I have sr60's and looking at the hd6xx as an upgrade I am starting to find my 60s a tiny bit harsh at the top too, what are your thoughts of transitioning from grado to the 6xx?
You will be going from one of the brightest popular headphones to a fairly warm headphone. Initially you likely will not like it. Also, the Grado is very easy to drive. The 6xx benefits from better upstream gear. If you really like the Grado sound, but want is a little less bright/harsh, I recommend a 225x or RS2e. You also might like beyerdynaic.
Obviously you might like the 6xx, but it will be quite a swing for you.
You will be going from one of the brightest popular headphones to a fairly warm headphone. Initially you likely will not like it. Also, the Grado is very easy to drive. The 6xx benefits from better upstream gear. If you really like the Grado sound, but want is a little less bright/harsh, I recommend a 225x or RS2e. You also might like beyerdynaic.
Obviously you might like the 6xx, but it will be quite a swing for you.
The HD6xx might/will feel like it has quite a clamp compared to the SR60, but after a while, you get used to it. It is certainly more relaxed and less fatiguing than the Grado. You really should try some beyerdynamics if you like Grado. A DT990 or even a DTX350 might be good for you to try.
I have sr60's and looking at the hd6xx as an upgrade I am starting to find my 60s a tiny bit harsh at the top too, what are your thoughts of transitioning from grado to the 6xx?
I have both, and the HD6xx is a definitely a better headphone all around and more comfortable even with the clamp. I enjoy them both for their own purposes, but if I had to choose one it would be the 6xx (even without an amp).
If you like the Grado's I would also recommend the Philips SHP9500. They are closer to the Grado sound signature than the Sennheiser and to me they are superior headphone in both comfort and sound to both the Grado SR60/80. The best part is they regularly go on sale for $50 at NewEgg. If you are set on Sennheiser, I would also consider looking at the HD58x. I prefer the HD 580 to the 650/6xx since it's more comfortable (less clamp) and not quite as warm. So, if they actually sound like the old HD 580 they'd be a good buy and easier to drive than the 600/650/6xx.
I have sr60's and looking at the hd6xx as an upgrade I am starting to find my 60s a tiny bit harsh at the top too, what are your thoughts of transitioning from grado to the 6xx?
If you like the Grado sound I don’t know if you would like the HD6xx. I appreciate them, but they sound too boring and warm to my tastes with most of the music I listen to. If your tastes can tolerate the drop in top end detail go for it. If not look into the suggestions from the other posters, or try moving up the Grado line up.
Is anyone using Sonarworks True-fi out there with their HD6xx?
There's a 10 day trial that certainly worth a try. It seems to add a little separation and width for me, as well as filling out the low bass. Only 2 days into the trial but I definitely prefer them when True-fi is switched on...now I have to do more testing to find out if I'm imagining it
Is anyone using Sonarworks True-fi out there with their HD6xx?
There's a 10 day trial that certainly worth a try. It seems to add a little separation and width for me, as well as filling out the low bass. Only 2 days into the trial but I definitely prefer them when True-fi is switched on...now I have to do more testing to find out if I'm imagining it
Used her when it came out..and bought her after my 50 day beta trial. When I used her on Sennheiser HD600/HD650, there was a slight noticeable improvement but way more with my Sennheiser HD800 and now with my Sony MDR-Z7 on the laptop
Currently using their Reference on my desktop which I bought before True-Fi - this has 21 day trial (current update Reference 4 is a hugh improvement from last summer)
Used her when it came out..and bought her after my 50 day beta trial. When I used her on Sennheiser HD600/HD650, there was a slight noticeable improvement but way more with my Sennheiser HD800 and now with my Sony MDR-Z7 on the laptop
Currently using their Reference on my desktop which I bought before True-Fi - this has 21 day trial (current update Reference 4 is a hugh improvement from last summer)
Thanks for that. I've decided I'm not imagining it, so at some point soon will purchase the software. Separation, low bass and imaging are all improved. I love these headphones!
Now...I currently have the Grace Design m9xx from Massdrop. Can anyone recommend an amp to use with these for around the $500 mark? I was toying with the idea of a Jotenhiem and the running them balanced.
Any others I should think of?
You will be going from one of the brightest popular headphones to a fairly warm headphone. Initially you likely will not like it. Also, the Grado is very easy to drive. The 6xx benefits from better upstream gear. If you really like the Grado sound, but want is a little less bright/harsh, I recommend a 225x or RS2e. You also might like beyerdynaic.
Obviously you might like the 6xx, but it will be quite a swing for you.
After a while listening to both, I've decided that I prefer the Grados to the 6XX - more lively sound and more comfortable. I'll be selling the 6XX to get a closed set to complement the Grados, but I'm glad I got to hear such a well-regarded headphone.
After a while listening to both, I've decided that I prefer the Grados to the 6XX - more lively sound and more comfortable. I'll be selling the 6XX to get a closed set to complement the Grados, but I'm glad I got to hear such a well-regarded headphone.
The HD650 has two things that call make it better. There are a number of modifications that can be made. If you google the "HD650 KISS mod", you get one of the most popular mods. The second thing the HD650 (and thus the HD6xx) has going for it, is that is scales very well. This is sort of a euphemism for "sounds OK with low-end gear, but really sounds much better with high end gear". The Grado's are designed to be less demanding, so they get to their potential faster -- they don't need such high end gear.
of course tastes very, and the Grado's appeal to many. To others they are fatiguing, and the HD6xx/HD650 is the opposite of fatiguing, but is less lively.
The mod helps, but it will not turn the HD650 into a grado.
I bought an amp for just one reason: to drive the famous Senns. Does it improve the sound? Yes, I think so. I tested the HD650 in the past and felt they were unusable without help.
For some people, they are magic. For others, they are not.
I do not regret buying them, but when you factor in the amp, it was a large expenditure. Large for me anyway.
Part of exploring and I will certainly be doing it again. I think my next tryout will be the M1060's.
I will lose money on some and hopefully find a few hidden gems (Meze Classics FTW).
I bought an amp for just one reason: to drive the famous Senns. Does it improve the sound? Yes, I think so. I tested the HD650 in the past and felt they were unusable without help.
For some people, they are magic. For others, they are not.
I do not regret buying them, but when you factor in the amp, it was a large expenditure. Large for me anyway.
Part of exploring and I will certainly be doing it again. I think my next tryout will be the M1060's.
I will lose money on some and hopefully find a few hidden gems (Meze Classics FTW).
Shane, seems like we are in very similar boats. I got a Pico Power for the 6XX, one of the only portable amps that has enough current to do it justice. Turns out it's just not as good for the rock and metal I listen to the most.
As far as Grados go, to me there was an audible difference between the 225i and 225e - the e series really takes away that fatiguing quality and adds some good quality bass.
Thst is why I am holding off on making a final decision. If I sell them off, do I also sell the amp? That is about $750.00 in purchases and I will lose a few hundred bucks when I sell. I am still trying the phones and trying the amp more with the other phones to see if it is adding to my life, or if it should go away with the Senns.
I have been thoroughly enjoying my HD6xx. Using with a dragonfly black and couldn't be happier. I also have a Centrace Dacmini and will soon spend some time with it and the HD6xx's. Wow these are a great value. With the dragonfly, MacBook, and some lossless I think it's one of the best setups value wise, but that's just my opinion. Still wish I had my LCD2's to do a back to back but oh well.
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
