Here it is again, but this time at it's lowest price from what I've seen at Addicted to Audio.
Extremely cheap nearly identical HD 650's.
Massdrop X Sennheiser HD 6XX Open Back Headphones $279 Delivered @ Addicted to Audio
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Viticous on 14/01/2020 - 18:45 addictedtoaudio.com.au (2747 clicks)
Last edited 14/01/2020 - 21:02 by 1 other user
Last edited 14/01/2020 - 21:02 by 1 other user
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I have both and definitely avoid hd6xx if you don't plan to use a half decent amp with it majority of the time. Without a half decent amp it's very bland and you also start to lose bass and mids.
Rest is all personal preference. I find hd58x to be more bright and fun but the hd6xx to be a bit more laid back and refined.
The hd6xx an interesting one because generally the initial impressions is negative, but it grows on you over time.Yeah currently I have the 58x with Topping DX3Pro and it sounds great, can't remember what the 6xx sounds like I had one with an old Korg DAC before I got the Topping. I think I have enough cans for now, I always want more but I usually end up listening on a decent speaker setup.
Thanks for your comparison, I will probably try the 6xx again in the future.Would LG Quad DAC phones qualify as half decent amp?
These will sound fine in theory. I know because I have the original, non-Massdrop Sennheisers and the V30 but I don’t think these headphones would be suitable outside as too much background noise would leak in and they would be hot to wear in the summer. So best used at home and Ideally in an air-conditioned one in summer. Otherwise they’re comfortable in a cool environment and well built. Or at least the original was. I can’t speak to the build quality of the Massdrop version.
No…they needs quite abit of power to actually make use of their sound.
You will get volume out of them from small power but it will lack the impact it can do. The HD6xx (and the HD650) it is based on scales really well with high end equipment.
I'd recommend a good DAC (schiit modi multibit) with an amp like a Schitt Jotunheim in balanced output mode (with balanced cables to the HD6XX) as a sort of good combo.
@Daemos: I see…
I'm not that much of an audiophile, so I guess I'll just stick to my Sony WH-1000XM3Maybe someday..
Definitely a good price. Cheaper than Drop directly (even without shipping costs).
I would jump at this if I don't have one already.
The price just keeps getting better and better. I'm having a hard time going back to wired though. But my ears I think haven't opened their eyes to the truth.
Would love to get these but my environment at home is too noisy :<
300 ohm impedance, so these definitely need an amp than?
Indeed, I tried without an amp and you can certainly tell that it needs one.
Damn, that raises the cost for me,I don't have one. Might just stick to my HD4.50BTNC for now.
Yeah, another option is getting a second hand one which is what I did first, second hand amps don't exactly break the bank.
@Viticous: Cool, I'll keep my eyes open.
I just found out my motherboard supports up to 600-ohm headphones. Winner.
For what it's worth, I use 300 ohm headphones with a decent DAC, no amp.
I have an amp, but for low volume I find the DAC is just fine.
So they may work with your computer, but definitely not your phone.
@Joost: What about with a LG V30? I'm asking because I'd be interested in getting these headphones if my phone can handle them.
@brotherfranciz: Apparently work well
Re:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/best-high-impedance-headphon…
@brotherfranciz: I have no personal experience, but google suggests that phone would drive them fine.
@brotherfranciz: Lg Quad Dac does ok job powering these. But still need a separate amp to get full potential out of these.
@brotherfranciz: I have these cans, and I have a v30.
I can confirm that the phone handles these headphones easily.
@thisispants: "easily" - depends what you're happy with. Imo I can't listen to these w/o a proper amp.
@Feeblely: Fair enough, however I'd bet in a blind test between the V30 and your amp you won't hear the difference.
@brotherfranciz: I use them both v20 …sound better than many other headphones costing more than this deal , but they are open back …..so people around you get to share your music.
id recommend the JDS atom, which is priced at around 200 aud shipped. It makes music really enjoyable and definitely worth it
US$31 for shipping is so exorbitant. It’s plastic, so they glue weights on inner sides, so, you’re paying extra for that “weight = quality” feel.
