Please make an affordable version of the HE-1 ! I am sure a simpler version can be made but with keeping as much as possible the sound signature and quality ! 🙏
Mine broke down after 1 year. Consider yourself lucky instead of thinking that you own the greatest headphone of the world (you seriously don't). Also, most owners of a HD600 lack proper gear and don't drive them properly, nor have they any clue what I just said as it's like their only headphone (...). Please tell me you're not one of those!
I'd say the average consumer cares so much about bass that an X2HR for example would be preferred by the classless masses. I think and have heard so many times people being initially disappointed with these since the strengths might need a bit of an ear for them to begin with.
@@rene837 True, but not for the average XM4/Bose person I believe and that's most. Also with a bit of EQ thw X2HR is really nice for metal especially that most cheaper cans can't do well at all.
Another hugely underrated point about this line of headphones is the sheer longevity of the design and build, save for the padding (which is easy to replace and has ample availability in basically all markets). I have a second-hand, original HD 580 that is quite literally a year older than me and has been in day-to-day use for most of its lifetime, and still is. As with so many other things, we have a word for this in Germany: unkaputtbar 😌 Now compare this to Hifiman's spotty QC for the Sundara as well as frequent product iterations/subsequent improbability of spare parts into the distant future, and that alone is another massive additional selling point.
based, love germany products. I myself has an amp from germany which sounds godly and build wise I think it will last a lifetime, the Lake People G111 MK2
Guaranteed,....it wasn't made in Deutshland! And, BTW, the HD 580 has a "sterile" sound. sent mine back after 1 month. Also, it was very uncomfortable!
Are the pads on the band also replaceable? This is an especially troublesome problem for me as a bald man, the eventual crumbling of pu leather exposed to skin is frustrating
Its staggering that 25 years ago they came out wity a headphone so well tuned before any of current target adherence stuff even existed. Kinda sad there is so few headphones today that are so well tuned, while you can get iems tuned to practically every adherence target there is.
@@Draggo. thats definitely true, but the 600 is far from a perfect headphone and many iems around it price class do more things better for more genres. You'd only argue different if you think you listen to many genres of music, but in reality, you really don't at all.
I had a bit of a wild journey with open-backs. Starting at the X2HR years ago, before taking the jump to a Sundara and HD650 combo in 2022 (wanted to try them both), then acquiring an AKG K702 (just wanted to know what soundstage was like), and then selling the Sundaras in favor of Meze 109s. Eventually I picked up an Edition XS (Did not like the Sundaras too much, but missed certain planar characteristics), which I enjoyed a lot more than the 109 Pros, and then finally a pair of HD600s to see what they were like compared to HD650 and my other headphones. I had always used the HD650s as my "everyday" sort of headphone, but really only attributed to the comfort, I never really wanted to use them over Ed. XS or 109 Pros, I was expecting the HD600s to be so similar to 650 that they would also fall into the same kind of use case for me. But to my surprise, I enjoyed the HD600s tremendously. Compared to the HD650, it was as if the 650s had the stage curtains closed between you and the performers, while the HD600 was presented with them wide-open. Suddenly I started liking an HD6** pair for more than just comfort, and began questioning why I had spent so much money on headphones when the HD600s at $300 were my preferred sound signature, I think mid-range just matters more to me than low-end and treble. After much deliberation, I finally went through the effort of selling the K702s, 109 Pros, and the HD650s, ending up with "just" two open-back headphones. The HD600s which I use nearly all the time, and the Edition XS which I pretty much use exclusively for gaming, good orchestra recordings where I want some more staging, and high-energy music where bass makes a difference. I think they are a really good combo, however, while I can see myself eventually upgrading my Edition XS to a more expensive Hifiman or maybe even Audeze, I think the HD600s are here to stay.
I now have the Edition XS and was considering the purchase of the HD600 for a more natural presentation. You comment pushed me even more so in the direction of doing it, seeing they complement each other well. Also, I know exactly what you mean when you say the XSs are good for orchestra recordings. I can't get enough of it for classical listening. That presence emphasis works really well for strings. Jazz also shines.
I've been holding on to my 600's and Sundaras and deliberating at large, but I really think the Sundaras get the cutting block. They have better subbass, or really, any at all. But the Sundara just has a sucked out midrange to me and just a little bright. If I just compare side to side, the Sundaras feel more impressive, but it's always the six hungeos I go for when I grab one. They're a keeper. They've aged better than I have, despite the kitchen countertop, which I happen to like. Maybe it's 90's nostalgia.
Next year will be 10 years for my pair. Still works and still is absolutely amazing. I got it for $350 at that time and it still is worth every penny even back then. It really is great for more vocal music and footsteps in games. I love them.
Can't argue with the math: about $35 a year to connect with your music and games on the deepest level, whenever you want 😎 Thanks for being a great customer through the years!
I have the OG HD600 plus the HD650,HD660s, HD660 S2,HD58X Jubilee, and if I only had to keep one it would still be the 600🙏 Plugged into My Tube Rolled Dark Voice they still have been my End game Listening experience. Simply Stunning Sound all around in my opinion and the Tube Amp Sound actually helps the Bass.
@@Dan.M821 Price mainly especially as the Drivers in the 58x are basically the same drivers as in the Original HD660.Remove the Foam inserts behind the Outer Grilles and you have a very cheap pair of HD660 that I really cannot tell the difference (sound wise) and that’s a fact.The HD58x Jubilee are a steal at the price and even more so when I bought mine when they first launched. The HD650 are as everyone knows a Darker Sound yet undeniably the same Sound as the HD6xx (which is why I’ve not bought them) yet the HD600 (originals) just have to be listened to to appreciate their Brilliance and difference to the the rest of the models I’ve listed as yes they have something special all the others lack.
Hey, maybe you will help me. I had 58x and i really love it, now looking for new pair and considering 600 or 660s2. How would you compare these two? Is it worth to pay more for 660s2??
I'd love to see a review of the HD 580 Precision. Obviously it hasn't been in production for years, but I think it would just be a very entertaining video. I'd love to see it included in the comparison video as well as the HD 58X!
Proud owner of a pair since 2000 and they are still going strong. The pair stayed in the box for 7 years in an area of the apartment subject to fairly large changes of temperature (from 12°C in the winter to 35°C in the summer), but I only had to change the pads and it was good to go. The plastic shows no signs of cracks despite the pair falling on the floor from the top of my PC tower on a regular basis. It's just a good sounding, no fuss headphone.
Owned this 15 years ago when I was into headphones and it was my fav after trying many of them. happy to hear It’s still considered amazing. Must sound sick with the new age dacs and balanced amps!
This is hardly a mystery. It is still great now. And it will still be next year, and yet I'm sure it will be revisited by someone by then. That's a sign of a true legend.
These are fantastic headphones, even to those of us with high-end headphones. When I sold my mid-level headphones to get my Susvara, I kept the HD600 because it just offers a great listening experience. Add Tubes for a bit of flavor, even a Schitt Vali 2 is fantastic.
In 1999 I had no idea what I was ordering without hearing first. I still have the same one and have gone through 3 sets of ear cushions and a couple head cushions. I think at least two sets of cables in addition to a set of Oyaide silver ones I got when I lived in Japan. I still enjoy them a lot! The other main set I use is a LCD5 for a little over a year. Currently fed from a RME ADI 2 Pro FS. Oh and currently have Dekoni pads. Top tier in my book. Thanks for another great video. One regret is I wish I still had the original box.
As a music producer these headphones have absolutely changed the game for me being able to hear compression propperly and being able to place elements are great i pair these cans with my studio monitors and dam. Just awesome. Great set of headphones
got them after watching some of your reviews and how often you mentioned them as one of your all time favorites... i use them for mixing and mastering (classical, jazz and world music) along with a pair of Audeze lcd-x 2021, powered by a Rupert Neve RNHP Precision headphone amplifier. I have to say i prefer to use the Sennheisers for critical listening! they are that good! sure, i won't get the level of detail and bass the Audeze offer (they are also awesome for studio use, no question!) but being so intimate and neutral on the mid frequencies is a delight; you just have to dial your mixes perfectly to sound great on the sennheisers! ...and once you achieve that, chances are your mixes will sound GREAT anywhere! they are Not fatiguing and ridiculously transparent! thanks so much for what you do... still would like you or any of your colleagues to review the Neumann NDH 30 under that critical listening (professional use) perspective! maybe one day?
The Sundara was my 1st dive into hifi last year. I recently got the HD600 and it's been amazing. When paired with my Fiio K9 and Shanling M3 Ultra, I can't get over how good it sounds and how well it scales with my gear. I can see why it has been around for this long. Great buy and an easy 1st recommendation!
love my marble blue HD600 have been using them for gaming for several years, and just replaced my earpads cause I wore them out. I always recommend it to my friends all the time.
