Exceptional in Every Detail: Say Hello to the IE 600

[mvvRAZ]

Tried the IE600. Not a fan and i won't recommend it.

I have high expectations for it due to the hype. Don't get me wrong, IE600 is a good product but there are better options in the market. Time will tell if this is a successful product.

For example, Oriolus Traillii is the benchmark for TOTL flagship IEMs after a period of time.

Going for a solid 2500$ an year later

 

[Lightspeed12]

Going for a solid 2500$ an year later

Got to admit the ie900 has gone from $2,099 to $2,395 over here in Australia. Times are hard enough as they are without a $300 price rise on an iem.

 

[cfc7]

Yea that's why i have enhanced it with a newer post.

Yup you are right. For me, I only care about sound quality and IE600 can't compare to those mentioned IEMs. Cheers.

Sound quality is of utmost importance for me.

Can you give more details?
What exactly don't you like, regarding the IE600 sound?
And how do they compare to IE800S?

 

[audio123]

Can you give more details?
What exactly don't you like, regarding the IE600 sound?
And how do they compare to IE800S?

IE600 is rather balanced sounding and there is nothing that stands out. IE800S is so much better than IE600. IE800S prides itself in its immersive soundstage. Though its bass is less elevated than the IE600, it has a cleaner presentation. IE600 has a more forward upper midrange than the IE800 but due to its elevated bass, it evens out. When I make recommendations, I make sure the recommendations can compete with other IEMs at its price point. IE600 doesn't make the cut for me purely based on sound quality.

 

[Edyeded86]

IE600 is rather balanced sounding and there is nothing that stands out. IE800S is so much better than IE600. IE800S prides itself in its immersive soundstage. Though its bass is less elevated than the IE600, it has a cleaner presentation. IE600 has a more forward upper midrange than the IE800 but due to its elevated bass, it evens out. When I make recommendations, I make sure the recommendations can compete with other IEMs at its price point. IE600 doesn't make the cut for me purely based on sound quality.

What are your thoughts on comparing the IE 900 to IE 600?

 

[audio123]

What are your thoughts on comparing the IE 900 to IE 600?

I take IE600 over IE900 as it's fuller sounding with more bass and upper midrange. With that said, this is my personal opinion on the current Sennheiser IEMs in order of merit purely on sound quality. The newer IEMs definitely have better fit. Recommend to revisit the IE800S. It is still the king of Sennheiser IEMs. Newer IEMs doesn't mean better.

1. IE800S
2. IE600
3. IE900
4. IE400 PRO
5. IE500 PRO
6. IE300
7. IE80S

 

[cfc7]

IE600 is rather balanced sounding and there is nothing that stands out. IE800S is so much better than IE600. IE800S prides itself in its immersive soundstage. Though its bass is less elevated than the IE600, it has a cleaner presentation. IE600 has a more forward upper midrange than the IE800 but due to its elevated bass, it evens out. When I make recommendations, I make sure the recommendations can compete with other IEMs at its price point. IE600 doesn't make the cut for me purely based on sound quality.

Thanks!
That's interesting...exactly what you like at IE800S, I would like to be improved and that is the bass and the upper midrange...so IE600 sounds like a good option now.

 

[firesign]

Thanks!
That's interesting...exactly what you like at IE800S, I would like to be improved and that is the bass and the upper midrange...so IE600 sounds like a good option now.

I've tried IE600 today, and I have mixed opinions:
1) The left capsule was damaged, it sounded at a much lower volume than the right, and with a slightly darker sound (lack of brightness). It was a 2 weeks old unit... Bad QC?
2) What I have been able to hear from the right capsule (and even from the left, although clearly affected) I liked, a lot. Among the best IEMs that I have tried, I would dare to say, even though it has only been 1 hour.

Now I have to wait for the warranty to be processed... Wish me luck, let's see how long it takes.

 

[Detroifa]

i am currently on the lookout for a mid tier IEM, currently indecise about Moondrop Variations and IE600.
I will practically use them for everything from music to gaming.

Does anyone own them both and could tell me which one do they prefer, the price difference is quite big between both.

I loved the IE300's fit and comfort but it was a bit finicky putting them on , the bass sounded amazin but was a tiny bit bloated to my preferences.

