Sennheiser HD 650 Stereo Reference Headphones - $249.95 + Free Shipping

BeigeRoad455

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Dec 27, 2023 5:08 PM

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BeigeRoad455

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Dec 27, 2023 5:08 PM

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There's not much of a point in getting the hd 650 when the Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX semi-regularly go on sale between $169 to $189. The hd 6xx is for all intents and purposes a different colored hd650 with a worse included cable, the build quality and sound signature are essentially identical. The hd6xx are currently on sale for $200 ($50 cheaper than this deal), and if you're willing to wait a bit they'll likely drop back down somewhere between $189 to $169 within a couple of months. Drop also offers a $10 off coupon for new customers, just use a new email address. The only reason to buy the hd 650 is if you live someplace you can't order from drop.
Drop store page for the hd 6xx: https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-sennheiser-hd6xx
Here's the thread for the most recent previous $169 deal on the hd6xx: https://slickdeals.net/f/17103877-massdrop-x-sennheiser-hd-6xx-headphone-169-159-if-its-your-first-order

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MadJukes

Dec 27, 2023 5:11 PM

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Joined Jul 2010

MadJukesDec 27, 2023 5:11 PM

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Quote from BeigeRoad455

:

There's not much of a point in getting the hd 650 when the Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX semi-regularly go on sale between $169 to $189. The hd 6xx is for all intents and purposes a different colored hd650 with a worse included cable, the build quality and sound signature are essentially identical. The hd6xx are currently on sale for $200 ($50 cheaper than this deal), and if you're willing to wait a bit they'll likely drop back down somewhere between $189 to $169 within a couple of months. Drop also offers a $10 off coupon for new customers, just use a new email address. The only reason to buy the hd 650 is if you live someplace you can't order from drop.
Drop store page for the hd 6xx: https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-sennheiser-hd6xx
Here's the thread for the most recent previous $169 deal on the hd6xx: https://slickdeals.net/f/17103877-massdrop-x-sennheiser-hd-6xx-headphone-169-159-if-its-your-first-order

Completed agreed with poster above

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aagstn

Dec 27, 2023 5:16 PM

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Joined Aug 2014

aagstnDec 27, 2023 5:16 PM

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Quote from BeigeRoad455

:

There's not much of a point in getting the hd 650 when the Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX semi-regularly go on sale between $169 to $189. The hd 6xx is for all intents and purposes a different colored hd650 with a worse included cable, the build quality and sound signature are essentially identical. The hd6xx are currently on sale for $200 ($50 cheaper than this deal), and if you're willing to wait a bit they'll likely drop back down somewhere between $189 to $169 within a couple of months. Drop also offers a $10 off coupon for new customers, just use a new email address. The only reason to buy the hd 650 is if you live someplace you can't order from drop.
Drop store page for the hd 6xx: https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-sennheiser-hd6xx
Here's the thread for the most recent previous $169 deal on the hd6xx: https://slickdeals.net/f/17103877-massdrop-x-sennheiser-hd-6xx-headphone-169-159-if-its-your-first-order

Agree 100%. I picked up mine for $159 using a coupon through Plex and they would have only been $179 at that time without it.

1

aturner58

Dec 27, 2023 5:57 PM

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Joined Feb 2017

aturner58Dec 27, 2023 5:57 PM

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Quote from BeigeRoad455

:

There's not much of a point in getting the hd 650 when the Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX semi-regularly go on sale between $169 to $189. The hd 6xx is for all intents and purposes a different colored hd650 with a worse included cable, the build quality and sound signature are essentially identical. The hd6xx are currently on sale for $200 ($50 cheaper than this deal), and if you're willing to wait a bit they'll likely drop back down somewhere between $189 to $169 within a couple of months. Drop also offers a $10 off coupon for new customers, just use a new email address. The only reason to buy the hd 650 is if you live someplace you can't order from drop.
Drop store page for the hd 6xx: https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-sennheiser-hd6xx
Here's the thread for the most recent previous $169 deal on the hd6xx: https://slickdeals.net/f/17103877-massdrop-x-sennheiser-hd-6xx-headphone-169-159-if-its-your-first-order

I listened to both and hd650 sound better.

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BeigeRoad455

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Dec 27, 2023 7:07 PM

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BeigeRoad455

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Dec 27, 2023 7:07 PM

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Quote from aturner58

:

I listened to both and hd650 sound better.

It has been confirmed by both drop and sennheiser that the hd6xx and hd650 are functionally the same headphones when it comes to sound. While I believe that in recent years the plastic molding for the hd650 has been changed slightly, the pads, drivers, and entire driver/cup assembly are identical between the two headphones. It should be noted that there have been a variety of minor silent revisions made to the hd 650 over the years, so if you have a pre-2016 hd 650 it will sound slightly different.

An enormous number of measurements back up the hd 650 and hd6xx being functionally identical, with results consistently falling within expected manufacturing and measurement seating variation. Pad wear, clamping force (which will be affected by long term use), and even exact positioning of the headphones on your head will all impact the sound you hear. Additionally, the human ears and brain are terrible judges of audio, and human auditory memory is quite poor.
Here's an example of measurements: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/s...t-12981409

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Selman

Dec 27, 2023 7:19 PM

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SelmanDec 27, 2023 7:19 PM

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For anyone looking for a budget option or even another headphone to add to this one, I recently picked up a B-stock pair of Hifiman 400se for $59. They arrived is seemingly new condition and they compare very well against anything in this $250 price range.

