Massdrop’s HD 6XX are the 650s with a new paint job, shorter cable, and a silly price
If you want an objective measure for how good a pair of Cans is, look at how long it’s been on sale. Sennheiser’s HD 650 has gone unchanged for 13 decades, having once been the pinnacle of the firm’s lineup. Priced at its usual $500, this pair of open-back headset stays a standard setter others need to compare themselves against, but today it’s getting a makeover which drops the cost down to some frankly absurd $199.99. Massdrop, the crowd-shopping site that collaborates with headphone manufacturers to do special limited versions of popular cans, has worked together with Sennheiser and is now offering a special HD 6XX version at the lower price.
The Sennheiser HD 6XX is identical to the HD 650 in its Sound signature, construction materials, and Ireland-based manufacturing. It only differs in using a new”midnight blue” colour scheme that swaps out the 650’s grays to get an almost-black shade of indigo blue around the ear cups and the headband. The 6XX also makes a few advantage developments: the cable has been shortened to 1.5m / 5ft and it currently terminates in a 3.5millimeter connector instead of the 650’s 6.35mm jack. Otherwise, however, this is the specific same HD 650 that my buddy Chris Plante fell in love with over a decade of happy listening.
There are only 5,000 units available for the current”drop,” which starts right today And is unlikely to last a very long time. Although no such promises are made for customers, US deliveries are expected to be finished by December 25th.
You won’t find another pair of 200 headphones coming near this degree of quality anytime soon
In any case, the advice for all these headphones in this price is a no-brainer: purchase them if and while you can. You won’t find any additional $200 headphones coming near this amount of quality.
I have been listening to some of those HD 6XX for a few Days ahead of the launch today, and they do indeed exhibit the characteristics of the Sennheiser HD 650. There’s nothing about these headphones which is offensive: they have pleasing, but not overpowering bass, they protect the full assortment of frequencies with accuracy, and they appear incapable of reproducing harsh treble.
The HD 650 / 6XX provide a relaxed listen which will remain enjoyable. They’ve a bit of a bass bulge to them, which can be especially satisfying when watching movies or playing games, adding that additional bit of non rumble to action sequences and explosions.
These cans have remained unaltered for so long because Their equilibrium is excellent. They do not offend, they do not fatigue, and they walk the fine line of pleasing audio purists and casual listeners.
Another important plus for the HD 650 / 6XX is that their fit and Comfort. Their large oblong ear cups snugly and firmly around the ear and simply feel. Their clamping force is powerful, and they’ll leave an imprint once you’ve worn them, but these are unproblematic items. With match and their lightness being a match to their polite, friendly sound touch, I find these cans comfortable.
They are small and, if there are downsides to this HD 650 Simple to pick up on a spec sheet. First is They’re available back, so You’ll be trying to use them in an environment where you won’t Aggravate people nearby (and outside sound won’t spoil your enjoyment Of your music).
I would not call them transparent, nevertheless, As the 650s nevertheless manage to isolate Like something in the Grado range Exterior audio to some level, even with their wide-open metallic net covers. The other issue is that, in an impedance of 300 Ohm, These headphones call for a strong amplifier to drive them fullest.
You can get away with plugging them Will not bring you anywhere. A committed Amplifier, at a mobile one like the Oppo HA-2 is a required Purchase along with the HD 650. But then HD the $199 price of 6XX, You get just enough off the normal 650 cost to buy an HA-2SE, so it all works out well in the end!
