[KevM2]

From what I heard, if you like a treble focus on your music, the 701 might be better for you. I only have the hd600 and never heard the 701, so I can't say it's a fact. The 600's, I believe, have better bass.

 

[varro]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevM2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif From what I heard, if you like a treble focus on your music, the 701 might be better for you. I only have the hd600 and never heard the 701, so I can't say it's a fact. The 600's, I believe, have better bass.

Hd650 got better bass than the k701, but k701 has better bass than hd600 =)

 

[KevM2]

My impression of these headphones are that they deliver a sound that is refined and takes a bit of time for some people to appreciate. Some fail to get used to the sound, and just flat-out don't like the laid back nature. It took me a while to get used to the sound after being accustomed to hearing music in a much more bright, up-front way, with the main singer and a few other instruments dominating the music. Thus, when I first heard these, I wasn't 'blown out of my mind.'

I find that these headphones are like a college freshman reading Shakespeare. At first he's like, "What's the big deal? I don't see what's so special here." However, the more he reads and is allowed to immerse himself in that world, the more small details he finds that he appreciates and sees that everything comes all together in an amazing way.

These aren't 'action movie' headphones in that you'll be impressed and shocked right away by all of the exaggerated, in your face theatrics. These are similar to that well crafted foreign movie. It takes time to settle in, get accustomed and to be able to really appreciate these phones.

My first impressions were that although these sound good, I'm not sure these were really worth the $300 I paid. I was expecting an in-your-face delivery with unbelievable detail. I found the 'laid-back' sound hard to get used to. However, it is starting to become one of the things that I like about the headphones. I notice that although these phones aren't super slamming, I keep them glued on my head... mainly because they produce a wonderful sound which doesn't start to get grating after continued listening. I can listen to these at any time of the day without getting agitated.

My final addition to these phones for a good while will be Equinox cables. Supposedly they bring the sound just a little more up front to provide the sound I'm used to, which will give them a little more soul for some of the music I listen to. Overall, I'm very impressed.

 

[troubleshooter]

I've pretty much decided that Santa will be bringing me HD600s this Christmas. I'm on the lookout for a good used set

.

 

[Nocturnal310]

@KevM2

i agree with u..if a person who has heard iBuds all his life is made to listen HD600..he wont be able to instantly appreciate them.

u gotta start from headphones like PX100, HD202/205/212..then HD5XX series..and then finally HD600.

 

[ScottieB]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevM2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif My impression of these headphones are that they deliver a sound that is refined and takes a bit of time for some people to appreciate. Some fail to get used to the sound, and just flat-out don't like the laid back nature. It took me a while to get used to the sound after being accustomed to hearing music in a much more bright, up-front way, with the main singer and a few other instruments dominating the music. Thus, when I first heard these, I wasn't 'blown out of my mind.' These aren't 'action movie' headphones in that you'll be impressed and shocked right away by all of the exaggerated, in your face theatrics. These are similar to that well crafted foreign movie. It takes time to settle in, get accustomed and to be able to really appreciate these phones. My first impressions were that although these sound good, I'm not sure these were really worth the $300 I paid. I was expecting an in-your-face delivery with unbelievable detail. I found the 'laid-back' sound hard to get used to. However, it is starting to become one of the things that I like about the headphones. I notice that although these phones aren't super slamming, I keep them glued on my head... mainly because they produce a wonderful sound which doesn't start to get grating after continued listening. I can listen to these at any time of the day without getting agitated. My final addition to these phones for a good while will be Equinox cables. Supposedly they bring the sound just a little more up front to provide the sound I'm used to, which will give them a little more soul for some of the music I listen to. Overall, I'm very impressed.

Well said - my experience was similar. I started with Sony 7506, then moved to Grado SR-80, then SR-225s. As I'm sure most of you know, Grado's are very forward, and for a first-time head-fi'er they DO offer that WOW first-time sound. Like night and day from the "normal" headphones most listen to. So when I started "advancing" and got an amp etc I read so much about the Senns - decided to pull the trigger. When I first tried them I noticed they had a darker sound, more bass, but overall didn't 'wow' me like the grados had the first time I heard them. Iguess I was expecting something similarly mindblowing, but wasn't hearing it. I figured I'd let them burn-in at least before writing them off.

After a few weeks I had grown accustomed to them but was still wondering what the big deal was. Then I went back to the Grados. They sounded annoyingly bright and fatiguing to me. A total shock. I gave myself time to get used to them again, but every time I A-B's with the Senns, I preferred them with no doubt. What I thought was a lack of detail and "wow" was really just the fullness - the balance - of these cans. They don't over-emphasize any part of the music, which I think is what makes them seem "boring" at first. But I've since sold my Grado's and don't see myself going back. As much as I'd like to get some 650s, I think maybe I'll wait until the 700s (or whatever)!

 

[KevM2]

These definitely aren't cartoon phones, meaning that everything is an over the top and exaggerated for effect. I'm finding that the more I get accustomed to listening to these headphones, the harder it is for me to go back to a super up-front presentation because the music starts to get agitating. The Zune earbuds I listen to now start sounding loud and gaudy. I can listen to one or two songs, jam for a little while and then I turn the music off because some of the shrill elements really start to get annoying.

What's most amazing is that these phones are just as listenable when you are going to sleep as when you are awake. In fact, they even take on a special sort of magic when you lay back, close your eyes and allow the music to wash over you. The smooth sound these Sennheisers deliver are especially a pleasure for the ears when you are in a relaxed environment.

