Sennheiser HD660S... Finally a successor for the HD650?
Oct 3, 2019 at 4:15 PM Post #4,846 of 9,585
This cable is doing quite a job. In addition to the bass, it's also bringing out some additional sweetness in the mids, and I think the sound stage has been widened ever so slightly. A/Bing with the stock cable I have confirmed these differences. This is a combo I would rec

Looking good , hope it sounds the same!
 
Oct 3, 2019 at 4:28 PM Post #4,848 of 9,585
Nice. These people that think cables don't make a difference need to get their ears checked lol
 
Oct 3, 2019 at 4:32 PM Post #4,849 of 9,585
I have listened and yes overall decay is good but some times a bit more fast that it should be but i can't
comment more because with the 660S the most obvious thing is the low quality of the sound.
BTW - Very interesting piece of music / solo.

Sorry about that. That’s what you get for finding things on your iPhone! :wink: Hope you enjoyed the playing anyway!
 
Oct 4, 2019 at 3:09 PM Post #4,853 of 9,585
I bought a pair of HD598s several years ago. I wanted something comfortable, detailed, reasonably accurate to wear when transcribing music. They're great for that purpose, but they're not much fun. I'm not looking for something with a built-in bass-boost or anything--I'm in a Senn thread because I respect accuracy. :p But accuracy and fun factor aren't diametrically opposed, and I'm wondering how much more pleasure I might get out of the HD660Ss.

Does anyone who finds the HD598s insufferably boring enjoy immensely their HD660S?
I am guessing the two are leagues apart considering the legacy of the HD650 and these being considered a proper follow-up. FWIW, my tastes vary from jazz fusion to progressive metal (of the older sort), from (vocal) trance to breakbeats, though I primarily listen to stuff with analog instruments with decent to significant dynamic range and a lot going on at once. Life-like vocals are very important to me. So sheltered have I kept myself, I'm not sure if these details of taste even matter. :wink:

To elaborate, I'm hesitant to do too much research on this purchase or even explore other brands on my own--my guitar rig has cost me so much money (I'll never be totally happy with it), and I really don't want to develop that sort of standard for playback. I'm happy with the 3-way floorstanders in my HT setup (with which I mostly listen to stereo music on, in stereo mode). If I spent $1000+ on phones, I would probably ruin my taste for the floorstanders. I don't want to go down that road... I'm looking to spend around $500, but can be flexible.

If the HD660Ss aren't an obvious upgrade for me, are there a few other brands whose similarly priced models I should explore?

P.S.: I just got a Fiio M11, so it's possible I just want something to stick in the 4.4 mm output...
 
Oct 4, 2019 at 3:20 PM Post #4,854 of 9,585
I bought a pair of HD598s several years ago. I wanted something comfortable, detailed, reasonably accurate to wear when transcribing music. They're great for that purpose, but they're not much fun. I'm not looking for something with a built-in bass-boost or anything--I'm in a Senn thread because I respect accuracy. :p But accuracy and fun factor aren't diametrically opposed, and I'm wondering how much more pleasure I might get out of the HD660Ss.

Does anyone who finds the HD598s insufferably boring enjoy immensely their HD660S?
I am guessing the two are leagues apart considering the legacy of the HD650 and these being considered a proper follow-up. FWIW, my tastes vary from jazz fusion to progressive metal (of the older sort), from (vocal) trance to breakbeats, though I primarily listen to stuff with analog instruments with decent to significant dynamic range and a lot going on at once. Life-like vocals are very important to me. So sheltered have I kept myself, I'm not sure if these details of taste even matter. :wink:

To elaborate, I'm hesitant to do too much research on this purchase or even explore other brands on my own--my guitar rig has cost me so much money (I'll never be totally happy with it), and I really don't want to develop that sort of standard for playback. I'm happy with the 3-way floorstanders in my HT setup (with which I mostly listen to stereo music on, in stereo mode). If I spent $1000+ on phones, I would probably ruin my taste for the floorstanders. I don't want to go down that road... I'm looking to spend around $500, but can be flexible.

If the HD660Ss aren't an obvious upgrade for me, are there a few other brands whose similarly priced models I should explore?

P.S.: I just got a Fiio M11, so it's possible I just want something to stick in the 4.4 mm output...

The HD 660 S has been one of the more enjoyable Sennheisers in my experience, I found it strangely addicting to listen to. The HD 598 and it's kin are all incredibly boring to my ears. If the HD 660 S doesn't work for you, you can try some Beyers, I suggest the DT 1990, Amiron Home, or T1.2(if you find a good price on a new one) if you go that route.
 
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Oct 4, 2019 at 3:58 PM Post #4,855 of 9,585
I bought a pair of HD598s several years ago. I wanted something comfortable, detailed, reasonably accurate to wear when transcribing music. They're great for that purpose, but they're not much fun. I'm not looking for something with a built-in bass-boost or anything--I'm in a Senn thread because I respect accuracy. :p But accuracy and fun factor aren't diametrically opposed, and I'm wondering how much more pleasure I might get out of the HD660Ss.

