View Full Version : The Lovely Sennheiser HD600
southall-1998
04-04-2018, 14:55
Just a quick silly review.
I know the HD600 quite well by now, having listening to them since 2011. I've owned a good few HD600's in different years, and very stupidly ended up selling them :doh:
Had a long (ish) listening session through the HD600 last night. These headphones just never fails to impress me. They sound sooooo! listenable and subtle. Nothing in the presentation is hyped, just natural. All the detail is present, but without sounding painful. Bass is deep with decent slam, just don't expect sub level bass through the HD600. If you want a little more weight and warmth, then perhaps consider the HD650. Another lovely headphone!
The HD600 is now going to be my endgame headphone. After listening to the HD600 again, and getting to understand them more. I can't return back to Grado's and other different brands. To really escape from the HD600, I'll have to spend huge amounts of money to find something that sounds better to my ears.
Please don't get me wrong. The HD600 are not the best headphones in the world. But for the money, you can't go wrong!
I'm bitterly cross with Sennheiser for discontinuing both the HD600 & HD650. Thanks to those fecking HD660S!!!! Go and watch Tyll's YouTube video (InnerFidelity). He's right and I agree.
Happy listening.
S.
Bourneendboy
04-04-2018, 15:34
Totally agree Shane, I've yet to find anything I prefer more than the 600's!
What amp are you using with them?
southall-1998
04-04-2018, 16:08
Myryad Z40.
S.
Ali Tait
04-04-2018, 17:03
Had a pair of 580’s I think it was many moons ago which were good.
I do like the PM3’s I have now though, good ‘phones.
I quite like my HD540 Reference II. They sound more neutral than my HD650.
It would be interesting to see how they compare to the HD600.
narabdela
04-04-2018, 17:34
The HD600 are the best bang for your buck in the headphone market. I auditioned them against the HD650 and decided they gave the more truthful/neutral presentation.
You can pay more for better if you want to, but the law of diminishing returns kicks in big-time.
I quite like my HD540 Reference II. They sound more neutral than my HD650.
It would be interesting to see how they compare to the HD600.
This chat is interesting. It's making me wonder how my old 1970's-era HD-424 sound compared to the new ones like the HD-600/650? Especially with the new cable I just made up for them? Would be fun to find a newer pair to do an A-B test...
These headphones just never fails to impress me. They sound sooooo! listenable and subtle. Nothing in the presentation is hyped, just natural. All the detail is present, but without sounding painful.
Agree 100%
I've had my HD600 for about two years now and they are definitely the best !! - also ridiculously comfortable; I do a lot of evening listening and usually forget I have them on ... until I stand up and walk away :lol:
Lawrence001
05-04-2018, 08:20
I quite like my HD540 Reference II. They sound more neutral than my HD650.
It would be interesting to see how they compare to the HD600.I've got hd540ii, hd560, hd580 and hd600 and I have to say my preference is for the 540s. They are more detailed and revealing, some would say less warm and too bright but I would say it's clear from an A/B comparison what people were referring to when they coined the infamous phrase "Sennheiser veil". The 560s are an interesting halfway house in the evolution of Sennheiser's top 'phones, they're a bit closer to the 540s but in retrospect the direction of travel is clear.
Sent from my BLN-L21 using Tapatalk
Mike Reed
05-04-2018, 13:24
Myryad Z40.
S.
Me too, only with 650s. Amazing and versatile amplifier. Unfair comparison (change of pre.) but my 650s have never sounded so good, and I had a Headline powered by my 552 pre. for some years. At the recent disposal price, the Z40 is/was a total no-brainer.
Werner Berghofer
05-04-2018, 16:04
Shane,
These headphones just never fails to impress me. They sound sooooo! listenable and subtle. Nothing in the presentation is hyped, just natural. All the detail is present, but without sounding painful.[…]I’m glad you like them. For my ears the Sennheiser HD 600 and HD 650 sound like there was a semitransparent veil between my ears and the music. I prefer the Beyerdynamic sound.
The best Sennheisers I ever heard were the iconic HD 414.
Shane,I’m glad you like them. For my ears the Sennheiser HD 600 and HD 650 sound like there was a semitransparent veil between my ears and the music. I prefer the Beyerdynamic sound.
The best Sennheisers I ever heard were the iconic HD 414.
Interesting comment, Werner. I have the HD-424, which were made around the same time as the 414's and were supposed to be slightly better-sounding, being a model up from the 414. I really like the sound (esp. since I made up a new cable for them) and have been curious as to how they compare to the new Sennheisers. Not wanting to spend hundreds just to satisfy a fleeting curiosity, your comment is quite insightful. Thanks for that!
Hope all is well in the cold north of Germany :). My friends in Kiel sent me pictures of snow on the fields over Easter.
Best,
Svend
The best Sennheisers I ever heard were the iconic HD 414.
