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Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX Headphones
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Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX Headphones
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Found 475 results
Jackula
1743
Dec 12, 2017
My HD6XX arrived last week (24th July order), I've been listening to it over the weekend and comparing it to my HD600. It's not what I expected. A few years ago when I listened to a HD650 on a Schiit Lyr, my initial impression was it was quite different to my HD600 at home but was in the "side-step" ballpark. But now, listening to my HD6XX against my HD600 side-by-side, I've realised the difference is massive, well at least to my ears.
The only thing similar (but not identical) about these two headphones is the overall signature, or in a way, their tonal balance. However the HD6XX is just more refined in every way, I know Sennheiser didn't intend it to be a direct replacement to the HD600, but it sure sounds like one! The most immediate impression when I compared the two headphones is the obviously larger soundstage (or headstage if you will) on the HD6XX, in both width and depth. Instrument separation is better in the sense that there is more air around each instrument, the airiness presentation reminded me of my HD800 and I took it off just to make sure I didn't grab the wrong headphone by accident!
Something else I did not expect was when I first put on the HD6XX, it sounded like it had less bass. But I realized it's due to the much darker background on the HD6XX which puts more emphasis on dynamics and resolution. While the dynamics on the HD600 is flatter making everything sound louder and closer together. With the HD600, you're sitting in the front row, while the HD6XX you're sitting in the sweet spot.
The bass on the HD6XX is obviously smoother but still has better definition and texture. The high notes were a bit peaky when I first got the headphone, but after some burn in they now sound smooth yet full of timbre that makes instruments come alive. Voices are great, the black background really brings out even more texture in the voices (especially female voices on a good tube amp).
Comfort wise, I find the HD600 better, the pads are softer and moulds perfectly to my skull. But that's probably because it's been moulding around my skull for the past 3 years :) Build wise, I do like the gloss finish on the HD600 more than the matte finish on the HD6XX, it makes it look a bit cheap TBH. Also the 1/4 adapter is better on the HD600, the one on the HD6XX looks like it might snap off with a bit of force. The cable is a bit thicker and sturdier on the HD6XX.
My partnering gear is a Metrum Octave DAC with Audiophilleo2 PurePower and a fully upgraded Woo Audio WA6SE. The HD6XX seemed to scale even better as compared to my HD600. On my Lampi, the difference was bigger (but I didn't listen to it for long as it doesn't belong to my headphone rig). I also tried running these two headphones side-by-side on more budget conscious rigs - ODAC+O2 and Aune, and in both setups they sounded more similar than different, and... I actually prefer the HD600 on my entry rig but on my high-end rig the HD6XX is the more involving headphone.
I didn't think anything could top my trusty HD600 for an euphonic sound, until I listened to the HD6XX. The HD6XX is a phenomenal headphone, it sounds great on anything but on an equally good setup it will outshine anything! That is the factual karmic truth.
The only thing similar (but not identical) about these two headphones is the overall signature, or in a way, their tonal balance. However the HD6XX is just more refined in every way, I know Sennheiser didn't intend it to be a direct replacement to the HD600, but it sure sounds like one! The most immediate impression when I compared the two headphones is the obviously larger soundstage (or headstage if you will) on the HD6XX, in both width and depth. Instrument separation is better in the sense that there is more air around each instrument, the airiness presentation reminded me of my HD800 and I took it off just to make sure I didn't grab the wrong headphone by accident!
Something else I did not expect was when I first put on the HD6XX, it sounded like it had less bass. But I realized it's due to the much darker background on the HD6XX which puts more emphasis on dynamics and resolution. While the dynamics on the HD600 is flatter making everything sound louder and closer together. With the HD600, you're sitting in the front row, while the HD6XX you're sitting in the sweet spot.
The bass on the HD6XX is obviously smoother but still has better definition and texture. The high notes were a bit peaky when I first got the headphone, but after some burn in they now sound smooth yet full of timbre that makes instruments come alive. Voices are great, the black background really brings out even more texture in the voices (especially female voices on a good tube amp).
Comfort wise, I find the HD600 better, the pads are softer and moulds perfectly to my skull. But that's probably because it's been moulding around my skull for the past 3 years :) Build wise, I do like the gloss finish on the HD600 more than the matte finish on the HD6XX, it makes it look a bit cheap TBH. Also the 1/4 adapter is better on the HD600, the one on the HD6XX looks like it might snap off with a bit of force. The cable is a bit thicker and sturdier on the HD6XX.
