[RoundRound]

Hello People,
I have the HD600 and like them but want more detail and I got a great offer on a pair of HD700.
I'm mainly into electronic music but also Rock and Jazz. I'm not a 'Bass head' and prefer accurate, natural sound. 
I'll pair these with a Chord Hugo Amp/Dac and most of my music is Lossless.
 
Also, 
What is sibilance? I keep seeing that mentioned...
 
Please share your thoughts,
Thanks!

 

[Me x3]

  Hello People,
I have the HD600 and like them but want more detail and I got a great offer on a pair of HD700.
I'm mainly into electronic music but also Rock and Jazz. I'm not a 'Bass head' and prefer accurate, natural sound. 
I'll pair these with a Chord Hugo Amp/Dac and most of my music is Lossless.
 
Also, 
What is sibilance? I keep seeing that mentioned...
 
Please share your thoughts,
Thanks!

 
Hi,
 
Sibilant (or Sibilance) - "Essy", exaggerated "s" or "sh" sounds in vocals. Sibilant sounds carry most of their energy through the 4Khz to 8Khz range, but can extend to 10kHz, depending on the individual. Sibilance is often heard on radio.
 
From: http://www.head-fi.org/t/220770/describing-sound-a-glossary

 

[MrEleventy]

Just in the nick of time; Comparison / Review : A tale of two Sennheisers – HD600 vs HD700.

 

[RoundRound]

Thanks Mate,
Good comparison.
 
I got the HD700 in the end and they seem promising, but break in takes ages...

 

[Brooko]

I wrote the review / comparison.
 
IMO, and from my experience - they aren't going to change with "break-in".  What you have now is the way they are going to continue to sound.  What will help is letting your brain get used to the sound.  So just use the HD700 and only the HD700 for a while.  You''ll adjust to the signature - and all will be good.

 

[RoundRound]

Thanks,
Though I read more than once that they need about 300 hours break in...?
Presumably Shenizer says that too...?

 

[Brooko]

Nope - pretty sure Sennheiser won't say that - and the people who do are often simply repeating a myth.
 
Here - this links actual measurements of a brand new Q701 (AKGs were supposed to need 100's or hours to break-in).  The article is really good - well worth reading.
http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/measurement-and-audibility-headphone-break
 
Pay particular attention to the summary on page 4.
 
Speakers do break-in, because of the spider which is part of the mechanical design.  Headphones don't have this - so there is nothing to break-in.  Despite this you'll still get people claiming night and day differences.  If break-in exists, the changes are extremely small, and any changes (again refer to the actual measurements from Tyll) would be very slight.  How they sound now are how they're going to continue to sound.
 
I don't want to start a debate (no doubt you'll get someone soon telling you it is real) - I'd just suggest to ignore the thought of break-in, and start enjoying your music.

 

[RoundRound]

Thanks Mate,
I hear you.
 
Well, I've been using them for 3 days now (breaking in 24 hours) and the sound is a bit muffled, especially the bass... I thought there was supposed to be lots of extra detail compared to the HD 600 but it's not there yet...?
 
I've noticed break-in (maybe psychological) with other headphones.

 

[Brooko]

Yep - it's your brain adjusting to the sound sig.  If you ever get the chance, try it with a bright fast vs slower warmer sounding headphone.  It was funny when I used to own the Grado SR325i.
 
Try HD600 by itself for 10 minutes - realistic, natural, airy and expansive
 
Switch to SR325i - the Grado appears shrill, with a narrow sound stage, and very little bass impact
 
After 10-15 minutes, it starts sounding energetic, fun, exciting
 
Switch back to HD600 - and all of a sudden the HD600 sounds slow, veiled, muddy bass, distant vocals
 
After 10-15 minutes with the HD600, it returns to sounding realistic, natural, airy and expansive.
 
Has either headphone changed - nope.  All that has happened is that your brain has found a way to cope with the change of sonic signature.  It's quite cool really.
 
Anyway - the change you're noticing with the HD700 is that despite the forwardness in the upper mid-range, it is essentially a slightly warmer, darker headphone - where the HD600 despite the mid-bass hump, has an airier feel to it.  Give yourself time to get used to the HD700 by itself.  You might find you adjust to it's signature.  If you don't - then it's time to sell, and try something else. 

 

[Me x3]

  Yep - it's your brain adjusting to the sound sig.  If you ever get the chance, try it with a bright fast vs slower warmer sounding headphone.  It was funny when I used to own the Grado SR325i.
 
Try HD600 by itself for 10 minutes - realistic, natural, airy and expansive
 
Switch to SR325i - the Grado appears shrill, with a narrow sound stage, and very little bass impact
 
After 10-15 minutes, it starts sounding energetic, fun, exciting
 
Switch back to HD600 - and all of a sudden the HD600 sounds slow, veiled, muddy bass, distant vocals
 
After 10-15 minutes with the HD600, it returns to sounding realistic, natural, airy and expansive.
 
Has either headphone changed - nope.  All that has happened is that your brain has found a way to cope with the change of sonic signature.  It's quite cool really.
 
Anyway - the change you're noticing with the HD700 is that despite the forwardness in the upper mid-range, it is essentially a slightly warmer, darker headphone - where the HD600 despite the mid-bass hump, has an airier feel to it.  Give yourself time to get used to the HD700 by itself.  You might find you adjust to it's signature.  If you don't - then it's time to sell, and try something else. 

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