Hoping you will compare the HD 600 with Neumann NDH 30 (for what i've read, Neumann, being part of Sennheiser, took a lot from the HD600 &650 to produce the NDH 30). If anyone owns both, would love your take!!
You're not kidding. I bought one of these shortly after they came out, just before Y2K, and they are the only audio componant that I still have and use from back then. (Currently my top headphone is the Audeze LCD-5). For exceptional midrange -- think recording or mixing a Jazz vocalist, acoustic instrument ensemble,, that sort of thing -- they are shockingly accurate and translate exceptionally well to any high-end playback system. If you like music where pounding deep bass is not in the mix, these are hard to beat even at a way, way higher price. I'll be interested in your coming comparison!
Appreciate you stating what is EQable and what isn't. So many "purist audiophile" reviewers leave that out. It's literally a way to alter the dynamics of the sound and can be extremely beneficial. Good review mate.
I got these on an open-box sale on your website and I couldn't be happier. $130 off. They were brand new, someone cut the seal on the box and didn't even take them out! 10/10 Would buy again.
Fellow creative professional here. Thank you SOO much for this review. I subscribed just becuase I enjoy how you explain things and you don't sound as biased in one way or another. I was referred to these headphones after asking someone for the best bang for my buck and level sounding headphones and this is the video that popped up right away. I wont be able to snag through the headphones site due to back order. I'm moving back to Europe and need to snag them ASAP Thanks again !! - jake
I purchased my 600's in the nineties. Rebuilt them with the inside foam, headband and ear covers. Transformed. Love them again. The old pads and headband were basically flat.
The HD650 as well. With a very powerful amp you can drive these amazing headphones to their potential. The intimate mids and rolled off treble give you such a organic and live presentation as if you're in the room as the musicians are recording.
Finally got myself a pair of the 660S2. Man they are every bit of the 650 but elevated in the best kind of way. I've just done some critical listening after burning them in. The original 660 sounds just completely off. But when you go from the 650 to the new 660S2 We have a connection that is truly a successor to the 650 sound. I find it to be a fuller richer more natural sounding 650 with extra detail and a more live sound. Ironically the original 600 is the only one of the series I don't own. But I have to say the new 660 S2 is my new reference of the six series that I own.
@@AusOpening at 300 ohms it's pretty easy to get these activated. There are so many amps that will elevate them from a phone dongle that most people are using at this point. But if you step into more powerful territory and I'm literally talking about something as simple as a Fiio K5. It's not so much about the power It's about the quality of what is driving the headphones. It is literally a revelation when you finally see what that sound is like. The exact same headphone sounds completely different. And that journey continues with better amplification. That's what they call scaling. A headphone that sounds magnificent on $150 amp sounds exquisite on a $3,000 amp and yet it's still the same pair of headphones.
@@residentzero well I'll tell you how I started this hobby. I was using expensive dongles after the headphone jack was removed and noticed they made all my headphones sound better. Decided to try a Fiio BTR5 and was blown away by the improvement not just in volume but the overall clarity and punch. No dongle came close. That led me to the K5 and yet again another clear improvement. So I had been reading about the K9 Pro and it looked impressive. I got one and holy moly this wasn't just about volume. I was hearing things I hadn't heard previously using the exact same headphones. I do not EQ only listen to what the amp/dac is producing. I can say there is definitely a difference. I went further down the rabbit hole as they say and got an end game amp.. The Burson Conductor GT. Once again I was taken to yet another level of detail, soundstage and now all my headphones had bass that was never there before. I have a library of songs that I know like the back of my hand that I can detect any change immediately when I listen through different devices. For shits and giggles I pulled out the K5 that started it all. If I had never heard another amp I would still say that little amp is a beast and sounds incredible. And it is especially for its price. When I listen to it now it's like all the air, space, bass and detail have been sucked out of the music. It has no life or musicality. It sounds super flat and two dimensional. All the magic is gone. Again using the same headphones so I know what they are capable of. Not sure what amp you are using but they definitely do more than make the music louder. Now that I have stepped into much higher end headphones (Hifiman HE1000 SE, Sennheiser HD800S) just WOW. There is a whole other world of how deep into the music and studio recordings that is achievable. I love music and love my gear. As long as you enjoy the music and toe tap while listening that's all that matters. I now listen to entire albums while relaxing in my recliner/listening station. I appreciate the music and productions even more. Joy!
I was worried about these headphone when i bought them back in 2021, the clamp force was insane at first, made me miss my HD 598's. But after stretching them out, could use books or anything that will slowly stretch them, they became the best sounding, and the most comfortable headphones I have ever had.
I've had my HD 650s for years now, they are basically a part of my body now. Highly recommend them. Now if only I could stop the wire from snagging perfectly on the frame of my Aeron when i get up from my desk..
I've had the HD650 as my baseline reference since the start of my audio journey some 13 years ago. Its the headphone that has outlasted many others which have come and gone, and scales immensely as I upgrade my electronics. 20 years since the HD650's release, itself and the 600 are timeless, highly reliable workhorses and are legendary status HPs that are worth much more than their price.
The treble bothers me in the 600 and 650. I've tried to like both but I can't get over those peaks. The 660 treble is much more to my liking tbh. And with EQ I think the driver is snappier and slightly more resolving in the 660.
I agree with you on the hd 600. I tried to like it but far too lean in the base and shouty at higher volumes as I like my music fairly loud. But I do prefer the hd 650, not perfect but it's a keeper for me. I also own the hd 660s which to me is the better sounding and technically better headphone out of the three. I sold the hd 600 and kept the hd 650 and hd 660s.
Bought my HD600 ages ago when they were first released and still admire the midrange for reproduction of classical recordings over just about everything else I've tried but suggest you try the Final Sonorous III with the B type pads for comparison. The ability to have a wider stage and more satisfying bass energy from the III vs the 600 is something that I value greatly. Being able to hear clearly the bass lines of the music so prominently presented without undue intrusion over the mids is something you may enjoy as well. See the hifiplus and 6moons reviews of the III. The open box HiFiMan HE6SEV2 (that I bought before the price went up) with a worthy amp rivals the midrange of the HD600 and I find the 6SEV2 more engaging overall than either the HD600 or the Sonorous III.
I bought HD600 more than 10 years ago and this is still my main daily driver. Definitely the BEST purchase I've ever made. Purchasing of a HD-25, my go-to headphone for DJ gigs for years, can get close, but nothing else.
Had mine for about 25 years and never desired any other headphones I've tried over the 600s. I've replaced pads of course, also the cables and drivers once. That's another nice feature, easy to find and replace parts. For tonal balance and detail the 600 is all I want.
Good to see the appreciation for the HD600. People saying the 6xx and even 660 are better comes from them never hearing the 600. Prefered? Sure, but better tuned? Absolutely not. Not even close to how natural, effortless, clear the 600 is.
@@Sand_1995 preference is subjective. But we know what an instrument sounds like, the better its replicated, the better its tuned. Its your choice if you prefer it not to sound like that.
The Sundaras blow the HD6xx series out of the water with better technicalities and soundstage being a planar magnetic. Not to mention have actual treble extension and clean bass unlike the dark muffled mess the HD600 headphones are.
I’m just going to say it… I love this headphone but the midrange sounds just a tad shouty to me. I do not perceive vocals as perfectly neutral. There is a slight emphasis on upper midrange compared to lower midrange. There is more upper midrange presence rather than low end body and girth. Another easy way to tell is that on perfectly neutral midranges, it will sound like vocals are coming straight at you, directly into your ears. A warm shift to vocals, like on the hd660s2, will sound a bit “below” the very middle of your ears and an upper midrange shift like what the hd 600 has will give the impression of a vocalist that sounds like it is coming from slightly “above” you. What do you guys think?
That’s exactly how I hear them as well! Just too much midrange emphasis which is what narrows the soundstage. It can be very intoxicating if you listen mostly to vocals. My current favorite in the price range is the FiiO FT3 as I feel that it offers a better all-around presentation and is better packaged.
@@arthurhaywood2184 that’s not what I’m saying. I really like a lot of midrange. A strong and present vocalist is what I am chasing. Even if it narrows the soundstage I don’t care because I love a strong and present vocalist above all else in the music. I am referring to the tonality of the midrange, not the loudness or how present the midrange is. I am saying the lower end body of voices compared to the upper end of voices where you get the presence and shout.
Its probably why the new B&K target has a slight bass boost. Because that relationship between the highest point of the subbass, and pinna gain is important, and none of the 6xx line has the correct amount of subbass to begin with. For me, even despite that, anything less than the 600 sounds like the singer is behind a curtain. The 6xx makes everthing sound too vailed.
This was the first pair of audiophile headphones I ever bought and they hit what I like from a sound signature position so well that since then I’ve only bought iem’s lol
Thank you, it has been a long time since I've listened to my HD600's. I've pulled them out today to listen to them. Two points, I feel worth mentioning. 1. TUBES. These things do fantastic when tubed. 2. They scale very well. Their flavor changes a bit from amp to amp, which is fun for an audiophile who likes to change the sound a bit depending on their mood.
