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| ai_god Joined: N/A |  Message [#1] posted on: 05-03-2001 06:00 PM CST (US).   |  |  I think some of you know that I can be very opinionated. I would like to express an opinion I have of the HD600's. If you listen to Grados alot chances are you will not like these headphones and the opposite is also true. I think those of you who listen to your Grados for months and get a new pair of HD600's, plug em in for the first time, and are dissapointed deserve to be... Seriously, if anyone has some 600's or 580's that they literally cannot stand Ill trade you my Grados AND my Ixos 1001's for them... The sound of Sennheiser: In simple terms the 600's are by definition beautiful. Gentle, soft phrases pour from them in a watery embrace of forgetfullness. The sound flows across the mind, it is more than a reproduction it is a unifying force that will bring you to the soul of music. When you hear a song you may imagine the band playing as these phones are incredibly natural and realistic in a way totally unlike Grados. When I listen though, I don't think, I imagine... These headphones can be the soundtrack to dreams. Visceral yet far away, you feel it with all your heart but the imagery is not real somehow, it's a dream, it floats around inside you and slowly you go back within yourself... You don't pair these headphones with rock and roll. You don't buy these headphones to make your eyes blink, and your feet tap. I can go to a club and hear music that makes me want to dance. If I want to go to sleep in the clouds I put on some Sennheisers, something smooth and sinous, and I close my eyes and go where the music takes me. If I am having a nightmare maybe I will put on some Grados and listen to cymbal crashes at a loud volume. Sennheisers will charm you with the little things that they do right everytime. Grados will attempt wherever possible to stuff the music down your throat. Remember, if you don't like your 600's or 580's drop me a line maybe we can trade. |
joelongwood Headphone Council Joined: Mar. 5, 2001 | Message [#2] posted on: 05-03-2001 06:24 PM CST (US). | | Sorry, ai_god, I don't share your enthusiasm for these 'phones. It's possible that you are correct in your assessment of the situation with your speculation that frequent listening to Grados might lead to a less-than-enthusiastic response to the Senn sound. However, I don't think that's the case, and I'll tell you why. I brought my Panasonic portable/TA and Senn HD600s and MS Pros over to a neighbor's house this evening. I also brought some acoustic music (mostly guitars and vocals) with me. These friends of mine are not audiophiles but they do enjoy good sound, albeit not with headphones.Without saying anything I opened up the Senn box (impressive) and cued up a cut from the CD. Husband and wife took a listen for a few minutes and both said, "wow....these are really tight-fitting", "they sound good....really smooth.....nice." I then brought out the MS Pros and cued up the came cut, adjusted the volume as close as I could and handed the phones over. Each took a listen. Responses: "Night and day!" "Unbelievable!" "Those other things (Senns) sound muffled in comparison." "I wouldn't have believed there was such a difference in headphones." "The music with these (MS Pros) have feeling." I could see their eyes close as they got into what they were hearing. Then I asked them to get some of their favorite CDs (soft pop like The Carpenters, Johnny Mathis). They took another listen on both 'phones and their responses were the same. The Grados won hands-down. Of course, even though they really liked the sound of the Grados, they gasped...."You spent how much on headphones??!!" Granted, this was a very brief test with less than optimal equipment, but it at least served a purpose.....it shows I'm not alone in my wonderment that these are the top-of-the-line headphones from such a respected headphone manufacturer. Amazing. PS. I'm glad you're happy with the Senns ai_god.....I guess it's the old "different strokes for different folks" (Do I have to cite Vertigo as the source of this?;o) [Edited by joelongwood (05-03-2001 at 09:40 PM).] |
| CRESCENDOPOWER HeadWizer Joined: 0, 0000 | Message [#3] posted on: 05-03-2001 06:57 PM CST (US). | | I can understand how different people have different tastes. I have heard many different headphones, but none satisfy me nearly as much as the HD580/600s. I also feel that there are many speakers, and headphones that lack air at 60 hertz. Because of this lack of bass extension, these speakers, and or headphones will emphasize more of the midbass which will sound much faster. |
