Sennheiser HD 600 vs HD 650

Sennheiser has always been known for launching top-notch and pioneering headphones and mics.

Their flagship models Sennheiser HD 600 and HD 650 have always caused quite a stir amongst the audiophiles, mainly because of their well-loved and respected status. Today, we have decided to compare them both to help you choose the best possible one.

So, let’s get started and check out the sound, build quality, comfort, and noise-canceling features and more for both these popular models.

Build Quality

When it comes to the build quality of Sennheiser HD 600 and 650, both of them are virtually identical in build.

Apart from the color and some outer design changes, both headphones contain the same molded hard plastic shell. The steel extenders, the open back, the velour pads, and the soft foam padding on the headband make them quite comfortable to use.

The Sennheiser HD 600 has more of a bluish speckled finish while the 650 boasts black and grey metal flakes on its body. Made of plastic, they are extremely lightweight and do not cause unnecessary stress on your head or ears.

The build of both these models is completely modular, which means you can easily remove any part that you deem necessary. Be it the drivers or the cable, you can easily replace the individual parts and prolong the overall lifespan of the headphones.

We did find the molded hard plastic of the headbands not that durable. They are quite clumpy and with enough force, can be stretched to its breaking point.

But keeping the metal extenders fully extended while bending and not putting it through any unnecessary pressure is more than enough to keep your headphones safe and going.

The only noticeable difference between 600 and 650 are their cable and plug. While Sennheiser 600 has a light and functional cable, the 650 shows conspicuous improvement in the quality. The plug on 600 has a built-in adapter while the 650 one is a standard 6.3 mm.

Although, we did find improvement in the durability and the overall build of the Sennheiser HD 650 when compared to HD 650. Yes, the HD 600 is solid but not as much as the 650 one. If you are someone who handles their headphones quite roughly, it is best to go with the 650 version.

Comfort

Both the models 600 and 650 are extremely comfortable and easy to wear. The pads are quite thick with a depth of 2.5 cm which ensures that your ears are completely enclosed. There is no chance of the driver foam touching your ears.

The headbands are quite flexible which makes them extremely effortless and easy to put on. Both the headphones have an open back and a circumaural fit around the ears. Even long hours of gaming or music do not cause any unnecessary stress of fatigue on your ears.

Sound quality

There are some differences when it comes to sound quality comparison between Sennheiser HD 600 and 650. The sound on the 600 is crisper and livelier when compared to the 650. The HD 600 is more suited for critical listening and mixing while the 650 one is more enjoyable and fun.

600 have a much more neutral and natural finish while the 650 one is more bassy and darker. But then again 650 also have a deeper, softer, and smoother finish than the 600 one. The HD 600 is more natural and muted while the HD 650 is more colored and open.

The HD 650 works better on music that is more bass-centered, especially like hip-hop and such. The bass hits a bit harder on 650 while 600 shows a more muted and natural response.

The difference is quite subtle and unless you are a hardcore audiophile, you will not see much difference.

Apart from the tonal contrasts, they both have the same accuracy and refinement. While some people have found 650 to be “more refined”, we found no such differences.

Both models show significantly good noise canceling effects. Obviously, some sounds are completely reduced while some stay muted, depending on the pitch and quality of the sound.

Pros and Cons

HD 600	HD 650
PROS: – Dynamic transducer – Built-in adapter plug – Neutral sound – Great soundstage – Comfortable to wear – Detachable cable – Great mid-range – Enhanced vocals, especially female	PROS: – Dynamic transducer – Durable and flexible – Better sound stage – Good bass – Comfortable – Engaging mid-range – Better cable quality – Versatile to numerous genres – Best for rock and jazz
CONS:  – Lacks treble frequency – Lacks sub-bass	CONS: – No built-in adapter plug – Lacks treble – The more laid-back sound signature
check prices	check prices

Conclusion

Both Sennheiser HD 600 and HD 650 are well-loved and appreciated by audiophiles across the globe. The differences are not too imposing which makes both sets of headphones quite similar. Your choice solely depends on your usage.

If you want a set of headphones for mixing in a studio and want to experience revolutionary reference, Sennheiser HD 600 is what you need.

It’s crispy and critical sound makes it perfect for studio usage. But if you want a headphone that is more enjoyable and fun rather than overly critical, go for Sennheiser HD 650.

Another element that you need to consider before purchasing your set of headphones is your choice of music. If you like the genres that are more bass-centered, like rock, it is best that you go for HD 650. But if you want something neutral and airier, without any coloration, HD 600 is what you need.

The choice depends totally on your preferences. So, consider all the options and make a wise decision to ensure total satisfaction from your investment.