These are the most comfy headphones I owned. Upgraded from ATH M40x and then upgraded again to Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro which is a bit clampy and heavy. I can wear the HD 6XX all day with no issues.
6:12 I’ve always love the brand form my first pair HD 414 in 1970 on up through the 6XX, and a few in between. Thank you for the great review of a great piece of headphone tech
HD 600 still my go-to headphones with my desk top amp (I've replaced the HeadRoom Supreme a few times over. Now I use the Zen with Balanced out). I listen to math metal, progressive death metal, jazz fusion, rock-among other genres. The speed, clarity, & tone, are so good on the HD 600. I feel like drums/bass hit satisfyingly hard and clear on the HD 600s. I like the Pratt alot. Complicated poly-rhythms flow great and are not congested. AND No siblance!! :) :) I bought HD 650's and cannot listen to them. I thought I would prefer the more "bassy" sound(more bass = better?) No not for everyone. Big lesson for me. Turns out the percussion and bass guitar for genres of Jazz, Rock, and Metal live more in low mid range frequencies. For me, the HD650 loses the PRaT of the midrange bass and is more muddy, much less hard hitting. No siblance like the HD 650, but I am distracted by that veil on the treble of the HD650. I've had relationships with other headphones(including planars) over the years. They were all short-lived and I kept coming back to the HD600s.
So I've got a plethora of common studio headphones... audio techica ATH-M50X, Sony 7506, Senn HD600, Byerdynamic DT990 Avantone MP-1 and a few other mid grade consumer based headphones including Audio technica ATH-A550z (which are actually my favorites for just regular music listening. Of these headphones, the HD600s are the cans that offer the most consistent 1:1 transition to my studio monitors. I use Dynaudio LYD48s and Neumann KH120 in my studio by the way.. With the HD600, whatever changes i make in either monitor sounds the same on the cans and vice versa! My previous monitors which were basically budget project studio monitors were a nightmare to get a somewhat consistent translation with my headphones. This was compounded by each of those headphones having a totally different sound profile. This led to me to not being sure which listening device i could trust. The HD600s more closely resembles what I'm hearing in my LYDs and Neumanns. As a result I'm rarely picking up the other headphones to check mixes on. If i get it sounding right on the HD600s i know it will work on my studio monitors and vice versa. I'm not saying they are the best headphones out there, but the tonality and balance just seems to work well for me. No matter what headphones you have, i think it's definitely worth having a pair of these in your headphone locker. 💯💯💯
Good to know. I'm finally breaking into open-backs with the Hifiman Deva Pro on the way, due to its versatility (Bluetooth OR wired), great reviews and an excellent sale price. My go-to sound right now is a pair of Event 20/20 BAS studio monitors, which I love. Eventually I'll probably get the HD600s as a true, accurate and pleasant headphone, sort of how I think of my 20/20s. Have you heard the Deva Pro, and as a planar magnetic set vs the HD600's moving coil design, what can you say about the sound difference?
I bought my 1st pair in 1998 and after about a year my son managed to sneak them into the bottom of the dishwasher, probably while my wife had her back turned while doing something else. She didn't see it happen and so she closed the door and started it up. I came home from work hours later and didn't listen to music that night and so I didn't discover it until the next day. It didn't work out so well! I then purchased a cheaper pair but bought my 2nd HD 600 about 10 years ago. I've got them dressed up in the headband of a 650 though because I didn't want to relive that 90's faux granite look again, and the finish was all chipping away anyway. It's a great headphone to this day and it looks much better in that gun metal gray color, I think. I have just added the HD 660S2 which is, to my eyes the best looking of the series. I don't have much time into them at this point but I like the bump in the bass and seem to hear less of that veil as well. I haven't had the chance yet to hear it on tubes, where I expect it to shine as does the 600.
If the dishes look suspicious, double check with the Mrs. The wet earpads might have some squishes, but in the future, you'll revisit them for the blisses. Thanks for being an awesome "rinse and repeat" customer :) 😘Kisses -Sennheiser
When researching a pair of headphones for mixing purposes, time and time again the HD600s popped up as the "classic standard". I got the newer, black models (yes, they do look better than the old marble bands) and they are, I must say, a very transparent and flat sound.
I have the marbletop version and IT'S WAY BETTER LOOKING and I'm watching this video with it right now. Ok, now I can continue watching the rest of the video hahaha
It is a particular type of man, a distinguished man. A man of quality and eloquence. A man of vast endowment, wealth and taste.. who chooses the duck egg/kitchen worktop sennheiser hd600. The first glimpse of the glossy spattered pattern, reflected in a glass of vcp reserve, brings forth the reality of the moment's grandeur. The kitchen worktop shine is something to behold as it sets the standard. A cut above the rest. A subtle peak at perfection. No mere mortal should be allowed this much indulgence.. this much luxury. When i don my duck egg 600's, i do so with my pinkies exstended, as if i were drinking a fine cup of tea with both hands. I pitty those with the poverty spec, harsh angular grey, modern ones. They are are an insult to the beauty and finesse of the original. Those who dissagree are philistines and fools. I challenge thee to a dual at dawn. (Effeminately flicks you round the cheek with white leather glove) you leave my gorgeous original black membrane, original drivered 1996 countertop hd600's alone you meany! 😂 great review btw dude. I just bought a spares and repair set for the duck egg furniture. Getting a pair of original unused cream membrane capsules off my brother too so ill have a second daily set soon. Full resto time xx
There bloody unbreakable they have dropped from a wardrobe countless times, been stepped on, sat on, been accidently flung accross the room and used every day for 8 years. I was disapointed by the plastic construction when I first bought them for £380, now I get it. There so light you forget there on. I spent three months researching and come across multiple lab test that confirmed they were the flattest frequency responce headphones for under a grand. Sennhieser deserves props for delivering on a product. Still very happy with them.
If you can get past the boy racer mag wheel styling, the FT3 by FiiO is a really nice example of an open-backed headphone with a balanced sound signature and sub bass extension. I love my HD600's, but I haven't been reaching for them since i got the FT3's. Incredible package for the price, too. Not sure why more people aren't talking about them.
I just got them. My first 'real' headphones and my first open backs. I'm in love. Both bass and soundstage (which are just fine for me in the first place) can be improved significantly if you get an iFi ZEN stack, preferrably Signature. The Xbass and Xspace on my CAN Signature amplifier make these headphones sound sublime. Also, definitely recommend ZMF subpads for them, particularly the Perforated Suede ones - they improve both SQ and comfort. And a balanced cable won't hurt either, personally using the Hart Audio HC-5 Dual Senn cable.
Tried many headphones and now into chifi iems. All these 15 + years the hd600 is my goto headphones. Fantastic comfort. The HD Series is most comfortable headphones ive tried. Bose qc series had fantastic comfort but they are not audiophile.
I agree with the comfort of bose qc series. I have the qc 35ii. I have large oversize ears yet the qc 35ii are soooo comfortable. They may not be audiophile, but I really like their sound signatures for a closed back headphone. I overall prefer their sound to my senn momentum 3 (wireless), audio technica m40x, akg k371, creative aurvama live se (cal se), and long out of circulation senn amperior. I know most audiophiles will think I have cloth ears.
As a 90s teenager, my mall had that 90s countertop look to it everywhere. If I had a pair of the Huh Duh Six Hungeos, I'd want the countertop look for the nostalgia.
I just got my HD 600 they sound awesome but they clamp on my head so much tighter than they need to be! Does anyone know which Sennheiser open-back model has a gentle clamp on the ears? Or has anyone tried to bend the headband to ease the pressure?
You can "wear" it over something and over the time that will slowly reshape the head band. My 6XX head band is almost complete flat because I have a wide head.
They are going to have to bury me with my kitchen counter HD 600's. These things are always around in our hobby. Not only are they enjoyable to listen to and quite affordable, they also offer a great reference if you need a sanity check naturalness. I think they will always be the best tool for mastering and headphone comparison.
i really don't understand how can people call headphones (or iems, or speakers) so deficient in the bass "natural". the Senns are spectacular in the midrange, but unless you're listening to music with no content under 80hz, they don't sound "natural" at all. i get why people like them and recommend them (deservedly. particularly when you factor in build quality and aftermarket support for pads and cables), but...
I bought one of these in the late 90. It worked flawlessly for around 20 years, where a coil wire was cut and I never could solder it back. BTW, this was under equatorial climate, so it was already a great achievement.
@@thomasvullings97 At this time it was not yet Euros but Francs. I guess it was between 450 and 500 F. Equivalent of 75 €, so the actual price is x 4 while my salary is not x 4.
