New Sennheiser HD 620S

[deebo1982]

I wonder if I should get these or if I should spend extra for the new Focal Azurys ? any obvious advantage? Im kinda a noob with specs

 

[solderdude]

Azurys are twice the price of the HD620S

In order to decide which to buy I suggest to listen to both of them.
When that is no option wait with the buy until there are more than enough opinions on them and reviews of both headphones.

 

[MichaelJ]

Purchased these after auditioning at my local shop—though I likely would have purchased sight unseen given my preference for Sennheiser’s 600 series (I have owned 580, 600, and 650. I’ve also owned Beyer DT1350, Meze 99, Hifiman HD400 and and some others over the years). I was in the market for a closed back headphone for listening to music in bed, and the 620s appeared to check the boxes on paper.

To my ears, the 620s are exceptional. Having tried many models, but invariably selling them and coming back to SENNHEISER 600 series, I can say that I’ve never experienced such satisfying, yet accurate, bass out-of-the-box in any set of headphones I’ve tried. I always eq my 650’s using Roon or my RME ADI-2 DAC to get accurate bass extension. but even with that, these 620s provide more of the impact and detail that I crave and that make music exciting for me than the 650s. That’s Probably a result of the closed design. I’ve barely done any eqing. While i’ll be interested to experiment, I don’t feel much need for it yet. There’s a lot of detail in the treble and it does, indeed, sound more “open baffle” to my ears. Isolation from outside noise is also a welcome improvement from my open back 650s and adds to the perceptions of detail, I think. I no longer get requests to turn down the volume from my wife next to me in bed…

So, in service, as well as on paper, these check all the boxes for me. I’ll be interested to hear other folks’ opinions.

 

[sweetchaos]

Rtings.com has started testing these today!

 

[cistercian]

Mine will get here Friday. I have owned my HD600 for a long time now and with complete futility have I sought a closed back set
that is good. Some are ok for some things but I want a solid all rounder that is closed. I hope the new 620s delivers.
I was very happy with my HD560s purchase! They are epic but...open. It is hard to adjust a mic to your voice with an open back headphone!!!!
I will post how it works out after I listen to them for awhile.

 

[cistercian]

Purchased these after auditioning at my local shop—though I likely would have purchased sight unseen given my preference for Sennheiser’s 600 series (I have owned 580, 600, and 650. I’ve also owned Beyer DT1350, Meze 99, Hifiman HD400 and and some others over the years). I was in the market for a closed back headphone for listening to music in bed, and the 620s appeared to check the boxes on paper.

To my ears, the 620s are exceptional. Having tried many models, but invariably selling them and coming back to SENNHEISER 600 series, I can say that I’ve never experienced such satisfying, yet accurate, bass out-of-the-box in any set of headphones I’ve tried. I always eq my 650’s using Roon or my RME ADI-2 DAC to get accurate bass extension. but even with that, these 620s provide more of the impact and detail that I crave and that make music exciting for me than the 650s. That’s Probably a result of the closed design. I’ve barely done any eqing. While i’ll be interested to experiment, I don’t feel much need for it yet. There’s a lot of detail in the treble and it does, indeed, sound more “open baffle” to my ears. Isolation from outside noise is also a welcome improvement from my open back 650s and adds to the perceptions of detail, I think. I no longer get requests to turn down the volume from my wife next to me in bed…

So, in service, as well as on paper, these check all the boxes for me. I’ll be interested to hear other folks’ opinions.

So far, I agree with what you have said. Detail and spaciousness seem better than my HD600...something I did not expect. The much better
sensitivity is also a big benefit for me. They are very dynamic even listening at low levels. Clicks and quick transients really are more violent
on these than the 600...a big improvement. And the spatial sense is so much better than any closed back I have ever used.
I will post again once I pile on the hours. Only 5 hours in and so far very very pleased.
I also use a RME ADI-2 FS. Hearing lots of new nuances in my test tracks. Epic.

 

[Limopard]

If I hadn't bought a DT1770pro recently these would surely trigger a demand.

 

[cistercian]

I forgot to mention something important...the clamping force. I did not like the force on my 600 or 560 so I reduced it a bit.
I won't modify these because they are very comfortable. It is quite warm in my room so I expect that makes the foam a bit
softer. They spread the force out over a bigger area so that helps too. YMMV.

 

[cistercian]

Azurys are twice the price of the HD620S

In order to decide which to buy I suggest to listen to both of them.
When that is no option wait with the buy until there are more than enough opinions on them and reviews of both headphones.

First...thanks for your review. I risked it and bought mine blind and love them more and more as I use them.
Your advice on the need for a good seal with them is spot on...and based on some of the very negative reviews I have seen
difference in pinna gain between different users could be a critical factor with these. The angled drivers really are like tiny speakers
aimed at your ears. If you hit the sweet spot between them...Great! If you don't it could be very frustrating and weird sounding.
Your advice to try these first is extremely sound.

Also your review site is epic and a favorite of mine! Thank you!

 

[Henreid]

And yes, these headphones are very good.

Thanks for your superb evaluation of the HD 620S: Sennheiser HD 620S review

I don't have the technical sophistication to interpret all the graphs included, but your writing is very clear, straightforward, and persuasive. I've got a rather narrow cranium with angular/bony facial features, so in my case the high clamping force of these headphones may be a welcome benefit to help me achieve a good seal.

