Help finding right Sennheiser Headphone

[hifiperser]

Hi,

I‘m somehow new or better back to the game. After several years of missing out on listening to music, I now found myself back enjoying it.

Currently I own my good old ATH M50x und AirPods Pro 1. Gen. I like them both but due to Tinnitus (caused by light hearing loss on my right ear) , Open Back Over Ear Headphones were recommended to me.

The Sennheiser HD series interests me a lot, I like various kinds of Metal / Rock / Alternative / Stoner Genres. From my studies and budget (300€ in Germany) so far, the HD550 / 560s / HD600 or 650 are in that range. I want to enjoy and have fun with the headphones and prefer buy once enjoy always

Anyone with one of the headphones can recommend one over the other?

My mobile DAC is the TRN Black Pearl if that matters.

Thanks a lot for any help!

 

[AndyBell]

I have the HD560s and they have a lovely clear sound… but they are light in the bass department. See Amir’s review https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/sennheiser-hd560s-review-headphone.29603/

I can’t say about other Sennheiser cans. Based on a review here I tried the ridiculously cheap Sony MDRZX110 (https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/9-headphone-review-sony-mdr-zx110.19484/) and with the suggested EQ settings they have a gorgeous sound.

You’re definitely spoilt for choice with headphones these days.

​

 

[Robin L]

I've owned a number of Sennheiser headphones. I use the Drop's HD 6XX, essentially the HD 650 and like it the best of the three different models I've owned. The HD 598 sounded a bit muddled, the HD 579 is good for movies because the center vocals pop out but the HD 650 has the best overall tonality. All three have little going on below 80 hz, I haven't found EQ-ing alters things all that much. Right now, Drop is selling the HD 6XX for $169, an insane bargain when you consider that the Sennheiser HD 650 goes for about $400, new:

Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX | Top Rated Open-Back Headphones | Drop

Our all-time best selling open-back audiophile headphones, the Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX is a replacement to the original HD 650 with a refreshed aesthetic & improved utility.

drop.com

 

[hifiperser]

Yeah kind of too much from everything Kind of inbetween the 550 new vs. 650 used

 

[hifiperser]

I've owned a number of Sennheiser headphones. I use the Drop's HD 6XX, essentially the HD 650 and like it the best of the three different models I've owned. The HD 598 sounded a bit muddled, the HD 579 is good for movies because the center vocals pop out but the HD 650 has the best overall tonality. All three have little going on below 80 hz, I haven't found EQ-ing alters things all that much. Right now, Drop is selling the HD 6XX for $169, an insane bargain when you consider that the Sennheiser HD 650 goes for about $400, new:

Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX | Top Rated Open-Back Headphones | Drop

Our all-time best selling open-back audiophile headphones, the Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX is a replacement to the original HD 650 with a refreshed aesthetic & improved utility.

drop.com

My problem is that they are US only, living in Germany so no direct access to them…

But wow, half the price to the 650 is crazy

 

[Robin L]

My problem is that they are US only, living in Germany so no direct access to them…

But wow, half the price to the 650 is crazy

Solderdude (an ASR member) has a website, "DIY Audio". Fantastic resource for measurements and reviews of headphones. There's 45 Sennheiser models tested.

solderdude

I am one of the 3 admins (Frans) with the nickname ‘Solderdude’. This nickname was given to me by a (late) good old friend called Herb. I have been in audio for over 40 years as a hobby…

diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com

​

 

[DVDdoug]

Headphone sound is mostly frequency response. The ATH M50x is reviewed here and you can compare the frequency response to other headphones you are considering to get an idea of how they'll sound different.

Harman Curve
Understanding Headphone Measurements (video)

Frequency response can be tweaked with EQ but sometimes if you boost the bass you end-up pushing the amplifier or headphone into distortion.

Note that with headphones there is almost no correlation between price and sound quality (as you can see if you sort the reviews here by "recommended" or price) but of course the higher your budget the more choice you have.

I like various kinds of Metal / Rock / Alternative / Stoner Genres.

The job of a headphone/speaker is to accurately* convert the electrical signal into sound. A better headphone/speaker will sound better with any genre.

TRN Black Pearl

I don't know about that device but some headphone amps/outputs go louder than others and some headphones are more sensitive (louder) than others. The reviews here show sensitivity so you can compare.



