AudioAficionado.org  

Go Back   AudioAficionado.org > Audio & Video > Headphones, Personal Listening Gear

Headphones, Personal Listening Gear Personal Listening at its Best

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12-16-2017, 03:14 PM
PHC1 PHC1 is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Pa
Posts: 23,609
Default Sennheiser HD660s Unfavorable review

Well, sounds like Sennheiser dropped the ball on the new 660s model. 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.
https://www.innerfidelity.com/conten...pen-headphones

Last edited by PHC1; 12-16-2017 at 03:19 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12-16-2017, 03:15 PM
PHC1 PHC1 is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Pa
Posts: 23,609
Default

I did order the Massdrop version of the HD6XX to have in my collection.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12-16-2017, 03:34 PM
bart's Avatar
bart bart is offline
Life is beautiful
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Belgium
Posts: 19,867
Default

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.
__________________
Stereo: Hegel H590, Grimm Audio MU1, Mola Mola Tambaqui, Burmester 948 - V3 & V6 racks, Vivid Audio G2 Giyas, REL Carbon Special (pair), Silent Angel Bonn N8 Ethernet Switch & Forester F1, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse IC and SE SC, Furutech Digiflux
AV: Hegel C-53, Marantz AV8802A, Oppo BDP-203EU, Pioneer Kuro 60", Vivid Audio C1 & V1w's, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse, SE & E
Second system (veranda): Halgorythme preamp and monoblocks, Burmester 061, Avalon Avatar, Sharkwire & Wireworld cables
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12-16-2017, 03:43 PM
PHC1 PHC1 is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Pa
Posts: 23,609
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by bart View Post
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?
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12-16-2017, 03:44 PM
jdandy's Avatar
jdandy jdandy is offline
Merry Christmas to all



 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: North Central Florida
Posts: 53,224
Default

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.
__________________
Dan



STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital cable, Sonos Connect, PurePower 2000, Stillpoints, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Wireworld, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario
LIVING ROOM - McIntosh C2300, MC75 (2), MR85, Magnum Dynalab 205, Simaudio MOON Neo 260D-T, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil, Aurender N100H, Shunyata Sigma USB cable, Micro Seiki DD40, Ortofon Cadenza Blue, Nakamichi BX-300, Sony 60ES DAT, PS Audio P10, Furutech Flux 50, Sonos Connect, Stillpoints, Wireworld, Kimber, PMC EB1i, JL Audio f113
VINTAGE - McIntosh MA230, Tandberg 3011A tuner, Olive 04HD, Sony DTC-59ES DAT, McIntosh 4300V, JBL 4312A
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12-16-2017, 03:48 PM
PHC1 PHC1 is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Pa
Posts: 23,609
Default

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?
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12-16-2017, 03:57 PM
PHC1 PHC1 is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Pa
Posts: 23,609
Default

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.


https://youtu.be/6t13YuPVOBg
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12-16-2017, 04:04 PM
bart's Avatar
bart bart is offline
Life is beautiful
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Belgium
Posts: 19,867
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by PHC1 View Post
Any mention of the partnering amp and other gear in the Dutch review?
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: ???
__________________
Stereo: Hegel H590, Grimm Audio MU1, Mola Mola Tambaqui, Burmester 948 - V3 & V6 racks, Vivid Audio G2 Giyas, REL Carbon Special (pair), Silent Angel Bonn N8 Ethernet Switch & Forester F1, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse IC and SE SC, Furutech Digiflux
AV: Hegel C-53, Marantz AV8802A, Oppo BDP-203EU, Pioneer Kuro 60", Vivid Audio C1 & V1w's, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse, SE & E
Second system (veranda): Halgorythme preamp and monoblocks, Burmester 061, Avalon Avatar, Sharkwire & Wireworld cables
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12-16-2017, 04:37 PM
PHC1 PHC1 is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Pa
Posts: 23,609
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by bart View Post
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.

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".
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 12-16-2017, 04:45 PM
PHC1 PHC1 is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Pa
Posts: 23,609
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by jdandy View Post
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.
Dan, here is something for your HD800.

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

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Audioaficionado.org tested by Norton Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:57 AM.



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.10
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
©Copyright 2009-2023 AudioAficionado.org.Privately owned, All Rights Reserved.
Audio Aficionado Sponsors
AudioAficionado Subscriber
AudioAficionado Subscriber
Inspire By Dennis Had
Inspire By Dennis Had
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Wyred4Sound
Wyred4Sound
Dragonfire Acoustics
Dragonfire Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
Esoteric
Esoteric
AC Infinity
AC Infinity
JL Audio
JL Audio
Add Powr
Add Powr
Accuphase - Soulution
Accuphase - Soulution
Audio by E
Audio by E
Canton
Canton
Bryston
Bryston
WireWorld Cables
WireWorld Cables
Stillpoints
Stillpoints
Bricasti Design
Bricasti Design
Furutech
Furutech
Shunyata Research
Shunyata Research
Legend Audio & Video
Legend Audio & Video