[Brubacca]

Just picked up HD6XX and a Topping DX3 Pro+ for $400. Is this a good pairing?

Was considering Aeon Closed X without a separate DAC/AMP for similar money, but went with the above combo instead. The bigger fanbase around the HD6XX should make it easier to get the most out of them and the combo with the DX3 Pro+ was still $100 cheaper than the Aeon Closed X alone.

FWIW my daily driver right now is just a pair of DT770 Pro 80ohm driven by a "good" motherboard DAC/AMP (ALC4080, Savitech SV3H712 AMP). I own a pair of HD598SE's too, but prefer the DT770's for mixed movie / gaming / music use.

I have both the HD6xx and a pair of DCA Aeon RT Closed headphones.

I generally enjoy the HD6xx much more. The DCA requires a lot of amp to drive them adequately. So it’s restricted. I have a couple headphone amps that should drive them fine, but even then I’m not blown away.

I’ve used the HD6xx with a Schiit Asgard 2 and dark voice tube amps and they sound great.

For people on a budget (aren’t most of us) I think the HD6xx is the better headphone.

For the DCA Aeon RT I think I just don’t have enough juice to make them come alive.

 

[HipHopScribe]

I have both the HD6xx and a pair of DCA Aeon RT Closed headphones.

I generally enjoy the HD6xx much more. The DCA requires a lot of amp to drive them adequately. So it’s restricted. I have a couple headphone amps that should drive them fine, but even then I’m not blown away.

I’ve used the HD6xx with a Schiit Asgard 2 and dark voice tube amps and they sound great.

For people on a budget (aren’t most of us) I think the HD6xx is the better headphone.

For the DCA Aeon RT I think I just don’t have enough juice to make them come alive.

Not necessarily a lack of juice, the Aeons have some technical chops but in my experience they’re ultimately just boring headphones that lack dynamics

 

[DarthVader92]

Sennheiser 6XX with a Qudilex? I dunno man, that sound like trying to run a motorbike on beer.

Yeah I rarely use the qudelix. Only when I’m out of town on vacations. 98% of the time I use my 6XX’s or 600’s is at home with the K9 Pro and Topping a90d.

 

[LeonidK]

Do you think HD600 have better imaging than HD650? I just got 650 today and while they sound beatiful in many aspects, especially vocals and bass fullness on Feliks Echo II, symphonic music is not really bearable on those. I didn't expect great soundstage obviously, but it's just a total mess, DT880 put orchestra more in order. Of course I could keep both, but I also think HD600 would suit my needs more tonally, but if the imaging is the same as on HD650, I'll pass.

 

[kman1211]

Do you think HD600 have better imaging than HD650? I just got 650 today and while they sound beatiful in many aspects, especially vocals and bass fullness on Feliks Echo II, symphonic music is not really bearable on those. I didn't expect great soundstage obviously, but it's just a total mess, DT880 put orchestra more in order. Of course I could keep both, but I also think HD600 would suit my needs more tonally, but if the imaging is the same as on HD650, I'll pass.

Not much better imho, but tonally yes the HD 600 will likely suit your needs. It's the HD 660S and HD 660S2 that have the better imaging of the HD 6xx series, with the HD 660S having the best imaging of the lineup imho. The HD 600 and HD 650 are not going to compare to the DT 880 imaging wise.

 

[DarthVader92]

Do you think HD600 have better imaging than HD650? I just got 650 today and while they sound beatiful in many aspects, especially vocals and bass fullness on Feliks Echo II, symphonic music is not really bearable on those. I didn't expect great soundstage obviously, but it's just a total mess, DT880 put orchestra more in order. Of course I could keep both, but I also think HD600 would suit my needs more tonally, but if the imaging is the same as on HD650, I'll pass.

Honestly minor difference if any. It may sound like it has better imaging due to the mids and treble being a bit more neutral, so it’s naturally more crisp sounding than the 650’s.

 

[Plieb]

Not much better imho, but tonally yes the HD 600 will likely suit your needs. It's the HD 660S and HD 660S2 that have the better imaging of the HD 6xx series, with the HD 660S having the best imaging of the lineup imho. The HD 600 and HD 650 are not going to compare to the DT 880 imaging wise.

