spdtdl
Formerly known as Free1066
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Listening to the same album, balanced from xDSD. MQA from tidal. Wouldn't change a thing.
Sennheiser HD660S... Finally a successor for the HD650?
- Thread starter Levanter
- Start date
Listening to the same album, balanced from xDSD. MQA from tidal. Wouldn't change a thing.
Ruinedforfun
New Head-Fier
Imho, hd6x0 series is for vocal lovers. Same goes with the hd660s. Even though it does work better with more music say pop or edm, it Def isn't my first pick.
SilverEars
Headphoneus Supremus
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Also, string music as well, like classical violin or piano due to the midrange articulation. I also find HD6XX fun with classic rock as it brings the sounds upfront to make the tracks interesting sounding, but not incisive. I think older rock are recessed in the mids.
I wonder if people listen to planars more for jazz as planars tend to have greater attack in the cymbals.
Ruinedforfun
New Head-Fier
I agree, midrange timbre is unbeatable on the hd6x0, and is not found anywhere else.
pietcux
Headphoneus Supremus
Hi Mike, Happy New Year to you from here too. I have the HD800 modded with the Super Dupont Mod from @Sorrodje which should sound quite similar to the HD800S. The mod tames the famous treble spike and also seems to increase the bass a little. The HD800SD screams details details details. The HD650 screams music instead and the HD660S screams music details music. The HD800SD lets you look behind the magic curtain of a recording, the HD660S gets you just right to the core of the song but keeps some secrets, the HD650 is the perfect tool to enjoy without analizing the music. Again just the music. Don't know if this helps anyone, I can enjoy all of them, lol.
pietcux
Headphoneus Supremus
Did you listen to the "The Rock" live recording? It has so much atmosphere and drive. But the mic of Marcus Mumford had no pop filter in place.... that is a little sad.Listening to the same album, balanced from xDSD. MQA from tidal. Wouldn't change a thing.
My review as it was published at the printed edition of http://www.hxoseikona.gr November 2018 issue.
Google translated sorry for the mistakes as the original is at Greek.
Sennheiser is known for being one of the world's largest earphone manufacturers and has linked its name with the creation and development of headphones over the last 70 years.
Among the dozens of top-of-the-line models it has built, the famous HD650 ex-flagship company with fanatical friends and users all over the world.
The handset is in production for about 15 years and, as expected, based on current technology and market developments, all of his friends waited from Sennheiser for some time to present his "successor".
Indeed, in 2017 the wait came to an end after the HD660s were released, which were considered to be the highly anticipated successor to the HD650.
Presentation - Technical characteristics
As we read on the Sennheiser website, the company considers the new handset to be superior to its older technical level, mainly due to the new improved driver design (loudspeakers).
The new drivers have a lower resistivity at 150 Ω than the 300 Ω of the older model with the same sensitivity, so their power requirement is slightly lower, so they will fit and perform well with a large number of modern portable music players such as cell phones and music players.
That's what Sennheiser thinks is a key asset since it claims we can get the same high quality sound without having to have large and expensive headphone amplifiers.
Of course, after a simple calculation, the difference in practice is about 4db which means that the new handset also has some requirements in force so mobile phones and low-power audio devices should be carefully chosen.
Our company informs that the new drivers of the handset have a much increased control of the diaphragm due to a special process of manufacturing of steel fabric.
The handset also features ultra lightweight aluminum coils capable of reproducing sound pulses with the highest fidelity and speed.
The HD660s are manufactured at the Sennheiser plant in Ireland and the drivers are selected manually to have a very small deviation of -1db as appropriate for headphones of this class.
The build quality is very good.
The material that dominates is high quality plastic with the new matte finish in black / anthracite color to successfully deal with the oldest problem with a lot of HD650s that paint peeling from different parts of the handset.
Aesthetically, the HD660s follows the familiar HD6XX style with yet a modern refreshment touch to be aesthetically pleasing to the youngest audience.
Pillows that come in contact with the ears are made of the well-known velvet material and are easily removable and washable.