@@thomasvullings97 This scale up of prices is general. As a sample, bread baguette was 1.20 francs in 1999, 24 years later it's 1.20 euros, so x 6.5. As said, it's sorry that the salaries have not been following the trend. Minimum wage was around 6000 francs in 1999, now it's 1200 euros....so it's an increase of the equivalent of 1800 francs only, very far from monetary erosion rate. If the minimum wage had been sticking to this rate it would be actually of 4500 €....Do you think it's fantasy ? Well, that's the actual minimum wage in Swiss, next door but out of EuroZone.
Resolve, haven't you heard about the audiophile rocks that enhances the sound qualities of your headphone? Sennheiser already knew that when they first designed the HD600, that's why it has a marble frame. Sadly the younger generation is so used to the sound of stock in-ears from their mobile phones that Sennheiser had to remove the marble to make it sound more hollow. 😆
Even though they may be outclassed in certain categories, I find that midrange performance and timbre tend to be two of the most important aspects of listening to Hi-Fi and the HD600 series definitely deliver on that front.
Marble countertop version owner here. You're right, they are gaudy. I got them for free, though, so I can't complain. Only had to replace the earpads and head-pad - both badly worn.
i've used rhe HD 558 and 580 for some years with pad changes, these are still the best for comfortably safe neutral listening, too much bass will damage your hearing.
I was actually disappointed that the version of the HD 600 I bought was not the marble version. That said, this is still one of my favorite headphones.
Love the HD600 series. Decided to make them my endgame after owning many flagships incl. Utopia, Audeze and others. Though I chose the HD660S having owned and use HD650, 600 in the past.
For a distraction I lost my HD600 after more than 6 years to have and enjoy a lot with them. So nice that if I buy them again I will experience the same as I have been doing. Thanks
I've had them for 25 years, pretty beaten by now (I dropped them, stepped on them, sat on them, etc. hundreds of times, used 8 hours a day (extremely comfortable, I have a tiny head), and to me nothing compares. The only thing I hated about them is the marble but I had to look now again, I basically forgot about it.
@@kato2395 for me they're less good for synthetic sounds, very good for anything acoustic where you want instruments and vocals to sound natural. So edm falls flat, but stuff like Adele or the Fray is amazing
I think it’s one of the best headphones, period. I have a HD800s. But I find myself using my HD650 most of the time, because they’re so good with vocals while having a very close soundstage. I still prefer the HD800s for music and games. But 90% of the time I’m using headphones, it’s watching TH-cam or hanging out in Discord, and they’re easy to talk in. I would say they’re even better for TV shows and series, because they’re commentary focused. Even listening to podcasts around the house if you have a balanced Bluetooth DAC/AMP. And the open backs still allow you to hear what you’re doing.
I find daily drivers are different from those you use to listen music. You really need something that sounds comfortable to you for daily drivers instead of top of the line headphones for enjoying music. In my case, the Grado GS-2000e is a beast in my collection, but I find it distracting with too much information coming in when I just need a simple good pair of headphones for daily use or casual listening. I reverted to a 1st gen Grado SR-225 equivilant (a 1st gen SR-80 that's got a SR-225i driver and cable mod ) for my daily driver in the end as the $200-300 price point just hits the right spot of "everything is balanced". There's just a sweetspot the $200-300 class headphones do particularly well as daily drivers that can wow people unexpectingly.
Since nobody is sharing EQ settings, I will just add that I am listening now with just a +11.8 peak @ 23Hz Q=0.5 (-11.8 pre) and I love it. Also my dac is the original Chord Mojo.
I'd guess that my copper modded and pad rolled 6XX on tubes is basically the same thing, but a little more bassy. I am super happy and just love it. I have listened to the HD800 multiple times, still love my pair more, because it's so laid back and chill. Btw, I'd love to see someone else talking about 650/6XX/600 mods. I would like to hear how they are from someone who hasn't developed the mod (Copper mod for example). I guess I'm not missing out on too much, but I'd love to hear the HD600 one day.
Greetings to you! Please advise the top 3 full-size headphones up to $ 700 in your opinion to purchase. Need universal headphones for Music, movies and games.Thanks for the advice! 🤝
I much prefer the HD660S over HD600. Running them over FiiO BTR7. The HD600 run at a significantly lower volume compared to HD660S on the wireless setup of the amp. With the wire on, the volume gets a boosT, to a good amount of decibels, but it’s still lower than HD660S. Also the sound signature is better on HD660S.. You get more bass and clarity. A bit less highs I would say.
I think the HD600 can sometimes sound more expressive on vocals, but sometimes a bit shouty in the upper mids. HD660S is more safety and versatile choice.
@@KingFiercer_zip I got used to the sound of HD600. I enjoy them when I want to relax with some good sound but nothing distractive. I can even fall asleep with them on. I go with 660 when I want to be active and right into the music. Both are great. At some point I might replace HD660 with the new version.
I upgraded to 660S2 and they sound better than the previous version. Still not loving the HD600. They have no bass with my setup. Sound is pretty anemic. Quite good and relaxing with acoustic and classical music. I listen more to EDM and Rock music, so for this reason, I prefer HD660S2 and 660S over HD600. My favorites for Rock, are Grado SR325.
![[TH] 2024 PMSL SEA W2D2 | Fall | เครื่องร้อน พร้อมลุย](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/JO2_bLow_1Y/mqdefault.jpg)
Ah, such beautiful detail shots. 😍 Thanks for this video! We're liiikely biased but would agree... STILL one of the best headphones, no doubt.
It’s ol’ mate Senny!
@@radioactivehalfrhyme Reporting for duty!
For gamming, would an HD599 a good option for a newby?
Please make an affordable version of the HE-1 ! I am sure a simpler version can be made but with keeping as much as possible the sound signature and quality ! 🙏
@@noquedaniunoit's quite fatigued for me, u need to try the sound signature
My OG 1997 HD 600 is still going strong. Everything but the driver and cup assembly has been replaced, and should last another 25 years. 😊
Ah yes, the famous kitchen counter headphone xD
Mine broke down after 1 year. Consider yourself lucky instead of thinking that you own the greatest headphone of the world (you seriously don't). Also, most owners of a HD600 lack proper gear and don't drive them properly, nor have they any clue what I just said as it's like their only headphone (...). Please tell me you're not one of those!
@@RafiGish You must feel really smart now, huh?
How much did the drivers cost?
@@sanjaykumar.v8139They said they replaced everything except the drivers and cups, so its the original ones still
Probably one of the safest buys in headphones. Both in terms of sound, and also in build and longevity
I'd say the average consumer cares so much about bass that an X2HR for example would be preferred by the classless masses. I think and have heard so many times people being initially disappointed with these since the strengths might need a bit of an ear for them to begin with.
Comparing the HD600 to something like the X2HR should be a crime.
@@rene837 True, but not for the average XM4/Bose person I believe and that's most. Also with a bit of EQ thw X2HR is really nice for metal especially that most cheaper cans can't do well at all.
@@hartyewh1 The problem is that it has distortion issues due to resonance peaks in the treble and bad detail retrieval.
@@rene837 Seems fine for the price. Given the level of dynamics I can't think of a better option for about $100 that they have been recently.
Another hugely underrated point about this line of headphones is the sheer longevity of the design and build, save for the padding (which is easy to replace and has ample availability in basically all markets). I have a second-hand, original HD 580 that is quite literally a year older than me and has been in day-to-day use for most of its lifetime, and still is. As with so many other things, we have a word for this in Germany: unkaputtbar 😌
Now compare this to Hifiman's spotty QC for the Sundara as well as frequent product iterations/subsequent improbability of spare parts into the distant future, and that alone is another massive additional selling point.
based, love germany products. I myself has an amp from germany which sounds godly and build wise I think it will last a lifetime, the Lake People G111 MK2
Thank you for the compliment, and for keeping this classic in your rotation!
Guaranteed,....it wasn't made in Deutshland! And, BTW, the HD 580 has a "sterile" sound. sent mine back after 1 month. Also, it was very uncomfortable!
Are the pads on the band also replaceable? This is an especially troublesome problem for me as a bald man, the eventual crumbling of pu leather exposed to skin is frustrating
@@veryDave You can replace the headband padding too, yes. It's not leather or protein leather though so it doesn't flake, it just flattens out.
Its staggering that 25 years ago they came out wity a headphone so well tuned before any of current target adherence stuff even existed. Kinda sad there is so few headphones today that are so well tuned, while you can get iems tuned to practically every adherence target there is.
@@fisherman9435 then you must be 120.
@@fisherman9435 My earliest memory was watching Joe Biden take his first pledge to drive the mongrel dogs of the British Empire from these lands.
and yet, most IEM's still lack the timbre that the HD600 has.
@@Draggo. thats definitely true, but the 600 is far from a perfect headphone and many iems around it price class do more things better for more genres. You'd only argue different if you think you listen to many genres of music, but in reality, you really don't at all.