The Topping MX3 or DX3 Pro is probably the current cost to quality go to.
toppings good. the d30 (i believe? the budget option) is probably the most cost effective. One caveat is that the topping amps produce less power than the JDS products. Topping DACs are supreme though
300 ohm impedance, so these definitely need an amp than?
Go for the Fidelio X2HRs when they're around $180-190 AUD.
They're open-back like the HD 6XX, their impedance is only 30 Ohm (even less when using a 3rd-party, low-impedance audio cable), they have a slightly wider soundstage (5 - 40,000Hz versus 10Hz – 41,000Hz), a lower THD, a single-sided audio cable (which is always a better design choice imo) and a higher-quality construction (mostly aluminium and genuine leather with very little plastic, especially for the major components like the headband and driver housing.
I own the Fidelio X1 and X2HR and they are the most comfortable circumaural headphones I've ever used (coming up to 40 pairs of circumaural phones in my lifetime now) and they easily have the sound signature and reproduction of headphones twice their cost or more.
Soundstage isn't frequency range, it's the culmination of head/pinna related transfer functions based on the enclosure, the driver, and the level of resonance, crosstalk and isolation provided in how all of that is configured and tuned.
The X2HR is a solid recommendation at that price, but it was on clearance due to the upcoming X3, and may not reach that price again in anywhere near those quantities. It was also able to be paired with a ZipMoney deal and a 20% cashback that would have taken it right down to $127.
BTW, the 1660 Super is now on sale for $299… but keep up the good work with sounding useful!
ZipMoney deal and a 20% cashback that would have taken it right down to $127.
Expert level deal. From this I assume: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/507471
I thought the X2HR’s would drop to around that, seems you need to put in some extra effort to get the price though.@thebadmachine: Yup, I would have been straight on it if I wasn't already buying a DAC, the Takstars and an amp.
Soundstage isn't frequency range,
Soundstage is purely subjective semantics but the frequency response is the one of the most important factors, if not the most important factor, in the perception of what people call a "soundstage". See this explanation.
The X2HR is a solid recommendation at that price, but it was on clearance due to the upcoming X3, and may not reach that price again in anywhere near those quantities.
There have been 3 promotions for the X2HRs on Amazon in the last 4 months:
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/507471
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/500724
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/481768Chances are good we're going to see the X2HRs being discounted to around the $180 dollar mark again, not to mention there hasn't been a peep about the X3s in months, despite originally being scheduled to launch around October last year, and more to the point, who knows how they'll sound. The X2HRs are a known quantity and for $180 AUD or less, easily one of the best headphone deals of last year.
BTW, the 1660 Super is now on sale for $299…
So in other words, I was still right when I made that post?
I could open a very profitable salt mine with the butthurt I've engendered in you by having to point out how wrong you've been numerous times now.
@Gnostikos: The X3s were announced last year, and testing models were sent out, but there was never a launch date given.
Beyond that I give up; I truly cannot help you.
but there was never a launch date given.
There definitely was, and those original dates have come and gone.
Not that I'm particularly excited for the X3s; right off the bat, the X3s look a lot cheaper in construction as well as the choice of materials and the switch to a double-sided cable is just baffling. Rumours of a €349 Euro/$563 AUD launch price are also off-putting; I think that's a pure cash grab that's banking on the popularity of the previous models and they're not going to compete in that price range very well, given Philips have never really made true, high-end audiophile circumaural headphones ever before.
Not to mention, given how incremental the improvements have been between all of the preceding models in the series, the X1, X2 and X2HR, I doubt the X3s are going to be a significant leap forward. I honestly can't tell the difference between my old X1s and the X2HRs, despite a lot of people saying online that the switch in manufacturers between the X2 and the X2HR resulted in worse sound on the latter.
