HD600

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

  1. DomieMic65

    DomieMic65 New

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    One of the first things that came in mind when I listenend to the 600s among all the others that we see/read all over is that they are "educational".. they can teach you to "hear right"!!
    Definatelly a keeper!
     
  2. keemniloc

    keemniloc New

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    I re-terminated HD600 and the HD650 cables with 4-pin XLR connectors and found the 650 cable easier to work with: thicker gauge, easier to remove insulation (I ended up burning it off, advice on alternatives would be appreciated). The HD650 cable also makes a better connection on the headphone side. I spent years jiggling the original HD600 cable due to dropouts before figuring that one out.
     
  3. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    I've done both several times and agree with this. It's worth it to buy the 650 cable to reterminate because it's both sturdier and easier to work with.
     
  4. wormcycle

    wormcycle Friend

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    Thanks, that what I will do. I already have the 650 cable, will terminate it with two 3 pin XLR. My Bryston HDA 1 has 4 pin balanced our as well but that one is for HD800S. By the way the 650 cable is cheaper to buy than 600
     
  5. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    Nope, I used to collect vintage headphones before having the HD600. After dozens of headphones you know this hobby makes you try things because "newer", "better" or "different" until you find the best compromise for your preferences.

    The HD600 is a great compromise.
     
  6. DomieMic65

    DomieMic65 New

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  7. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    The stock HD600 is very good. Sennheiser is known to make quality cables for its more expensive headphones.

    First try out the HD600 with stock cable and consider if a "better" cable is necessary. Some people get the HD650 cable and some go custom. Try out a few things with your audio system and you will find out what you think has to be done. It is your ears connected to you brains anyway.

    Edit: made small mistakes.
     
    Last edited: Sep 22, 2016
  8. westermac

    westermac Friend

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    This makes me feel a bit better actually, as I totally got sucked into the "flagship or nothing" mentality over on HF and went through at least a dozen myself from Audeze, MrSpeakers, Stax, Hifiman and thought I was crazy when none of them seemed as good all around as my "old" HD600. Turns out the HD600 is really just a killer headphone at any price. "Mid-Fi" be damned.
     
  9. Case

    Case Anxious Head (Formerly Wilson)

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    I made the same mistake with my HD650S... they both need a good amp to do the heavy lifting. I imagine this is true of 300 ohm phones in general, despite testimonials on other forums.
     
  10. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    We warned you!
     
  11. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    I plugged them into my phone. Thought they sounded quite decent.

    But not as decent as plugging them into a GO450, and plugging that into my phone :D
     
  12. Dino

    Dino Friend

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    Last edited: Sep 28, 2016
  13. Renekton

    Renekton Acquaintance

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    Just posted a wall of text in the New Members thread:
    http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...bers-introduce-yourself.17/page-59#post-82923
    Basically I compare HD598, HE400 and HD600, I rave about the HD600, I talk about modding it and my experience, and I criticize our messiah Marvey IN MY FIRST POST EVER, WUUUT??? Anyways, go enjoy it if you have some time to kill. Oh, and I link two great music (IMO IME YMMV ofc, lol) pieces in the end.
     
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2016
  14. westermac

    westermac Friend

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    For nearly a decade now the HD600 has been my favorite headphone. Not that I haven’t owned other headphones that did some things better (imaging/soundstage: HD800, bass slam: LCD-X, speed/transient response: Stax L700, etc) but I’ve yet to find another headphone that did everything better.

