[MacMan31]

Interesting take here comparing the 6XX to the 490 Pro. I'm considering getting a 490 Pro.

 

[frkasper]

I recently saw a review of the HD650 (can't recall which one) which claimed the 650 and 6XX were not exactly the same sound wise. Is this true? I have the 6XX but I've never had a regular 650.

When I purchased my HD650 3 years ago, I already had a 6XX, so I tried comparing the two as well. I also had watched a couple of videos on YT about sound differences between both and stuff. But they sounded close enough to my ears. So, I kept the purebred and sold the 6XX.

 

[FritzS]

From this price range, past years I purchased DT1990, this year I purchased HD 490 Pro plus and now HD 600 too.
Here in Europe HD 6XX Drop have no distribution centre, so you have to pay customs duties and VAT on delivery. Direct import from the USA sometimes has its pitfalls.

After some listening of this 3 headphones I prefer HD 600 for longer relaxed listening, was pleasantly surprised at how good it sounds, especially with female voices.

On DT1990 I use analytic pads, on HD 490 Pro I use mixing pads. They sound for me at the best. DT1990 need sometime an EQ ... -3dB -5dB at 8kHz.

PS: Austrian.Audio Composer is a different league, but also significantly more expensive.

 

[Plieb]

It's the exact same driver, one is just branded by Massdrop. Any audible difference is going to be due to differences in pad wear between the two.

The pads on the latest model of hd600 and 660s2 are the same and much thicker and more dense than older versions. This will definitely chance the sound if drop is using the older less dense less thick pads from years ago. When i changed my somewhat worn 6xx pads to a newer version the sound was drastically changed for the better. Brighter and crisper. Dead vs alive in comparison

 

[kman1211]

The pads on the latest model of hd600 and 660s2 are the same and much thicker and more dense than older versions. This will definitely chance the sound if drop is using the older less dense less thick pads from years ago. When i changed my somewhat worn 6xx pads to a newer version the sound was drastically changed for the better. Brighter and crisper. Dead vs alive in comparison

The newer HD 6XX's uses the new pads as well, the sonic changes with pad wear with the new pads are no where near as drastic as they were with the old pads. The old pads had a real issue with the pads compressing with use and the foam losing structure with age. The new pads will keep their structure with a lot of use.

 

[ardilla]

Hi everybody, I'm a long time HD6** series fan.

I currently own most of them except the HD6XX and I like them all.

SENNHEISER HD650 vs HD660S2:

I recently published a comparison review if anyone is interested

https://www.headphoneer.com/sennheiser-hd660s2-vs-hd650-comparison-review/

Everybody has their own opinion and it would be interesting to see how we find my observations compared to your own experiences

 

[yrstruly]

So given there's a ZMF B stock pad sale going on, what are people's thoughts of the ZMF 6XX Lamb pads? Worth going for the solid or perf?

 

[michael2v]

So given there's a ZMF B stock pad sale going on, what are people's thoughts of the ZMF 6XX Lamb pads? Worth going for the solid or perf?

I've always been tempted by the ZMF 6XX pads, but every non-stock pad I've tried has brought too many compromises and I always end up switching back. I might try their suede 6XX pad someday when I can't get my hands on stock pads anymore...

 

[twigfarm]

The newer HD 6XX's uses the new pads as well, the sonic changes with pad wear with the new pads are no where near as drastic as they were with the old pads. The old pads had a real issue with the pads compressing with use and the foam losing structure with age. The new pads will keep their structure with a lot of use.

I purchased the HD6XX's from Drop back in March and, yes, the pads are nice & dense and have definitely "kept their structure" so they're probably the "newer" pads. Nice pads that make me reluctant to try any 3rd party pads, at least for the time being.

Absolutely great headphones for the $.

 

[pk4425]

I've always been tempted by the ZMF 6XX pads, but every non-stock pad I've tried has brought too many compromises and I always end up switching back. I might try their suede 6XX pad someday when I can't get my hands on stock pads anymore...

The perf pads are wonderful. Have used mine for about a year, and they have held their shape very well. Almost no change to the sound.

 

[cirodts]

I changed the original cable with a balanced one for a long time, yesterday trying a little the original cable I agreed that it sounded clearer open and natural, for me the best cables are always the original ones, the others make the headphone different from normal and almost always it is not positive.

 

[WilcoRoger]

I changed the original cable with a balanced one for a long time, yesterday trying a little the original cable I agreed that it sounded clearer open and natural, for me the best cables are always the original ones, the others make the headphone different from normal and almost always it is not positive.

I have the original cable reterminated to balanced

 

[vmiguel]

I have a Cardas cable (single ended) that came with an used 650 that a friend bought, and he gave me the cable as it was too long for his use case.
It sounds better to me, and as I came to know later, it's pretty expensive. I would never have bought it.

 

[silversurfer616]

I recommended to anyone who runs Roon to try some of the new headphone EQ presets for HD650. Never eq’ed my headphones in the past but the inner fidelity eq for HD650 in Roon is quite surprising. What was once occasionally muffled especially with vocals is now crystal clear without losing any of the 650 character.

 

[Luckyleo]

I recommended to anyone who runs Roon to try some of the new headphone EQ presets for HD650. Never eq’ed my headphones in the past but the inner fidelity eq for HD650 in Roon is quite surprising. What was once occasionally muffled especially with vocals is now crystal clear without losing any of the 650 character.

I found this to be true as well. A great new feature of Roon!