kpfeifle
100+ Head-Fier
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What does everybody like for a custom cable for their HD 600? I'm using Black Dragon, but was thinking of trying something else.
What does everybody like for a custom cable for their HD 600? I'm using Black Dragon, but was thinking of trying something else.
I posted this in the other Sennheiser thread but figured it might be OK to post it here too:
OK guys, help me out here. I just yesterday got a pair of Sennheiser 600s for $263 bucks (a steal) from Amazon in like new condition. So originally, I have a pair of 558s which I freaking LOVE. I wear them constantly and think they're basically about perfect for my tastes. They're musical, engaging, and the sound just seems to melt right into you. They're comforting and laid back and smooth.
So anyway, I was looking for an upgradeand since I loved the 558s, I figured Sennheiser higher grade would be great. I read the reviews for the 600 and they seemed to match what I heard in the 558s by the description of the sound and what I was looking for in a headphone. I could've got the 650s but the bass signature kind of threw me off them.
Anyway, so I got the 600s and I've had them on my head for a total of about 15 hours now and I'm just not loving them. The problems: they're fairly sterile and not engaging, and I think the treble is killing my ears. I've literally got a headache from these and my ears feel as if they've been pricked by pick axes. I had the same problem when I modded my 558s (by taking out the rubber sticky piece) to sound like the 598s which everyone swore by --- the treble/highs were just too sharp. I feel like the 600s are in between the 558s and 598s on that level...not as painful as the 598s but still causing earaches. (note: I never get headaches with the 558s)
The good: balanced, clean, clear, great fit...they're not as smooth or laid back, I feel, as the 558s. They're a bit more aggressive, if that makes sense. They're more analytical instead of musical. More "edgy". I'm fine with that, I can learn to deal....but the thing that really is killing me is probably the treble. The bass is slightly deeper than the 558s and sounds great. [never had any issues with the lack of bass on the 558s either] (I'm not a bass head, and I honestly like bass shy music)
Is there a way to tame that sharpness out? Maybe a way to add some musicality? I am using the stock cable. Do I need to upgrade the cable or get balanced cables? I know it's not the DAC (Geek Out 450) because everything else I've ever played on the DAC sounds great. Any ideas? Is what I'm hearing normal?
I want to love these but at this point it's not happening.
I posted this in the other Sennheiser thread but figured it might be OK to post it here too:
I'm sort of in a similar boat. I tested both the 600 and 650's and while the 600s were a bit sharp for my liking, the vocals sounded more accurate and better to my ears.
Now that I've got the 600s now, I feel they are pretty sharp and a bit piercing with certain vocals.
Does Burn in change anything or tame the highs? Maybe Te one at the shop was more burnt in?
I'm also pairing it with a Hugo. Am I getting close to the best SQ out of the HD600s with that? Or would it sound a lot better with a desktop amp?
OK guys, help me out here. I just yesterday got a pair of Sennheiser 600s for $263 bucks (a steal) from Amazon in like new condition. So originally, I have a pair of 558s which I freaking LOVE. I wear them constantly and think they're basically about perfect for my tastes. They're musical, engaging, and the sound just seems to melt right into you. They're comforting and laid back and smooth.
So anyway, I was looking for an upgrade :rolleyes: and since I loved the 558s, I figured Sennheiser higher grade would be great. I read the reviews for the 600 and they seemed to match what I heard in the 558s by the description of the sound and what I was looking for in a headphone. I could've got the 650s but the bass signature kind of threw me off them.
Anyway, so I got the 600s and I've had them on my head for a total of about 15 hours now and I'm just not loving them. The problems: they're fairly sterile and not engaging, and I think the treble is killing my ears. I've literally got a headache from these and my ears feel as if they've been pricked by pick axes. I had the same problem when I modded my 558s (by taking out the rubber sticky piece) to sound like the 598s which everyone swore by --- the treble/highs were just too sharp. I feel like the 600s are in between the 558s and 598s on that level...not as painful as the 598s but still causing earaches. (note: I never get headaches with the 558s)
The good: balanced, clean, clear, great fit...they're not as smooth or laid back, I feel, as the 558s. They're a bit more aggressive, if that makes sense. They're more analytical instead of musical. More "edgy". I'm fine with that, I can learn to deal....but the thing that really is killing me is probably the treble. The bass is slightly deeper than the 558s and sounds great. [never had any issues with the lack of bass on the 558s either] (I'm not a bass head, and I honestly like bass shy music)
Is there a way to tame that sharpness out? Maybe a way to add some musicality? I am using the stock cable. Do I need to upgrade the cable or get balanced cables? I know it's not the DAC (Geek Out 450) because everything else I've ever played on the DAC sounds great. Any ideas? Is what I'm hearing normal?
I want to love these but at this point it's not happening.
Hmmm since someone brought up custom cables, maybe I'll ask here as well.
I have a chance to pick up a Clou "Red Jaspis" headphone cable for my 600's for around $45 shipped. I'm not a big cable guy to be honest. I've just never thought the end result was worth the cash, but at this price it's hard not to just try it. I did some searching and there hasn't been much mention of this cable in some time. Anybody wanna chime in on wether it's a worthy upgrade? Were there issues with these cables I should know about? Any info would help.
Chain is MacMini>optical>Bifrost 4490>Valhalla 2 NOS Russian tubes
Not sure what to tell you. Make sure you not listening to loud. I've listened to headphones that where so smooth I ended up listening too loud and eventually the treble started to really bother me. Also have yuo tried a different source/device and DAC/AMP? Lastly, maybe you very treble sensitive, though these are considered to not be very bright and a bit rolled off at the top. Lastly, are you certain there are the real thing?
Just thinking out loud. My HD 600 are due to arrive by next Friday, so I've never heard them before.
Good luck. I expect my HD 600 to arrive
I also thought that cables wouldn't make much of a difference in headphones, but discovered... they do. Especially the cable the HD600 ships with is not really high quality. I also have a HD650 and using the HD650 cable on the HD600 changes the sound signature, you don't need to be an expert for hearing that. I ended up buying a cable upgrade, spending even US$75 and never regretted my purchase. So I'd say: definitively worth a try!
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It may do to you. I also tried the HD650 cable vs the HD600 cable - and in a blind test couldn't tell the difference. And the cable for the HD600 IS good quality - mine has lasted for years and still going strong.
I guess I need to get another HD650 cable so I can measure capacitance and inductance (should have done it last time I had the two). Given that the measurable differences - and taking into account the overall length - differences won't be in the audible range - so I fail to see how the cable will change the sound signature.
I understand a switch for the better build, the 6.3mm plug - but not for the imaginary sonic change ......