They follow the natural shape of the ear and are spacious and comfortable enough to fit the entire ear without causing any inconvenience.
The pressure on the head is initially troublesome since it is a bit intense but with a week of relaxation it becomes ideal.
Of course the HD660s are not suitable for outdoor use and activities since they are open type and do not block the noise while they will definitely leave us at some point.
Weighing 260 grams is one of the lightest and most comfortable headphones we've ever worn and you really forget that you're going after that.
The headphones come in the familiar wooden box of the series without any other carry case or carry bag.
Its use is mainly decorative and we would prefer a sturdy carrying bag that is much more practical.
In addition to the small user manual on the package we find a detachable cable for connection to 6.35mm outputs, an adapter for connection with 3.5mm outputs and for the first time an additional detachable cable for connection with balanced outputs supporting 4.4mm pentaconn plugs.
The type of this connection is relatively new and is not very widespread.
We would still prefer a balanced cable with a 2.5mm plug that is widespread or, ultimately, a related adapter.
All cables have the same connection terminals on the handset side as the older ones, so we can comfortably use a high-quality aftermarket cable that we may have from a previous handset in the series.
Sound impressions
The 660s kept us busy for quite a long time.
So we had the comfort of listening to a lot of music and so we started with relaxed hearings for several days to give them the opportunity to "squeeze" and then listened with more "critical" mood to evaluate them.
After years of engaging in hobbies, it is natural to have some earbuds, dac / amp portable and non-digital combinations, and digital audio players (dap).
So we heard the HD660s with all possible combinations and scenarios for both single end and balanced use.
The basic impression left to us at the end of the "day" is that it is a very balanced and tonically correct acoustic.
A "reference" sound would be said without sacrificing musical enjoyment in favor of a sterile or clinically strict presentation of the musical program.
Listening alive, descriptive in very good detail but at the same time relaxed and full.
The response of the handset across the spectrum is highly harmonic in the ear without any special bumps or dips at some frequencies.
The bass is ideally balanced with medium frequencies and sounds descriptive, tight, fast and qualitative in a satisfactory quantity for an open-ended handset.
He will love all kinds of music, but he will not be able to do very well in music with intense electronic bass and will leave unreasonably dissatisfied lovers of strong and over-amplified low frequencies.
The transition to the middle area as we said is very smooth without coloring problems from the low.
Medium in our ears sounded quite natural near reality, clean in detail and particularly dynamic.
They have a minimal boost that gives the series the familiar hot sound that has made it famous.
The voices sounded fascinating and real, though a little "ahead" not as much as the HD650.
At high frequencies, the handset's response is a successful combination of detail and air without, however, becoming highly analytical or tiring in long-term listening.
The detail will satisfy demanding listeners without reaching the depths of the High End headphones.
Complicated orchestral passes are rendered in comfort with the instruments stand out without the handset "booing".
The sound of the metallic instruments sounded very natural, while the depreciations were satisfactory and plausible.
Of course, the headset does not flatter and does not forgive the quality of the source - recording is probably a prerequisite because otherwise the listener will tire.
The scene is satisfactory but without the scope of other mid-range competitive headphones.
What distinguishes and differentiates it from competition is the separation and the proper way in which it places the organ in the existing scene.
The earpiece is particularly dynamic and has attributed with ease and realism the sharp changes in intensity and the peaks of a large orchestra.
We enjoyed all the music just as well, except perhaps from tracks that they like to like some kind of coloring on the handset.
The right tonality combined with the air the detail, the speed and the dynamic presence made it particularly popular in classical music.
Linking the HD660s with the balanced cable to devices that support this topology properly gave even better results.
The handset may have missed an idea in "body" but sounded cleaner and more dynamic while winning on stage and air.
So the existence of the extra cable from Sennheiser is a well-thought-out movement and not just an option for marketing purposes.
HD660s Vs HD650
So it's time for the expected comparison is the 660s the successor to 650?
Depends on how he sees it or rather listens to it!
First of all, the new 660s drivers are actually better at a technical level than the 650s who carry a 15-year-old on their backs.
