
[Apr 01, 2009]
Audiophilesque
AudioPhile
This site is quite funny. A lot of these "reviews" are just plain awful! (Mine could be too, depending on who you are...) The "reviews" on YouTube are even funnier, but entertaining.
|
[Jan 29, 2009]
tommybcao
Casual Listener
Strength:
none
Weakness:
every thing. This head phone suck compare to my shure scl5($250.in ebay). It look like a cheap head phone. The scl5 is a lot better than hd650 in any frequence. The price is too high for such headphone like this. It should only cost $100.00 at the most. I use my zhaolu d2.5c dac with a upgrade headphone to test them both. The hd650's bass is suck. It sound like only have one kind of bass. The mid and the high is even worst than the bass. I returned it in 2days. I want to give it 0 star but the lease star I can give is 1 so I give it 1 star. Similar Products Used: shure scl5 |
[Dec 01, 2008]
towert7
AudioPhile
Strength:
Very comfortable and remains cool
Weakness:
At this price these headphones have no major weaknesses.
The Sennheiser HD650 are a great headphones in their price range (300-700$us).
Similar Products Used: Grado HF-1
|
[Jun 16, 2008]
Helios909
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Excellent Transparency
Weakness:
Sometimes a bit too transparent, if rarely ever
Sennheiser HD650
Similar Products Used: Sennheiser: HD570, HD580, HD595, HD600.
|
[Mar 25, 2006]
Jorn S.
AudioPhile
Strength:
Headpphones: Musicality!
Weakness:
Well, expensive for headphones and a cable - but hten, so much cheaper than and amp and speakers! If you a) have read the other reviews on this site or b) have ears and have auditioned the 650s, you already know that these are probably the best headphones in the world.
Similar Products Used: Sennheiser 600, AKG 500 and 501. Cardass upgrade cable. |
[Mar 10, 2006]
Fergymunster
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Music reproduction
Weakness:
None Let me start by saying that these headphones are not something you plug into an ipod or any other jack that doesn't have some kind of amplfication.Once you purchuse these headphones your off into spending more money in order to make these headphones worthwhile.I've been waiting for the price of these headphones to come down because I know that there are other headphones waiting in the wing.Once I recieved them I pluged them into my mini system to burn them in.With that going on I now had to create a system which sent me on the hunt for a good CDP with a high quality DAC and of course a good headphone amplifier to go with it.Once that was accomplished I needed about 15' of cable so I got the Cardas cable to go with the headphones.Once everything was burned in I was now able to judge these headphones.What I found was that these headphones shine into what ever music I'm listening to at the time especially when playing accoustic music as it is truely an extraordinary experince.I can't find fault with anything these headphones have to offer.All in all this is a cheap short cut to get the very best in high quality music in this day and age.For about $1400 I have a system which in my opinion I can't put a price tag on.All there is to do now is decided what kind of CD I want to listen to and I'm off into another world.A great escape from the everyday insanity of the outside world.Don't believe me try searching for an upgraded power cord and you'll see what I mean. Similar Products Used: CA azur 640c v1.Creek 21se headphyone amp.AQ king cobra RCA.AQ nrg-2 power cord. |
[Oct 13, 2005]
stevephones
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Clearness Sound quality Like hearing all my old friends for the 1st time Smoothness Jazz is really over the top
Weakness:
Headphones feel heavy after awhile(longer than an hour) Jazz, acoustic, classical, alternative sounds better than heavy metal I wanted a great set of headphones and decided to research on the internet, read reviews, then go for it. I had Pro 280's and wanted better. After 6 months this is what I bought: Sennheiser HD 595 and Sennheiser HD650with Stefan Art Equinox Cables. The 595's are really clean and upfront sounding. I love them for a change of pace and they are so light I forget I am wearing them after about 5 minutes. The real nirvana is the HD650 with the equinox cables. I found a pair on ebay with the cables already attached. The waiting period just to buy the cables from Stefan Art was 6 weeks. These cables are far superior to the Cardas in my opinion. I want to listen to my music loud and since no one else in my house likes all the music I listen to I wanted great headphones. These cans need and crave a headphone amp. I finally decided on the Musical Fidelity system. I bought the X-Can v3 on ebay. I was running this through my walkman. I couldn't believe the quality. I then purchased the X-Rayv3 cd player. I heard lyrics, instruments, and counts on songs I had never heard before on my $6000.00 stereo system. After talking to Signal Path, the US distributor for Musical Fidelity, I decided to go the distance and bought the XPSUv3 power supply, The X-10v3 tube buffer, and the XLPSv3 phono stage for my B&O turntable. I had to break in the units for a good 60 hours before the true beauty came through. It is a sound I cannot describe, other than it is better tahn I could have hoped for. There is no tweeking necessary! If you want a GREAT no nonsense system, this is it. HANDS DOWN. I have no complaints. The tube buffer gives the already CLEAR, precise sound a fuller range, while the PSU brightens the highs and give the bass a nice punch without being overbearing. There is absolutely no need for treble and bass controls. Eq is not a need. I wanted a great headphone system and now have it. My records sound fantastic, but the cd's are supreme. I finally have to say with this system I prefer cd over vinyl. I never thought I would say it, but the blackness of the background and the distinct sound of each instrument and voice is in my opinion hard to beat. The system: Sennheiser HD650 Stefan Art Equinox Cable Musical Fidelity X-Rayv3 CD Player Musical Fidelity X-Canv3 Headphone Amp Musical Fidelity XPSUv3 Power Supply Musical Fidelity X10v3 Tube Buffer Musical Fidelity XLPSv3 Phono Stage B&O RX turntable Audioquest Diamondback Interconnect cables Similar Products Used: Who cares, this is nirvana for me, and I have been listening to music for 40 years! |
[Aug 10, 2005]
bassdude
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
See my original reveiw below.
