Sennheiser HD 660S2

[solderdude]

Good point.
Clamping force and construction are exactly the same so seal should also be the same when the same pads were used.
The original HD660S still came with the old pads and the S2 comes with the newer pads which are slightly different in the way the compress/sit so could be a difference.
How that would pan out on one's head ?
Granted the measurement below (Resolve) also showed the same difference on BK5128

HD660S2 seal measurements. however, do not show dramatic differences.

The HD58X (with the old pads) did show bigger differences.

So.. it is possible that the differences shown in the 5128 measurement could be seal related due to different stiffness/compliance of older pads vs newer pads where the newer pads thus have better seal and thus increase the lows relatively more.

 

[staticV3]

yep, but for some reason the Sennheiser plot shows the HD660S2 has a lot (5dB) more bass which it doesn't. It is slightly better extended though.
The treble increase looks small and not significant but a 2dB increase above 5kHz over a wide frequency range is quite noticeable but alas the 6kHz hump also increased a little.
View attachment 422347

below acc to Rtings.
View attachment 422356

Here's the compiled data, might be useful:

 

[solderdude]

The Sennheiser 5128 measurement seems to be the outlier on one end and mine on the other end.
Soundguys 5128 is not that far from my FP.
Resolve seems to have had some seal issues with the HD660S.
The most interesting part is that the cheap EARS from Soundguys does not seem to Delta that much from their expensive 5128 (within 1dB)

My HD660S was spanking new (2017) with the 'old' pads as was the HD660S2 (new pads). Pad wear for HD660S could make a difference especially when measured on a 5128 as the HD660S that are measured on one of those might already be many years old.

Seal certainly seems to play a role here.

 

[Mookalafalas]

I'm getting a pair of these through my job as part of my "research funds." I'm looking forward to trying them out. I have a pair of 6xx, and a couple pairs of HiFi man. Oddly, I usually use my $22 IEM's, as they kick ass, and wireless phones and earbuds when I commute (cuz of noise cancelling).
I just sought out this thread on a whim, and am surprised to see two brand new posts. And yet...Seems like these cans aren't getting a lot of love.

 

[solderdude]

Seems like these cans aren't getting a lot of love.

The older HD660S did not either.
They lack the warmth of the HD650 (HD6XX) and the clarity of the HD600.
The HD660S2 has a 'lusher' sound than the HD600 where one sits a few seats away from the orchestra.
Also it isn't a really cheap headphone either. The audience liking these headphones simply is smaller.

 

[Mookalafalas]

Well, lush sounds good to me Mine will be "gifted" to me by my employer, so I won't begrudge the price. When I retire, I hope to buy the equivalent of the 800 line; hopefully these will keep me happy til then.

 

[Limopard]

The older HD660S did not either.
They lack the warmth of the HD650 (HD6XX) and the clarity of the HD600.
The HD660S2 has a 'lusher' sound than the HD600 where one sits a few seats away from the orchestra.
Also it isn't a really cheap headphone either. The audience liking these headphones simply is smaller.

Tried the first 660s. Really wanted to like this one but switching back to a 600 or 650 came like a relief.

 

[solderdude]

Yep, many people prefer the HD650 and HD600 over the HD600S.
The HD660S2 is not is slightly clearer sounding than the original HD660S.
There are people that prefer the more 'laid-back' character of the HD660S2 over the HD650.
The treble texture between the HD660S2 and HD650 and clarity differs though and enough so to warrant the existence of the HD660S2.
HD660S2 is not the successor of the HD650 but simply another choice in the HD6** range.