Hd600 more amp sensitive than the others. When using with my class A Rebel Amp the additional richness and improved soundstage,seperation and clarity make it by far superior to my 660s and 6xx.
BTW its sound signiture is very close to my elex especially on vocals where they both excel.

 

[jasonb]

Hd600 more amp sensitive than the others. When using with my class A Rebel Amp the additional richness and improved soundstage,seperation and clarity make it by far superior to my 660s and 6xx.
BTW its sound signiture is very close to my elex especially on vocals where they both excel.

So I have an Elex already, and have had an HD650 in the past. Being that I already have an Elex, would it make any sense at all to get an HD600?

I’ve never tried the 600, and wonder if I’m missing anything.

 

[kman1211]

Hd600 more amp sensitive than the others. When using with my class A Rebel Amp the additional richness and improved soundstage,seperation and clarity make it by far superior to my 660s and 6xx.
BTW its sound signiture is very close to my elex especially on vocals where they both excel.

I do like the HD 600 more than both the HD 660S and HD 650. My overall favorite of the HD 6xx series is the HD 660S2 though. System pairing definitely matters. I need to get a nice class A amp sometime, I like my current amp a lot, but class A has some nice effects on some headphones.

 

[DarthVader92]

Not really missing anything. Most of the time I’ll listen to the 6XX compared to 600. But it is a treat when I use the 600….its just more natural and pure sounding, but lacks a little warmth from the 6XX.

 

[DarthVader92]

If you use a class an amp or just a higher quality amp/dac set up then I feel the 600 is the best out of the 6XX family. Also if you eq then the 600 is the one to go for imo.

 

[Luckyleo]

Not really missing anything. Most of the time I’ll listen to the 6XX compared to 600. But it is a treat when I use the 600….its just more natural and pure sounding, but lacks a little warmth from the 6XX.

I agree with @DarthVader92 BUT, when listening to the 600's via a great OTL tube amp, they are like a completely headphone (for me). Well balanced with low, tight bass, powerful mids, and wonderful treble. Overall timbre greatly improved over my experiences with various SS amps. When listening with Tubes, I consider the 600 one of the best headphones I own.

YMMV

Leo

 

[rafaelo]

I find the elex quite different to the whole 6 series.

I understand that someone that loves the 6 series signature cannot be offended by the tonality of the elex (because there is nothing to be offended) but i could not see the elex as a super 650 as advertised from drop even from miles away.

For me timbre and tonality goes in favour of the 6 series dynamics to the elex. Elex have a wow factor that after sometime it diminishes itself the 6 series is the beloved darling which always return to.

 

[Plieb]

So I have an Elex already, and have had an HD650 in the past. Being that I already have an Elex, would it make any sense at all to get an HD600?

I’ve never tried the 600, and wonder if I’m missing anything.

Thats tough to answer. Compatibility is everything. Unless you have a compatible tube amp or a rich sounding class A like the Rebel Amp i would say not. The Elex bests the 600 in most categories with the exception of overall smoothness and the fact that the elex can be a bit shouty at times. The 600 is a bit more natural sounding but can sound a bit thin on dry sounding amps. The elex does have a bit more weight to the sound and is slightly more extended.

 

[Tezzo]

So I have an Elex already, and have had an HD650 in the past. Being that I already have an Elex, would it make any sense at all to get an HD600?

I’ve never tried the 600, and wonder if I’m missing anything.

I have Focal Clear OG, and I still reach for HD600 often. Focal is technically superior in many aspects, while its energetic nature is quite different to HD600. In a casual listening session I might take HD600 for its more natural presentation, rather than a in-your-face sound that forces attention. I don't mind the smaller soundstage, but I do wish HD600 have better imaging. However, there are many music that are not constructed on image precision, and HD600 has always been relevant to me through out the time.

HD600/650/580 are known for scaling, while I feel my Clear OG is more amp picky. It's rather easy to get a glaring sound on this.

I owned a HD650, exchanged for a second pair of HD600 as I left my first pair at hometown. To me the difference between HD650 and HD600 is more than subtle. HD650 wasn't bad, but just at the time I needed a familiar sound to reference on for my audio task.