[PeteMtl]

Until I'm actually able to hear them with my ears and my system I'll need to hold judgement....having had in the last decade and a half the HD580s, 600s, 650s, 6XXs and the 600Ss I'm not sure how the word "sibilant" is popping up with any of the 600 series phones???

If the HD6series are sibilant headphones, then I am a pig and I can fly...

 

[kman1211]

It depends on how you look at it. The treble likely doesn't feel veiled (compared to HD 650) but should be far from sibilant. Bass extension though... There's a massive difference compared to HD 660 S. It extends further than even HD 650 while the distortion seems to be lower. It's a mix of both.

I have both the HD 650 and HD 660 S, bass extension is similar between the two on my system. Biggest difference between the two is the mids. If I want extra bass extension I use my Beyers.

 

[Anarion]

I'm not sure how the word "sibilant" is popping up with any of the 600 series phones???

It shouldn't but few seem to think that HD 660 S has nasty treble (which goes beyond my comprehension but oh well).

I have both the HD 650 and HD 660 S, bass extension is similar between the two on my system. Biggest difference between the two is the mids. If I want extra bass extension I use my Beyers.

Define similar. Every graph I've seen shows that there's quite a bit of difference. HD 58X Jubilee bottom end is much closer to HD 650 than what HD 660 S is to HD 650. Treble is similar to HD 660 S.

HD 660 S vs. HD 58X Jubilee (green)

HD 650 vs. HD 58X Jubilee (green)

https://diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com/headphones/measurements/brands-s-se/hd58x-jubilee-massdrop/

 

[Rob80b]

.......Bass extension though... There's a massive difference compared to HD 660 S. It extends further than even HD 650 while the distortion seems to be lower.........

Again I'll need to hear them but when speaking of bass we have to be careful if we're just describing aural sound pressure or the articulation of the bass frequencies and an unraveling interplay of the lower rhythm, the later is a sign of a superior driver , making it easier and more engaging to follow the music and is where IMHO the 660Ss won over the 650s less clear interpretation ....the 58X with it's smaller driver I'm not quite clear with what is being described...extended bass without definition and phrasing or some "generic" lower bass

 

[kman1211]

It shouldn't but few seem to think that HD 660 S has nasty treble (which goes beyond my comprehension but oh well).

Define similar. Every graph I've seen shows that there's quite a bit of difference. HD 58X Jubilee bottom end is much closer to HD 650 than what HD 660 S is to HD 650. Treble is similar to HD 660 S.

HD 660 S vs. HD 58X Jubilee (green)

HD 650 vs. HD 58X Jubilee (green)

https://diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com/headphones/measurements/brands-s-se/hd58x-jubilee-massdrop/

I was talking about the HD 650 and HD 660 S in terms of bass extension not the HD 58X, which I haven’t heard. The graphs do show the HD 660 S midrange focus and brighter tone in the mids than the HD 650, which explains why I always felt the HD 660 S is more HD 600ish than HD 650ish. Graphs do show upper midrange similarities between the HD 58X and the HD 660 S. The HD 58X do look like they have the HD 660 S upper region with more bass than either. The question is the fidelity of the drivers on the HD 58X compared to the HD 650 and HD 660 S.

 

[Rob80b]

......The question is the fidelity of the drivers on the HD 58X compared to the HD 650 and HD 660 S.

Exactly .....

 

[Anarion]

the 58X with it's smaller driver I'm not quite clear with what is being described...extended bass without definition and phrasing or some "generic" lower bass

Smaller driver?

The HD800 uses a 56mm ring driver. Overnight, Sennheiser confirmed that the HD 600/650 drivers have always been 38mm.

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-sennheiser-hd-58x-jubilee-headphones/talk/1919303

I was talking about the HD 650 and HD 660 S in terms of bass extension

I know. Those graphs contain all three and HD 660 S has clearly less extension than HD 650 and HD 58X.

 

[kman1211]

Smaller driver?

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-sennheiser-hd-58x-jubilee-headphones/talk/1919303


I know. Those graphs contain all three and HD 660 S has clearly less extension than HD 650 and HD 58X.

The HD 660 S does have a bit less sub-bass presence than the HD 650, but wouldn't necessarily say less extension, they both seem to cut off at a similar point as in they can't really seem reproduce anything lower very well, I haven't experimented with modding, EQ, etc. yet with either the HD 650 or HD 660 S yet to test things. When I play really deep bass, they can't seem to reproduce it like my Amiron, Q701, DT 831, DT 880, or DT 480(severe bass roll-off stock, but it reaches further down) can.

