Sennheiser HD600 v.s. HD650 [Battle of the legends] 

Crazy how much the presentation of his videos changed over time. Proud of you josh

What a great video man! I loved the way you spoke and presented yourself. It kept me focused on what you're saying! Thank you for the video!

As a newcomer to the channel this was a great watch. I've never seen Josh without the desk and the production value. It's fun to see him nervous.

Nice to hear another take on the 600 line. You're the first reviewer I've come across who thinks the 650 treble can sound shrill or sibilant, most describe it as rolled-off. I have the HD-6XXs powered by a portable DAC/amp. I love the sound, and can listen for hours with no fatigue, but as my first decent pair of headphones I have nothing to compare them to! Good luck with your channel.

Interesting. I've never heard or read a review saying that the HD 650 should have sibilant highs. My feelings about the two headphones are different, and I have owned both of them for years: The HD 650 has a more linear bass that is slightly better extended, more linear midrange, almost neutral, and slightly lower treble from the mid-range, all in comparison to the HD 600. The HD 600 has slightly raised upper mid-range and lower treble in my ears, but generally the more neutral treble that is also tuned a bit louder compared to the HD 650. Many independent measurements confirm my feeling. I also find that the imaging on the HD 600 definitely sounds better. If a song is well spatially mixed, the spatial representation and precision of the HD 600 is in my ears partly clearly superior to that of the HD 650. It also sounds more airy and real. I find that the HD 600 sounds more realistic. But I can recommend the HD 650 to anyone who demands a neutral sound and a pleasant sound that never sounds disturbing and fits to every genre, unless you like loud and deep bass. But I can confirm that the two headphones actually sound damn similar. Only those who listen to them will immediately notice the difference and know which headphone you are listening to. But if I had to choose, I would go for the HD 650, because with its overall tuning, I think I get the better all-rounder.

The Interstellar soundtrack is one of my favorites if not my favorite score of all time. Its epic and beautiful beyond my comprehension (kinda like the plot of the movie he he.) Also, your videos are really great considering how few subs you have. keep up the amazing work!

Great review. Love the listed soundtracks.

Nice review Joshua, you help me to decide for the HD600. Thanks!

Josh later said that he was wrong about the siblance with the 650. I believe he said that he was not amping them correctly and that it is not a siblant headphone. He has come a very long way in experience, presentation and production quality since this video was made! It's a great reference point for us fans of his to look back on to see how far he has evolved as a creator!

My uncle upgraded to Audezes and gave me his HD600's since I listen to so much music. Said they were worn in and may sound weird, but the nice part of 32 year old headset is the parts are available.

Hi, I recently bought the hd 600. When i first heard it in a shop i noticed it had a bit more bass to it compare it at home with tesame song. Maybe because of the amp they are using? So any recomendation what headphone amp to use? I just miss a little bit of bass but dont want to ruin the natural sound it produce. I listen mostly to rock music.

Hell yeah for the hans zimmer drop! Love hearing recommendations!

I have 58x 600 660s 6XX i like them all. But HD650 6XX are my favorite headphone , reason? Its the only dark not bright headphone that i heard that has so much detail and resolution without beeing bright.

Nice review. I own the 600, and just received the Massdrop 6xx (650). I like to base my thoughts on my own experience, and then go back to see what other people thought. In comparison: considering all the talk I heard about the "veil" on the 600/650's (especially the 650's), I was surprised to hear that the 650 has more detail, resolution, and treble extension. The differences are subtle, but make a big difference imo. The 650's sound like 600's, but have a better tonal balance. While the 600 is neutral with lighter bass, and mid/upper mid range "bloom" (which emphasizes vocals for instance), the 650 has more (but even) bass that connects smoothly with the mids through treble, less mid bloom (which leads to a slightly wider/deeper soundstage), and more detail/resolution. For me, the 650's are like 600's, but refined. I really liked the 600's. Especially for their smoothness and neutrality. It's easy to hear how they are a classic reference HP. However, I LOVE the 650's.

I can't find the links to test tracks in the description...

When will you do the HD660S? Im really interested in your opinion on them, i just received them and i really like the more energetc presentation while not being overly different from the HD6 sound.

Great video. I've been thinking about getting a set of these and am thinking you sold me on the 650's. Thanks.

Can someone help me with an answer that can determine me in purchasing the Sennheiser HD 600: Can I drive them directly from headphone output of a dedicated sound card from my PC? (in my case M-Audio Revolution 5.1) Thank you.

Also, the whole package, the build quality of these headphones, the comfort, the price, the sound, I think they are the best buys in the price range

link to conclusion in the description would be nice (the time :) . Can you use an EQ to give the 600 bigger bass like the 650?

Excellent..thanks.

I don't think comparing audio at this level is healthy. It's not fun to discuss the sound signatures since many people are too extremist. I just bought HD650, my best headphone ever, but unfortunately ended up reading about this topic of 'HD600 vs HD650', which made me feel like neither can really satisfy you. Some people are just so extremist in their evaluations, some contradict themselves. I recommend everybody to just stick with what they have. This topic is silly materialism to me and comparisons are only worth when the differences are obvious. I feel like going crazy when people say they "might hear a difference" or "this amp or cable could affect the sound", etc. This sort of hi-fi is not for me, I view it as waste of time, energy and life in general. I recommend you all to go out and not think about audio equipment at all. You could say I can only blame myself for getting sucked into this, but really this problem wouldn't exist without people being obsessed. Obsession is the word, not "hobby".