* Except because of the way headphones interact with the ear and our perceptions we don't generally want "accurate" flat frequency response from headphones (thus the Harman preference curve).

 

[solderdude]

Hi,

I‘m somehow new or better back to the game. After several years of missing out on listening to music, I now found myself back enjoying it.

Currently I own my good old ATH M50x und AirPods Pro 1. Gen. I like them both but due to Tinnitus (caused by light hearing loss on my right ear) , Open Back Over Ear Headphones were recommended to me.

The Sennheiser HD series interests me a lot, I like various kinds of Metal / Rock / Alternative / Stoner Genres. From my studies and budget (300€ in Germany) so far, the HD550 / 560s / HD600 or 650 are in that range. I want to enjoy and have fun with the headphones and prefer buy once enjoy always

Anyone with one of the headphones can recommend one over the other?

My mobile DAC is the TRN Black Pearl if that matters.

Thanks a lot for any help!

HD 560S and HD550 sound pretty similar.
They go 5dB louder at the same volume setting than HD600/650.
You would have to buy balanced cables.
HD560S/550 have different comfort and the headband padding is not a spare part.
HD600/650 have headband padding available as spare part.

HD600/650 have 3m long cables with a cable split.
HD550/560S have 1.8m cable with single sided entry (left side).

HD550 has better comfort (lower clamping force) and a bit more sparkle than HD560S.
HD650 is the 'warmest' sounding one, HD600 the 'coldest'.
The current HD600 and HD650 are closer in sound signature than the old HD600/HD650.

HD600/650 can reach 115dB peak (balanced out) and 109dB peak in SE mode.
HD550/560S can reach 120dB peak (balanced) and 114dB peak in SE mode.

HD550/560S feel a bit 'cheaper' than HD600/650.

For mobile usage (indoor) the HD550/560S are bettter suited.

I have all 4 and if I had to choose between them it would be the HD550 (sound-wise), EQ is not needed.
For longevity the HD650 (with some EQ)

None of these headphones will 'help' in the tinnitus department.

When you like the sound of the ATH-M50X all Sennheisers will sound 'bass shy' and 'lacking in treble.
HD650 is the 'warmest/fullest' sounding one.
All of these might sound a bit 'flat' with the listed music genres.

 

[Robin L]

HD 560S and HD550 sound pretty similar.
They go 5dB louder at the same volume setting than HD600/650.
You would have to buy balanced cables.
HD560S/550 have different comfort and the headband padding is not a spare part.
HD600/650 have headband padding available as spare part.

HD600/650 have 3m long cables with a cable split.
HD550/560S have 1.8m cable with single sided entry (left side).

HD550 has better comfort (lower clamping force) and a bit more sparkle than HD560S.
HD650 is the 'warmest' sounding one, HD600 the 'coldest'.
The current HD600 and HD650 are closer in sound signature than the old HD600/HD650.

HD600/650 can reach 115dB peak (balanced out) and 109dB peak in SE mode.
HD550/560S can reach 120dB peak (balanced) and 114dB peak in SE mode.

HD550/560S feel a bit 'cheaper' than HD600/650.

For mobile usage (indoor) the HD550/560S are bettter suited.

I have all 4 and if I had to choose between them it would be the HD550 (sound-wise), EQ is not needed.
For longevity the HD650 (with some EQ)

None of these headphones will 'help' in the tinnitus department.

When you like the sound of the ATH-M50X all Sennheisers will sound 'bass shy' and 'lacking in treble.
HD650 is the 'warmest/fullest' sounding one.
All of these might sound a bit 'flat' with the listed music genres.

See what I mean

 

[hifiperser]

HD 560S and HD550 sound pretty similar.
They go 5dB louder at the same volume setting than HD600/650.
You would have to buy balanced cables.
HD560S/550 have different comfort and the headband padding is not a spare part.
HD600/650 have headband padding available as spare part.

HD600/650 have 3m long cables with a cable split.
HD550/560S have 1.8m cable with single sided entry (left side).

HD550 has better comfort (lower clamping force) and a bit more sparkle than HD560S.
HD650 is the 'warmest' sounding one, HD600 the 'coldest'.
The current HD600 and HD650 are closer in sound signature than the old HD600/HD650.

HD600/650 can reach 115dB peak (balanced out) and 109dB peak in SE mode.
HD550/560S can reach 120dB peak (balanced) and 114dB peak in SE mode.

