Sennheiser HD 660s Vs HD 650/6xx - Head-Fi

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• Thread starter Thread starter drjubs
• Start date Start date May 12, 2018
• Tags Tags sennheiser

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drjubs

New Head-Fier

Joined May 11, 2018 Posts 5 Likes 0 Location Florida I wanted some opinions on the 660s and if it is worth paying the extra money over the 650/6xx?

ProtegeManiac

Headphoneus Supremus

Joined Oct 29, 2009 Posts 16,949 Likes 3,405 Location SoCal

drjubs said: I wanted some opinions on the 660s and if it is worth paying the extra money over the 650/6xx? Click to expand...

Depends on your amp. HD660S has lower impedance at 150ohms but has lower sensitivity at under 95dB/1mW (HD650/6XX has 300ohms, 98dB/1mW). If you already have an amp and drops in voltage output then might as well get the 150ohm headphone. If you don't have an amp and don't plan on getting low impedance, lower sensitivity headphones, you can save money on the HD6XX/650 and then drive it with a cheap but good OTL amp like the DV336se.

PurpleAngel

Formerly known as Tacoboy

Joined Feb 10, 2008 Posts 30,376 Likes 2,112 Location California

drjubs said: I wanted some opinions on the 660s and if it is worth paying the extra money over the 650/6xx? Click to expand...

What DAC/amp or sources will you be plugging the headphones into? Topping DX7s & Audio-GD NFB-11.28 & Dark Voice 336SE Beyer T90, HD58X, Fostex T-X0 Beyer T70, AKG K7XX, Soundmagic HP200, HD558 DT770/DT880/DT990 Audio Technica A900X, AD700, ATH-ESW9, ATH-WS99, ATH-W1000X

drjubs

New Head-Fier

Joined May 11, 2018 Posts 5 Likes 0 Location Florida

PurpleAngel said: What DAC/amp or sources will you be plugging the headphones into? Click to expand...

I have a schiit stack

ProtegeManiac

Headphoneus Supremus

Joined Oct 29, 2009 Posts 16,949 Likes 3,405 Location SoCal

drjubs said: I have a schiit stack Click to expand...

Your amp can handle the HD660S without any problems, might as well get that.

Rhamnetin

Headphoneus Supremus

Joined Jun 12, 2014 Posts 3,497 Likes 1,649 Location New York You can also get a HiFiMan Sundara in that price range, which should handily defeat all of those technically (after all it's a modern planar) while retaining a musical well rounded sound signature similar to the HE1000/HE1000v2. I say "should" because it is technically more advanced than the HE-560 even (which you can also get, which I can confirm is far above the HD 600/650 technically), but I haven't listened to the Sundara yet. It also plays better to your Schiit stack due to its impedance. The Sennheisers are really outdated for the money I find. The HD 600 should be a $200 headphone, HD 650 $250. They've long been bested technically in the $400+ range. Their lack of a fatiguing factor is their only redeeming quality for the money, but according to everyone the Sundara has that too. Last edited: May 13, 2018 miniDSP SHD Studio -> Schiit Modius E -> Topping Pre90 -> ADAM Audio S3V Chord Mojo 2 -> Dan Clark Audio E3

bcaulf17

1000+ Head-Fier

Joined Nov 29, 2016 Posts 1,330 Likes 783 All I know really is that the 600 is supposed to be more neutral sounding, the 650 is warmer/darker sounding. Many prefer the 650 for its warmth (it's described as very smooth and relaxing), others prefer the 600 for its neutrality, seems like its better suited for reference purposes. If I ever get into open-backs, these two would be at the top of my list, and I'd probably go with the 600 because it's cheaper and its sound is one I would probably prefer. They're considered the holy grail headphones, or at least the ones that get recommended the most...

Rhamnetin

Headphoneus Supremus

Joined Jun 12, 2014 Posts 3,497 Likes 1,649 Location New York

bcaulf17 said: All I know really is that the 600 is supposed to be more neutral sounding, the 650 is warmer/darker sounding. Many prefer the 650 for its warmth (it's described as very smooth and relaxing), others prefer the 600 for its neutrality, seems like its better suited for reference purposes. If I ever get into open-backs, these two would be at the top of my list, and I'd probably go with the 600 because it's cheaper and its sound is one I would probably prefer. They're considered the holy grail headphones, or at least the ones that get recommended the most... Click to expand...