Beyond that I give up; I truly cannot help you.
Please stop acting like a highly dysfunctional, crazed ex or something, bringing up comments from 3 weeks ago. No one cares.
Your fragile ego has been damaged and might never recover. You'll have to live with it from now on, I'm afraid.
sensitivity is also a factor, not just impendence. i find the ~35ohm HE-4XXs are harder to drive in general than 6XXs.
If you have the room, you could just plug it into any home theatre receiver, people are practically giving away old Yamahas with Toslink.
Only a comment on the store. Both online and in store (slightly different entities) are AMAZING to deal with. Couldn't recommend more. Online support super helpful. Blokes in Perth at least, damn knowledgeable and have plenty of time to chat and help.
One of the greatest stores to deal with.
Would a creative ae-5 be enough to power these?
Yes! As per the AE-5 product page they are able to power up to 600 ohm headphones.
Thanks. Sometimes companies claim specifications that in the real world aren't usable.
I got the email, told myself no unless Ozbargain gave the ok and now purchased.
Damn you guys.
This or PXC 550?
I would suggest these if you don't travel or need them for commuting.
But you will need something to drive them, either an amp or even a built in amp in a modern PC.
Thanks, I do understand they are two different products.y question was more about sound quality, frequency response etc. Are they similar in sound or different? Thanks
hd 6xx is probably a level above any consumer grade headphones. 6xx is completely open back so not only will outside get in with impunity, but others will be able to hear you as well.
@bigmanlukaku: Thanks heaps for that.
Hmmmm.. that means,
1) You need an amp (at least a smart phone with quad DAC) to power up
2) You need 3.5 mm output
3) You must be in a quiet place to enjoy best music
4) You can forget about using it public (due to leakage)
No thanks, I'm happy with my PXC 550.
Great price! I got mine from Drop for Xmas and paired them with a FiiO K5 Pro. Absolutely amazing! Definitely recommend!
love the sound these cans put out so balanced and open sound stage
What's the build quality on these like? I had Audiotechnica MX50's- headband/mounts broke. Replaced it, gave to girlfriend, got MX70's- headband broke in another way, replaced under warranty, broke again in the same way. Corner cutting, thoughtless design. Every single person I know with MX50's has had the headband break or fall apart in one way or another.
Are these a bit more bulletproof?
Will I actually need an amp for these?
Literally night and day, I've tried the 50's and they are pretty poor in terms of build quality as you said.
I was hoping the 70's would be the 50 drivers in a good body, which is what they look like on the surface… the cups are mint, and the band is somehow worse than the plastic piece of shit the 50's had. Awful. They broke for the second time at 13 months, and they've refused to help with warranty, and I haven't found the replacement bands yet.
Yeah, even the better MSR7's were still roughly the same plastic kind of build which was disappointing.
Although built with a lot of plastic these are very hard to break. Most likely weak spot is the cable, but that is cheap to replace ($14.99 direct!)
I have dropped mine many times and the most obvious damage is a small dent to the grills (which are metal). I would imagine it would be easy to remove them and press it out from the other side.
If something does break, Sennheiser are the best for spare parts, very easy to get all parts from cables and pads all the way to driver assembly and headbands)
Build quality is definitely a downgrade from the more expensive, non-massdrop sennheisers. Plastic is cheaper and weaker. Even the foam in the headphones are cheaper and worse.
I have a Behringer UM2 for my mic. I know it's not exactly an amp but I've read that it has a DAC and a small amp. Would the UM2 be powerful enough to drive these?
It does need to be stated that yes these headphones require an amp for the best sound. However I think people also need to consider that the HD6XX and HD600 sound so good on a proper system that they are many peoples endgame.
At this price I would consider it a no-brainer, even though it is not the lowest price ever. Their is a good reason the HD650 has been in production over 15 years!
I would get them even if you don't have a proper amp, they will still sound OK, then when you will upgrade they will sound even better.
