Sennheiser HD 650 Review
Today we will make a review of Sennheiser HD 650 headphones. These Sennheiser headphones are on the market for more than 15 years and they still delight everyone who tries them.
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HD 650 was the best Sennheiser product from 2003 to 2008. Afterward, the HD700 and HD800 came out. However, even after 15 years on the market, the HD 650 is still a premium model of headphones worth having. The fundamental feature is their very smooth frequency response, with no pronounced nonlinearities, a slightly pronounced area that gives a tone warmth from 30 Hz to 500 Hz, and a slightly muted high-frequency range. However, long has been the way to perfection. Prior to the HD650, Sennheiser first developed the HD 580 in 1993.
The predecessors of the HD 600 were the HD 580 Jubilee for the 50th anniversary of Sennheiser in 1995. Then the HD580 got a new carbon fiber body. The HD 600 was launched after two years of development – 1997. Finally, the flagship HD 650 product launches in 2003. These were the ultimate open dynamic headphones. The HD 650 is developed from the award-winning HD 600 with improved materials for even better reproduction. They delight the listener with their expressiveness and the emotion of the music transmitted while maintaining absolute precision and live play. They have been designed by Axel Grell, Sennheiser’s lead designer since 1991. 2008 saw the launch of the HD 700 followed by the HD 800. Which one to choose? The HD 650 sounds better than the HD 600 and is more comfortable for longer listening with the typical source material. The HD 800s are generally more impressive, but they can hardly justify three times the price. For the past 15 years, the Sennheiser HD650 has earned high-quality reputations from professional and advanced home users.
- Specially designed acoustic silk ensures precision damping over the entire...
- Improved frequency response is 10 39,500 Hertz ( 10 dB)
- Hand selected matched driver elements; Highly optimized magnet systems for...
- Lightweight aluminum voice coils for very fast transient response
- Cable length 118 inches
Amplifier Output Impedance Effect
Due to the impedance of 344.88Ω, the HD650 headphones will neglect its performance regardless of whether the low output impedance amplifier 0.1Ω or the high output impedance amplifier 120Ω boosts midrange by about + 1dB and high frequencies by about + 0.5dB. Channel fit is optimal within 1 dB. Below 50Hz, the frequency response gradually weakens. There is no deep rumble in the area at some impressive level, but the lowest frequencies are completely audible. The bass sounds dynamic and dynamic and integrates seamlessly with midrange. From 50Hz to 20kHz the response is accurate and very linear. Small attenuations from 1.5kHz to 3kHz will be much less pronounced in reality. High-frequency playback from 5kHz to 20kHz does not show sharp peaks. For complete playback enjoyment, the headphones have special magnetic field optimizers applied to minimize distortion. It can be noted that the distortions are less than 0.05% which is impressive for the electrodynamic converter. A special acoustic silencer made of metal mesh enables accurate damping of the membranes. The connecting cable is detachable, made of high-grade OFC copper, and reinforced with kevlar to minimize friction noise. Extremely lightweight aluminum coils provide optimum impulse response.
- Specially designed acoustic silk ensures precision damping over the entire...
- Improved frequency response is 10 39,500 Hertz ( 10 dB)
- Hand selected matched driver elements; Highly optimized magnet systems for...
- Lightweight aluminum voice coils for very fast transient response
- Cable length 118 inches
Hearing Test
They were performed using Lehmann amplifiers, Musical Fidelity, Audio Technica, Beyerdynamic, Cavalli Kan Kumis. DAC Musical Fidelity and Topping in DSD format with Foobar player were used. Real-time FLAC and Wav format converted to DSD. The reproduced sound is very clear and detailed with a very natural tone in the bass and midrange with very little coloration in the treble area. Although there is a lack of distortion in the high-frequency range, the sound quality is excellent without a doubt. The details are incredible, the bass is full and solid in texture, and the overall sound is soft and relaxed. The comfort is excellent with an impressive level of detail and clarity of the music.
