Upon reading a lot of opinions, the most common one I see is that a lot of people keep coming back to the HD600 series of the Sennheiser’s even after trying high end headphones.
Why is that actually so for you?
I have a fair deal of headphones, and I like to use all of them. However, there are 2 sets I use most of the time. HD 600s and Blessing 2s.
For the 600s, I just like the sound signature. I have cans for when I want super bassy and mid forward emphasis, but my go to pair of cans are the HD 600. I like the veil, some times.
As for the Blessing 2s, they’re really comfortable for me. I love the sound signature of these as well, they’re really fun to listen to.
For me, it’s the diminishing returns. You can always spend money and plenty of my previous hobbies are in that category /r/MechanicalKeyboards /r/pens /r/EDC /r/knives so on and so forth. What I have found over and over for me, is that once I find that happy medium I am no longer driven by spending more money.
TL:DR the end game is where YOU want it.
I don’t use them for electronic music with a strong beat. But for everything else…they’re just so smooth and easy to listen to.
My two favourites that I swap between on the daily are my LCD 2’s and my huh duh six hungeos by ol mate senn. It’s such a well rounded headphone, it’s the only headphone I own that I use without eq because it’s stock tuning is just so nice. If I crave a bass shelf I tend to switch out the HD600 for my lcd 2 but with that said, the hd600’s are just so comfy, and tuned too well that they just feel like the headphoniest headphone ever. It’s the first thing I think of when I think of headphones, so yeah I think they’re just awesome!
My HD6xx was the first pair of proper headphones I bought. Used them for 6 months before I figured I could do better with a pair of HD800s. Used those til the nice earpads needed replacement, while waiting on a new pair of pads to be delivered I went back to the HD6xx and came to the realization that I ain’t got the ears to hear a difference that would justify the price difference. I don’t have to be as gentle with them as they feel like they’re built better and will survive being tossed around which is nice as well. Dropping my HD800s pair was stressful every time.
The 660s are resolving enough when I am actively seeking for detail, dark enough to not distract me when I am doing something else, good vocal presence to put forward the voice when I am listening to a podcast, rewatching a lecture, or watching a YouTube video while doing something else, Not as shouty as other midrange focused headphones to fatigue me, Breathable enough to not sweat at all, Light enough to be worn forever, Durable enough to last forever, Good enough imaging for gaming, And natural timbre to allow me to focus on the sound/music instead of the device, Wide enough soundstage to not feel in my head but also intimate for things to also sound presented right to me
Sorry for formatting
My hd6xx sounded good, balanced/restrained on my solid state amps really just enjoyed them without eq, but once I added OTL tube amp, it was a moment (jaw dropping) of no return, the hd6xx sounded amazing and addictive, you will definitely crank the volume, only negative is the sound leak becomes more pronounced. To best the hd6xx+OTL combo, you need to spend a whole lot more than 200 for the hp like >1k
I’ve used HD580 since Clinton Administration. Why? It sounds good and is very comfortable and light, and little else since then is enough better to matter.
tube
I have simply never felt the need to try anything more expensive as they sound really good to me and just as importantly are comfortable to wear too, which is at least as important a factor for me.
They are light yet sturdy. Breathable, so soft on head but still firm. Vocals are so soft and clear, great separation and good sound stage. With right amp they are even entertaining and fun
Whatever other headphones I try I always return to my 6xx. They became my reference spot Just right quantity of everything, they are just perfect. And add to that price tag of 200$. Unbeatable
Coming from someone who builds and tunes speakers, the 6xx is ABSOLUTELY veiled sounding. It has an amazing midrange but the lack of bass makes it feel a little like a bookshelf speakers without a subwoofer and the high frequencies are just not present enough to sound realistic to my ears
Edit: I still really enjoy the 6xx though because it does have a certain “magic” to it
Thats interesting. I have no experience with speakers and I was under the impression that you need a headphone for an immersive experience.
What is your opinion on speaker vs headphone? Are speakers really more realistic and immersive than headphones?
I was under that impression for the longest time until I got a proper hifi speaker setup. Ever since then, I BARELY use headphones.
Speakers take a LOT of work to get sounding their best. You need to treat your room, find the best placement, integrate them with a sub. Alot of tinkering.
But once you get it right? Headphones are easily blown out of the water. It’s a fully encompassing and 3d experience. The soundstage is nothing short of SCARY real.
I’m VERY into DSP and measuring speakers and that’s the other incredibly fun part. I get to actively see what my personal speakers frequency and phase response is and correct it, which really can’t be done on headphones without an expensive measurement rig. A good room(and speaker) correction algorithm or process can essentially make the speaker completely disappear and just leave you with a room filled with the music.
Also speakers have crosstalk which headphones don’t. That’s one of the main reasons why I think speakers are better. That crosstalk is essential for realism imo.
Anyways sorry for the wall of text, I really want to see more people on here experience the magic of speakers 😁
they are my daily drivers because they are light, durable, and makes sure that i don’t get too used to actual hifi audio so when i am going for a music/movie session, i can switch to my hifiman arya and remind myself what real audio is