The 660s are clearly faster, more dynamic and with rapid transitional depreciation.
So in the sixties we think it is a new upgraded model, since at a technical level it is better than its predecessor.
Beyond that, the differences between them are much smaller than you would expect.
In the 660s it sounds cleaner, there is no sense of the famous "veil" of 650.
It has more bass cleaner, quicker and more descriptive, while in the middle it is almost the same as the 660s to maintain its classical character of 650, but the voices come a little bit ahead.
Higher things are a little strange.
Higher things are a little strange.
While the 660s are macroscopically more detailed and cleaner than 650 maybe due to a small amplification in the 2-5Khz range it can bring out more small details and small dynamic changes.
The scene in the two headphones is roughly the same as the 660s is a little overwhelming.
The lady's distinctive difference between the two headphones is how they present the musical event to the ears of the listener.
The 660s are fast, dynamic, lively, clean, youthful and trendy in putting into action no time to relax, you are actively participating in the musical event.
The 650 is slower, looser, warmer, smoother, more romantic and slightly more distant.
It causes you to sink into your armchair and enjoy the music without stress.
And ultimately this is and should be the only criterion by which one is called upon to choose between one model or another.
Finally, as mentioned in the introduction, the 660s are more user friendly.
It's easy to drive so it's more friendly to the beginner who, without having particularly invested in escorts, will enjoy his sound.
At the same time, it will reward even the most demanding listeners since it "listens" well to source upgrades and reinforcement, with the former being more important in the final result.
To some extent, unlike the 650, which is known to be very demanding and special in terms of source support, but once we have the right mix, its performance will take off, and it will never say better. and even better to the point where our pocket can last.
Conclusions
The Sennheiser with the HD660s has succeeded in pushing the HD650 tradition to build a new handset that can be considered as the advancement of its predecessor on many, mostly technical, points.
Is it finally the 660s the successor to 650, a new and improved 650 in the 650s?
The answer in our opinion is probably not.
The 660s is a new handset with its own distinct personality and distinctive character and in no way pretends to be anything other than what it is.
Does it ultimately matter whether or not he is the successor?
Not sure enough with this conversation, which we think ultimately disorientates and does not let us enjoy a very good acoustic as it deserves.
In the 660s it does well in the audio field without almost any disadvantage and will satisfy a large percentage of listeners in most types of music.
If you are looking for a mid-range open handset with a performance approaching top models of manufacturers with half and less likely costs then the 660s must definitely be on the list of candidates for listening.
Google translated sorry for the mistakes as the original is at Greek.
Sennheiser is known for being one of the world's largest earphone manufacturers and has linked its name with the creation and development of headphones over the last 70 years.
Among the dozens of top-of-the-line models it has built, the famous HD650 ex-flagship company with fanatical friends and users all over the world.
The handset is in production for about 15 years and, as expected, based on current technology and market developments, all of his friends waited from Sennheiser for some time to present his "successor".
Indeed, in 2017 the wait came to an end after the HD660s were released, which were considered to be the highly anticipated successor to the HD650.
Presentation - Technical characteristics
As we read on the Sennheiser website, the company considers the new handset to be superior to its older technical level, mainly due to the new improved driver design (loudspeakers).
The new drivers have a lower resistivity at 150 Ω than the 300 Ω of the older model with the same sensitivity, so their power requirement is slightly lower, so they will fit and perform well with a large number of modern portable music players such as cell phones and music players.
That's what Sennheiser thinks is a key asset since it claims we can get the same high quality sound without having to have large and expensive headphone amplifiers.
Of course, after a simple calculation, the difference in practice is about 4db which means that the new handset also has some requirements in force so mobile phones and low-power audio devices should be carefully chosen.
Our company informs that the new drivers of the handset have a much increased control of the diaphragm due to a special process of manufacturing of steel fabric.
The handset also features ultra lightweight aluminum coils capable of reproducing sound pulses with the highest fidelity and speed.
The HD660s are manufactured at the Sennheiser plant in Ireland and the drivers are selected manually to have a very small deviation of -1db as appropriate for headphones of this class.