Because Harman didn't invent the target. Sennheiser knew about it before.
I had a bit of a wild journey with open-backs. Starting at the X2HR years ago, before taking the jump to a Sundara and HD650 combo in 2022 (wanted to try them both), then acquiring an AKG K702 (just wanted to know what soundstage was like), and then selling the Sundaras in favor of Meze 109s. Eventually I picked up an Edition XS (Did not like the Sundaras too much, but missed certain planar characteristics), which I enjoyed a lot more than the 109 Pros, and then finally a pair of HD600s to see what they were like compared to HD650 and my other headphones.
I had always used the HD650s as my "everyday" sort of headphone, but really only attributed to the comfort, I never really wanted to use them over Ed. XS or 109 Pros, I was expecting the HD600s to be so similar to 650 that they would also fall into the same kind of use case for me. But to my surprise, I enjoyed the HD600s tremendously. Compared to the HD650, it was as if the 650s had the stage curtains closed between you and the performers, while the HD600 was presented with them wide-open. Suddenly I started liking an HD6** pair for more than just comfort, and began questioning why I had spent so much money on headphones when the HD600s at $300 were my preferred sound signature, I think mid-range just matters more to me than low-end and treble.
After much deliberation, I finally went through the effort of selling the K702s, 109 Pros, and the HD650s, ending up with "just" two open-back headphones. The HD600s which I use nearly all the time, and the Edition XS which I pretty much use exclusively for gaming, good orchestra recordings where I want some more staging, and high-energy music where bass makes a difference. I think they are a really good combo, however, while I can see myself eventually upgrading my Edition XS to a more expensive Hifiman or maybe even Audeze, I think the HD600s are here to stay.
@@fisherman9435 I am on my three months sober badge, haven't bought any headphones since the HD600. (IEMS AND CLOSED BACKS DON'T COUNT!!)
HD 600 is definitely special, I love them, I also have HD800s when bigger soundstage are preferred, they complement each other perfect imo.
Wow this is a great compliment. Thank you! As reliably as the sun rising and setting, the HD 600 appreciates you trusting them with your audio.
I now have the Edition XS and was considering the purchase of the HD600 for a more natural presentation. You comment pushed me even more so in the direction of doing it, seeing they complement each other well. Also, I know exactly what you mean when you say the XSs are good for orchestra recordings. I can't get enough of it for classical listening. That presence emphasis works really well for strings. Jazz also shines.
I've been holding on to my 600's and Sundaras and deliberating at large, but I really think the Sundaras get the cutting block. They have better subbass, or really, any at all. But the Sundara just has a sucked out midrange to me and just a little bright. If I just compare side to side, the Sundaras feel more impressive, but it's always the six hungeos I go for when I grab one. They're a keeper. They've aged better than I have, despite the kitchen countertop, which I happen to like. Maybe it's 90's nostalgia.
I've had mine for 20 years now (and I bought them used, production date is 1997). Still going strong.
Next year will be 10 years for my pair. Still works and still is absolutely amazing. I got it for $350 at that time and it still is worth every penny even back then. It really is great for more vocal music and footsteps in games. I love them.
Can't argue with the math: about $35 a year to connect with your music and games on the deepest level, whenever you want 😎 Thanks for being a great customer through the years!
@@sennheiser Would you guys give me a HE-1 if I said pretty please 🥺
@@crylune We sent one but nobody was home, so UPS returned it
I literally ordered the hd600 today after receiving some advice from listener a few days ago.
I have the OG HD600 plus the
HD650,HD660s,
HD660 S2,HD58X Jubilee, and if I only had to keep one it would still be the 600🙏
Plugged into My Tube Rolled Dark Voice they still have been my End game Listening experience.
Simply Stunning Sound all around in my opinion and the Tube Amp Sound actually helps the Bass.
What is the diffrence in comparison to 58x ?
🏆 we can't thank you enough for making these a part of your daily life, several times over! 🙏🙏
@@Dan.M821
Price mainly especially as the Drivers in the 58x are basically the same drivers as in the Original HD660.Remove the Foam inserts behind the Outer Grilles and you have a very cheap pair of HD660 that I really cannot tell the difference (sound wise) and that’s a fact.The HD58x Jubilee are a steal at the price and even more so when I bought mine when they first launched.
The HD650 are as everyone knows a Darker Sound yet undeniably the same Sound as the HD6xx (which is why I’ve not bought them) yet the HD600 (originals) just have to be listened to to appreciate their Brilliance and difference to the the rest of the models I’ve listed as yes they have something special all the others lack.
Hey, maybe you will help me. I had 58x and i really love it, now looking for new pair and considering 600 or 660s2. How would you compare these two? Is it worth to pay more for 660s2??
I'd love to see a review of the HD 580 Precision. Obviously it hasn't been in production for years, but I think it would just be a very entertaining video. I'd love to see it included in the comparison video as well as the HD 58X!
Proud owner of a pair since 2000 and they are still going strong. The pair stayed in the box for 7 years in an area of the apartment subject to fairly large changes of temperature (from 12°C in the winter to 35°C in the summer), but I only had to change the pads and it was good to go. The plastic shows no signs of cracks despite the pair falling on the floor from the top of my PC tower on a regular basis. It's just a good sounding, no fuss headphone.
Owned this 15 years ago when I was into headphones and it was my fav after trying many of them. happy to hear It’s still considered amazing. Must sound sick with the new age dacs and balanced amps!
I got hd600 recently.
The amount of detail is unbelievable!
This is hardly a mystery. It is still great now. And it will still be next year, and yet I'm sure it will be revisited by someone by then. That's a sign of a true legend.
You are a legend for continuing the legend, my legend friend.
My first headphone, truly beloved, still in my collection in company with Focal Utopia, Hifiman HEK V2, He6, HD800S.
Thank you for keeping this classic in your stable!
I don’t mean to throw shade, but why do you have so many headphones? Do you use each for different genres?
@@Wordsalad69420 each headphone is like a woman. They're different, and you love every single one of them.
@@Wordsalad69420 I have the HD600 and my beloved Hifiman HE1000 Stealth, and will probably soon get the Focal Bathys. It just happens.
These are fantastic headphones, even to those of us with high-end headphones. When I sold my mid-level headphones to get my Susvara, I kept the HD600 because it just offers a great listening experience. Add Tubes for a bit of flavor, even a Schitt Vali 2 is fantastic.
Great combo, and thanks for sharing your story here. Tubes RULE!
In 1999 I had no idea what I was ordering without hearing first. I still have the same one and have gone through 3 sets of ear cushions and a couple head cushions. I think at least two sets of cables in addition to a set of Oyaide silver ones I got when I lived in Japan. I still enjoy them a lot! The other main set I use is a LCD5 for a little over a year. Currently fed from a RME ADI 2 Pro FS. Oh and currently have Dekoni pads. Top tier in my book. Thanks for another great video. One regret is I wish I still had the original box.
As a music producer these headphones have absolutely changed the game for me being able to hear compression propperly and being able to place elements are great i pair these cans with my studio monitors and dam. Just awesome. Great set of headphones
I just got some for mixing and mastering. Cant wait to get them!
got them after watching some of your reviews and how often you mentioned them as one of your all time favorites... i use them for mixing and mastering (classical, jazz and world music) along with a pair of Audeze lcd-x 2021, powered by a Rupert Neve RNHP Precision headphone amplifier. I have to say i prefer to use the Sennheisers for critical listening! they are that good! sure, i won't get the level of detail and bass the Audeze offer (they are also awesome for studio use, no question!) but being so intimate and neutral on the mid frequencies is a delight; you just have to dial your mixes perfectly to sound great on the sennheisers! ...and once you achieve that, chances are your mixes will sound GREAT anywhere! they are Not fatiguing and ridiculously transparent! thanks so much for what you do...
still would like you or any of your colleagues to review the Neumann NDH 30 under that critical listening (professional use) perspective! maybe one day?
The Sundara was my 1st dive into hifi last year. I recently got the HD600 and it's been amazing. When paired with my Fiio K9 and Shanling M3 Ultra, I can't get over how good it sounds and how well it scales with my gear. I can see why it has been around for this long. Great buy and an easy 1st recommendation!
Thank you for spreading the good word about the 600 🙏🙏
What’s hifi
@@keegan8517 short for high fidelity
How does it compare to the Sundara after EQ?
Hi I have the fiio K5 with 1.4 watts per channel. Will it be enough to drive these headphones?
love my marble blue HD600 have been using them for gaming for several years, and just replaced my earpads cause I wore them out. I always recommend it to my friends all the time.
Definitely in my top 3 of headphones I'd like to hear and probably own
Hoping you will compare the HD 600 with Neumann NDH 30 (for what i've read, Neumann, being part of Sennheiser, took a lot from the HD600 &650 to produce the NDH 30). If anyone owns both, would love your take!!
