Sennheiser HD 650 over-ear open-back Headphones - Official Thread

Official Headphone Model Discussion
137

Since I got new Dekoni pads in the mail today – and a spare 6XX in the drawer – why not doing some quick ‘n’ dirty pad rolling and see if my preferences or perceptions have changed over time w.r.t these pads?

Disclaimers

  • I already have Dekoni fenestrated sheepskin pads installed in both HD600 and HD660S. The new kid on the block for me was the Elite Sheepskin (regular for short);
  • I did not listen to their whole portfolio. Until today, only tried two of their leather lineup;
  • the HD650 had part-worn stock pads;
  • information given below is purely subjective so take it with a grain of :salt:

Some pictures, shall we?

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HD650 with fenestrated sheepskin and HD6XX with regular sheepskin

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HD650 with choice leather pads and HD6XX with regular sheepskin

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HD650 with stock pads and HD6XX with fenestrated sheepskin

Conclusions

  • for the nth time, can’t beat stock pads tuning; :man_shrugging:
  • however, the fact that these pads can last a long run (3 or more years) and they do break-in with time, makes it a competitive option down the road. Not to mention the aesthetic.

Choice Leather

  • makes the HD650 even darker, bloated and muffled;
  • not tolerable for my taste.
  • good comfort;
  • for a 2 years old faux leather I’m impressed it is still in one piece, i.e., no signs of cracking. Time will tell though.

Elite Sheepskin

  • a little bit too warm for my taste but tolerable after brain burn-in (~20 minutes);
  • it may work well on tracks from the 70s but will likely to sound bloated in more modern recordings. On the edge of my tolerance;
  • the most comfortable set of this exercise.

Elite Fenestrated Sheepskin

  • mildly warmer than stock but elevated upper bass is “ignored/normalized” after brain burn-in (~20 minutes);
  • it is still my favorite of their line-up as it is the closest I perceive against stock;
  • very comfortable as well.

So what’s next?

The obvious:

  1. the HD650 will continue with the stock pads;
  2. the spare HD6XX has now the fenestrated sheepskin and is going back to the drawer;
  3. the brand new regular sheepskin pads are going to the drawer to be revisited sometime in the near future. Need to try this one with the HD600. Maybe it’s a good fit;
  4. Choice leather was installed in the HD58X for 2 years and it will finally go back to the drawer.

Cheers. :beers:

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