The build quality is very good.
The material that dominates is high quality plastic with the new matte finish in black / anthracite color to successfully deal with the oldest problem with a lot of HD650s that paint peeling from different parts of the handset.
Aesthetically, the HD660s follows the familiar HD6XX style with yet a modern refreshment touch to be aesthetically pleasing to the youngest audience.
Pillows that come in contact with the ears are made of the well-known velvet material and are easily removable and washable.
They follow the natural shape of the ear and are spacious and comfortable enough to fit the entire ear without causing any inconvenience.
The pressure on the head is initially troublesome since it is a bit intense but with a week of relaxation it becomes ideal.
Of course the HD660s are not suitable for outdoor use and activities since they are open type and do not block the noise while they will definitely leave us at some point.
Weighing 260 grams is one of the lightest and most comfortable headphones we've ever worn and you really forget that you're going after that.
The headphones come in the familiar wooden box of the series without any other carry case or carry bag.
Its use is mainly decorative and we would prefer a sturdy carrying bag that is much more practical.
In addition to the small user manual on the package we find a detachable cable for connection to 6.35mm outputs, an adapter for connection with 3.5mm outputs and for the first time an additional detachable cable for connection with balanced outputs supporting 4.4mm pentaconn plugs.
The type of this connection is relatively new and is not very widespread.
We would still prefer a balanced cable with a 2.5mm plug that is widespread or, ultimately, a related adapter.
All cables have the same connection terminals on the handset side as the older ones, so we can comfortably use a high-quality aftermarket cable that we may have from a previous handset in the series.
Sound impressions
The 660s kept us busy for quite a long time.
So we had the comfort of listening to a lot of music and so we started with relaxed hearings for several days to give them the opportunity to "squeeze" and then listened with more "critical" mood to evaluate them.
After years of engaging in hobbies, it is natural to have some earbuds, dac / amp portable and non-digital combinations, and digital audio players (dap).
So we heard the HD660s with all possible combinations and scenarios for both single end and balanced use.
The basic impression left to us at the end of the "day" is that it is a very balanced and tonically correct acoustic.
A "reference" sound would be said without sacrificing musical enjoyment in favor of a sterile or clinically strict presentation of the musical program.
Listening alive, descriptive in very good detail but at the same time relaxed and full.
The response of the handset across the spectrum is highly harmonic in the ear without any special bumps or dips at some frequencies.
The bass is ideally balanced with medium frequencies and sounds descriptive, tight, fast and qualitative in a satisfactory quantity for an open-ended handset.
He will love all kinds of music, but he will not be able to do very well in music with intense electronic bass and will leave unreasonably dissatisfied lovers of strong and over-amplified low frequencies.
The transition to the middle area as we said is very smooth without coloring problems from the low.
Medium in our ears sounded quite natural near reality, clean in detail and particularly dynamic.
They have a minimal boost that gives the series the familiar hot sound that has made it famous.
The voices sounded fascinating and real, though a little "ahead" not as much as the HD650.
At high frequencies, the handset's response is a successful combination of detail and air without, however, becoming highly analytical or tiring in long-term listening.
The detail will satisfy demanding listeners without reaching the depths of the High End headphones.
Complicated orchestral passes are rendered in comfort with the instruments stand out without the handset "booing".
The sound of the metallic instruments sounded very natural, while the depreciations were satisfactory and plausible.
Of course, the headset does not flatter and does not forgive the quality of the source - recording is probably a prerequisite because otherwise the listener will tire.
The scene is satisfactory but without the scope of other mid-range competitive headphones.
What distinguishes and differentiates it from competition is the separation and the proper way in which it places the organ in the existing scene.
The earpiece is particularly dynamic and has attributed with ease and realism the sharp changes in intensity and the peaks of a large orchestra.
We enjoyed all the music just as well, except perhaps from tracks that they like to like some kind of coloring on the handset.
The right tonality combined with the air the detail, the speed and the dynamic presence made it particularly popular in classical music.
Linking the HD660s with the balanced cable to devices that support this topology properly gave even better results.