HD650's retain their tone better when plugging into different headphone amplifiers, whereas the HD600's are more sensitive to variances in amplifier topology. Hope this helps!

Which of these has bigger soundstage and more detailed -better imaging?

Could someone help me with which one I need for progressive house?

I tried more than hundred headphone and everytime but unfortunately i do not have it 😢

Thanks for the "Hey Kids!"

I’ve got both, I’d say the treble is more extended on the 600’s, the 650’s are nicely rolled off giving a warmer, comparatively more vintage sound, with a slight upper bass/lower mid boost. Not sure if you’re comparing new vs broken in perhaps?

something is special about AD600.... most audiophiles and reviewers seem to have one, as a dear reference from the past.

Which would be best for My Bloody Valentine? I wouldn't be listening to anything "heavier" than that.

Good review. A lot of people take the 600Over the 650. I couldn’t decide, so I got both. Once I EQ them, I prefer the 650 for pop and rock and the 600 for classical. I don’t notice any major sibilance on the 650, I just love the rich warm sound

What about for gaming ?

Nice overview. whats a good open back headphone for techno and rap beats then?

Good reviev.

hi which is best for psytrance which have the most bass? I want only Sennheiser because i heard good stuff about them, I am using right now beyerdynamics, which Sennheiser you could recommend for tekno and psytrance ?

if i buy the hd600 and a dac like the Fiio K3 , would i have volume problem since they are 300ohms or? please somebody help.

You think the HD 650 are brighter on top than the 600? Wow? I don’t think I’ve ever heard anybody say that before. I like them both and I have them both, I just think we don’t hear the same.

You also look like Steve Jobs in this video bro! Big ups haha

Please re visit this in 2021!

Got a recommendation DAC AMP for HD600 or HD650?

Ive had hd600s for a while but always been tempted to try hd650s(6xx,same thing)to find out if I'm missing anything(as the bass is more present and overal sound fuller whilst traiding off details)..and finally got 650s recently,listened to side by side and on their own(trying not to remember hd600s sound) and ....I find them too buttery,yes,the bass is there(for those who say there's no bass you need to get your ears checked)Sound is fuller,rounder but I miss details hd600s gives me .HD600s with Zen Can XBass feature they sound just right,and the vocals are better on 600s incl details-all in all 6XX seem to dark to my ear taste,So don't always follow trends and what majority say,trying hard to like something only because "everyone"like this or that.

Is there any reason HD599's would sound better than HG650's? Serious question. I just "upgraded" to HD650's and am very underwhelmed. I'm using a Schiit Magni/Modi 3 stack.

DAMM, when this video was released i was still a virgin

Bright is definitely not the word I'd use for the 650s lol

Wait, what? I always thought the 600’s were brighter than the 650’s. 🤨

I want bass which one has more bass

HD 600 Pros : - Very clear and detailed, it feels snappy. - Neutral sound which is why many like this. - Vocal is clear and forward. Cons: - Bass is not impactful as you find in a lots of review. - Soundstage feels definitely narrow and restricted, I could confirm this after hours of usage. - Not as enjoyable for a casual/normal user. That laid back and smoothness is missing. HD 650 Pros: - Much better based and sounds fuller. - Soundstage is definitely better. - Very smooth and laid back tune that could be used for hours without fatigue. - Vocals are darker and recessed, if you like that. Cons: - Not as clear or detailed as you may feel when compared with HD 650 - Not neutral sound signature as HD 650 As my HD 650 got damaged I ordered HD 600 after so many wonderful recommendations online but in short it is not as enjoyable and non-fatiguing . So will try now HD 660s or something which is more enjoyable and return HD 600. Considering enjoyability aspect in mind might be Sennheiser sound engineers tuning the subsequent versions of 600 series (650, 660s, 660s2 etc.) - Kudos to them for these wonderful Open-backs.

Joshua "a little bit" Valour

The 600 is better. There's a fuck lot to be said for correct timbre and neutrality. Yes I have both sitting here.

Big problem with the knocks on hd650 over hd600 the hd650 need 200 hour burn in and trust me you will be listening to a completely different experience And its very important that they get partnered correctly also Im sorry any headphone review that has not been burnt in is not a fair review straight out of the box not all but most headphones don't sound good straight out of the box And even ones that already sound good straight out of the box will still improve even further 100 hours at least to 200 hours the latter better cause some take longer than others but 200 covers both ends of the spectrum To many people dissapointed with there headphones straight out of the box and send them back not there fault not knowing or believing in burn in but gives great headphones bad wrap from inexperienced in these areas

Great review, I am looking for a neutral headphone, but people are DEAF these days and they can love a headphone with LOTS of brightness and siblinace and with crazy amount of lowend..I am looking for a great headphone with lots of clarity and detail but with with great tonal balancece and flat Frequency response...I just got the beyerdynamic DT1990 Pro that people rave abpout because they say are flat and great but to me are a bit too much in the lowend sounding in a way too boomy and maybe saturated and with lots of brightness

The only obvious answer is to get both.

600 for the win.

hi daddy

hi kids!

650s all day everyday forever.

you sound burn the New HD650 60 hours at least , and then listen to them again .

KIDS? DID U JUST ASSUME MY AGE?

Had the 650, not really impressed, crap bass and zero soundstage, definitely hyped up. Shure 1840 much better

What's up kids?! Im 36.

hey kids? Laaaaaaaaame

Why are people so obsessed with vocals...

Kids? REALLY? Voted down.

What about for gaming?