I had a pair back in the day ... they were very trendy as I remember; I thought the sound was OK too.
Werner Berghofer
05-04-2018, 18:52
Svend,
I have the HD-424, which were made around the same time as the 414's and were supposed to be slightly better-sounding, being a model up from the 414.I also owned a pair of the HD 424 in the classic black-yellow finish. Design and build quality was a step up from the HD 414, but the HD 414 had a unique, minimalist charm and a tremendously open and airy sound stage.
Hope all is well in the cold north of Germany :). My friends in Kiel sent me pictures of snow on the fields over Easter.
Yes, that was terrible, but mainly the east coast was affected by the snow. However, the weather forecast for the weekend promises up to 73 °F and sunshine. I'm already polishing my bicycle full of anticipation. It looks like the winter is finally over, thank goodness.
Take care,
Werner.
Werner Berghofer
05-04-2018, 18:58
Mike,
I had a pair back in the day ... they were very trendy as I remember; I thought the sound was OK too.in Vienna they were the standard headphones of every reputable record shop.
Svend,I also owned a pair of the HD 424 in the classic black-yellow finish. Design and build quality was a step up from the HD 414, but the HD 414 had a unique, minimalist charm and a tremendously open and airy sound stage.
Take care,
Werner.
Well, I shall carry on enjoying my old HD424's, which sound substantially better now that I made up a new cable for them. They've always been very nice to listen to, but are just so much fuller and richer sounding now, and even more open. Quite remarkably different, actually. No urge to upgrade these...they're a keeper.
Regards,
Svend
Werner Berghofer
06-04-2018, 16:19
Svend,
No urge to upgrade these...they're a keeper.good choice, these are really excellent headphones. The HD 414 and 424 are especially good suited for binaural (aka “dummy head stereo”) recordings.
Werner.
Svend,good choice, these are really excellent headphones. The HD 414 and 424 are especially good suited for binaural (aka “dummy head stereo”) recordings.
Werner.
Gee Werner, I don't think I'd know a binaural recording if it walked up and hit me on the head :scratch: I wonder if I even have any of those...? As for dummy head stereo, I suspect that my wife regards me that way every time she catches me reading a hi-fi magazine :)
Wakefield Turntables
06-04-2018, 20:27
I tried the HD1000's, hated them.
Pete The Cat
06-04-2018, 20:57
I have a pair of HD600s and to my ears they have a laid back presentation, as if you’re towards the rear of an auditorium and so the sound is set out in front of you. This makes the music easy to follow and they’re quite balanced and analytical. I can see why folks would regard them as sounding neutral. The only snag is that they can seem a bit flat on some recordings. For example I think they favour acoustic and vocal, on which they sound really alive, more than hard rock, on which they can sound a bit unexciting in my view. I also use Beyer DT990s and Denon AH-D2000s which are both more up-front and punchy. Horses for courses and all that.
In terms of history, I used HD410SLs for many years right until the foam disintegrated (it seems odd that nobody on the planet stocks the yellow pads for the 410s any more, only grey ones). They were radio studio standards in the mid 80’s, however they’re a long, long way behind the HD600s.
Pete
Mike Reed
07-04-2018, 09:07
Like everything else, I suppose, synergy is key. My 650s sound a lot different (= better) on my Myryad amp. than they did using my venerable Cyrus One outlet and the Naim Headline before that. I can only imagine that most/all headphone presentations are dependent upon their relevant amplification.
Only when a reputation is acquired using a plethora of diverse kit and in many different installations can it be fully deserved, i.m.o. The 600s, 650s and a number of other cans have, I feel, passed this litmus test.
I'm not a major headphone aficionado, using them more for TV than for any other source, but I am intrigued enough to want to listen to others (i.e. Beyer, Focal), but only in my own environment. I say this, as I listened to (mainly) Focal cans up to and around £3K at the East Anglian show last November and was rather underwhelmed. I can only put that down to source or amplification rather than the product.
narabdela
07-04-2018, 09:36
I say this, as I listened to (mainly) Focal cans up to and around £3K at the East Anglian show last November and was rather underwhelmed. I can only put that down to source or amplification rather than the product.
Not necessarily. I've never been impressed by Focals when I've heard them, and you would expect exhibitors to be using sympathetic equipment when demoing.
Mike Reed
07-04-2018, 10:22
Not necessarily. I've never been impressed by Focals when I've heard them, and you would expect exhibitors to be using sympathetic equipment when demoing.
Yes, maybe, but playing unknown music from a streaming or similar device is not my idea of 'showcasing' a product. Must admit that the top of the range ones were rather good but at that cost level........! Maybe it was one of their planar products; certainly they did have one or two there. Oddly (i.m.o.), the amplification seemed to all be tiny boxes (Schitt, maybe?), which did strike me as not rolling out the big boys in headphone amplification (or valved, come to that).
twelvebears
07-04-2018, 19:14
There's no two ways about it, the HD600 and HD650 were just great headphones, and especially it light of the headphone price arms race over recent years, amazing value.
