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They are certainly more sonically transparent than the grills on the 580s, and thus "leak" substantially more (to the point that I require 10-15% more volume crank with them). Given that much as essentially a fact, it stands to reason that less sound is being reflected back at the ears with the HD600s vs. the 580s -- which of course means less audible resonances with the 600s.

One difference I can tell right away (without break-in) is that a certain ~100-150 Hz bass "boom" evident with the 580s from the beginning (a quality that makes certain ambient sound very cool, but is obviously a coloration) is mostly gone with the 600s. It's a coloration that (imo) adds a sense of air to certain music, and in that sense I'm sorry to see it gone. But with it gone, bass also seems cleaner and even "punchier"with the 600s (yes, imo these cans are better for rock than the 580s!). So I'm hearing differences, but would be hard pressed to say whether they would be "better" or not... depends on what people prefer.

As far as a lot of people not hearing differences... I'll say this. The 580s and 600s clearly have a lot of tonal characteristics in common. If you heard them for 30 seconds at a meet using the same music, they would probably sound identical. Even if you heard them for 30 minutes with the same music, they sound identical. But listen a few hours with a variety of different styles, and the differences start to show up.

Disclaimer -- still working in "un broken-in" status and my opinions are subject to change and alteration at anytime. Please take what I say with a grain of salt, this is not a review.

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I'm sure lots of people have done this. And have all been told to buy the more expensive of the two because it is better, and given them reasons that sound quite impressive but probably don't exist They usually use phrases like 'computer matched' or 'years of research' or 'space age' materials.

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Here's something you can all try.

While listening to each of them (580 and 600) cup your palms over the rear grill while listening at a suitable level. You should find a bigger difference (change) in sound with the 580 than the 600, which to me means the 580's grill has more of an affect on the sound. The same thing also happens with the plastic and metal screens on the Grado models.

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Didn't you mean a bigger difference with the 600 than with the 580?

Definitely, the 600 grill is more sonically transparent than the plastic patterned grill on the 580s. In fact, I would say that the 600 is a great deal more "open" on the backs, not just a little.

Combined with (probably) better overall resonance damping with the 600s (remember the threads on damping 580s with Blu-Tac) this appears to have quite an effect on the sound... particularly the more subtle aspects (the basic character is the same). At this point, I have to say that in my opinion, the idea you need pricey gear to hear any differences between the 580s and 600s is a myth. A basically "decent" amp that drives the cans to adequate volume is enough.

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no. I know it sounds strange, but if you do this with your palms, the HD580 should sound more honky, and the HD600 does not. I think perhaps the back of the 580 is being blocked or sealed more than the metal HD600 grill is.

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Yes, as does the venue where a live band is playing. If you are watching an unamped jazz quartet playing live 10-20 feet in front of you and you were to stack pillows all around the surrounding area, the band would sound more dull, less exciting. It's how you hear music. I heard some live music today and the drums and cymbals sounded exactly like a Grado SR125 with bowl pads. Yet many claim the Grado with bowl pads is excruciatingly bright. If live unamped music is too bright, perhaps we are used to equipment that is too dull.

I agree that live performances tend to be brighter than many headphones (and speakers) we think of as having accurate highs. I heard a lot of live music during lunches this year, mostly amplified. I thought about how it sounded -- I think it sounded bright compared to most of my headphones, it seemed most like my Sony MDR-CD580s or Senn HD280s overall, though many might criticize these phones as too bright. The V6s are over the top, though. But I do think the toning down of the highs makes phones easier to listen to for long periods of time.

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Hey fewtch -> As a HD580 owner, I will be interested reading your comparo with the HD600's, more out of curiousity then anything else. But personally speaking there's probably nothing you could write that would persuade me to purchase the 600's myself, because their too simular to the 580's, but slightly more refined... I've been listening to my SR-80's more, and more lately because I finally discovered the dreaded HD580/600 veil other members have talked about, and find it quite annoying at times. I actually prefer the more forward soundstage presentation of the SR-80's better, but that's another subject... I get a feeling around here that alot of head-fiers are on auto-pilot, and allready anticipating the inevitable HD600 vs. HD650 comparison's...

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Well, I can say this right off the bat -- there's a bit more difference than just a slight refinement:

(1) The low bass "boom" of the 580s is gone with the 600s and sounds more "punchy" -- better with rock music (but not as interesting with ambient type music). Bass is definitely cleaner and more neutral with these cans.

(2) I always noticed a "loudness" effect when turning the volume up with the 580s, like the midrange becomes too prominent at some point and wipes out the highs and lows. This is mostly gone with the 600s, and one gets the sense you can turn them up much louder without a strained sound. Again, making these cans more appropriate for rock than the 580s (despite any 'veil' or whatever).

Other than that, all I've noticed so far is a more refined sound like you pointed out (but still listening and breaking them in).