Sennheiser HD 660S2 thread

[OkPsychology]

Tend to agree...Listening to some solo flute pieces and the presentation is rather brilliant (play on words )

I see what you did there

 

[Rob80b]

I am listening to TUTU Deluxe Edition from Miles Davies right now. The trumpet is sharp but not ear bleeding and those drums and the Ebass.... this can is really very capable.

Slightly OT but thought you might like this.
A while back while setting up to watch some movies with the projector and before the motorized projection screen was lowered I was streaming TUTU on Tidal through the AVP..... the front wall which is covered in mirrors sent some interesting reflections to the back wall onto one of my paintings. : )




Lights out...face forward. : )

Well I am a speaker kind of guy.....we'll see.


...headphone station at the back......

 

[YtseJamer]

I´m really surprised because this, don't even know why, was the last headphone that I would think could be appropriate to my most listening music gender.

It has not been easy since the information is so subjective and scattered. I honestly came to realize that either I should go the Planar route (Empyrean for example), since I also enjoy some quality bass (no bass head tough) or concentrate on a few models like the Atrium or the Aeolus. Considering that being in Europe doesn't favor the ZMF route, for several reasons, the other "problem" is that I learnt recently that I don't appreciate much cans that start getting heavy. I believe above 400gr. is getting out of my comfort zone. I probably blame it being used to my super light Grados.

So, no easy decision, no "perfect" and obvious solution at this point. So you can imagine my expression when I read things like this. I have been following very closely this thread just because I was curious, since I tried very briefly, a few months ago, the 660S and also because I also follow the "other" thread about the polemical HP, concurrent to this one , also because I'm curious since I stumbled on it and couldn't believe, according to many, that a studio monitor could be that good for other purposes than not professional ones.

I was quite astonished as well, because as much as I love my HD6XX, I wasn't particularly fond of the other Sennheiser headphones. However, when I got my hands on the HD660S2, I ended up selling most of my headphones, except for my ZMF Atrium, HD6XX and Grado RS2x. Personally, I believe that the HD660S2 is a fantastic deal for its price because I prefer them over the majority of Focal, Hifiman and Audeze headphones.

 

[OkPsychology]

Ok.. just plugged the HE6seV2 into my Rag2. Running the S2 off my EarMax Pro. There are some really obvious differences right off the top. The brightness of the 6 makes for some very crisp edges of images, and that flat, linear bass really floats my boat. I much prefer the bass presentation on the 6, there's not a hint of bloom, and it just sounds deep and tight AF.

Getting back to the question at hand though, the center image on S2 vs 6. You asked, @chesebert if the center image seemed too large. I know what you're talking about. I find this is a characteristic of the HD600, actually. The imaging is such that everything is smeared, and the center bleeds out left, right, up and down. Things seem too large, and their locations are too vague to pinpoint. Yeah, I can definitely say that the center is a little clearer on the Hifiman, but I don't think it's a night and day difference. The image is bigger in front on the S2, so I guess you could say it's less pinpoint accurate.

Another interesting thing I'm noticing relates back to a comment I made last night. When vocals are doubled, I hear each vocal track very distinctly on the S2, and even though I think overall the detail and imaging is probably a step up on the HE6seV2, this one particular attribute is better on the S2 IMO.

I'm actually really grateful to own both of these headphones, S2 and 6. They've each got very interesting takes on the music, and I can really appreciate both "voices." They're a dynamic duo, and for their respective prices, would make a killer little headphone collection if you want to cover a lot of bases with only 2 cans.

 

[Rob80b]

Just received my perforated lambskin ear pads for the HD660S2...

Slighter thinner than stock which could affect staging.

And they do, the leather pads affect the staging and IMHO not in a good way....took on the recent inspiration and listening to Miles' Tutu" the horizontal spread and depth where uncomfortably reduced and the overall tonal presentation has been altered. I may revisit the leather pads at some other time but currently for me they removed wharever makes the S2 a delight to listen to so back to the stock Sennheiser pads.

Until further notice.

 

[Mike F]

I mean, if you're getting push back for doing the same thing in various threads then maybe chill a bit with it? It sounds like you prefer to go into things with preconceived notions, which is not "my style" at all, as you say, but you must see how this comes off to those of us actively trying to discuss. Your posts are all reading like you're developing your own narrative about a headphone, (which it seems like IS what you do?) and ignoring anything posted that doesn't follow that.

