Over-Ear Headphones
Sony WH-1000XM5
8.6/10SoundGuys scoreRead our review ›
$239.99at Amazon
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Sennheiser
Sennheiser HD 650
20 years later, this stone-cold classic still slaps.
Sound
3.7/ 5
SoundMDAQS Overall3.7
1.05.0
A 3.7 puts its audio quality in the bottom quarter of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 44 of the 238 we've cataloged.
See the lab data ↓Frequency response · Isolation · Audio quality
No one has reported on this pair yet.
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Key specs
Connection Type
Wired 3.5mmMost commonWired-3.5mm48%Bluetooth44%Wired-usb-c7%Others2%
Wired-3.5mm is the most common — on 48% of the 239 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 238).
Weight
260gBelow average260 g
120 g427 g
below average for over-ear headphones — based on 198 of 238 we've cataloged.
Connectivity
- Connection Type
- Wired 3.5mm
- Headphone Jack
- Yes
Design
- Weight
- 260g
- Clamping Force
- 250-350 g
- Color Options
- Black
- Ear Pad Type
- Velour
- Foldable
- No
- Headband Type
- Adjustable over-head
Build
- Material Chassis Primary
- Plastic with grey metallic finish, metal headband frame
- Material Ear Cups
- Velour
Sound
- Acoustic Design
- Open-back
- Driver Count
- 1
- Driver Size
- 42 mm
- Driver Type
- Dynamic driver
- Frequency Response
- 10-41000 Hz
- Frequency Response High Hz
- 41000 Hz
- Frequency Response Low Hz
- 10 Hz
- Frequency Response Signature
- Warm
- Impedance
- 300 Ω
- Max Spl
- 103 dB SPL
- Passive Isolation
- 0 dB
- Sensitivity
- 103 dB/mW
Battery
- Battery
- No
Features
- Auto Pause
- No
Identity
- Model Number
- 508825
Microphone
- Microphone
- No
Lab data
How we test ›Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Sennheiser HD 650SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve
Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | -9.4 |
| 25 | -7.6 |
| 32 | -5.9 |
| 40 | -4.3 |
| 50 | -3.1 |
| 63 | -2.1 |
| 80 | -1.8 |
| 100 | -0.8 |
| 125 | -0.5 |
| 160 | -0.6 |
| 200 | -0.8 |
| 250 | -1.0 |
| 315 | -1.2 |
| 400 | -1.5 |
| 500 | -1.5 |
| 630 | -1.1 |
| 800 | -0.3 |
| 1000 | 0.0 |
| 1250 | 1.4 |
| 1600 | 2.6 |
| 2000 | 4.2 |
| 2500 | 7.2 |
| 3150 | 10.1 |
| 4000 | 7.6 |
| 5000 | 6.2 |
| 6300 | 4.5 |
| 8000 | 7.5 |
| 10000 | 0.2 |
| 12500 | 0.1 |
| 16000 | -2.0 |
| 20000 | -15.5 |
Sennheiser HD 650
Passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | -1.9 |
| 26 | 0.7 |
| 33 | -0.1 |
| 41 | -0.1 |
| 52 | -0.1 |
| 65 | -0.1 |
| 82 | -0.3 |
| 103 | 0.0 |
| 130 | 0.0 |
| 163 | 0.1 |
| 205 | -0.1 |
| 259 | -0.1 |
| 325 | -0.1 |
| 410 | -0.2 |
| 516 | -0.1 |
| 613 | -0.6 |
| 772 | -1.1 |
| 972 | -0.8 |
| 1220 | -1.4 |
| 1540 | -0.6 |
| 1940 | 2.4 |
| 2440 | 5.2 |
| 3070 | 6.2 |
| 3870 | 6.8 |
| 4870 | 13.1 |
| 6130 | 12.7 |
| 7720 | 16.6 |
| 9720 | 19.6 |
| 12200 | 7.3 |
| 15400 | 11.0 |
| 19400 | 15.8 |
Sennheiser HD 650
4.1
3.5
2.9
3.7
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (1–5), modeled from the measured response. Higher is better across timbre, distortion, and immersiveness — add other models to see where this one lands.
SoundGuys review
Comfort & fit9.9
Connectivity6.5
Design9.0
Portability4.5
Features7.0
Value7.5
The verdict
The Sennheiser HD 650 is still an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reference quality open backed headphone that's comfortable and well designed. There's a reason it's been popular as long as it has.
✓Liked: Excellent sound quality, Very comfortable, User replaceable cable
✕Could be better: Sub-bass rolloff
Owners
How we verify ownersNobody who owns the Sennheiser HD 650 has written in yet.
Owner notes are not paid for, not solicited from specific owners, and not edited by us. The commission SoundGuys may earn on this page comes from retail links, never from notes.
Own the Sennheiser HD 650?
Three answers, four quick reads, one sentence nobody tells you before buying. Shown under a pseudonym.
Features & Opinions
More from the team ›Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.
The Sennheiser Momentum 5 earbuds make your AirPods look like e-wasteDead batteries kill more earbuds than anything else. Sennheiser just fixed that.
Adam BirneyManaging Editor3 headphones I would buy instead of the AirPods Max 2These premium headphones deliver class-leading ANC, longer battery life, and more flexibility for less money.
Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterThe end of budget audio's best bargain: RIP HD 6XXIt was one hell of a run.
Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeWired vs wireless headphones: Which should you buy?Wired headphones do not automatically sound better.
Tom TriggsContributorThe 5 best headphones to look forward to in 2026Strap in — we're in for a wild year.Tom TriggsContributorDon't buy wireless headphones without USB audioIt's way past time.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeI've reviewed headphones for over a decade: Here are 5 things I wish they did differentlyHeadphone companies: help me help youChristian ThomasEditor-at-large5 ways headphones are going to change in 2027Here's where things are headed.Christian ThomasEditor-at-large
Adam BirneyManaging Editor3 headphones I would buy instead of the AirPods Max 2These premium headphones deliver class-leading ANC, longer battery life, and more flexibility for less money.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterThe end of budget audio's best bargain: RIP HD 6XXIt was one hell of a run.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeWired vs wireless headphones: Which should you buy?Wired headphones do not automatically sound better.Tom TriggsContributorThe 5 best headphones to look forward to in 2026Strap in — we're in for a wild year.Tom TriggsContributorDon't buy wireless headphones without USB audioIt's way past time.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeI've reviewed headphones for over a decade: Here are 5 things I wish they did differentlyHeadphone companies: help me help youChristian ThomasEditor-at-large5 ways headphones are going to change in 2027Here's where things are headed.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeMore Over-Ear Headphones
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