Sennheiser HD660s Unfavorable review
 

Well, sounds like Sennheiser dropped the ball on the new 660s model. :tears: I would suggest anyone sitting on the fence to go ahead and buy an HD600 or 650 if you are looking for a smooth, non fatiguing and relaxed listening cans. They are still available but they are being discontinued.

Review from very experienced Tyll Hertsens who lives and breathes headphones. :music:
https://www.innerfidelity.com/conten...pen-headphones

I did order the Massdrop version of the HD6XX to have in my collection. :yes:

Serge, I read a rather favourable review in a Dutch magazine.
The reviewer had the HD650 since a very long time, and he found the 660 really added to the experience.

Any mention of the partnering amp and other gear in the Dutch review?

Serge.......I sold my Sennheiser HD600 to Pete (Vintage Pete) a couple years ago when I moved to the HD800 headphone and Sennheiser HDVA 600 balanced Class A headphone amplifier. I remain quite pleased with the performance of this headphone setup and don't find myself missing the HD600. I also owned the HD580 prior to the HD600. Both headphones were enjoyable and easy to listen to for hours on end. It seems to me a person would have to go a long way to reap a better performance to cost ratio than is provided by the Sennheiser HD600. I know Pete sure likes the one I sold him. I also have five pair of Sennheiser HD280 headphones for use in the recording studio. They serve me and others well in that application.

Sennheiser headphones have been my go to headphones for decades. It is disappointing to read a review that exposes the newest Sennheiser HD660S to be less than a stellar performer at its price point in the line.

I think the HD600 and 650 have been loved and adored for so many years by so many that Sennheiser finds itself in a no win situation when they introduce new models. Everyone from the 600/650 fan camp wants to see a new and exciting model but yet no one wants it to sound even remotely different. What is Sennheiser to do? :D

Here is Tyll's video review. I think he looks upset to be the bearer of the truth he is not crazy about the 660s. When you think about the dilemma and the responsibility of a reviewer followed by so many in the headphone community, to bring light and his opinion of a highly anticipated product from one of the "giants" in the industry... The balancing act of bringing his honest opinion to the masses vs the ramifications of even a remotely negative review and the effect it has on Sennheiser's investment into a new model and lackluster sales after a negative review...

Man, I would hate to be in his shoes for this review. :no:


https://youtu.be/6t13YuPVOBg

Serge, I'll try to translate the most important points of the review:

-Overall type of sound: similar to the 650, so previous 650 owners will feel "at home".
-Tighter bass, more detail, so that you hear the individual instruments better; you get better insight without losing musicality.
-Easier to drive (300 to 150 Ohm)
-More comfortable to wear

Phonitor 2 amplifier was used. Source: ???

Yes, that sounds like a "generalized" observation/comparison. I think Tyll typically digs on a much deeper level than most reviewers and there is obviously an emotional component of his admiration for the 600/650. The SPL Phonitor should not be a drastic variable here. I know Tyll uses the Sim Audio Moon 430, the Bottlehead Crack and typically the Headroom amp which I believe was his own design years ago? The SPL Phonitor is from the "Pro audio" series of components meant for studio use, much like Lake People/Violectric but Germans do tend to add a bit of warmth to their amps. :music:

It is pretty clear that anyone new to the Sennheiser would never make the connection of what is better or worse about the 660s but if you lived with the 600 sound for over two decades now, well... there is quite a bit of an emotional attachment there and anything different may be "worse". :D

Dan, here is something for your HD800. ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=Y0YwUOxW19I