[SchwizzelKick66]

I have the OG Clears and think they’re one of the most overrated headphones ever (pretty much for the reasons you explained). I don’t think you’ll have any concerns with the S2 when you get to try them. I’d take the S2 any day of the week over the Clears based on what I’ve heard so far.

I may have been the one to initially compare them to the clears, as I think the 660s has punchy dynamics much like the clears, but I totally agree with you. I also think the Clears are very overrated.

The s2 is able to borrow those punchy dynamics but in a way that is non fatiguing and more realistic. I also feel the clears sound unrealistic and metallic, and I also said I do find them fatiguing.

I'd take the S2 over the clears any day as well. Heck id take the 6xx and Sundara over them.

 

[ericpalonen]

This is probably the best summation I’ve seen based on my early listening. The blacker background is very noticeable.

Joshua Velour’s video is pretty good and is kinda where I’m at. Key observations for me:

• Packaging is not good for this price point, should have been either a box like the older ones or a hard case like Meze do for the 109 Pro’s and Beyer for their 1770/1990 Pro. The included pouch is worse than the one I got with my Rode NTH-100. It's not a deal breaker but certainly worth all calling out.
• They’re a really great headphone, I don’t have any regrets purchasing, but for someone who doesn’t feel the need to have so many headphones it’d be hard to justify these when the 600/650/6XX exist at cheaper price points, are also great headphones, and offer a different, but similar, experience. I’d say they are worth the price, but the others are a steal at their price points.
• The bass is much more textured / detailed, I don't think there is a whole lot more, if any, compared to the 650 (certainly is over 660S), but it's a better quality.
• They're much better as an all rounder than the rest of the 6 series.

For me, time will tell, but I think they’ll be my favourite 6 series based on ~12 hours of listening but it certainly doesn’t make the others obsolete. I'm really enjoying them out of my TA-ZH1ES and Mojo 2.

Thx for the feedback and purchase!

 

[ericpalonen]

.... I honestly feel that nothing is wanting and really have to classify them as a possible new reference.
Again early days but it is looking very promising for this new Sennheiser.

Thank you for the kind words!

 

[IXOYE]

I decided to keep my 660s and ordered 800s instead, got them at a good price as Sennheiser has a sale and I had a 10% coupon after I bought new pads for my 660s, hopefully they will arrive tomorrow.

 

[ericpalonen]

I decided to keep my 660s and ordered 800s instead, got them at a good price as Sennheiser has a sale and I had a 10% coupon after I bought new pads for my 660s, hopefully they will arrive tomorrow.

Congrats on the 800S purchase!

 

[SchwizzelKick66]

I decided to keep my 660s and ordered 800s instead, got them at a good price as Sennheiser has a sale and I had a 10% coupon after I bought new pads for my 660s, hopefully they will arrive tomorrow.

They're absolutely phenomenal, enjoy. On a totally different level than every other headphone I've tried in my life.

 

[Rob80b]

After Underworld’s Live “Everything Everything” settled down to “Other Aspects” by Eric Dolphy, recordings from 1960-64 and is probably the best I’ve heard it on a set of headphones. The flute and sax are captured in all their vibrancy, a lot of phones trip over this but the S2 not only gives us great extension and air but maintains its composure. And I’m getting a really good insight to the recording and the venue, everything just sounds correct, not sure what can be improved at this point.

 

[tombrisbane]

Currently listening to Nine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral while working (from home ) today on these and it sounds wonderful. Given the layering on this album, with the vocals changing their location in the mix, and some of the changes in the sound throughout the album (e.g. Ruiner changing from distorted synths to the clear beat is one of my favourite musical transitions) I find it to be a great one to test HP's out.

 

[jonathan c]

Again still early days...I let the S2 break in all afternoon with Nanoplex's "Billion Dollar Brain". lol
https://listen.tidal.com/album/86393526

Settled down to listen to Agnes Obel after closing, vocals are beautifully fleshed out, instrumentation clear and distinct and no cut outs, there is a distinctive dimension to the performance.
https://listen.tidal.com/artist/3694795

And I've been for the last hour or more going through this playlist.
https://listen.tidal.com/playlist/8801deff-f577-438b-a11a-873328e43310
I've yet to trip up the S2...again, these are not your 600/650s, no blob in the head, staging is rather linear, good depth and separation, no romanticizing...I sincerely believe with regards to the 600 series that the S2 is the closest we've come to get back what's on the recording.
I'm not a reviewer so don't have a plethora of headphones to judge them by, just 50 years or more of listening experience.…but that's not the point. IMHO the S2 stand on their own and musically give us rather well rounded and fulfilling experience, all the required accoutrements are there and so far I honestly feel that nothing is wanting and really have to classify them as a possible new reference.
Again early days but it is looking very promising for this new Sennheiser.

Not ‘just’! Not a reviewer? Pfft!, better - what can beat experience?

 

[Smugsie]

I need to do work, but the 660S2's are stopping me from moving my armssss aaaaaaahhh!
I thought I heard everything, but these are ... proving me wrong... so wrong.

 

[Dust by Monday]

I don't understand. DMS said the 660s2 are even darker than the 660s, but people here are saying there's more treble on the 660s2?

 

[Arcamera]

If there is more treble, it's nonetheless pretty smooth. How they render it is really well done. (This coming from a pretty treble-sensitive guy).

 

[Smugsie]

I don't understand. DMS said the 660s2 are even darker than the 660s, but people here are saying there's more treble on the 660s2?

He might be referring to the midrange. Midrange took up more space due to the HD660S essentially being an upside down U shape.

 

[SchwizzelKick66]

I don't understand. DMS said the 660s2 are even darker than the 660s, but people here are saying there's more treble on the 660s2?

They definitely have more treble energy than the 660s, which had fairly muted treble. The S2 are definitely warmer in the low mid/high bass, which gives an overall warmth that could be described as being darker. That's all I can guess at what he means.

In no way would I say the S2 are darker in the traditional sense of having less treble. There's more/better treble, but its super smooth.

 

[rfernand]

First impressions with little listening after ~15 hours of burn in:

• I want to call this “HD 650 Unveiled” because that’s what comes to mind.
• Bass is a lot more present and realistic.
• More energy than 650, noticeably brighter highs. I fear it may hit my fatigue threshold but hasn’t yet.
• 650 is warmer-sounding (to me).
• Add some oomph to the 600 and “fix the bass” and you get this. If that makes sense to you.
• it feels faster In the transients. Maybe needs more break in.
• $600. Ouch. But… nice.

Not a fan of the Pentaconn cable, would have appreciated XLR option instead. But I guess that’s where we’re going. Cable length will work for most people. Nice storage pouch included.