| AndreYew HeadWizer Joined: N/A | Message [#4] posted on: 05-03-2001 07:06 PM CST (US). | | I've had the opposite experiences from joelongwood with Grado SR-80's, AKG K1000's, and the Sony CD1700 when compared to the HD-600 and 580's. All were driven by a HeadRoom Supreme, except for the K1000's which were driven by an Acurus A80/RL11 from the same source as the Supreme. Everyone liked the Senns over the others. Go figure. Different strokes, different folks. BTW, their comments were similar to ai_god's: the Senns are very beautiful to listen to. I think the Senns, like another poster mentions, grow on you over time --- it's a headphone to be appreciated and discovered over time, and doesn't quite hit you over the head immediately. The clamping force does go down. I've had my HD-580's for about 7 years now, and they are perfectly comfortable. When I received the HD-600's from Jan, they were definitely tighter, but I expect them to loosen up over time, especially as the cushions flatten out. --Andre |
| Voyager HeadWizer Joined: N/A | Message [#5] posted on: 05-03-2001 07:07 PM CST (US). | | I tried the 600s the other day and though they were driven from the headphone jack of a cheap yamaha receiver, they were ... words can't describe. The first thing I noticed was a HUGE sound stage, so much more detail, and much better extention than my Grado SR-80s. All of my money is now being saved for these phones and an amp. If I had the money, I'd have bought them on the spot. They completely blew my grados out of the water(I should hope so for the price) Just thought I'd share my experience from 1 hour of use |
| joelongwood Headphone Council Joined: Mar. 5, 2001 | Message [#6] posted on: 05-03-2001 07:24 PM CST (US). | | Voyager, I think if you listened to the RS-1s or MS-Pros or 325s, I really don't think you'd say that the Senns "blew them out of the water." Or maybe you have heard them? To my ears, the soundstage, spaciousness, depth, and detail on these models is FAR superior to the SR-80s. You know, with all the comments regarding Senn vs. Grado sound, I'm really coming to believe that the only thing that matters in all of this is whether or not it sounds good to you.....measurements be damned! It appears we all hear things differently. Which is what makes this site so much fun. Thank you, Cmoy! |
| royboy2k Headphone Council Joined: N/A | Message [#7] posted on: 05-03-2001 08:08 PM CST (US). | | I don't think anyone can declare the ultimate dynamic headphone until they've heard them all. This doesn't mean you're wrong though, ai_god, since you have your own opinions. |
| acidtripwow Headphone Council Joined: May 28, 2008 | Message [#8] posted on: 05-03-2001 08:19 PM CST (US). | | Ai_god, are you sure it's the headphones or the drugs? If it's the latter please give me some. |
| Chewy Member Joined: Apr. 24, 2001 | Message [#9] posted on: 05-03-2001 08:27 PM CST (US). | | I'm soon to be the proud owner of HD600 and want to know how long does it take to break them in!? acidtripwow - which drugs are best for listening to cans dude? Like flooding on the music, hearing every note and slowing down every beat. |
| Flumpus Member Joined: N/A | Message [#10] posted on: 05-03-2001 08:28 PM CST (US). | | It's all about personal taste... I didn't like the sound of the MS Pro's. I thought they sounded completely different than Vertigo's description of the RS-1's. The midrange sounded dry, forward, but overshadowed by the treble most of the time. Accoustic music with vocals was the worst. The guitar sounded fatiguing and very bright, which pretty much eliminated any of the warmth the vocals had to begin with. Just my opinion of course, but this is why I ordered the HD600's and switched to a tube amp. I think it'll be the sound I want. The tube amp (MG Head DT w/ new tubes) is sounding great with my V6's, just what I wanted. So I'm REALLY looking forward to the HD600's. I'll be posting alot more detailed comparisons and opinions after I get some time with my HD600's (should get here tomorrow hopefully...). |
| joelongwood Headphone Council Joined: Mar. 5, 2001 | Message [#11] posted on: 05-03-2001 08:56 PM CST (US). | | Man, Flumpus, your description of the MS-Pros leads me to believe that somehow, in shipment, the U.S. Postal service must have switched the phones I bought from you and sent me a different pair instead. The MS-Pros I have possess a slightly forward, absolutely gorgeous midrange, a smooth, balanced treble, and beautiful, tight bass. I've been listening to acoustic vocals almost exclusively since they arrived.......I can't get enough! To my ears, these things really do "sing." What's really interesting about these posts is they illustrate what I think by now is becoming an accepted fact.......individuals really do hear things differently, and it seems, to a large degree. As you say...."It's all about personal taste." PS I'm glad you didn't like the MS-Pros. :o) |
| ai_god Headphone Council Joined: N/A | Message [#12] posted on: 05-03-2001 10:32 PM CST (US). | | I am so tempted to get the MSP's based on what I hear around here. But I know they cannot compare to the HD600's... The 600's have subtlety that is so perfect that the music can tear into me... I have been brought to tears on more than one ocassion. They are beautiful in every sense of the word... |
| Gradoistcool HeadWize Fanatic Joined: Feb. 5, 2001 | Message [#13] posted on: 05-03-2001 11:42 PM CST (US). | | i love HD600´s but i agree also that classical is not their strongpoint... if you want good classical reproduction get a AKG K501 or RS-1.... much clearer for violins especially HD600´s sound dare i say muddy in a comparison, but for live music HD600´s are AWESOME! |