My partnering gear is a Metrum Octave DAC with Audiophilleo2 PurePower and a fully upgraded Woo Audio WA6SE. The HD6XX seemed to scale even better as compared to my HD600. On my Lampi, the difference was bigger (but I didn't listen to it for long as it doesn't belong to my headphone rig). I also tried running these two headphones side-by-side on more budget conscious rigs - ODAC+O2 and Aune, and in both setups they sounded more similar than different, and... I actually prefer the HD600 on my entry rig but on my high-end rig the HD6XX is the more involving headphone.
I didn't think anything could top my trusty HD600 for an euphonic sound, until I listened to the HD6XX. The HD6XX is a phenomenal headphone, it sounds great on anything but on an equally good setup it will outshine anything! That is the factual karmic truth.
Jackula
1743
Sep 7, 2017
They will sound decent out of your motherboard, because they're quite forgiving on the source. But to take full advantage of them you'll need an amp. Under $100, the Schiit Fulla would have good synergy but it's far from optimal. At $200 you'll have the option between a Schiit Modi+Magni or ODAC+O2, most people can't tell the difference between the two but I like the ODAC+O2 more. A couple of days ago I would've recommended the Aune T1se which had a drop of $200 on Massdrop over all other options.
gotmoosefur
54
May 28, 2018
Alright, I gave in and got a pair because everyone fucking loves these and I'm ready for some quality sound! I need to get a DAC / AMP, b/c of that 300 ohm there. Now I know everyone has their personal opinions. I have been reading for over 4 hours, different threads, articles on solid state vs tube amps. I don't know what to think, TOO MANY DIFF OPINIONS.
Getting as basic as possible. What would the average person get to power these? A Schiit stack (Magni 3/Modi 2 or Vali 2/Modi 2?) Or should I look at O2, Garage 1217, what has everyone else been doing.
I really don't want to spend $400 for a Speedball Bottlehead. I just put $200 down and I'd like to keep it cheap, but I don't want to upgrade for a long while.Thanks
Getting as basic as possible. What would the average person get to power these? A Schiit stack (Magni 3/Modi 2 or Vali 2/Modi 2?) Or should I look at O2, Garage 1217, what has everyone else been doing.
I really don't want to spend $400 for a Speedball Bottlehead. I just put $200 down and I'd like to keep it cheap, but I don't want to upgrade for a long while.Thanks
tessierpg
Jul 24, 2017
Great vintage amp the Marantz. Great headphone the Sennheiser HD650. Do they match well together? It depends. I'm sure the power output is more than enough, but the important thing you should investigate is the output impedance of the headphone jack on your Marantz. Rule of thumb: your headphone's nominal impedance (300 ohms for the Hd650/Hd6xx) must be at least 8x the output impedance of your Marantz's headphone jack output., so max = 38 ohms. If it is the case, you should be okay. If not, the damping factor will be too low and the headphones will not play to their full potential. The bass and mid-bass will be increased by a few db because of that and it will be less controlled, more muffled, less tight. I will play loud enough, but musicality and transparency, balance between bass, mids and highs, will be negatively affected. You may or may not like the resulting sound, depending on your tastes. If your vintage Marantz doesn't cut it, you may buy an Objective O2 or Schiit Magni 2, that can be bought for around 100$, you plug it to the line out or tape out of your Marantz receiver and you're done! I did the same with my Onkyo Tx-NR646 Receiver (bought new in 2016), since the output impedance of the headphone jack is 390 ohms! It is common to see receivers from the 70s, 80s and more recent ones like mine to have very high output impedance off ther headphone jacks, because many receivers don't have dedicaded op amps for the headphone jacks, so they increase the resistance (impedance) at the output of the headphone jack so that the main amp may be used to amplify the headphones, and this creates the impedance mismatch I explained above. Receivers that have dedicated op amps for the headphone jack will normally offer a low impedance output which will be compatible with headphones such as the Sennheisers. Hope It answers it...
