Sennheiser HD650 - excellent choice

[leekb 0]

Recently I auditioned both HD600 and the AKG K702. I really liked the looks of the K702. By looks alone, I was absolutely biased towards the AKG. That was before the audition.

 

In listening to both cans, I find the K702 sounded awful. They were harsh and raw in a bad way. Could that be due my preference in sound? I reckon others like that kind of presentation. But not me. I wanted to stop listening after no more than 1 minute into the music. I felt my AudioTechnica earbuds sounded better. Sorry, AKG.

 

Next on, the HD600. They made me smile. They were ultra-soothing, smooth and natural. The choice was obvious. I was told the HD650 has similar sound signature and that If I liked the HD600 then the HD650 would sound great to me too. I decided that HD650 is the way to go.

 

A brand new pair of HD650 arrived at my door step a few days ago. Everything was all I expected. The sound was lovely. I use them with the Lavry DA10 DAC and the Cary Audio SLI-80 SSE. Both with excellent results. Even my Nokia N97 could drive them fairly well. Are they that difficult to drive? Hmmm. May be not.

Edited March 22, 2010 by leekb

[qwerty 0]

just asking , between hd600 and hd650 which one you would prefer ?

 

 

[leekb 0]

I have only listened to the HD600 briefly. I won't be able to objectively assess my preference between HD600 and HD650.

 

I mentioned in my earlier post I listen to the HD650 through Cary Audio SLI-80 SSE and Lavry DA10. I need to share with you that while the HD650 sounded great on the Lavry DA10, the SLI-80 was SO MUCH BETTER driving the HD650.

 

The SLI-80 + HD650 combo = refined with jaw-dropping mid-range, full rounded bass, pleasant and extended highs (could not detect any rolloff), plenty of details, and totally un-fatiguing.

 

Here is a pic of the SLI-80.

Edited March 23, 2010 by leekb

[:: Chicky :: 0]

What was the setup at the point of audition of the k702 ?

 

The terms you used seems like a case of underpowering.

 

Or maybe its just that you did not get use to the k702's sound signature.

with some setup, it will sound dry and none-musical, just reproducing everything correctly

Edited March 26, 2010 by :: Chicky ::

[schwann 0]

i loved the HD650's as well when i tried them.

[ehlim 0]

I agree that HD650 is the way to go and if in later stage you strike a lottery go for HD800!!!!

[alvy 0]

Hi,

newbie here. Mind sharing where you buy and how much you paid for the HD650? I'm debating to whether get the K701 or HD650.

[binot 0]

Hi,

newbie here. Mind sharing where you buy and how much you paid for the HD650? I'm debating to whether get the K701 or HD650.

 

I like the HD650...especially the mids... Suggest u visit the stores for a direct comparison...

 

[Kachui 0]

Another vote for the HD650...which in my opinion is a more versatile Headphone. No doubt like most headphones, it has its own coloration, but I like the coloration on the HD650. Nice bass impact on this one.