Sennheiser PC37X randomly goes bad after disconnecting the cable ?
Greetings, Yesterday I was using my headset like normal with my macbook, just listening to music and on a call with people like usual, and the headset was perfectly fine. The stock wire that came with the headset is extremely long and yesterday it annoyed me very much that it kept getting tangled with itself, so I decided to see if the cable is replaceable. I pulled out the cable from the headset and saw the adapter, and looked online for a replacement. Upon plugging it back in, the audio sounded extremely muffled and washed out. Im not sure what I did wrong to make it mess up like that as I've always taken good care of it, ive had it for about 2 years and its always just been chilling on my desk, but anywho I thought the cable just went bad and ordered a replacement. The replacement came, and the issue is still persistant, so I am not sure what the issue is I've tried multiple different headsets and the issue is not with the port, and I also tried it with my windows laptop and...
Apr 23, 2024
I acquired my HD580 Jubilees' back when they were first released in 1995. For the most part they have sat in a box with under 20 hrs of use and are like new. When I found the Massdrop HD 6XX at such a screaming deal my thought was to get the HD 6XX's and sell the Jubilees' on ebay. Thus, getting what I assumed was a better set of phones that is also not so 'exclusive' as the HD580 Jubilees (much easier to replace a pair of off the shelf HD 650s than #247 of 4000 HD-580 Jubilees' made).
My system consists of an Onkyo DX-7555 CD player w/super clock used as a transport feeding a bel canto 'DAC 1.1 DAC ( R2R PCM1704) for processing, and then into a Musical Fidelity M1 HPA for amplification. While not super esoteric, I feel the combination is pretty musical (the bel canto DAC1.1. is an absolute gem if you find one you wont let it go). My musical taste favors small ensemble jazz recorded on tube gear in the 50's and 60s. Think Getz/Jobim/Coltrain/Holiday/Fitzgerald/Monk/Evens etc. Basically I listen to elevator music. It's my musical Prozac. Moreover, I rather enjoy feeling like I'm living in Woody Allen film but that's another issue altogether. In a nutshell the HD 6XX's arrived in impeccable packaging. I was slightly disappointed in the flat gray/blue color scheme. The Sennheiser silkscreen on the top of the headband is black (not white as shown in pics) and seems to blend in too much to the flat gray/blue. Its just a bit.... flat looking. The finish doesn't vibe quality like the HD580 Jubilees or other HD models but they do seem to be quality made in overall materials and craftsmanship... err I mean, 'craft-person-ship' (don't get EOL for gendercrimes). Overall, you should feel confident that your HD-6XXs are a real pair of HD-650s. In comparison with the 50th anniversary HD 580 Jubliees', if you own a pair don't think about selling them. They really are something special. Unfortunately, mine are already on ebay as I can't justify keeping both. There's an intoxicating airy-ness and delicacy to the sound of instruments and voices when listening to HD 580 Jubliees' that is unfortunately missing from the HD-6XX. Imaging on the Jubliees' is more 2nd row and seems more natural while with the HD-6XX you basically feel like the musicians are in your head. The HD-6XX do have a bit more bass but it to manifests as more of a chesty-ness on male vocals. Good news is that this seems to be dissipating as they break in more.
While I might sound critical of the HD-6XX the sound is most excellent, and I'm keeping them. While I prefer the sound and presentation of the Jubilees' the audio cheapskate in me says HD-6XX are good-enough. And, in the grand scheme of things good-enough, is very good indeed, especially for the $200 price. A used pair of original Jubilees would be two/three times that, and that's if you can pry them off someones head. I also feel the Massdrop HD-6XXs' are resolving enough that I'll be doing some mods to the M1 HPA for better sound quality rather the looking for better headphones. Like they say, "garbage in garbage out" don't neglect whats feeding your headphones.
For my ears the Jubiee's really the the best of the 580/600/650 series that is if you can find a pair. If not, then I recommend buying two pairs of the Massdrop HD-6XX. One set for a backup or for a second system or perhaps to surprise someone special in your life and share your love of music. ~The Massdrop HD-6XX are just a too 'good sound' of a deal.