edit: I just googled "vintage receiver output impedance headphone" and I got this interesting thread from head-fi that corroborates what I've just wrote:
https://www.head-fi.org/f/threads/does-a-vintage-receiver-cut-it-as-a-headphone-amplifier.589415/
edit: I just googled "vintage receiver output impedance headphone" and I got this interesting thread from head-fi that corroborates what I've just wrote:
https://www.head-fi.org/f/threads/does-a-vintage-receiver-cut-it-as-a-headphone-amplifier.589415/
PeteMtl
444
Jan 26, 2018
Come on, please, any amp will distort at max. volume when maximum gain is used and when the input voltage is also maximized. It is true with my O2-SDAC, it is true with my Onkyo TX-8160, it is true with my vintage Harman Kardon PM665 (with its 340w/channel of transient power stereo capability thanks to its high voltage and very high 60 amperes of current capability), it is true of any amp on this planet. Whenever you exceed the specifications of a unit you may get some distorsion. This doesn't mean the amp is bad, it's because its owner is abusing of the amp's capabilities. The O2 will accept/produce a total of a little over 7v of rms voltage, but for example it will obviously distort if you input an analog signal of 2.1 volts (which is the output of your average CD player of outboard DAC) multiplied its high gain factor of 6.5x even at normal levels of volume (on the normal gain version of the O2): 2.1X6.5=>7v= 13.65v. Your Magni3 or Jotunheim may have a little more or a lot more power to offer, but there is a point where you will produce the same kind of distorsion if you abuse of your amp's capabilities. More power does not necessarily translate to better sound after over certain level of adequate powering according to your habits and your headphone's performance/efficiency/usage. The NAD 3020 has been a famous little amp, but generated only 20w per channel (or is it 30w? not sure )of power under 8 ohms and this has not stopped it to being compared to the sound quality of higher powered amps by other well known but average quality manufacturers. Push the 3020 over its limit and you will get ample distorsion for your ears only! By the way I often compare the O2's philosophy and sound/built quality to over average budget quality amps like the NAD 3020. The O2s relative price/performance comparison versus higher priced headphone amps reminds me of some vintage amps manufactured by Bob Carver's Carver Corporation in the seventies and eighties, which succeeded the bets in two distict blind tests of equalling very high end multi-thousand $ products including the famous Mark Levinson's ML-2 amps and the Conrad Johnson's 6000$ Premier Five high end amps using a m1.0t modified Carver amp worth 400$ (and later commercialized for the same 400$ retail price) in a double blind challenge with audio columnists from the Stereophile Magazine, including the well known John Atkinson. Google it "Carver Stereophile Challenge" by yourself. These are examples that more power and more dollars doesn't always translate into higher quality sound. The humble O2 amp may be considered in the same way, all proportions kept into consideration.
ohshitgorillas
33
Nov 3, 2016
I won't be hopping on this because I already own the HD650. But as a headphone enthusiast and audiophile, I can tell you that these are some of the most natural-sounding, resolving, and dynamic headphones on the market under $1000. Two hundred dollars is a fucking steal.
Just be sure to amp them with something good. That's the real hidden cost of these headphones. O2 or Magni will get the job done, but you will be amazed at how much detail these things can pull out of a good amplifier. It's really quite stunning.
Just be sure to amp them with something good. That's the real hidden cost of these headphones. O2 or Magni will get the job done, but you will be amazed at how much detail these things can pull out of a good amplifier. It's really quite stunning.
Jimmybuckets
91
Jun 14, 2018
More expensive doesn't mean better, but just like a Subaru WRX can get you a long way down the performance road, it still leaves a lot on the table compared to any handful of super cars. The same goes for audio. I am running the JDS labs O2 amp with their OL Dac and the HD6xx. A great system for $400-$450ish. It's no Benchmark Media DAC3 however.
PeterPenPencil
7
Dec 21, 2017
Two days ago I received my HD650 or HD6XX. Just some minutes ago I came from Sennheiser web site and saw that the heads are $500, giving you a cent for change if you place 500 ( LOL). I have many other headphones and I must admit these are awesome. Bass is vey strong, natural and very balanced in the presence of many other frequencies. I must say that with these you cannot tell "in the price range of..." because these can compete in the 1800 and 1400 price range. Believe me when I say, because I have many other expensive ones and these compete, equal, or surpass them in sound quality. If you are in a tight budget and only have money for these, you will not repent. But, the caveat is that you need a good amplifier to move the high impedance of these cans. I am using JDSLabs o2 and Practical devices XM6 to drive them. My JDS labs amplifier was modified by me, I raised the gain to 12X to hear high impedance with them, but the XM6 drives them so well, I think it is because of the OP buffers, which allow them to push the power higher. I use the XM6 since many years ago, and has always come to hear them regularly. But this is about the HD6XX , WOW!
sethnicodemus
6
Jul 3, 2017
My favourite has always been the mayflower o2 dac + amp. It has as far as I can tell no distortion or his even maxed with the gain on. Incredible for its price and not tubes so it has an extremely long lifespan.
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