They'll go in and out of stock every couple weeks, so keep an eye out if interested.
https://store.hifiman.com/index.p...stock.html

Last edited by missiethegal December 27, 2023 at 11:59 AM.

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ElkBit

Dec 27, 2023 7:29 PM

155 Comments

Joined Dec 2018

ElkBitDec 27, 2023 7:29 PM

155 Comments

I bought a pair of the 650s during the last Adorama sale and I love them! I was aware that Drop had the 6xx for less, but I personally liked the look of the 650 more. Also, I believe the build quality is improved? I don't have a pair of the 6xx to confirm.

2

pfunknut

Dec 27, 2023 8:56 PM

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Joined Sep 2014

pfunknutDec 27, 2023 8:56 PM

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Quote from MadJukes

:

Completed agreed with poster above

The 6xx coloring is very dull and drab. For the color alone these are worth getting. These rarely dip below 350.

1

Selman

Dec 27, 2023 10:57 PM

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Joined Jul 2010

SelmanDec 27, 2023 10:57 PM

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Quote from brucknerfan

:

This is a boring headphone. Owned it since 2014. I listen to Mahler, Bruckner, Bach, Brahms, and contemporary art. The soundstage is compressed on the HD650. The only area it excels at is vocals, lieder with a piano accompaniment and occasionally it does well with orchestral songs.

The HD6x0 series of headphones were developed in the early 1990s. Through the various iterations of the line the fundamental characteristics of the sound have largely remained consistent since 1993. In other words, these headphones are dated.

The three most often compared headphones at this price are the Sennheiser 6xx/650, AKG K702, and Hifiman 400se.

Out of the three, the AKG has by far the widest sound stage, the Hifiman 400se is average, and the Sennheiser are known to have a limited soundstage.

Also of the three, the oddest headphone is the AKG. It's definitely not boring, but it turns out that means it's way more controversial than the other two, and most people prefer the much more neutral sounding Sennheisers.

1

brucknerfan

Dec 28, 2023 12:34 AM

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Joined Dec 2014

brucknerfanDec 28, 2023 12:34 AM

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Quote from Selman

:

The three most often compared headphones at this price are the Sennheiser 6xx/650, AKG K702, and Hifiman 400se.

Out of the three, the AKG has by far the widest sound stage, the Hifiman 400se is average, and the Sennheiser are known to have a limited soundstage.

Also of the three, the oddest headphone is the AKG. It's definitely not boring, but it turns out that means it's way more controversial than the other two, and most people prefer the much more neutral sounding Sennheisers.

I actually did not intend to submit my draft comment. An hour ago I pulled my pair of HD650 out of the drawer to listen to them again. Probably the first time this year I have used this headphone. I must say that sound rendering is quite good. The HD650 presentation is intimate specially. Not much soundstage width but depth of field is there. The lower frequencies are well controlled if a tad light in emphasis. My previous critique of midrange does not seem present with my current JDS Labs Atom amplifier. Nonetheless, the midrange of the HD650 is still too pronounced relative to the rest of the frequency range. I find myself reaching for the volume pot to subdue it during orchestral fortés.

2

RobertJason

Dec 28, 2023 3:36 PM

557 Comments

Joined Jan 2014

RobertJasonDec 28, 2023 3:36 PM

557 Comments

Quote from BeigeRoad455

:

There's not much of a point in getting the hd 650 when the Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX semi-regularly go on sale between $169 to $189. The hd 6xx is for all intents and purposes a different colored hd650 with a worse included cable, the build quality and sound signature are essentially identical. The hd6xx are currently on sale for $200 ($50 cheaper than this deal), and if you're willing to wait a bit they'll likely drop back down somewhere between $189 to $169 within a couple of months. Drop also offers a $10 off coupon for new customers, just use a new email address. The only reason to buy the hd 650 is if you live someplace you can't order from drop.
Drop store page for the hd 6xx: https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-sennheiser-hd6xx
Here's the thread for the most recent previous $169 deal on the hd6xx: https://slickdeals.net/f/17103877-massdrop-x-sennheiser-hd-6xx-headphone-169-159-if-its-your-first-order

I have the Massdrop version. Do you happen to have a cable upgrade recommendation? I'm not super well versed in the headphones community posts.

SmartHaddock3847

Dec 29, 2023 3:19 AM

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Joined Dec 2020

SmartHaddock3847Dec 29, 2023 3:19 AM

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Does HD-650 still come with the headphone box/case? If not, MassDrop 6xx has the edge.

SmartHaddock3847

Dec 29, 2023 3:20 AM

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Joined Dec 2020

SmartHaddock3847Dec 29, 2023 3:20 AM

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Quote from brucknerfan

:

This is a boring headphone. Owned it since 2014. I listen to Mahler, Bruckner, Bach, Brahms, and contemporary art. The soundstage is compressed on the HD650. The only area it excels at is vocals, lieder with a piano accompaniment and occasionally it does well with orchestral songs.

The HD6x0 series of headphones were developed in the early 1990s. Through the various iterations of the line the fundamental characteristics of the sound have largely remained consistent since 1993. In other words, these headphones are dated.

which headphones do you use now then?

SmartHaddock3847

Dec 29, 2023 3:22 AM

1.2K Comments

Joined Dec 2020

SmartHaddock3847Dec 29, 2023 3:22 AM

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Deal is dead.

Sennheiser HD 650 Stereo Reference Headphones - $249.95 + Free Shipping

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