Sennheiser HD 600 Headphone Review

[pbarach1]

[Sounds like I need to budget for a separate amp. Thanks for the advice.

Depends on your equipment, though. My Senn 650's sound just fine through the headphone jack on my older-model CD player (Marantz CD-67 SE-II) and my preamp (Carver CT-7). Perhaps you should try your phones with your existing equipment and see what results you get first... However, Headroom does have a returns policy, and I'm sure there are other headphone amp retailers that do as well...

 

[westcott]

Depends on your equipment, though. My Senn 650's sound just fine through the headphone jack on my older-model CD player (Marantz CD-67 SE-II) and my preamp (Carver CT-7). Perhaps you should try your phones with your existing equipment and see what results you get first... However, Headroom does have a returns policy, and I'm sure there are other headphone amp retailers that do as well...

I have the same 3805.

 

[pbarach1]

I have the same 3805.

If you figure out how to hook up a headphone amp to the 3805 and mute your speakers, please post the details. I couldn't figure it out, so I ended up by connecting the headphone amp to 2.0 analog terminals of the Denon 3910 player that I use with my 3805. The downside is that I can't use the headphones + the headphone amp when watching TV or listening to other signal sources such as FM or tapes.

 

[westcott]

If you figure out how to hook up a headphone amp to the 3805 and mute your speakers, please post the details. I couldn't figure it out, so I ended up by connecting the headphone amp to 2.0 analog terminals of the Denon 3910 player that I use with my 3805. The downside is that I can't use the headphones + the headphone amp when watching TV or listening to other signal sources such as FM or tapes.

As if I did not have enough homework to do

It seems silly that Denon does not mute the sound when you plug in a headphone. Sure would be a pain to have to put a mechanical switch in the front two channel speaker cables and select direct mode each time.

I will search the internet for a solution when I get a chance. If I find a solution, I will let you know pbarach1.

Thanks for the head up.

 

[emorphien]

Interesting review. I looked at the FR plot with a grain of salt (or a tablespoon full) since I do know that measuring for headphones does not correlate well with speakers.

I am curious why they sent you the HD600s and not the HD650s as well but both by any means are fantastic. Some day I'd like to get a pair of one of them. One thing I have read and seems pretty universally agreed upon is that they're demanding in terms of amplification so that most portables and even receivers or amps may not drive them well. From what I understand, budgeting another $200-300 for a headphone amp for these will really let them perform at their best.

 

[pbarach1]

As if I did not have enough homework to do

It seems silly that Denon does not mute the sound when you plug in a headphone.

It does--if you are intending to listen to the output of its headphone jack, which is terrible. You want the Denon to fixed level RCA analog outputs to connect to a headphome am, and tobe able to shut off the speakers. Doesn't seem to work, as my fist post in this thread indicates. Plugging something in the headphone jack mutes the speakers, but it also mutes the pre-outs and apparently the tape monitor outputs as well.

 

[WmAx]

From what I understand, budgeting another $200-300 for a headphone amp for these will really let them perform at their best.

A $90 model 1202 UB or Xenyx series Behringer mini-mixer has a built in headphone amplifier that will power virtually any headphone easily, and with zero audible noise(even on a super sensitive Sony MDR-CD3000). Even one of the most difficult(considerably less voltage sensitivity than a HD600), such as an AKG K340, is easily driven to sufficient levels with very low level, dynamic music, with no clipping.

However, some headphone amplifiers have special features that some people may desire, such as cross feed, or cosmetic appeal.

-Chris

 

[emorphien]

A $90 model 1202 UB or Xenyx series Behringer mini-mixer has a built in headphone amplifier that will power virtually any headphone easily, and with zero audible noise(even on a super sensitive Sony MDR-CD3000). Even one of the most difficult(considerably less voltage sensitivity than a HD600), such as an AKG K340, is easily driven to sufficient levels with very low level, dynamic music, with no clipping.

However, some headphone amplifiers have special features that some people may desire, such as cross feed, or cosmetic appeal.

-Chris

I'm sure those can and do perform well but I don't think they're going to sell well just as headphone amps due to size and aesthetics.

 

[Nick250]

I am sure they sell just fine. They are not marketed to the HT crowd however, if that is the basis of your comment. Cosmetics are personal preferences of course.

Nick

 

[Starmax]

If you figure out how to hook up a headphone amp to the 3805 and mute your speakers, please post the details. I couldn't figure it out, so I ended up by connecting the headphone amp to 2.0 analog terminals of the Denon 3910 player that I use with my 3805. The downside is that I can't use the headphones + the headphone amp when watching TV or listening to other signal sources such as FM or tapes.