A more balanced sound takes some getting used to after being accustomed to after listening to unbalanced music where some element completely dominates over the rest. The main singer isn't completely overshadowing the rest of the songs, and a strong instrument like the electric guitar isn't so prominent that it's all you can focus on. These are pushed back to give the other sounds more emphasis. It seems a lot of people share the impression that after first hearing the HD600, they think, "What's the big deal? I hear all these rave reviews, but I don't see what's so spectacular?" But for some reason, they never take the headphones off and keep listening... and keep listening... finding more and more they start liking. And finally, after a long while, they look back and say, "Ahhhh so THAT'S what they were talking about!"

I just wrote this for soon-to-be HD600ers in order to prepare them for what to expect. You hear the rave reviews and your mind gives you expectations to be blown away with aural pornography... However, you're likely to find these phones a good bit more gentle if you're coming from some of the other brands. Once you sit down and start doing more and more listening, that's when the nuanced, balanced appeal of the HD600 phones really come through. The benefit isn't all up-front. It's spread across a longer time span. It's amazing how well these phones get even better the higher the quality of the equipment you put behind them! I'll be building around these phones for a long time.

 

[donunus]

Got some staxes and still love my hd600s. The staxes are even less of a special effect phone and even more transparent to the music. The hd600s seem to be a little more neutral in the mids though balance wise

I don't see my hd600/equinox leaving the house anytime soon.

 

[goober-george]

Quote:

Originally Posted by donunus /img/forum/go_quote.gif Got some staxes and still love my hd600s. The staxes are even less of a special effect phone and even more transparent to the music. The hd600s seem to be a little more neutral in the mids though balance wise I don't see my hd600/equinox leaving the house anytime soon.

Which model?

 

[donunus]

stax 202 with 252 amp. just the basic 2050 system

 

[Uncle Erik]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevM2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif ...Once you sit down and start doing more and more listening, that's when the nuanced, balanced appeal of the HD600 phones really come through. The benefit isn't all up-front. It's spread across a longer time span. It's amazing how well these phones get even better the higher the quality of the equipment you put behind them! I'll be building around these phones for a long time.

I completely agree. I've also noticed that you find this characteristic in the best gear. At first, nothing grabs you and makes you take notice. Unlike the RS-1; I knew those were fun just a few seconds after putting them on. They are good and hugely fun, but something like the HD-600 takes awhile to grow on you. While the sound isn't an immediate knockout, you'll keep listening and listening. After awhile, you'll notice that there aren't any glaring problems, nothing irritates you and that they're generally "right."

That's difficult to come by in the audio world. A lot of gear is calculated for the "wow" factor, where people will want to buy it straight away. Then what seemed so good eventually becomes irritating or boring, at best.

I had the same experience listening to the Quad ESL-57. At first, it seemed like nothing special. But the more I listened, the more effortlessly "right" they seemed. Same with building the ProAc 2.5 clones. They seemed OK at first, but they do so much right that's it's hard to stop listening. The other headphones that do this for me are the HP-2, K-1000, K-501, and DT48. But the HD-600 is the most versatile of the pack and very reasonable for what it does.

 

[troubleshooter]

Just pulled the trigger on a set of 600s

While I can understand why it isn't a bad idea for those who are new to headphone listening to do some climbing up the food chain, older listeners like myself know that you are likely to spend a fortune doing so.... actually I've owned plenty of decent and even really decent phones, but not something as good as the 600s, and wound up spending the price of a set of 600s a few times over in doing so.

Hence, rather than beginning again with some lesser phones I decided to buy a set of headphones that have the capability of satisfying me for many years and can be built around rather than giving me an urge to upgrade or replace the headphones themselves a few months down the road. The amount of praise here and elsewhere on the net was just too persuasive!

 

[KevM2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by donunus /img/forum/go_quote.gif Got some staxes and still love my hd600s. The staxes are even less of a special effect phone and even more transparent to the music. The hd600s seem to be a little more neutral in the mids though balance wise I don't see my hd600/equinox leaving the house anytime soon.

What effect does the Equinox cables have on the HD600 sound? I've heard they make it much more fuller and get rid of a good bit of the 'recessed' sound , as well as making the bass more detailed. I heard it adds 'soul' to the voices. If that's the case, then that's definitely my next purchase.

 

[KevM2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by troubleshooter /img/forum/go_quote.gif Just pulled the trigger on a set of 600s While I can understand why it isn't a bad idea for those who are new to headphone listening to do some climbing up the food chain, older listeners like myself know that you are likely to spend a fortune doing so.... actually I've owned plenty of decent and even really decent phones, but not something as good as the 600s, and wound up spending the price of a set of 600s a few times over in doing so. Hence, rather than beginning again with some lesser phones I decided to buy a set of headphones that have the capability of satisfying me for many years and can be built around rather than giving me an urge to upgrade or replace the headphones themselves a few months down the road. The amount of praise here and elsewhere on the net was just too persuasive!

Good choice. I've always been a philosophy of getting that good quality up front because when you undershoot, you'll tend to be dissatisfied with the lower quality stuff and will eventually spend more money in the long-run because you'll upgrade to that quality you should have gotten in the first place. Nice to see that you weren't afraid to pull the trigger on the higher quality. These seem to be excellent phones to build around. I've said WOW three or four times, as I continued to upgrade the components around them. They almost sound like different headphones each time you make a solid upgrade to them.

 

[donunus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevM2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif What effect does the Equinox cables have on the HD600 sound? I've heard they make it much more fuller and get rid of a good bit of the 'recessed' sound , as well as making the bass more detailed. I heard it adds 'soul' to the voices. If that's the case, then that's definitely my next purchase.

It makes the sound a little more robust. The details become less smudged over and notes gain more weight to them. There is also some glare with the stock cable that makes everything seem airier and more lightweight which could be a big factor why the equinox seems to have more weight to notes. The overall sound is just more engaging with the equinox. There is an added crunch to the mids that makes it more satisfying than the more mellow and slightly thinner sounding stock cable.