[Sennheiser]

The HD 600-series of headphones has deep roots here at Head-Fi (thank you!). Seasoned members are generally familiar with each, and some of you even own (or owned) all three at some point. For those unfamiliar with the family, choosing the right one for you means some research and hopefully a demo or two in your travels.

It's not commonplace to get all three (HD 600, HD 650, HD 660S) in front of you on the same screen, never mind demo all three at once, so we put together this video to show them side by side by side for the purpose of comparing the core differences. You'll also get the scoop on the core similarities.

While the Head-Fi veterans may have significant experience with the series, we thought this video would be a helpful addition to the normal research going on here in the forums as newcomers collect user reviews, impressions, and visuals.

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Note: this video does not include the Sennheiser/Drop community-exclusive HD 6XX

Happy hunting and listening!

 

[F208Frank]

HD 600. First headphone that got me into hobby. Had it with the bi frost and asgard 2.

Wonderful memories.

 

[Sennheiser]

HD 600. First headphone that got me into hobby. Had it with the bi frost and asgard 2.

Wonderful memories.

Thank you for letting us kick off the journey with you!

 

[F208Frank]

It was affordable, comfortable, and well reviewed. It was an easy buy at the time.

Nah... thank you!

 

[Odin412]

I remember hearing the 650 for the first time with the Schiit Bifrost DAC and Valhalla amp at the Newport Show in 2012. I was mesmerized by the sound. I purchased my 650 in 2014 (and the Bifrost and Valhalla shortly thereafter) and I still have all of them and enjoy them as much as the day that I got them.

 

[ericpalonen]

I remember hearing the 650 for the first time with the Schiit Bifrost DAC and Valhalla amp at the Newport Show in 2012. I was mesmerized by the sound. I purchased my 650 in 2014 (and the Bifrost and Valhalla shortly thereafter) and I still have all of them and enjoy them as much as the day that I got them.

Valhalla and 650 are a fun combo and was my go-to for awhile as well! Thanks for putting them in your rotation

 

[Sayed2020]

I have good memories of the HD 600 with the WBA Virtus-1 OTL tube head amp

 

[earmonger]

I'm sorry but all I got out of this was: HD600, original, reference. HD650, darker, bassier ("less fatiguing" being audiophile talk for diminished treble). HD 660s, made to work with lower power sources, factory produced using steel mesh instead of silk, more cable connections, no idea of what its sound signature is relative to the other two. On Amazon, HD600 and HD650 are just under $300, HD 660s is around $350 (more cables I guess). More a promo than a review.

 

[ericpalonen]

I'm sorry but all I got out of this was: HD600, original, reference. HD650, darker, bassier ("less fatiguing" being audiophile talk for diminished treble). HD 660s, made to work with lower power sources, factory produced using steel mesh instead of silk, more cable connections, no idea of what its sound signature is relative to the other two. On Amazon, HD600 and HD650 are just under $300, HD 660s is around $350 (more cables I guess). More a promo than a review.

Correct, it was not a review and was designed to let you compare. Good summary

 

[Odin412]

I'm sorry but all I got out of this was: HD600, original, reference. HD650, darker, bassier ("less fatiguing" being audiophile talk for diminished treble). HD 660s, made to work with lower power sources, factory produced using steel mesh instead of silk, more cable connections, no idea of what its sound signature is relative to the other two. On Amazon, HD600 and HD650 are just under $300, HD 660s is around $350 (more cables I guess). More a promo than a review.

I actually bought the HD600 before I bought my HD650 (based on the reviews on InnerFidelity). The HD600 was a bit too bright for me (I'm very treble-sensitive), so it's probably what many audiophiles would call 'neutral'. I sold the HD600 and kept the 650, which I love. I listened to the 660S at CanJam SoCal a couple of years ago and it's nice but has a bit more treble energy than the 650 - at least to my ears. I still prefer the 650.

Some people claim that the 650 sounds 'veiled'. I disagree with that - everything is there but it's not as 'in your face' bright as in many other 'audiophile' headphones. IMHO the 650 is smooth, pleasant and non-fatiguing. YMMV, as always.

 

[earmonger]

Wish the 500 series and 6XX and maybe even the 800 were in the roundup too...

 

[BoyNamedSue]

HD650 off a earmax pro was my very first wow moment in this hobby.

 

[Barndoor]

Love my HD6xx. To me listening to them is the musical equivalent of a hug!

 

[Strat1117]

I own Made in Ireland versions of the 580/600/650. I did have a pair of Romania 660S in the house for about a month, but I sent them back in favor of the 300 ohm troika. Maybe they deserve another shot - only time will tell.

A new head-fier asked about the 600 vs 650/6xx yesterday on the ever lively 600 impressions thread. This was my long-winded response:

“I own both and I enjoy both (and I like my old 580s too - THOSE are the true OG). If I had to choose only one it would probably be the 600, which is certainly the cleanest and most accurate, but it is also the most demanding - it will not happily tolerate any shortcomings in your source or amp. Give it plenty of juice (I like class A solid state; many here prefer OTL tubes), and the 600 can be a world beater. But if you’re not prepared to feed it properly, you might be better off with the more forgiving and cheaper 6xx - although, IMHO, it too benefits from better amplification. For full disclosure, I’ve never heard the 6xx, only the Ireland 650, but I accept arguendo that they are basically the same.

Also, my Sennheisers are all modified with aftermarket hybrid pads and the rear foam disc (behind the driver) is removed. My 600s also sport the custom cans copper weight mod, which further improves bass (the one area where I think they need a little extra help), speed and clarity - I highly recommend it. [Also, I put 600 metal grilles on the 580s, and 650 wires on both 580 and 600].

Not that I haven’t already gone on too long, but the 580s are my work headphones, connected to a Burson HA-160DS USB dac direct to the iMac on my desk; the 650s are connected to a Soloist SL in my modest bedside system and provide a luscious, warm kiss goodnight, even simply playing Spotify through a 24/96 ‘upsampling’ Bluetooth dac, and the 600s get place of pride in the main system driven by a full Soloist which is fed by the tape out of my 200wpc plinius integrated, and gets to play sources like an SME turntable with a Lyra cartridge, and a naim CD player with a flatcap2 power supply. They all sound lovely in their respective positions, none of which is cast in stone - variety being the spice of life and all that (and yes, I like old Burson amps).

Anyway, there’s no magic bullet and no one answer for everyone, and MUCH depends on your amp with a 300 ohm dynamic headphone. You’ve got to try both in YOUR system, with YOUR music - only then will you know for certain.

Enjoy!”

NSC

 

[Another Audiophile]

I have many headphones from Audeze LCD-X, MX4, HD800s, ZMF Aeolus and more. Still my reference as what normal headphone should sound like is the HD6XX