Sennheiser HD 650 Review

Since the inception of the company, Sennheiser has been respected by audiophiles and music listeners alike as a mainstay of quality audio equipment. In particular, the Sennheiser HD 650 holds a special place with its well-balanced and accurate sound reproduction together with comfortable design. That is why I was eager to use these earphones in order to check if they are really that good. Every aspect of the review will be covered right from the design and build, comfort, sound quality and usability. In case you wish to buy this model, this detailed overview of the product will guide you in making the right choice.

Design and Aesthetics

If one were to describe Sennheiser HD 650 headphones in one word, it would be ‘elegant.’ The contour of the headphones is enhanced by the colors, primarily being dark gray with some silver accents. This theme is nice and classic without being boring it can blend into a music studio or a home theater system. There is only one given branding on the headphones, which can be seen on top of each ear cup. Such a design enhances the premium feel of the Sennheiser Consumer Audio HD 650 without adding unnecessary things,

The device, however, remains sensitive to a variety of stylistic influences, even though the overall form of the device is quite basic like Sennheiser HD 560S. For example, the ear cups are rather oval and deep enough to enclose the ears completely. This not only gives them a tighter seal but also enhances the sound quality. The ear cups have an open-back construction, which is also easy to differentiate with the mesh pattern not only for aesthetic appearance but also for practical use.

It is the open-speaker design that is the biggest noticeable design feature regarding the design and appearance of the headphones. This design choice makes for a more open and airy sound stage. In this case, however, the headphones are still lacking versatility due to the lack of sound isolation. Yes, the Open Back Dynamic Headphone is a classic looking headphone that does not skimp on the aesthetics and functionality of the device.

Materials and Build Quality

The first and foremost factor which attracted me towards Sennheiser HD 650 was the quality of the materials like Sennheiser Momentum 4. In the case of Sennheiser audiophile grade, they are made out of high-grade plastic headbands and ear cups but it is not cheap. Rather, it is sturdy and so light since it was designed for use often. The plastic keeps the weight of the headphones down while being stiff enough to withstand everyday use.

The headband has a metal pipe inside, so the headband can be flexible, more durable than without plastic and also adds up some more contour to the structure of the headphone. In fact, it feels well built, there is no bending or pops when you snap it on. Sennheiser used velour for the ear pads, which is rather soft and thus does not cause any irritation to the user. I liked this decision because velour is the most healthy option out of all as it does not heat up like leather or other artificial materials do.

The detachable cable is another great feature. It comes with a rather advanced and thick cable and one that tends to not tangle and is much longer than what is actually needed for most applications. One more thing I like here is that the cable is removable, so even if it gets damaged, you can change it, which prolongs the overall life of the headphones. Thanks to the build materials and construction, one feels as if the Sennheiser HD 650 is a purchase that will pay off in the long run and every single piece feels durable and well constructed.

Comfort and Fit

Wearing the Sennheiser HD 650 is one of the best experiences one can have in terms of comfort. Even after wearing them for long periods of time, you will find these headphones are quite comfortable compared to many others I have tried. The ear cups are big and oval hence they fit over my ears comfortably without pressing against them. The velour cushion is also cool when worn for long stretches.

The headband is also adjustable except that the adjustment is easy.The only challenge I encountered was in making them fit ‘perfectly’ if I needed to. However, once on, they required minimal adjusting to hold them correctly. The degree of clamping force is fair – not overly strong, but not too weak either. Relief is easily gained as it was just enough to hold the extendable arms of the ear cups. Besides, they were very light so even after long wear, I didn’t have any headaches or neck aches.

All in all, these Sennheiser gaming headphones are shaped, in their development, with the factors of comfort and leisure in mind. The headbands and cushions made of velour do not hinder the wearer even a minute thanks to their low weight. It does not matter if you listen to music, mix audio or do nothing, they can be worn comfortably for prolonged hours. They’ve managed to balance the two parameters of security from falling and comfort when worn for long hours beautifully.

Sound Quality

The Sennheiser HD 650 does not compromise on sound performance like Sony WH-1000XM5 and . One thing I have learned is how these headphones come with an equally appealing, well-defined and balanced sound signature which is preferred by most audiophiles. These are three reasons why I wanted to evaluate them with different kinds of music because they would be able to keep up with my expectations.

The bass on the Sennheiser gaming headphone is very controlled and precise like the Sony WH-1000XM4. It's there and it's well defined but never in your face in a loud way. If you tend to wear consumer headphones and enjoy a lot of bass then the 650 will probably disappoint you in this regard. However, for those who only want it to be as it should be, it's great. It’s low enough to give an impact but gets out of the way of the mids and highs. I think this amount of bass is quite suitable for jazz, rock and classical music where every detail needs to be heard clearly.

Where the Sennheiser open back dynamic headphone performed best was within the midrange. Warm, cozy and lush is how the vocals resonated whilst the instruments possessed this crystal clear quality. I could distinguish the occlusion of the acoustic guitar strings, the touch of piano keys and the fabric of vocal cords which other headphones fail to reproduce. The mids are forward placed in the mix adding depth to the sound without getting boomy. For those that enjoy listening to mostly vocal-driven genres like folk, or indie, the best gaming headphone will surround you with great satisfaction.

