I think that in marketing terms the new product (S2) was also targeting to all HD-660S users: "New, better version of your beloved headphone (which will be discontinued). Upgrade without fear." Who will resist?

Why not ask Meze if they can do something about it?

$40 more for 4 inches of Cardas cable instead of Mogami? Wow, this is totally our fault!

Maybe he only knew this thread: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/sennheiser-hd800s-unveiled.785577/page-434

Before spending a lot of money, consider one of the finest and more balanced open headphones under € 2000, the Neumann NDH-30 at € 630. Of course try to listen to it first.

To begin with, the pads are intended to hold their shape (and sound) for as long as possible. Do nothing to accelerate the "brake in" or increase their compliance. It will happen anyway eventually and gradually but the point is to preserve their properties. When they become soft and loose their...

I regret that I haven't been able to listen to the original Clear yet, nor the original Utopia. I have compared however the Clear MG with the Utopia 2022 under very good conditions and I found the Utopia 2022 significantly better. It is the best dynamic headphone I have heard so far though...

Exactly! These are good reasons, as is length selection, durability, handling, etc. Better sound cannot and should never be expected via "upgrade" cables.

It seems that a rather significant percentage of 109 pro listeners dislike their treble. The advise of letting a headphone play for 100 hours (!) to experience a better/smoother sound is not at all serious or significantly based. It is just the hope of the company that you 'll get used to the...

There are two main kinds of portable use: 1. Outdoor or away from home activities of all natures which may take place in noisy or difficult environments for concentration. I believe that expensive / high-end gear is meaningless or out of place in such cases. 2. Environments away from home but...

Thank you! I think that a comparison with another Axel Grell's contribution, with angled drivers too, the NDH-30, would be very interesting.

My understanding is that the term "capsule" has always been used for a driver alone. Hence it is rather confusing to start using it for the enclosure surrounding a driver or part of the enclosure. (I hope I am not making things worst).

One of the best documented relative articles can be found here: https://diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com/tutorials/burn-in/

We send you our best wishes for a full and quick recovery!

For now, a fine headphone easily reveals the quality differences between portable solutions (dap, dongle dac/amp) and a desktop dac/amp. Also between a €300 dac/amp and a €2000 dac/amp. If ever portable technology advances up to the sound quality standards of high-end devices, then we can expect...

Yes, if they had their own magnets. But that would make them "non simple" I suppose.

Whatever it is between the cups and the earpads, if it's working like a spacer it's sould be €20/pair max. But I guess it will come at € 100 or 200.

So, what are these light gray rings/spacers under the earpads;

It's nice that you can find a nice cover but I feel that the Sennheiser approach is much more thoughtful and sensible. (replaceable, cost-effective headband). Why does Focal oblige users to use a headband cover for the ...band cover ? It is ridiculous at such prices not to be able to replace a...

That would be very interesting. I have only listened to the MG Pro and the Utopia (2022) in comparison with the Neumann.

True for the HD 800. When the 800S was launched in 2015 Sennheiser already had its own headphone amps in production, HDVD 800 and HDVA 600, since 2012.

When I bought my first true hi-fi headphones, the legendary Sennheiser HD-580 Precision, I knew that enjoying music through headphones would be a lifelong passion for me. I had a Creek integrated amp (UK) at that time with a headphone output, still working fine today in my mothers system, but...

If you are really after the best possible sound for your money you sould not overlook the Neumann NDH 30 at about € 630 new. Its sound quality is a bit higher than that of the Clear MG with very natural and expressive mids, more extended (and very informative) sub-bass and a superb overall...

It is interesting to know that an independent maker did not design a product as they should. If this is the case however, you'll have cable for your HD620S at least!

As I wrote in an other thread: ...about cable compatibility of the NDH 30 with Sennheiser cables. The HD-560S and the HD-400 pro seem to have the same 4-contact (symmetrical or "balanced") mini plug with the NDH 30 for the earcup but actually this is not the case. The Sennheiser plug has a...