Considered one of my favourite components of high-end audio is that good instruments usually don’t exit of fashion, even a long time later. Audio has come far sufficient that you simply don’t actually need to fret about how nicely your headphones carry out previous a sure level, and going farther means chasing diminishing returns. The Sennheiser HD 600 is 25 years previous now, and it’s nonetheless a superb purchase on the proper value. However is it best for you?
Editor’s notice: this text was up to date on September 1, 2023, to reply person FAQ.
About this evaluate: We examined the Sennheiser HD 600 over a interval of 1 week, although a number of employees members have owned this mannequin for a few years. SoundGuys bought this specific unit for this evaluate.
What’s it like to make use of the Sennheiser HD 600?
Busting the Sennheiser HD 600 out of the field, you’ll be greeted by the headphones and cable, and little else exterior of some documentation. Most high-end headphones are like this, as they’re constructed to do one factor and one factor solely: sound good. Because the Sennheiser HD 600 is constructed for efficiency, there’s no “options” to search for.
Changing the “previous speckled countertop” aesthetic, the Sennheiser HD 600 now sports activities a matte gray casing.
The Sennheiser HD 600 is a really utilitarian set of open-backed cans, although it mercifully avoids lots of the pitfalls of another in style opponents. Particularly, the burden of the headphones and floor space of the place they meet your head signifies that it’s best to be capable of deal with very lengthy listening periods with out discomfort—I generally overlook I’m sporting them. The fabric padding is a boon for glasses-wearers and people who are inclined to get somewhat sweaty indoors, as that materials is much extra forgiving for each than leather-based.
As a result of the ear cups are so large, these with bigger heads will discover a succesful ally on this product. Although it’s attainable your outer ear will contact the froth on the within of the ear cups, the relative lack of strain needs to be a welcome departure from headphones with super-high clamping power must you match the band accurately. Mentioned band is the lone weak spot within the in any other case stellar design of the Sennheiser HD 600, because it makes use of the identical easily-compressed foam because the ear pads. Over time, these will chill out and resist your head much less, resulting in the band placing extra strain in your head. It’s a drag, however a quite common prevalence with headphones.
Although it’s not ultra-plush, the band of the Sennheiser HD 600 has a steel skeleton and a plastic exterior.
Although it’s not vital, we suggest getting a stand for these headphones, because the open backs imply a better danger of overseas object harm, and desks have a tendency to collect numerous mud and different particles. It would additionally aid you preserve the cable out of the way in which, which is a plus given how lengthy it’s.
How does the Sennheiser HD 600 join?
Like most different high-end headphones meant for at-home listening in a devoted house, the Sennheiser HD 600 connects to your supply by way of a 3.5mm TRS plug. There’s additionally an included 1/4-inch adapter to hook up with setups that use that connection commonplace. Having a cable is perhaps inconvenient for some, however if you would like actually lossless audio it’s a vital evil.
Whether or not you want a 3.5mm or 6.5mm connection, the threaded adapter of the Sennheiser HD 600 makes for a straightforward connection.
The headphones’ cable is 3 meters lengthy (just below 10 ft), which will be very cumbersome. Nevertheless, in the event you stroll round your room whereas listening to music, otherwise you need to sit down a couple of ft away out of your supply, it’s good to have the liberty to maneuver. Should you really feel such as you’ll by no means want that sort of cable size, I recommend both getting a zipper tie or substitute cable, because the common 1.8 meter model that’s used with older Sennheiser headphones will match the HD 600 no sweat. Simply make sure the terminations on the high of the Y-shaped cable are the proper Sennheiser ones in the event you get a substitute.
…nearly each single half on them is replaceable by way of Sennheiser or one among its many resellers.
In all probability the factor I most admire about this pair of headphones is the truth that nearly each single half is replaceable by way of Sennheiser or one among its many resellers. The pads, the drivers, the cable, the band… you title it. Whereas making these repairs just isn’t low cost, it is going to be a lot inexpensive than shopping for new headphones. Simply make sure to top off on ear pads in the event you do resolve to make these your “endgame” headphones, as the froth materials tends to chill out and fatigue through the years.
Should you discover that you simply’re listening to added noise in your music once you hearken to the Sennheiser HD 600, it’s not going something launched by the headphones. Normally the repair for that is to take away the job of making the analog sign out of your supply and provides it to a DAC. Simply bear in mind that it isn’t actually vital until you’re having hassle with noise or a few of your music information gained’t play.
In all probability not, however it’s attainable that your supply gadget gained’t have sufficient energy to benefit from the Sennheiser HD 600. Should you discover you can’t get your headphones loud sufficient, you’ll need to discover getting an amplifier. Please make a remark of the under specs in your seek for one.
| Specification | Worth |
|---|---|
|
Impedance |
300Ω |
|
Sensitivity |
97dB/1Vrms |
|
Connection |
TRS |
|
Driver kind |
Dynamic |
How does the Sennheiser HD 600 sound?
