Sennheiser HD660S... Finally a successor for the HD650?
Oct 22, 2017 at 4:04 PM Post #346 of 9,585
Do we have distortion measurements? Less distortion and faster decay in the bass (the former would be enough) would lead to a different perception already.

THD---Sennheiser-HD660S---Sennheiser-HD650.jpg
Why no direct FR chart comparison with the HD600? (Went through the thread quickly, only saw 660-650, and 650-600)

I haven't done this yet because the couple of pairs of HD600's we have at the office are in need of new earpads. (We'll order some and then do the measurements then.) For both the HD660S and HD650 in the measurements above, the pads were essentially brand new.
 
Oct 22, 2017 at 4:14 PM Post #347 of 9,585
....... I would never reach for my 650 over my 800S though. ...........

I find not all recordings work with the 800/Ss sound-staging and resolving characteristics, but when they do the choice is obvious.
But I'm always amazed how well the 600 series have held up after all these years. : )
 
Last edited:
Oct 22, 2017 at 5:24 PM Post #348 of 9,585
I think the 5 pin cable was built to serve both in balanced & single ended mode, if i'm not wrong. It basically has left+, left-, right+, right-, ground and depending on the amp's socket (not our current trs or balanced) it can support either single ended or balanced.

Is this cable compatible with the 650 and can it be bought separately?
 
Oct 22, 2017 at 6:08 PM Post #349 of 9,585
..........
...................For both the HD660S and HD650 in the measurements above, the pads were essentially brand new.
Thanks Jude..

The findings above do appear to show a much more linear response from the 660s drivers, expected... but I’d be curious to see distortion levels at higher sustained volumes which might favor the more robust voice coils on the 300ohm 600/650 drivers but not necessarily. Also frequency and distortion measurements as we know are no indication of tonality nor perceived musicality, what’s kept the 580 and 600s in the running so long was that they were developed as a listening tool without regards to what’s fashionable, not dissimilar a to Sennheiser’s approach to microphones, the 650 IMHO were a response to the emerging home theatre and use of sub woofers, “more bass” extension, but relatively balanced, I've no doubt the 660s follow suit.
 
Oct 22, 2017 at 8:57 PM Post #350 of 9,585
Is this cable compatible with the 650 and can it be bought separately?
I don't know about that. I'm not even a 100% sure that the cable they are supplying is the same as what I was referring to.
 
Oct 22, 2017 at 9:10 PM Post #351 of 9,585


I haven't done this yet because the couple of pairs of HD600's we have at the office are in need of new earpads. (We'll order some and then do the measurements then.) For both the HD660S and HD650 in the measurements above, the pads were essentially brand new.

Very interesting. I'd really like to hear it very soon.
 
Oct 23, 2017 at 12:01 AM Post #352 of 9,585
I've read in earlier posts that some members are planning to sell their HD600. I'm also interested in the 660S but I will never part with my HD600. It's not only the first pair of quality headphones I bought back in 2000 but it's still one of my favourites (I've since replaced those with a new pair two years ago.) I've owned many "high end" headphones and eventually sold them but I've never considered selling my HD600. I believe that it's one of the very few headphones that's worth the price it's sold for. I've always found that it has a "special" sound signature and since I'm not tech savvy nor do I understand graphics like the one posted by Jude a few posts back.

But I think I finally found what's special about them, for me, sound wise. Tyll Hertsens in his review of the Sonoma Model One which is part of his wall of fame, on page 3, 3rd paragraph he writes :

"And I'd say a pair of Sennheiser HD 600s in a nice rig would best it in mid-range liquidity. (It would best many if not most reference cans there.)" In the last part in parentheses "most reference cans there" I believe Tyll is referring to the other Over Ear Open headphones on his "Wall of Fame".

Quite a tribute for a headphone that's been around for 20 years and also considering it's price.

https://www.innerfidelity.com/conte...-electrostatic-headphone-and-amplifier-system
 
Last edited:
Oct 23, 2017 at 12:09 AM Post #353 of 9,585
I can get 200 euros for my hd600 (they cost 279 new), 150 for the m2 and 100 for the m1 (both wired, both over ear).

The hd700 i am pretty sure it will br discontinued since it was not very sucessfull and the hd660 kind of replaces it.

For years it has been said that HD700 failed hard for Sennheiser yet somehow they still continued to be sold. Having owned the HD650 twice I can say the HD700 is a different signature altogether and I don't even expect the 660S to replace what it does. Will have to hear it first, but I think Sennheiser, if truly wanting to replace the HD700, just had an ideal time to do that.

I think instead of replacing the HD700, they just dropped the price and perhaps they were more successful. With my latest vintage HD250 Linear Mk1, LCD2, and HD700 I'm pretty much covered for my open backs (oh wait, the HD250 isn't an open back, haha but sometimes it sounds like it. Pretty much a closed HD600 with more bass). The one I want most is the HD800S along with an HD540. But that can wait.
 
Last edited:
Oct 23, 2017 at 2:28 AM Post #355 of 9,585
Basically there're two parties between the HD650 and the HD600, the HD650 one always wants to destroy the HD600 party, but who cares, personally I know tons of guys prefer the HD600 (including myself)

I own both so I guess I'm an exception & I spent the evening listening to the HD650 because I hadn't used them much lately. Both headphones are exceptional IMHO.
 
Oct 23, 2017 at 3:40 AM Post #356 of 9,585
I own both so I guess I'm an exception & I spent the evening listening to the HD650 because I hadn't used them much lately. Both headphones are exceptional IMHO.
They are both milestones in headphone history. Now with the advent of the HD660S, we probably have another milestone.
 
Oct 23, 2017 at 8:41 AM Post #357 of 9,585
I haven't done this yet because the couple of pairs of HD600's we have at the office are in need of new earpads. (We'll order some and then do the measurements then.) For both the HD660S and HD650 in the measurements above, the pads were essentially brand new.

Aren't the 650 and 600 pads interchangeable?
 
Oct 23, 2017 at 10:25 AM Post #358 of 9,585
Aren't the 650 and 600 pads interchangeable?
Yes they are
More interestingly I wonder what effect the new 660 pds will have on the sound of the 600)650?
 
Oct 23, 2017 at 10:41 AM Post #359 of 9,585
Yes they are
More interestingly I wonder what effect the new 660 pds will have on the sound of the 600)650?

Yes indeed :wink: I was trying to genlty say to Jude "You can do the Hd600 measurements putting the HD650 pads on the HD600 without waiting for the new pads" :wink:
 
Oct 23, 2017 at 11:20 AM Post #360 of 9,585
Yes indeed :wink: I was trying to genlty say to Jude "You can do the Hd600 measurements putting the HD650 pads on the HD600 without waiting for the new pads" :wink:
Indeed, the Sennheiser spare parts shop offers the same pad for 580/600/650.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top