I have a pair of each alongside my HD800
Mike Reed
08-04-2018, 10:23
There's no two ways about it, the HD600 and HD650 were just great headphones, and especially it light of the headphone price arms race over recent years, amazing value.
I have a pair of each alongside my HD800
Interesting that you have a family of Senn's ! I believe that the 800s are a different kettle of fish to the 600/650. I've also read that the 800S tamed some of the upper level emphasis etc., making it a better all-rounder. I think there's a 700 out now which is receiving good reviews. Maybe between the 800S and the 650? Dunno.
Pepperamip
08-04-2018, 11:25
Does anyone use their hd600's straight out of a caiman seg? if so how do they sound (is there enough volume) I'm using a 15v linear psu.
Been thinking about a pair of headphones for a while now and see these get mentioned alot on AoS.
twelvebears
08-04-2018, 12:45
Interesting that you have a family of Senn's ! I believe that the 800s are a different kettle of fish to the 600/650. I've also read that the 800S tamed some of the upper level emphasis etc., making it a better all-rounder. I think there's a 700 out now which is receiving good reviews. Maybe between the 800S and the 650? Dunno.
Oh they are very different for sure, but I like them all for different reasons, but the 600 series are just great all-rounders and fab vfm, especially with the price of many new headphones that have come out in recent years.
Mikeandvan
08-04-2018, 21:24
I got pissed one night and smashed mine up cos one channel kept on going, silly me. Miss 'em now.
Just a quick silly review.
I know the HD600 quite well by now, having listening to them since 2011. I've owned a good few HD600's in different years, and very stupidly ended up selling them :doh:
Had a long (ish) listening session through the HD600 last night. These headphones just never fails to impress me. They sound sooooo! listenable and subtle. Nothing in the presentation is hyped, just natural. All the detail is present, but without sounding painful. Bass is deep with decent slam, just don't expect sub level bass through the HD600. If you want a little more weight and warmth, then perhaps consider the HD650. Another lovely headphone!
The HD600 is now going to be my endgame headphone. After listening to the HD600 again, and getting to understand them more. I can't return back to Grado's and other different brands. To really escape from the HD600, I'll have to spend huge amounts of money to find something that sounds better to my ears.
Please don't get me wrong. The HD600 are not the best headphones in the world. But for the money, you can't go wrong!
I'm bitterly cross with Sennheiser for discontinuing both the HD600 & HD650. Thanks to those fecking HD660S!!!! Go and watch Tyll's YouTube video (InnerFidelity). He's right and I agree.
Happy listening.
S.
Glad you are enjoying them. I'm pretty shocked that they have stopped making them. I'm sure you would have to pay a lot more for any improvement in sound quality. Just a pity my ears can't tolerate headphones regardless of quality.
Mike Reed
09-04-2018, 09:25
Glad you are enjoying them. I'm pretty shocked that they have stopped making them. I'm sure you would have to pay a lot more for any improvement in sound quality. Just a pity my ears can't tolerate headphones regardless of quality.
Rather intrigued by that. In which way, aurally or comfort-wise?
StanleyB
09-04-2018, 10:11
Does anyone use their hd600's straight out of a caiman seg? if so how do they sound (is there enough volume) I'm using a 15v linear psu.
Been thinking about a pair of headphones for a while now and see these get mentioned alot on AoS.
I used my HD650 on a Caiman SEG modified and set up for the HD650 for use on 15V. Loud enough for me.
StanleyB
09-04-2018, 10:20
Interesting that you have a family of Senn's ! I believe that the 800s are a different kettle of fish to the 600/650. I've also read that the 800S tamed some of the upper level emphasis etc., making it a better all-rounder. I think there's a 700 out now which is receiving good reviews. Maybe between the 800S and the 650? Dunno.
I have the original HD800, and quickly discovered that it needs a lot more current (Ampere) to get the bass moving. So when used on a less than ideal current source (i.e. lousy headphone amp) it's mainly the mids and tops that can then be reproduced. But once the HD800 gets the right kind of signal drive the bass is well and truly adorable, with head shaking low bass.
For those Sennheiser owners still using the original cables, this might be of interest:
https://www.headfonia.com/sennheiser-hd-cables-comparison/
Might be well worth doing for the 600 series. This article, and a recommendation from CageyH here, prompted me to make up a new cable for my HD-424, and it greatly improved the sound.
Hope this helps...
Svend
Bourneendboy
09-04-2018, 16:32
Does anyone use their hd600's straight out of a caiman seg? if so how do they sound (is there enough volume) I'm using a 15v linear psu.
Been thinking about a pair of headphones for a while now and see these get mentioned alot on AoS.
I use 600's with a SEG and can confirm it is a great combo!
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