Haven't tried the Variations but they tick all the boxes.

 

[firesign]

i am currently on the lookout for a mid tier IEM, currently indecise about Moondrop Variations and IE600.
I will practically use them for everything from music to gaming.

Does anyone own them both and could tell me which one do they prefer, the price difference is quite big between both.

I loved the IE300's fit and comfort but it was a bit finicky putting them on , the bass sounded amazin but was a tiny bit bloated to my preferences.

Haven't tried the Variations but they tick all the boxes.

The IE600 seems warmer, with more presence of bass, sub-bass, and low mids, and considerably less presence of high mids.
On the other hand, the IE600 has more high treble, which gives a lot of air and detail, although from what little I could test yesterday, they are not offensive at all.
This can make the IE600 sound a bit more V-sounding (without really being) than the Variations, which has the typical Moondrop neutral/bright tuning.

 

[karloil]

i am currently on the lookout for a mid tier IEM, currently indecise about Moondrop Variations and IE600.
I will practically use them for everything from music to gaming.

Does anyone own them both and could tell me which one do they prefer, the price difference is quite big between both.

I loved the IE300's fit and comfort but it was a bit finicky putting them on , the bass sounded amazin but was a tiny bit bloated to my preferences.

Haven't tried the Variations but they tick all the boxes.

I own both. Variations wins on pure technicality, much more revealing, much more resolving.

IE600 is no slouch. It has a cleaner overall presentation. Also wins in comfort.

If you need more info, give me a few hours/a day to listen to them again.

 

[Detroifa]

Thank you for both replies, this makes my decision even harder lol.
Other concerns are durability and QC which i think Sennheiser has the upperhand and if any issue arise Customer support will be less of a hassle imo.

Will the technicalities on the Variations turn fatiguing on long sessions?
And which has better imaging and soundstage, this because i will use them for gaming aswell.

 

[karloil]

Thank you for both replies, this makes my decision even harder lol.
Other concerns are durability and QC which i think Sennheiser has the upperhand and if any issue arise Customer support will be less of a hassle imo.

Will the technicalities on the Variations turn fatiguing on long sessions?
And which has better imaging and soundstage, this because i will use them for gaming aswell.

I would agree with you on quality - the IE600 is built to last. I did read reports in another Facebook audio group that some Dusk 2 owners had issues with their units with less than a year of use (both cosmetic and functionality). Haven't heard any durability issues with the Variations so far.

Give me a few, now listening to both again.

 

[ericpalonen]

Thank you for both replies, this makes my decision even harder lol.
Other concerns are durability and QC which i think Sennheiser has the upperhand and if any issue arise Customer support will be less of a hassle imo.

Will the technicalities on the Variations turn fatiguing on long sessions?
And which has better imaging and soundstage, this because i will use them for gaming aswell.

We're here for support. Like, right here.

 

[karloil]

I would agree with you on quality - the IE600 is built to last. I did read reports in another Facebook audio group that some Dusk 2 owners had issues with their units with less than a year of use (both cosmetic and functionality). Haven't heard any durability issues with the Variations so far.

Give me a few, now listening to both again.

Using Tidal Master tracks. Genres listened to are Pop, R&B, Alternative. Both being driven by C9, Balanced (using default cables). Both IE600 and Variations were burned in for approximately 120 hours (to date).

IE600 has more forward mids, more smoother, more rounded. Treble is also more sparkly, pronounced, more precise with the IE600. I really like how clean the overall imaging on the IE600 - it simply just presents the music "cleaner". It's so clean that when I switch back to the Variations - the Variations sounded muddy. Instrument separation is also better with the IE600.

Variation wins in soundstage width (by a margin) height (by a touch). In some tracks, the Variations gives better bass punch (But I highly suspect its because the way the Variations sits deeper into my ear canal than the IE600). But sub bass - I will have to give to the IE600, slams better, gives better punch.

For your use (music to games) - for sheer durability alone, the IE600 will better suit you. I myself don't have any issues owning the Variations as we have a local distributor in my country, so no issue with warranty claims. Be warned though - the default cable of the IE600 is a microphonics magnet.