HD550/560S feel a bit 'cheaper' than HD600/650.

For mobile usage (indoor) the HD550/560S are bettter suited.

I have all 4 and if I had to choose between them it would be the HD550 (sound-wise), EQ is not needed.
For longevity the HD650 (with some EQ)

None of these headphones will 'help' in the tinnitus department.

When you like the sound of the ATH-M50X all Sennheisers will sound 'bass shy' and 'lacking in treble.
HD650 is the 'warmest/fullest' sounding one.
All of these might sound a bit 'flat' with the listed music genres.

I know it won’t help, but closed back or in ears makes it kind of worse.

Balanced cable should be no problem. I think if 650 is somewhere close to 550 in price I will prefer them

 

[solderdude]

Open headphones will (most likely) also make it the same kind of worse.

The most likely cause is the L-R difference in hearing and that is the same for IE, open or closed, on-ear and around ear.
What you could try is to balance the sound in both ears so using EQ on one ear that differs from the other ear so both ears 'hear' the same thing.

The part between the driver and ear is very 'similar' (not exactly the same).

 

[IsaacOscar]

Do not get the HD 599: they are horrendously bassy.

I have the HD 558, they are discontinued but they are the best sounding and most comfortable headphones I've ever listened to (it's hard to describe but they sound like the music is all around me and not just in the middle of my head). I have an EQ profile though that increases the bass a bit and the "wide" effect is even better now.

Otherwise I'd suggest the HD 560S as reasonably priced, and also sound better with the EQ.

I'm tempted to try the HD 600 (as they have a similar frequency response), but they're a lot of money, and I don't want to risk not getting a refund if I don't like them... (maybe if they go on sale).

Honestly though, I'd find a store that has some you can try and just listen.... (in my case only a few models are available near me, hopefully you live somewhere better)

 

[IsaacOscar]

Note that with headphones there is almost no correlation between price and sound quality (as you can see if you sort the reviews here by "recommended" or price) but of course the higher your budget the more choice you have.

Yes, bur Amir's favourites are $4000 Dan Clark ones...

The job of a headphone/speaker is to accurately* convert the electrical signal into sound. A better headphone/speaker will sound better with any genre.

I agree that the genre doesn't matter, but I think different people prefer different sounds. For example I've tried equalising my headphones to the Harman curve and music just sounds flat.

 

[hifiperser]

Just checking some prices on Sennheiser refurbished / B-Stock products with discounts:

560s / 105€
550 (only new) / 260€
600 / 225€
650 / 280€
660S2 / 320€

650 / 550 is very close but might the 660S2 fit best for the kind of music? Tried to find a place to try them but had no luck so far.

 

[IsaacOscar]

Just checking some prices on Sennheiser refurbished / B-Stock products with discounts:

560s / 105€
550 (only new) / 260€
600 / 225€
650 / 280€
660S2 / 320€

650 / 550 is very close but might the 660S2 fit best for the kind of music? Tried to find a place to try them but had no luck so far.

Out of curiosity, how much are the HD 800 S for you? (There AU$3,100 for me...)

You might also want to look at the HE-1 if you don't mind having a bulky preamp, but I don't know where to get them from.

 

[hifiperser]

The 800s 1590€ / 2700AU$

 

[IsaacOscar]

The 800s 1590€ / 2700AU$

That's a bargain, definitely get them!
One of my favourite musicians used to where them (or the HD 820?), so they must be good!

 

[hifiperser]

Don’t know what you want to tell me with that, but you must have your reasons

 

[Buckchester]

None. There are better options.

7hz crinacle zero 2
AKG k371
Dan Clark Aeon Noire

 

[IsaacOscar]

Don’t know what you want to tell me with that, but you must have your reasons

Sorry, I was being sarcastic. I'm just annoyed I don't actually have any idea what headphones are good without actually having tried them
It would be so nice if you could just spend more money and get nicer sound...
Or at least know what headphones your music is supposed to be listened to (they can make music sound so different and I haven't the faintest clue what the artists intention is...

Incidently I tried using AutoEQ to "simulate" different headphones, and I found the HD 599 simulation to be the best. So I then bought them and they where absolutely horrible... I've since returned them but haven't got my money back yet...

(Sorry for the rant)