Editor’s notice: this evaluate makes use of a hover-enabled glossary to explain sound high quality, based mostly on a consensus vocabulary. You possibly can examine it right here.
When speaking about headphones at this finish of the market, we usually speak extra about what’s incorrect with the sound quite than what’s proper. That’s primarily as a result of the alternatives made by the producer are going to be the principle differentiators between fashions, quite than any egregious errors or defects. In that mild, attempt to perceive the next as a rundown of issues to concentrate to, quite than something that may make or break your expertise.
Although there’s a rolloff within the sub-bass, the Sennheiser HD 600 holds to the SoundGuys studio curve extraordinarily nicely.
Do you have to purchase the Sennheiser HD 600?
Headphones don’t final lengthy in the marketplace in the event that they’re not good. The truth that this mannequin has been round so lengthy ought to let you know that it’s made lots of people very blissful. So far as what’s best for you, nevertheless, the waters get muddier. The worth of those headphones varies wildly relying on provide and time of 12 months—generally the HD 600 is a steal and different occasions it’s a bit robust to justify. Nevertheless, that is as near a positive guess as you get.
Good headphones stick round, and there’s a purpose the Sennheiser HD 600 has been round for 25 years.
In fact, headphones as a high-end good have had a very long time to develop since 1997, and there’s loads of choices on the market—some for much less cash—that go toe-to-toe with this mannequin. In that mild, we all the time encourage individuals to go searching earlier than spending about $400 USD. Undoubtedly use our greatest open-back headphones picks and finest Sennheiser headphones articles that will help you make your choice. It is a superb set of headphones, even within the face of newer fashions in the marketplace. The query actually then turns into a matter of economics.
What must you get as an alternative of the Sennheiser HD 600?
As a result of the Sennheiser HD 600 has been in the marketplace so lengthy, there are many challengers to it out there on-line. Even Sennheiser itself has added many different headphones that carry out equally at totally different value factors, so you may want to try the Drop x Sennheiser HD 6XX, Sennheiser HD 660S, or Sennheiser HD 560S. I’m of the opinion that the Sennheiser HD 600 outperforms all of those choices, however there’s lots to be stated about how carefully they carry out at wildly totally different costs. Should you don’t need to chase marginal good points, the inexpensive HD 560S or Drop x Sennheiser HD 6XX needs to be proper up your alley. Simply bear in mind {that a} totally different firm technically backs the latter set of headphones, so the guarantee and serviceability will likely be totally different.
If the shape issue leaves a bit to be desired, or you might be somebody with a bigger head, Beyerdynamic’s choices will in all probability fit your needs higher. The DT 990 PRO or the DT 900 PRO X will likely be proper up your alley, particularly contemplating they protect extra sub-bass than the Sennheiser HD 600. Simply bear in mind that whereas the sub-bass takes numerous space up on a chart, it doesn’t truly signify a ton of what you hear in motion pictures or music, so it’s not truly a large level in favor of the Beyerdynamics, only a minor one.
Planar magnetic headphones are an fascinating different
At this value level you’ll additionally be capable of seize among the inexpensive planar magnetic headphones on the market. The HiFiMan Sundara provides a step up in efficiency over the Sennheiser HD 600 at a aggressive value, with the tradeoff that it’s a lot heavier and fewer comfy than the headphones being reviewed right here. Like I discussed at first of the evaluate, that is the realm of diminishing returns—if cash is a priority, decide the extra reasonably priced choice.
The HiFiMan Sundara may be very similar to the Sennheiser HD 600, although it has different tradeoffs.
Should you go together with one other mannequin of planar magnetic headphones, simply bear in mind that these usually draw extra energy than the Sennheiser HD 600, so it’s possible—however not sure—you’ll have to funds sufficient for an amplifier as nicely. Nevertheless, you’ll not want a excessive finish amp or one thing that may set you again an arm and a leg—only a easy one will do.
Ceaselessly requested questions
No, completely not. Don’t improve the cables until you want a unique termination to make use of the Sennheiser HD 600 with a supply gadget.
Knock your self out—however this pair of headphones doesn’t actually need it. There’s no actual vary of overemphasis that wants lowering, or any dropouts that want addressing. Should you do resolve to equalize these, it’s to your preferences, primarily.
In principle, sure. Nevertheless, you’re going to run into a couple of points. Specifically, that almost all up to date telephones don’t have a headphone jack. Assuming that is solved, it’s possible you’ll run into issue getting a usable stage with the Apple dongle, so we suggest utilizing one thing that amplifies the sign higher than a smartphone.