I have had Senn 555's , 598s,58X (Odd one out here, didn't like them), 6XX, Hifiman HE4XX and Beyer DT770 and these are the best by a long margin, especially good when pared with heavily modded Bottlehead Crack ( I also have a Bottlehead SEX and Magni3 for low impedence cans)
Only real question is whether you may like the HD600 better
I agree that these can sound fantastic with the right amplification and are well worth the asking price. But if you have no intention of buying an amp you are probably better off looking elsewhere. They just don't sound good through gear with cheap, underpowered amps such as in your laptop or games console.
Yep fair enough, although I would question why you are spending this much money on headphones if you were only ever intending to listen from a cheap source.
So I'll temper my recommendation:
If you do not have a headphone amp or receiver capable of driving high impedance phones, but intend to upgrade later, These are still worth buying at this price.They wont immediately sound as good as some other headphones. However, as you upgrade you equipment they will continue to improve. And you will have invested in what is one of the best headphones ever built.
I still imagine the cost savings on upgrading if these had been this price when starting out.
Thanks mate, just bought one of these to replace my Audio Technicas (uncomfortable over long periods).
Do you guys have any recommendations for amps etc? I'm pretty basic when it comes to amps. I'm most of the time just gaming and the occasional music listening. Budget would preferably around $100 (obviously would pay more if the value is justified)
I'm recommend a Dragonfly Black (Dragonfly Red if you can stretch it). They can run off of a PC/laptop, or phone (with a USB adapter) direct to your HD6xxs.
I ran my Red with a mate's HD650s and they sounded amazing.
What would be the cheapest AMP to drive these with that wouldn't hurt the performance?
And would there be anyway to get an AMP that would work on a newer style Android (OnePlus 7 Pro) that only has digital audio over type-c?
Just checked, and my mobo (MSI Z370 sli plus) claims it has an inbuilt audio amp supporting up to 600 ohm headphones- I should be good to go on these without any additional amp then, right?
I'll keep my m50's for work/out and about
Hard to say because MSI doesn't actually say what kind of amplifier is used on their "Audio boost". Generally this means the answer is no - some higher end motherboards do have properly good audio circuits these days, but generally they specify which op-amp is used and make it a feature of their marketing.
In this case I think it's just the standard MSI audio circuit, which means it will likely struggle with 600 ohms and you will need an additional amp to make the most of these.
Good to know. I'd heard it mentioned "drives up to 600 ohms!" was just marketing, and it would do it, but not perform. I'll budget for an amp.
you'd have to look at the power they deliver at different ohms. If it can deliver more than 1 volt @ 32 ohms, its sufficient
For those without a proper small amp try the new style usbc dongle amps like the spectra, Zorloo Ztella, iBasso dc01.
Are these basically the same as the hd600? Or did mass drop somehow remove the veil hd600 had?
The HD600 is slightly more neutral, 6XX(650) slightly warmer
The infamous Sennheiser veil, doesn't exist (at least with good amplification!)
It is true to say that both headphones are less forward, with the highs slightly rolled off than some other headphones on the market.
But really, this is a good thing, you can listen to these all day without fatigue. Try that with a set of Grados (or other famously bright headphones)
Ah so this is the 650… Still a good price, I remember them being around $500 back then
Yeah nah I don't believe in esoteric amps changing sound signatures lol. I passed on the hd600 7 years ago because of that veil and went straight to a beyer T1. Was hoping they could've brought some more sparkle to it then maybe I'd give it a go.
Tried the hd600 back then with expensive amps, chifi amps (little dot, matrix audio) and it didn't change squat. It over relaxes everything and makes you sleepy.
For people who are on the fence, these headphones sell very well on the 2nd hand market. I have sold 2 sets of Sennheisers (In very nice condition) and both sold for only 20 percent less than the new price.
So if you buy them and hate them, you should not loose too much money!
