Selection Guide

Sennheiser Electronics in Germany has always taken its time developing its audiophile reference headphone line. In fact, they're well-known for blissfully ignoring the apparent audio industry demand to come out with "brand-new" products every single season. We think their patience and persistence researching and developing high-end headphones has paid off handsomely over the years. With the critically lauded HD650, the music is beautifully smooth and relaxed when it's supposed to be, and liquid-quick and punchy on demand -- and so effortless that you just fall worry-free into its lovely sonic embrace. It's a top-flight audio experience hearing the Sennheiser HD650 properly amplified, its warm yet refined and seamless sound coupled with good wearing comfort has kept this model in the top echelon for years as one of the best headphones on the audiophile market.

Liveried in a slick deep grey and gloss black look, these cans are largely the same headphones as the HD600 model but with a few quite noteworthy improvements. First and foremost, Sennheiser audio engineers improved the baffling damper for tighter acoustic control, and boy did that work! The lab measurements of these headphones are phenomenally even and jagged-free, and the tonality is probably as close to 'down-the-middle smooth' as is available at this price. The renowned classic Sennheiser sonic warmth has been coupled to a clarity of acoustic detail in the HD650 that is hard to beat by most other audiophile master-level headphones. Design-wise, the earcup grilles on the outside of the earpieces have been made sturdier; those who suffered a dented housing on their old HD600's will likely be appreciative. A new velour headband pad design improves on the already good comfort of the HD600 headphones, and a slightly tighter tension on the earcup adjusters makes for a more secure fit. The HD650 cord has also been much-improved with a better OFC cable design terminated to a full-sized 1/4" stereo plug. A short cable-style adapter to a 1/8" (3.5mm) mini-plug jack is handily included in the HD650 package. Although it's a decent mini-adapter, we still highly recommend getting the superb Cardas Audio 1/4" to 1/8" adapter if plugging the HD650 into a source with small sensitive 3.5mm (1/8" inch) outputs. Overall, HeadRoom definitely more than recommends these fabulous Sennheiser HD650 headphones. Our HeadRoom motto: we say shell out big and cry once, but forever have world-class, blissful audio at your ears!

NOTE: Though the Sennheiser HD650 improved cord is certainly better than the original HD600 stock cable, we continue to suggest the Cardas Audio upgrade cable for ultimate detail resolution, musical texture, instrumental separation and soundstage depth. The significant audio benefits of the Cardas Audio cable upgrade will be especially evident with reference high-end audio sources. Please feel free to buy a Cardas Audio cord and compare versus the Sennheiser cord to determine for yourself the advantages. As always, our standard HeadRoom 30-day return/refund policy with zero 're-stocking' fees guarantees you'll love what you hear!

Winner of the 2004 Brutus Award!

2004 Brutus Awards: HeadRoom BlockHead Amp & Sennheiser HD650's

HD 650
Posted by x on 2013-05-11

Recommend Product: Yes

*****

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Maybe Best Bang For The Buck
Posted by reeltime from Studio City, CA on 2013-05-07

Recommend Product: Yes
Pros: Superlative Sound, Scales Well With Equipment
Cons: A Case Would Be Nice

I regard the HD650 as the entry into hi-fidelity headphones. With the HifiMan HE-400 that may no longer be the case, but you get the idea. That's not to say the HD650 brings entry level sound quality.

For some, this is the best practical headphone ever made, and it would be difficult to argue the point. I know a lot of folks who say anything beyond the HD650 is overkill-- put a good amp on the HD650 and they hold their own with the best of the best.

I paired mine with everything from a FiiO E17 to a Woo Audio WA6, and the headphone never failed to deliver. Great sound, tremendous soundstage, inky dark bass-- it's certainly world class. Yet it's forgiving. You won't be totally turned off by plugging them into an iPod (though they appreciate more power).

I enjoyed the HD650 with both solid state and tube amps. I loved the WA6 matchup most, but Burson's D-160 was a worthy combination, too. (The Conductor and Soloist models weren't on the market when I owned them).

Sennheiser is terrific at industrial design. They clearly consider that the listener is planning on spending a lot of time with their products, so they design them as if you will be keeping them on for a while. Construction and fit are top-notch. My head never tired of the HD650, and I have a fairly large noggin.

At this price point, there are very few peers. They grow with you, and improve with equipment upgrades. There's a reason the headphone has been around a long time. You can't go wrong.

NOTE:
I sold mine in 2012, but I still hold them in high regard.

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A review for you iPhone, iPod guys!
Posted by oceans22 from Orange County, CA on 2012-12-23

Recommend Product: No
Pros: Very well made
Cons: iphone/ipod/iphone people...don't expect miracles!!

I have wanted the infamous pair of HD650's for probably a good 2 years now.

Let me start off by saying I understand right from the start that my source unit is of a poor choice, but it's of a typical one for a lot of people who listen to music. I listen to my music completely compressed, some at 128kb others at 256 & still others at 320 through my iPhone & sometimes my iPod & iPad. Yes I'm a sheep, baahhhhhhh!!!

I have a pair of Sennheiser CX880i in ear phones with the iPod controller. I wanted something with the controller because of the ease of use, but I wanted a better sound than the stock buds that come with the iPhone. They sound awesome but I'm getting quite tired of the irritating sweat building up after an hour or 2 of listening so I wanted to get the HD650's.

Time & time again I would lose bids on eBay until I finally won with a great price! So I was excited, they even came early 3 days before Christmas 2012. I put them on & just to ad I also have a TotalBithead Amp so I wasn't caught off guard with not having a DAC + AMP!

Boy! Was I sooo disappointed! They didn't sound any better than the CX 880i in ear headphones!!

I was expecting this supposed "wide open" sound stage with 3D effects & instruments coming from all different angles & all this BS I've heard other posters write about. NOT!

Now, let me say that these aren't bad headphones, just the opposite I know they're terrific but I believe you better have a 1/2 decent HOME AUDIO setup in order to get the most out of them.

"Putting on fancy expensive rims on a Hyundai....it's still going to be a Hyundai". Remember that!

My post is specifically for the person who wants some hi end headphones for their ipod, iphone listening pleasure but don't want to look like some NBA guy coming off the tour bus with the Dre Beats! Which I have nothing against.

Seriously unless yo have all Apple Lossless music or ripped all your CD's & music at 320kb then you iphone/ipod guys/girls save your money & definitely don't buy new! OR bid on them first like I did. I got mine for $335 & just resold them for $345 after only a few days use.

Also, they aren't as comfortable as some say. Yes the velour pads are super soft but they clamp around the ear area a bit tight & I'm sure I'd get a headache after a while. I'm sure that so you get a good seal but it presses a bit too hard for my taste around the bottom portion of your ear near your rear jaw bone!

For those who are going to say, "Oh you didn't burn them in" They were used and the person before me stated he had 300+ hours so they were burned it just fine!

Sennheisers are great but they can't perform miracles!

I believe I will be experimenting next with the Sennheiser Momentums since they're designed for listening on the iphone/ipods. I'm crossing my fingers I won't have to immediately re-list these as well!

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