[fattycheesebeef]

I just got HD650 and loving it very much. HD660S wasn't for me. Curious to try HD600~

 

[nasty nate]

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

Wonderful memories.

This was my exact path too - eventually upgraded to HD800S - wonderful memories indeed.

 

[ericpalonen]

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

One of the best metaphors I've heard yet. I may use this later.

You’ve got to try both in YOUR system, with YOUR music - only then will you know for certain.

Epic collection you have there. Wow!

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

 

[iamfrank]

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

Thank you for making them. Love these damn things.

 

[sebiambrus]

I had all of the 3 also the hd700 and hd800 and Hd800S then again now the Hd800. For me from the old HD6xx models the original HD600 is the best because it got more natural reference sound than the hd650 and the hd660S, also i think it got better imaging and techincal abilites than the other 2. It scales very good with much more expensive amps, the Hd660S not scaling as good imho.
Also For me the original HD800 is the best headphone because i like the technical capabilites more than the newer HD800S model's rounded off sound. I had almost all TOTL headphones from other manufacturers for 4x the price of the HD800 but non of them could do better at techinicalities like the original HD800, these are the only headphones that can mimic a good stereo monitor system in soundfield and resouliton.
Also i am eagerly waiting for the new HD900 , hopefully Sennheiser will release it i hope they will be a newer HD800.

 

[433521]

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.

​

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

Happy hunting and listening!

And the 414 is not sold why? Too much competition for the $400 gear? We want our $50 headphones back!

 

[Strat1117]

And the 414 is not sold why? Too much competition for the $400 gear? We want our $50 headphones back!

I don’t think this is fair or even totally correct. This thread may be about the HD6X0 series, but the hd280 pro is great and still available for $99, and I personally got a couple pairs of eH350 (an evolved 414) not too long ago for ~ $50/pair. Then there’s the whole 500 range which appears to be huge bang for the buck. I may be a Sennheiser fanboy, but even if I wasn’t, I have no patience for misinformation.

 

[ericpalonen]

I personally got a couple pairs of eH350 (an evolved 414) not too long ago for ~ $50/pair.

eh 350 / HD 497 were sleepers! Far from neutral but quite fun and with a tuning all their own.

 

[Strat1117]

eh 350 / HD 497 were sleepers! Far from neutral but quite fun and with a tuning all their own.

The eH350 are replacements for a beloved pair of 497s that one of my sons trashed by stuffing it in his book bag at college one too many times (looking back, the damage was probably repairable, but they seemed lost at the time). Loved those things for walking the dog around the neighborhood, etc. (although now I use CX true wireless ear buds for that - another great, albeit somewhat different, choice for >$100 street).

 

[vcoheda]

sennheiser makes great headphones. i owned the HD580, HD600, HD650 (3 pairs), HD800 as well as the HE60/HEV70. the HD650 is a classic headphone and still holds up today. i use it regularly.

 

[donlin]

I can still vividly remember the day I got an email while at work from Music Direct saying the HD650 was now in stock. I immediately dropped what I was doing and got on the train to get it. According to the receipt, it was November 17, 2003 for $405.00. That price was considered amazingly high at the time. I loved it the instant I got it home that evening and still do. It still competes with the big boys.

 

[ThePineResin]

Been loving mine for quite some time now!

 

[jmwant]

Very informative. Between the 600 and 650, I love the sound of the 650 the most. Didn't try the 660s yet.

 

[tamleo]

Veil

 

[Twizzleshnizzle]

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

I second the Custom Cans copper mod. Brings the 600 to life. Inexpensive yet exceptional mod.