They're not at all the holy grail. They are quite generic late 1990s early 2000s dynamic driver technology, impossible for it to be the holy grail. The holy grail has to either be electrostatic, or if you're willing to compromise a bit on sound quality for some convenience, planar magnetic. The Stax SR-009(S) is a holy grail, for reference. Let's not spread misinformation here. They are recommended so much simply because: A) They have been around since the late 1990s and early 2000s respectively, therefore there has been more time leading to more recommendations. B) Their sound signature (nothing to do with their technical ability really) is more laid back so they won't cause listener fatigue. It's a sound signature that appeals to a very large amount of people. C) Nostalgia is a reason in this day and age. Point B is obviously a big plus, but the fact of the matter is, technically better headphones also have a more laid back treble response, for the same price. Headphones such as modern planar magnetic ones, a technology inherently better than dynamic when implemented well (much thinner diaphragm leading to much better/more realistic transients, decay, transparency, deeper bass extension with more impact). The HD 6XX for $200 is a good deal, but that's about it. In all honesty I don't expect any of these to have a single advantage over the HiFiMan Sundara. The HD 600 / 6XX / 650 (can't speak for HD 660S) also don't fare very well with a lot of modern music, or heavy music, if that's what you're into. Super lackluster compared to a good planar. Last edited: May 13, 2018 miniDSP SHD Studio -> Schiit Modius E -> Topping Pre90 -> ADAM Audio S3V Chord Mojo 2 -> Dan Clark Audio E3

bcaulf17

1000+ Head-Fier

Joined Nov 29, 2016 Posts 1,330 Likes 783

Rhamnetin said: They're not at all the holy grail. They are quite generic late 1990s early 2000s dynamic driver technology, impossible for it to be the holy grail. The holy grail has to either be electrostatic, or if you're willing to compromise a bit on sound quality for some convenience, planar magnetic. The Stax SR-009(S) is a holy grail, for reference. Let's not spread misinformation here. They are recommended so much simply because: A) They have been around since the late 1990s and early 2000s respectively, therefore there has been more time leading to more recommendations. B) Their sound signature (nothing to do with their technical ability really) is more laid back so they won't cause listener fatigue. It's a sound signature that appeals to a very large amount of people. C) Nostalgia is a reason in this day and age. Point B is obviously a big plus, but the fact of the matter is, technically better headphones also have a more laid back treble response, for the same price. Headphones such as modern planar magnetic ones, a technology inherently better than dynamic when implemented well (much thinner diaphragm leading to much better/more realistic transients, decay, transparency, deeper bass extension with more impact). The HD 6XX for $200 is a good deal, but that's about it. In all honesty I don't expect any of these to have a single advantage over the HiFiMan Sundara. Click to expand...

Holy grail was probably the wrong term to use. Perhaps two of the most recommended, two of the most highly rated would be better suited. In their price bracket? Possibly.

ProtegeManiac

Headphoneus Supremus

Joined Oct 29, 2009 Posts 16,949 Likes 3,405 Location SoCal

bcaulf17 said: All I know really is that the 600 is supposed to be more neutral sounding, the 650 is warmer/darker sounding. Many prefer the 650 for its warmth (it's described as very smooth and relaxing), others prefer the 600 for its neutrality, seems like its better suited for reference purposes. If I ever get into open-backs, these two would be at the top of my list, and I'd probably go with the 600 because it's cheaper and its sound is one I would probably prefer. They're considered the holy grail headphones, or at least the ones that get recommended the most... Click to expand...

It only seems more neutral on first listen or if you just don't explore how your perception of the sound changes with the system output volume. Crank up the HD600 and the 3500hz peak that makes the HD650 seem dark by comparison gets grating. I haven't had the jones to replace my HD600 (bought it in 2010), but I do use thicker, denser angled earpads on it along with EQ that flattens the 3500hz peak and boosts everything below 50hz a little bit. End result is it's closer to the HD650 than the HD600.

Rhamnetin

Headphoneus Supremus

Joined Jun 12, 2014 Posts 3,497 Likes 1,649 Location New York

ProtegeManiac said: It only seems more neutral on first listen or if you just don't explore how your perception of the sound changes with the system output volume. Crank up the HD600 and the 3500hz peak that makes the HD650 seem dark by comparison gets grating. I haven't had the jones to replace my HD600 (bought it in 2010), but I do use thicker, denser angled earpads on it along with EQ that flattens the 3500hz peak and boosts everything below 50hz a little bit. End result is it's closer to the HD650 than the HD600. Click to expand...

