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Author Topic: The Amazing Super Duper Underrated HD650. A Headphone That Kicks Serious Ass.  (Read 51318 times)

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juanchotazo99

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Re: The Amazing Super Duper Underrated HD650. A Headphone That Kicks Serious Ass.
« Reply #470 on: September 08, 2015, 01:01:50 AM »
Quote from: foxfluent on September 07, 2015, 11:45:12 PM
Two days until i have to return HD650. Might be my last chance to try or i'll never know, though Marvey said it wouldn't make that much of a difference, if it does in the soundstage, i would definitely notice. I'll sleep over it.


On mine it definitely did, but then it came with three foam disks at the back of the drivers... excessive to put it lightly, these drivers were starved of air. The best way I can describe the effect is "compression", the presentation was too two dimensional, little depth, and too little bass impact, little dynamics... at least on my setup. Now my 650s can more easily place instruments far away in the room for example. Not that such information wasn't noticeable before, it's more pronounced now. Transients are better, too, even on a quick test from a freaking phone.

As Marvey in OP describes the 650s after the mod:

Quote (selected)
With the tweaks, the HD650 sounds faster, crisper, more lively, less over damped. I would not attempt these tweaks on the HD600 though. Overall, maybe a few db too much mid-bass, but everything else sounds just right. (I would ignore the roll-off past 10kHz in the FR graph, it's a measurement thing with how the microphone is angled on the measurement system.) Recordings which are a little bright like Midnight Oil Diesel and Dust are indeed a little bit bright. Recordings which are laid back like Natalie Merchant Tigerlily are laid-back, but not rolled off to shit. Taylor Swift's voice is a bit shouty, but not unbearably so. As I've said - just right.

Just right, everything falling into place as it should. That's it. I couldn't say the same of the stock 650s, there was something bothering me that went away after removing the foam damping. Now it's everything I've ever wanted on a headphone, and I'm more than relieved I came across this thread and followed the advice in OP. It's quite beneficial. Legendary headphones, these 650s.


I'd actually done some very rough measurements back at the time on a crappy, non calibrated cheap microphone and a cardboard box as a head with roomeq to see relative differences between modded and unmodded, I saw 2dB more bass on the 100-200hz region IIRC as the most notable difference modded that I could measure apart from what I've described so far, the rest of the FR remained almost the same. Good enough for me and my purposes, listening. Maybe the unmodded cans are better suited to other tasks that require a more neutral FR, but then we go into the never ending 600 vs 650 debate.


I've read people in this thread say theirs came with two disks, these particular 650s wouldn't have sounded so overdamped.
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Re: The Amazing Super Duper Underrated HD650. A Headphone That Kicks Serious Ass.
« Reply #471 on: September 08, 2015, 01:42:46 AM »
Quote from: foxfluent on September 07, 2015, 09:48:18 PM
Obviously i'm not an audiophile, and this may sound very stupid for all i know haha. But i challenge your recommendation for a "budget audiophile headphone". It should be X2, which is cheaper by itself, and doesn't even need 200$ dac+amp to achieve comparable sound.

Meh, X2 is just way too colored for me. Again, fat, bloated bass and overly sharp treble. No idea if there is any product variance to account for subjective differences. Typical "fun" sound, which if that's what you like and don't want to upgrade your DAC and amp, by all means...Staging was really the only thing I thought they did quite well (that and the immediate engaging yet tiresome over time sound), but you can get a similar level of overall technical performance out of cheaper headphones IMO. Some give and take. Just not sure it's leaderboard material unless we want to start making exceptions to all sorts of overly colored headphones just because some people like them. And at $200-300? Just can't get on board with that, but it's not like I'm saying one can't enjoy the X2.

FWIW, I thought the HD650 mods posted in this thread were NOT a subtle change. Nor did anyone that heard my pair at the local meets. Hell, the one other guy with the HD650 at the recent CS Denver meet went home and did the mod after. But, again, it's not gonna make crap recordings like AAL suddenly sound magical. Better in the ways you want? Yes. Just not magical. But not subtle. More air from top to bottom, more dynamics, stronger bass, less of a strained sounding veil, livelier, etc.

I dunno, personally, once you hear the HD600/650/800 on a really good tube setup...very, very difficult to go back. Perhaps it's best to stay away from there any save yourself some money, no?

Another thought...screw returns. Sell the HD650 at a good price used, even modded (just don't fuck up), and you'll make up most to all of your money AND not have to worry about mods.
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kapanak

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Re: The Amazing Super Duper Underrated HD650. A Headphone That Kicks Serious Ass.
« Reply #472 on: September 08, 2015, 02:09:45 AM »
I have owned the HD580, had it upgraded with the new grills of the HD600, pads etc etc, and even owned the HD600 at some point.

One of the reasons why I can't like the HD600 or HD650 (Even more so for the 650) is the pressure it puts on my head. I have a larger than average head circumference, or so I would assume. As a result, the HD650 puts quite a bit of pressure on the top and sides of my head. I have tried stretching the headband, but it resulted in a broken headband that needed to be replaced.

What I am wondering is if there are any mods or any replacements for the headbands that would allow a higher level of comfort. With the HD800, the headband itself plays a role in the sound, is it the case with the HD650? Any and all inputs are appreciated.
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Luckbad

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Re: The Amazing Super Duper Underrated HD650. A Headphone That Kicks Serious Ass.
« Reply #473 on: September 08, 2015, 02:15:08 AM »
Quote from: kapanak on September 08, 2015, 02:09:45 AM
One of the reasons why I can't like the HD600 or HD650 (Even more so for the 650) is the pressure it puts on my head. I have a larger than average head circumference, or so I would assume. As a result, the HD650 puts quite a bit of pressure on the top and sides of my head. I have tried stretching the headband, but it resulted in a broken headband that needed to be replaced.