Not at all. There's a difference between coming to an informed opinion about a headphone you are interested in, but don't yet have, by discussion and comparison with others to headphones you do have, and having preconceived notions. And yes, this comes about through actively trying to discuss! My point with mentioning what happened in the 660S thread was just that I realise that talking about a headphone that you don't have in order to form an opinion isn't something that everyone appreciates, but in the end in that thread quite a few people mentioned that it did stimulate good productive conversations about the 660S, and after I'd bought it I continued writing there giving detailed comparisons and impressions. At least I'm talking about the headphone and it's competitors and not amps and cables......

 

[Koren]

Was this 660S2 really the best technically and tonally in the 600 series? How far is HD650 behind it?

 

[OkPsychology]

Was this 660S2 really the best technically and tonally in the 600 series? How far is HD650 behind it?

The 650 has a certain gooey thickness, and something magical in its tonality that is super seductive, and sounds incredible at times. I think the 660S2 has a bunch of that going on too, but also has technicalities that make it a better all arounder. Vocals sound a little better to me on the 650, but the S2's imaging, layering and separation leave the 650 for dead, I think. It really is a question of mood for me. I intend to keep both of them (at least for now). I also still love the original 660S which I always liked more than the 650 too. And all the aforementioned are better than the HD600 IMO.

 

[Rob80b]

Was this 660S2 really the best technically

You mean is? : )

and tonally in the 600 series?

Down to preferences.

How far is HD650 behind it?

Posted earlier...660S driver (top) compared to 650...and the S2 is obviously even more finally tuned. Visually the more recent drivers look better made which IMHO and logically (hopefully) should translate into technically a more trouble free, cleaner and resolving performance....tranlates into less distortion. : )

This is 660S:



And side by side with my old 650.

 

[457139]

Returned my 660S2. Idk what it was but i kept getting headaches after using them that I don't get from 600/650 drivers. Increased magnetism maybe? It's weird the S2 has the same magnetism rating as the S1 but i never got headaches from using the S1.

I also felt like there was a trade off of stage depth imaging for naturalness and life-like timbre between 650/600 and S2. At the end of the day I think it will be a great headphone for some people, it's just not for me.

 

[chesebert]

Returned my 660S2. Idk what it was but i kept getting headaches after using them that I don't get from 600/650 drivers. Increased magnetism maybe? It's weird the S2 has the same magnetism rating as the S1 but i never got headaches from using the S1.

I also felt like there was a trade off of stage depth imaging for naturalness and life-like timbre between 650/600 and S2. At the end of the day I think it will be a great headphone for some people, it's just not for me.

I feel the same, except I would re-buy it at $300. Are you going to try the other one?

 

[kman1211]

Returned my 660S2. Idk what it was but i kept getting headaches after using them that I don't get from 600/650 drivers. Increased magnetism maybe? It's weird the S2 has the same magnetism rating as the S1 but i never got headaches from using the S1.

I also felt like there was a trade off of stage depth imaging for naturalness and life-like timbre between 650/600 and S2. At the end of the day I think it will be a great headphone for some people, it's just not for me.

I had a headache/dizziness issue with early S1’s. But later ones I didn’t. No idea what caused it. Never happened with the HD 600/650. I am kinda worried to hear someone having the problem with the S2. I don’t think it’s the magnetism.

 

[chesebert]

I had a headache/dizziness issue with early S1’s. But later ones I didn’t. No idea what caused it. Never happened with the HD 600/650. I am kinda worried to hear someone having the problem with the S2. I don’t think it’s the magnetism.

I agree nothing related to magnetism. I am guessing it’s either fit-related or some reaction to the sound profile - it’s your body telling something ain’t right with the cans

 

[kman1211]

I agree nothing related to magnetism. I am guessing it’s either fit-related or some reaction to the sound profile - it’s your body telling something ain’t right with the cans

Yeah definitely not mangetism, I've spent plenty of time with headphones with stronger magnet systems and zero issues. The easier your ears can ease into the sound the better, that means it causes less aural fatigue in my experience. The headphones that cause me the least aural fatigue with long listening sessions tend to be my most used pairs.

 

[457139]

I feel the same, except I would re-buy it at $300. Are you going to try the other one?

Let's not do this in here ha