[greenhorn]

After having compared both, in identical conditions, which one do you prefer?

 

[Andrea]

Had I heard the 600, I would shout to you "buy yourself a 650"

 

[[AK]Zip]

I own both. I suggest you go 650's.

-Alex-

 

[crazyfrenchman27]

I know that I might be taking crazy pills, but I think I prefer the HD600 sound.

-Matt

P.S. COOL! SACDlover shares my views. I won't be alone in the insane asylum

.

 

[crazyfrenchman27]

As for WHY I prefer the HD600 sound:

I find the HD650 to sound unrealistically smooth and euphonic.

When I listen to the HD650, I feel that I always get out C, regardless of whether I put in A, B, or C. Now, that might be cool for people who dig C, but I don't think C is an accurate representation of A or B, which I would also personally like to experience.

This is a big reason why HD650's require such a long "burn-in" time...for a lot of people, they learn to love C all the time when acclimating to the headphone; that's great, because the HD650 is only going to give you C, for the most part. But initially, they might not love the C sound.

I feel that this situation applies less to the HD600, which tend to spit out what you put into them a little more.

Of course, this is coming from a guy who doesn't like Sennheiser's at all (good bedtime headphone, but certainly nothing I'd listen to regularly), so YMMV.

-Matt

 

[JaZZ]

I can see why one prefers the HD 600. It sounds a bit more organic and natural to my ears, also crisper and airier. On the other hand I can't renounce the HD 650's much higher resolution and cleaner sound. I believe that with matching electronics it has the clearly higher potential.

 

[boodi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaZZ I can see why one prefers the HD 600. It sounds a bit more organic and natural to my ears, also crisper and airier. On the other hand I can't renounce the HD 650's much higher resolution and cleaner sound. I believe that with matching electronics it has the clearly higher potential.

it's quite all that can sum up about , and i do agree .

did not vote though .. can't decide which one and it's better to have the choice

 

[dano1122]

it is 100% personal preference as they are both top quality headphones. the hd650s are voiced less bright then the 600s. the hd650s are voiced with more lower bass then the 600s. the 650s seem to have a gentler, smoother sound. it's almost impossible to get listening fatigue with the 650s. the 600s are more natural and seem less 'smoothed out'. they, to me, get fatiguing after a little while, depending on music but as a general rule yes. i heartily recommend trying both out first. it basically boils down to this. 650s better bass, smoother, not as bright. 600s less bass, more even sound, more bright. i think i am highly sensitive to brightness, especially in headphones.

 

[Nefarion]

Having owned both for a long period of time:

I found the 650's to be significantly less fatigueing. Bass is fuller while still maintaining a higher resolution. Cleaner highs and more overall punch.

Having said that, I do agree that the 600's have a more natural sound while the 650's are more colored. I personally enjoy a bit of color and, at times, find the 600's to be a bit "dry". *Cries because I just sold my 650's to buy a new computer*

 

[PeterR]

The HD600 is more neutral but also more grainy and a tad less detailed. Most of the time I prefer the 650.

 

[purk]

Definitely the HD-650. I can also add that I prefer the Senn HD-580 Jubilee more so than the HD-600. To my ears, HD-650 have more resolution with better bass response. It also have much more velvet midrange and slightly deeper stage.

 

[Kurt]

I prefer the HD650 by a good margin.

 

[recstar24]

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyfrenchman27 I know that I might be taking crazy pills, but I think I prefer the HD600 sound. -Matt P.S. COOL! SACDlover shares my views. I won't be alone in the insane asylum .

Well, if your on crazy pills, well then so am I. I had the 650's and they sounded great, however, I prefer the 600's more laid back, speaker like presentation. The 650's are a bit more forward than the 600's and have a slightly bigger and more round bass. The 600's to me have a crisper, snappier attack, i like the sense of transients better on the 600's, its more articulate, whereas the 650's appear to be more decay oriented, hence the smooth lush sound. IMHO and YMMV of course

 

[PeterR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by purk (...)To my ears, HD-650 have more resolution with better bass response.(...)

I think it's stronger, but whether it's better is more a matter of taste. I prefer the tighter bass of the 600.

 

[aerius]

The 650 has better resolution, more detail, better separation, and so forth, but the 600 is more fun. To me the 650 is more of a hi-fi 'phone while the 600 is closer to a fun music 'phone. Despite its faults and shortcomings, I like the 600 more since it has me listening to music instead of equipment.