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Sennheiser HDB 630

awesome_sheeps said:
Would it be silly to consider getting this to use purely in wired mode (at my desk set-up), and to then bring it out only occasionally? On paper, it seems like a good fit for this
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That's actually kind of the main reason I'm excited about it. To the layman this may seem like just another travel headphone but to me it seems more like the ideal at-home headphone. Sensible frequency response tuning, onboard PEQ that follows the headphone to whatever device it's paired to, ability to isolate more or less based on situational needs, and the ability to get up from my desk and grab a snack if I want to? Sign me up! It's really just up to if the comfort works for me or not.
 
Aside from long travel I definitely see this as something I'd use a lot at home doing housework, wanting to watch TV/movies and not disturb a partner, casually livestreaming, work meetings, gaming etc. It would have really been nice to have physical buttons like what was on the Momentum 3.

For long/critical listening sessions or dozing off on a recliner I'd probably rather use my usual open headphones or speakers. I'd relegate airpods/iems to errands, gym, and outdoor use.
 
I am yet to hear a dynamic driver headphone at any price that sounds better than the Audeze Maxwell or even the older Mobius. The sub-bass slam is just not there with any amount of EQ. The Maxwell rolls off at 30 Hz and yet has superior sub-bass to the competition. I suspect it comes down to the huge ear pads.
 
Monstieur said:
I am yet to hear a dynamic driver headphone at any price that sounds better than the Audeze Maxwell or even the older Mobius. The sub-bass slam is just not there with any amount of EQ. The Maxwell rolls off at 30 Hz and yet has superior sub-bass to the competition. I suspect it comes down to the huge ear pads.
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Hello. I also own an Audeze Maxwell and was tempted to try the HDB 630, but your comment changed my mind. So, sound quality is better on the Maxwell's? Do you feel like anything is better on the HDB 630 over the Maxwell's? Apart from, of course, the ANC which is not present on the Maxwell's. Thanks!
 
My issue with bluetooth/self-powered headphones is always the maximum volume when listening to orchestral music.

According to Sennheiser support the HDB630 can reach 105 dB/1 kHz.

I have a hearing imbalance of 6 dB which I compensate for, so -6 dB max volume. Based on the frequency response measurements I might also want to increase the lower treble a couple of dB, since for me that helps with placing instruments in the orchestra.

So that would be ~97 dB max. Absolutely loud enough for pop, rock, techno and other genres with relatively low dynamic range. Not really enough volume for large-orchestra symphonies recorded with realistic dynamic range.

Pity, having an all-in-one that includes ANC sounds appealing.
 
Alexander Gödde said:
So that would be ~97 dB max. Absolutely loud enough for pop, rock, techno and other genres with relatively low dynamic range. Not really enough volume for large-orchestra symphonies recorded with realistic dynamic range.
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There are some sacrifices for convenience, but there are solutions to this, like using volume normalization or using the HP in wired mode.
 
Alexander Gödde said:
My issue with bluetooth/self-powered headphones is always the maximum volume when listening to orchestral music.

According to Sennheiser support the HDB630 can reach 105 dB/1 kHz.

I have a hearing imbalance of 6 dB which I compensate for, so -6 dB max volume. Based on the frequency response measurements I might also want to increase the lower treble a couple of dB, since for me that helps with placing instruments in the orchestra.

So that would be ~97 dB max. Absolutely loud enough for pop, rock, techno and other genres with relatively low dynamic range. Not really enough volume for large-orchestra symphonies recorded with realistic dynamic range.

Pity, having an all-in-one that includes ANC sounds appealing.
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rtings tests max SPL of Bluetooth headphones: https://www.rtings.com/headphones/tools/table/180543

If you're unsure whether the 630 will play loud enough, just wait for rtings to test them and then you can compare to what you're using currently.
 
kemmler3D said:
View attachment 484726

Seems you're right. This will be what I'll recommend to friends if they happen to be poking around this market, assuming the ANC performance is competitive, which I assume it is. $500 seems (relatively) fair for what I've seen in this thread.
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I would take what The Headphones Show says with a bag of salt. They also claimed the $180 HyperX Cloud III S sound better than every closed back except the DCA E3 but didn't even bother to provide a comparison or analysis against audiophile headphones. They also made a similar but slightly more audacious claim about the FIIO FT1.

I sub to them on YouTube and I'm very frustrated with the lack of explanation on the most important factors of some of their recommendations. I tried contacting them to clarify about the HyperX Cloud III S but they didn't respond.