| RossB HeadWize Fanatic Joined: N/A | Message [#14] posted on: 05-04-2001 12:08 AM CST (US). | | Classical music certainly is the strongpoint of the 600s. |
| ai_god HeadWize Fanatic Joined: N/A | Message [#15] posted on: 05-04-2001 12:16 AM CST (US). | | I am with RossB, classical is where these headphones are unsurpassed. I think gradoistcool might like RS-1's more for classical because they manage to "interest" him more in that genre... IE they tend to add excitement to everything. |
| Daniel Pumphrey HeadWize Fanatic Joined: N/A | Message [#16] posted on: 05-04-2001 01:59 AM CST (US). | | I guess you guys just like to argue. This is the same stuff over and over again. Neither of these phones are really accurate. Check out the frequency response graphs at Headroom. The 580 actually does better than the 600. I don't know why, but it's there. I like musical equipment which does not color the music, and can't find this with either Grado or Sennheiser. You can argue the virtues of these forever and never get anywhere. Do you not enjoy your phones unless you think they are the very best? They are pretty good, but it is the music which you listen to that really matters. Dan [Edited by Daniel Pumphrey (05-04-2001 at 05:05 AM).] |
| jude HeadWize Fanatic Joined: N/A | Message [#17] posted on: 05-04-2001 02:35 AM CST (US). | | Daniel, I think that these friendly debates are actually pretty fun to read. I don't think, in a thread like this, that anyone actually expects to convince those with opposing viewpoints to his way of hearing/thinking. If you think about it, much of this whole forum is just the same stuff over and over again -- most hobby-specific clubs I've participated in are like that, and that's a large part of the fun of it for me (constant immersion in a somewhat limited topic of big interest to me). And now that I'm here, I'm going to add my silly, worth-something-only-to-me contribution to this thread: To my ears the HD-600's are accurate, only to the extent that every instrument and voice they reproduce seem real-sounding to me. I'm sure they impart color (as almost every piece of equipment does), but the overall perception to me from these phones (and several other good phones that are also measurably colored) is of accurate reproduction of instruments and voices. Hamelin's piano sounds very piano-ish to me. DuPre's cello sounds very cello-ish to me. Etc. Admittedly, I don't pay much mind to the graphs. Those HD-600's -- my ears totally dig 'em. And more I listen to them, the more I appreciate them. I still like Grado SR-325's, but I can't believe I actually chose them over the HD-600's at one time. [Edited by jude (05-04-2001 at 05:40 AM).] |
| joelongwood Headphone Council Joined: Mar. 5, 2001 | Message [#18] posted on: 05-04-2001 05:30 AM CST (US). | | Actually, ai_god, the only movie with Stallone that I've seen is Rocky, which I happened to think was very good. Are you inferring that a preference for Grados translates into a love of violent, shoot-em-up movies? Sorry to disappoint you, but I really do not watch any of those things. I find them pointless, mindless, and generally pretty barbaric. Remember, I'm an old guy from the sixties when it was actually cool to be kind and gentle. I still try to carry that spirit with me. With regards to my choice of Grados for all types of music, it's really rather simple: I've always dreamed of being on stage with the performers.......Grados put me there. Peace |
| Beagle Headphone Council Joined: N/A | Message [#19] posted on: 05-04-2001 05:46 AM CST (US). | | "You don't pair these headphones with rock and roll. You don't buy these headphones to make your eyes blink, and your feet tap" So you buy them to bore you to sleep or simulate an acid trip? I have the HD600 and they do everything well. I have the SR325 and they do everything well too. But they are different. Like people. And tastes. You can argue forever but you will never solve or prove anything because there ain't nothing to be solved or proved. Just music to be enjoyed. So go forth and enjoy already. |
| joelongwood Headphone Council Joined: Mar. 5, 2001 | Message [#20] posted on: 05-04-2001 06:16 AM CST (US). | | Thank you, Beagle. A true voice of reason. |
| acidtripwow Headphone Council Joined: May 28, 2008 | Message [#21] posted on: 05-04-2001 07:28 AM CST (US). | | There must be some truth to what ai_god and others that really like the 600 say. When I sold my pair I had more inquiries about this headphone than any other piece of equipment I've sold. I say that the 600 is a good headphone, but I just didn't hear what other people heard and that's why I sold them. When I listen to my MicroZotl and Grado HP2 I can't imagine things sounding any better. But it all has to do with personal preference and if it sounds good to you than that's all that matters. ai_god, I don't do drugs either...that is just wrong. Ouch, I just got hit by lightning for some reason! [Edited by acidtripwow (05-04-2001 at 10:30 AM).] |
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