Sennheiser HD 650 Wired Open-Back Audiophile Over-Ear Headphones - Black

The Sennheiser HD 650 are wired open-back audiophile over-ear headphones made for listening at home. Sennheiser introduced them in 2003 as a development of the HD 600, tuned for listeners who want to feel the music as well as study it. The sound is full and smooth, with treble that does not tire the ears over long sessions. Each ear cup holds a 42 mm dynamic transducer with a 38 mm diaphragm and a very light aluminium voice coil, and the drivers are picked in pairs to within 1 dB of each other. Sennheiser lists a 10 Hz to 41 kHz response, 300 ohm impedance, 103 dB SPL and distortion of 0.05 percent or less.

The open ear cups let the sound move freely instead of bouncing around inside a closed shell, and a fine stainless steel mesh in each ear cup damps the airflow evenly over the driver. The elliptical ear cups follow the shape of the ear and sit around it on soft velour pads, and the headphones weigh about 260 g without the cable. Most parts are modular: the ear pads pull off and can be replaced, and the 3 m oxygen-free copper cable, reinforced with para-aramid fibre, clicks out of the ear cups. The cable ends in a 6.35 mm plug, and an adapter for 3.5 mm sockets is in the box. Sennheiser makes the HD 650 in Ireland.

At 300 ohm the HD 650 sound their best through a proper headphone amplifier, and a phone or laptop socket may not play them loud or clean enough. Being open-backed, they let outside sound in and let people nearby hear your music, so they suit a quiet room more than travel. There is no microphone or remote, and balanced 4.4 mm or XLR-4 cables are sold separately.

Plug the cable into the ear cups first: match the L and R marks on the connectors with the ear cups, keep the writing facing outwards, and push each connector in until it clicks. Use the 6.35 mm plug as it is for a headphone amplifier or receiver, or fit the 3.5 mm adapter for a smaller socket. Turn the volume down before you plug in, put the headphones on with the L and R marks on the correct sides, and pull the ear cups down until they rest comfortably over your ears. Keep the open ear cups uncovered for the best sound. When not in use, do not leave the headphones on a dummy head or chair arm for long, as this can widen the headband. To change the ear pads, pull them up and away from the ear cups and press the new ones firmly into place. Clean the headphones only with a soft, dry cloth.

Sennheiser HD 650 headphones, detachable 3 m cable with a 6.35 mm stereo plug, 6.35 mm to 3.5 mm stereo adapter and instruction manual. No balanced cable, carry case or headphone amplifier is included.

Sennheiser gives the first owner a two-year warranty from the date on the invoice when this product is bought new from an authorised Sennheiser dealer in India. A defect in materials or workmanship in that period is repaired, or the product or faulty part replaced, free of charge at Sennheiser's choice. To claim, contact Sennheiser India customer support or visit a Sennheiser service centre with the original invoice, as every claim needs it. The detachable cable, the adapter and other accessories in the box, the ear pads, normal wear and tear, damage from misuse or accidents, and products opened or repaired by anyone other than an authorised service partner are not covered.