Sennheiser HD 660S2 thread

[chesebert]

I listen again, and it's very slight. Yes the HD650 has that upper mid-range edge but for everything else, the HD660S2 did way better. I am focusing on the entire spectrum and not just the vocal. Again the vocal is really good enough for me. Hd660S2 has the clarity overall - everything just sounds even and natural - no dips or peaks. The treble extension beyond that narrow small dip made up for it. Overall the HD650 does not have the extension of the HD660s2. Only that very narrow spectrum of 3-5Khz (estimating). But music does not revolve around that narrow spectrum - so overall, from the sub bass extension to the 6khz and beyond with a better holographic soundstage wins the HD650 hands down.

If I only listen to vocals without music like a vocal audition - ok I will pick the HD650. - but I don't listen to it that way. So it's fine for me.

Not just the vocal, but every instrument that has a leading edge will sound dull or smoothed over. You also lose sound localization with that kind of midrange performance. It's definitely not good enough for me.

 

[NotJeffBuckley]

Based on what we learned here I think the HD-700 was a "compromise" since they were driving for a different form factor as a priority, whereas the HD-660S is the original design intention for that driver, yeah?

 

[Audiowood]

I see soneone asking for amps to pair with the HD660S2 - I do recommned the G5 Topping amps for $399 and it sounds really good on the HD660S2 - Its a very clean sounding portable amps that could rival some Desktop gear. If you like clean sounding without breakding the bank at an almost flagship DAP sound. This is it. If you like the Topping A90 - THis will get you 90% there. The Bluetooth is one of the best out there. Most bluetooth tend to collapse the soundstage like the BTR5 7 and even the ifi Gyrfton - but this G5 is perhaps the only portable bluetooth amp that does not collapse the soundstage - It replaces my IFi and BTR5. THis is a very simple amp - no play rewind or built in EQ software like the IFI x-bass. Plain vanilla device but sound out of this world for its price.

This is perhaps the most underrated portable amps today. Its has enough power to rival most flagship DAP out there at 1200mw (well short of the M17 / M7 fiio) without pluging in the wall. and THD+N of 0.00007% - yes 4 zeros after the decimals. Incredible portable amp for the HD660S2.

 

[Mike F]

I listen again, and it's very slight. Yes the HD650 has that upper mid-range edge but for everything else, the HD660S2 did way better. I am focusing on the entire spectrum and not just the vocal. Again the vocal is really good enough for me. Hd660S2 has the clarity overall - everything just sounds even and natural - no dips or peaks. The treble extension beyond that narrow small dip made up for it. Overall the HD650 does not have the extension of the HD660s2. Only that very narrow spectrum of 3-5Khz (estimating). But music does not revolve around that narrow spectrum - so overall, from the sub bass extension to the 6khz and beyond with a better holographic soundstage wins the HD650 hands down.

If I only listen to vocals without music like a vocal audition - ok I will pick the HD650. - but I don't listen to it that way. So it's fine for me.

Nice assessment, but again I wonder why the comparison to the 650 and not 660S? The 650 has been surpassed already……

 

[NotJeffBuckley]

That's been controversial, though, not everyone seems to agree the 660S truly surpassed the 650. I personally feel it did, soundly, and I loved HD-650 since back in the mid 2000s when I got mine

600/650 still show why they were flagships at one time, IMO, nonetheless.

 

[Rob80b]

Nice assessment, but again I wonder why the comparison to the 650 and not 660S?

Ruffles more feathers?

The 650 has been surpassed already……

That will get you in a lot of trouble...but have to agree.

Having said that I'm actually tempted to pick up a pair of HD600, it's been awhile since I've heard them and as Jermo happened to mention....

the HD 600 and HD 650 is to this day mainly hand assembled.

 

[Mike F]

Ruffles more feathers?

That will get you in a lot of trouble...but have to agree.

Well, it was a bit provocative actually. In some ways I would say that the 660S didn’t in fact surpass the 650, but on balance I think it did. I guess the 660S2 is an attempt to improve on the 660S and recapture some of the magic of the 650. I get that, but the problem for me is that I’ve found something that comfortably surpasses both the 650 and 660S at the same price as the 660S2. So far the only person AFAIK who has owned both the 660S2 and ‘that other headphone’ prefers the later. I know, I know, I should just get the 660S2 for myself and see, but I’m gonna wait for a few more comparisons.

 

[pietcux]

You know how I test all my music playback devices? I constantly listen to music based on my preference of the moment. Once the HD660S2 arrives it has only one task, to play what I need at that specific moment of my life. If this headphone is outstanding good, it will pull me deeper into the music and I find myself distracted from my task at hand. That is a WOW moment to write about, not the dip or bump here and there. The IE900 can do such again and again, the HD660S is very good but more or less inaudible. Not in the way at all for good or bad. Let's see or better listen.

 

[chesebert]

The “other person” thinks NDH30 is an order of magnitude better than 660S2. Time to escape the midfi purgatory and join the hifi club.

 

[Arniesb]

The “other person” thinks NDH30 is an order of magnitude better than 660S2.

Doubt its better... Most likely better synergy with your system.

 

[Mike F]

The “other person” thinks NDH30 is an order of magnitude better than 660S2.

I don’t wish to be down on the 660S2, which is why I’ve stayed out of this thread for a while, but I very much suspect that I will think the same.

 

[chesebert]

Doubt its better... Most likely better synergy with your system.

Yeah I have a low end system that only works with studio cans

 

[Arniesb]

Yeah I have a low end system that only works with studio cans

High price wont guarantee great synergy. Its not about money.

 

[Mike F]

Doubt its better... Most likely better synergy with your system.

Unless the 660S2 is an order of magnitude better than the 650 and 660S then I don’t doubt that @chesebert is right.

 

[chesebert]

High price wont guarantee great synergy. Its not about money.

Just buy the cans and try yourself. Amazon has generous return policy and that’s great for the hobby.