You're not kidding. I bought one of these shortly after they came out, just before Y2K, and they are the only audio componant that I still have and use from back then. (Currently my top headphone is the Audeze LCD-5). For exceptional midrange -- think recording or mixing a Jazz vocalist, acoustic instrument ensemble,, that sort of thing -- they are shockingly accurate and translate exceptionally well to any high-end playback system. If you like music where pounding deep bass is not in the mix, these are hard to beat even at a way, way higher price. I'll be interested in your coming comparison!
Appreciate you stating what is EQable and what isn't. So many "purist audiophile" reviewers leave that out. It's literally a way to alter the dynamics of the sound and can be extremely beneficial. Good review mate.
The HD600 is one of the best headphones you can buy regardless of price, I highly recommend them.
I have the marble version and I just wanna say that I dont care about how it looks. All I can say is I love how it sounds.
same! though I'd like to see Andrew do a comparison of the old vs new
I own older HD580s black silk version, they are most expensive headphones in my collection and I love how it is so old, but still so good.
love mine as well, make sure to get a capra strap
I got these on an open-box sale on your website and I couldn't be happier. $130 off. They were brand new, someone cut the seal on the box and didn't even take them out! 10/10 Would buy again.
Fellow creative professional here. Thank you SOO much for this review. I subscribed just becuase I enjoy how you explain things and you don't sound as biased in one way or another. I was referred to these headphones after asking someone for the best bang for my buck and level sounding headphones and this is the video that popped up right away. I wont be able to snag through the headphones site due to back order. I'm moving back to Europe and need to snag them ASAP Thanks again !! - jake
I purchased my 600's in the nineties. Rebuilt them with the inside foam, headband and ear covers. Transformed. Love them again. The old pads and headband were basically flat.
Man this guy has knowledge. Thanks for all the information!
The HD650 as well. With a very powerful amp you can drive these amazing headphones to their potential. The intimate mids and rolled off treble give you such a organic and live presentation as if you're in the room as the musicians are recording.
Seriously. It has such an amazing sound, and I think you chose the correct term, organic. I’m a huge fan of the hd650.
Finally got myself a pair of the 660S2. Man they are every bit of the 650 but elevated in the best kind of way. I've just done some critical listening after burning them in. The original 660 sounds just completely off. But when you go from the 650 to the new 660S2 We have a connection that is truly a successor to the 650 sound. I find it to be a fuller richer more natural sounding 650 with extra detail and a more live sound. Ironically the original 600 is the only one of the series I don't own. But I have to say the new 660 S2 is my new reference of the six series that I own.
What do you mean by powerful amp? I feel like with most amps I barely go over 12 o’clock on low gain so more power isn’t really necessary
@@AusOpening at 300 ohms it's pretty easy to get these activated. There are so many amps that will elevate them from a phone dongle that most people are using at this point. But if you step into more powerful territory and I'm literally talking about something as simple as a Fiio K5. It's not so much about the power It's about the quality of what is driving the headphones. It is literally a revelation when you finally see what that sound is like. The exact same headphone sounds completely different. And that journey continues with better amplification. That's what they call scaling. A headphone that sounds magnificent on $150 amp sounds exquisite on a $3,000 amp and yet it's still the same pair of headphones.
@@residentzero well I'll tell you how I started this hobby. I was using expensive dongles after the headphone jack was removed and noticed they made all my headphones sound better. Decided to try a Fiio BTR5 and was blown away by the improvement not just in volume but the overall clarity and punch. No dongle came close. That led me to the K5 and yet again another clear improvement. So I had been reading about the K9 Pro and it looked impressive. I got one and holy moly this wasn't just about volume. I was hearing things I hadn't heard previously using the exact same headphones. I do not EQ only listen to what the amp/dac is producing. I can say there is definitely a difference. I went further down the rabbit hole as they say and got an end game amp.. The Burson Conductor GT. Once again I was taken to yet another level of detail, soundstage and now all my headphones had bass that was never there before. I have a library of songs that I know like the back of my hand that I can detect any change immediately when I listen through different devices. For shits and giggles I pulled out the K5 that started it all. If I had never heard another amp I would still say that little amp is a beast and sounds incredible. And it is especially for its price. When I listen to it now it's like all the air, space, bass and detail have been sucked out of the music. It has no life or musicality. It sounds super flat and two dimensional. All the magic is gone. Again using the same headphones so I know what they are capable of. Not sure what amp you are using but they definitely do more than make the music louder. Now that I have stepped into much higher end headphones (Hifiman HE1000 SE, Sennheiser HD800S) just WOW. There is a whole other world of how deep into the music and studio recordings that is achievable. I love music and love my gear. As long as you enjoy the music and toe tap while listening that's all that matters. I now listen to entire albums while relaxing in my recliner/listening station. I appreciate the music and productions even more. Joy!
I was worried about these headphone when i bought them back in 2021, the clamp force was insane at first, made me miss my HD 598's. But after stretching them out, could use books or anything that will slowly stretch them, they became the best sounding, and the most comfortable headphones I have ever had.
I've had my HD 650s for years now, they are basically a part of my body now. Highly recommend them. Now if only I could stop the wire from snagging perfectly on the frame of my Aeron when i get up from my desk..
I have the exact same issue
I've had the HD650 as my baseline reference since the start of my audio journey some 13 years ago. Its the headphone that has outlasted many others which have come and gone, and scales immensely as I upgrade my electronics. 20 years since the HD650's release, itself and the 600 are timeless, highly reliable workhorses and are legendary status HPs that are worth much more than their price.
The treble bothers me in the 600 and 650. I've tried to like both but I can't get over those peaks. The 660 treble is much more to my liking tbh. And with EQ I think the driver is snappier and slightly more resolving in the 660.
I agree with you on the hd 600. I tried to like it but far too lean in the base and shouty at higher volumes as I like my music fairly loud. But I do prefer the hd 650, not perfect but it's a keeper for me. I also own the hd 660s which to me is the better sounding and technically better headphone out of the three. I sold the hd 600 and kept the hd 650 and hd 660s.
you dont want to hear treble at all then, which is weird
Bought my HD600 ages ago when they were first released and still admire the midrange for reproduction of classical recordings over just about everything else I've tried but suggest you try the Final Sonorous III with the B type pads for comparison. The ability to have a wider stage and more satisfying bass energy from the III vs the 600 is something that I value greatly. Being able to hear clearly the bass lines of the music so prominently presented without undue intrusion over the mids is something you may enjoy as well. See the hifiplus and 6moons reviews of the III. The open box HiFiMan HE6SEV2 (that I bought before the price went up) with a worthy amp rivals the midrange of the HD600 and I find the 6SEV2 more engaging overall than either the HD600 or the Sonorous III.
I bought HD600 more than 10 years ago and this is still my main daily driver. Definitely the BEST purchase I've ever made. Purchasing of a HD-25, my go-to headphone for DJ gigs for years, can get close, but nothing else.
Had mine for about 25 years and never desired any other headphones I've tried over the 600s. I've replaced pads of course, also the cables and drivers once. That's another nice feature, easy to find and replace parts. For tonal balance and detail the 600 is all I want.
Good to see the appreciation for the HD600. People saying the 6xx and even 660 are better comes from them never hearing the 600. Prefered? Sure, but better tuned? Absolutely not. Not even close to how natural, effortless, clear the 600 is.
True. Im getting tired of the 660 hype train. It built on paper casters.
Tuning is subjective
@@Sand_1995 preference is subjective. But we know what an instrument sounds like, the better its replicated, the better its tuned. Its your choice if you prefer it not to sound like that.
The Sundaras blow the HD6xx series out of the water with better technicalities and soundstage being a planar magnetic. Not to mention have actual treble extension and clean bass unlike the dark muffled mess the HD600 headphones are.
@@Sand_1995 so lets break this down clearly. Did you hear the 600 or the 6xx. Because you are sending mixed messages. Lmao.
I’m just going to say it… I love this headphone but the midrange sounds just a tad shouty to me. I do not perceive vocals as perfectly neutral. There is a slight emphasis on upper midrange compared to lower midrange. There is more upper midrange presence rather than low end body and girth. Another easy way to tell is that on perfectly neutral midranges, it will sound like vocals are coming straight at you, directly into your ears. A warm shift to vocals, like on the hd660s2, will sound a bit “below” the very middle of your ears and an upper midrange shift like what the hd 600 has will give the impression of a vocalist that sounds like it is coming from slightly “above” you.
What do you guys think?
That’s exactly how I hear them as well! Just too much midrange emphasis which is what narrows the soundstage. It can be very intoxicating if you listen mostly to vocals.
My current favorite in the price range is the FiiO FT3 as I feel that it offers a better all-around presentation and is better packaged.
