What would be a more worthy upgrade for sound quality for these cans? A $220 cable or a $200 amp for them? I'll be able to get both eventually when I have the money for it.
What is a better upgrade for Sennheiser HD650's?
- Thread starter Smartazz
- Start date
I think the Sennheiser HD650 sound quite good with the stock cable (others just sound different, not necessarily better).
Headphone really needs and benefits from a dedicated headphone amp.
http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=3
http://www.amb.org/audio/mmm/
Headphone really needs and benefits from a dedicated headphone amp.
http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=3
http://www.amb.org/audio/mmm/
If you have "Golden Ears" you might possibly be able to hear a minor difference in the cable (assuming your amp is as good as the phones). With dedicated headphone amp you should be able to tell the difference in a quality set like the 650's.
I'd spend the whole $450 on the amp and skip the cable.
I'd spend the whole $450 on the amp and skip the cable.
Get the amp.
With modern consumer electronics, it is just about 100% sure that your source can NOT properly drive the Senns. Even a lot of high end consumer electronics have CRAPPY dive to the headphone jack. They just can't source the current needed by good cans. Low cost wins again...
Once you are driving your Senns with a decent amp, then you might be able to notice a difference (improvement?) with a high end cable. But if your consumer electronic device is sending a junk signal down the cable, it just doesn't matter HOW good the cable is! Junk will still make it out of your Senns.
You might also want to hit some of the DIY sites. My first DIY amp (a CYMOL based design) only cost me around $60 in parts (and I used fairly good parts!). To say that little amp made a difference with my HD590s (driven from my Autigy 2 sound card) would not NEARLY state the case strongly enough. The PIMETA I built next improved the sound quality even more (it is at work now driving my old Sony's from my laptop) and I only spent around $120-$150 on parts. The maxed out PPA I built for around $350-$400 was VERY sweet. A tube amp is next just to play with the old school tech.
I would bet that you will be able to hear more of a sound improvement with a cheap CYMOL amp and no cable than you would with no amp and the best cable on the planet.
With modern consumer electronics, it is just about 100% sure that your source can NOT properly drive the Senns. Even a lot of high end consumer electronics have CRAPPY dive to the headphone jack. They just can't source the current needed by good cans. Low cost wins again...
Once you are driving your Senns with a decent amp, then you might be able to notice a difference (improvement?) with a high end cable. But if your consumer electronic device is sending a junk signal down the cable, it just doesn't matter HOW good the cable is! Junk will still make it out of your Senns.
You might also want to hit some of the DIY sites. My first DIY amp (a CYMOL based design) only cost me around $60 in parts (and I used fairly good parts!). To say that little amp made a difference with my HD590s (driven from my Autigy 2 sound card) would not NEARLY state the case strongly enough. The PIMETA I built next improved the sound quality even more (it is at work now driving my old Sony's from my laptop) and I only spent around $120-$150 on parts. The maxed out PPA I built for around $350-$400 was VERY sweet. A tube amp is next just to play with the old school tech.
I would bet that you will be able to hear more of a sound improvement with a cheap CYMOL amp and no cable than you would with no amp and the best cable on the planet.
- Nov 30, 2005
- 50,231
- 118
- 116
Sorry to step in your thread here, but I have a somewhat similar question.
I own the HD555s, but I only ever use them on my PC (in my sig) with an Xtrememusic sound card. Would I notice a significant improvement from adding an amp? They sound pretty fantastic already IMHO, so I am not sure the extra $200 would be worth it.
Thanks all!
KT
I own the HD555s, but I only ever use them on my PC (in my sig) with an Xtrememusic sound card. Would I notice a significant improvement from adding an amp? They sound pretty fantastic already IMHO, so I am not sure the extra $200 would be worth it.
Thanks all!
KT
From what others have told me, amps only benefit really high end headphones. Somebody told me that an amp really wouldn't help much with HD595s, btw how do you like your headphones?
- Nov 30, 2005
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Hmm, ok, may not be worth the money then.
I really love the headphones! I was unsure I would be able to notice a difference, but wow I really did! I listen to a lot of music and play some games and they are fantastic for both!
Now I just need to upgrade my crappy motherboard...
Many would consider it a waste spending a lot of money on HD650s if you're not going to unlock its true potential.
Alright, I know nothing about amps, but it seems as though I'm getting an amp over the cable. Where can I shop online for amps? Who makes a good amp, is there something I should be looking for on an amp? Thanks.
- Nov 30, 2005
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Without a doubt the HD650's need an amp to shine. An amp will improve the overall depth, instrument separation, and you gain volume level of course. However please don't overlook the source. Adding an amp to a crappy source only amplifies crap. Those $200 re-cables offer a marginal improvement at best, and in most cases it's placebo IMHO. There is someone selling a Corda Headfive in the FS/T forum, and it pairs well with the warm/veiled HD650.
Visiting Head-Fi is recommended but be prepared to start dropping more cash as you look for better sound. I recently sold my K701's, Headfive, and modded Zhaolu since I needed some quick cash for the holidays. However there was no way I was going to go back to inferior desktop speakers or a cheap headphone so I bought a pair of HD595's. I have them running directly out of the X-Fi XM and they sound really nice since they are the 50 ohm model. I run Winamp with the ASIO & mpg123! plug-in's and the X-Fi in audio creation mode + bitperfect out. Yes I can tell a difference from my semi-high end gear but to be honest I am still pleased with the overall sound signature. My wallet is a lot happier now.
If you go to Head-fi there is one thing I would like to tell you in advance. "Sorry about your wallet!"
Visiting Head-Fi is recommended but be prepared to start dropping more cash as you look for better sound. I recently sold my K701's, Headfive, and modded Zhaolu since I needed some quick cash for the holidays. However there was no way I was going to go back to inferior desktop speakers or a cheap headphone so I bought a pair of HD595's. I have them running directly out of the X-Fi XM and they sound really nice since they are the 50 ohm model. I run Winamp with the ASIO & mpg123! plug-in's and the X-Fi in audio creation mode + bitperfect out. Yes I can tell a difference from my semi-high end gear but to be honest I am still pleased with the overall sound signature. My wallet is a lot happier now.
If you go to Head-fi there is one thing I would like to tell you in advance. "Sorry about your wallet!"
Baked
Lifer
- Dec 28, 2004
- 36,052
- 17
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You have a HD650 and you don't have an headphone amp. gg. Seems like you're ignoring all the fingers pointing to head-fi.org for your questions and needs. Go there, read up on all the sections, and educate yourself in the world of headphones, headphone amps, and sources. Cables, not so much.
I don't own them yet, but there's a good chance I might need them in the future for my electric keyboard and my computer. I'm still really considering the HD595s, I just want to price out how much more the HD650s would cost over the HD595s.
If you don't want an amp, want more treble and less veil, get the efficient 595's. They also sound great out of an iPod.
Would the 595's be good for rock music? I listen to all kinds of music, but I usually listen to rock.
If you want headphones that sound good for rock and computer gaming unamped, sell the HD6500 and get the Audio-Technica a900:
http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?products_id=317
http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?products_id=317
Originally posted by: mshan
If you want headphones that sound good for rock and computer gaming unamped, sell the HD6500 and get the Audio-Technica a900:
http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?products_id=317
Are these closed headphones? It definatly looks like it, I'll look into it.
Yes, that link says they are closed.
If you want more info, go to the Headphones sub-forum at Head-Fi.org
If you want more info, go to the Headphones sub-forum at Head-Fi.org
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