Sennheiser HD650
Summary
Abstract
The Sennheiser HD650 (and its Drop/Massdrop equivalent, the HD6XX at ~$200) is widely regarded as one of the best value open-back headphones for mixing and critical listening. Multiple community members consider it their go-to, and professional mixer Zakk Cervini has been spotted using them on planes.
Key Characteristics
- Open-back dynamic driver design
- Natural, well-balanced midrange
- The Drop HD6XX is the same headphone at a lower price (~$200)
- 300 ohm impedance — benefits from a decent headphone amp
- Better translation than headphones costing several times more, per several members
Use Cases
- Mixing and production reference
- Portable mixing (open-back, so not for tracking)
- Upgrade from budget closed-back headphones
Settings & Sweet Spots
- Works well with most audio interfaces but benefits from a quality headphone amp
- Some users pair with corrective EQ for personal preference
Comparable Alternatives
| Headphone | Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sennheiser HD600 | ~$250-300 | Very similar, slightly different voicing |
| Audio-Technica ATH-R70x | ~$350 | Similar neutral approach, lighter |
| Audeze LCD-X | ~$1000+ | More low end, problematic upper mids |
| Hifiman Sundara | ~$300 | Planar magnetic alternative |
Common Mistakes
- Paying full retail when the HD6XX is the same headphone for ~$200
- Using them for tracking (open-back = bleed)
- Not giving them a proper headphone amp
See Also
Source Discussions
Edward Rivera
“I saw an Instagram post of Zakk Cervini using HD650s on a plane and that was enough for me to try and be happy with what I’ve got.”
Rob Domos
“Without question HD6XXs are the move. They translate better than my $1200 Audezes.”
David Fuller
“Nothing better than those… but don’t spend full price. HD6XX are the same.”
Discord Source
Channel: 🔈monitoring-talk Messages: 9 Date range: April 2021 – March 2022 Key contributors: David Fuller, Rob Domos See also: monitoring-talk Channel Summary