Sennheiser HD 620S Headphone Review

[Corvuscorone]

It would be interesting to get a review of the much praised and more affordable Fiio FT-1.

 

[Geert]

Why would you use an amplifier that clips before the headphones are driven to their limits, to test distortion at high levels of the actual headphones?

I think that got answered; it's not "to test distortion at high levels" :

The interest here was to show the knee in the curve where distortion starts to climb faster (no longer flat line).

That knee is at only 95dB (and a few dB higher for the Dan Clark's).

 

[thewas]

 

[solderdude]

I think that got answered; it's not "to test distortion at high levels" :



That knee is at only 95dB (and a few dB higher for the Dan Clark's).

But at 500Hz which is pretty doable for most headphones.
Bass distortion for the lowest frequencies (where compression starts due to the larger excursions) are substantially different between the 2 headphones.

 

[oratory1990]

I just measured a pair of these as well, I can upload the results here too for comparison!

 

[Geert]

But at 500Hz which is pretty doable for most headphones.

Yes, but that was also motivated:

Why 500 Hz? Research shows that harmonic distortions of 500 Hz have the highest chances of reaching the most sensitive part of our hearing and hence being above threshold of hearing.

It's not about being doable, it's about detecting at what sound pressure level distortion starts rising measured at a frequency Amir deems important.

 

[monochiro]

But we have the AR5000 don't we? They are in the same price range and better.

 

[roladyzator]

But we have the AR5000 don't we? They are in the same price range and better.

The AR5000 are open, though.
There is a new model AR7000, which is a closed back.
That's more expensive

 

[DSJR]

I wonder how my ancient ancestor HD265s would compare?

I do hope listeners don't whack the volume up high, as their ears will suffer eventually (believe me, I KNOW!!!) and in any case, you can't physically FEEL the bass via 'phones

 

[usern]

I just measured a pair of these as well, I can upload the results here too for comparison!

Please do. Especially interested in your distortion measurements

 

[monochiro]

The AR5000 are open, though.
There is a new model AR7000, which is a closed back.
That's more expensive

I did not realize that these are closed back, but I was referring more to the statement made in the review which is: "I think the "big news" is that we have a reasonably priced headphone that comes close to delivering neutral sound. Until now, we had no options in this price range.". Pretty sure this are not anywhere near as good as the AR5000. I mean they even sound better than the HD800.

 

[Orion76]

Yeah, but did you try it with the recommended Bronze Dragon cable? Only $195 for 4 feet.

With a warm presentation, Bronze Dragon strengthens the bottom end without becoming bloated. Bass guitar and cello are full and immersive, creating a musical that's not too lush. The warmth and fullness of the Bronze Dragon create the muscle needed to round out a flat signature.

sigh

 

[roladyzator]

I did not realize that these are closed back, but I was referring more to the statement made in the review which is: "I think the "big news" is that we have a reasonably priced headphone that comes close to delivering neutral sound. Until now, we had no options in this price range.". Pretty sure this are not anywhere near as good as the AR5000. I mean they even sound better than the HD800.

Oh, I didn't get that, sorry.

The AR5000 look amazing (luxurious even) and measure very well.
I'll probably consider buying them if my HD 700 ever break or if I can no longer get original pads for them.
Sennheiser in Poland still sells those pads, despite the headphones are long discontinued.

 

[BrooklynNick]

It would be interesting to compare the HD-620S to the HD-660S2 which can be found for about $100 more.

 

[solderdude]

Open vs. closed, different construction, different seal sensitivity, different comfort.

 

[Kotrmelec]

Oh, I didn't get that, sorry.

The AR5000 look amazing (luxurious even) and measure very well.
I'll probably consider buying them if my HD 700 ever break or if I can no longer get original pads for them.
Sennheiser in Poland still sells those pads, despite the headphones are long discontinued.

I got mine Aune SR7000 today. I was looking for some good closed HP and this HD620S were on my list, but on the end I decide for Aune. From built quality & comfort standpoint Aune SR7000 are exceptional(compare to Hifimans I have). Out of the box sound is neutral, less punch in bass and not that harsh as Aryas Organic. To my surprise sounds more spacious than Sundaras. There is no too much arround them so far ,thus Im waiting on some meassurments. In tzhe meantime I will play with EQ.

 

[somebodyelse]

Headphones are indeed one of the most subjective (if not the most subjective) pieces of audio gear.

Their response is objectively different when worn by different people, which isn't quite the same as being subjective. Unfortunately we don't have a convenient way to measure or predict a personalized response yet. We do have a few inconvenient ones, so with luck they might become convenient.

 

[oleg87]

I appreciate the effort to make a well-tuned closed back that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. I'd give HD620S a demo based on Amirs review. Still AKG K371 exists for less money with pretty good spatial qualities for a closed back, in my subjective opinion.

It’s also built like junk. Poor man pays twice, in this case.

 

[Tachyon88]

Thanks for the data Amir. I have mine on right now ! I like them very much. What I really like about them is they have that open quality to them like my DCA stealth do and also great passive isolation. Sound stage is better than HD6xx. I find them comfortable as well and they have loosened up a bit. Sound was already familiar and pleasing as I listen to all my HP with HT EQ profiles, but I actually just keep the FR on this one stock. I could get used to either one though.

 

[WOLFAGRAM]

Their response is objectively different when worn by different people, which isn't quite the same as being subjective. Unfortunately we don't have a convenient way to measure or predict a personalized response yet. We do have a few inconvenient ones, so with luck they might become convenient.

Exactly. I have been wondering what are the equivavalents of “free field” and “typical room” when headphones are measured.

Also, I was not precise enough. Headphones are very subjective not only because of how they sound on our ears, but also because of how uncomfortable they are (ergonomically speaking), how they look and how they feel to the touch (because unlike speakers, we touch them a lot).

Cheers.