HD600

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by SpaceLaser, Oct 8, 2015.

  1. SpaceLaser

    SpaceLaser Friend

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    Figured since the HD650 had its own thread, the HD600 should to. Or they could be merged, not sure what the mods would want lol.

    As it's still my favorite headphone overall considering the value versus even some ToTL cans, I'm very fond of this model. I know Bill-P had mentioned attempting to mod to smooth out the treble back on the old site. Did anything ever come of that?
     
  2. Koloth

    Koloth Klingon SBAF Ambassador - Friend

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    I've been using an HD600 as my primary headphone since 2007. I absolutely love it - especially when coming back from listening to other headphones. The only thing I regret is the lack of bass - especially subbass. And no, an HD650 is not the answer: That small upper-bass hump is not what I'm looking for.
     
  3. Tuco1965

    Tuco1965 Suffring from early onset Alzheimer's - Friend

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    Add me as another happy HD600 owner. I love them and can wear them for hours (and usually do). I find the bass okay but a little loose. Overall just a smooth can.
     
  4. Azteca

    Azteca Friend

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    HD600 is my only open headphone (aside from PortaPros). For closed (and solid but tasteful bass) I use the Focal Spirit Professional. I listen to a Grace m903 and some Tannoy monitors at work and things are pretty consistent between the three! That's how I like it.
    As an electric bass player and lover of dance music and hip hop, I am also awaiting the wonderfully balanced headphone with plankton AND bass that feels like a pressurized room but that will require some borderline alchemy. Still, damn, the HD600 just sounds better and better as I plug it into better sources.

    Hey Senn, bring over the bass from the HD280 Pro, m'kay?
     
  5. Bill-P

    Bill-P Level 42 Mad Wizard

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    Oh... you have NO idea. :D

    Well, after modding the HD600, I can only say this: it is a very different beast after getting modded. That mod guide is still incoming, but you can try the stuffs I have suggested in the old thread.

    Right now I just need one or two more people to hear it and chime in so that the subjective impressions won't just be "in my head".

    But... yeah, under $1000, I don't think anything can beat a modded HD600 at all. This little thing does scale quite high with regards to amp and DAC as well, and in that regard, I'd argue that it's not very unlike the HD800.
     
  6. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    You can always send to me and see if it turns out like your LCD-2. ;)
     
  7. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    Gosh, is it really nearly a year that I have spent with my HD600s now?

    After some early misunderstandings were sorted out, it's been a good year.

    Wow, there are people here who have been listening to them for more like a decade! :)
     
  8. Bill-P

    Bill-P Level 42 Mad Wizard

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    Hands, I am about 90% sure it'll almost be like the LCD-2. :D

    Haha, okay, kidding aside... I'll most likely put this one on tour soon-ish, either when I find a HD800 for a reasonable price, or when Luis finishes my Code-X. Gonna take feedbacks from the Bay Area crew this weekend and see how things go. I really don't trust my tin ears so much when it comes to universally applicable things.
     
  9. mnt

    mnt New

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    Also use the HD600 as my primary open back. I have not heard anything like it sub-$500. Truly incredible sound.
     
  10. logscool

    logscool Friend

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    I just got a pair of these and I really enjoy there smooth yet detailed sound I will soon compare to the 650s and decide which I prefer and which to keep. I will admit I am left wanting a bit more low bass.
     
  11. IndySpeed

    IndySpeed Friend

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    I really like the HD600, and I got them based on Tyll Hertsens' recommendation. Glad I did. They are the best dynamic driver headphone I have, and I always reach for them first if I want to test something new in my setup. I also see what everyone is stating about scaling with better equipment. I just upgraded my desktop setup, and the HD600s have never sounded better.
     
  12. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    HD600 fan here.
     
  13. hifi01170

    hifi01170 Acquaintance

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    Maybe I missed it... but is there any comparison between modded hd650 and stock hd600?
     
  14. zonto

    zonto Friend

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    That formica though...
     
  15. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I have both modded "HD650M" and HD600 in the lab. These are subjective impressions:
    • HD600 has a bit more noticeable 3k peak. HD650M less so. There may still be a slight measured peak depending on condition of pads or other factors, but with more bass, the upper vocal range peak on the HD650M might be masked.
    • HD600 seems grainer. The HD650M seems smoother. Could be a function FR, the baffle material, driver, etc. or maybe a combination.
    • HD650M seems more controlled, more damped. HD600 is more jumpy. For this reason, I prefer more lively sounding amps with HD650M. Stock HD650 sounds very damped.
    • Both are equal in reproducing plankton.
    I'll measure both when I get chance. Might be interesting to take a look at the impulse response. We need a stock HD600 as a calibration headphone that can be shipped around so the various measurements here can be better compared.
     
    Last edited: Nov 20, 2015
  16. CEE TEE

    CEE TEE MOT: NITSCH

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    ^Cool, I wrote this last night but didn't hit Post and it saved my comments! We're hearing them similarly, though you have better notes...

    I just bought a modded HD650 to compare to my HD600 after hearing Marv's pair. Marv's seemed just that *tiny* bit smoother in the treble during a *very* fast comparison (using TRRS out of Geek Out V2). I need to spend more time comparing, but I find them very close and both are great deals in audio with a set-up like Geek Out V2 using the balanced output.

    Wanted to say that if you have the HD600, I would concentrate on getting the most out of it and not wondering as much if you need the modded HD650 until you think you have a good 6X0 system. The bigger differences will be in the chain, I think (unless you have the old/really dark 650). A Geek Out V2 Balanced Out via TRRS into either HD600 or HD650 is very, very good. A big eye-opener was comparing both 600/650 out of the single-ended output vs. the TRRS balanced output. There was a much bigger difference between GO outputs than between the 600/650 to me. You can always compare 600/650 later when you know you have a good "6X0 rig"...

    Out of the box, the 6X0 does a lot well, but really shines with better gear matching. I now think that a good source/amp pairing if you have the 600 will be a the bigger difference than the differences between modern/modded 650 and the stock 600. I'll be leisurely listening and comparing them over time though. I've already made the mistake of selling my 600 once, so I'm in no big hurry to sell it off after just getting the 650.
     
  17. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    I will never, ever, sell my hd 600s. I will be the guy living out of a shopping cart under a bridge with a pair of hd 600s with all the paint chipped off. Just sayin'.
     
  18. Omophorus

    Omophorus New

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    Out of curiosity, is there any chance of measuring both with the same cable?

    I can never shake the impression that there is an audible difference (especially in sub-bass) between the stock 600 and 650 cables, and it would be interesting to see how controlling for the cable impacts the measurements between 600 and 650. It's never been done so far as I can tell.
     
  19. logscool

    logscool Friend

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    What's the M in HD650M for?
     
  20. Griffon

    Griffon 2nd biggest asshole on SBAF

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