Does anyone who finds the HD598s insufferably boring enjoy immensely their HD660S?
I am guessing the two are leagues apart considering the legacy of the HD650 and these being considered a proper follow-up. FWIW, my tastes vary from jazz fusion to progressive metal (of the older sort), from (vocal) trance to breakbeats, though I primarily listen to stuff with analog instruments with decent to significant dynamic range and a lot going on at once. Life-like vocals are very important to me. So sheltered have I kept myself, I'm not sure if these details of taste even matter. :wink:

To elaborate, I'm hesitant to do too much research on this purchase or even explore other brands on my own--my guitar rig has cost me so much money (I'll never be totally happy with it), and I really don't want to develop that sort of standard for playback. I'm happy with the 3-way floorstanders in my HT setup (with which I mostly listen to stereo music on, in stereo mode). If I spent $1000+ on phones, I would probably ruin my taste for the floorstanders. I don't want to go down that road... I'm looking to spend around $500, but can be flexible.

If the HD660Ss aren't an obvious upgrade for me, are there a few other brands whose similarly priced models I should explore?

P.S.: I just got a Fiio M11, so it's possible I just want something to stick in the 4.4 mm output...
If you want fun out of the 4.4mm Pentacon, there is only one route to walk my friend. The HD series is about accuracy no fun available here. Your weapon of choice is the Sony Z7 MK2 or the Z1r. They are about fun and they come with the magical 4.4mm plug.
 
Oct 4, 2019 at 5:22 PM Post #4,857 of 9,585
Thanks to all of you. The 660S are definitely still in contention, but I have some new things to consider, like keeping my 598s around for transcribing music, and getting something more decadent for dumb pleasure-listening, when my senses are often artificially enhanced anyway and I'm somewhere in the ether.

I was sort of joking about the 4.4 mm thing--I'm not married to it over 2.5, but I definitely want a balanced connection that I can use without adapters, so I'll being going with a pair with one or the other. I had a friend who swore by Beyers around the tier of the DT 1990s, so I'm naturally predisposed in that direction, but connector type is a bit of a snag... Different standards suck. I admit I have a Bose-like reaction to Sony (and that both reactions may well be ill-informed), but I'm looking into the Z7 MK2. Not a big bass guy, but maybe that's an outdated stereotype...

I'll make a proper recommendation thread in the newb forum and let this get back on topic. :p
 
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Oct 4, 2019 at 6:28 PM Post #4,858 of 9,585
Is there any place online who has these marked down or on sale? I'm just seeing 5 bills everywhere. I missed out on a few from the classifieds that went around 300 bucks. Should I hold off for a while to see if prices come down... Will they come down?
 
Oct 4, 2019 at 7:04 PM Post #4,859 of 9,585
I had the 598s when I started out in this hobby and got rid of them due to their insufferable highs and terrible bass presentation. 660s would be an immense upgrade to them in every way, including fun.

I bought a pair of HD598s several years ago. I wanted something comfortable, detailed, reasonably accurate to wear when transcribing music. They're great for that purpose, but they're not much fun. I'm not looking for something with a built-in bass-boost or anything--I'm in a Senn thread because I respect accuracy. :p But accuracy and fun factor aren't diametrically opposed, and I'm wondering how much more pleasure I might get out of the HD660Ss.

Does anyone who finds the HD598s insufferably boring enjoy immensely their HD660S?
I am guessing the two are leagues apart considering the legacy of the HD650 and these being considered a proper follow-up. FWIW, my tastes vary from jazz fusion to progressive metal (of the older sort), from (vocal) trance to breakbeats, though I primarily listen to stuff with analog instruments with decent to significant dynamic range and a lot going on at once. Life-like vocals are very important to me. So sheltered have I kept myself, I'm not sure if these details of taste even matter. :wink:

To elaborate, I'm hesitant to do too much research on this purchase or even explore other brands on my own--my guitar rig has cost me so much money (I'll never be totally happy with it), and I really don't want to develop that sort of standard for playback. I'm happy with the 3-way floorstanders in my HT setup (with which I mostly listen to stereo music on, in stereo mode). If I spent $1000+ on phones, I would probably ruin my taste for the floorstanders. I don't want to go down that road... I'm looking to spend around $500, but can be flexible.

If the HD660Ss aren't an obvious upgrade for me, are there a few other brands whose similarly priced models I should explore?

P.S.: I just got a Fiio M11, so it's possible I just want something to stick in the 4.4 mm output...
 
Oct 4, 2019 at 7:10 PM Post #4,860 of 9,585
Is there any place online who has these marked down or on sale? I'm just seeing 5 bills everywhere. I missed out on a few from the classifieds that went around 300 bucks. Should I hold off for a while to see if prices come down... Will they come down?

Every couple of months Amazon sells off its stash of 'renewed' 660s, basically refurbished units, for around $400. They are currently out of stock, but it's worth keeping an eye on the page as they renew their stock of them frequently.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JMCM1VB/

Also, I would imagine that there will be some sort of Black Friday deal on them this year, and that's right around the corner. If anything pops up, rest assured someone (maybe even me) will post it on the deals thread.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the-deals-discussion-thread-read-the-first-post.692119/

I'm also holding out for a lower price. $400 new and I'd buy a pair immediately.
 
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