Ear Warming
Wearing the headphones warms the ear. Depending on the design (open or closed cups, leather or velour pads) the temperature will be higher or lower. The lower the temperature, the longer the headset can be used. The HD 650s are also top-notch because the temperature is negligible. There is enough space inside the cups and the velour pads are deep 32mm. At the same time, their elasticity distributes the elastic force gently. The force that keeps the headphones on its head looks strong at first but becomes comfortable over time. In this way, good ear sealing is realized, and sudden head movements will not cause the headphones to fall or the bass to weaken.
Other Details
The connecting cable is larger in diameter and reinforced with kevlar and the copper is of very high purity. It is completely immune to friction noise and can be easily detached from the headset. The damping of the membrane vibrations and the resonance of the vibration system are reduced by a metal mesh.
By improving the magnetic structure of the transducer, the distortions are minimized. At the same time, the linear response at high frequencies was improved by the use of an aluminum coil. Undoubtedly, these are precisely matched premium handsets. Like a high-end audio system, the quality is not so pronounced on first listen. If we are used to the colors of the weaker handsets, it takes a while to become aware of how good the headphones are and how low the distortions are. We could mention that the distortions are less than 0.05% which is impressive for the electrodynamic converter. As with all other headphones, there are small high-frequency colors, but far smaller in scope. At the same time, we have warm but unstressed bass. However, above all, it is an analytical converter that will reveal the hidden details of the audio track. In addition to all the good features, these headsets also have drawbacks. The biggest is the relatively poor build quality. All parts are plastic and easily breakable. The headpiece is especially critical. Color can often be peeled off at the edges. I own a headphones that costs twice as much as the HD 650, and will probably never break or be peeled off. Therefore, careful handling and disposal in a protective box or on a rack when not in use. However, all spare parts are obtainable and easily accessible.
You can find a manual here: Sennheiser HD 650 User Manual
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Pros
- Extraordinary bass response
- Warm, natural, detailed sound
- Very comfortable
- Great build quality
Cons
- Bulky and heavy
- Some coloration in the treble
- Still expensive
Verdict
The HD 650s have a smoother and warmer response than other headphones and have deeper bass. They are very well made, comfortable, and durable. Sennheiser HD 650 has a warm sound, which means that the high frequencies are slightly suppressed compared to other headphones. Therefore, they are ideal for those who like the big, warm sound of, for example, Rachmaninoff, while they are less ideal for those who like the bright and airy sound of, for example, Vivaldi’s Baroque music. This is why real audiophiles have more pairs of headphones. Eg. Audio Technica AD900X is recommended for low-frequency baroque music. Interestingly, the AD900X has a 53mm diameter booster and less pronounced bass area. And something important: Sennheiser is the owner of Neumann, and the two companies together produce most of the microphones for professional recording. Most of the music you will listen to with these headphones is probably recorded with a Sennheiser or Neumann microphone, and mixed using the HD 650. So you will hear exactly what the audio producer heard.
Sennheiser HD 650 Specifications:
- Average impedance: 344.88 Ω
- Sensitivity with 1V: 105.10 dB/V SPL
- Sensitivity with 1mW: 100.48 dB/mW SPL
- Type: Open, circumaural
- Purpose: Studio and home listening to music
- Exciter Type: Dynamic
- Pads: Replaceable, velour, 32 mm
- Connector: Sennheiser 2 pin
- Cable: 3 m OFC terminated 6.3 mm TRS jack.
- Exciter diameter: 40 mm (38 mm diaphragm)
- Max power: 0.5 W
- Maximum Voltage: 12 V effective (35 Vpp)
- Maximum current: 40 mA
- Maximum sound pressure level: 125 dB
- Rated impedance: 300 Ω
- Efficiency: 100 dB 1 mW (104 dB/1V)
- Weight: 260 g. without cable
