[Rob80b]

- but, Orpheus HE90 were released in the early '90s

"A history of sound in perfection - An insight into Sennheiser´s high-end world
The ultimate objective of headphone development is to reproduce sound that is as lifelike and direct as possible."
https://en-de.sennheiser.com/news-a...on-an-insight-into-sennheisers-high-end-world

 

[erics75]

Okay, the issue I'm having now is that I'm enjoying my 660S2 way more than my HD800s. My brain is telling me the 660S2 sounds better, but there is conflicting empirical evidence in my bank account transaction history . It seems I paid over freaking double for the HD800s. Does not compute.

Seriously though, I love the 800s. But when I switch back to the 660S2 its an "ahhhhhh" refreshing moment. They just sound SO GOOD and so relaxing. Dear lord these headphones are amazing. Like what the heck.

I'm with you, as technically brilliant as the 800 is, I'd much rather listen to the S2 (or 650 before the S2 came out). I personally put musicality and tonality above technical prowess. If a headphone can give me both, great, but when I have to choose, I always go with musicality. Back when I had both the 800 and 650 i just never found myself enjoying the music as much as when listening to the 650. I would instead analyze what i was hearing through the 800. That made me sell the 800 and keep the 650. What's awesome about the S2 is it marries the two, giving both musicality and technicality in one. I still won't sell my 650 though haha. I love that headphone.

 

[Rob80b]

Okay, the issue I'm having now is that I'm enjoying my 660S2 way more than my HD800s. My brain is telling me the 660S2 sounds better, but there is conflicting empirical evidence

I can relate to that and to maybe rectify the situation, or maybe even to make it worse I had a little itch to scratch which is currently "out for delivery"....

 

[Audiowood]

I hope Sennheiser releases the HD800S2, Technical chop + Muscality = their winning flagship..

 

[Mike F]

I can relate to that and to maybe rectify the situation, or maybe even to make it worse I had a little itch to scratch which is currently "out for delivery"....

Have you finally succumbed?

 

[Lay.]

HD660S2 is the first 600 -series headphone that I actually prefer over HD800S with music.

Luckily the HD800S is still way better in FPS gaming so it is not going anywhere. The soundstage, imaging and ability to hear footsteps is on another level.

HD598 was also one of those headphones that I liked alot for gaming but not so much with music.

 

[Mike F]

The highest performance version of it sits in the HD 560S, with the new polymer blend diaphragm and a very light aluminium voice coil. This transducer is also implemented without changes in the NDH 30. However, Neumann is incredibly strict on tolerances for this model in a way that it's on the edge of what's possible in headphone series production, which may contribute to positive characteristics like soundstage.

Thanks for this, Peter. So at least, the 30 has a very select version of the driver in the HD560S, but this still seems somewhat at odds with what it says in this article (and what Neumann themselves say) which is that the 30 has a newly developed driver with a one piece driver:-

https://news-mynavi-jp.translate.go...l=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp

The NDH 30 is equipped with a newly developed dynamic driver (transducer) that improves bass response and linearity. It uses a neodymium magnet like the conventional NDH 20, and the size is also the same with a diameter of 38 mm, but the major difference is the number and material of the "membrane" of the diaphragm. The newly developed membrane material used in the NDH 30 realizes the characteristics of the NDH 20, which was produced by two membranes, with a single membrane.

Sorry to talk about ‘that headphone’ in this thread, but the discussion about the development of the drivers for the S2 and 30 is interesting and I believe relevant to the discussion. In any case I’m here because I’m interested in the S2!

 

[rafaelo]

Driver discussion has also practical implications. I have a driver that looks awful in my 58x. If it goes bust I need to know with what to replace it.

Driver 580 KDH ×2 = 100£
Driver sys40 × 2 = 180£
Driver s2 x 2 = better buy 660s2 directly

 

[tamleo]

That new polymer material is noted on ie600 and ie900 advertisement too
Can Anyone please show your s2 drivers pictures? Tks

 

[headstef]

Driver discussion has also practical implications. I have a driver that looks awful in my 58x. If it goes bust I need to know with what to replace it.

Driver 580 KDH ×2 = 100£
Driver sys40 × 2 = 180£
Driver s2 x 2 = better buy 660s2 directly

When I asked @ericpalonen for my HD-580 Precision (on a long-term loan to a cousin), he suggested the HD-600 drivers as the closest/best thing to be found.

 

[pietcux]

Thanks for this, Peter. So at least, the 30 has a very select version of the driver in the HD560S, but this still seems somewhat at odds with what it says in this article (and what Neumann themselves say) which is that the 30 has a newly developed driver with a one piece driver:-

https://news-mynavi-jp.translate.go...l=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp

The NDH 30 is equipped with a newly developed dynamic driver (transducer) that improves bass response and linearity. It uses a neodymium magnet like the conventional NDH 20, and the size is also the same with a diameter of 38 mm, but the major difference is the number and material of the "membrane" of the diaphragm. The newly developed membrane material used in the NDH 30 realizes the characteristics of the NDH 20, which was produced by two membranes, with a single membrane.

On the Sennheiser Hearing homepage, they talk about a polymer blend membrane in the HD560S driver. No more two layers of different material. On layer formed out of a new created blend.
Maybe we could get a NDH-30 for cheap with the HD560S....

 

[pietcux]

That new polymer material is noted on ie600 and ie900 advertisement too
Can Anyone please show your s2 drivers pictures? Tks

It states the production date of 18-JAN-2023.

 

[xeizo]

On the Sennheiser Hearing homepage, they talk about a polymer blend membrane in the HD560S driver. No more two layers of different material. On layer formed out of a new created blend.
Maybe we could get a NDH-30 for cheap with the HD560S....

Soon to find out, my refurbished HD560S is now reported as being shipped

I think the difference will be easy to hear, the NDH-30 is a quite sturdy all metal construction which would affect sound drivers aside

 

[pietcux]

Soon to find out, my refurbished HD560S is now reported as being shipped

I think the difference will be easy to hear, the NDH-30 is a quite sturdy all metal construction which would affect sound drivers aside

Oh, if you select your thermoplastic material carefully it can surpass metal or wood in regards of acustical performance. Remember the membrane is also only made from thermoplastic.

 

[Rob80b]

Have you finally succumbed?

Yes...but not for another headphone...lol.

The Bryston BHA-1 did such a nice job on the S2 figured I would see how Sennheiser's own would do on the 2nd station over the little SMSL HO100.

Heard the HDVD800 amp section is quite similar to the current HDV820.we will see hear.

But 1st the HD800S.