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Add to SafariWhen comparing Sennheiser HD 650 vs Plantronics BackBeat Sense Special Edition, the Slant community recommends Sennheiser HD 650 for most people. In the question“What are the best headsets under $200?” Sennheiser HD 650 is ranked 1st while Plantronics BackBeat Sense Special Edition is ranked 3rd. The most important reason people chose Sennheiser HD 650 is:
The sound signature is near neutral but with a little emphasis on the lower frequencies. The bass is slightly forward with good punch and tightness. Explosions will have good rumble, without overpowering the other frequencies. The mids are warm and clear, adding extra body to the sound. Game dialogue will be easy to hear. Highs have good clarity, but are not forward in any way, so harshness is minimized.
Specs
Question Ranking
Pros
Pro Tight and punchy bass, clear with natural mids and highs
The sound signature is near neutral but with a little emphasis on the lower frequencies. The bass is slightly forward with good punch and tightness. Explosions will have good rumble, without overpowering the other frequencies.
The mids are warm and clear, adding extra body to the sound. Game dialogue will be easy to hear.
Highs have good clarity, but are not forward in any way, so harshness is minimized.
Pro Lightweight and comfortable with a near neutral sound signature
The H650 is popular for its near neutral sound, which makes it quite versatile. The headphones can give a great casual listening, gaming, and movie watching experience yet are accurate enough for pro audio mixing. They are also lightweight and comfortable so you won't have any issues wearing them for hours.
Pro Comfortable even when used for hours straight
Clamping force is not too tight. The ear pads and headband feature memory foam which are covered by velour material. The pads feel really soft on the head and allow airflow for minimized heat build-up/sweat.
The headband also features similar cushioning materials and minimizes pressure spots on the head.
Pro Decent soundstage
The open ear cup design allows the sound to blend with your surroundings, giving it a natural width. It will also be easier to identify the direction of sounds, which can really help immersion.
Pro Lightweight for full-sized headphones
The HD-650s do not feel heavy at all. They are usable for long music listening, movie or gaming sessions without feeling pain or strain on their head and neck.
Pro Headphone cable can easily be replaced
While the cable connectors are proprietary, they can easily be removed from the ear cups with a firm pull. The popularity of these headphones means that there are a lot of aftermarket cables that can be bought.
Pro Balanced sound signature with good clarity
The highs, mids and lows are all fairly balanced, and there are no frequencies that stand out from the rest. Audio is clear and with minimal distortion. These are versatile sounding cans that will work with a wide range of music genres.
Pro Solid battery life
These can play music continuously for 18 hours from a full charge before the battery is depleted.
Pro Splash resistance
The main difference of the Special Edition over the standard Sense is that it has a special nano-coating applied, making these headphones splash-proof. Splashes of sweat and other liquids should not pose a problem for these headphones.
Pro Sensors in headphones automatically play/pause music
There are built-in sensors inside the BackBeat Sense which detects if you are taking off or putting on the headphones. Music is paused/resumed depending on the detected motion.
Pro Won't put a lot of weight on the head
The BackBeat Sense features a slim and lightweight design, making these very easy to wear even for extended periods. The headband also features a hammock-style mechanism which feels quite soft and comfortable.
Cons
Con Sound leak can be a distraction for others
The open design means that a lot of sound can leak out the ear cups. Other people in your immediate vicinity will be able to hear your music, movie or game, which can be annoying for them.
Con Requires a headphone amp for optimal sound
Plugging these directly to your computer or phone will most likely result in audio that is lacking in volume or may sound too thin. To get the best listening experience, you will need to run these with a capable headphone amp.
Con Feels flimsy and unreliable
These are mostly made from plastic which results in the light weight. However, the materials and build quality, along with the slim design make these headphones feel flimsy.
