Sennheiser HD600 defect -

[thesurfingalien]

Hi All,
 
My HD600 has some weird defect (rather: defects).  Some time ago, the left channel stopped playing.  Checked the cable -> OK.  As I live in Brazil, the chance of getting it serviced is probably null, so I took it apart (warranty has passed since long).  I found out that one of the (very) thin copper wires that go from the terminal for the external lead to the driver was broken.  I was able to fix it by soldering a little piece of copper sort of in between the two ends (hard job, without a magnifying glass, I can not even see the wires.)
 
But now the same thing happened with the right channel!  And this time, not only one, but both the copper wires are broken.  Unfortunately, there is NO WAY that I can fix it this time.
 
What I would like to know is how this can happen.  I have always been very careful with my Senn, and I can not believe that this is caused by some sort of mistreatment on my part...  
 
Does anyone have a clue about what might have caused this?  Perhaps it's even a known issue?
 
Also, what should I do?  Get new drivers ($60 a piece; guess I should get 2, and perhaps new earpads as well).  Or just find a new headset???
 
Thanks for any input!
 
Regards,
Peter

 

[dxps26]

This is the first time i've heard of such an issue with the HD600. That being Said, it is indeed strange that BOTH of your drivers have gone Kaput from the same problem.
 
I think ordering a set of HD650 drivers with new pads will be the only way to go, but if the shipping costs are ridiculous and add up to something like $250, i say save some more money and get a new HD600 - I got mine for $299.
 
Do Post the year of Purchase, Serial number(on the drivers) so if anyone with a similar issue can comment if they are a batch of defective drivers.

 

[winma]

Quote:

I think ordering a set of HD650 drivers with new pads will be the only way to go, but if the shipping costs are ridiculous and add up to something like $250, i say save some more money and get a new HD600 - I got mine for $299.

 
Do this, ^
 
It doesn't make sense ordering parts, it would be more expensive considering that you are on brazil. 

 

[thesurfingalien]

Hey guys,
 
Thanks for the input!  
 
Shipping cost for the replacement parts should not be too bad when shipped with regular US Postal service.  It might take some time, but that's OK.  I will probably ask a USA friend do that if I decide to go for it.  I need to avoid the import taxes though...  60%...  Bloodsuckers!!!
 
In the mean time I wrote Sennheiser again, but this time to the USA office instead of the Dutch office (I am Dutch, moved to Brasil little over a year ago) that I wrote twice in July, but failed to respond...  Maybe I can get courtesy replacement-parts...  After all, it's a fairly weird defect...
 
But if I decide to go for something new, I am thinking of an upgrade.  I've had the pleasure of spending a few hours with a HD600 while I was in The Netherlands the last time.  Unfortunately the friend who owned it does not share my musical taste, so I listened to music that I am not overly familiar with, but orchestral- and piano-parts sounded extremely good!  But US$ 1400... Man alive!!!  
 
Any advice / thoughts would be highly appreciated!
 
Regards,
Peter

 

[ssavage]

Quote:

This is the first time i've heard of such an issue with the HD600. That being Said, it is indeed strange that BOTH of your drivers have gone Kaput from the same problem.
 
I think ordering a set of HD650 drivers with new pads will be the only way to go, but if the shipping costs are ridiculous and add up to something like $250, i say save some more money and get a new HD600 - I got mine for $299.
 
Do Post the year of Purchase, Serial number(on the drivers) so if anyone with a similar issue can comment if they are a batch of defective drivers.

heh, if i was gonna drop for a new pair of phones, i'd at least try a new flavor. DT990s probably to see how I like the brightness

 

[Ultrainferno]

 
Quote:

 
But if I decide to go for something new, I am thinking of an upgrade.  I've had the pleasure of spending a few hours with a HD600 while I was in The Netherlands the last time.  Unfortunately the friend who owned it does not share my musical taste, so I listened to music that I am not overly familiar with, but orchestral- and piano-parts sounded extremely good!  But US$ 1400... Man alive!!!  

 
do you mean HD800?
Ever since I got the Senns I hardly ever listen to the 990s anymore..

 

[thesurfingalien]

Hey guys,
 
Yes, I was referring to the HD800, not the HD600, as a possible replacement.  For some reason I keep mixing the numbers up.
 
The problem for me is that it is virtually impossible to audition headsets, at least no here in Brasil as the high-quality audio is pretty much non-existent here.  Maybe in Sao Paulo, but I am also not prepared to pay for the ridiculous prices they will undoubtedly ask (again, the 60% import taxes, and some other taxes on top of that).  
 
IF I decide to upgrade, I will probably go for the HD800; I am assuming it will sound like a Sennheiser
 
Although some reviews were not completely positive... I read a review that (basically) claimed that the HD800 was not for Rock because it had trouble "keeping up with the complicated parts" (in other words, it's not fast enough).  On the other hand, it was excellent for Jazz (like Jazz does not have complicated parts???).  Personally, I have a hard time believing such a claim.  But maybe the guy used a recording that had a lot of clipping in it or something...
 
But I am getting pretty much off-topic here...
 
Regards,
peter

 

[Mambosenior]

Quote: I read a review that (basically) claimed that the HD800 was not for Rock because it had trouble "keeping up with the complicated parts" (in other words, it's not fast enough).
 
Please, do ignore such nonsense. The only thing the HD-800 can't do well is cook you an omelet. There are a few people on these forums who initially had issues with the HD-800 and returned or sold them, only to purchase them again at a later date. What you need is really good source gear and software to have them come up to their potential. They represent a pivotal advancement in sound reproduction.
 
As good as the HD-800 is for me, I am also quite fond of the HD-600 (NOT the HD-650). This is the only other ’phone I have kept after trying most of the high-ticket items available. I listen to them as much as I do the HD-800. Oh, yeah, they both do Rock extremely well. That is, unless you are a fan of the “subwoofer in ear canal” crowd.


 

 

[thesurfingalien]

Hi MamboSenior,
 
Thanks for your reply!
 
I do not take these reviews for granted, and usually make up my own mind.  However, as stated before, I am not in a position to audition the HD800 myself, so any thoughts are welcome.
 
Can you please tell me a bit ore between the difference between the HD600 and the HD800 as you perceive those?
 
Thanks & regards,
Peter

 

[Mambosenior]

Will be happy to give you my two-cents worth of opinion.
 
The HD-800 has a very large sound-stage, precise imaging, and extremely detailed sound. With well-recorded music, it conveys an aura of realism and accurately reflects the individual tonal character of each instrument--as in an orchestral score or a large jazz ensemble. By the same token, on poor recordings it gives you “the crap as well as the mustard.” (Not forgiving!) I have it paired with a Darkvoice 3322 and the sound is terrific but I am suspecting that my move up to a more powerful amp (the La Figaro 339) will enhance the sound even more. The 339 is on its way and I can write about it at a later date.
 
The HD-600, to be brief, has many (many) of the same qualities of the HD-800. A very neutral headphone without the excesses in the bass and mids which disappointed me with the HD-650. The HD-600 has a smaller panoramic delivery than the HD-800 hence instrumental separation in large symphonic music is less evident. Bad recordings still sound, well, bad, but are more tolerable. Like its bigger sibling, the HD-600 also needs good amplification and sources. Running it out of an IPod or the headphone jack of a CD player will not give you the best results. It pairs very well with the DV 3322 and a few SS amps I tried (the Audio-gd C-2 being particularly good).
 
Good luck to you.