Weakness:
Although the sound good right out of the box - they need some "tweaks" to sound their best. "Upon further review..." This note is just to add a comment to my earlier review of the HD650's below. Some users notice a bit of a "fog," or "veil" with the HD650, which makes it seem to be less clear and dynamic than the Grados, or some other phones. I discovered a couple of "tweaks" to reduce, or eliminate that "veil," if you notice it and want to eliminate it. These are all courtesy of "Head-fi," if you haven't been there go to: www.headfi.org - it's well worth you time. The "tweaks" are: 1. Make sure their "burnt in" with a 100+ hours of use with the cable you're using. They don't loosen up / open up until their properly "burnt in." 2. You can "De-veil" your HD650's by carefully removing the velvet ear pads (they just snap in and out with a pressure fit), and then removing the loose foam lining, and carefully press the ear pads back into place. The foam lining apparently muffles the sound a bit. If you want to protect the drivers, you can obtain some fiberglass mesh screen material (what they make window screens from - cost about $6) at Lowes, or Home Depot, and cut it to fit, replacing the foam. This little tweak, significantly clears up the "fog," or "veil," and the HD650's become much more clear and dynamic, allowing them to rival the Grados for clarity. 2. As I said in my review, you may also want to buy the Cardas Cable, or the Zu Mobus Cable (more expensive). Both of these cables will increase the dynamics, clarity, definition and impact of the HD650 - the Zu Mobus reportedly a bit moreso (just do a Google Search for these cables). I find the less expensive Cardas just fine, with the HD650's, expecially after they're "de-veiled," and matched with a good headphone amp. 3. Buy a good headphone amp. I have the Musical Fidelity XCAN v3, which is a hybrid design (tube + solid state), so it has the best of both worlds (the warm, lush, liquid tube sound + the speed, pace, dynamics and impact of the solid state sound). You can pick up "like new" units on Audiogon, and Ebay for about $300 - and if you want to improve the sound even more, you can upgrade the two 6922/E88CC tubes to EH's, JJ's, Sylvania's, Amperex's, Mullard's, or whatever. Or, if you want an all tube design that reportedly drives them really well, you can buy the Antique Sound Lab MG Head DT/OTL MKIII, and upgrade it's tubes - also for about $300 at the same places. Or, you can buy the amp that Sennheiser Demos the HD650 with - the wonderful Lehmann Black Cube Linear Class A solid state amp; or the Gilmore GS-1, or Gilmore Lite + PSU, or the Ray Samuels HR-2 (these will cost you from $500 to $800). All of these amps will do an outstanding job of driving the HD650's as they should be driven, with enough power to control their drivers, making them really fast and dynamic. 4. You can further dramatically improve their sound by buying the Musical Fidelity X-PSU v3 power supply to power the XCAN v3 amp, and a high quality pair of interconnects, and power cable. If you get the right cables - it will improve the bass, dynamics, clarity and soundstage even more. However, these last "tweaks" could be placed on your "wish list" - you'll still be very pleased with the sound. If you're not prepared to make these "tweaks" and investments in your HD650's - you may want to just stick with the Grado PS SR225's (sound identical to the Grado RS-1 for $160) and the Grado RA-1 head amp (for about $225 on Ebay, or Audiogon) (best sound you can obtain for anything less). But, if you are prepared to do so - you will be amazed at the sound that can not be reproduced for less than $1,500 otherwise. Similar Products Used: See my original review below. |