Sennheiser HD650 - review and comparison to HD600 

Thank you! One of the best HD600 / HD650 comparison reviews out there.

Hello David. I have the 650s with AUNE X7S balanced and RME ADI 2 DAC. I have auditioned 600s and 660s and they were not my taste. I didn't like the AUNE with 1/4 connection with stock cable. As soon as I put an aftermarket balanced cable the sound transformed completely with the 650s. The thing is that I wanted to say that I have never watched a better review of these headphones as far as sound description. Keep up the good work :)

Funny thing : I’ve had both the 600 and the 650 for over a year (the 600 for almost 2 years) and yet I’ve never had the two in the same place and never compared them directly. 😂. (My 600 is at home and my 650 at work). But, I definitely can tell that the 650 is warmer and “fuller” sounding. It’s hard for me to pick between the two but I can say I definitely will never get rid of my 600. But I also do like the 650 quite a bit!

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the HD650!

Audiophiles are tough. I got some of the 650's and I am going to like them. I need to. I used to be a bit crazy, even had some of those great/terrible Acoustat 8 ft tall speakers (very beamy). I spent way too much. Now, 35 years later, I am starting with a tube preamp/amp andHD650 combo.

I had both for a while and a/bed a lot. I like both, I felt the 650 was more exciting, especially with zen dac with a bass boost, kinda like a car with subs. The 600 would seem lacking in a direct comparison but it’s tone felt more natural . I ended up keeping the 600 because I felt it was a headphone for referencing a balanced translation to other systems . The 650 has better imaging though. It was really noticeable on guitars with delays and reverb or vocals with reverb. I could hear the ping pong delay way easier on the 650. The 600 kinda hides it . This was my issue , I felt the 600 with the width of the 650 would be perfect. I think the tone might translate better on a 650 to many sound systems . Guitars have a bit more body and also they sound more panned and immense . The issue with the 650 was i felt it maybe a bit too bright at times on the high end. The vocals were also pushed farther away, whereas the vocal placement on the 600 was perfect . I’m considering buying650s or 660s for spatial awareness . The 600 kinda masks the imaging a bit. I’m afraid the 660 might be too bright . I actually don’t find 600’s bright .

Have you heard the HD660s? I’d be curious to hear your thoughts on them compared to these if you have. Also, just want to see I really like your channel. I follow pretty all of the major audiophile RU-vidrs and I appreciate the different style you bring. It feels much more laid back and like a discussion as opposed to just going through bullet points. It’s good to hear from another perspective and style.

Hi Dave, it’s 2022…and it’s been interesting😵‍💫 Yes, I went back to this video 😋 I’ve been into good IEM’s for some time now and rarely listen to my 650’s these days. Your description at THIS time was/ is SPOT ON!!👍 Since I heard the Meze Emps’ ..I’m broken for anything less than that .. Once again thank you and have you ever considered going back and re review some “favorites” … Take care and if you get this ..have a laugh 😂

I recently bought the 650 for mixing and you said it ia not for critical listening. I study sound engineering and my teacher has 600. I asked him about buying 600 or 650 he listened to both before(his main is hd 600). He told me to buy 650. Now I'm lil scared.

Excellent review - really enjoyed your descriptions. Wanted to ask, would recommend the 600's over the 650's for audio mixing

Thanks for this. Great and informative video. I'm leaning towards the 600 myself. Did you get a chance to try the 6xx? Some say that it splits the difference between the 650 and 600. Also what is your preferred Dac/Amp combination for the 600 or 2 in 1? I can't go too crazy on the money.

Thank you Dave! A top review. I see your preference on the HD 600 is also mine. Had the 600 over 2 years, sold it and got the 660s. Bad mistake. After not using the 660s the last 2 years, I sold it now and ordered the 6xx and paired it today with the balanced cable with the ifi xDSD and it was not best in pairing. A bit to thick and I am used to the Focal Elegia and the DT 1990 Pro with the analytical pads. Won't use the 6xx mobile anyways. So no big deal. Tomorrow I will use my RME ADI 2 DAC fs ( 4493) > THX AAA 789 and hope it gets a bit opened up. Never should have given away my 600s.

Thanks for the insight

I haven't tried the 650s, but I was listening to a Jazz recording (Mark Waldrep's recording of the Latin Jazz Trio) on my speakers, and my daughter (10) was playing with the HD-600s, and noticed significant differences and extra "sparkles" in the triangles with the headphones than she heard over the speakers (JBL 305p Mkii monitors). I heard little difference in the treble, which is high praise for the HD-600s. (Equipment is Geshelli Stack, with the RCA going to the Archer Pro, and the balanced going to the monitor controller).

650/6xx is way too warm and laid back for my taste. Nice If you want your music to hang out in the background. A good headphone for working because it won’t draw your attention. But, is this what you want for your primary listening? Probably not. Surprised it gets so much praise these days.

Great review! I want to find the best headphone for vocals, mids. Liquid, warm, a little dark tonality. What do you think? Which is the best? Hd650, Lcd2/3 fazor, prefazor, Monolith 1060c open mod, Argon mk3? Do you have any suggestion? Please?🙂

These are the OLD HD600 and 650, the new ones have Different plastic and different Logo on the headband .

I don't like the low mids/upper hump and slow bass. I think 58X have much better bass. HD600 is more natural sounding in my opinion. Also new pads supplied since 2021 are a bit less laid back.

Great review! I want to find the best headphone for vocals, mids. What do you think? Which is the best? Hd650, Lcd2/3 fazor, prefazor, Monolith 1060c open mod, Argon mk3? Do you have any suggestion? Please?🙂

HD650 is very good, but I prefer HD600. By the way, don't expect of HD660s. Try DT990 Pro !!

Hey Dave...so what do you find more detailed, the k7xx or hd650? On my gear they are very similar, but maybe my amp dac combo is quite detailed. Cheers

Could you recommend a pair of earbuds/IEMs for $150 or under? I listen to mostly rap and rock. And I listen to everything from my phone, I like bass but not overpowering? I would value your opinion because you know what you're talking about in your reviews. I prefer wired over Bluetooth

Hey Dave What's your opinion on running the hd600 with a fiio btr5 dac amp, been told it will run the 600 well. Cheers Dave

Rock and metal music fan. I've been in love with these since I got them in 2017. Every other headphone I own (HD800s, LCD - XC Bubinga, Grado GS1000e, Meze99 Classics) just doesn't do it for me for these types of music. Only exception are the Kaiser10s which also rock big time. Do you think I will like the LCD 2 Classics? I've been eyeing them for some time now but the reviews are mixed. Some people rave about them, others including you don't like the treble (or lack thereof). What do you think? I just want something better than the HD650's but with a similar 'warm' signature to wear for most of the day.

You should try the 6XX maybe, those are not same sounding as the 650, i would be curious to see a review from you about the 6XX.

Hey, David. I have a Yamaha Natural Sound 900 series integrated amp 150 watts - Pure Direct. Same as the CD player. 600 or 650? Advise, please.

Hey Dave, will the dekoni choice leather earpads change the sound of my hd 650 in a bad way? 🤔

What would be great for orchestral classical music? Thanks