 

[Rob80b]

Smaller driver?

..........

They all have the same size 38mm enclosure to fit the 600 housing but if I'm not mistaken the actual membrane (cone) on the 58X is slightly small at 36mm...I could be wrong.

 

[Rob80b]

They all have the same size 38mm enclosure to fit the 600 housing but if I'm not mistaken the actual membrane (cone) on the 58X is slightly small at 36mm...I could be wrong.

Now I know were I may have been misinformed, going over Jude's original video from December half way through he stated the 600 series had 40mm and the new 58X driver was/is 38mm...maybe 38mm membrane vs 36mm ????

 

[GU1DO]

That's a good question...I really liked the HD660S....but having the 800S on the same rack, their refinement had me reaching for them more often... I cannot honestly say if I remember the 660S being richer and fuller, it was more like having a choice of "good, better, best"..the 660s were "better" but the 800S were "best".
If the 58Xs are somewhat like the 660s, but in the "good" category they should be more than adequate for their intended purpose...so it would make more sense IMHO to have the 58x and 800S.

Very interesting , i thought the HD800S sound is thin and bright (form reading impressions) compared to the 600 line..

As you can see from my avatar i love Fostex headphones for there bass/treble emphasis , and for years i didn't bother my self trying any sennheiser headphone because of the talk how they lack bass and they are vaild ,

Before 3 months i tried the HD6XX from a friend and bass was enough but i was very impressed with the imaging quality although i didnt like the lack of treble so i pulled the trigger and got the 660S which had clearer sound and i enjoy a lot ,

Now i am in a quest to get the best out of sennheiser sound , i even bought a BH crack amp which i had for a week now and i am loving sennheiser more and more,

After reading your post specifically that you have both,, i am excited to buy the HD800S , i think i had a misconception regarding its sound. THANKS.

 

[Rob80b]

Very interesting , i thought the HD800S sound is thin and bright (form reading impressions) compared to the 600 line..

......... i think i had a misconception regarding its sound. THANKS.

No...the 800S can sound very full and organic sounding...doesn't really go into sub bass territory (that really is for subs), drivers are IMHO way ahead of the 600 series but will show up any failing up stream.
With it's wider and some times more distant sound-stage, (really depends on the recording)....those who have not actual used the 800S may be under the impression that the sound will be more ethereal and therefor thin and bright...when in fact it's very well balanced.
Mind you if one is accustomed to listening a thicker sounding (bass heavy) headphone and not a finely tuned transducer who's goal is to reproduce a recording as truthfully as possible then their opinion will most likely vary.
Personally speaking I find the 660s a nice and worthy update over the 600/650s and if it as you say "enjoy it a lot" I see no reason you would not like the 800S even more so....but try (if you can) before you buy.

 

[kman1211]

No...the 800S can sound very full and organic sounding...doesn't really go into sub bass territory (that really is for subs), drivers are IMHO way ahead of the 600 series but will show up any failing up stream.
With it's wider and some times more distant sound-stage, (really depends on the recording)....those who have not actual used the 800S may be under the impression that the sound will be more ethereal and therefor thin and bright...when in fact it's very well balanced.
Mind you if one is accustomed to listening a thicker sounding (bass heavy) headphone and not a finely tuned transducer who's goal is to reproduce a recording as truthfully as possible then their opinion will most likely vary.
Personally speaking I find the 660s a nice and worthy update over the 600/650s and if it as you say "enjoy it a lot" I see no reason you would not like the 800S even more so....but try (if you can) before you buy.

Agreed, even the HD 800 can sound full and organic. The HD 800/S drivers are in a different league and my HD 650 and HD 660 S would likely be completely ignored if I had a HD 800 S.

Personally between the HD 650 and HD 660 S, I personally like the HD 650 slightly more due to its smoother more liquid sound but this also depends on my mood.

 

[Todd Fredericks]

Agreed, even the HD 800 can sound full and organic. The HD 800/S drivers are in a different league and my HD 650 and HD 660 S would likely be completely ignored if I had a HD 800 S.

Personally between the HD 650 and HD 660 S, I personally like the HD 650 slightly more due to its smoother more liquid sound but this also depends on my mood.

I own the HD800 S. However, I did enjoy listening to the HD 650. Was my second choice.

 

[Slim1970]

Picked up a pair of these open-boxed for a really good price. I can’t wait to get them and hear how they sound. I sound my HD650’s as I found them too laid back for my taste. Hopefully these build on their sound a from what I’ve been reading they do.