[Deftone]

You're going to love that combination! Congrats!

I hope he does, I didn't like the Valhalla 2 with any 600 series headphone because it's too dry and grainy imo.

 

[Ichos]

@Deftone - have you owned HD800/s before the HD660s?

 

[Roasty]

I just couldn't get used to the hd660s sound.. Ended up selling it, as well as the moon audio black dragon cables. They have gone to a better home..

 

[Ichos]

What didn't you like?

 

[Roasty]

In comparison to the 650, I felt the 650 had a more balanced sound. In my system, 650 + zu mobius/silver dragon cables > 660 + black dragons.

The 660 forward presentation came off as a little shouty and harsh. Also preferred the soundstage and low end of the 650.

Having said that, I have also since sold off my 650 and corresponding cables. Neither the 650 or 660s had any more play time, as I had purchased some nicer cans..

 

[Ichos]

The Empyrean and Utopia are in another league!

 

[Roasty]

The Empyrean and Utopia are in another league!

Ah yes.. I would have liked to have kept the 650 actually.. I had them since 2006. I actually recently gave the 650 fresh new head band and ear pads and they looked as good as new. Thought it would be nice if someone else would love them as much as I did.

 

[pietcux]

Since the HD660S has such a great synergy with my Sony WM1A DAP, the HD650 is rarely used anymore.

 

[Mike F]

Since the HD 650 has such a great synergy with my Sennheiser HDVD 800, the HD 660 S hasn’t even been purchased........

 

[Deftone]

Since the HD 650 has such a great synergy with my Sennheiser HDVD 800, the HD 660 S hasn’t even been purchased........

If your 100% happy with 650 why change, but if you're like me and love the signature of the 650 but want better technicalities then 660 is an excellent upgrade.

 

[turbomustang84]

If your 100% happy with 650 why change, but if you're like me and love the signature of the 650 but want better technicalities then 660 is an excellent upgrade.

I find every model in the 6 series has earned it's place in my collection and although the 650 is my favorite there is some times when the 660 is just better suited and the 58X is the only one I take portable .
The 580 jubilee and the 600 are extremely close but there are subtle differences .

My new 660s will stay stock but I'm doing a closed back mod on my older 600 and I'm going to try some Lambskin pads on my spare 58X's

 

[WSikorski]

I hope he does, I didn't like the Valhalla 2 with any 600 series headphone because it's too dry and grainy imo.

Currently using GE 5670W tubes w/6922 adapters. Very smooth, no graininess.

 

[Deftone]

Man you're going to have a sennheiser for every occasion.

 

[Deftone]

This is a comparison for those who are deciding which one to choose. As someone who's also owned them all apart from 700s I think it's pretty spot on although I think he should have gone in to a bit more detail on the 58X sound.

VS 58X Jubilee: 660S' are an improvement over the 58X the magnitude of HD598's over HD558's. Not so much about balancing, but in terms of outright capability. They are more refined, better balanced and they just sound like the pricier of the two based on how they reproduce music. They sound similar, but not more similar than the 660S does to the other 600 series siblings. That story is over hyped. The Jube's are great and I use them with my LG G8 (perfect pairing), but owning both I can certainly say the 660S is, over and above the 58X, to the same degree the 650 or 600 is above it.


VS 600's: They maintain "outward" neutrality similar to the 600's. Instruments and imaging is similar. Vocals are different. There is more bass, heft to notes that deserve it, and it sounds notably more engaging. 600 has narrower imaging and a drier presentation. 600's sound like they will behave differently with different amps. 600 is more reference if not more boring to me. being neutral and sounding neutral are not the same to me. The 600's are a bit too "what you get is what you get" for me so I'm not the best source here.


VS 650's: The bass is in a different place (mid/sub). I can't call out a frequency but it has been shifted and the 660S has more of a touch of warmth, vs the 650's straight up warm sound. The mid's are more lush and smooth sounding on the 650's. Fault me for using "lush" and "smooth" if you must but I believe you know exactly what I mean. 660S mid's are very, very similar to the 650 but drier in a way that the 600's were. 660S don't sound thick, have more air and are more energetic but not attention whores. Detail retrieval is better on 660S. 650's are more relaxing, and smoother. 650's sound like they will behave differently with different amps. The 660S was so close though, that with the added detail and improved separation it offers I sold my 650's after making them battle for two weeks.


VS 700's: I can at once tell these share a driver, but they don't sound alike. 660S is much closer to the middle child tying the best of both 600 & 650 into one than it is a step towards the 700. 700 is faster, more detailed, airier with more texture and tighter bass. 700 has massively faster transients, more distant mid's and the mid's have less tonal accuracy. It's also a diva (see attention whore) demanding that you notice every little detail ESPECIALLY when it comes to strings (see Lewis Del Mar Wave(s) for and example). This headphone made me anxious just listening to it for my first two weeks owning it. 700 has more extension on both ends and better slam but less bass quantity.

 

[turbomustang84]

Man you're going to have a sennheiser for every occasion.

I'm a big fan of Sennheiser's and Hifiman and I'm going to get my first Grado's as soon as I can find a reasonable priced GS1000