In this Sennheiser HD 650 Pro Open Back Professional Headphones review I’ll compare them with the differences of its predecessor, Sennheiser HD 600 Pro Open Back Professional Headphones. I’m thinking of upgrading from my HD 600 Pros to the HD 650 Pros.
The only reason I haven’t yet is that I’ve read several if not all the reviews about them. I’ve been upgrading and adding to my headset collection for over twenty years because I started producing beats and then full tracks with vocals.
Their open-back design is definitely not meant for public listening or recording vocals or dialogue. They are specifically made for mixing and mastering.
I have Sennheiser HD 600 Open Back Professional Headphones
These are probably my favorite headphones of all time. I hear a noticeable difference when I use them to mix over the HD 280 Pros, but I normally use those for recording vocals. Anyway, as I was saying, they are so clear, the frequency range is phenomenal, and the open-air design allows for some airflow. That means “your ears can breathe.” This helps tremendously when enduring long mixing sessions.
So, why is this an HD 650 Pro review? Technically, it’s a preview and my opinion on why you should skip the HD 600 Pros if you don’t already have a set, and just start with the HD 650 Pros. In every comparison article, they say that “there’s a negligible amount of harmonic distortion.” Also, they talk about how “the quality is slightly better,” and the frequency range is a little wider.
Well, if that’s true, I want them too. Why? If there’s enough difference, then I think it’ll be worth it for my fading ears. Plus, mine are about a decade old. I could get replacement padding and a new cord but I really think it’s about that time.
Technical specifications Comparison of the HD 600s & HD 650s.
- The HD 600 Pros have a frequency range of about 12 to 39 kHz but the HD 650 Pros range from 10 Hz to 39.5 kHz.
Both run at 300 ohms much higher than a consumer headset which is usually 50 ohms. - Both have a two-year warranty, but as long as you take great care of them you’ll get many more years than that.
- The HD 600s are only a couple of grams lighter than the HD 650s which is basically unnoticeable.
- The frames are basically the exact same size & shape, but the padding is slightly superior on the 650s.
- They both need a DAC or audio interface. (Digital-to-Analog Converter)
- The HD 600s have a blue-tinted hammered metal finish on flat black. The HD 650s are speckled gray on glossy black.
- The detachable cables on both of these models are easily replaceable. So, if you have an accident, you don’t have to re-buy the entire unit.
For Producers, Engineers, and Audiophiles only.
If you’re looking for a set of headphones for recording vocals or isolating the sound from whatever you’re listening to, the HD 650 Pros are not what you need. A pair with closed backs would better suit your needs. I use HD 280 Pros for that. I wrote a review about those. You can check it out here.
If you intend on using these for mixing, mastering, or listening to the highest quality masters, these are definitely for you. As a producer that does my own mixing and mastering the HD 600 Pros are my go-to headset. I imagine if I had the HD 650 Pros it most likely would be the same story. Obviously, from all the reviews they’re a notch above their predecessor.
Beginner engineers would also get some great use out of these until they’re ready to upgrade to the Sennheiser HD 800 S‘s or the HD 820s. Those are for Studio Reference and are amazing but pricey for their specific usage. That’s why if I didn’t already have the HD 600 Pros I’d go with HD 650 Pros. Mainly because they’re the best value in the HD 600 series even compared to the HD 800 series.
The HD 650 Pros are More Than Any Amateur Needs
As mentioned above they both need a DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) for amplification. That’s because an average consumer set of headphones runs at 50 ohms. That’s fine for those types but not enough for these Studio beasts. So, I use my interface which has a built-in amp to run them at 300 ohms.
If you plan on just using them for listening you’ll need a receiver that has a built-in amp or a dedicated headphone amp if you’re using it for audio from your computer. Both are available in many models across quite a few brands.
There are Sennheiser HD 660 Pros available but the reviews basically agree unless you’re hardcore about them you won’t notice enough of a difference for the extra cost.
Granted, there is a major difference in sound quality between the HD 600 Pros and the HD 800 S‘s, but unless you have years of training or are self-publishing your own music, or are dedicated to mastering tracks, anything from the HD 800 series might be a little unnecessary.
The sleeker new design and more solid construction make these a perfect upgrade for your home studio. However, they still aren’t made for on the go. That means that if you take care of them they should last a long time.
Have I talked myself into getting a set of the HD 650 Pros yet?
Basically, yes. As soon as I have space for them I’m going to snatch up a pair of my own. Yes, Sennheiser HD 280 Pros are great for recording vocals but they are far inferior for final mix and mastering when compared to the HD 600 Pro Series.
So, if you’re looking for an upgrade to your listening experience or need them to turn out that fully mastered hit that you know you’re capable of mixing, the Sennheiser HD 650 Pros are possibly the best choice for you.
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Sennheiser Pro Audio HD 650 Open Back Professional Headphone
I’d love to go back several years to learn all about these so I could have had a much more informed decision before committing to the ones I have. I still love them but after finding out I nabbed a set that was practically the beginner level when I probably needed an even more precise professional headset like the HD 650 Pros.
If this article was helpful or you need more clarity, feel free to leave a comment or question below, and if you need to contact me directly, you can e-mail me at trx@tshapedmindset.com