Sennheiser HD 600 Causing Immense Pressure and Pain

[Dirty Dan]

Long story short, I got a pair of Sennheiser HD 600's for Christmas, and although they're definitely a step-up in sound quality over my Madcatz Tritton Kunai's that I've been using extensively for almost four years, they've been causing me immense pressure and pain. The top headband presses on the top of my skull, creating pressure and pain. Same goes for the jaw region, especially the left jaw for some reason. Immense pressure and pain. I've tried at least three different times to game for long sessions like I used to, but pressure and pain build up in the top of my head and in my jaw region. This also causes me perhaps the most painful headaches of my life, and I mean it. I've done those gaming sessions at night, and trying to sleep is no easy task afterwards, with the pressure, pain, and headaches. It all continues on into the next day, but does mostly subside over time.

So I need any help I can get with this problem. I know it may seem bonkers, as everyone says how comfortable the HD 600's are. I've tried googling other people who've suffered as I have, but I wasn't able to find anything. Just some people saying how the HD 600's can be too tight for some people when they're brand new. And yes, I have bent the metal bands to try to fix the problem, but all it does is make it so that I can wear them a bit longer before I start feeling pain and pressure. And let me note that the HD 600's are noticeably heavier than my previous Tritton Kunai's, if that helps anyone.

So what I need is a solution: one that hopefully involves me keeping the HD 600's. I don't know if I can return them to Amazon after all this time, but it'd be a hassle anyways because I spent a boat-load of time researching for a pair of proper headphones. I like the HD 600's, it's just that it's been nothing but uncomfortable and painful. So whatever it may come down to, like perhaps getting a HD 650 headband to try out (can anyone vouch for them in a situation like this?), getting a new pair of headphones, or just getting my head screwed on right at the doctor's... I just need help and advice. Thanks.

 

[raybone0566]

Where you extend the earcups are two metal sliders. You can gently bend the metal which will relieve the pressure. If you can hold out it takes about a month and the earpads themselves will soften up if you use them enough and the pressure will decrease. Fortunately this worked for me.

 

[atarione]

the advice above is solid.. but the truth is those headphone clamp pretty hard ... it bothers some people and not others.
 
it bothered me when I tried them... many of these headphones have been sold by people who hadn't expected the head clamp these headphones have when they bought them.  
 
might give this a read:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/438898/hd650-hd600-hd580-comfortable-uncomfortable-or-fractured

 

[Dirty Dan]

Where you extend the earcups are two metal sliders. You can gently bend the metal which will relieve the pressure. If you can hold out it takes about a month and the earpads themselves will soften up if you use them enough and the pressure will decrease. Fortunately this worked for me.

I've already tried that, as said in the post. Seems the drivers are heavy enough to weigh down the headbandenough onto my head to bother it. You said the earcups will soften up over time, if I can hold out, but I don't know if I can. Nothing but pain.

 

[Dirty Dan]

the advice above is solid.. but the truth is those headphone clamp pretty hard ... it bothers some people and not others.

it bothered me when I tried them... many of these headphones have been sold by people who hadn't expected the head clamp these headphones have when they bought them.  

might give this a read:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/438898/hd650-hd600-hd580-comfortable-uncomfortable-or-fractured

I've already read that, and although some people said the HD 600's were uncomfortable at first, none of them mention the sort of pain I'm having. It's really weird, and I don'thave a clue what to do, other than to perhaps see if I can return or sell them. But I'd rather not.

 

[Monsterzero]

I had the HD600s and the clamping didnt really bother me until I started using them for gaming,which led to longer sessions...I eventually traded them away.

Two others that are excellent in comfort and are both good for gaming are:

Fidelio X1 or X2...super comfortable for long sessions,super easy to drive,but not as balanced for music as HD600s

AKG 7XX...even more comfortable than the X1s,at or near music quality of HD600s,but are much harder to drive than either of the above.

 

[atarione]

well.. if you tried the stuff in the other thread and they are still bothering you that much... it may be time to cut your losses and see if you can return them..
 
even if not .. with as popular as these are you should have no trouble selling a used pair.
 
 
maybe either way... if it was me I'd probably try to see the doctors because that seems like a sever reaction to these things and maybe indicative of some problem with your jaw or whatever face parts (I ain't no doctor..clearly) but might be worth getting checked out?
 
 
 
I have had to sell off a pair of basically new headphones because they didn't work with me... I bought AD700's with dreams of gaming awesomeness... fit terrible on my head.. and more problematically I was allergic to the ear pads..  Stuff happens.
 
 
I game with my DT880 Premium 250Ohms headphones.. these are quite comfortable (for me) for long periods of time..

 

[Dirty Dan]

I had the HD600s and the clamping didnt really bother me until I started using them for gaming,which led to longer sessions...I eventually traded them away.


Two others that are excellent in comfort and are both good for gaming are:


Fidelio X1 or X2...super comfortable for long sessions,super easy to drive,but not as balanced for music as HD600s


AKG 7XX...even more comfortable than the X1s,at or near music quality of HD600s,but are much harder to drive than either of the above.

