Comments on: Sennheiser HD650: My Favorite Headphones

By: bpm2000

bpm2000 — Thu, 31 May 2007 06:31:17 +0000

“I’m not going to waste your time by presenting technical details about impedances and other jargon that ends up being irrelevant in the long run.”

Sorry Blake but ive been in the game too long to let that one go – high impedence phones need more juice period to sound their best. Also, you could be rocking Stax electrostats for all I care but if your SOURCE is crap then so is the sound – so someone looking to hook up a HD650 to a iPod loaded with 128kbps mp3s might as well stick with their stock buds :P.

That said, you are making me miss my HD600s (what a classic) but I’ll just melt that away by slipping on my AKG K701s. :D

Roger, your neighbors will hear you with the HD650s. Nature of the beast.

By: Blake Robinson

Blake Robinson — Wed, 30 May 2007 20:02:42 +0000

In regards to the bleeding, it’s def not an issue. You’ll get some if you crank it way high, but you really shouldn’t be listening to it that high–nor do you need to. I don’t find the ambient noise to be an issue. If someone comes and speaks directly to you, you can probably hear most of what they’re saying, but the surrounding sounds aren’t a nuisance, especially with thrash metal.

As for my earbuds, I’m using a pair of Ultimate Ear triple.fi 10 pros. They might not be the best, but there is, at least, nothing better. I think the Etymotic ER-4S probably has truer sound, but it’s less appropriate for subway commutes and such. They also necessitate an amp and will not work with a lone iPod.

By: Roger Wong

Roger Wong — Wed, 30 May 2007 19:03:26 +0000

I have a pair of the HD 280 Pros and like them a lot too. The closed back design is great at isolating outside noise, but yes, after a while, my ears begin to hurt and get hot.

I have a couple of questions about the HD650:
1. With the open back design, is there a lot of sound leakage? i.e. Since I work in an office setting, will I bug my neighbors with my thrash metal?
2. Also with the open back design, can I tune out the noise around me without damaging my eardrums?

BTW, I also completely agree that you really need 2 headphones. I also have a pair of Shure E3c earphones that I use for commuting on the train. But the Sennheisers are essential for the office since I’m always putting them on and taking them off.