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Originally Posted by Hot Pixel /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I've already asked a couple of times, but how does it compare to the HD600?
(btw: Becoming the Archetype sounds awesome on these cans btw)
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Okay, I have both of these headphones, and I can say that first of all the AD900 obviously sounds much better without an amp. An amp isn't even needed for the 900s, while the senns suffer to various degrees without one. Straight out of a portable dap or cd player, the HD600 isn't really a very enjoyable can, imo. It definitely needs at least some minimal amping. It even sounds better with an E5 than nothing, but that is not what I would consider "minimal" for these phones. They need something at least like probably an ibasso T4 or (what I have) a hotaudio raging moose, and that is bare minimum, imho. I've never heard a cmoy or the pv2v2 so I can't vouch for whether those would have enough juice, but I think it would take a good mid-level amp ($200-500) to really start to get the 600s to sing to their potential. With the RM, the SQ between the two is roughly on a par I think -- the AD can achieve slightly more volume and dynamics -- but I think with stronger amplification the HD might close the gap or even possibly surpass the 900.
Speaking from just portable amping, the HD600 has a smaller soundstage than the AD900, while even unamped the AD900 has an "airier" and wider sound to it. Again, with better amping I would expect the 600 to open up more and sound a little less constricted, but to what extent I don't know yet firsthand. From what I've read, there are considerable gains to be had with the HD600s with each level of equipment upgrade you do.
HD600 gets the nod for better bass, but the mids and highs of the AD900 are definitely more forward and pronounced, sometimes a little bit artificially to my ears. Some of the mid frequencies of certain songs, for example -- especially horns and female vocals -- sometimes have a "spiking into the ears" effect similar to low end grados like the SR60 or 80. If you listen to mostly jazz, I would prefer the AD700s over the 900s because the 700s are much smoother in that range, although I like the 900s better overall.
Going back to the senn vs. AD900, the HD600 is a much "smoother" sounding headphone, while the AD900 is a little brighter, "sharper" in the mids and highs, and I would call it more "chaotic," meaning sometimes some of the mid/high frequencies seem artificially spiked to me. I often get the impression that the phone is "all over the place" and lacks a kind of focus, and the expansive soundstage doesn't help that. All that contributes to a livelier, more involving sound, though, and in comparison the HD600 can almost sound staid, flat and boring because of the smoothness and smaller soundstage. I *think* upgraded cables and a better amp would help solve that (and possibly more burn-in), but I can't say for sure so I just give my impressions based on the gear I have right now.
For comfort, I give it to the AD900s. I don't like the largeness of the cans on the open AT phones, and how it feels like they're covering half your face, but I have a small-medium head and maybe for a larger head that wouldn't be an issue. For me, they are way more comfortable with a hat on and that solves a lot of the issues. The senns otoh are like the "death grip from hell."
They are really "working for the clampdown"
and have a very tight fit. The top headband pads also seem to press down too hard and I think they can actually feel a little uncomfortable. They probably just have to get broken in and molded to my head more -- I'm stretching them out the last few days and that seems to be helping -- but right now the AD900s are the winner for comfort.
That's the best I can do for now, hope it helps.