Glad I'm not the only one. My HD 6XX (same thing as the HD 600) gets fatiguing occasionally. It also gets zero use, the only thing it does better than my ZMF Blackwood is replicate piano (which sounds fine on the Blackwood, it just sounds extremely good on these Sennheisers). miniDSP SHD Studio -> Schiit Modius E -> Topping Pre90 -> ADAM Audio S3V Chord Mojo 2 -> Dan Clark Audio E3

drjubs

New Head-Fier

Joined May 11, 2018 Posts 5 Likes 0 Location Florida

Rhamnetin said: You can also get a HiFiMan Sundara in that price range, which should handily defeat all of those technically (after all it's a modern planar) while retaining a musical well rounded sound signature similar to the HE1000/HE1000v2. I say "should" because it is technically more advanced than the HE-560 even (which you can also get, which I can confirm is far above the HD 600/650 technically), but I haven't listened to the Sundara yet. It also plays better to your Schiit stack due to its impedance. The Sennheisers are really outdated for the money I find. The HD 600 should be a $200 headphone, HD 650 $250. They've long been bested technically in the $400+ range. Their lack of a fatiguing factor is their only redeeming quality for the money, but according to everyone the Sundara has that too. Click to expand...

I already have an he-400i, and was wondering how much of an upgrade the sundara is over it. Also, I wasn't looking at other hifi-man sets because I wanted to give a sennheiser set a try to see if I like them.

Rhamnetin

Headphoneus Supremus

Joined Jun 12, 2014 Posts 3,497 Likes 1,649 Location New York

drjubs said: I already have an he-400i, and was wondering how much of an upgrade the sundara is over it. Also, I wasn't looking at other hifi-man sets because I wanted to give a sennheiser set a try to see if I like them. Click to expand...

The Sundara should beat the HE-560, which is a substantial upgrade over the HE-400i (and thankfully it doesn't have the same sound signature as the HE-560). I definitely understand the desire to try other popular headphones. I've done this at audio shows, meets, in stores, and I've bought and returned some headphones out of disappointment. Last edited: May 13, 2018 miniDSP SHD Studio -> Schiit Modius E -> Topping Pre90 -> ADAM Audio S3V Chord Mojo 2 -> Dan Clark Audio E3

Hay2104

Head-Fier

Joined Feb 24, 2019 Posts 85 Likes 22 Location Illinois I recently had the hd 660s, in an effort to upgrade from my believed Hd 600. I will give you the rundown comparisons and why I ended up returning them. Treble- the 660S has a more exciting treble sparkle. The hd 600 simply doesn’t have that high end bite. But not nearly as high as the dt 1990. Those were just painful. Bass- The thump over the hd 600 was more precise, as if the sub bass had been increased. It was definitely more lunch than the hd 600. But something was missing. I really have a hard time describing it. It was as if the bass was more analytical in a way. Not the “reduced but present” hd 600 bass. (Which I do find anemic on some tracks) Mids- This is what did them in for me. Yes, the treble sparkle and bass increase were nice, but the mids the hd600 sweetness and smoothness, whichafter multiple headphone switches, I have learned to appreciate. I ultimately ended up returning them. Just some info Incase you find any of it useful.

Tripokaridos

500+ Head-Fier

Joined Nov 18, 2019 Posts 854 Likes 829 Location Greece

Rhamnetin said: They're not at all the holy grail. They are quite generic late 1990s early 2000s dynamic driver technology, impossible for it to be the holy grail. The holy grail has to either be electrostatic, or if you're willing to compromise a bit on sound quality for some convenience, planar magnetic. The Stax SR-009(S) is a holy grail, for reference. Let's not spread misinformation here. They are recommended so much simply because: A) They have been around since the late 1990s and early 2000s respectively, therefore there has been more time leading to more recommendations. B) Their sound signature (nothing to do with their technical ability really) is more laid back so they won't cause listener fatigue. It's a sound signature that appeals to a very large amount of people. C) Nostalgia is a reason in this day and age. Point B is obviously a big plus, but the fact of the matter is, technically better headphones also have a more laid back treble response, for the same price. Headphones such as modern planar magnetic ones, a technology inherently better than dynamic when implemented well (much thinner diaphragm leading to much better/more realistic transients, decay, transparency, deeper bass extension with more impact). The HD 6XX for $200 is a good deal, but that's about it. In all honesty I don't expect any of these to have a single advantage over the HiFiMan Sundara. The HD 600 / 6XX / 650 (can't speak for HD 660S) also don't fare very well with a lot of modern music, or heavy music, if that's what you're into. Super lackluster compared to a good planar. Click to expand...

The Hifiman Sundara ? The known Sundara with miss matched drivers ? The known Sundara with failing drivers ? Or the Known Sundara with the left channel geting lower volume ? Thaths why HD600 nautral HD650 warm HD660 imaging clarity will remembered forever u buy them just 1 time and they work like they should forever . But then again thats my opinion , Amazon reviews are also positive when they work

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