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Sound Quality |
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• Average frequency response.
• Very low distortion.
• Even tracking.
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Tour & Design |
Page 3 of 12 |
Isolation |
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About our testing:
For more information on our tests, read this
article.
Frequency
Response (4.42)
What we found:
The HD 650s had an average frequency response. As you can see, the
headphones have an average response in the bass end, but gradually fall
off towards the high-end. The response becomes slightly erratic as
well, leading it to dip slightly below the bottom limit a few times by
varying amounts.
While the HD 650s didn't have a perfect response, they still did pretty
well. They never went drastically far outside our set limits and there
weren't any sharp volume changes across small frequency bands.
How the Sennheiser HD 650 compares:
What is frequency response?
The term "frequency response" describes the amount of emphasis the
headphones put on each frequency. Some headphones try not to alter
anything (reference headphones), but some choose to emphasis certain
frequency ranges, such as boosting bass (dynamic headphones).
How the test works:
For this magical test, step one is putting the headphones on HATS. Once
step one is completed, we play a frequency sweep through the headphones
(step 2). HATS listens to the playback (step 3) then reports back to
SoundCheck (step 4). SoundCheck compares HATS's data to the original
sound (step 5), then spits out a graph that depicts what the headphones
are doing to the playback. We then write up a review (step 6) and post
it on the internet (step 7). If you want to learn more click this
link (step 8 [optional]).
Distortion
(11.20)
What we found:
The less distortion a set of headphones has, the less we can say about
it. The HD 650s didn't have a noticeable amount of distortion at any
point throughout the frequency gamut we tested. Audiophiles should be
quite happy with these headphones.
How the Sennheiser HD 650 compares:
What is distortion?
Bad, for starters, but only if you listen to certain kinds
of music. Distortion refers to any garbage the headphones add to your
music. This could be noise, or simply changing the shape of the
incoming soundwaves. If you listen to acoustic music, you'll notice
distortion much more easily than if you listen to rock or punk.
How the test works:
Our distortion test plays a series of frequencies through the
headphones, allowing us to compare the original to the recorded sound,
thus figuring out what the headphones are doing. If you want to read a
longer explanation, this
link will make all your wildest dreams come true.
Tracking
(9.01)
What we found:
The HD 650s had good tracking overall. This means there wasn't any
frequency at which the left ear cup was playing noticeably louder than
the right, and vice versa.
How the Sennheiser HD 650 compares:
What is tracking?
Tracking describes the relative volume output of the left
and right channels (in this case, the left and right ear cups). If a
sound is set to play through both ear cups at the same decibel level,
both ear cups should be outputting the same decibel level as well. If
the left channel consistently plays bass louder, or if the right
channel tends to screech high-end frequencies at you, then your
headphones have bad tracking.
How the test works:
This test is an easy one. We just play a frequency sweep through the
headphones and have HATS listen. Each frequency is set to play back
through each channel at the same volume. We note the spots at which one
channel is louder, and that gives us the above graph. When the line
drifts above the X-axis, the right channel is louder. When the line
dips below the X-axis, the left channel is louder. For more info, you
can click here.
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