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Member Reviews: Sennheiser HD-600

Brooko

Sennheiser HD600 - Timeless Sound Quality

Posted
By Brooko

Pros: Pros : Sound quality, comfort, build, modularity (parts), balance, naturalness, clarity, detail

Cons: Cons : Headband not as strong as it could be, initial clamp force

  The Sennheiser HD600 is an open dynamic circumaural head-phone which Sennheiser market for audiophiles, and also state as ideal for studio monitoring.     Pre-amble (about me) I'm a 44 year old music lover.  I don't say audiophile - just love my music.  Over the last couple of years, I have slowly changed from cheaper listening set-ups to my current entry/mid-fi set-up.  I vary my listening from portable (i-devices + amp) to my desk-top's set-up (PC > coax > NFB-12 > HP).  My main headphones at the time of writing are the Sennheiser HD600s, a modded set of Alessandro MS1i, and a set of B2 iems.  I previously owned Beyer...
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BlackbeardBen

Dethroned, yet still one of the dynamic kings.

Posted
By BlackbeardBen

Pros: Very detailed. Balanced. Good soundstage. Absolutely amazing mids. Entirely modular, with all parts replaceable.

Cons: Bass could be a little tighter. Some would say subdued treble, but I'd say it's at a very realistic level. Soundstaging has room for improvement.

Note: The price paid is used from Amazon Marketplace.  Also, I've duplicated my review from the other product listing here on Head-Fi.  If it is possible, the two HD 600 pages ought to be merged.   The first thing about these the HD 600 is the excellent tonal balance - it's never harsh, but the highs are still there and very detailed.  Sometimes the finest details may get lost in very complex music thanks to being overshadowed by other parts of the music, but the resulting detailed smoothness is a very good thing.   The mids - ahh, they're to die for!  They're the highlight of the headphones.  They're detailed and lifelike, similar to the...
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Marlene

Unfailing Workhorse

Posted
By Marlene

Pros: Balanced, refined, sturdy, classic design

Cons: not very "fast"

What? Nobody wrote a review of this gorgeous headphone yet? Maybe it´s because many people already own it and don´t talk about it - because once you do you won´t need another headphone. I use the HD-600 everyday and I did the same the six years before. I´ve never heard such a balanced headphone since and I think I never will. I´ve heard a HD-650 a few  months ago but it didn´t make me happy, it sounded too dark and too warm. I missed the easy precision and crispness of my HD-600. Which is exactly what still baffles me: how was Sennheiser able to produce a headphone that is both detailed and laid back at the same time? It´s brilliant, but not too brilliant. It´s warm but not too warm....
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nikp

A Living Legend

Posted
By nikp
Here's a quick summary on the HD600. I am going to leave out headphone specifications because you can find them on Sennheiser's website. These are open cans ,not suited for portability, and they do require amping (300 Ohms). Comfort They are very comfortable and my ears don't get too hot after listening for quite some time. The cups are quite deep and I like it that way. I had hours of listening enjoyment with it and so far had no problems with comfort.   Sound Quality Wow, these cans sound completely natural! I know the differences between natural and neutral but the HD600 has both elements. Although Sennheiser has been long associated with a veil, the HD600 does not...
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cheapskateaudio

Classic Sennheiser sound

Posted
By cheapskateaudio

Pros: Amazing, lush, liquid mids, vocals that are so rich and palpable you can taste them

Cons: Bass can be muddy without really good amplification, highs can sound wrong to some ears.

These were my first foray into high end, high fidelity sound. They were a true revelation. These headphones were built for my ears, laid back, rich warm mids, deep but controlled bass, the de-facto ultimate headphones of their time.   Treble: Laid back, airy, great sound stage, contrary to popular belief, bigger is not always better with regards to sound staging, some things weren't recorded on a giant sound stage afterall. Liquid cool and never fatiguing, the treble was far from analytical but still revealing of source quality, a transparent headphone to be sure.   Mids: Wow. Rich palpable midrange to die for. This is what you dream of. Perfect vocals, anyone could...
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homeros8000

HD600 a Classic!

Posted
By homeros8000

Pros: Excellent mids, beautiful timbre, warm signature, deep soundstage, comfort...etc

Cons: Non to my knowledge

The HD600 is one of the best headphones around. They are neutral, easy to drive, comfy, with a touch of warmth and enticing natural presentation and timbre. I didn't like them the first time I bought them with the stock cable. I bought another pair driven by the formidable Beta 22 amplifier and the HD600 was transformed into another league.    Although I listen mostly to my K702 which is more accurate in comparison to HD600 warmer tone (which is closer to concert hall sound IMO) I save the HD600 for very special listening sessions, I don't use them for occasional listening at all but only when I really need to enjoy rather than analyze my music.   The highs are...
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thecansmancan

A Masterpiece of Neutrality

Posted
By thecansmancan

Pros: Air, Dynamics, Sound stage, Price, Comfort, Build

Cons: Straight cord, Box does not close, Lacks definition in middle of sound stage

    After over two decades of service, the HD 600 is still going strong. Since the early days of its introduction, the HD 600 has grown to become something of reference point within the audiophile community. Furthermore, its neutral, airy sound has made it a favorite among audio engineers. As such, you will struggle to find better at this price point. Now, please enjoy the video, it offers my full opinion on the HD 600 as well as a touch of comparison between it and its sister, the HD 650. If you have any questions please, feel free to ask. Thanks for watching.
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bedlam inside

Great sound, subpar build and wearing comfort

Posted
By bedlam inside

Pros: Great sound quality, shades of the HD800 at a quarter of the price

Cons: Poor ergonomics and distinctly below par build quality spoil an otherwise good Headphone

The HD-600s are very good sounding Headphones with average build and to me below average ergonomics. With the HD-800, Sennheiser have shown they know better. Being open back you are not isolated from noise around you and equally you leak a lot of your own music into the environment, which can cause trouble. While sonically well above average, the lacklustre build and ergonomics of the HD-600 let them down big time. Or maybe the shape of my head is not Teutonic enough? At the price they command I’d expect better, maybe more in line with the Audio Technica ATH-W1000.    Sonically they offer enough of the HD-800’s magic to make them worthwhile trying on, to see if they...
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BK201

The best headphone Sennheiser will ever create

Posted
By BK201

Pros: nice mid-treble ratio

Cons: bass rolls off

VERY flat. Now this is a headphone I enjoy. Except for that bass roll off. Forget the HD800, forget the HD700, find some way to get deep sub bass out of these and you have a winner. It sounds quite clean and is never veiled (HD650, HD598) nor is ever harsh (HD700, HD800). That is all.
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Oeufdepoire

Work in progress

Posted
By Oeufdepoire

Pros: Very light and flexible detachable cable, 3,5 mm jack with adapter, makes you attend a private representation, very comfortable

Cons: Needs an amp, clamp hard

  I will compare them to the Grado SR80i with both S and L cushes, and to the Shure SE215.   You don't need super-quality equipment to turn the HD600 into an instrument of bliss. My setup is composed of a GrubDAC and a Millet « Starving student » hybrid amp (12AU7 version), built with good components (Wima & Panasonic FM caps on the signal path, stock Philips ones for the power supply, JAN Philips 12AU7 tubes) but not the best (Mundorf caps, expensive Mullard tubes or silver wiring), and powered by a LM317-based power supply build by my father with stock components (it's not an excellent PSU like a σ11). I just want you not to think what I thought before...
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Where to Buy It

Amazon.comSennheiser HD 600 Open Dynamic Hi-Fi Professional Stereo Headphones (Black) at Amazon.com$383.00See It »
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