@@arthurhaywood2184 that’s not what I’m saying. I really like a lot of midrange. A strong and present vocalist is what I am chasing. Even if it narrows the soundstage I don’t care because I love a strong and present vocalist above all else in the music. I am referring to the tonality of the midrange, not the loudness or how present the midrange is. I am saying the lower end body of voices compared to the upper end of voices where you get the presence and shout.
Its probably why the new B&K target has a slight bass boost. Because that relationship between the highest point of the subbass, and pinna gain is important, and none of the 6xx line has the correct amount of subbass to begin with. For me, even despite that, anything less than the 600 sounds like the singer is behind a curtain. The 6xx makes everthing sound too vailed.
This was the first pair of audiophile headphones I ever bought and they hit what I like from a sound signature position so well that since then I’ve only bought iem’s lol
Old but gold, love mine, perfect match for my chord mojo dac 👍
Thank you, it has been a long time since I've listened to my HD600's. I've pulled them out today to listen to them. Two points, I feel worth mentioning. 1. TUBES. These things do fantastic when tubed. 2. They scale very well. Their flavor changes a bit from amp to amp, which is fun for an audiophile who likes to change the sound a bit depending on their mood.
These are the most comfy headphones I owned. Upgraded from ATH M40x and then upgraded again to Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro which is a bit clampy and heavy. I can wear the HD 6XX all day with no issues.
6:12 I’ve always love the brand form my first pair HD 414 in 1970 on up through the 6XX, and a few in between. Thank you for the great review of a great piece of headphone tech
Thank you @stephencook2368 for being a part of this chapter in our story. You rock!
I have only ever used sennheisers.
Looking forward to the comparison video!
HD 600 still my go-to headphones with my desk top amp (I've replaced the HeadRoom Supreme a few times over. Now I use the Zen with Balanced out). I listen to math metal, progressive death metal, jazz fusion, rock-among other genres. The speed, clarity, & tone, are so good on the HD 600. I feel like drums/bass hit satisfyingly hard and clear on the HD 600s. I like the Pratt alot. Complicated poly-rhythms flow great and are not congested. AND No siblance!! :) :)
I bought HD 650's and cannot listen to them. I thought I would prefer the more "bassy" sound(more bass = better?) No not for everyone. Big lesson for me. Turns out the percussion and bass guitar for genres of Jazz, Rock, and Metal live more in low mid range frequencies. For me, the HD650 loses the PRaT of the midrange bass and is more muddy, much less hard hitting. No siblance like the HD 650, but I am distracted by that veil on the treble of the HD650.
I've had relationships with other headphones(including planars) over the years. They were all short-lived and I kept coming back to the HD600s.
The 650 is warmer than the 600, but they are more similar than different and I still use both
Brother! this type of information videos is what I absolutely like! NO background annoying soothing/music
So I've got a plethora of common studio headphones... audio techica ATH-M50X, Sony 7506, Senn HD600, Byerdynamic DT990 Avantone MP-1 and a few other mid grade consumer based headphones including Audio technica ATH-A550z (which are actually my favorites for just regular music listening.
Of these headphones, the HD600s are the cans that offer the most consistent 1:1 transition to my studio monitors. I use Dynaudio LYD48s and Neumann KH120 in my studio by the way.. With the HD600, whatever changes i make in either monitor sounds the same on the cans and vice versa!
My previous monitors which were basically budget project studio monitors were a nightmare to get a somewhat consistent translation with my headphones. This was compounded by each of those headphones having a totally different sound profile. This led to me to not being sure which listening device i could trust.
The HD600s more closely resembles what I'm hearing in my LYDs and Neumanns. As a result I'm rarely picking up the other headphones to check mixes on. If i get it sounding right on the HD600s i know it will work on my studio monitors and vice versa.
I'm not saying they are the best headphones out there, but the tonality and balance just seems to work well for me. No matter what headphones you have, i think it's definitely worth having a pair of these in your headphone locker. 💯💯💯
Good to know. I'm finally breaking into open-backs with the Hifiman Deva Pro on the way, due to its versatility (Bluetooth OR wired), great reviews and an excellent sale price. My go-to sound right now is a pair of Event 20/20 BAS studio monitors, which I love. Eventually I'll probably get the HD600s as a true, accurate and pleasant headphone, sort of how I think of my 20/20s. Have you heard the Deva Pro, and as a planar magnetic set vs the HD600's moving coil design, what can you say about the sound difference?
I bought my 1st pair in 1998 and after about a year my son managed to sneak them into the bottom of the dishwasher, probably while my wife had her back turned while doing something else. She didn't see it happen and so she closed the door and started it up. I came home from work hours later and didn't listen to music that night and so I didn't discover it until the next day. It didn't work out so well! I then purchased a cheaper pair but bought my 2nd HD 600 about 10 years ago. I've got them dressed up in the headband of a 650 though because I didn't want to relive that 90's faux granite look again, and the finish was all chipping away anyway. It's a great headphone to this day and it looks much better in that gun metal gray color, I think. I have just added the HD 660S2 which is, to my eyes the best looking of the series. I don't have much time into them at this point but I like the bump in the bass and seem to hear less of that veil as well. I haven't had the chance yet to hear it on tubes, where I expect it to shine as does the 600.
If the dishes look suspicious, double check with the Mrs. The wet earpads might have some squishes, but in the future, you'll revisit them for the blisses.
Thanks for being an awesome "rinse and repeat" customer :)
😘Kisses
-Sennheiser
When researching a pair of headphones for mixing purposes, time and time again the HD600s popped up as the "classic standard". I got the newer, black models (yes, they do look better than the old marble bands) and they are, I must say, a very transparent and flat sound.
Forgot to mention Audio Technica ATH R70X. Similar price, mostly Natural tuning with an ever so slight accent of warmth
“The huh duh six-hundros by senni” truly a classic line
But how can we be sure
Only because of the insanely natural timbre they possess. They're legend!
ChatGPT proompt: explain how timbre can be calculated as a double precision floating point score out of 100.0 from B&K 5128 raw measurement data
I have the marbletop version and IT'S WAY BETTER LOOKING and I'm watching this video with it right now. Ok, now I can continue watching the rest of the video hahaha
It is a particular type of man, a distinguished man. A man of quality and eloquence. A man of vast endowment, wealth and taste.. who chooses the duck egg/kitchen worktop sennheiser hd600. The first glimpse of the glossy spattered pattern, reflected in a glass of vcp reserve, brings forth the reality of the moment's grandeur. The kitchen worktop shine is something to behold as it sets the standard. A cut above the rest. A subtle peak at perfection. No mere mortal should be allowed this much indulgence.. this much luxury. When i don my duck egg 600's, i do so with my pinkies exstended, as if i were drinking a fine cup of tea with both hands. I pitty those with the poverty spec, harsh angular grey, modern ones. They are are an insult to the beauty and finesse of the original. Those who dissagree are philistines and fools. I challenge thee to a dual at dawn. (Effeminately flicks you round the cheek with white leather glove) you leave my gorgeous original black membrane, original drivered 1996 countertop hd600's alone you meany! 😂 great review btw dude. I just bought a spares and repair set for the duck egg furniture. Getting a pair of original unused cream membrane capsules off my brother too so ill have a second daily set soon. Full resto time xx
Hahahaha golden
bro they're headphones chill out
There bloody unbreakable they have dropped from a wardrobe countless times, been stepped on, sat on, been accidently flung accross the room and used every day for 8 years. I was disapointed by the plastic construction when I first bought them for £380, now I get it. There so light you forget there on. I spent three months researching and come across multiple lab test that confirmed they were the flattest frequency responce headphones for under a grand. Sennhieser deserves props for delivering on a product. Still very happy with them.
If you can get past the boy racer mag wheel styling, the FT3 by FiiO is a really nice example of an open-backed headphone with a balanced sound signature and sub bass extension. I love my HD600's, but I haven't been reaching for them since i got the FT3's. Incredible package for the price, too. Not sure why more people aren't talking about them.
I just got them. My first 'real' headphones and my first open backs. I'm in love.
Both bass and soundstage (which are just fine for me in the first place) can be improved significantly if you get an iFi ZEN stack, preferrably Signature. The Xbass and Xspace on my CAN Signature amplifier make these headphones sound sublime.
Also, definitely recommend ZMF subpads for them, particularly the Perforated Suede ones - they improve both SQ and comfort. And a balanced cable won't hurt either, personally using the Hart Audio HC-5 Dual Senn cable.
Tried many headphones and now into chifi iems. All these 15 + years the hd600 is my goto headphones. Fantastic comfort. The HD Series is most comfortable headphones ive tried. Bose qc series had fantastic comfort but they are not audiophile.
Iems are dogshit
I agree with the comfort of bose qc series. I have the qc 35ii. I have large oversize ears yet the qc 35ii are soooo comfortable.
They may not be audiophile, but I really like their sound signatures for a closed back headphone.
