Thread: Calling all Audiophiles

Hi guys, it's going to be a bit of a long story so stay with me. For those with short attention spans (like me), please skip to the pics.

Just over 2 weeks ago, I woke up to find that my Sennheiser HD595 headphones' right channel was very, very soft, thought it was dead at first.

In short a massive disappointment as I absolutely adored them.

But then a thought struck me, I've always lusted after an HD650, for years I've resisted temptation, mostly thanks to the insanely inflated local prices (R6k+)

I started searching overseas for a pair, and found one at an incredible price $380 shipped.

On the 12th dec, later after much thought, I took the plunge and ordered a set.

The next few days were really tense, especially when I checked USPS's tracking and saw the parcel was in transit, but showed no activity in 3 days. I started phoning the international mail center (0860 111 502) and was repeatedly over the next few days told that it hadn't arrived in the country.

Knowing how easily parcels disappear in S.A I feared the worst.

And so come to today. I phoned the IMS again and heard the most wonderful words, it is in the country After receiving the local tracking no (always starts with ii) I started phoning customs at OR Tambo.

Their reply: "It will be released tomorrow and dispatched then for my local PO"

At 16h00 I tried to track it one last time (using my USPS no) and joy on joys, it had arrived at my PO this morning (19th). The tracking slip included with the package showed it was at my PO on the 17th already (SAPO tracking still shows its in transit!)

I scampered over to collect it and after an hours worth of queuing and paying VAT (of R260 :::::DDD) I had them.

If you want details on where I got them/price paid, drop me a pm, but sure to say, I saved many thousands on this one

So I rushed back home to see what reference quality headphones sounded like (as the HD595's are apparently just not epic enough for an audiophile).

Sorry for the bad quality pics guys, will upload much better ones once I get some decent light.

Nice big box, always a good sign.



And inside there's another box.



Surprise, box no 3.

It's actually a display/carrying box and looks real good to me.


And finally, the moment I'd been waiting so anxiously for.


Opening the lid was like opening a chest with shiny gold inside, already getting more excited

And finally, I looked upon her and knew, she is something special.


Picking her up for the first time just confirmed how good the build quality is compared to my HD595, it's made of much thicker plastic (thought it was metal at first) with metal in the headband.

It's by far the most comfortable headphone I've ever had the pleasure of wearing! The earpads are very soft padded velour and sit snugly around the ears (no scratchiness or clamp syndrome for me yet).

The headband is also padded and very soft. In fact, the headphones disappear after about 5 minutes of wearing them.

And so we come to the most important part, the sound:

Now, as most audiophiles will tell you, new equipment needs time to settle in (burn-in). Whether this is attributable to actual molecular changes or to your brain getting used to the equipment is always a hot debate.

But the fact for me is, a headphone needs time before it will sound it's best.

Straight of the bat I was amazed! Never before had I experienced such a good soundstage before, instruments are the first time easily separated and recognizable and having played in orchestras for many years I can tell you, it feels like you are sitting in the middle of orchestra.

The same remains true with all kinds of music I've tried thus far, brilliant.

The sound on the other hand is absolutely incredible, lots of clear, controlled bass without being boomy, creamy mids and crystal clear treble and highs. The music was sending shivers down my spine!

Now, only having them for about an hour (and no gaming as yet), there's alot that will change and alot more music (non-flac) that I have to listen to before I can come to a conclusion, but I can easily say so far:

I AM IN LOVE!

They are by far the best headphones I've ever owned and destroys even a few of the high end speaker systems I've heard.

I'll be reporting back on them once they've had a few hundred hours worth of burn-in, my hopes are very high already!

Hope you guys have enjoyed the look into a spectacular day for me.

Perhaps it's time to start a Sennheiser appreciation thread. Come on guys, I know you are out there!