The handset may have missed an idea in "body" but sounded cleaner and more dynamic while winning on stage and air.
So the existence of the extra cable from Sennheiser is a well-thought-out movement and not just an option for marketing purposes.
HD660s Vs HD650
So it's time for the expected comparison is the 660s the successor to 650?
Depends on how he sees it or rather listens to it!
First of all, the new 660s drivers are actually better at a technical level than the 650s who carry a 15-year-old on their backs.
The 660s are clearly faster, more dynamic and with rapid transitional depreciation.
So in the sixties we think it is a new upgraded model, since at a technical level it is better than its predecessor.
Beyond that, the differences between them are much smaller than you would expect.
In the 660s it sounds cleaner, there is no sense of the famous "veil" of 650.
It has more bass cleaner, quicker and more descriptive, while in the middle it is almost the same as the 660s to maintain its classical character of 650, but the voices come a little bit ahead.
Higher things are a little strange.
Higher things are a little strange.
While the 660s are macroscopically more detailed and cleaner than 650 maybe due to a small amplification in the 2-5Khz range it can bring out more small details and small dynamic changes.
The scene in the two headphones is roughly the same as the 660s is a little overwhelming.
The lady's distinctive difference between the two headphones is how they present the musical event to the ears of the listener.
The 660s are fast, dynamic, lively, clean, youthful and trendy in putting into action no time to relax, you are actively participating in the musical event.
The 650 is slower, looser, warmer, smoother, more romantic and slightly more distant.
It causes you to sink into your armchair and enjoy the music without stress.
And ultimately this is and should be the only criterion by which one is called upon to choose between one model or another.
Finally, as mentioned in the introduction, the 660s are more user friendly.
It's easy to drive so it's more friendly to the beginner who, without having particularly invested in escorts, will enjoy his sound.
At the same time, it will reward even the most demanding listeners since it "listens" well to source upgrades and reinforcement, with the former being more important in the final result.
To some extent, unlike the 650, which is known to be very demanding and special in terms of source support, but once we have the right mix, its performance will take off, and it will never say better. and even better to the point where our pocket can last.
Conclusions
The Sennheiser with the HD660s has succeeded in pushing the HD650 tradition to build a new handset that can be considered as the advancement of its predecessor on many, mostly technical, points.
Is it finally the 660s the successor to 650, a new and improved 650 in the 650s?
The answer in our opinion is probably not.
The 660s is a new handset with its own distinct personality and distinctive character and in no way pretends to be anything other than what it is.
Does it ultimately matter whether or not he is the successor?
Not sure enough with this conversation, which we think ultimately disorientates and does not let us enjoy a very good acoustic as it deserves.
In the 660s it does well in the audio field without almost any disadvantage and will satisfy a large percentage of listeners in most types of music.
If you are looking for a mid-range open handset with a performance approaching top models of manufacturers with half and less likely costs then the 660s must definitely be on the list of candidates for listening.
660 did appear lively out of the box with fresh pads but so did my 650 when new, i put my aged 650 pads on though to do a fair comparison, much softer and compressed.
Last edited:
SilverEars
Headphoneus Supremus
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That review is a bunch of bull, 660 more dynamic than the 650?!
WizardClass
New Head-Fier
Hey guys. I was wondering what the difference is between the 660s and the 58x from massdrop? I heard they are very similar.
I'm kinda wondering the same thing. Was watching a video on youtube and this guy reviewing both headphones said they sounded exactly the same!
It was only one page back that you said you have a differing opinion than me, well this reviewer has a differing opinion from you and finds it more dynamic.
SilverEars
Headphoneus Supremus
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I have a different opinion due to having a different setup, but one thing very clear, HD660S is not much dynamic. It lacks dynamics, and if you have a good setup, HD650 spanks the 660s really badly.
HD650 is worth having around, but I can get a 58X, so 660S is really not worth it.
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Oh I haven’t been around here much but I already get the impression that it’s cool to be in the 660 hate club.
I’ve heard it myself and I don’t think they are, check out metal571 review of 58X he talks about them both.
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