Forgive me for being a filthy non-audiophile, but I'm currently rolling with my Sony WH-1000XM2s attached to my PC - how much of an improvement could I expect moving to something like a 6XX from these cans?
Do you like bass? Do you mainly listen to pop songs? Do you need the music only be heard by you?
If you see headphones described as neutral or reference then chances are bass is going to be anemic for modern pop songs.
Imo these would be more relaxed listening experience. Less bass less treble more vocals.
Invest in a good pair of speakers if being too loud isn't an issue.
I do like my bass and my playlists skew toward more jazz/funk/indie, but these days I prefer more clarity/soundstage over other things. I've got an old LG V20 kicking around so I could roll on the go with the 6XXs - is the sound leak from open-back too much for on-the-go listening?
Yes, people will hear your songs.
You're not gonna be used to the anemic bass coming from that headphone imo. It'll be a drastic drop which is what brings the focus to other things like vocals and minute nuisances (when people say they hear things they've never heard before, it's always been there they just weren't listening).
If you want clarity, get something with more treble, 650 series are dark, like putting a pillow between the speakers and your ear.
I disagree….my HD6XX (same as HD650 just a different colour) have plenty of bass…but they need lots of amp power (and potentially a good EQ) to get there.
THey are not the hardest headphones I've ever had to drive (that goes to the HifiMan HE-6) but they are still hard to drive if you want to get more than just volume out of them.
the HD650 scale well…but you need good amp and good dac.
Bottlehead Crack with speedball mod is good if you want a warmish amp.
Schitt Jotunheim for a less warm amp (but need to be in balanced output to make use of the Jotunheim).
When people buy headphones they need to look at the DAC and amp at the same time as they all need to have synergy with eachother. The unfortunate thing is because of the low cost of the HD6xx/HD650 people don't want to spend much money on a high quality amp or dac to bring out what the headphones can really do.
A dark dac/amp will not go well with the HD650…
I'm sort of pissed that Addicted to Audio got exclusive distribution rights to these headphones. Was going to pull the trigger on black Friday with massdrop, which included a free set of premium sheepskin ear pad covers for $180 USD only to find they don't ship to Australia anymore (cause of these guys).
Feel like boycotting, but this price is almost as good (minus the sheep-skin)…
You should probably direct your outrage at Sennheiser as well as Addicted to Audio then. Are you going to boycott Sennheiser as well?
You are confused sir.
Maybe - I actually meant Massdrop rather then Sennheiser themselves. Point still stands though.
@Budju: Maybe I am confused now. You do realise distribution agreements are a 2 way thing right? Massdrop are willfully restricting your ability to purchase these direct for some coin. For all we know, there could have been a legal reason that meant they required a local Aussie distributor.
So are you boycotting Massdrop (and by extension these headphones)?
@Soothsayer: Pretty sure most agreements are between more than one party, yes. I was having a bit of a laugh earlier, but seriously it seems to me like Addicted to Audio saw a product which Aussies weren't being gouged on, and took the opportunity to gouge.
They've now succeeded in doing that and price jacked like $100 USD above what they were going for on massdrop except for in this one instance where they are on 'special' and are selling almost what massdrop normal price was.
Massdrop would be mad to refuse an offer to sell these headphones in volume to AtA. They also aren't the ones doing the price gouging.
Boycott stands.
Thought this was exclusive to Massdrop. Where did they source the stock?
You can no longer ship these from Massdrop to Australia, thanks to your friends at Addicted to Audio. They have some kind of agreement.
That's a compliment, right?
Because cost including shipping from Drop is about AUD 310.
More than happy to pay less and get it sooner, if I didn't already own one.You are confused. They were $180 usd recently with minimal shipping costs.
Pulled the trigger and bought this
Just bought this for my home studio. These seem to be recommended by many for mixing/mastering including mastering engineer Ian Shepherd https://productionadvice.co.uk/headphones-mixing/
Hopefully they will work well for me
I can't really decide between the hd6xx and the hd58x, then again my cans are always changing