    I’ve always been curious about how a modded HD650 would compare to the HD600, so recently I picked one up and after about 10 minutes of listening stock (summary: nice but boring) I removed the rear foam and cut off the spider cages. As a result I can finally say I’ve found a headphone that matches the HD600 in overall sound quality, albeit with some strengths and weaknesses I attribute to each. Here’s a quick summary:

    BASS
    HD600s: More linear, better controlled. Responds better to additive EQ in sub-bass
    HD650 modded: Fuller, warmer, but a bit loose and with less definition

    MIDS
    HD600: noticeably more forward in the 2-5k region, clearer and more articulate vocals
    HD650 modded: It wins in linearity here, sounding more balanced through the midrange with music and vocals emphasized equally

    TREBLE
    HD600: slightly rolled off and more polite/forgiving of bright and poorly mastered recordings, slightly grainy on occasion
    HD650 modded: more extended and clearer treble, not sibilant but with some small peaks present

    SOUNDSTAGE/IMAGING
    HD600: Excellent imaging with a fairly open but more intimate soundstage
    HD650 modded: Imaging is further improved, soundstage is more expansive in width and depth

    So In short, if you love the HD600 but wish it had fuller bass, a less forward sound, more extended treble and a larger soundstage, just buy a HD650 and remove the rear foam/spider cage. So far I love them both for what they excel in; not sure I’ll be able to part with either :)

    EDIT: One very important point that I missed was overall tonal balance:
    HD600: The best I've ever heard at reproducing instrumental timbre, frequently tricks my brain into thinking I'm hearing things in the room behind me
    HD650 modded: A close second in natural sound reproduction (depending on the mastering), but comes across a bit U-shaped next to the stock HD600. More of a "fun" sound signature
     
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2016
  15. zonto

    zonto Friend

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    Wonderful impressions and closely match most of my own over the past few months comparing HD600 to HD650M.

    Some damper will fix this right up.
     
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2017
  16. Muse Wanderer

    Muse Wanderer Friend

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    Thanks for this informative post.

    I am in a conundrum at the moment with respect to headphones.

    I just sold my HD800S as it simply doesn't present sound realistically compared to live acoustic orchestral sound. The upper mids are completely muffled in order to create a ridiculous unnatural soundstage (which I intially loved BTW). The sound especially in the bass region is also not as clear as the original HD800.

    Now I need to decide whether to buy the Utopia, HD650 or HD600 as I aim towards a tonally accurate sound. My reference at present is the CA Andromeda IEM. I also have the Yggdrasil-Rag stack - both sent for repair unfortunately.

    I heard the Utopia and stock HD650 in meet conditions and really liked their presentation (the HD600 I haven't heard yet).

    It may well be that the HD650 is tonally better than the Utopia. The HD650s relatively reduced clarity and grain in the sound is the issue that troubles me.

    Now I am stuck in a rut with the decision of going the manic route - Utopia, or the more sensible route - HD650.

    I'll demo both at the Indulgence London show next week and decide.
     
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2016
  17. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    A lot of people who have modded their HD650s seem to think a lot of the improved clarity from the mods; have you considered that? The HD650 appreciation thread has a load of discussion about that, if you want to jump directly to the actual mod info, the best entry point may be:

    http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...ove-appreciation-thread.44/page-39#post-57053

    (Disclaimer, my HD650s are still stock, as I love the sound out of the Jot- hell of a combo)
     
  18. Muse Wanderer

    Muse Wanderer Friend

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    I will probably mod the HD650 if I decide to go that route.

    It looks like the Jotun is somewhat similar to the Ragnarok's sound signature, and hopefully my Rag will pair well with a modded HD650.

    I bought the HD650 from amazon just yesterday and then cancelled the order few minutes after. :confused:

    I'll have to make a decision as I am currently headphone-less! I am not counting my Beyerdynamic DT660 that is locked in a mental insitution of god-aweful headphones and needs to find a buyer at some point! (£50 anyone?).
     
  19. zonto

    zonto Friend

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    I have stock HD600 and HD650M now and a Utopia on the way (no shipment info yet), so happy to compare notes with you after your show.

    I still think you should try the HD600 given you're a classical guy.
     
  20. westermac

    westermac Friend

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    I'm with @zonto, I think you owe it to the HD600 to give it a listen as well. Of all the headphones I have heard none can reproduce instrument timbre as convincingly as the HD600, sometimes it's spooky (edited my impressions, this aspect of the HD600 is really important to me). Admittedly I haven't heard the Utopia yet, so I can't comment on that comparison but would love to hear what you and zonto's experiences are.
     

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