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Sennheiser HD600 & HD650, impressions. *** Pictures ***

HiFiGuy528

HiFiGuy528

Super Member
A few weeks ago I did a unboxing of the Sennheiser HD600 and HD650. If you missed it, you can watch it here:

*** HD600 ***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpXis5oh6xg

*** HD650 ***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZf45wPX5MM

Today I am gonna give you my brief impressions of the two. The HD600 is a slightly older model compared to the HD650, but the exterior design is almost identical. The HD600's cable is slightly thinner than the HD650. In this comparison, I used a HD650 cable on the HD600 because it's a nicer/ticker cable. The amp used was a Lehmann Black Cube Linear (BCL). The BCL is very neutral and powerful so it's a great amp to do this comparison. Source is from my late 2010 Mac Mini and Amarra Mini sound engine to a PS Audio DAC Link III with Cullen Mod.

The sound from the HD600 & HD650 are very smooth. I found the HD600 to be more pleasant to listen to than the HD650. The highs, mids, and bass are all well balanced, more neutral than the HD650. The HD650 has a slight boost in warmth and mid bass. Some may find this to be a fuller sound, but IMO, the HD600's bass is more refined. Highs on the HD600 seems closer to the HD800's sound signature than the HD650. To give you an idea of what I mean, the HD650 is tubes and the HD600 is solid state. Overall, both headphones are very good sounding. I personally prefer the more neutral sound of the HD600. If you like the warm and cozy sound, the HD650 is your guy, but If you like the garbage in garbage out sound, the HD600 is it.

*** HD600 ***
5404830883_5510de170a_b.jpg


*** HD650 ***
5404830865_00134612e1_b.jpg


5404970889_52b3d04ff7_b.jpg
 
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Thanks for the vids/pictures and review! :thmbsp:

Though I have not heard the 650 I have heard the 600 out of my Matrix M-Stage amp (BCL "clone") and I agree that, for a Senn at least, it is pretty neutral, which is the sound I prefer. I have read many times that the 650 is the more colored of the two (as you have found) but some prefer that of course.

So your findings match with the (afaik) overall consensus on the differences between these two cans.

If I was ever to get another Senn it would be the 600.
 
Indeed, thank you for the insight, as many here have been looking forward to the direct comparison A/B'd. I've had my 600's for about 6 or 7 years now, maybe use them 25 hours a year, and have been pleased. My prior cans, which I still have, are the Koss AAA model, I believe. They used to make my neck weary after about an hour as they are quite heavy, the Senn 600 was a welcome relief. As mentioned previously, I recently opted for the 650 cable that had been mentioned here by another Ak'er and although I've not noted any breakthrough in sound quality, the wiring does feel more substantial. Its a cheap mod.
 
Zingem said:
How do these compare to the HD-580?
Click to expand...

I can only tell you what I've read. Apparently the HD-600 is just the newer model of the HD-580. I read this while researching my headphone purchase and ended up going with a lightly used set of HD-580. It was a decision based on budget vs quality. I'm happy with them.
 
HiFiGuy528 said:
To give you an idea of what I mean, the HD650 is tubes and the HD600 is solid state. Overall, both headphones are very good sounding. I personally prefer the more neutral sound of the HD600. If you like the warm and cozy sound, the HD650 is your guy, but If you like the garbage in garbage out sound, the HD600 is it.
Click to expand...

Would the 600's sound appreciably different were you to use a tube headphone preamp of a similar price and quality as your BlackBox? I simply plug mine directly into my receivers, either a Yamaha R1000 or Marantz 2385. Never owned a headphone amp, am I missing out?
 
fender23 said:
Would the 600's sound appreciably different were you to use a tube headphone preamp of a similar price and quality as your BlackBox? I simply plug mine directly into my receivers, either a Yamaha R1000 or Marantz 2385. Never owned a headphone amp, am I missing out?
Click to expand...