My 650's plug into a Musical Fidelity X-Can v3 tube amp, which is connected into the stereo outs of a Denon 3910. I never even tried hooking into my 3805 (now retired and replaced with a 5805, which I am still in the process of setting up). Any comment on the sonic differences between the 5805 Dolby headphone jack and a quality outboard amp?

 

[pbarach1]

Any comment on the sonic differences between the 5805 Dolby headphone jack and a quality outboard amp?

Not from me, but you have all the equipment and cables, and it would take only a few minutes to check it out and report back!

 

[Starmax]

Not from me, but you have all the equipment and cables, and it would take only a few minutes to check it out and report back!

True, but I'm still lost in the bewilderness trying to set-up the 5805...I'll let you know as soon as I have everything ironed out. Say a couple years from now?

 

[pbarach1]

True, but I'm still lost in the bewilderness trying to set-up the 5805...I'll let you know as soon as I have everything ironed out. Say a couple years from now?

Denon has terrible manuals--the manuals for both of the Denon products I own are either confusing or solipsistic, depending which page I'm on. Forums like this one have been a lifesaver!

 

[Starmax]

Denon has terrible manuals--the manuals for both of the Denon products I own are either confusing or solipsistic, depending which page I'm on. Forums like this one have been a lifesaver!

Exactly! Not only poorly written (think Kung-Fu movie overdubs), but absolutely no help when it comes to making indecipherable decisions. It breaks down the options for you, but doesn't 'splain why you should choose one over the other. It would be so much more helpful and useful if the editors would climb down from their lofty perch of impervious detachment, and include a running commentary of the why's and how's. Instead, it is assumed that the reader is fully knowedgeable of terms, functions and theory.

 

[Nick250]

It's always been amazing to me that a corporation as big as Denon has consistently terrible manuals year after year. My $19.95 Timex has a better manual.

Nick

 

[Starmax]

It's always been amazing to me that a corporation as big as Denon has consistently terrible manuals year after year. My $19.95 Timex has a better manual.

Nick

Maybe the money Denon saves by skimping on their manual production is put back into the quality of their product so that the consumer ultimately gains. Ya think? Nahhhh.....

 

[ichigo]

Ah...I see. So Timex is skimping on quality to make better manuals. LOL

 

[pbarach1]

Maybe the money Denon saves by skimping on their manual production is put back into the quality of their product so that the consumer ultimately gains. Ya think? Nahhhh.....

This question is ultimately not answerable, but I'm sure there are plenty of examples of companies that have sold quality products with good manuals. We could start with Kenmore or GE kitchen appliances...

 

[Biggiesized]

Pursuing the truth

Alright I'm going to resurrect this thread from the dead. Big whoop, wanna fight about it?

Questions for Gene (since he did the reviewing):

1.) When do you plan on doing more high-end headphone reviews? I'd like to get your opinion on how these headphones match up against other models (e.g. HD650, AKG K701, Grado SR325i, etc.). I'm sure the people at HeadRoom could hook you up with several pairs for direct comparison.

2.) How do different amplifiers affect the sound especially with high impedence units? You wrote about using your DVD-ROM drive, HeadRoom Micro Amp/DAC combo, and your Denon AVR-5805. How much of a difference, if any, did you hear between the latter two? There are a lot of boutique headphone amps out there for sale for exorbitant prices and it'd be great if you could sort out what's necessary versus what's excessive. Some will even proclaim headphone amps are not needed at all (through my researching I'd likely dispute that). WmAx has suggested Behringer headphone mixers around the $100 price range that'll drive them perfectly. Why might one want to invest in a dedicated headphone amp that is triple or quadruple that price of something that'll do it for less (besides aesthetics)?

I think more headphone reviews would be a great boost to this site's reviewing prowess. You proclaim to be the truth in A/V--you could dispel some of the snake oil products in headphone+amp industry.

 

[furrycute]

I have listened to both the HD600 and the HD650. I prefer the sound of the HD600. Sennheiser made the HD650's bottom end response more pronounced, giving the sound a more syrupy texture. It wasn't my cup of tea.

As to headphone amps. I don't know. How much can a headphone amp really cost? I mean, you can get decent speaker amps for about $500. And you have people selling headphone amps that cost over $1,000. I think some of those headphone amps definitely cost WAY too much.

With high impedance cans like the HD600, you definitely need a headphone amp. With low impedance cans, any built in headphone out will drive those headphones without difficulty.