If it was just the clamping that was bothersome to you, couldn't you have just bent the metal bands? Or was it overall uncomfortable for long sessions? Also, do you know if the HD 650 headband would alleviate this sort of discomfort? And thanks for your alternatives. I'll keep them in mind.

 

[Monsterzero]

If it was just the clamping that was bothersome to you, couldn't you have just bent the metal bands? Or was it overall uncomfortable for long sessions? Also, do you know if the HD 650 headband would alleviate this sort of discomfort? And thanks for your alternatives. I'll keep them in mind.

I dont know if the 650 headband will work for you or not.

I opted to get the X1s for gaming only purposes....mainly due to better bass(explosions,gun shots)and better sound stage(pinpointing enemies in FPSs)

I had the K7XX for awhile just for music but had better options so I sold them...tried them for gaming and my MixAmp Pro couldnt drive them...It drove the HD600 and X1 just fine.

 

[Dirty Dan]

well.. if you tried the stuff in the other thread and they are still bothering you that much... it may be time to cut your losses and see if you can return them..

even if not .. with as popular as these are you should have no trouble selling a used pair.


maybe either way... if it was me I'd probably try to see the doctors because that seems like a sever reaction to these things and maybe indicative of some problem with your jaw or whatever face parts (I ain't no doctor..clearly) but might be worth getting checked out?



I have had to sell off a pair of basically new headphones because they didn't work with me... I bought AD700's with dreams of gaming awesomeness... fit terrible on my head.. and more problematically I was allergic to the ear pads..  Stuff happens.


I game with my DT880 Premium 250Ohms headphones.. these are quite comfortable (for me) for long periods of time..

I feel like there's nothing actually wrong with me, even if I don't react too well to the HD 600's. Doctor would probably think I was joking or something. But I suppose I should see anyways.

Actually, I'm wearing my old super light and plasticky headphones at the moment, and I can feel the top of my head has a bit of bothersome pressure. Maybe it is me...

As for the DT 880 Premiums, I was actually set on buying those at one point. They look increadibly cool and comfortable, especially with the velour earcups. How are they compared to your experience with the HD 600's?

 

[Monsterzero]

As for the DT 880 Premiums, I was actually set on buying those at one point. They look increadibly cool and comfortable, especially with the velour earcups. How are they compared to your experience with the HD 600's?

I had the 770s and 990s for awhile,not the 880s,but essentially the same in comfort and they were an improvement in clamping,but it seems your issue at the top of your skull....not sure what,if any headphone will help with that.

 

[Dirty Dan]

I had the 770s and 990s for awhile,not the 880s,but essentially the same in comfort and they were an improvement in clamping,but it seems your issue at the top of your skull....not sure what,if any headphone will help with that.

I believe it may be headphone fatigue, now that I think about it. Guess my only option is to see if the HD 600's can be worn comfortably, or if I need to return them (if possible). I'll try wearing the HD 600's again and see if I have any issues. I was wearing my older headphones all day today with only slight pressure at the top of my head, just for reference. So headphone fatigue probably is the cause of it here, but the HD 600's extra weight, or something along the lines, seems to be exacerbating the issue. So yeah, I'll give it another shot today.

 

[Monsterzero]

I believe it may be headphone fatigue, now that I think about it. Guess my only option is to see if the HD 600's can be worn comfortably, or if I need to return them (if possible). I'll try wearing the HD 600's again and see if I have any issues. I was wearing my older headphones all day today with only slight pressure at the top of my head, just for reference. So headphone fatigue probably is the cause of it here, but the HD 600's extra weight, or something along the lines, seems to be exacerbating the issue. So yeah, I'll give it another shot today.

If theyre in good shape you can prolly post them up for trade for K7XX +cash back to you,theyre super light weight...what amp are you using?

 

[Dirty Dan]

If theyre in good shape you can prolly post them up for trade for K7XX +cash back to you,theyre super light weight...what amp are you using?

The K7XX were only sold through Massdrop for a limited time, right? Feel I'd have trouble finding them. As for the amp, I'm using the TI NE5532 on-board amp on my Asrock Z97E-ITX/AC motherboard, which also has the Realtek ALC 1150. Doen't have any issues with it and the HD 600. I listen on lower volumes anyways, so it's not a problem.

 

[Monsterzero]

The K7XX were only sold through Massdrop for a limited time, right? Feel I'd have trouble finding them. As for the amp, I'm using the TI NE5532 on-board amp on my Asrock Z97E-ITX/AC motherboard, which also has the Realtek ALC 1150. Doen't have any issues with it and the HD 600. I listen on lower volumes anyways, so it's not a problem.

Theres a like new pair for sale now for 155.00 in the used section

Volume isnt the issue,controlling the bottom end is tho...dont know anything about motherboards,so cant advise.

If you do end up going for the 880s grab the 80 or 250 ohm version...80ohm will be easier to drive. 

EDIT: the 880s are actually heavier than the HD600s.

880s=296 grams
K7XX=235 grams
HD600=260 grams
X2=382 grams (really?)