Of the reviews I've seen, GadgetryTech does the best job of illustrating the nuances of the HDB 630. That said, there isn't a lot of time spent on audio quality and comparisons. Other reviews around the web and in the comments of the GadgetryTech video suggest good but not earth shattering sound quality. It's on par with other flagships, some of which are cheaper. Buying into the hype will only leave you disappointed in what is really a good set of cans.
 
mihaifpopa said:
Hello. I also own an Audeze Maxwell and was tempted to try the HDB 630, but your comment changed my mind. So, sound quality is better on the Maxwell's? Do you feel like anything is better on the HDB 630 over the Maxwell's? Apart from, of course, the ANC which is not present on the Maxwell's. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Do you have the newer revision maxwell with the strap? I remember the original didn't have the flexible strap and was sort of uncomfortable over longer sessions. I'd say the HDB 630 is a tad more comfy compared to the 1st rev maxwell but equal to or worse than the latest.

I really don't think it's worth getting the HDB 630 in your case, the Maxwell is a very good set of headphones with great sound quality at their price.
 
Curupira said:
There are some sacrifices for convenience, but there are solutions to this, like using volume normalization or using the HP in wired mode.
Click to expand...
Volume normalisation does little. Sure, there are recordings with a little unused headroom, but the core issue is the large dynamic range. Compression does help, but you lose impact, and most sources do not support it.

If the wired mode is passive you may get the volume, but lose sound quality since a the frequency response is usually fine-tuned using DSP. With an active wired mode you get the same volume limitations.
 
evernessince said:
I would take what The Headphones Show says with a bag of salt. They also claimed the $180 HyperX Cloud III S sound better than every closed back except the DCA E3 but didn't even bother to provide a comparison or analysis against audiophile headphones. They also made a similar but slightly more audacious claim about the FIIO FT1.

I sub to them on YouTube and I'm very frustrated with the lack of explanation on the most important factors of some of their recommendations. I tried contacting them to clarify about the HyperX Cloud III S but they didn't respond.

Of the reviews I've seen, GadgetryTech does the best job of illustrating the nuances of the HDB 630. That said, there isn't a lot of time spent on audio quality and comparisons. Other reviews around the web and in the comments of the GadgetryTech video suggest good but not earth shattering sound quality. It's on par with other flagships, some of which are cheaper. Buying into the hype will only leave you disappointed in what is really a good set of cans.
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I don't watch YouTube reviews, my reaction is mainly due to 3 things:

1) The 630 seems to have a really good tuning,

2) It's said to have real PEQ,

3) Other flagship ANC headphones I'm aware of have pretty crappy tuning.

Basically in those cases (Bose, Sony, Beats, Apple) you're making a significant SQ tradeoff to get good ANC.

I think this is the only option where you have what appears to be proper hi-fi tuning (or the ability to get there with PEQ) and (hopefully) good ANC.

I'd say Maxwell is also a good option for wireless cans, but no ANC. If you are taking your cans out of the home and paying $300+, I think forgoing ANC is also a big tradeoff.
 
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So this headphone can play lossless with a usb cable to a laptop/pc without the dongle?
 
evernessince said:
I would take what The Headphones Show says with a bag of salt. They also claimed the $180 HyperX Cloud III S sound better than every closed back except the DCA E3 but didn't even bother to provide a comparison or analysis against audiophile headphones. They also made a similar but slightly more audacious claim about the FIIO FT1.

I sub to them on YouTube and I'm very frustrated with the lack of explanation on the most important factors of some of their recommendations. I tried contacting them to clarify about the HyperX Cloud III S but they didn't respond.

Of the reviews I've seen, GadgetryTech does the best job of illustrating the nuances of the HDB 630. That said, there isn't a lot of time spent on audio quality and comparisons. Other reviews around the web and in the comments of the GadgetryTech video suggest good but not earth shattering sound quality. It's on par with other flagships, some of which are cheaper. Buying into the hype will only leave you disappointed in what is really a good set of cans.
Click to expand...
Where did they claim that?
 
Mike_Trueman said:
Is it not possible to make a good headphone like this one but without the battery? So usb only.
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A lot of the appeal is the adaptive noise cancelation. I'm not saying it's not possible, but to have enough power for the processor that can perform ANC well on top of powering the cans without completely eating the battery of your connected smart phone or tablet super quickly would be challenging and highly unappealing for more people than for the number of people who have an issue with this having a (non-user-replaceable) battery.
 
I pre-ordered mine. Listening now via included dongle streaming via qobuz. First impression is certainly a neutral tuning. Software is great. Controls are a bit sensitive and annoying if you want to reposition your cups. Not too much more to say on this forum, but I'm not super impressed. Just blah IMO. I'll probably return them. DMS had to get paid for that review.

edit: for what its worth, its a different experience via USB-C.
 
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