I don't know how your receivers are built, but some receiver have a well built headphones amp. I would say that a good tube amp may give the HD650 a bit too much warmth form my taste. With the Lehmann BCL, it's just sweet enough to be nice. I think Dina Krall Live in Paris will sound oh so sweet with the HD650. :yes:
 
Wow man, with that PS Audio DAC and Lehmann headphone amp plus the headphones, that's a pretty sweet setup. Consider me envious.

I didn't know there was a headphone amp version of the Black Cube. Why is it silver? :D (just kidding)
 
bhundu said:
I can only tell you what I've read. Apparently the HD-600 is just the newer model of the HD-580. I read this while researching my headphone purchase and ended up going with a lightly used set of HD-580. It was a decision based on budget vs quality. I'm happy with them.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I've been using them for some years now, and am also happy. They start to show signs of wearing though, so I thought it may be interesting to know how these compare to the newer generations. Right now I'll probably make do with a new cable. :music:
 
bhundu said:
I can only tell you what I've read. Apparently the HD-600 is just the newer model of the HD-580. I read this while researching my headphone purchase and ended up going with a lightly used set of HD-580. It was a decision based on budget vs quality. I'm happy with them.
Click to expand...

This is what I've heard as well, the 600's aren't really that much of an improvement over the 580's, just an "updated" model mostly for marketing purposes, just like the new 598's and 558's are over the 595's and 555's respectively. (I could be wrong though of course, I've never heard both side by side).

So if you are willing to go used (as you have) the 580's are a good buy (the 600's are still too expensive for what they offer imo).

Zingem said:
Thanks. I've been using them for some years now, and am also happy. They start to show signs of wearing though, so I thought it may be interesting to know how these compare to the newer generations. Right now I'll probably make do with a new cable. :music:
Click to expand...

Yea, I'd say you are good. Unless you listen to cans often there is really no reason to "upgrade" to the 600's imo.
 
Yea, I'd say you are good. Unless you listen to cans often there is really no reason to "upgrade" to the 600's imo.[/QUOTE]

Thanks, now I've really made up my mind, to go out and buy that cable.

By the way, am I right in thinking you don't hold that much of Sennheisers when it comes to neutrality?
 
Zingem said:
Yea, I'd say you are good. Unless you listen to cans often there is really no reason to "upgrade" to the 600's imo.
Click to expand...

Thanks, now I've really made up my mind, to go out and buy that cable.

By the way, am I right in thinking you don't hold that much of Sennheisers when it comes to neutrality?[/QUOTE]

Yea, I'm not a big fan of the Senn sound (which is characterized as having rolled off highs/muffled/overly warm...etc., the infamous "Senn Veil" which I agree with) as some around here know. :D I have the 595's, and 515's a friend gave me and have heard the 600's for an extended time as a friend let me borrow them (I also have the portable PX 100's which I do actually like). I used to somewhat like the 595's since they were my first "hi-fi" can (besides my old Sony V600's which are ok), but always thought it was lacking even though I had no real reference point. I then got my Grado 225i's and was really surprised how great cans could sound, then I got my AKG 702's and, for now, am very content with them. :music: (Although, yes, they do have their drawbacks and aren't everyone's sound signature, being too clinical/sterile--what I call close neutral--for some).

But that's jmo and all (most?) cans are colored to some point. It's more a matter of what kind of coloration you like (my Grado's are certainly colored but I like their coloration on the whole and it is great for certain music; my Beyer 770's are also very colored with a sucked out mid range and metallicy highs, but they do well with bass heavy music). If you like the 580's then it's all good. :thmbsp: If you wish to experiment with different brands then you may find some you like better. Or you may not. It's up to you of course, how much time/money you want to invest in looking at other brands. I'm glad I did though, and I will continue to do so in the future probably, even if it's just a side-change (I have trouble with spending more than $300 for a can personally though there are some in the $500 range that I've been looking at).

Anyway, back to the thread topic. :D
 
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The Sennheiser cans are nice, but they're not my "go-to" cans. My Denon D7000 is the king for now, but I do have a Beyer T1 coming so will the Denon remain king? Hehehee....
 
Another way to express how I feel about the two. They're like coffee with cream and sugar or black. Not one is better than the other, just up to your taste.
 
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