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Senn HD 600 and Grado SR-60

post #1 of 14
8/23/07 at 5:43pm
Thread Starter 
For the past 12 years I've been using Grado SR-60's. I don't have a HP amp, just plug them into my 75W Cambridge Audio integrated. Today I received a pair of Senn HD 600's that I had ordered based mostly on comments read on this and other forums. I must admit I'm a bit disappointed. They have great detail except I need to turn the volume waaay up on my amp before they start to open up and even then I find the bass doesn't even come close to the Grado's.
I understand that, like any other speaker, HP's need breaking in but could there be another factor(impedance) that is causing this lack luster performance? Would a dedicated HP amp provide major or just marginal improvement?
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post #2 of 14
8/23/07 at 6:16pm
It's my understanding that headphones jacks are terribly unreliable as to judging a good one till you try. Some are good, some are bad.

My Onkyo 5.1 receiver works exactly the opposite. My HD600 runs a few percentage points lower on the volume scale than my MS-1 and MS2i for the same volume.

In my case, the current out, and the voltage out, are sufficient for both.

Apparently the current out is sufficient for your 32 ohm SR-60, but the voltage available isn't quite enough to drive your 300 ohm HD600 at the same level; or properly control the drivers for the bass transients.

Break-in of course may help, and certainly a dedicated amp capable of driving both high and low impedance cans.
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post #3 of 14
8/23/07 at 6:22pm
Thread Starter 
What would be a good(affordable if possible) head amp for the 600s?
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post #4 of 14
8/23/07 at 6:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Turn&cough View Post
What would be a good(affordable if possible) head amp for the 600s?
Compared to amps; phones are easy! There are literally tons of different amps out there! But one of my favorites in the $300 range that beautifully handles both high and low impedance cans is the Gilmore Lite. It uses discrete transistors rather than a chip or two, and since I'm old fashioned; I like that! It's a very neutral amp. Almost a bare-wire-with-gain design. So it works great if you're happy with the sound inherent in your phones and don't want them changed much.

But yeah; the Glite is just one of many that will work. To get a really good idea about amps, a trip to the amp section of this web-site can be extremely eye-opening!

And fun too!
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post #5 of 14
8/23/07 at 6:37pm
x2 for Gilmor Lite
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post #6 of 14
8/23/07 at 7:22pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by F107plus5 View Post
To get a really good idea about amps, a trip to the amp section of this web-site can be extremely eye-opening!
And fun too!
Thanks...I'm on my way there now
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post #7 of 14
8/23/07 at 7:33pm
Definitely bass is heavily dependent on the amplification. Your Grado's bass response will significantly improve as well.
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post #8 of 14
8/23/07 at 7:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Turn&cough View Post
For the past 12 years I've been using Grado SR-60's. I don't have a HP amp, just plug them into my 75W Cambridge Audio integrated. Today I received a pair of Senn HD 600's that I had ordered based mostly on comments read on this and other forums. I must admit I'm a bit disappointed. They have great detail except I need to turn the volume waaay up on my amp before they start to open up and even then I find the bass doesn't even come close to the Grado's.
I understand that, like any other speaker, HP's need breaking in but could there be another factor(impedance) that is causing this lack luster performance? Would a dedicated HP amp provide major or just marginal improvement?
No surprise there. You are comparing a 32-Ohm phone with a 300-ohm one. The latter will indeed need greater voltage level (aka volume level). That, and you need to allow the HD-600 and your brain to burn-in. A dedicated amp wouldn't hurt too.
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post #9 of 14
8/23/07 at 7:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by F107plus5 View Post
Compared to amps; phones are easy! There are literally tons of different amps out there! But one of my favorites in the $300 range that beautifully handles both high and low impedance cans is the Gilmore Lite. It uses discrete transistors rather than a chip or two, and since I'm old fashioned; I like that! It's a very neutral amp. Almost a bare-wire-with-gain design. So it works great if you're happy with the sound inherent in your phones and don't want them changed much.
To be frank, I found the GLite slightly on the forward/aggressive side. It's not strictly neutral to my ears. And the amp emits quite a bit of heat (waste of electricity) whether idle or in operation.

Something to keep in mind there.
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post #10 of 14
8/23/07 at 9:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Turn&cough View Post
For the past 12 years I've been using Grado SR-60's. I don't have a HP amp, just plug them into my 75W Cambridge Audio integrated. Today I received a pair of Senn HD 600's that I had ordered based mostly on comments read on this and other forums. I must admit I'm a bit disappointed. They have great detail except I need to turn the volume waaay up on my amp before they start to open up and even then I find the bass doesn't even come close to the Grado's.
I understand that, like any other speaker, HP's need breaking in but could there be another factor(impedance) that is causing this lack luster performance? Would a dedicated HP amp provide major or just marginal improvement?
I have exactly the same headphones : SR60 and HD600. I have a Xenos 1HA-EPC to drive them. When I listen to the SR60 I don't have to turn the volume knob past 9 to have a confortable volume for me. I can easily go to 12 to have the same sound level with the HD600 (without touching the gain switch).

I do found that when I change the gain setup to high on the Xenos, the HD600 become more detailed and the sound is just better for me (and then I don't have to pass 9 for the volume).

I guess you should get an amp...
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post #11 of 14
8/23/07 at 9:54pm
for under $300, take a look at the meier corda move and the ibasso d1. both have built in dacs, which is a nice plus, and they're both under $300.

the corda move drives my 600s easily and they seem to have good synergy.
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post #12 of 14
8/23/07 at 10:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zorander View Post

Something to keep in mind there.
Why; yes it is!
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post #13 of 14
8/23/07 at 10:25pm
If you're on a budget, see if you can find yourself a built SOHA or CKKIII or Millet. (These are DIY designs) You should be able to pick one up between 130-200 depending on build components etc. Both headphones sound great on either amp.
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post #14 of 14
8/23/07 at 11:28pm
The Meier Audio Corda Move (mouthful, I know) is awesome. I have HD650s and I love the combination.
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