Don't stretch the headband, stretch the metal. Fully extend it, then carefully bend the metal only (and don't touch the plastic or ear cups while doing it).

I have a giant head too, and I couldn't stand the HD650's comfort when I got it.

I actually put the headphones over the box they came in for the first couple of weeks. That helped a little and squished the crap out of my ear pads. Then I did it on the metal and it took 10 minutes. Now they are super comfy.
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TMoney

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Re: The Amazing Super Duper Underrated HD650. A Headphone That Kicks Serious Ass.
« Reply #474 on: September 08, 2015, 02:18:48 AM »
Quote from: Luckbad on September 08, 2015, 02:15:08 AM
Don't stretch the headband, stretch the metal. Fully extend it, then carefully bend the metal only (and don't touch the plastic or ear cups while doing it).

I have a giant head too, and I couldn't stand the HD650's comfort when I got it.

I actually put the headphones over the box they came in for the first couple of weeks. That helped a little and squished the crap out of my ear pads. Then I did it on the metal and it took 10 minutes. Now they are super comfy.

Thanks! This helped.
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juanchotazo99

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Re: The Amazing Super Duper Underrated HD650. A Headphone That Kicks Serious Ass.
« Reply #475 on: September 08, 2015, 02:27:50 AM »
Luckbad beat me to it, but yes, you bend the metal, not the headband. Extend the cans all the way out, grab firmly where the metal meets the headband, and then grab the headphone part of the metal. Bend outwards until the metal is flat for a few seconds, then repeat a number of times. Do the same number of times on the other side, and try them on. Eventually you'll reach a point where you're happy with the pressure they put on your head now.

This way the headband is safe from breaking, and you get to use the pads a lot more than usual, they would flatten out much earlier if not bending the metal parts to fit one's head comfortably.
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Thad E Ginathom

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Re: The Amazing Super Duper Underrated HD650. A Headphone That Kicks Serious Ass.
« Reply #476 on: September 08, 2015, 12:18:24 PM »
Quote from: foxfluent on September 07, 2015, 10:34:48 PM
Sounds like a budget build suggestion to me, otherwise you'd recommend to return HD650 if someone's not ready to spend serious cash to drive it. I would argue that two times cheaper option is definitely a better buy while getting arguably better sound.

Also, just watched Tylls X2 review, and at the end of it he basically said that X2 is a better buy if you dont want to invest on very good dac and amp. Someone said a few pages ago that this is the guy to trust.

I don't know how applicable HD600 experience is to foxfluent's 650 experience, but I'll chime in anyway. I don't want to add another comparison strand into the thread, so let's call my previous headphones HP'Z'. I was very much enjoying my music listening on my 'Zs' and looking to make it even better. I don't have much opportunity to audition here, didn't have any foreign trips coming up, and narrowed down, blind on the HD600 or the HD650. I pretty much took advice (here or elsewhere, I forget: probably some of the same people anyway) that the 600s would probably suit me.

When I got them, with much expectation, I was not in two minds, I was in multiple minds. For starters, my "Z" had made me unused to hearing bass. "Z" had made me used to hearing highs, air and detail, and it seemed like a big difference, and I can't say that I really, really liked it.

Two things: one, I sorted out some pre-amp/amp mismatch (not applicable here), and two, I found out that the positioning on the head makes a big difference. Have you tried moving the 'phones around? For me, it works best when the head band feels a little forward on my head, and the phones are touching, even pushing slightly, the back of my ears. It is not the most comfortable position, so it was not intuitive to find it. I would guess that this is something that may vary from head to head and from ear to ear: I'm just suggesting to experiment.

I agree on the soundstage thing: I got better soundstage from "Z." But, on the whole, "Z" now lives on the shelf (just lent it to Kothganesh, just for the experience. I can't imagine that it will be very positive for him, given how many TOTLs he has heard, by still). Z on the shelf, HD on my ears. If HD doesn't do some things as well, I can live with that for the things it does better, and, bit by bit, I can upgrade the rest of the chain too.

I agree that you are coming from a sound that you like, to a sound that you don't feel as being as good. As others have said, there is nothing wrong in living with the sound that you like. But perseverance with HD6xx may just move you on into a different sound that you like.

When I got a bit serious about headphone listening, I was amazed to discover that some people have different 'phones for different music. People told me, "Nothing does everything perfectly." Well, I now own three pairs of headphones, but that's one on the shelf, one for travel, and one that is my all-rounder for home. If you have a specific requirement, like that soundstage for gaming... keep your gaming 'phones and use them. But, if, every time you put them on you sigh happily, then stick with them and be happy.
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tiohn

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Re: The Amazing Super Duper Underrated HD650. A Headphone That Kicks Serious Ass.
« Reply #477 on: September 08, 2015, 02:45:04 PM »
Do the yokes on the HD6x0 extend farther than the HD800? For some reason, I had thought that the HD6x0 had the same body as the HD558, but I see now that is not correct. The HD558 fit me fine, but the HD800's yokes don't extend far enough for the pads to sit correctly over my ears. Is the HD6x0 any bigger?
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ultrabike

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Re: The Amazing Super Duper Underrated HD650. A Headphone That Kicks Serious Ass.
« Reply #478 on: September 08, 2015, 03:33:45 PM »
I'll check tonite, but I think the HD558 and the HD600 have similar fit.
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Re: The Amazing Super Duper Underrated HD650. A Headphone That Kicks Serious Ass.
« Reply #479 on: September 08, 2015, 04:42:20 PM »
HD600/650 should fit fine if HD558/598 fit fine.
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