HD600

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

  1. DomieMic65

    DomieMic65 New

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2016
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Athens Gr.
    600 owner here too.. love them never going to sell them.
    I also have the Vali 2.
    I want to ask about the Dekoni pads.
    Are they a true upgrade and if yes what of the four models would you suggest?
    I am somehow confused about the effect of each one...
    Thnx!
     
  2. HotRatSalad

    HotRatSalad Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    May 4, 2018
    Likes Received:
    1,644
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    NH
  3. DomieMic65

    DomieMic65 New

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2016
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Athens Gr.
  4. DirtyLaundry

    DirtyLaundry New

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2018
    Likes Received:
    29
    Trophy Points:
    13
    Location:
    Orlando, FL
    I think the HD600's are probably the best value in headphones, period. I could easily live with them as an end-game headphone if I didn't have the funds to buy something better. The best way I can describe them is that they're above average in nearly every regard and don't have any glaring flaws. They are also pretty on point tone wise. Off the top of my head I preferred them to the HD650's, Focal Elear, Sony MDR-SA5000, just about any John Grado headphone (haven't heard the PS1), DT880, Audio Technica ATH-AD2000X (although I may have to revisit these), and I'm sure others I'm forgetting. They're also very pleasant to listen to for extended periods of time, which is something that's lacking in a great deal of headphones.

    The only headphones I've heard that were a significant step up to me were the Grado HP1000's, but good luck finding one in good condition for under $1,500. My SR200's w/ with the HP2 drivers also beat them pretty handily, but last I checked they were going for $500 - 700 and not readily available unless you get lucky on ebay. I've gotten HD600's for $150 and under - which is an absolute STEAL for what they bring to the table.
     
  5. Joshvar

    Joshvar Almost "Made"

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2017
    Likes Received:
    337
    Trophy Points:
    53
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Based off of the linked thread with measurements of the Dekoni pads, my ears agree with the @Bill-P's prediction and @Vtory/@Schopenhauer's reviews of the Fenestrated Sheepskin pads on my otherwise stock HD 600.

    The most audible change is that the midbass emphasis is dropped sufficiently to allow the audibility of other registers to be more equal, while not drastically changing the signature of the HD 600 aside from that. To my ears, subbass benefited the most from this alteration - not larger in level, but relative loudness of the subbass gives me more obvious impact and rumble.

    Lower mids on up are in line with stock pads except that the physical thickness of the pads moved the drivers away from my ears compared to moderately worn stock pads, slightly decreasing my treble perception. The lessened midbass hump could have influenced this as well. Overall, I seem to run a bit higher volume with these pads more comfortably than stock and the changes are subtle aside from the midbass reduction.

    Comfort is obviously personal, but I find them slightly scratchy. My ears don't really get too warm except in closed cans with a tight seal, but there's definitely more warmth around where the pads meet skin compared to stock pads. Mine aren't perfect build wise - some slight bunching of the sheepskin on the right earpad - but it doesn't impact comfort. Aside from that, the materials and quality are very good for the price.
     
  6. DomieMic65

    DomieMic65 New

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2016
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Athens Gr.
    Guys thanks a lot for your impressions!
    I think that I will go to the fenestrated shipskin finally! Ideally I would like to get two pairs for “playing” but I do not consider them cheap so I will get the “safe” one, after reading again and again the two threads!
    As soon I get them I will post my findings!
     
  7. HotRatSalad

    HotRatSalad Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    May 4, 2018
    Likes Received:
    1,644
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    NH
    I had my 600 for 2 years with original pads. Once I put a Valhalla 2 in the mix I did not want the sound to change. I based the decision to get them on impressions and measurements from everywhere.
    There is subtle differences all for the better IMO but it could be placebo from losing sound quality from worn pads.

    When my HD6XX arrive I might just swap those new stock pads on the 600 and get a better impession. Also for me these pads make the 600 disappear on my head. Very very comfy, I have big ears also and it allows a little more space in there.
     