I overall prefer their sound to my senn momentum 3 (wireless), audio technica m40x, akg k371, creative aurvama live se (cal se),
and long out of circulation senn amperior.
I know most audiophiles will think I have cloth ears.
Love your videos. Always articulate and thorough. Would this be good for TH-cam podcast live streams as well as video editing? Thank you.
Yes, absolutely
As a 90s teenager, my mall had that 90s countertop look to it everywhere. If I had a pair of the Huh Duh Six Hungeos, I'd want the countertop look for the nostalgia.
I have been using HD600 for years. Nothing to complain about it.
I can tell by just the sound of your mic and the overall production quality, you have good ears. Subbed. Also, HD600s are awesome.
I just got my HD 600 they sound awesome but they clamp on my head so much tighter than they need to be! Does anyone know which Sennheiser open-back model has a gentle clamp on the ears? Or has anyone tried to bend the headband to ease the pressure?
You can "wear" it over something and over the time that will slowly reshape the head band. My 6XX head band is almost complete flat because I have a wide head.
I'd love an HD 600-series comparison! Please don't forget to include the HD580 Precision and HD 58X Jubilee!
They are going to have to bury me with my kitchen counter HD 600's. These things are always around in our hobby. Not only are they enjoyable to listen to and quite affordable, they also offer a great reference if you need a sanity check naturalness. I think they will always be the best tool for mastering and headphone comparison.
i really don't understand how can people call headphones (or iems, or speakers) so deficient in the bass "natural". the Senns are spectacular in the midrange, but unless you're listening to music with no content under 80hz, they don't sound "natural" at all. i get why people like them and recommend them (deservedly. particularly when you factor in build quality and aftermarket support for pads and cables), but...
I, and many others, want to see something like the HD600's presentation in a closed back headphone.
Dt250
@@user-bu3lt3qq7e Thanks. I will give them an audition.
How do these compare to the PC 360? I plan to replace them with something similar and am considering these.
I bought one of these in the late 90. It worked flawlessly for around 20 years, where a coil wire was cut and I never could solder it back. BTW, this was under equatorial climate, so it was already a great achievement.
How much did you buy it for?
@@thomasvullings97 At this time it was not yet Euros but Francs. I guess it was between 450 and 500 F.
Equivalent of 75 €, so the actual price is x 4 while my salary is not x 4.
@@Radugazon wow, thats incredible.
@@thomasvullings97 This scale up of prices is general. As a sample, bread baguette was 1.20 francs in 1999, 24 years later it's 1.20 euros, so x 6.5.
As said, it's sorry that the salaries have not been following the trend. Minimum wage was around 6000 francs in 1999, now it's 1200 euros....so it's an increase of the equivalent of 1800 francs only, very far from monetary erosion rate.
If the minimum wage had been sticking to this rate it would be actually of 4500 €....Do you think it's fantasy ? Well, that's the actual minimum wage in Swiss, next door but out of EuroZone.
The Swiss does not have minimum wage.
Resolve, haven't you heard about the audiophile rocks that enhances the sound qualities of your headphone? Sennheiser already knew that when they first designed the HD600, that's why it has a marble frame. Sadly the younger generation is so used to the sound of stock in-ears from their mobile phones that Sennheiser had to remove the marble to make it sound more hollow.
😆
🤣🤣🤣🤣
I prefer the 650 instead of the 800. More neutral ans less fatigueing.
Even though they may be outclassed in certain categories, I find that midrange performance and timbre tend to be two of the most important aspects of listening to Hi-Fi and the HD600 series definitely deliver on that front.
Marble countertop version owner here. You're right, they are gaudy. I got them for free, though, so I can't complain. Only had to replace the earpads and head-pad - both badly worn.
i've used rhe HD 558 and 580 for some years with pad changes, these are still the best for comfortably safe neutral listening, too much bass will damage your hearing.
I was actually disappointed that the version of the HD 600 I bought was not the marble version. That said, this is still one of my favorite headphones.
Resolve is the only reviewer I trust more than my own ears. If you could review all earphones, I could super comfortably blind buy all the time.
For me tuning is EVERYTHING, HD600 is perfection.
Love the HD600 series. Decided to make them my endgame after owning many flagships incl. Utopia, Audeze and others. Though I chose the HD660S having owned and use HD650, 600 in the past.
Makes sense why you would make such a remark. Your ears are well and truly busted (like you choose to own an stock lcd4).
@@daviddier9865 apparently your eyes are busted as nowhere did I mention LCD-4. You need to calm down man. Take it easy.
Same. I had HD600, Beyerdynamic T1, Audeze LCD-2, HiFiMAN HE-6, and now I have HD660S and ADX5000.
I just bought my second pair, one for the office, one for home!
For a distraction I lost my HD600 after more than 6 years to have and enjoy a lot with them. So nice that if I buy them again I will experience the same as I have been doing. Thanks
I've had them for 25 years, pretty beaten by now (I dropped them, stepped on them, sat on them, etc. hundreds of times, used 8 hours a day (extremely comfortable, I have a tiny head), and to me nothing compares. The only thing I hated about them is the marble but I had to look now again, I basically forgot about it.
HD 600 is definitely special. Is it great for every genre/song? No. But when it shines holy shit does it shine.
what do you think it is good for and not good for?
Yeah i second this request, very interested
Probably non bass heavy songs
@@kato2395 for me they're less good for synthetic sounds, very good for anything acoustic where you want instruments and vocals to sound natural. So edm falls flat, but stuff like Adele or the Fray is amazing
They are the timbre BEAST!
I think it’s one of the best headphones, period. I have a HD800s. But I find myself using my HD650 most of the time, because they’re so good with vocals while having a very close soundstage. I still prefer the HD800s for music and games. But 90% of the time I’m using headphones, it’s watching TH-cam or hanging out in Discord, and they’re easy to talk in. I would say they’re even better for TV shows and series, because they’re commentary focused. Even listening to podcasts around the house if you have a balanced Bluetooth DAC/AMP. And the open backs still allow you to hear what you’re doing.
I find daily drivers are different from those you use to listen music.
You really need something that sounds comfortable to you for daily drivers instead of top of the line headphones for enjoying music.
In my case, the Grado GS-2000e is a beast in my collection, but I find it distracting with too much information coming in when I just need a simple good pair of headphones for daily use or casual listening.
I reverted to a 1st gen Grado SR-225 equivilant (a 1st gen SR-80 that's got a SR-225i driver and cable mod ) for my daily driver in the end as the $200-300 price point just hits the right spot of "everything is balanced".
There's just a sweetspot the $200-300 class headphones do particularly well as daily drivers that can wow people unexpectingly.
Since nobody is sharing EQ settings, I will just add that I am listening now with just a +11.8 peak @ 23Hz Q=0.5 (-11.8 pre) and I love it. Also my dac is the original Chord Mojo.
Thanks Much !.......for the review.
I'd guess that my copper modded and pad rolled 6XX on tubes is basically the same thing, but a little more bassy.
I am super happy and just love it. I have listened to the HD800 multiple times, still love my pair more, because it's so laid back and chill. Btw, I'd love to see someone else talking about 650/6XX/600 mods. I would like to hear how they are from someone who hasn't developed the mod (Copper mod for example).
I guess I'm not missing out on too much, but I'd love to hear the HD600 one day.
Have them. Love them!!
Greetings to you! Please advise the top 3 full-size headphones up to $ 700 in your opinion to purchase. Need universal headphones for Music, movies and games.Thanks for the advice! 🤝
Me watching this with HD600 to avoid another urge to buy a new gear: 🍿
Still rocking Sen’s 65O’s 🤟🏽
I much prefer the HD660S over HD600. Running them over FiiO BTR7. The HD600 run at a significantly lower volume compared to HD660S on the wireless setup of the amp. With the wire on, the volume gets a boosT, to a good amount of decibels, but it’s still lower than HD660S.
Also the sound signature is better on HD660S.. You get more bass and clarity. A bit less highs I would say.
I think the HD600 can sometimes sound more expressive on vocals, but sometimes a bit shouty in the upper mids. HD660S is more safety and versatile choice.
@@KingFiercer_zip I got used to the sound of HD600. I enjoy them when I want to relax with some good sound but nothing distractive. I can even fall asleep with them on.
I go with 660 when I want to be active and right into the music.
Both are great. At some point I might replace HD660 with the new version.
I upgraded to 660S2 and they sound better than the previous version.
Still not loving the HD600. They have no bass with my setup.
Sound is pretty anemic. Quite good and relaxing with acoustic and classical music.
I listen more to EDM and Rock music, so for this reason, I prefer HD660S2 and 660S over HD600.
My favorites for Rock, are Grado SR325.
Great review is the imaging good on these??
The fact it lack “regular” bass makes in it un-neutral in my opinion
Marble kitchen countertop version gang WHERE YOU AT!!?? That blue color is POPPING! Looks way better than the plain boring new version.