Sennheiser is selling their HD 560S on eBay for $149.95, new HD 560S - eBay and on their official site for $129.95, refurbished Sennheiser HD 560S. At those affordable prices, what I might do is buy the 560S as a "stopgap" while I wait to see whether Sennheiser eventually offers a discount on the HD 620S ("Black Friday" pre-holiday sales, perhaps?)

It looks like the HD 620S is an excellent value even now, at its "debut price" of $349.95.

 

[Moonhead]

FWIW...

Sennheiser HD 620S Review

The Sennheiser HD 620S are higher-tier closed-back headphones that the manufacturer promises can supply a wide and immersive soundstage like open-back headphones...

www.rtings.com

 

[Limopard]

FWIW...

Sennheiser HD 620S Review

The Sennheiser HD 620S are higher-tier closed-back headphones that the manufacturer promises can supply a wide and immersive soundstage like open-back headphones...

www.rtings.com

Quite mediocre. A verdict < 7 is quite rare on Rtings.

 

[LearningToSmile]

Quite mediocre. A verdict < 7 is quite rare on Rtings.

I don't put much stock in their numerical ratings as they include a bunch of factors that are almost always irrelevant for me.
But some of their specific remarks are rather disappointing, and they have a handy graph tool:

I'd still like to hear them, but I don't think I'd enjoy them.

 

[Mr Swing King]

I would probably take Rtings’ measurements with a grain of salt. This is the K712 Pro (which I love)…but yeah look at the discrepancies between this and Amir’s:

I was fairly disappointed when I saw the first couple of measurements. I am however really pleased that I decided to take a chance on the HD620S. I usually don’t like closedbacks, but this one sounds awesome imho. Think closedback HD650 instead of HD600 as it was advertised as. Delightfully warm sound, realistic and very comfortable.

 

[Henreid]

Quite mediocre. A verdict < 7 is quite rare on Rtings.

I don't put much stock in their numerical ratings as they include a bunch of factors that are almost always irrelevant for me.
But some of their specific remarks are rather disappointing, and they have a handy graph tool:
I'd still like to hear them, but I don't think I'd enjoy them.

After I finished reading the RTINGS review of the Sennheiser HD 620S, I couldn't help but feel that it wasn't offering much value in its price range. Sennheiser has introduced relatively few closed-back models and (at least by RTINGS measurements) they don't seem to score as well as their open-back headphones. Personally speaking, I'd want to compare them to other models with my own ears before making a purchase. Closed-back headphones aren't a necessity in my situation, so for $350 there would be quite a variety of other options to choose from (including open-back models made by Sennheiser).

 

[Limopard]

Sennheiser wasn't very lucky when it comes to sealed headphones, maybe except the classic workhorse HD 25. The HD 569 wasn't that great either, albeit very comfy.

 

[Henreid]

Sennheiser wasn't very lucky when it comes to sealed headphones, maybe except the classic workhorse HD 25. The HD 569 wasn't that great either, albeit very comfy.

Among the Sennheiser closed-back headphones tested by RTINGS, the HD 280 Pro and HD 598Cs scored somewhat better. Both those models showed good compliance with Harman in the bass and midrange, but their treble accuracy fell below the curve (while the new HD 620S showed inaccuracy in treble and bass ). As is not uncommon for closed-back designs, all 3 models scored well in imaging but poorly in soundstage. Distortion values are average. If I needed to choose between these models I'd be interested in comparing my subjective impressions of the HD 280 Pro with the HD 620S (and I'll admit that my frugality would probably incline me to prefer the $90 HD 280 - which I'd like to improve with a little equalization...) Still, I'm glad for those who love the HD 620S.

 

[Ron Texas]

Among the Sennheiser closed-back headphones tested by RTINGS, the HD 280 Pro 2016 and HD 598Cs scored somewhat better. Both those models showed good compliance with Harman in the bass and midrange, but their treble accuracy fell below the curve (while the new HD 620S showed inaccuracy in treble and bass ). As is not uncommon for closed-back designs, all 3 models scored well in imaging but poorly in soundstage. Distortion values are average. If I needed to choose between these models I'd probably compare my subjective experience of the HD 280 Pro and the HD 620S (and I'll admit that my frugality would probably incline me to prefer the $90 HD 280 - which I'd like to improve with a little equalization...) Still, I'm glad for those who love the HD 620S.

The HD280 Pro has great isolation. It's actually good enough for use on airliners. Unfortunately, it's not very durable. They are widely available without having to wait for mail order. I bought the last pair at Guitar Center.

 

[markanini]

Among the Sennheiser closed-back headphones tested by RTINGS, the HD 280 Pro 2016 and HD 598Cs scored somewhat better. Both those models showed good compliance with Harman in the bass and midrange, but their treble accuracy fell below the curve (while the new HD 620S showed inaccuracy in treble and bass ). As is not uncommon for closed-back designs, all 3 models scored well in imaging but poorly in soundstage. Distortion values are average. If I needed to choose between these models I'd probably compare my subjective experience of the HD 280 Pro and the HD 620S (and I'll admit that my frugality would probably incline me to prefer the $90 HD 280 - which I'd like to improve with a little equalization...) Still, I'm glad for those who love the HD 620S.

HD280 has a rather colored sound. I like other closed backs I owned and borrowed more, SRH440 non-A, K371, DT250-250Ohm, DT770-80, even MDR7506.

 

[RoA]

Quite mediocre. A verdict < 7 is quite rare on Rtings.

and they look cheap.