  8. adydula

    adydula New

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2017
    Likes Received:
    19
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Superior Village
    After going thru so many sets of cans.....buying. listening and selling I finally bought the HD600's and they are indeed classics for sure. Very amazing tonality for this price...simply excellent guitar, strings, mids etc. Overall presentation is very nice. Very listenable. I find myself just listeng to the whole song and not looking for that one that will make things sound good.

    I have 10+ amps and use a Schitt V2 with MB Bifrost, a BH Crack w'speedball and a BH Mainline. All are excellent. You could be happy with either amp. They are different, the Mainline is my favorite. Very nice soudstage and wonderful tone...

    One thing sticks out here is the sound of a piano sounds so real at times it makes me think its in the room! Also I often keep taking them off to see who is talking or knocking on the front door!!! Details and spacial repro is the heat!

    After many many years and spending so much $$ on this stuff...I could easly tell someone to get a set of HD600's, a decent amp like a BH Crack or Schitt V2 and your very much close to audio nirvana.....

    LIstening to Joe Satrini's Rubina righ now and the drum whacks are to die for....

    Alex
     
  9. HeadFoneDude64

    HeadFoneDude64 Facebook Friend

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2016
    Likes Received:
    192
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Joining the club, though I'm in pretty late in the game. Just recently scored a near mint HD600 (just needed a headband pad replacement) for a whopping 110USD!:headbang: Needless to say, I now get why it's so well-loved and revered in the headphone community though I also do have the HD800 (SDR Mod) and the HD6XX. Pic below is my just acquired HD600 with a new original Sennheiser headband cushion/pad. Oh yeah, I'd gotten that 3rd party 4 pin XLR Balanced cable for my HD6XX...
    [​IMG]
     
  10. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2016
    Likes Received:
    6,221
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    @Joshvar was nice enough to loan me his 600. Have been happily using the modded 650 for a while with my Gungnir Multibit/T3. But 600 is a revelation. I used to own the 600 back in the day and loved it, but it was my first hi-fi headphone so I was using it with mediocre gear. This is the first I've heard it on totl gear and I'm just speechless at how much they've transformed. They really do scale incredibly well with better gear. Just a delightful sound you can get lost in for hours if you're not careful.
     
  11. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2016
    Likes Received:
    6,221
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    It's easy to forget how important healthy pads are for the Senns. Mine have been squished for a while now and I didn't realize how badly it was affecting the sound until I just replaced them.

    Shouty and grating is the best way to describe what old pads do to the sound. Not pretty. I got a good 4 or 5 months of constant use out of them though before they soured.
     
  12. Baten

    Baten Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2018
    Likes Received:
    1,130
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    EU
    Really wish they were a fair bit cheaper, and I'd replace them all the time.. :)
     
  13. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2016
    Likes Received:
    6,221
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Three times a year seems about right, which is $150 total. Not terrible.
     
  14. Jerry

    Jerry Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,042
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Asia
    That aint cheap, man.
     
  15. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2016
    Likes Received:
    6,221
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Neither are exotic tubes people seem to have no problem rolling every few months.

    I've got no problem spending that per year as basic maintenance for a great pair of cans ($150 = $12/month or $3/week) vs. chasing tube unicorns, which I think is a far bigger waste of money.

    But that's just me.
     
    Last edited: Jun 28, 2019
  16. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2015
    Likes Received:
    5,084
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Chicago, IL
    You inspired me to order new pads this morning. I think I went 2 years this time.
     
  17. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,274
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Bird-watcher's paradise
    I can't afford either one.
     
  18. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2016
    Likes Received:
    6,221
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the difference. It was enough for me to be more on top of pad maintenance.
     
  19. m17xr2b

    m17xr2b Friend

    Pyrate Banned
    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2016
    Likes Received:
    3,987
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    United kingdomland of fish and chips
    If you haven't tried any unicorns how do you know it's waste of money? Once you get to the far end of gear chasing unicorns are the only way to go further. Unicorns on mid-fi is indeed very stupid.
     
  20. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    9,011
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Amsterdam
    Home Page:
    You need unicorns?

    [​IMG]
     

Share This Page