The treble is quite good, and adds a touch of sparkle to the sound too. This region is rendered without roughness, and creates an illusion of openness and air without bringing in any fatigue. High sounds made through cymbals or violins were easily discerned and fragrant. The headset is an extremely well engineered headphone as bass, mids and treble are crystal clear yet the warm sound that wraps this lets you think that nothing is missing.

The Sennheiser HD 650 has impressive acoustics, but the soundstage seems to be the strongest feature it possesses. With an open-back design, the headphones deliver forward and velvety sound, letting you feel embedded into the performance. That is true with the imaging as well – I could estimate where in the soundstage each instrument was and where exactly it was sitting. It is also a benefit for the bass because this level of spatial accuracy improves critical listening and allows these headphones to be applied in a studio setting effectively.

On an overall basis, individually listening with the HD 650 comes naturally, to the extent they are self balanced complimenting audiophiles. Those are not heavy bass headphones, but if you do care about such elements as resolution, separation or warmth – these headphones are simply fantastic.

Smart Features

Sennheiser HD 650 comes without some modern “smart” features: you won’t find any active noise cancelation, Bluetooth wireless technology or even touch controls here. But to be truthful, it’s what makes them attractive. These headphones serve only one purpose and that is to deliver the best sound quality achievable and by keeping the technology uncomplicated, Sennheiser have achieved exactly that.

Notice too, that there is no DAC present and there is no high-grade amplifier, although the Sennheiser headphones will pair well with high-grade audio equipment. Once you set them up properly and dedicate an amplifier or DAC, you will see how much life these heads can bring as they kick in. Even though they do not come with features that you will easily find on other recent types of hearing aids, the HD 650 is specialized with a different set of users in mind and these are those who listen to sound the way it is without any forms of alterations.

Connectivity and Usability

The Sennheiser HD 650 has been deliberately designed as a wired model as opposed to a wireless operative type as it impacts on the quality of sound produced. The provided 3 meter long, detachable cord, allows for a variety of use configurations. The cable ends with a 6.3 mm plug in addition to the 3.5 mm jack that Sennheiser provides; it can be used with both professional grade and common consumer equipment.

It also comes as a detachable cord, which is useful in case the cord gets damaged the user can easily buy another one and replace the damaged one. I found the ease of connection to be very good with no perceivable signal drop or undue looseness. For this reason, the devices do not have wireless capabilities hence no problem regarding connectivity or forgetting how long is the battery life for the devices remotes. This will ensure that you acquire quality, uninterrupted synchronized audio output due to inter-device delays.

As for the headphone use, the device is straightforward with no special instructions. You do not have to bother about charging or pairing, just plug in the cable then hit play. Some users will appreciate this kind of approach as it augments the delight of using the HD 650 in particular with the anticipation of merely getting engrossed with listening to good quality music.

Battery Life N/A (wired headphones)

Since the Sennheiser HD 650 is a wired headphone like Technics RP-DJ1200, its battery capacity is not an issue. There is no need to recharge these headphones or to be concerned that they will run out of power in the midst of a session. This is also great since they can be used for extended periods of time without any interruptions. Similarly, the absence of a battery makes the headphones lighter and thus more comfortable to use.

Mic Performance and Call Quality: N/A (primarily for listening)

The Sennheiser HD 650 earphones have not been designed for making or receiving calls as there is no integrated mic. Nevertheless, in case you would like to use these headphones both for music and voice, a microphone can be purchased separately and connected. Since these headphones have been developed mainly for audio listening, there is no microphone, and therefore, no picture to the sound. The company markets these because they appear to be all about proper audio reproduction and have removed other unnecessary things for this purpose.

Durability and Portability

This model is notably heavy, which makes me think the device will stand the test of time. The high-quality plastic and metal reinforce the headband and offer structural integrity that is not likely to be compromised in a while. Also, the velour ear pads are interchangeable, which is a perfect added benefit to increase the use of the headphones.

Although the Sennheiser HD 650 does not shirk away from portability, it is too big for this and that there is no hurry to pack it away. It does not fold and being an open-backed model, outside sounds can be heard as well as those using the headphones can be heard. They are rather intended for use at one place, either in the studio or home. They are enclosed in a very soft pouch to store them while not in use.

Final Verdict

Anyone who appreciates music should probably consider getting the Sennheiser HD 650 Headphones. Bluetooth or noise isolating features may be the modern trends that this model is lacking in, but one should rather fall in love with the incredible sound and balance, plus the feeling of wearing them. These are very good for focused listening sessions where all the details in the music being played can be heard, thanks to the clarity these devices bring.

This Sennheiser wired gaming headphone is an investment that everyone will want to make, be it depending on taste, or professional interests, or intending to listen for the “normal” of high sound quality only. A touch of gentle beauty, tough tones, and by no means the best sonority are the constructions offered within the purchase. To summarize, this model is another example of a headset that offers excellent sound first and foremost.